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The Pact
Title: The Pact
Author: Sharon Bolton
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Published: 2021
Obtained: Audible
Six friends spend the summer together before embarking on their bright futures. The six of them have a secret game, however, that is dangerously risky; while they lucked out the first 5 times, they aren’t so lucky on the 6th turn. Privileged, young and self-centered, they panic. Megan, one of the six, agrees to take the blame for the accident–with a catch. Her friends soon turn their backs on her, leaving her to rot in prison. Twenty years later, she is a free woman and is out to collect on their part of the deal…and revenge.
Let me start of by saying that Sharon Bolton is one of my favorite authors. And The Pact starts off in true Bolton fashion–tense and suspenseful. I loved the premise of the story and the building tension. Of course, I also love the twists and turns Bolton writes. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters, so I found myself surprised that I was so quickly engrossed in the novel. I was disappointed, however, by a few things–including the ending.
The Pact is almost like a character study that looks at how people deal with trauma and guilt in vastly different ways. Each one of these characters has flaws and ugly habits/tendencies that stem from the horrible accident they caused; this leads to the various dysfunctional ways they dealt with the aftermath. The only person I was rooting for was Megan, and that was mostly on principle. I disliked the other characters so much I wanted her to destroy them in vengeance. I was disappointed when her plan was revealed, as it was anticlimatic.
Bolton is the absolute queen of twisty thrillers. I devoured this book for it’s mounting suspense and the idea that I wasn’t sure how it was going to end. I enjoyed watching the five friends squirm as Megan always seemed to be a step ahead of them. I liked the way Bolton revealed more depth to the history of the friends. But, some of the plot devices seemed out of left field–unbelievable and disappointing. While I typically enjoy the surprising endings to Bolton’s books, they always seem to work. When I reach the end of her novels, I can look back and be mindblown that there were clues all along that I just didn’t grasp or pick up on along the way. I didn’t guess the ending to The Pact. But, in all fairness, I don’t think it made any sense. It felt cheap; I felt blindsided and cheated. There were so many other directions the story could have taken, and I was left feeling let down. Not every story can be everyone’s cup of tea and I can totally see how some people loved this novel entirely.
I am giving The Pact 3 out of 5 stars. I liked the book, but I didn’t love it. Maybe because I’ve gobbled up so many of her other books and felt consistently mind blown by the twists—I was just expecting so much more from the ending! But, as I’ve said, I can see why some readers wouldn’t have my same complaints. I paired this book with a rosé prosecco. La Marca was fitting as it made me feel like I was sitting by Tal’s lavish pool…minus the reckless joyride! It’s a perfect bubbly beverage for reading—it’s dry and crisp with hints of peach and berries. Honestly, I think I’d take the zesty prosecco over this read any day! Happy reading (and sipping)!
Rating: 3/5
Wine Pairing: La Marca rosé prosecco
Snag a copy at Amazon
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No Exit
Title: No Exit
Author: Taylor Adams
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Published: 2017
Obtained: Amazon
Darby is on her way home from college for the holiday when she becomes stranded at a rest area due to a Colorado blizzard. She finds herself waiting out the storm along with four strangers. As Darby is attempting to find some cell reception, she is shocked to find a child locked in the back of a van. Thus begins the longest night of her life—who is the child and which one of the strangers is responsible for her abduction?
Let me just channel my inner Janice Hosenstein and say…”OH MY GOD!” This book is intense—like nail-bitingly, jaw dropping, I need a strong drink kind of intense. I was a little skeptical going in because it had so much hype, and lately overly hyped books have been underwhelming for me. But this one did not disappoint! The main character, the tension, the twists…it all was pretty damn near perfect.
Darby is a fantastic narrator. I found her funny and intelligent. She is flawed, as is everybody, and totally believable as a character. I rooted for her throughout the story. I enjoyed the other characters, as well. It’s hard to go into too much detail without giving away spoilers, but I found them all to be written convincingly well. I was surprised that the villain is glaringly obvious from the start, and yet, I loved that not all the characters are what they initially seem to be.
