Simple Book Reviews

The Idiot by Elif Batuman is a wonderfully offbeat and darkly comic coming-of-age novel. It follows Selin, a Turkish-American student starting her first year at Harvard in the 1990s. As she navigates the awkwardness of college life, Batuman takes us inside her mind, where humor and confusion blend together seamlessly. The novel’s charm lies in its dry, […]

The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story by Pagan Kennedy is an eye-opening exploration of the history, development, and impact of rape kits in criminal investigations. Through meticulous research and firsthand accounts, Kennedy brings to light the essential role these kits play in solving cases, while also addressing the systemic flaws that have […]

Michelle McNamara’s I’ll Be Gone in the Dark is an intense and haunting look at the Golden State Killer case. McNamara dives deep into the mystery behind the unsolved crimes, blending thorough research with personal insight into her obsession with finding the killer. Her writing pulls you in from the start, giving a voice to the […]

Never Lie is a captivating psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story centers on Dr. Lila, a woman who is trying to rebuild her life after a devastating personal tragedy. She gets involved in a chilling case when she’s asked to evaluate a woman named Amber, who claims to […]

The Inmate by Freida McFadden had me hooked from the first page. The story follows Gwen, a woman who is wrongfully convicted and sent to prison, where she quickly learns that the world behind bars is far more dangerous than she ever expected. As she battles to survive, Gwen starts uncovering chilling secrets that might just be […]

I just finished Cold as Hell, the third book in Kelley Armstrong’s Haven’s Rock series, and I couldn’t put it down. The story takes place in the isolated town of Haven’s Rock, where Detective Casey Duncan is called in to investigate a crime during a brutal blizzard. The storm traps everyone inside, and the tension […]

I absolutely loved The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. The story follows Nell, a woman who, after discovering that her true identity has been kept from her, embarks on a journey to uncover her past. The book weaves between different timelines, giving readers glimpses into both the present-day search for answers and the historical events […]

The Family Upstairs is a gripping psychological thriller that weaves together suspense, dark family secrets, and shocking twists. The story follows Libby Jones, who inherits a mansion linked to a family found dead under mysterious circumstances. As Libby uncovers the truth, the narrative shifts between multiple perspectives, including those of surviving family members, revealing a haunting […]

Lisa Jewell’s Then She Was Gone is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully blends suspense with deep emotional tension. The story follows Laurel Mack, a mother struggling with the decade-old disappearance of her teenage daughter, Ellie. When Laurel meets a man whose young daughter bears an uncanny resemblance to Ellie, long-buried secrets begin to unravel. Told […]

In Cold Blood is a gripping true crime novel that details the brutal murder of a Kansas family in 1959. Truman Capote, the author, immerses readers into the chilling real-life story of the Clutter family’s deaths and the subsequent investigation into the killers, Perry Smith and Richard Hickock. Capote’s writing is both elegant and haunting […]

Riley Sager’s The Only One Left is a gripping thriller set in a creepy mansion on a cliff in Maine. The story follows Kit, a young woman who becomes a caretaker for Lenora Hope, a mute woman accused of killing her family years ago. The book has a great, eerie atmosphere that makes you feel like […]

The Sellout by Paul Beatty is a biting, darkly comedic satire that dives deep into issues of race, identity, and social justice in America. The novel centers on Me, the protagonist, who is taken to court for attempting to reinstate segregation in his hometown. This absurd premise sets the stage for Beatty’s sharp and fearless commentary […]

I really liked Brave New World. The way Huxley imagines a future where everything is controlled and everyone is kept in line by pleasure and technology is both fascinating and unsettling. The society in the book might seem perfect at first—people are happy, there’s no war, no pain—but you quickly realize that this “perfect” world […]

I liked “The Handmaid’s Tale” because it really made me think about the dangers of a society where power and control are in the hands of a few. The way Margaret Atwood built this dystopian world was both fascinating and terrifying. I liked how the protagonist, Offred, was relatable and complex, even in such an oppressive […]

I really enjoyed The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy because it’s just so fun and different. The way Douglas Adams mixes absurdity with humor had me laughing out loud pretty much the entire time. The main character, Arthur Dent, is just a regular guy trying to deal with the weirdest situations, and I love how […]

I really liked Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong because it kept me hooked from start to finish. The story follows Olivia Taylor-Jones, and I couldn’t get enough of her complex character. The mix of supernatural mystery and emotional depth really pulled me in. I love how Armstrong builds the tension around Olivia’s past and how […]