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The Playroom
In this twisted new thriller by the author of Bad Company, who is the victim and who is the monster?
Jessica never allowed herself to get close to anyone. Until now . . .
She wants a man who will love her—and she’s prepared to do anything to achieve her goal. Max soon becomes the focus of her attention. He’s a handsome man—but he is also carrying a dark secret.
When Jessica is abducted by Max, their strange relationship takes a deadly turn. But which of them is really the captive?
As two warped people begin a dangerous game, there is more at stake than either of them realizes . . .
Jessica never allowed herself to get close to anyone. Until now . . .
She wants a man who will love her—and she’s prepared to do anything to achieve her goal. Max soon becomes the focus of her attention. He’s a handsome man—but he is also carrying a dark secret.
When Jessica is abducted by Max, their strange relationship takes a deadly turn. But which of them is really the captive?
As two warped people begin a dangerous game, there is more at stake than either of them realizes . . .
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2024
62 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
October 21, 2024
Why did I pick this book?
I love the cover!
Plus some reviewers I know have praised it highly, even rating it 5 stars.
But this one was not for me.
The whole thing was bizarre. You do need to suspend disbelief.
Unfortunately I thought that the writing was very repetitive and some of the dialogues were juvenile (on purpose, perhaps?) and the characters were not so likeable, especially Max, who is so arrogant and sounded like a spoiled teenager (by the way, he loves flashing his golden tooth - how sexy is that? Sarcasm!).
There are multiple POVs but Jessica’s is the only one written in first person.
Max and his father are delusional.
Poor Max! So handsome and so stupid, if not pathetic. It’s hard to believe he got away with murders in his past.
I liked Jessica’s, Eve’s and Bella’s personalities (but not so much their dialogues). I think the author may favour female characters.
The development of the storyline is farfetched and some readers may find it disturbing, if not silly.
There are some trigger warnings such as body shaming, confinement, abusive relationship and thoughts of sexual abuse.
If the writing wasn’t so repetitive I would have rated it 4 stars, but the conclusion was really bad, hence my ratings.
At least, absurd as it is, the story is original (in my opinion).
When I say the writing was repetitive I don’t mean the number of times the same word was used, but the different ways the same statement was said.
But I couldn’t avoid noticing this word count:
Fear: 100 times
Fat: 71
Bitch: 63
Beautiful/beauty: 56
Rape/raping/raped: 55
Bad: 50
Perfect: 42
Handsome: 26
I may give this author one more try.
e-book (Kobo): 250 pages (default), 87k words
Paperback: 326 pages
I love the cover!
Plus some reviewers I know have praised it highly, even rating it 5 stars.
But this one was not for me.
The whole thing was bizarre. You do need to suspend disbelief.
Unfortunately I thought that the writing was very repetitive and some of the dialogues were juvenile (on purpose, perhaps?) and the characters were not so likeable, especially Max, who is so arrogant and sounded like a spoiled teenager (by the way, he loves flashing his golden tooth - how sexy is that? Sarcasm!).
There are multiple POVs but Jessica’s is the only one written in first person.
Max and his father are delusional.
Poor Max! So handsome and so stupid, if not pathetic. It’s hard to believe he got away with murders in his past.
I liked Jessica’s, Eve’s and Bella’s personalities (but not so much their dialogues). I think the author may favour female characters.
The development of the storyline is farfetched and some readers may find it disturbing, if not silly.
There are some trigger warnings such as body shaming, confinement, abusive relationship and thoughts of sexual abuse.
If the writing wasn’t so repetitive I would have rated it 4 stars, but the conclusion was really bad, hence my ratings.
At least, absurd as it is, the story is original (in my opinion).
When I say the writing was repetitive I don’t mean the number of times the same word was used, but the different ways the same statement was said.
But I couldn’t avoid noticing this word count:
Fear: 100 times
Fat: 71
Bitch: 63
Beautiful/beauty: 56
Rape/raping/raped: 55
Bad: 50
Perfect: 42
Handsome: 26
I may give this author one more try.
e-book (Kobo): 250 pages (default), 87k words
Paperback: 326 pages
September 6, 2024
Maybe I am guilty of over-using the word intense in reviews but I can assure you when I say this book is intense…..110%
I don’t think I have ever read a book quite as mind affectingly intense
Nor met characters so wickedly evil as Max or as genuinely fascinating as Jessica……and as for Eve and Bella….what can i say?
The author has created monstrous personalities that,especially with Max,you can’t quite believe what you are reading….well tbh you CAN believe and that is the scary part
The book thrusts you into these characters world where they all have now,within hours,become part of each others miserable existence’s and rhe role of hunter and hunted changes by the minute
This is a hard review to write as don’t want to give too much away but will say you will be shocked at this story and I guarantee these characters and what they do will stay with you
There are trigger warnings for many things including the threat of rape but the author very cleverly uses implication and the fear of it to unsettle rather than the actuality ( hope that makes sense )
If this is not made into a movie then Netflix need a talking to
Outstandingly horribly fascinating brilliant
I don’t think I have ever read a book quite as mind affectingly intense
Nor met characters so wickedly evil as Max or as genuinely fascinating as Jessica……and as for Eve and Bella….what can i say?
The author has created monstrous personalities that,especially with Max,you can’t quite believe what you are reading….well tbh you CAN believe and that is the scary part
The book thrusts you into these characters world where they all have now,within hours,become part of each others miserable existence’s and rhe role of hunter and hunted changes by the minute
This is a hard review to write as don’t want to give too much away but will say you will be shocked at this story and I guarantee these characters and what they do will stay with you
There are trigger warnings for many things including the threat of rape but the author very cleverly uses implication and the fear of it to unsettle rather than the actuality ( hope that makes sense )
If this is not made into a movie then Netflix need a talking to
Outstandingly horribly fascinating brilliant
September 12, 2024
Wow. Not what I expected but that isn’t a bad thing. I’ve read some jaw dropping and intense books but this one really surprised me and earned every single bit of 5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.
October 15, 2024
Thank you to the author for the ARC
A brilliant book couldn’t put it down
Jessica’s character reminded me a few Martha from Baby Reindeer
A brilliant book couldn’t put it down
Jessica’s character reminded me a few Martha from Baby Reindeer
September 18, 2024
This was a dark and twisted read. Definitely different from the thrillers I'm used to reading. The author does a great job of having the reader guessing who's the victim and who's the monster. I found myself hating both main characters but I guess that's the point. Would recommend looking up the trigger warnings before diving into this book.
September 4, 2024
Thank you to the Author for the ARC
The crazy relationship of Jess and Max had me on the edge of my seat. A fantastic, gripping, twisting and thrilling read so well written you won't want to it down 5⭐️
The crazy relationship of Jess and Max had me on the edge of my seat. A fantastic, gripping, twisting and thrilling read so well written you won't want to it down 5⭐️
September 23, 2024
I’m the first person to admit that I don’t read crime fiction and that I’m not a huge fan of reading psychological fiction (I got 50 pages into Stephen King’s Misery and it scared the beejeezus outta me!), but this book was different.
I went into it feeling unsure, and I’ve come out the other side having thoroughly enjoyed the book. The characters, their personalities and the situations were written so well that you didn’t know who was the perp and who was the victim. The characters are selfish and self-less… just when you think you understand a character, the pov changes and you see them in a new light. The author tackles bullying, body shaming and narcissism in a way that makes you feel sorry for the characters but also hate them with every inch of you.
I’m so grateful to have been asked to be an ARC reader and blown away by the fact that I loved a book in genre that I would usually avoid, and one that is so different to the genres I usually read.
I went into it feeling unsure, and I’ve come out the other side having thoroughly enjoyed the book. The characters, their personalities and the situations were written so well that you didn’t know who was the perp and who was the victim. The characters are selfish and self-less… just when you think you understand a character, the pov changes and you see them in a new light. The author tackles bullying, body shaming and narcissism in a way that makes you feel sorry for the characters but also hate them with every inch of you.
I’m so grateful to have been asked to be an ARC reader and blown away by the fact that I loved a book in genre that I would usually avoid, and one that is so different to the genres I usually read.
October 5, 2024
There is always a dark intensity in Jocelyn Dexter's thrillers but in 'The Playroom' she unleashes a whole new layer of dark depravity.
Years ago when Patricia Highsmith introduced Tom Ripley to the world he was described as a dapper sociopath and urbane psychopath. In the 1950s even murderous antiheroes had to have some redeeming factors to get published and Tom Ripley certainly did.
Jessica, Max, Eve and Bella are all extraordinary creations. Put them in the 'real' world and it would go a long way towards explaining some of the horrors men and women inflict upon their fellows.
I can't imagine ever reading a novel with a plot darker than this one. A brutal read but one I would recommend to anyone.
Years ago when Patricia Highsmith introduced Tom Ripley to the world he was described as a dapper sociopath and urbane psychopath. In the 1950s even murderous antiheroes had to have some redeeming factors to get published and Tom Ripley certainly did.
Jessica, Max, Eve and Bella are all extraordinary creations. Put them in the 'real' world and it would go a long way towards explaining some of the horrors men and women inflict upon their fellows.
I can't imagine ever reading a novel with a plot darker than this one. A brutal read but one I would recommend to anyone.
October 4, 2024
Definitely recommend.
The playroom by Jocelyn Dexter.
Wow. I was not expecting that when I started reading this book. I was hooked from page one. This book was intense and gripping. I couldn't put it down. I got into it straight away. I did like the writing style. My jaw was on the floor. I was definitely surprised and shocked how that turned out. I definitely didn't see that coming. I definitely didn't see the ending coming. That's for sure. I would definitely recommend this book.
The playroom by Jocelyn Dexter.
Wow. I was not expecting that when I started reading this book. I was hooked from page one. This book was intense and gripping. I couldn't put it down. I got into it straight away. I did like the writing style. My jaw was on the floor. I was definitely surprised and shocked how that turned out. I definitely didn't see that coming. I definitely didn't see the ending coming. That's for sure. I would definitely recommend this book.
October 2, 2024
An interesting read about what happens when 2 deviate minds collide. The ending was twisted in every sense of the word. After saying all that, I do have to say I enjoyed it. I recommend this book if you’re looking for something on the dark side.
September 17, 2024
I really enjoyed The Playroom. The craziness throughout this book kept me glued to it to see what kind of train wreck was coming next!
The characters in this story are complex, and the premise is unsettling in the best way possible.
The story follows Jessica, a woman who has been bullied her whole life, due to her weight and yearns to be loved. She becomes involved with Max, who in her eyes is a "hottie."
This leads to a situation of captivity and mind games where determining the roles of victim and offender becomes challenging.
The story goes deep into obsession, power plays, and surprising twists in the plot. The suspense had me on edge the whole time, craving more!
What I loved was how the story was told through multiple perspectives, adding layers of depth and intrigue. The obsession, the power struggles, and those unpredictable twists kept me on edge the entire time.
This was a great and intense story that I absolutely recommend!
The characters in this story are complex, and the premise is unsettling in the best way possible.
The story follows Jessica, a woman who has been bullied her whole life, due to her weight and yearns to be loved. She becomes involved with Max, who in her eyes is a "hottie."
This leads to a situation of captivity and mind games where determining the roles of victim and offender becomes challenging.
The story goes deep into obsession, power plays, and surprising twists in the plot. The suspense had me on edge the whole time, craving more!
What I loved was how the story was told through multiple perspectives, adding layers of depth and intrigue. The obsession, the power struggles, and those unpredictable twists kept me on edge the entire time.
This was a great and intense story that I absolutely recommend!
September 13, 2024
From the very beginning to the end, I was totally captured into this very different, cleverly written, page-turner, and on the edge of your seat, gripping storyline and plot.
It has very strong complex characters and, at times, terrifying. I'm so glad these are from the authors imagination.
I liked the way the characters developed as the story unfolds, and you discover why they are and how they are portrayed.
There are surprising revelations and many a cleverly written twist in the storyline.
It is a gripping twisty story that kept me guessing, and I hadn't a clue where it was heading in the final conclusion.
If you like a good psychological thriller, this is the one for you.
My thanks to the author. This is my honest and unbiased review.
It has very strong complex characters and, at times, terrifying. I'm so glad these are from the authors imagination.
I liked the way the characters developed as the story unfolds, and you discover why they are and how they are portrayed.
There are surprising revelations and many a cleverly written twist in the storyline.
It is a gripping twisty story that kept me guessing, and I hadn't a clue where it was heading in the final conclusion.
If you like a good psychological thriller, this is the one for you.
My thanks to the author. This is my honest and unbiased review.
September 14, 2024
A dark thriller that is different from other books I have read so far. It is twisty and dark with characters who have their own complexities and challenges. Their past driving their present with them often being unlikeable.
Who's the captor and who has the upper hand. Both the characters are out there to beat the other with their own skill sets the other is unaware about. Overall an interesting read!
Thank you Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.
Who's the captor and who has the upper hand. Both the characters are out there to beat the other with their own skill sets the other is unaware about. Overall an interesting read!
Thank you Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.
October 3, 2024
A very interesting premise but I just couldn’t fully immerse myself in this disturbing thriller.
The plot and the characters were well written, the setting similar to every day life but I just didn’t like any of the people or really care what happened to them.
The idea was certainly fascinating and original though, hence why I persevered.
I think this book is one you’re either going to love or hate!
The plot and the characters were well written, the setting similar to every day life but I just didn’t like any of the people or really care what happened to them.
The idea was certainly fascinating and original though, hence why I persevered.
I think this book is one you’re either going to love or hate!
September 9, 2024
I’ve read some disturbed, intense, jaw dropping and weird things but this book takes it to a whole new level. Not in a bad way.
Gripping, page turning and full of plot twists. I just couldn’t stop reading it.
Gripping, page turning and full of plot twists. I just couldn’t stop reading it.
September 30, 2024
I was mainly interested in this book based on a review I read that said it was dark and disturbing, which I love in a thriller. While it was on the dark side, I personally didn't find it as dark as I wanted it to be. The first 10 chapters were good, and I was excited to see where it was going to go, but it didn't go the way I expected, and I honestly got bored. Compared to other dark and disturbing books I've read, this one didn't measure up.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for this eARC.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for this eARC.
September 27, 2024
Jessica is overweight, has been her whole life. She knows it and certainly doesn't need people constantly reminding her. Especially those skinny, beautiful people. After an incident in a restaurant, she decides she needs a handsome man to be hers. Whether he wants to be or not.
Max is a rapist and murderer. He thinks he has found his newest victim when Jessica gets in his car.
But which one has is the captive and which one is going to win?
This was intense. There was not one single point in this book where I thought I knew where the story was going. The characters were twisted, and the author does such a great job keeping the reader guessing as to who is a monster, who's a victim, and honestly just kind of leaving us confused right til the end.
This is my first from this author, and I think I need to go and read some more of her work.
Max is a rapist and murderer. He thinks he has found his newest victim when Jessica gets in his car.
But which one has is the captive and which one is going to win?
This was intense. There was not one single point in this book where I thought I knew where the story was going. The characters were twisted, and the author does such a great job keeping the reader guessing as to who is a monster, who's a victim, and honestly just kind of leaving us confused right til the end.
This is my first from this author, and I think I need to go and read some more of her work.
October 2, 2024
The Playroom certainly lives up to its description as an addictive psycholgical thriller.
Max, the narcissist, brought up by a father who should never have been let near a child.
Jessica, the rich girl, neglected by her parents because she didn’t live up to their expectations.
What happens when these two “meet” in a kidnap situation is the stuff of nightmares.
Max is handsome and knows it and Jessica who has so recently been fat-shamed by a nasty group of people in a restaurant is glad of any attention she might be given.
Max thinks he has kidnapped his latest victim but in this story who is the captor and the captive is not always clear.
When Jessica joins in the game and starts to introduce new rules it becomes clear that Max is not as clever as he thought. As Jessica kidnaps two more victims for Max there follows a cat and mouse game as the fight for supremacy ensues.
The story is told from the POV of Jessica, Max and the two kidnap victims Eve and Bella. All the characters have intriguing back stories and are really not what they seem. Some may find the subject matter and violence disturbing but this book definitely kept me reading into the night and I really couldn’t second guess the ending. If it were a film I would have been watching from behind a cushion.
Thank you to the author for a truly spine tingling thriller.
Max, the narcissist, brought up by a father who should never have been let near a child.
Jessica, the rich girl, neglected by her parents because she didn’t live up to their expectations.
What happens when these two “meet” in a kidnap situation is the stuff of nightmares.
Max is handsome and knows it and Jessica who has so recently been fat-shamed by a nasty group of people in a restaurant is glad of any attention she might be given.
