by Stieg Larsson
Unapologetically dark and intense, Larsson crafts a gripping twist on the Locked Room Mystery trope with compelling main characters, though the story gets bogged down by too many red herrings and an overwhelming cast of side characters that add little to the plot.
by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi
The Centre teases an intriguing mystery about a language-learning retreat but gets bogged down by underdeveloped themes of racism and misandry, ultimately hinting at a compelling conclusion it fails to deliver.
by Daniel Kraus
The premise immediately drew me in, and I enjoyed the exploration of Jay’s relationship with his father, but the book ultimately left me unsatisfied as it devolved into 'Look how many facts about whales I can cram into my novel'.
by Gillian Flynn
A dark, captivating thriller filled with the beautifully dysfunctional characters Flynn crafts so well, Sharp Objects had me more invested in the twisted family drama than the murder investigation.
by Gillian Flynn
Flynn shines brightest when crafting characters you truly believe in and putting them through horrifying ordeals, though the far-fetched Kill Club slightly tested my suspension of disbelief.
with Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro
Kate Macer's constant, largely futile search for answers, the bombastic, bone-rattling soundtrack, and the movie's unwillingness to relieve the tension with a comforting finale made sure I did not take my eyes off the screen once.