The tension is deliciously stressful. I wanted to cover my eyes at so many parts, but they were glued to the words. Adams has a wonderful way of painting the scene with just enough gore and suspense to keep you engaged, but not too much to make you want to put the book down. A lot of the twists stem from mistakes the characters make, particularly Darby; however, this made it more believable, because at the end of the day, Darby is an ordinary young woman thrust into this terrible situation. Any bits that I managed to predict (or blatantly saw coming) didn’t deter me from devouring this book within two days.
Overall, I loved this read. It was fast paced, terrifying, a little gory, extremely intense and super vivid. If you love a good thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend it. I give No Exit a rating of 5 stars. I also recommend Tall Dark Stranger, a rich malbec from Argentina. It’s strong and smooth with a nice berry flavor, but not sweet—a full-bodied wine to sip with a rich, intense thriller. Enjoy!
Rating: 5/5
Wine Pairing: Tall Dark Stranger 2017 malbec
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The Devil All the Time
Title: The Devil All the Time
Author: Donald Ray Pollock
Genre: Fiction/Southern Gothic/Thriller
Published: 2011
Obtained: Barnes & Noble (soft cover) Audible (audio version)
The Devil All the Time follows several individuals post World War II from Ohio to West Virginia. The novel includes a troubled war veteran trying to impart his hard-learned lessons to his son, a few twisted preachers with questionable and disgusting ways and a married couple embarking on killing sprees as a form of vacation. This dark and gritty tale explores how far some will go to protect what’s important to them.
Wow. I’m still settling into my feelings after finishing this novel. Gritty seems to be the key word when trying to find a way to describe it. It’s a highly engaging story, although it’s not uplifting. I was completely drawn into the story with its real, complex and often disgusting characters. The writing itself is superb—the plot and the descriptions were detailed and impressive. The themes that run through the story are both relatable and, sometimes, off-putting. I didn’t want to put the book down at night, and yet, I was apprehensive to continue…I constantly felt it couldn’t get darker and I was repeatedly proven wrong.
If you’ve read my reviews before, you know characterization is critical for me as a reader. Let me tell you—these characters seemed so real as I read this book. I could visualize every single person. I didn’t like a majority of them, but I somehow still managed to feel something for them other than dislike—pity, understanding, sadness. Arvin Russell, the young son of the war veteran, is the only character I found myself rooting for; I wanted him to find some kind of hope or happiness at the end. His father did some pretty messed up things, but, I think anyone who has struggled with trauma and loss can see him with some understanding…even if his actions were appalling.
The preachers throughout the story are unsettling. The lengths they go to in order to convince others of their faith, like eating spiders, to using their position to take advantage of the young women and girls in town, are revolting. The married couple on a killing spree are written so well that you can smell their rancid body odors and sweat page after page. Pollock has created complex characters that are grounded in real and violent substance. They felt tangible and terrifying.
The way Pollock weaves these separate stories into one riveting and winding tale is awesome. His imagery is exceptionally vivid; the images of blood and dirt and grime are clear, as are the ripe smells of decay, whiskey and filth. The backwoods altar Arvin’s father makes near their house—a place for prayer and blood sacrifices—is intense. I felt claustrophobic in the stifled church with people packed elbow-to-elbow, watching some rough looking guys plucking guitar and ranting about sin. Pollock’s writing gave me the heebie jeebies, but I wanted more.
I can’t quite put my finger on what is at the core of this novel. There’s the notion that a person ought to protect the ones they love—and avenge them if need be. But, there’s something more than that. The characters in this book go to great lengths to preserve and protect what brings them pleasure—whether it’s their family, their faith, their joy in taking virginities, their joy in hunting and killing or their own greed. I think it’s uncomfortable because the reader doesn’t want to think they could ever do such awful, vile things. But, Arvin and his family (both those who died and those who take him in) are seemingly God-loving people who don’t start out trying to cause harm. But, one uncomfortable truth that is explored here is that just because you don’t go looking to get into trouble, doesn’t mean trouble doesn’t find you. And I think that’s why it was so troublesome as a reader—you don’t want to approve of the revolting things that happen, but you also want some kind of justice to be found.