Max thinks he has kidnapped his latest victim but in this story who is the captor and the captive is not always clear.
When Jessica joins in the game and starts to introduce new rules it becomes clear that Max is not as clever as he thought. As Jessica kidnaps two more victims for Max there follows a cat and mouse game as the fight for supremacy ensues.
The story is told from the POV of Jessica, Max and the two kidnap victims Eve and Bella. All the characters have intriguing back stories and are really not what they seem. Some may find the subject matter and violence disturbing but this book definitely kept me reading into the night and I really couldn’t second guess the ending. If it were a film I would have been watching from behind a cushion.
Thank you to the author for a truly spine tingling thriller.
December 10, 2024
The Playroom is a dark, twisted, sick, demented, heart-pounding, disturbing, mesmerizing, suspense-building, captivating thriller. None of the characters who inhabit The Playroom have a single redeeming trait. I don't think any of them could tell the truth, even when their lives were literally depending on it. I've never seen such manipulation. And I loved every minute of it. While there is much talk about rape and other types of sexual abuse, there's none shown, for which I was very grateful. The torture here is psychological and emotional and sometimes those can be more painful and scaring than any physical abuse. So, be prepared. This book is not for the faint of heart. Everyone feels self-worth from hurting others in any form or fashion. I even found myself going back and rereading paragraphs because I was sure I must have read something wrong. , but I didn't. Ms. Ray writes the most twisted characters you've ever spent time with. And speaking of twisted characters, I defy you to see the end coming. NO WAY. The last two chapters in the book made the remainder of the story worth every confusing twist and turn.
i highly recommend this book and can't wait to get my hands on another one of her stories. I received a review copy from the author via Bloodhound Books and this review reflects my honest opinion.
i highly recommend this book and can't wait to get my hands on another one of her stories. I received a review copy from the author via Bloodhound Books and this review reflects my honest opinion.
September 25, 2024
The Playroom
By: Jocelyn Dexter
5 Stars
This book was not at all what I thought it would be. It was better. It gave a creepy twist on an already thrilling and dark story. It can even be a bit gory and chilling. It was a great scare.
Jessica wants a man, but getting close to people is hard. She is used to mistreatment because of her weight, and so when she is abducted, she isn't worried. She knows HE will be her new man. Max doesn't get what he expects when he abducts Jessica. He has met his match. Together, these two twisted individuals feed off of each other in the craziest of ways.
Wow. This was indeed one very twisty and crazy book. The characters were captivating and just made you want more. It was hard to put down. I just wanted to know what would happen next. This was a well written and descriptive book that made me stay up late into the night reading. It had a pretty dark and crazy storyline that makes you say WHAT a lot. Or it did me. So, be warned. Jessica and Max are quite the couple. ;)
*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*
Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review
By: Jocelyn Dexter
5 Stars
This book was not at all what I thought it would be. It was better. It gave a creepy twist on an already thrilling and dark story. It can even be a bit gory and chilling. It was a great scare.
Jessica wants a man, but getting close to people is hard. She is used to mistreatment because of her weight, and so when she is abducted, she isn't worried. She knows HE will be her new man. Max doesn't get what he expects when he abducts Jessica. He has met his match. Together, these two twisted individuals feed off of each other in the craziest of ways.
Wow. This was indeed one very twisty and crazy book. The characters were captivating and just made you want more. It was hard to put down. I just wanted to know what would happen next. This was a well written and descriptive book that made me stay up late into the night reading. It had a pretty dark and crazy storyline that makes you say WHAT a lot. Or it did me. So, be warned. Jessica and Max are quite the couple. ;)
*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*
Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review
October 3, 2024
Welcome to the playroom introducing Max and Jessica along with their playthings Eve and Bella. Max is good looking and charming and is also a psychopathic rapist and murderer. Jessica is a very large woman who loves food but is a virgin and on the look out for a handsome man. OMG these characters! The author has created some of the most terrible characters you could wish to meet; told from multiple POV’s, they make for compulsive reading.
Briefly, Max picks Jessica as his next victim but what a mistake that turns out to be! Who will eat who for dinner! Eve and Bella are living on the streets and are selected as the next victims after Jessica. In this intensely dark thriller we follow the fortunes or rather ill fortunes of the foursome as Max and Jessica vie with each other using the two girls as bait.
