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Deceived
How well do you know your loved ones?
A girl struggling to cope with the murders of her mother and five-year-old brother.
A journalist chasing the ghost of a potential serial killer.
A thirteen-year-old girl who slaughtered her parents.
And a revenge-driven psychopath who is about to destroy everyone’s life.
After 9 years, a young writer is still coping with the brutal murders of her mother and five-year-old brother, as she moves into a house of horrors, to start a new life with her lover. Will friends and family be able to redeem Ally out of the impending doom in time? Will her infallible love become the key to the destruction of her already fragile world? Will madness prevail over love; true love over revenge?
Deceived is a gripping psychological thriller that mazes through the deepest, darkest emotions of human mind through the story of a vulnerable girl who treads in the mist of deception bred from a long unforgiven betrayal.
A girl struggling to cope with the murders of her mother and five-year-old brother.
A journalist chasing the ghost of a potential serial killer.
A thirteen-year-old girl who slaughtered her parents.
And a revenge-driven psychopath who is about to destroy everyone’s life.
After 9 years, a young writer is still coping with the brutal murders of her mother and five-year-old brother, as she moves into a house of horrors, to start a new life with her lover. Will friends and family be able to redeem Ally out of the impending doom in time? Will her infallible love become the key to the destruction of her already fragile world? Will madness prevail over love; true love over revenge?
Deceived is a gripping psychological thriller that mazes through the deepest, darkest emotions of human mind through the story of a vulnerable girl who treads in the mist of deception bred from a long unforgiven betrayal.
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About the author
Heena Rathore-Pardeshi
5 books298 followersHeena Rathore-Pardeshi is an award-winning Indian author, literary editor, and writing mentor with over a decade of experience in the publishing industry. Known for her psychologically rich narratives and mastery of suspense, Heena’s work explores the intersections of trauma, womanhood, and the quietly monstrous.
Her debut novel, Deceived (2017), was lauded for its gripping plot and emotional depth, earning her a devoted readership. With The Manor, Heena returns to fiction with a haunting tale rooted in Indian folklore, generational silence, and cosmic horror—cementing her reputation as a rising voice in dark literary fiction.
As the founder of Verbatik Media, Heena has edited more than 50 books across genres, mentored hundreds of aspiring writers, and taught workshops on storytelling, developmental editing, and self-publishing. She has also studied World Literature at Harvard and Psychology at Yale, bringing academic depth to her craft.
When she’s not writing or editing, Heena creates content for her Instagram platform @ofwhiskersandwords, where she shares insights into writing, books, and the writer’s life.
She lives in Pune with her husband, an ever-growing collection of books, and her beloved feline editors.
Her debut novel, Deceived (2017), was lauded for its gripping plot and emotional depth, earning her a devoted readership. With The Manor, Heena returns to fiction with a haunting tale rooted in Indian folklore, generational silence, and cosmic horror—cementing her reputation as a rising voice in dark literary fiction.
As the founder of Verbatik Media, Heena has edited more than 50 books across genres, mentored hundreds of aspiring writers, and taught workshops on storytelling, developmental editing, and self-publishing. She has also studied World Literature at Harvard and Psychology at Yale, bringing academic depth to her craft.
When she’s not writing or editing, Heena creates content for her Instagram platform @ofwhiskersandwords, where she shares insights into writing, books, and the writer’s life.
She lives in Pune with her husband, an ever-growing collection of books, and her beloved feline editors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
April 22, 2017
Astonishing debut for this author!
The author sent me a copy of the book in exchange of a honest review.
DON’T JUDGE A BOOK FOR ITS COVER, BUT…
It’s true that you can’t judge a book for its cover, but I think that a cover is a priceless resource to inspire a reader to choose a novel.
If you’re looking for a classic or a mass-popular book, you won’t care about the cover, you are looking for the title, but when you’re deciding to read a book, especially a new book, if you watch a bad cover, with poor artwork, something that even a rookie in Adobe Photoshop could do better, well, you may think: “If the author didn’t care to present a profesional cover, what can I expect about the content?”.
So, when I watch the truly professional cover of this novel, Deceived, by the debutant writer, Heena Rathore P., the first thing to motivate me to read it, it was precisely the cover, since it told me in an instant that I was about to read a professional work.
And happily I wasn’t wrong about it, since indeed it was a great debut book.