The Devil All the Time is dark, captivating and riveting. The violence, both physical and emotional, is strewn about the pages as if it is the normal thing in the world. The images, characters and tension will stick with me. Netflix is soon releasing a film based upon this novel, and I am beyond excited. I give The Devil All the Time 5/5 stars. I started out with a white wine, but quickly gave way to a bottle of The Four Graces, a pinot noir; I needed something dark to go with this read. This wine is earthy, dry and gritty; it pairs really well with Pollock’s novel. I highly recommend The Devil All the Time read if you enjoy a good story consisting of complex characters and thrilling content.
Rating: 5/5
Wine Pairing: The Four Graces Pinot Noir 2018
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Where the Crawdads Sing
Title: Where the Crawdads Sing
Author: Delia Owens
Genre: Fiction
Published: 2018
Obtained: Unknown—gifted
*This post contains affiliate links. This means if you clink on the link and purchase, I will receive a commission at no cost to you. My opinions in this post are my own!*
My reading buddy keeping me company Kya, the Marsh Girl, is no stranger to darkness and rumors. She was abandoned alone in the marshlands near a small town in North Carolina; she grew up depending on herself and figuring out life, largely, on her own. She teaches herself about the land, sea, animals and plants. Though timid and shy, she allows in two young men into her life over time. With the presence of these two men, she also allows herself to dream of a life and love she has never known. Then, one day, the unimaginable happens. Will a town of people who judged and shunned Kya support her when the time comes or outcast her as they’ve always done?
I was super impressed by Where the Crawdads Sing. For starters, Delia Owens has created prose in this novel that reads like poetry. She tells a story that unfolds slowly; she writes with a charm that pulls you into Kya’s lonely and beautifully sad world. She has crafted characters that the reader can relate to and some that might disgust one to his/her core. I really enjoyed this novel.
The voice in Where the Crawdads Sing is amazing. Owens writes so beautifully, that at times I didn’t even care that the story was slowpaced; the words were so vivid I was easily swept into Kya’s home and surrounding marsh. I listened to a bit of the audio version of the book because it really does flow rhythmically to the ears. Kya, though uneducated in terms of schooling, is brilliant. She is observant and detailed in her descriptions. The voice matched the character extremely well.
Though the story flows like molasses initially, it eventually picks up steam. I couldn’t wait to pick it back up and dive back into Kya’s marsh and find out what happens next. The characters were well developed—Kya, her father, Tate, Jodie, Chase, Jumpin’, Mabel. I loved the complexity of her feelings towards her family—especially her father and mother; I think Owens captured the confusion and innocence of a child’s outlook on abandonment superbly. While I couldn’t relate directly to some of the hardships that Kya endured, I could relate to her outlook and see her point of view with much clarity.
The story itself is engaging. I loved the strength of the main character as she not only figures out life, but also creates success for herself. I enjoyed the graceful way the story develops and how it, somewhere, shifts to being more urgent and heavy. While the ending wasn’t necessarily shocking, it was suiting to the story. Not to mention, there was one detail I did not see coming that sort of made me go back and reread some scenes with the new perspective I found in the ending. Overall, it was a fantastic story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I give Where the Crawdads Sing a 4.5/5. The story was engaging and well written. My only complaint was how slow the momentum was at first. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good story—there wasn’t as much mystery as I was anticipating, but in the end, I didn’t care. I enjoyed Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc with the book. It was a zesty, citrusy, earthy white wine that mingled nicely with the nature and setting of the book. The flavors of the wine unfold as do the layers of Kya. A good read deserves a good glass of wine, I say!
Rating: 4.5/5
Wine Pairing: Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2018
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The Man in the High Castle
Photo is a screenshot from my Audible app
Title: The Man in the High Castle
Author: Philip K. Dick
Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian/Alternate Fiction
Published: 1962
Obtained: Audible
It’s the early 1960’s in the United States, which has been divided since the end of World War II; one half is under Nazi control, while the other is under Japanese rule. The only hope that really manifests for the individuals living under the German or Japanese rule is in the form of a novel called, The Grasshopper Lies Heavy—a banned book depicting a world in which the Axis Powers lose the war.
