Survive the Night, Riley Sager
Rating – ☆☆☆☆/5
‘Survive the Night’ takes place in 1991, and follows the story of Charlie Jordan, a college student who is on her way home for the summer after the murder of her best friend. Charlie decides to take a ride with a stranger named Josh, who claims to be going in the same direction. However, as the night progresses, Charlie begins to suspect that Josh may not be who he says he is, and instead might have some worrying intentions.
Riley Sager’s writing creates tense situations that are full of suspense. The novel has constant plot twists and you are guessing until the end. The way characters are established and described is very important for me when I read any book, and Sager draws the characters very well. The characters are multi-dimensional and the relationship between Charlie and Josh is very entertaining. The setting of the book is also described excellently and there are many references to life in the 90s throughout. The novel also explores trauma and the ways in which it can shape people’s perceptions of reality. Charlie is still dealing with her grief from the death of her best friend, and her paranoia about Josh is heightened because of this.
Riley Sager’s books are always very well-crafted and ‘Survive the Night’ had an engaging plot and entertaining characters, all just adding to how gripping this book was.
Lock Every Door, Riley Sager
Rating – ☆☆☆☆☆/5
‘Lock Every Door’ follows Jules Larsen, a young woman who takes a job as an apartment sitter at the Bartholomew building in New York City. However, as Jules begins to explore the building and its residents, she realizes that there may be something sinister going on behind the grand facade.
Sager creates an unsettling atmosphere throughout the novel and establishes the Bartholomew as a creepy and mysterious setting. The plot and pace make the book very hard to put down. In lots of Sager’s writing there is an underlying theme presented in the novel. In ‘Lock Every Door’, Sager explores class and power dynamics. The Bartholomew is very exclusive, and the wealthy and powerful residents have control over the lives of the less privileged apartment sitters, like our main character. Sager also incorporates horror into the novel and the ending is satisfying as well as being unsettling.
Sager creates a haunting atmosphere in this novel, the characters are complex and established well and the apartment is described vividly. I highly recommend this book and it has become one of my favourites.
The Institute, Stephen King
Rating – ☆☆☆☆☆/5
‘The Institute’ centers around a young boy named Luke Ellis, who has telekinetic abilities. Luke is taken from his home in the middle of the night and finds himself in a mysterious institution called ‘The Institute’. In The Institute, children with special abilities are held captive and are experimented on. Luke and some of the other captives come together to try to escape and expose the dark secrets of The Institute. Throughout the book they face torture and death, and they struggle to survive.
This novel focuses on children, and the themes of power, control, and the exploitation of innocent people. The character development of the novel is some of the best I have ever read. Every child has a distinct personality and the relationships and interactions between them have depth and are believable. Stephen King makes Luke a main character that readers will root for, from beginning to end.
The novel is both a science-fiction novel and a thriller, but its haunting and satisfying plot will appeal to everyone. The storyline is extremely entertaining, the writing style is excellent and the characters are extremely well written.
The Last Thing He Told Me, Laura Dave
Rating – ☆☆☆☆/5
‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ is a book that explores family relationships and how far people go to protect their loved ones. The story follows Hannah, whose husband Owen disapears without a trace and her life is turned upside down. As Hannah delves deeper into Owen’s past, she discovers that he was not the man she thought he was. She also finds herself forming an unexpected bond with his teenage daughter Bailey.
Throughout the book, Laura Dave uses past and present timelines to gradually reveal the layers of Owen’s deception, and how this affects his family. The characters are all relatable and this makes all of their struggles and successes even more engaging. The exploration of Hannah’s relationship with Bailey is also a key part of this book and they develop a complex bond as the book goes on.
Dave’s writing is engaging, her characters are compelling and she keeps you guessing until the end.
The Guest List, Lucy Foley
Rating – ☆☆☆☆/5
‘The Guest List’ takes place on a remote island off the coast of Ireland where a wedding is about to take place. However, once the guests start to arrive, it becomes apparent that each of them has a dark secret and a motive for being there.
Every chapter is narrated by a different character, providing a unique perspective on the unfolding events. This structure allows us to fully understand the motives and thoughts of the characters and gives them depth. It also makes you more focused, making it easier to pick up the small clues and details. The writing is engaging, the pace is fitting and the build up to the climax makes the book difficult to put down.
This book is a suspenseful story that brings elements of both mystery, and thrillers into it.
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