INSPIRATIONS
Families are murdered and only one member survives, police suspects of the remaining family member, narratives in two different time periods…
…it’s no wonder that you may think in Dark Places, since the author, in an ingenious way, even she mentions that very book, but…
…trust me, while she got inspirations from that concept, this is a truly original tale, where you’d be reading a different kind of book.
Also, in the middle of the development, you may remember Psycho and Halloween, however, still is an original work.
(NOT) DECEIVED
While the title of the novel is Deceived, it’s about the game of suspicions that you’ll play with yourself, trying to figure out what’s going on, but…
…you won’t be deceived in choosing this book to be read, since it has an engaging narrative style, great character development, and a gripping mystery.
The book even has an introduction explaining the key differences between psychopath and a sociopath, that most people think that they are the same thing, and while both kind of actitude have similar features, at the bottom, they are two quite different type of persons.
It’s quite uncommon that you’d face a truly psychopath in your lives (thank goodness!) but you may find several sociopaths and you are able to interact with them, most likely with some friction, but still able to establish a social relationship with them (usually due having to work in the same place, having to study in the same class, sharing a common friend, etc…), even you may show some sociopath trait and that it doesn’t mean that you are an evil person, just being socially misfit at some level,…
…while the psychopath scenario is a totally other thing…
…and definitely something lethal to others…
…and the worse thing is that you won’t find it out in most cases.
You don’t have to be a sharp detective to detect a sociopath, but…
…the true psychopaths is a master to disguise themselves in the middle of the crowd.
So, be careful of being deceived!
Because, maybe it can be the last mistake of your life!
ARE YOU WHAT YOU READ?
An angle exposed in the book is that if you read a bunch of novels displaying common themes of stalking, torture and murder…
…Kapow! You must be a serial killer!
Really? Mmh…
So, if a person read a bunch of novels offering up common topics of space ships, alien worlds and advanced technology…
…Shazam! You must be an astronaut!
I don’t know you, but I don’t think that that works in that way.
And don’t get me mistaken, I am not saying that this was the intention of the author, I’m just commenting a developed topic in the narrative of the novel that leads to that kind of reasoning.
So, I found irresistible to comment about this angle in the review.
Obviously, having aside the books that you read in school (study texts or assigned novels), what you read in your own personal time, most likely will be stuff that you want to read, topics that you’re interested about, but hardly it’s something that it has to be used to define you as individual.
I can assure you that reading the Bible doesn’t make you a saint!
People read books for many different reasons (chance, curiousity, book club, a promise, a bet, etc…), even having certain books in your library (or even a creepy attic) doesn’t mean that you read them or are even yours, maybe it does, but also there can be many other scenarios to ponder about.
The author sent me a copy of the book in exchange of a honest review.
DON’T JUDGE A BOOK FOR ITS COVER, BUT…
It’s true that you can’t judge a book for its cover, but I think that a cover is a priceless resource to inspire a reader to choose a novel.
If you’re looking for a classic or a mass-popular book, you won’t care about the cover, you are looking for the title, but when you’re deciding to read a book, especially a new book, if you watch a bad cover, with poor artwork, something that even a rookie in Adobe Photoshop could do better, well, you may think: “If the author didn’t care to present a profesional cover, what can I expect about the content?”.
So, when I watch the truly professional cover of this novel, Deceived, by the debutant writer, Heena Rathore P., the first thing to motivate me to read it, it was precisely the cover, since it told me in an instant that I was about to read a professional work.
And happily I wasn’t wrong about it, since indeed it was a great debut book.
INSPIRATIONS
Families are murdered and only one member survives, police suspects of the remaining family member, narratives in two different time periods…
…it’s no wonder that you may think in Dark Places, since the author, in an ingenious way, even she mentions that very book, but…
…trust me, while she got inspirations from that concept, this is a truly original tale, where you’d be reading a different kind of book.
Also, in the middle of the development, you may remember Psycho and Halloween, however, still is an original work.
(NOT) DECEIVED
While the title of the novel is Deceived, it’s about the game of suspicions that you’ll play with yourself, trying to figure out what’s going on, but…
…you won’t be deceived in choosing this book to be read, since it has an engaging narrative style, great character development, and a gripping mystery.
The book even has an introduction explaining the key differences between psychopath and a sociopath, that most people think that they are the same thing, and while both kind of actitude have similar features, at the bottom, they are two quite different type of persons.