Photo is a screenshot from my Audible app
Let me start by stating that this review does contain some small spoilers; as hard as I tried to avoid spoiling anything too profound, it was incredibly difficult to discuss this book without exploiting some details. I have such a complicated view on this book which mirrors the complicated feelings I experienced while reading it. I selected this book after I started watching the series on Amazon Prime. The show is gripping despite it’s slow start. The television series has definitely taken some liberties from the novel, but the skeletal foundation is there. The Man in the High Castle takes place in a world where the Axis powers won World War II. It opens in the early 1960’s where half of the United States is under rule of Nazi Germany in the Greater Nazi Reich and the other half is under the influence of Imperial Japan in the Pacific States of America. The story opens with unsettling details through the eyes of a few primary characters—slavery is once again legal, individuals are persecuted based on race and those of Jewish descent are forced to live under new names to survive in secret. The author, Philip K. Dick, takes the reader on a journey through a parallel universe that depicts how our world might be if the U.S. had lost the war. The novel is both terrifying and ingenious. While Dick’s theories and ideas are both strong and dynamic, they tend to drown out the characters and the subplots in the book.
I am not typically drawn to science fiction or dystopian novels. As I mentioned, I picked this book up after I was sucked into the show. However, I was compelled by the exploration of race, alternate realities and destiny/fate. I think I was most struck to see how the world could be if World War II had a different outcome. What I find terrifying is the thought of how easily our world could slip into this type of intolerant, violent society as depicted in The Man in the High Castle. I found it interesting that so many characters in this novel utilize the I Ching to help guide them as they make decisions. The I Ching literally pops up in every plot and subplot of the novel; it is the connection between various characters. More incredibly, however, is the idea that the I Ching allows the reader glimpses into these alternate universes that some of the characters experience. The book gets even more mind blowing with the introduction of The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, which is a book within The Man in the High Castle; The Grasshopper Lies Heavy is a book written by a character named Hawthorne Abendsen. Abendsen’s novel is a refreshing piece of fiction for many of the characters in The Man in the High Castle because it depicts a world where the Axis powers lost World War II; though not quite the world as we know it now, many characters are drawn to the book because it offers a glimmer of hope. Now, here comes a spoiler (sorry!): Abendsen admits to using the I Ching to write The Grasshopper Lies Heavy—implying that there is a truth regarding the outcomes written in it. Because The Grasshopper Lies Heavy ends with some differences compared to our own history, the reader is left wondering if Dick is implying that our real world is also an alternate universe in a sea of possible worlds. If your brain hurts, welcome to the club!
A big glass of Fortress wine to help the brain pain!
As the reader, I did have my issues with the book. While the alternate universe and the connections of fate kept my mind reeling and invested, I felt very little connection to a majority of the characters. I’ve said this before in my reviews, but characterization is a big deal to me as a reader. I enjoyed some of the inner-monologues, like Frank’s or Childen’s, that offered some insight into their perspectives of that world and the shift in culture…but these instances were far and few between. Aside from the fascinating world Dick created, I felt lost and bored during many parts of the book. Perhaps I made the mistake of starting the show first; I was expecting more from the characters and much more action. The novel consists of a lot of “almosts” —there was almost an assassination and there was almost a horrible tragedy in store for an important character. However, a lot of these “almost” things don’t come to fruition. In fact, the ending of the novel, while establishing a profound and thought provoking possibility, is extremely anticlimactic in terms of action and closure.
All in all, The Man in the High Castle consisted of intriguing sub-plots that are introduced and then nicely woven together as the story progresses. The scary world that Dick has created offers a lot of opportunities for the reader to imagine how differently our lives could be…and, arguably, draw parallels to the events occuring in real time. The ideas of alternate realities and fate are well developed and are written philosophically and profoundly. Yet, Dick delivers an underwhelming novel. He fails to cultivate any real connection between the reader and the characters. The lack of action left me wanting more from the story; truthfully, some of the monologues and passages felt mind-numbing and had me itching to put down the book. While the initial glaring presence of exterminations, persecutions and violence were terrifying, the idea of American culture being destroyed and non-existent was incredibly unsettling. I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. It is the most demanding book I’ve read—meaning, it required a lot of focus and mental effort to read it, understand it and appreciate/enjoy it. As a book-lover, it pains me to admit that I am enjoying the show far more than I enjoyed the novel (insert Septa Unella following me with her bell saying, “Shame! Shame!”). But, it’s true. I do recommend this book to anyone who enjoys alternate universes, dystopian-type books and profound thoughts on truth and fate. I also recommend giving it a try if you are currently watching, or have interest in watching, the Amazon Prime series. And I highly suggest watching The Man in the High Castle—I have found that the writers and developers of the series have really expanded on the characters, giving them more depth and more meaning. As far as the wine pairing, I suggest anything that contains a high alcohol content, for your brain will surely thank you. Specifically, I recommend Fortress Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, which has a 14.5% alcohol content to help swallow down the atrocities of the Axis alliance. This wine provides a bold, dark and strong flavor that pairs well with the dark and, often, cryptic aspects of The Man in the High Castle. Enjoy!
