Alice Feeney

Daisy Darker | Book Review

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About The Book
Daisy Darker returns to her Nana’s crumbling gothic estate to celebrate her grandmother’s 80th birthday, reuniting with her family after years apart. At midnight, a storm rages, and Nana is found dead, followed by another family member just an hour later. Trapped, the Darkers must confront their past secrets before it’s too late.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/48rE3BZ

My Rating

I think it is safe to say that Alice Feeney’s Daisy Darker is a new favorite adult thriller of mine. I was captivated right from the first chapter, and I could not put the book down. This is one of those books that you think about even when you’re not reading it, and I certainly couldn’t put it down. The story is just that good, and it’s definitely a page-turner.

In the book, we follow Daisy Darker and her very complicated family. When they all return to her grandmother’s gothic mansion, called Seaglass, on a small remote island for her grandmother’s 80th birthday, which conveniently falls on Halloween, they think it’ll just be another birthday celebration. However, when dear old grandmother winds up dead, the Darker family must now face not only a killer but also the secrets they’ve kept hidden for years.

Daisy is an interesting main character. I enjoyed her insights into her family and the backstory that led us to this point. I totally agree with her that a book about the Darker family would be a bestseller; if this book is any indication, she’s right. I felt for Daisy at times because she was an outcast in her family, but she also showed that she wasn’t just a sweet, innocent girl.

“I guess knowing your place in your family is like some sort of muscle memory, and not something you forget.”

The mystery was one of the best parts of the book. This wasn’t one of those times when I had a guess about who could be behind everything going on. I was truly just along for the ride, and I didn’t mind that. One of the great things about the book was its good mix of being character-driven as well as plot-driven.

When I tell you that the ending made my jaw drop, I am not exaggerating. It 100% took me by surprise. However, I could see how some readers might have seen it coming; even my husband guessed it before I revealed the twist. Maybe I was just having such a good time with the book that I didn’t think it would be a possibility. But I loved it—it totally took the book to the next level.

Overall, everything from the writing to the characters, the plot, and the setting made this a five-star thriller for me. The fact that it was set on Halloween added an extra something that made it even spookier. I think this is a great book for anyone looking to get out of a reading slump because it will keep you invested throughout the entire time, and if you’re like me, it will shock you at the end.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read this book. If you have, did you guess the twist ending? Before you leave, consider joining my little bookish community by following the blog so you never miss out on posts like this.

Until the next chapter,
Bunny

Good Bad Girl | Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
Twenty years after a baby is stolen, a woman is murdered in a care home. Edith, planning her escape from the nursing home, bonds with Patience, who is hiding secrets. Edith’s estranged daughter, Clio, is soon approached by a suspicious person. The women must solve a mystery involving three suspects, two murders, and one missing baby. Good Bad Girl is a twist-filled thriller where no one can be trusted.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Va1V6C

My Rating

I’m not exactly sure how to categorize this book, because it doesn’t really fall into the thriller category, but it wasn’t a very compelling mystery. Throughout the story, we follow four women’s different perspectives, all of which are connected. There’s the mystery of a missing baby from years ago, and a present day murder – all taking place around Mother’s Day.

Each woman had a very distinctive voice, but none of their perspectives really captivated me. Also, I didn’t find any of the characters in this book particularly likable, which isn’t a good thing, since you have to be somewhat invested in the characters you’re reading about.

Unfortunately, the plot also fell flat for me. Although there were two ‘sort of’ mysteries going on throughout the book, I wasn’t gripped by the story. I want there to be more twists and turns and shocking moments that I didn’t see coming, however, I completely figured out where the book was going from pretty early on. This book didn’t have any plot twists, which I think are an essential part of a good mystery/thriller.

“Everybody has a mother, but not everybody has a mother’s love.”

As for the writing, Alice Feeney is a great author! Although the storyline wasn’t for me, I still wanted to keep reading. I attribute my inability to put the book down to her fantastic writing style. Her books are fairly easy to read, and bingeable too. I read this book in about a day, and I could see others doing the same.

Overall, I didn’t hate the book, but it’s nothing to write home about. I would not recommend it to someone searching for a fast-paced and exciting mystery. One thing to know – motherhood is a big factor in this book, so maybe I would’ve had more of a connection to the story if I was a mother, but all in all, I don’t think you’re missing out on anything if you choose not to read the book.

In the comments, let me know if this is on your TBR. If you have already read the book, tell me your thoughts on it! Do you think it is worth the read? Or was it not the thriller for you? Don’t forget to share this post with others, and as always, you can follow the blog, so that you never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Rock Paper Scissors | Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
 Things have been wrong with Mr and Mrs Wright for a long time. When Adam and Amelia win a weekend away to Scotland, it might be just what their marriage needs. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn’t randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn’t want them to live happily ever after. Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets. And an anniversary they will never forget.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3rATkPq

My Rating

I didn’t know what to expect when going into this book, but I had heard that it was a wild ride. In this book, we follow a couple, Adam and Amelia, that wins a trip to Scotland. This trip will either fix or break their already strained marriage. But, the couple soon realize this gateway might not be just for the two of them.

The book has an isolation setting plot, which I have learned that I’m not the biggest fan of. Yet, I think it worked well for the plot. The book is also somewhat of dual timelines. We get letters written to Adam by his wife, for each of their anniversaries. These letters help piece together what has lead their marriage to the breaking point.

Another interesting aspect is that Adam has face blindness. I had never even heard about the illness until this book, and it is very interesting. And, it really added another element to the story that was needed to tie everything together.

For me the plot was super interesting,= and the characters were written well. My biggest complaint is that the book was slow moving. I wanted it to be more fast-paced, and have things progress quicker than they did. But, I think that’s just my preference when reading thrillers.

“If every story had a happy ending, then we’d have no reason to start again.”

There were some twists, and the ending was shocking to say the least. I didn’t actually see the last twist coming at all. Maybe a more skilled thriller or mystery reader would have figured things out, but I was just along for the roller coaster that is this book.

I have heard from other people that Alice Feeney is a very hit-or-miss author, but I think that’s the case for a lot of thriller writers. It really depends on the approach they take with their plot twists and characters. However, the same could be said for pretty much all books.

Overall, I had a good time reading the book, and I’m glad that I finally got around to picking it up. If you like a good plot twist and isolation setting thriller, then I’d give this one a read. I’m for sure going to be reading more by Alice Feeney in the near future.

In the comments, tell me which of Alice Feeney’s books is your favorite. Don’t forget to like and share this post with others! If you enjoy book reviews, then follow the blog to get notified whenever there’s a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny