Lee Allen's Blog - Posts Tagged "psychological-thriller"

The Treatment by Mo Hayder

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Chilling...gripping...disturbing...compelling.

Mo Hayder has delivered another crime fiction masterpiece with 'The Treatment'. Following closely from the events of 'Birdman', this second in the series takes us deeper into Jack Caffery's haunted world, both personal and professional, as a case involving an imprisoned family and missing child proves to be too close to events of his own past.

I love the attention to detail of Hayder's books; procedural and forensic - the often graphic, visceral descriptions conjure images that stay with you, urging you to keep reading. The themes of the novel - child abuse, paedophilia, rape - are dealt with in a serious, psychologically authentic way, demonstrating that Hayder will not shy away from the realities of the subject matter.

This is a must-read police procedural and psychological thriller.



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Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


‘Into the Water’ is the second thriller by Paula Hawkins, author of ‘The Girl on the Train’, which was always going to be a hard act to follow considering its success. However, Hawkins’ second novel more than lives up to expectations – an enthralling mystery featuring an ensemble of characters which steadily submerge you in their stories.

At the heart of the novel is the Drowning Pool and the legends and mysteries that circle around it. There are the tales of alleged witches, drowned during trials determining whether they will sink or swim (an allegation of practicing witchcraft was a death sentence; surviving the test would only be held as proof they were in allegiance with the Devil); and speculation surrounding numerous suicides – a woman who murdered her husband, a mother whose son saw her jump, a teenage girl whose reason for taking her own life remains unknown. Legend says, if you go to the water at night or submerge yourself in its depths, you can almost hear its victims calling out to you...

As the novel begins, Nel Abbott is the latest whose life came to an end in the water, falling from the cliff above. But did she jump or was she pushed? Her sister, Jules, becomes convinced she must have been murdered, while her daughter, Lena, seems convinced she killed herself.

There are quite a few characters we get to know throughout the course of the book. As well as the Abbotts, we are introduced to the Whittakers, family of Katie, the teenage girl who took her own life; the Townsends, the DI investigating the case, his wife, and father; as well as several others. I particularly liked Erin, the DS who is new to the area, and all the scenes featuring Nickie, the town psychic, were incredibly entertaining. I almost immediately took a dislike to Patrick, though his obvious commitment to his family remained throughout his redeeming quality. With so many characters, every reader will take away something different from the story, which is undoubtedly one of the novel's strengths.

Told through each of the character's perspectives, the mysteries and secrets of the small town and its inhabitants, past and present, are unveiled, leading to the final revelation in the last few pages.

'Into the Water' proves to be as immersive as the Drowning Pool itself, a thriller that has you hooked to the very end and a perfect companion for a long train ride and sitting atop the cliffs beside the sea.



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Irène by Pierre Lemaitre

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


'Irène' (originally 'Travail Soigné') is Pierre Lemaitre's debut novel and the first to feature Commandant Camille Verhœven. It is a dark and brutal novel, following Verhœven's investigation into multiple murders committed by a killer who becomes known as the Novelist.

We meet Camille as he interviews a victim of violent crime, before he receives a call from one of his officers - two young woman have been brutally murdered and dismembered, and the crime scene is unlike anything the team have encountered before. Shocked by the level of violence and bloodshed, the team painstakingly analyse the evidence and follow the leads, reaching numerous dead-ends. The killer is proving to be elusive, devious and clever; Camille is convinced he will kill again and has killed before. A fake fingerprint, deliberately left at the scene, soon leads them to another brutal murder committed eighteen months previously. It is in this crime that Camille recognises the killer's MO - he is recreating murders that have taken place in novels.

We are also introduced to Camille's private life - his wife Irène is heavily pregnant with their first child. Camille's growing focus on the case begins to put a strain on their relationship, not to mention his already strained relationship with his father.

The French judicial system is vastly different to that in the United Kingdom - the lead investigator and his superiors answer to an appointed juge d'instruction, who manages the investigation. Nevertheless, Camille proves to be somewhat a maverick, approaching the killer directly via a personal ad to encourage him to talk about his work and draw him out. The pressure of the case soon takes its toll, with press intrusion mounting and the discovery of more victims, threatening to spill over into Camille's own life.