Who will come out on top? With a shocker of a climax this is a must read for dark psychological thriller readers. They really don’t get much darker than this. There are things that could be triggering so be aware but this is more about mind games. So well written that it’s hard to decide who is the victim and who is the hunter. A dark and shocking read.
Briefly, Max picks Jessica as his next victim but what a mistake that turns out to be! Who will eat who for dinner! Eve and Bella are living on the streets and are selected as the next victims after Jessica. In this intensely dark thriller we follow the fortunes or rather ill fortunes of the foursome as Max and Jessica vie with each other using the two girls as bait.
Who will come out on top? With a shocker of a climax this is a must read for dark psychological thriller readers. They really don’t get much darker than this. There are things that could be triggering so be aware but this is more about mind games. So well written that it’s hard to decide who is the victim and who is the hunter. A dark and shocking read.
September 23, 2024
First I’d like to thank Net Galley and the rest for the chance to read this arc copy. It’s release date is October 4, 2024
This book is odd to say the least. I liked the premise, I liked the idea that Max was crazy and Jess was supposed to be his next victim but she “ruined it.” I figured they’d just start doing it together since she was the only one of his victims to survive. Do they? I’ll never tell. 🤫 I’m giving this book 3 ⭐️ because while the concept is great, I began to feel like some chapters were repetitive. Max talking about how he’s the boss, Jess talking about how she’s the boss, an event, Max talking about how he’s the boss, Jess talking about how she’s the boss….. so on and so on. There were several chapters that could’ve been omitted and the book would still have ended up in the same place. All this to say, the book isn’t bad at all but it could be more. The twist definitely took my by surprise though. I didn’t see that one coming. If you like books about murder, kidnapping and foiled plans.. this one’s for you.
This book is odd to say the least. I liked the premise, I liked the idea that Max was crazy and Jess was supposed to be his next victim but she “ruined it.” I figured they’d just start doing it together since she was the only one of his victims to survive. Do they? I’ll never tell. 🤫 I’m giving this book 3 ⭐️ because while the concept is great, I began to feel like some chapters were repetitive. Max talking about how he’s the boss, Jess talking about how she’s the boss, an event, Max talking about how he’s the boss, Jess talking about how she’s the boss….. so on and so on. There were several chapters that could’ve been omitted and the book would still have ended up in the same place. All this to say, the book isn’t bad at all but it could be more. The twist definitely took my by surprise though. I didn’t see that one coming. If you like books about murder, kidnapping and foiled plans.. this one’s for you.
October 9, 2024
This is a dark and absorbing thriller.
Jessica is a well-to-do overweight woman who wants to meet a handsome prince charming. One night she gets into a car driven by Max who is a handsome devil. It starts out that she is Max's captive. He is accustomed to picking up, raping and killing young women. But in Jessica he has met his match. She shows no fear and Max needs a woman to exhibit fear to complete his plan. Soon we wonder who is the captive and who is the captor.
Jessica takes Max to her home which is lavish and downstairs has a glassed in playroom where her parents could keep an eye on her when she was young. Jessica decides to recruit Eve from the street to satisfy Max's urges but it doesn't quite work out as anticipated. Eve then recruits Bella.
We are wondering: how will this end? How will the may plot threads be resolved. I found the ending surprising and a little disappointing because I had become invested in one of the characters. Nonetheless it is a logical ending to a fascinating novel.
Jessica is a well-to-do overweight woman who wants to meet a handsome prince charming. One night she gets into a car driven by Max who is a handsome devil. It starts out that she is Max's captive. He is accustomed to picking up, raping and killing young women. But in Jessica he has met his match. She shows no fear and Max needs a woman to exhibit fear to complete his plan. Soon we wonder who is the captive and who is the captor.
Jessica takes Max to her home which is lavish and downstairs has a glassed in playroom where her parents could keep an eye on her when she was young. Jessica decides to recruit Eve from the street to satisfy Max's urges but it doesn't quite work out as anticipated. Eve then recruits Bella.
We are wondering: how will this end? How will the may plot threads be resolved. I found the ending surprising and a little disappointing because I had become invested in one of the characters. Nonetheless it is a logical ending to a fascinating novel.