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Wine Pairing: Fortress Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Snag your own copy: Audible or Amazon
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A Secret History of Witches
Title: A Secret History of Witches
Author: Louisa Morgan
Genre: Fiction/Occult Fiction
Published: 2017
Obtained: Barnes & Noble
Spanning five generations, A Secret History of Witches is a tale of witchcraft that is passed down from mother to daughter through the Orchiére family. Beginning in early 19th century in Brittany, the story begins with Grandmére Ursule and her sacrifice for her lineage. Her female descendents continue practicing the craft, with the magic coming to each woman in unique ways. As the world evolves and changes, so changes each generation of witch…and so changes the craft.
I had high hopes for this novel. I selected it as my first fall read, and, quite frankly, the cover is what initially hooked me. Unfortunately, the novel did not live up to my expectations. I found the plot repetitive, a majority of the characters underwhelming and the story itself anti-climatic. Louisa Morgan has a beautiful knack for prose and the seeds of a potentially great story.
Each of the main female characters has their own story within the novel. Therefore, the reader does not experience the entire story within one realm of characters. Each of the women’s stories—Nanette, Ursule, Irene, Morwen and Veronica—seem to follow very similar patterns…at least up until the last daughter, Veronica. It’s a redundant pattern that had me disappointed—for most of these strong, powerful females continually use their magic to hook a man OR use one in order to get pregnant. With such a set up of women where the matriarchy is crucial and capable, they easily bend to the patriarchal ways. Of course, I understand that Morgan is including actual history in regards to how society ran with gender roles, but I was so hoping for something more substantial. I will say that I enjoyed Veronica’s story the most out of all the women, for she uses her craft to help fight the war and to make the world a better place. For me, Veronica is the most astounding female character in the book, for she uses her powers effectively with very little thought for herself. Unfortunately, it wasn’t just the plot that was repetitive, but the themes, as well. Every section reminds the reader that men are oppressive beings who hate what they fear—powerful women.
A majority of the characters were not fulfilling for me as a reader. Immediately, I was drawn to Grandmére Ursele for her strength and mystery. However, as the stories continues, the characters range from dull to frustrating to repulsive (again, with the exception of Veronica). Irene is the worst, in terms of personality. She’s manipulative, selfish and ungrateful. But, I would also argue that it is her story where the book begins to become more tolerable. Irene’s story is unique as she is so vastly different from any of the women in the Orchiére clan up to that point. Due to her repulsive personality, I was able to empathize with her daughter Morwen and the decisions she makes in regards to the craft. However, her story feels cut-short before tumbling into Veronica’s tale. I would like to note that Veronica’s book made me happy that I decided to see the novel to the end.
Morgan’s writing is beautiful in regards to the prose and the turn of phrases. She uses vivid imagery when setting the scene and nailed down personalities to a point. I was hoping for a little more of that descriptive composition when it came to the scenes involving magic…I mean, I was looking for a bewitching, whimsical book here! For me, in the end, it came off a little disenchanting. I truly believe the idea and potential were there for a phenomenal story. In the end, I think the novel’s weakness lies in the redundant cycling of the tales, themes and character choices. I enjoyed the tenderness between various characters, the love and loyalty that flowed through the generations of the women and the ferocity of Veronica’s character. I recommend this book for those that enjoy pretty prose and a hint of fantasy. Overall, I give this book 2/5 stars.
Though I was sick for the second half of the novel and primarily stuck to hot tea, I enjoyed Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon while reading the first half of A Secret History of Witches. This wine has earthy undertones of berries, coffee and toasted oak which, for me, paired well with the earthy, rustic tones of the novel. The characters are typically dabbling in potions or mixing simples that reminded me of the flavors of this wine.