Written with detailed precision, 'Irène' is fast-paced, gripping and an instant classic. It felt reminiscent of 'Messiah' (both Boris Starling's novel and the TV series starring Ken Stott), in its brutality, its dark atmosphere and its intrusion into the investigating team's personal lives. As a lover of crime fiction, Lemaitre and the killer's tributes to murders in crime novels, as well as the investigation into the possibility of more imitations, were thrilling - dealt with expertly so as to contribute to the novel's plot and the killer's psychology rather than detract from it.

With a fantastic twist, rocketing towards a brutal, shocking conclusion, 'Irène' is a superb thriller that stays with you long after the final page and leaves you wanting more - it shan't be long before I pick up the second novel, 'Alex', and delve into Camille Verhœven's world once again.



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Tooth and Nail by Ian Rankin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A gripping police procedural that takes Rebus to London to hunt a serial killer.

It has been far too long since I last read a Rebus book. Rankin's first two novels in the series, 'Knots and Crosses' and 'Hide and Seek', as well as the short story collection, 'A Good Hanging', were brilliant, so quite why it has taken so long for me to revisit the series I do not know.

'Tooth and Nail' (originally 'Wolfman' on its first publication) finds Rebus travelling from Edinburgh to London, requested to assist in the investigation of a series of murders, the perpetrator of which the press have named the Wolfman. He arrives by train, hearing the news that a third victim has been discovered, and heads straight for the crime scene.

With insights into both the killer's psyche and the police investigation, this is a superb psychological thriller, with Rebus at its heart as the fish-out-of-water detective who isn't quite sure who has summoned him to London and if he can truly make a contribution to the investigation. Rebus is soon approached by a psychologist offering to produce a profile of the Wolfman. Rebus accepts, though his suggestion to meet for dinner to discuss her profile isn't solely motivated by professional interest.

As well as contending with the case and the attitudes of the police team, who see his contribution as interference, Rebus also reacquaints himself with his ex-wife and their daughter, Samantha, who moved to London from Edinburgh. Personal and professional pressures collide and Rebus soon finds that his rash actions may have unforeseen consequences.

I couldn't put 'Tooth and Nail' down - it is well-written and tightly plotted, with a masterfully executed conclusion. Rebus is an icon of crime fiction - flawed but brilliant - and I will be eagerly devouring further novels in the series.



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The Visitor by Lee Child

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jack Reacher becomes embroiled in the FBI's hunt for a serial killer in the fourth in Lee Child's series.

Following the events of 'Tripwire', Reacher is attempting to live a normal life, with a fixed address and in a steady relationship with Jodie, returning from the previous novel. But when Reacher sees injustice, he cannot resist righting the wrong in his own way. He soon finds himself arrested - but the FBI appear to suspect him of another crime. Two women are dead, both ex-Army, found immersed in baths of paint, causes of death unknown. The FBI's Behavioural Science Unit's profile indicates the perpetrator is someone a lot like Reacher.

Drawn deeper into the investigation against his will, Reacher initially resists cooperating, but soon becomes driven to find the killer responsible as the body count rises. But he also finds himself facing his own personal challenge - he misses his days of freedom, which he has turned his back on because of his feelings for Jodie.

With each development, the killer still seems to be far ahead - clever, resourceful and cunning - but Reacher strives on, fitting the pieces together. But will he be in time to save the next victim?

The third in the series, 'Tripwire', was brilliant, but 'The Visitor' may have even topped that. Intense and thrilling, the novel builds to a tense climax with a satisfying and perfectly illustrated twist. With action-packed scenes, psychological insights, gang wars and even a crime-busting partner for Reacher in the form of Harper, the FBI agent assigned to watch his every move, this is a mash-up of thriller sub-genres with Reacher as the (anti-) hero at its heart. His methods may at times be questionable, but he is always on the side of justice.

