Helpful Score: 5
I thought the above Title was an above average and suspenseful Read. However, the ending was predictable, the violence was unnecessarily and overly graphic, and I am unsure if it was an issue of timing, unbelievability of the main character's deniability of harm as she worked through her issues, or if a different narrative style would have been better, and as the Story just started to drag and I started hoping for the book to End.
Helpful Score: 3
Had to read this book in just two sittings. It was very, very good. The author builds the suspense gradually, writing in the past, for the back story, and the present. It takes a lot of skill to make that work and Elizabeth Haynes has it! I especially liked how she started the book with the hideous death of the previous victim and then ties it all in at the end. The book is scary, very scary, and made more so because it feels so REAL. Ms. Haynes is a police intelligence analyst and must have drawn from her real-life experiences in order to write such a winner. I hope she writes more - a lot more - without losing her edge. I highly recommend this book for those of you who, like me, enjoy spine-tingling psychological thrillers.
Helpful Score: 3
I am a very picky reader and a book has to met a certain criteria--the first one being--it has to get my attention in the first 50-100 pages---this didn't even get close!
I admit I didn't get very far but I didn't need to, it is so slow and it flips from 2003 to 2007 then 2004 to 2008, nearly every 2-4 pages it just goes back and forth and I hate that!
It doesn't have anything in the first 25 pages to keep my interest---so good luck to anyone else
I admit I didn't get very far but I didn't need to, it is so slow and it flips from 2003 to 2007 then 2004 to 2008, nearly every 2-4 pages it just goes back and forth and I hate that!
It doesn't have anything in the first 25 pages to keep my interest---so good luck to anyone else
Helpful Score: 3
Gripping. Chilling. I literally could not put this book down I raced through it with a sense of dread and anticipation. It might be too graphic for some readers, but I highly recommend this terrific debut.
Helpful Score: 3
I really enjoyed this debut offering from Elizabeth Haynes. Well written, disturbing and creepy. I've already ordered Revenge of the Tide from the UK.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. It is written in the past for a chapter and then in the present and keeps alternating. The characters are well done. Catherine has gone through much and is working toward her recovery. I highly recommend this book, which is Elizabeth Haynes first.
From reading reviews of her second book, I am not so sure that I want to read it. Well maybe.
Enjoy.
From reading reviews of her second book, I am not so sure that I want to read it. Well maybe.
Enjoy.
Helpful Score: 1
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
If a book can give you the creepies, then this one is first on my list. I have read books where I am left on edge or wondering who dun it, but this one just made me want to check the security in our condo and make sure the dog would bark at anything other than the wind.
If a book can give you the creepies, then this one is first on my list. I have read books where I am left on edge or wondering who dun it, but this one just made me want to check the security in our condo and make sure the dog would bark at anything other than the wind.
Helpful Score: 1
Well-paced thriller about obsession and fear. A bit hard to follow at first, as the narrative jumps between two timelines, but once the reader figures out why it's structured that way and what's going on, the technique works well for ratcheting up the suspense.
I enjoyed this book immensely, and disagree with some of the other comments stating that it dragged. No story can keep you on the edge of your seat 24/7, but this book comes close. It's a psychological thriller that kept me turning pages into the wee hours. There are two story lines actually, both very interesting. The protagonist suffers from OCD, as well as other things, that were all brought on by the horrors of being with a man, her lover, who has a long list of nightmarish problems of his own. Her life becomes a hell on earth, from which she cannot seem to escape. I won't say much more. I don't want to spoil any part of it for the next reader. I CAN tell you however, it's a very good read that gave me the creeps even though I couldn't put it down. If you like that kind of book, go for it! P.S. The ending will not disappoint!
For me, a good thriller novel combines the elements of suspense and intrigue to a level of intensity that the reader can empathize fully with the characters and what they are experiencing. New to me author Elizabeth Haynes weaves a tale of fear and obsession that leaves deep physical, mental and emotional scars in the life of Catherine Bailey.
The story alternates between two time periods in Catherines life. The first is centered on her relationship with Lee and the escalating abuse at his hands. The second is four years later with Catherine living and coping with a severe obsessive compulsive disorder and living in fear of Lees release from prison.
Initially, I found the switch in time periods a little confusing to understand, but as I read more, I began to understand the parallels in Cathys life. I enjoyed seeing her go from a victim living in constant fear trying to plan her escape to a woman who takes charge of her circumstances to regain her life and power.