Rating: 2/5
Wine: Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon
Snag your own copy of A Secret History of Witches: Barnes & Noble or Amazon
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Pretty Girls Dancing
Title: Pretty Girls Dancing
Author: Kylie Brant
Genre: Mystery/Psychological Thriller
Published: 2018
Obtained: Amazon
Seven years ago, a young teen, Kelsey, was abducted from her hometown leaving her family nearly destroyed in the aftermath. Affected by her disappearance are her parents, both distant and battling their own struggles, and her younger sister Janie, an intelligent but anxious teen. Now, another girl has gone missing and Kelsey’s family members are all grappling in their own way to deal with the news. Mark Foster, a detective assigned to the new case of the missing girl, begins to link similarities in the cases of the two missing teens. Foster must find an effective way to approach Kelsey’s family and discover any family secrets that may help him find Whitney before it is too late.
Pretty Girls Dancing is a page-turner! I finished this book almost as fast as I can down a good glass of rosé. Told from the varying points of view of multiple characters, the mystery unfolds at a fairly decent pace. I didn’t have an inkling that the killer was a known character until the chapter before the big reveal—and there was another twist after that!
What I enjoyed about the book was that the first chapter had me hooked. I love a good opening chapter with some kind of action that pulls me right into the story; this did not fail to disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed the idea of the story being told from the viewpoints of different characters. Unfortunately, I really only enjoyed two of these characters: Whitney and Janie. Several of the characters felt undeveloped, which inevitably led to me being uninvested in them. Whitney and Janie, however, were rich in layers of personality and their chapters really pushed the story forward whereas Janie’s parents’ chapters felt stagnant.
The plot of Pretty Girls Dancing was intriguing. Serial Killer stories are ones that I find engrossing—they often offer the right amount of mystery and thriller that keeps me turning the pages. After a while, I began to wonder if the killer in this book was just some mystery person we weren’t supposed to know at all, given that there were no real clues to decipher the identity of the villian. However, right before the big reveal, I did have that, “Aha!” moment—but I will confess it was built on a pure guess, not context clues from the novel. I still have some confusion and questions regarding the wild goose chase the detectives embark upon in the final chapters of the book; there were no solutions or answers to what the suspected villains had to hide. This aspect of the story left me unsettled and unfulfilled.
I was surprised to discover that much of the narrative reveals less of the mystery and more of the grief and devastation that can come from a family member (particularly a child) being abducted. While I did not always enjoy reading from the viewpoints of certain characters, these pages did make me think about all the emotions and aftermath of something so traumatic happening to a family. Furthermore, for as gripping as the opening chapter was, I was surprised by how long it took for the story to really pick up at a suspenseful pace.
I recommend this book for a quick, fun read. I finished it in two days and had to keep plundering on until I could identify the bad guy and discover what kind of endings the author would write for Whitney and Janie. If you’re looking for a complex, perfectly-constructed thriller/mystery–then this is not it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good book (and an enjoyable read), but it had so much more potential than what Brant delivers. I recommend a strong, dry rosé to pair with it; I prefer to save my more expensive wines for more complex and riveting books. Therefore, I suggest something like Dark Horse Rosé; this wine is sweet and crisp to pair with the innocence of the girls who have been affected by the serial killer, but also dry and strong (12.5% alcohol content) to get you through both the thrilling and not-so-thrilling parts of this book.
*I could not find this wine in a bottle when I went to purchase, but it tastes just as good!*
Rating: 3.5/5
Wine: Dark Horse Rosé
Snag your own copy of Pretty Girls Dancing: Target or Barnes & Noble
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The Woman in the Window
*Photograph is a screenshot from my Audible app*
Title: The Woman in the Window
Author: A.J. Finn
Genre: Mystery/Psychological Thriller
Published: 2018
Obtained: Audible/Amazon
Anna Fox was once a child psychologist, but is now a recluse with a drinking problem and Agoraphobia. Anna passes her lonely time by spying on her neighbors with her camera while mixing her medications with red wine. One day, Anna sees a dangerous incident in her neighbor’s house and her life begins to spiral out of control. The story whittles down to what did Anna really see and why doesn’t anyone believe her?