It’s quite uncommon that you’d face a truly psychopath in your lives (thank goodness!) but you may find several sociopaths and you are able to interact with them, most likely with some friction, but still able to establish a social relationship with them (usually due having to work in the same place, having to study in the same class, sharing a common friend, etc…), even you may show some sociopath trait and that it doesn’t mean that you are an evil person, just being socially misfit at some level,…
…while the psychopath scenario is a totally other thing…
…and definitely something lethal to others…
…and the worse thing is that you won’t find it out in most cases.
You don’t have to be a sharp detective to detect a sociopath, but…
…the true psychopaths is a master to disguise themselves in the middle of the crowd.
So, be careful of being deceived!
Because, maybe it can be the last mistake of your life!
ARE YOU WHAT YOU READ?
An angle exposed in the book is that if you read a bunch of novels displaying common themes of stalking, torture and murder…
…Kapow! You must be a serial killer!
Really? Mmh…
So, if a person read a bunch of novels offering up common topics of space ships, alien worlds and advanced technology…
…Shazam! You must be an astronaut!
I don’t know you, but I don’t think that that works in that way.
And don’t get me mistaken, I am not saying that this was the intention of the author, I’m just commenting a developed topic in the narrative of the novel that leads to that kind of reasoning.
So, I found irresistible to comment about this angle in the review.
Obviously, having aside the books that you read in school (study texts or assigned novels), what you read in your own personal time, most likely will be stuff that you want to read, topics that you’re interested about, but hardly it’s something that it has to be used to define you as individual.
I can assure you that reading the Bible doesn’t make you a saint!
People read books for many different reasons (chance, curiousity, book club, a promise, a bet, etc…), even having certain books in your library (or even a creepy attic) doesn’t mean that you read them or are even yours, maybe it does, but also there can be many other scenarios to ponder about.
May 27, 2017
I would like to thank Citrus Publishers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Deceived, a psychological thriller is a debut novel by Heena Rathore P. and I must say that she has done a pretty good job.
Even before I started with the story I got the feeling that this one is going to be good. You know why? It was the Foreword by Patrick H. Moore, a crime blogger cum writer, which clarified the difference between psychopath and sociopath. I had a basic idea but did not know the nitty-gritty details. I also discovered a cool blog and another novel in the process.
Now let us get down to the story.
The writing is good and very easy to read. The mystery sustained my interest. I read on without noticing how the time went by. I usually read before going to bed and the thought of going to office the next day forced to stop otherwise I would have finished it one sitting.
The story lives up to its title as humans are very skilled in hiding their ulterior motives and hide behind a facade of lies.
Our main character is Allison Stone – a young woman whose mother and five year old brother were murdered nine years back. Allison never got over it and still has nightmares. She is being harassed by someone but won’t go the police. She is the quintessential victim. Oh! She is a writer and naturally loves reading.
We also have a journalist trying to prove the existence of a serial killer.
Another story thread is about a thirteen year old girl who had murdered her parents.
The story is populated with the usual characters found in such novels – psychopath, sociopath, pervert, liar, awkward man, hypocrite, beautiful women and so on. The characters are real and therefore easily relatable. There are characters whom you would support even if what they are going is wrong.
One of my favourite characters in the book is Max – Allison’s pet dog.
The story is told through multiple Point of Views and the narrative alternated between the past and the past. I like multiple POVs because the narrators are usually unreliable and the story can take any unexpected turn.
The author has done a good job of creating an atmosphere of tension and fear – which is my absolute favourite in a thriller or a horror novel. There are misdirections and twists. But, you will be able to guess at least part of the mystery. The end is really good and I think I should stop before I accidentaly reveal a spoiler.
One amusing thing about the book was the naming of some characters. Though I felt that the names given to Elizabeth’s parents were not appropriate.
As I have mentioned before the writing is fine but at times I felt the writer needs to improve her dialogues. But, since this is her debut we might cut her some slack.
An inconsistency in the story is Allison’s reading choice. She is a person who has nightmares and all, yet she reads Stephen King and books like Lord of the Flies! Maybe because the author herself is a fan of Stephen King, she made Allison read his work.
I was also intrigued by the cover art of the book – I know it is not right to judge a book by its cover, but a cover which is in sync with the blurb really piques my interest.
