FALL FROM GRACE | Book Review (NO SPOILERS)

Title: Fall From Grace (David Raker #5)

Author: Tim Weaver

Originally Published: 2014

Page Count: 578 pages

Genre: Crime  

Published by: Penguin Books

Date Read: December 3rd - 19th 2015

After reading Never Coming Back in the summer of 2014 I became instantly hooked to Tim Weaver's missing persons investigator, David Raker. I proceeded to read the previous three books (Never Coming Back being the fourth in the series) and have since reviewed some of Raker's ventures (see here). However, for some reason it has taken me eight months to pick up this book after finishing Vanished (the third in the series, and potentially my favourite). But after coming to my senses, trying desperately to remember what happened in Never Coming Back, I fell back into place with Weaver's writing.

MISERY | Book Review (NO SPOILERS)

Title: Misery
Author: Stephen King
Originally Published: 1987
Page Count: 369
Genre: Crime / Thriller
Published by: Hodder

Date Read: 21st August 2013 - 4th January 2015 (I put it down almost immediately and essentially read it within two days after picking it back up in January - Don't judge me!) 


My favourite ever genre is crime/thrillers, whether that be with films or books. So it may be surprising that Stephen King's 'Misery' has only just been returned to my bookshelf, read. I have been told countless times to read his books and watch his adaptations, and whilst I've seen 'The Shining' and 'Carrie', ' and whilst my mum has even bought me 'Dolores Claiborne' because she insists I'd love it, I've still never ventured into the world of Stephen King's writing.

Misery was always going to be a story I would enjoy, a macabre plot centred around literature and an unhinged Kathy Bates. Perfect. However, being me, and knowing I would enjoy it, I had to read the book before watching the film and despite opening the book on the 21st August 2013, I only just recently picked the book up again to finish it. I have many reasons, but no justifiable ones.

THE SILKWORM by Robert Galbraith (SPOILER FREE)

Title: The Silkworm
Author: Robert Galbraith (pseudonym for J.K. Rowling)
Genre: Crime / Thriller
Originally Published: 2014
Page Count: 455
Published by: Sphere

Date Read: 1st July - 4th July 2014

I was incredibly dubious going into this series initially. JK Rowling has filled my childhood with so many fantastic and beautiful stories that I hold incredibly dear to my heart. I don't want to sound clichéd, but she did. Last year I read 'The Cuckoo's Calling' after discovering with the world that Robert Galbraith didn't write it, Joanne Rowling wrote it under a pseudonym. I really enjoyed 'The Cuckoo's Calling', but 'The Silkworm' was something else.

I had no idea on the plot when picking this up, it was an instant-buy, I wanted it, I needed it. I bought the hardback and started reading. Without going into too much detail the novel takes place after the first book, in the winter of 2010, when the wife of famous writer Owen Quaine hires Cormoran Strike (our hero from book one) to find her husband as he's disappeared. The novel subsequently takes a sinister turn and everyone's a suspect due to Quaine's unpublished manuscript for his new book being incredibly critical and rude about the people around him. 

The prose of this book was beautiful. Rowling (or Galbraith - I'll stick with Rowling) has this beautiful way of describing the simplest of things. While she uses some clumsy and rather pedantic descriptions of things, her writing on the setting paints such a beautiful picture. Rowling almost romanticises London, her descriptions are what a reader craves. I already have a romanticised view of the hustle and bustle of the big smoke, and Rowling, not shying away from describing London's grittier side, continues to entice me to England's capital. 

Her characters grow enormously within this book. Not literally of course. Strike and Robin's relationship, especially, continues to blossom. I adore their relationship, it's maybe a cliché but they work so well together and the continued dynamic with Matthew, Robin's fiancé, makes things a lot more interesting. Robin is as likeable as ever, but she'll never surpass Strike. Strike has such a history that we haven't scratched the surface of, from his failed relationships and further back to his army days. I assume there's a lot more characters from his past who will crop up in future installments.

The mystery itself was fascinating. Set within the publishing world, any reader is enthused. The only thing I really have negative to say is that the mystery is never really outstanding or innovative, it's again, like its predecessor, rather clichéd with the tropes of all crime fiction added. The use of the mcguffin to drive the plot was excellent and did hold my attention. 

As far as solving it goes, I don't know whether it's a bad thing that her novels are rather predictable. The writing and relationships are so fantastic that you don't really mind that you've put the pieces together. Tension is still sustained and there's always that doubt in your mind that maybe you are wrong and you've missed something. 

Whatever Cormoran and Robin get up to next, to use a clichéd phrase, I'll be there with bells on. Fantastic novel. 5 stars. 

SHARP OBJECTS | Book Review

Title: Sharp Objects
Author: Gillian Flynn
Genre: Crime / Thriller 
Published by: Phoenix
Originally Published: 2006
Page Count: 321

If you've read my blog or watched my youtube, it's definitely clear that my love for Gillian Flynn's books is a strong one. She writes in such a gritty and macabre fashion that you can't help turning the page till you reach the intense finale the novel has to offer. 

This novel follows Camille Preaker, who after escaping her sad childhood has moved to Chicago to write as a reporter. Whilst there, her boss informs her of a shocking story that has tongues wagging in Camille's hometown; the death of a child who was found strangled and with her teeth pulled out. Now another child is missing, and Camille returns home to uncover the truth and astound her readers. 

The novel works from this basic premise, we've seen it before, I'm sure. Yet something feels entirely different. Camille hints at a darker past; her sister died when she was young and the novel's title 'Sharp Objects' takes on a meaning that becomes incredibly compelling and interesting. 