This was a super fun read! Initially, I was slightly creeped out by the main character, Anna Fox, who spends her days spying on the neighbors through her window. But, as the story unfolds, I began to warm up to her. Anna is a child psychologist who suffers from severe Agoraphobia mixed with a drinking problem. She is separated from her husband, who is the primary caregiver for their daughter; their daily phone calls help Anna get through her house-bound, merlot-fueled days. One day, Anna sees an appalling scene unfold across the park in her neighbor’s home. Not only does Anna struggle to find a way to help, being unable to leave her house, but she also struggles to determine if what she saw was real…given that she often mixes her medications with copious amounts of alcohol. The story barrells on in a psychological whirlwind. What really happened? Who’s to blame? It’s a page-turning thriller right up to the very end.
The Woman in the Window was the best psychological thriller I have read in some time. I will say, however, that I am tired of reading female protagonists who are unreliable due to drinking habits; it feels overdone. Anna is a character full of interest—her past is a story that unfolds slowly over the pages and keeps the reader hooked in order to discover her truth. The trauma in her past with the Agoraphobia (fear of open spaces) along with her pill popping, obsession with old thriller flicks and background in professional psychology would have been enough, I think, to convince the reader that she may be a questionable witness. On the other hand, her steady flow of red wine had me uncorking my own bottles as I read.
If you’ve read enough psychological thrillers, one of the plot elements will probably seem fairly obvious. Luckily, this element of the story is not the big twist that will keep you turning those pages faster than Anna gulps down that Merlot. Truthfully, even if I had guessed the final twist and the ending of this novel, I would have continued to read it. Finn writes beautiful prose. This was a pleasant surprise for me as a reader. I was not anticipating the poetic-like passages in The Woman in the Window. Not only is the novel suspenseful, but the sequence of words is alluring and elegant. Once I learned that the main character was a recluse, I shuddered with claustrophobia—I was afraid that the house would be too confining and could, potentially, dull the story down. I was pleasantly surprised by this too. It created an uncomfortable, suspenseful feel to the story that clung to me even when I put the book down for the evening.
The other characters in the story were well developed and memorable. I enjoy those characters that have that love-to-hate feel to them (like Dolores Umbridge); I felt that with a few of these characters. As Anna grew more paranoid throughout the story, I could feel myself analyzing the other characters—trying to pick them apart. They were each distinct—from the members of the Russell family to the detectives working the case. Each character had memorable aspects to them and I retained those details in case they were needed as the mystery unfolded.
Lastly, I loved the way Finn intertwines the story with Anna’s love for old thriller films. The films she watches alone often correlate, in some form, with the actual plot of the novel. As a reader, and someone who thoroughly enjoys and is familiar most of these old films, I found myself equating the film plots with Anna’s story and trying to figure what clues the author was dropping along the way. Despite a reminiscent feel of Rear Window, the tidbits of plot and dialogue from various other classic movies created a refreshing spin on this type of book.
While I can argue that this novel may not be a revolutionary or new storyline, I can argue that it is strikingly unique to others in the same genre. Finn manages to breath new life into a classic plot. I was enthralled while reading and ate up each page in desperation for answers. Finn works with a limited setting, confined primarily to Anna’s house, and with a handful of characters. Yet, he creates a spine-tingling story that evokes the reader to stick with Anna until the very end. I give this book a 4.5/5 for Finn’s prose, character development and creativity with the plot. It was a fun, electrifying read that I thoroughly enjoyed from cover to cover. Of course, I have to suggest a Merlot to pair with it, as it is the main character’s drink of choice; I wanted to pour myself a glass of red each time Anna did—if only to let her know she wasn’t drinking alone. My wine of choice for this book is the Merlot by Josh Cellars. This is a smooth and soft red that balances the bumpy, more thrilling parts of this book.
Rating: 4.5/5
Wine: Merlot, Josh Cellars (Vintage 2016)
Snag your own copy of The Woman in the Window: Audible or Amazon
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The Woman in Cabin 10
Title: The Woman in Cabin 10
Author: Ruth Ware
Genre: Thriller
Published: 2016
Obtained: Target
After a traumatizing event, Lauren Blacklock, or Lo, embarks on a potential career-changing opportunity aboard a new luxury liner called the Aurora. She boards this lavish, but cramped, ship with the intention to network and craft a stellar piece for her magazine, Velocity. Things do not go as planned when Lo hears a loud splash and what appears to be a woman’s body sinking below the surface of the Black Sea. Lo begins to investigate and interrogate those around her while questioning her own memory of the events. There are only so many people aboard the small yacht and Lo knows for certain that one of them is a murderer…but who?