September 29, 2024
Max was brought up by his father Barry, his mother left them when he was still very young. Barry doted on Max but had some very strange parenting ideas which have affected Max deeply; he is damaged and dangerous.
Jessica had a very privileged childhood. Like Max she was an only child, but unlike Max she was a complete let down to her parents. Jessica has always been overweight, she absolutely loves her food. She was bullied in school and became withdrawn preferring her own company. Jessica's parents were ashamed of her.
When Max and Jessica meet they form a toxic relationship. But which one is the manipulator?
The playroom is an intense psychological thriller with some seriously disturbed characters. The atmosphere throughout is very unsettling and creepy. I had absolutely no idea where the book was going and I flew through it on tenterhooks. There are some triggers and it wouldn't be for everyone, but I really enjoyed it. Highly recommended.
Jessica had a very privileged childhood. Like Max she was an only child, but unlike Max she was a complete let down to her parents. Jessica has always been overweight, she absolutely loves her food. She was bullied in school and became withdrawn preferring her own company. Jessica's parents were ashamed of her.
When Max and Jessica meet they form a toxic relationship. But which one is the manipulator?
The playroom is an intense psychological thriller with some seriously disturbed characters. The atmosphere throughout is very unsettling and creepy. I had absolutely no idea where the book was going and I flew through it on tenterhooks. There are some triggers and it wouldn't be for everyone, but I really enjoyed it. Highly recommended.
September 18, 2024
It took me a while after reading to write this review because I was so completely shook by what I had just read. The ending of The Playroom is one of the most surprising, emotionally charged, and gripping finales I have ever read. My heart was racing, I shed a tear. Stomach churning, earth shattering writing.
The Playroom is a dark, disturbing tale, full of twists and unexpected turns. Everything you could possibly want from a thriller. But it is much, much more than that. It is a story of desperation, trauma and a fascinating look into the deep dark depths of the human mind.
The story is told from multiple POVs and all the characters are full of depth. But the star of the show is Jessica. I will NEVER forget her. Her parts of the story horrified and appalled me, yet as the story developed, I grew to know her and understand what she was feeling.
Although the story is completely different, Jessica reminded me of Martha from the show Baby Reindeer. An unlikeable character on the surface but with so much hidden depth. A real testament to the quality and authority of the writing.
The Playroom jumps immediately into my favourite reads of the year, and if you like your thrillers dark, intense and disturbing, you’re going to want to move this to the top of your TBR.
The Playroom is a dark, disturbing tale, full of twists and unexpected turns. Everything you could possibly want from a thriller. But it is much, much more than that. It is a story of desperation, trauma and a fascinating look into the deep dark depths of the human mind.
The story is told from multiple POVs and all the characters are full of depth. But the star of the show is Jessica. I will NEVER forget her. Her parts of the story horrified and appalled me, yet as the story developed, I grew to know her and understand what she was feeling.
Although the story is completely different, Jessica reminded me of Martha from the show Baby Reindeer. An unlikeable character on the surface but with so much hidden depth. A real testament to the quality and authority of the writing.
The Playroom jumps immediately into my favourite reads of the year, and if you like your thrillers dark, intense and disturbing, you’re going to want to move this to the top of your TBR.
October 4, 2024
Wow, what a book!
This is a truly addictive read. When narcissist Max kidnaps Jessica he doesn’t realise what a mistake he’s made. Completely unloved by her parents and body-shamed on the night she gets into his car, from the moment they meet I knew this was going to be a twisted yet compelling book. I don’t know which one I disliked the most, although at times I did have some sympathy for Jessica. It’s a constant game of who is really in charge between these two warped individuals and even by the end I still couldn’t decide who was. Told from multiple points of view, there was only one person I really felt for. The Playroom is a disturbing and impossible to put down read, with shocking themes of body-shaming, bullying, obsession and the constant threat of violence. And one which will stay with me for a long time.
This is a truly addictive read. When narcissist Max kidnaps Jessica he doesn’t realise what a mistake he’s made. Completely unloved by her parents and body-shamed on the night she gets into his car, from the moment they meet I knew this was going to be a twisted yet compelling book. I don’t know which one I disliked the most, although at times I did have some sympathy for Jessica. It’s a constant game of who is really in charge between these two warped individuals and even by the end I still couldn’t decide who was. Told from multiple points of view, there was only one person I really felt for. The Playroom is a disturbing and impossible to put down read, with shocking themes of body-shaming, bullying, obsession and the constant threat of violence. And one which will stay with me for a long time.