Flynn's writing style is one to be desired as always, she shocks the reader but it doesn't always feel like she's writing it for that purpose; it's to gain a sense of character. I've said it before and I'll say it again, she definitely understands her characters. From the protagonist, who is oddly likeable in comparison to Flynn's other protagonists, to the over-sensitive mother, right down to the brother of the murdered child. Everyone has a certain psyche that as a reader you want to explore. 

The plot itself is astounding. There's some tried and tested plot points like the sexy cop, the bitchy popular girl, and the whole idea of a woman returning to her hometown to uncover secrets of her past is incredibly generic. Yet, it all accumulates to present an intense finale.

The mystery itself is by no means unsolvable, but that's not the point. The point is the story, the arc of the characters. The psychology of the murderer, of Camille, of the whole bitch-infested town. Yes, every woman in the town seems like they know everyone else's business and try to exploit it in such a way. Some may say a tired cliché, but it's one that definitely adds to the novel, and once you reach the conclusion to Flynn's debut novel everything becomes clear and sickening.

The novel is, to use a cliché for thrillers, gripping. The final few chapters were very tense, something that after reading Flynn's later novels is something she's established very well as an author. I don't think this is Flynn's best work. Dark Places and Gone Girl show an author developing her ideas and putting lessons into practice. Sharp Objects is not the best novel I've read, but the themes and sickening characters make you want to return to Flynn for more. Sadly, I've read all Flynn's published thrillers and I have to wait for more books to be published or for the Hollywood adaptations that are coming away in the next year. GONE GIRL HAS A DATE IN OCTOBER! 

Overall, an astounding debut novel for Flynn with the final Epilogue being the best ending to a Flynn thriller I've read yet. It was emotional and poignant, and has overall made me very unnerved. Fantastic!  - ★★★★★ - 

GONE GIRL | Book Review

Title: Gone Girl 
Author: Gillian Flynn
Genre: Crime / Thriller
Published by: Phoenix
Originally Published: 2012
Page Count: 463

"Who are you?

What have we done to each other?

These are the questions Nick Dunne finds himself asking on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary, when his wife Amy suddenly disappears. The police suspect Nick. 

Amy's friends reveal that she was afraid of him, that she kept secrets from him. He swears this isn't true. A police examination of his computer shows strange searches. 

He says they weren't made by him And then there are persistent calls on his mobile phone.

So what did happen to Nick's beautiful wife?"

I picked this book up on a whim, I needed a third book in one of those 3 for 2 deals, and this was the most appealing. I do not regret for one second picking up this book.

'Gone Girl' is divided into two perspectives, Nick Dunne's and his wife, Amy's, alternating between each perspective with each chapter. Nick's perspective begins on the day of his wife's disappearance and charts his life as the mystery unravels about his wife's disappearance. Amy's perspective is a series of diary entries throughout the couple's relationship, from their first encounter and onwards. It follows Nick and Amy as they have returned to Nick's former home in Missouri, to help his sick family and to recover after their failing careers in New York.

Through these perspectives we get a real sense of annoyance and aggravation with these characters, especially Nick. Nick is a lying, beautiful-on-the-outside, ugly-on-the-inside narrator. It becomes very obvious that he keeps withholding information from the reader and all you are left with is a sense of sheer hatred for this main character; almost the protagonist is the antagonist. This isn't down to Gillian Flynn's poor writing, but down to her excellent writing. Nick is supposed to be unlikeable, it makes him more interesting, it makes you turn each page as a new plot twist is revealed, one that churns your stomach and makes you wonder who the hell are these people? 

Amy's diary entries are so deliciously enticing. They're filled with crude language and brilliant description. Amy and Nick were both writers in New York, so it works well that they are both brilliant storytellers. 

The novel starts off fairly slowly, lets the reader adjust to these characters' minds, as it does take quite a while to get your head around them. The slowness of the opening and the complex minds of the protagonists makes it a struggle, almost. However, after that the novel takes a turn, a fascinating one, one filled with plot twists and shocking moments, and it works really well. It has brilliant references to pop culture that make the novel all the more satisfying as you delve deeper into these sick characters' lives. (It also makes reference to one of my all-time favourite films, Vertigo, by Alfred Hitchcock, and reminded me of Vertigo's different narrative structure). 

What is brilliant about this book is its comment on the media. The media is a force to be reckoned with inside this novel, they forge the rise and fall of the characters in this book. Flynn's comments depict the intrusiveness the press is, not only to these characters, but to the public's minds, and because of that the novel acts as a fantastic allegory.

I can't really say too much when it comes to the plot without giving away any spoilers. So I shall keep this review reasonably short. (Although, I already see it becoming fairly lengthy). Like I said, the beginning was slow, but after that you are launched into a domino effect of circumstances that shock and make you shiver. The jargon of some characters can be offensive and vile but it is great at creating character development and allowing the reader a deep insight into the minds and personalities of that character. 

The ending really hindered this book, although it is also understandable why Flynn decided to end it in such a way. It again further exemplifies the personalities and egos that she has set up and reinforces that the novel is a captivating read that makes you want to read more and more until there is nothing left but acknowledgements and enticing adverts for the author's other books. 

'Gone Girl' is a book that demands to be discussed. Flynn's impeccable writing stems a deliciously page-turning book that afterwards leaves you feeling unnerved about the human psyche and curious about that lovely commitment that is marriage.
5 out of 5 stars.