First, let me say that I struggled to put this book down each night! The structure of the novel was a steady build of suspense and tension. I picked this up after I heard it had compared to the style of Agatha Christie and I definitely understand the comparison. The Woman in Cabin 10 has a classic claustrophobic who-dunnit feel. As the conflict builds, I began to question the reliability of the protagonist–had she really witnessed something violent or was she simply psychologically spiraling out of control due to paranoia? The tension and the mystery continue to build with each scene and I kept turning the page because I wanted to learn the truth.
The character development was the weak point of the novel, for me. I had a hard time keeping track of the characters aboard the Aurora. They all seemed to blend slightly together and my visualization of them (based upon the descriptions) were blurry and unfocused. Even Lo, the main character, seemed lacking at first. She was borderline unlikable, but I had a twinge of sympathy for her that kept me attached as I read. I could relate to Lo’s anxiety and her honesty regarding the fact that there wasn’t a traumatic event in her childhood that caused her to feel anxious. I have anxiety and I often find that I have feelings of guilt because I convince myself that I have no good reason to feel the way I do. I can even relate to her unnecessary coldness towards her boyfriend prior to her departure; my anxiety can lead to irritability on occasion. But I often had to fight the urge to yell at her through the pages as she ran her big mouth to everyone on the ship. I wanted more from some of the characters–I wanted more depth. Character development is the glue for me as a reader and writer; if I’m not super invested in the characters then I have a difficult time engaging in the story. I felt like Lo developed slowly over the pages and by the end I was invested in her character’s future.
Ruth Ware did a phenomenal job with keeping the story concise and flowing. There wasn’t a lot of unnecessary descriptions or backstories. The story may have started out a bit slow, but it picks up aboard the Aurora and that’s when I found myself unable to put it down. Ware included a couple of twists that built more conflict and suspense. I also really appreciate her ability to show the final twist rather than tell it to the reader. As a writer, I find that my natural tendency is to do all the work and tell the reader what I want them to know rather than showing it; The Woman in Cabin 10 really had some excellent moments of this. Normally, I would love to share the examples, but as I don’t want to spoil anything, I will leave it at that!
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. There were spots where I felt like it was lacking in terms of character development. I was excited to pick this book up after hearing so many positive reviews…but, somehow, I felt a little underwhelmed in the end and I think it was due to a lack of connection to the characters. While it didn’t have a moment at the end where all the ends are neatly tied together, it was well written, well-crafted and didn’t leave me with too many unanswered questions. I just felt like it was missing a little of the magic that should be present in a thriller. I would give it 4/5 stars. The setting truly sucked me in to the point where I had to glance up and remind myself that I wasn’t stuck on that confined yacht. Ware really built the suspense nicely through the last two thirds of the novel. If you are looking for a fun, suspenseful story then I highly recommend The Woman in Cabin 10.
Wine Pairing: So, I have been on a rosé kick lately, but it just didn’t cut it with this book. Quite frankly, there were several times I had the urge to reach for the hard liquor (especially with the main character going to town on the mini-bar). I recommend a red zinfandel–they are usually quite strong with bold and oaky flavors (an “oaky-afterbirth” as Michael Scott would say). If you’re feeling fancy, try 1000 Stories Bourbon Barrel Aged Zinfandel (2016). It has just over a 15% alcohol content, but it matches well with the murkiness and mystery of The Woman in Cabin 10 with its smoky and full-flavors–not to mention it will keep your heart rate up as you follow the twists and turns with the story. I found the wine for about $16; if you’re on a bit of a budget or just not into spending that much on wine then try Apothic Red Blend. It goes for around $12.99 and it’s another red zin option that will hit the spot with a good thriller!
Overall Book Rating: ⅘ stars
Wine Pairing: Red Zinfandel (1000 Stories Bourban Barrel Aged Zinfandel and Apothic Red Blend)
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