David Jackson's "Resident"

 

You can find this book here.

Who wants Thomas Brogan living in their loft (or attic)? No one. 

Brogan is a serial killer who is on the run from the police. He finds an abandoned home with a loft that has a secret: the loft joins to three other houses. This of course will make a lot of fun for a serial killer no one knows is living up there. Oh, the games he intends to play with the neighbours!

The book is a first-person narrative; though most of the conversation Brogan has is with the voice in his head. To be honest, without this element, the book would be a boring read because most of the book is him watching and playing games to gauge reactions from the people below him. 

The perspective of a serial killer was interesting. You slowly find out about Brogan as the novel goes on and possibly motivations for why he does what he does. But since he talks to a voice in his head, you also know he's not sane. 

Because the book focusses on a very restricted environment, there is a sense of claustrophobia to it. There is enough information to attach yourselves to the characters in the book; though whether you grow sympathetically to Brogan's situation or not is up to you when you read it. 

Watch out for the black humour; and though the reviews on the cover suggest it is a thriller, I found it a slow burn and not very creepy. This is good though, because it builds tension rather slowly, shows you the state of Brogan and other characters and possibly even the claustrophobia they feel, even though they aren't stuck up in an attic. 

It wasn't terrifying, but it was a little bit of fun.

Links for you:

Read-a-likes in the Library:

Please be aware that I have chosen these read-a-likes because their point of view (POV) of the main character is that of the killer, stalkker, etc.

You and Hidden bodies

Caroline Kepnes

Dexter: an omnibus

Jeff Lindsay

American psycho: a novel

Brett Easton Ellis

Claire S Lewis' "She's mine"

 

You can find this book here.

This is Lewis' first novel (though the publishing company has signed her up for a 3-book deal; so if you like her book, more will be seen of her in the future). 

The book follows Scarlett; who tries to solve the disappearance (or murder) of Katie, her charge, whilst being pinged as a top suspect at the same time. The plot in this way is rather simple and straightforward for psychological thrillers, though there are twists and turns I am not mentioning 😉

The narrative is very descriptive and dense. I found that there was a lot to follow; but unlike a lot of thrillers where I have no idea what may be coming, some of the twists and turns were more obvious to me. 

The character is something else. To be honest, I did not enjoy Scarlett. Whilst every character has flaws to make them more human, I found Scarlett more entitled than I would like her to be. Mix that with her lack of skill and knowledge as the amateur detective, and some of the weirder moments she encounters or puts herself in, and it may be hard for some readers to like her. 

In saying that, this book was not a bad read. I just disliked the character. And sometimes we need characters we don't like, or cannot completely relate to, so that we step outside our comfort zones when reading. 

I found the few twists I did not see coming, inventive. The ending of this book also was possibly the most impacting part, whilst also fuelling my dislike for the protagonist. Again, this is not a bad thing, because the book still left an impression on me. And that makes it something worth talking about. 

Or giving a shot at reading it.

Links for you

Read-a-likes in the Library:

The girl in the mirror

Rose Carlyle

Book Review - Women in Workboots : Inspirational stories of women who have broken through the barriers in male dominated industries By Lynette Gray

This book contains some great tips and secrets from women who have succeeded in male dominated careers. Author, entrepreneur and business leader, Lynette Gray has created Women in Workboots  for women to have more of a voice in these industries, her aim is to inspire, encourage and educate women.

Some of her tips include-

• Do what you enjoy
• Do it with your full heart
• Don't think, just do it!
• Have fun while you are doing it!
• Laugh, have your cups of coffee and enjoy your work

The book contains 13 chapters and it is filled with great inspirational stories, my favourite being about Eleni Mitakos, chapter 5 the 2013 Telstra Business Women's Awards Nominee. Anne

Film Review - Fifty Shades of Grey By Director Sam Taylor Johnson

Fifty Shades of Grey stars Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan. Ana is an inexperienced college student who is filling in for a friend interviewing billionaire and charismatic Christian Grey.

Quickly business turns to pleasure and Ana is swept up in Christian's glamorous lifestyle. Ana learns she needs to protect herself from Christian as she uncovers his darker side and secrets. At the same time she is drawn closer to unlock her own dark desires.
An all-consuming romance, how far will Ana go for love?
Anne
MA15+ Strong sex scenes, sexual themes and nudity.