Reacher's personal struggles develop a greater emotional depth and give the reader further insight into the character we first met in 'Killing Floor' shortly after he left the Army. I will soon be diving eagerly into 'Echo Burning' to find out what's next.



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Kiss Of Evil by Richard Montanari

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Detective Jack Paris returns in the sequel to Richard Montanari's first novel, 'Don't Look Now'/'Deviant Way'.

Christmas is fast-approaching and a serial killer is beginning his work. A woman drawn into an online fantasy world is brutally murdered. A con artist finds herself cornered when one of her cons goes wrong. Someone is watching her and someone is also watching Jack Paris.

Another case playing on Jack's mind is that of the murder of Mike Ryan, a police officer murdered two years before by a woman who has recently been found dead, her lawyer determined to give Jack a hard time. As the body count rises, Jack is drawn into the worlds of Santeria (an ancient religion comprised of elements of Yoruba religion and Christianity) and sexual deviance. Unbeknownst to him, the killer has an endgame in mind with Jack as its star performer.

Relentlessly fast-paced with multiple twists and turns, all of the strands come together for a heart-stopping finale, neatly tying all the loose ends in what at first appears to be a novel featuring multiple cases, but is revealed to be far more complicated, with potentially deadly consequences for Jack.

'Kiss of Evil' is a masterstroke in suspense, told in gruesome detail and with some surprises along the way - a superbly plotted and complex psychological thriller.



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Alex by Pierre Lemaitre

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Commandant Camille Verhœven returns in another dark and gripping thriller from Pierre Lemaitre, following 'Irène', the first in the series.

'Alex' (also originally Alex in the French language) tells the story of Alex Prévost. Assaulted and kidnapped, she is trapped in a cage by her attacker, who tells her he wishes to watch her die. Assigned to the case against his will, it proves too close to home for Camille, still haunted by his personal demons. As he and his team close in on the kidnapper, the hunt becomes a race against time to save Alex's life.

With the discovery of a corpse, the case is soon turned on its head and Camille finds himself on the hunt for a clever, brutal serial murderer, who is always one step ahead.

Psychologically compelling and fast-paced, with multiple twists, 'Alex' grips from the opening pages to the last. The two central characters, Alex and Camille, are brilliantly portrayed. With 'Irène' and 'Alex', Lemaitre is fast becoming one of my favourite authors - 'Alex' is a superb addition to the Camille Verhœven series and I cannot wait to delve into the third novel 'Camille'.



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The Whisperer by Karin Fossum

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An intense, psychological character study of the build-up to a murder.

I was lucky enough to win a proof copy of Karin Fossum’s latest novel, ‘The Whisperer’ from CrimeFictionLover.com, via their Facebook page. I had previously never read any of Fossum’s work - though this is the thirteenth novel in her series featuring Inspector Sejer. However, Sejer features more as a supporting character in this novel, which is led by Ragna Reigel, the eponymous whisperer.

Ragna lives a lonely life, estranged from her son, living in the house her parents left when they died, working at a local store, travelling back and forth by bus each day. Her only interactions are with her work colleagues, one of her neighbours, the owner of the store across the street, and the occasional cards from her son, who now lives in Berlin and has done for many years. She begins to receive threatening notes, left in her letterbox, telling her she will soon be dead.

Now incarcarated in prison for an unspecified crime, Ragna is interviewed by Sejer, slowly revealing the events that led to her imprisonment. Through Ragna's retelling of the story, we witness her growing paranoia as she is persecuted via the notes, becoming convinced she is being watched, building to a tragic climax.

'The Whisperer' is a slow-burning thriller with psychologically depth. We live Ragna's persecution with her, her loneliness, the monotony of her daily life, how she misses her son. Through Sejer's careful questioning, her reconnection with her son, the story she retells, Ragna's brutal crime is pieced together. There is a neat, little twist in the final pages that brings the novel to a satisfying conclusion.

A hugely enjoyable read; I shall be looking out for more of Fossum's books in the future.



