Simple Book Reviews

Reading Time: < 1 minuteRiley 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 […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteIn 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 […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteLisa 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 […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe 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 […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteI 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 […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteI 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 […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe 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 […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteNever 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 […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteMichelle 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 […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe 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 […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe 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, […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteRalph’s Party by Lisa Jewell is an engaging and delightful debut that takes place in a quirky London apartment building. The novel centers around Ralph, a man who has been stuck in a routine and is secretly pining for his best friend, Jem, who happens to be dating someone else. His life gets even more […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteBitten by Kelley Armstrong is an exciting and fast-paced novel that introduces readers to Elena Michaels, the world’s only female werewolf. Elena struggles to maintain a normal life while being pulled back into the dangerous world of the supernatural, and the story balances action with emotional depth as she faces the challenges of both human and […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteKristen Arnett’s Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One is a darkly funny and surprisingly emotional journey of self-reinvention. The story follows Cherry Hendricks, a down-on-her-luck clown in Orlando who’s struggling to make ends meet. She’s a mess, caught between self-sabotage and a desperate need for change. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteI just finished Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell, and I couldn’t put it down. This psychological thriller grabs you right from the start and doesn’t let go. The story follows Owen, a lonely schoolteacher with a shady past; Saffyre, a troubled young woman who becomes obsessed with Owen; and Cate, Owen’s sister-in-law, who starts to think […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteNicole Lundrigan’s The Substitute is a slow-burning psychological thriller that creeps under your skin and stays there. It’s dark, unsettling, and deeply psychological, focusing on the twisted relationship between a mother and her son. The story follows Warren Botts, a socially awkward substitute teacher who finds himself entangled in a nightmare when a student of his, […]