Fair warning to the readersome of the events were a little disturbing and difficult to get through, but the outcome made the anxiety easier to bear. I highly recommend this story to readers who enjoy high suspense and intensity featuring characters you can relate to and root for to find a happy ending.
The story alternates between two time periods in Catherines life. The first is centered on her relationship with Lee and the escalating abuse at his hands. The second is four years later with Catherine living and coping with a severe obsessive compulsive disorder and living in fear of Lees release from prison.
Initially, I found the switch in time periods a little confusing to understand, but as I read more, I began to understand the parallels in Cathys life. I enjoyed seeing her go from a victim living in constant fear trying to plan her escape to a woman who takes charge of her circumstances to regain her life and power.
Fair warning to the readersome of the events were a little disturbing and difficult to get through, but the outcome made the anxiety easier to bear. I highly recommend this story to readers who enjoy high suspense and intensity featuring characters you can relate to and root for to find a happy ending.
This book was well-written and kept my interest!
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I went into reading it thinking that it was going to be more thriller-esque, but it turned out to be more about the main character's healing journey from her PTSD and OCD. Which, in turn, was interesting and rewarding in itself!
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My biggest complaint is the length - it was about 100 pages overdrawn, in my opinion. But I would still recommend it!
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I went into reading it thinking that it was going to be more thriller-esque, but it turned out to be more about the main character's healing journey from her PTSD and OCD. Which, in turn, was interesting and rewarding in itself!
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My biggest complaint is the length - it was about 100 pages overdrawn, in my opinion. But I would still recommend it!
This was a really good first book for this author. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and is a great psychological thriller. The characters are well defined. The chapters are dates, one from the past and one in the present, alternating. It took a little getting used to but once you get used to it, it flows smoothly. Would highly recommend!
This debut novel by Elizabeth Haynes chronicles the wrecked life of Cathy Bailey, who suffers from advanced and crippling OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and the causes of her two illnesses. How did she transform from a confident, popular young working girl with many friends and lots of self confidence, to this shrinking, fearful, compulsive mess of a person? This is a tautly-written thriller that unfolds slowly, using flashbacks in Cathy's life 4 years in the past to 2007/8. Her relationship with the seemingly perfect Lee Barrett unfolds, and the web starts to enshroud the reader slowly and inevitably. With an increasing sense of horror and unfolding, Cathy's story and relationship with the enigmatic and handsome Lee Barrett starts to emerge.
Cathy is so afraid of her past that she is merely existing, too paralysed with fear for her safety that she can barely function. Lee's controlling and obsessive behavior starts to emerge, ever so slowly, that the reader is filled with dread knowing that something horrible is going to happen. The slow unfolding and pacing of the story will not appeal to all readers, as it takes some getting used to, as well as the narrative technique of flashbacks and flashes forward in the story. The book is long and slow-moving, with the narration of the pivotal event in Cathy's life not finally emerging until page 250 of 400. The story contains some violent descriptions and a gripping, suspenseful tale that is hard to put down. I was glad when I finally finished this book covering the darkest side of obsession and controlling behaviour.
Cathy is so afraid of her past that she is merely existing, too paralysed with fear for her safety that she can barely function. Lee's controlling and obsessive behavior starts to emerge, ever so slowly, that the reader is filled with dread knowing that something horrible is going to happen. The slow unfolding and pacing of the story will not appeal to all readers, as it takes some getting used to, as well as the narrative technique of flashbacks and flashes forward in the story. The book is long and slow-moving, with the narration of the pivotal event in Cathy's life not finally emerging until page 250 of 400. The story contains some violent descriptions and a gripping, suspenseful tale that is hard to put down. I was glad when I finally finished this book covering the darkest side of obsession and controlling behaviour.
A great read, although somewhat disturbing.
I would have have given it more stars but I get tired of the four letter word starting with F.It was a good story, a bit hard to fathom, & could feel the pain of the main character. You get right into the story line. I just find it not necessary to use the language the author used.Could do without it in my opinion.
I found this book to be overly graphic and course. I'm all for real-feel descriptions if there's a purpose, but the coarseness of this book was off-putting and seemed unnecessarily present for shock value only. I couldn't wait to finish the book and be done with it.
The subject matter is a bit rough - domestic violence - however, I couldn't put it down!
I really enjoyed this book. It flipped back and forth between the past and present which I think really helped get the whole story. I would definitely recommend.