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You by Caroline Kepnes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An intense psychological thriller that approaches the romance genre from an unconventional angle; the first in a series by Caroline Kepnes, which has been adapted as a TV series, with a second series currently in production by Netflix.

Joe Goldberg runs a bookstore, watching the comings and goings of his customers on a daily basis. When Guinevere Beck, known to her friends as Beck, becomes one of his customers, he is instantly and deeply attracted to her – an aspiring writer, witty and gorgeous, she’s probably the woman of his dreams. So, he begins to follow her, watching her at home, in her intimate moments, when she’s with her boyfriend and friends and generally living her daily life. A near-fatal moment at a train station provides Joe his opportunity to enter Beck’s life, escalating his already barely controlled obsession.

They begin to develop a relationship, while Joe continues to stalk Beck, gaining an insight into her innermost thoughts and feelings, the true nature of her relationships with friends and family, and how she really feels about him. It soon becomes clear that Beck has her own demons and that this collision between them may have drastic and tragic consequences.

The novel’s core strength is the relationship between Joe and Beck, capturing both the addictive romance between them and Joe’s burgeoning obsession perfectly, laced with eroticism and fantasy, building to several tense moments. Joe’s violent interactions with other characters are secondary to his encounters with Beck and at times feel like mere distractions, though this is in keeping with the psychological realism – Beck is the centre of his world and everything and everyone else fades in comparison, and the reader is drawn in and taken along with his obsession.

There are several tense, escalating scenes throughout the novel, where you expect Joe's world to come crashing down in the next moment, all leading to a thrilling climax as Joe and Beck's relationship finally implodes.

Addictive and lightning-paced, ‘You’ is an exciting debut novel – I will be eagerly reading the sequel ‘Hidden Bodies’ as well as Kepnes’ standalone novel – ‘Providence’. She is also working on a third and fourth in this series; no doubt there is much more intensity and obsession to come.



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Cari Mora by Thomas Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Thomas Harris is back! The creator of Hannibal Lecter returns with his first novel since ‘Hannibal Rising’ in 2006, his first standalone novel since his debut ‘Black Sunday’ in 1975.

The novel revolves around eponymous character Caridad “Cari” Mora, a young immigrant living in Miami on Temporary Protected Status, currently working multiple jobs, one as caretaker to a mansion previously owned by Pablo Escobar. It has been long-rumoured that millions of dollars in gold has been hidden beneath the mansion. A ruthless gang, led by Hans-Peter Schneider, is determined to uncover it. Schneider’s sadistic appetites draw him to Cari, placing her in peril beyond her proximity to the gold. Meanwhile, mob boss Don Ernesto is determined to reach the gold before Schneider, dispatching his own gang to recover Escobar’s millions.

The novels layers are carefully applied like the construction of a piece of fine art. Schneider is a twisted villain - the pleasures he and his associates enjoy send shivers down your spine. He does not have the finesse of Hannibal Lecter, more a truly diabolical character like Mason Verger (who featured in ‘Hannibal’). Cari is a kind young woman, scarred by the horrors of war, having escaped her country and not succumbed to the pain inflicted on her – she is kind and gentle, with ambitions to become a veterinarian. She is drawn into the stand-off between both criminal gangs, reluctantly agreeing to help Don Ernesto’s team when one of their number is killed.

The gold is heavily protected. As they close in, dangers lurk out of sight and the stakes get higher, while Schneider is determined to close in on his ultimate prize once the gold has been recovered. It will take all Cari’s strength and determination to survive.

‘Cari Mora’ is a delicious indulgence of a novel – incredibly fast-paced, multi-layered, with a large cast of characters. It’s difficult not to race through to the finish, but to do so would risk you losing track of the character threads. Cari herself is an endearing creation, a strong-willed, damaged young woman, fighting back against the men who seek to use and abuse her.

Harris is a master of the crime genre. Rumours of two new books circulated prior to the publication of ‘Hannibal Rising’, so it has been a long wait of thirteen years for the second of those. I hope it won’t be quite so long to wait for another and would welcome further standalone crime stories in the vein of ‘Cari Mora’.



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