#ThrillerThursday #BookReviews: One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware, Swiped by L.M. Chilton, and The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware

Thank you, Gallery Books, for the free book!

• One-word review: Intense
• Emojis: 🧐🥺🫣
• Rating: 5 🌟s

My thoughts:

I finished One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware yesterday, and I still don’t think I’ve recovered. It’s a story told by Lyla, one of the participants of a new reality show filmed on a remote island in the Indian Ocean. The night after their first day of filming, a storm hits, and they wake to discover that two people have been killed and the boat is nowhere to be seen. Left alone with barely any natural resources, will they be found before they all perish?

The intensity of the survival story was truly through the roof. I’m still reeling from it.  That intensity held me riveted from beginning to end, and I still feel its impact the day after finishing it. The book left me questioning my own capacity for survival and the depths of human cruelty, and I believe it will have a similar effect on anyone who reads it.

The characters are so authentically developed, as are their reactions and interactions.  I could see all of the events coming together, and the feeling completely believable, which added significantly to the intensity.  Man’s inhumanity to man is a well-developed theme that plays out with significant messages.

The only thing I’m not sure how I feel about is the ending. It was somewhat of a surprise, but I’m not sure it was a good surprise. However, it does send a very powerful message about the consequences of our actions. I don’t want to say more, though, because this story will have more impact if you go in as blind as you can.

Swiped by L.M. Chilton

Thank you, Gallery Books, for the free book!

• One-word review: Riveting
• Emojis: 😥🤔🫣
• Rating:  4 🌟s

My thoughts:

Swiped by L.M. Chilton is a uniquely captivating narrative, blending the contemporary world of dating apps with the chilling suspense of a serial killer thriller.  This fusion serves as a compelling mirror to our society, keeping the reader engrossed in its twists and turns.

Gwen Turner, a frequent dating app user, finds herself on a series of disastrous dates. Each one is worse than the last, so she blocks every guy after just one date.  However, when these men start turning up dead, Gwen is the only one who realizes that someone is targeting her past dates, staging their deaths at the locations of their disastrous encounters.

The story swiftly alternates between Gwen’s disastrous dates and the unfolding murder mystery. This unexpected blend of genres is truly captivating. The fast pace, characteristic of a serial killer story, keeps the reader engaged. The unreliability of Gwen’s narration, like the cherry on top of a dessert, adds to the mystery, making it even more puzzling.

Swiped is the perfect blend of genres that entertained and delighted me.

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

Thank you, Simon & Schuster, for the free physical book and audiobook! #simonbookbuddy

• One-word review: Shocking
• Emojis: 🤔😥🫢
• Rating:  5🌟s

My thoughts:

I read/listened to The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean and found myself thoroughly riveted by both formats.  This is a story about Ellie Black, who disappeared two years ago and just as mysteriously returned, at the book’s opening, to her hometown.  As Detective Chelsey Calhoun, haunted by the disappearance and death of her sister 20 years ago, delves into Ellie’s case, she uncovers a web of secrets and personal demons.  The story is a gripping exploration of the human psyche and the lengths we go to protect others.

I loved the unique aspect of the audio version, which featured an ensemble cast of narrators.  Each narrator voiced a different character, bringing them to life in a way that I found it easy to believe.  This added a dynamic element to the storytelling and made it easy to follow and enjoy.

The atmosphere and suspense were perfect. Washington State’s dense wooded areas play a significant role in the story. They add a layer of mystery and isolation, creating an environment that is both beautiful and eerie. This setting is a perfect backdrop for a story like this, and it actually gives it an air of authenticity that makes plausible deniability easy.

I also loved the characters. They are not just names on a page but complex, layered individuals authentically damaged by past events. For instance, Chelsey, the protagonist, is not just a detective but a woman with a troubled past. Her marriage, which is not just a side plot but a significant part of the story, adds so many more layers to the narrative than it would have had otherwise.

What truly captivated me in The Return of Ellie Black was the mix of mental health disorders and challenges that would naturally arise from a long-term abduction and genuinely shocking twists and turns. The story’s psychology lulled me into a false sense of security, making me think I knew what was coming. However, the events managed to floor me on more than one occasion, leaving me in awe of the author’s storytelling prowess.