October 11, 2024
Unfortunately I did not find much to like with this book. I am used to reading dark and twisted books but this was something else, I just found nothing to like about it, not one single character had a redeeming feature and I had an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach whilst reading this.
Whilst the characters needed to be a certain way for the plot, I did feel Dexter took it to an extreme and as a reader I had no-one to root for or care about.
This review would have been 2 stars had it not been for the twists in the latter half which injected some surprise into the plot. Whilst I still did not completely like the second half, it was stronger than the first half.
I just really did not enjoy this book and did not find it to be enjoyable or thrilling.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for an advance copy.
Whilst the characters needed to be a certain way for the plot, I did feel Dexter took it to an extreme and as a reader I had no-one to root for or care about.
This review would have been 2 stars had it not been for the twists in the latter half which injected some surprise into the plot. Whilst I still did not completely like the second half, it was stronger than the first half.
I just really did not enjoy this book and did not find it to be enjoyable or thrilling.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for an advance copy.
September 20, 2024
What to say about this book? It is gripping and intriguing, with a well developed narrative and fascinatingly convincing characters. A real psychological page turner, with unexpected, and yet totally logical, twists and turns. Childhood traumas and adulthood experiences have shaped all four of the characters, so that, when thrown together is a tense situation you are never quite sure which way they will turn. A masterful exploration of the psychopathic mind, and a reminder that good and bad lurks within all of us. At the same time, the story is disturbing and quite horrible. The realisation that such evil exists is frightening. To say I enjoyed this book would be inaccurate, yet there was no way I could put it down. Yet I am very glad to have read it, as it depicts very real and worrying misogyny as well as horrendous fat shaming and an obsession with outward appearances and physical beauty. Thought provoking and very different; definitely well worth reading.
September 20, 2024
Jessica wants to find a man who will love her as she is. She finds the attention of Max, a good looking man with a dark secret. He's exactly what Jessica wants. But then Jessica is abducted by Max. Things take a weird turn, because did Max actually abduct Jessica or did Jessica abduct Max?
Wow, this book was absolutely unlike anything I have ever read! Super twisted, kind of weird (in a good way), and very unexpected. Best to go in blind but I will say this is nowhere in the realm of your typical thrillers. I read a LOT (I think this is book 112 of the year and most of those are thrillers) and I have yet to come across one like this. Super crazy and disturbing, I was constantly guessing where this book was going. The author did a really great job of causing doubt around the relationship between Jessica and Max and who is the bad guy. The characters are complex and really well developed.
Highly recommend if you are looking for something outside your traditional thriller.
Thank you Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, this book was absolutely unlike anything I have ever read! Super twisted, kind of weird (in a good way), and very unexpected. Best to go in blind but I will say this is nowhere in the realm of your typical thrillers. I read a LOT (I think this is book 112 of the year and most of those are thrillers) and I have yet to come across one like this. Super crazy and disturbing, I was constantly guessing where this book was going. The author did a really great job of causing doubt around the relationship between Jessica and Max and who is the bad guy. The characters are complex and really well developed.
Highly recommend if you are looking for something outside your traditional thriller.
Thank you Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 14, 2025
If you want a dark psychological thriller, then look no further than this standalone read. Yes, you have to suspend disbelief but buckle up for a mind bending ride with Max & Jessica in their playroom.
Max is a rapist & murderer. We know this from the start & he chooses Jessica as his next victim. Big mistake! Eve & Bella shortly join the main two characters & a battle of wills ensues.
Told from multiple POVs, I’m not sure that I rooted for any of the characters; who is the victim & who is the victor, that is the question? A disturbing climax with mind games & possible triggers aplenty. A gripping read.
Max is a rapist & murderer. We know this from the start & he chooses Jessica as his next victim. Big mistake! Eve & Bella shortly join the main two characters & a battle of wills ensues.
Told from multiple POVs, I’m not sure that I rooted for any of the characters; who is the victim & who is the victor, that is the question? A disturbing climax with mind games & possible triggers aplenty. A gripping read.
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