Overall, a pretty enjoyable reading experience. If you like psychological thrillers then you can give this book a try. I am looking forward to the author’s next book – Sinister Town. I expect it to surpass this one.
Deceived, a psychological thriller is a debut novel by Heena Rathore P. and I must say that she has done a pretty good job.
Even before I started with the story I got the feeling that this one is going to be good. You know why? It was the Foreword by Patrick H. Moore, a crime blogger cum writer, which clarified the difference between psychopath and sociopath. I had a basic idea but did not know the nitty-gritty details. I also discovered a cool blog and another novel in the process.
Now let us get down to the story.
The writing is good and very easy to read. The mystery sustained my interest. I read on without noticing how the time went by. I usually read before going to bed and the thought of going to office the next day forced to stop otherwise I would have finished it one sitting.
The story lives up to its title as humans are very skilled in hiding their ulterior motives and hide behind a facade of lies.
Our main character is Allison Stone – a young woman whose mother and five year old brother were murdered nine years back. Allison never got over it and still has nightmares. She is being harassed by someone but won’t go the police. She is the quintessential victim. Oh! She is a writer and naturally loves reading.
We also have a journalist trying to prove the existence of a serial killer.
Another story thread is about a thirteen year old girl who had murdered her parents.
The story is populated with the usual characters found in such novels – psychopath, sociopath, pervert, liar, awkward man, hypocrite, beautiful women and so on. The characters are real and therefore easily relatable. There are characters whom you would support even if what they are going is wrong.
One of my favourite characters in the book is Max – Allison’s pet dog.
The story is told through multiple Point of Views and the narrative alternated between the past and the past. I like multiple POVs because the narrators are usually unreliable and the story can take any unexpected turn.
The author has done a good job of creating an atmosphere of tension and fear – which is my absolute favourite in a thriller or a horror novel. There are misdirections and twists. But, you will be able to guess at least part of the mystery. The end is really good and I think I should stop before I accidentaly reveal a spoiler.
One amusing thing about the book was the naming of some characters. Though I felt that the names given to Elizabeth’s parents were not appropriate.
As I have mentioned before the writing is fine but at times I felt the writer needs to improve her dialogues. But, since this is her debut we might cut her some slack.
An inconsistency in the story is Allison’s reading choice. She is a person who has nightmares and all, yet she reads Stephen King and books like Lord of the Flies! Maybe because the author herself is a fan of Stephen King, she made Allison read his work.
I was also intrigued by the cover art of the book – I know it is not right to judge a book by its cover, but a cover which is in sync with the blurb really piques my interest.
Overall, a pretty enjoyable reading experience. If you like psychological thrillers then you can give this book a try. I am looking forward to the author’s next book – Sinister Town. I expect it to surpass this one.
June 25, 2017
Imagine a girl missing from her home, being suspected for her entire family's murder, has nowhere to go and you are the one who has to decide right from the wrong.
Scary, isn't it?
The book starts withe explaining the difference between sociopath and psychopath. Since that moment, your mind is set that you are going to read something wonderful. The fascinating way it creates the lies and mystery around the reader just to deceive him even more, amazed me.
Allison Stone has lost her mother and small brother to a brutal murder case nine years back. She still has the nightmares that won't leave her alone. She is being chased by someone, blackmailed and harassed for reasons unknown. She chooses writing and reading as her friend.
This book is written in various point of views and that makes it interesting. This pulse-pounding and unputdownable thriller will surely turn heads.
It reminded me that fear, like a virus, is contagious too. The cover fuels your scared-self even more. Books like these don't feel as if they are debuts.
A gritty thriller Deceived is a propulsive and imaginative novel that features and satisfies your mystery/thriller starvation. If this one becomes a movie, I'm buying the first show.
Reading a thriller novel by an author who herself likes to read thriller novels, you can very well expect her to come up with a fantastic debut as Deceived.
Scary, isn't it?
The book starts withe explaining the difference between sociopath and psychopath. Since that moment, your mind is set that you are going to read something wonderful. The fascinating way it creates the lies and mystery around the reader just to deceive him even more, amazed me.
Allison Stone has lost her mother and small brother to a brutal murder case nine years back. She still has the nightmares that won't leave her alone. She is being chased by someone, blackmailed and harassed for reasons unknown. She chooses writing and reading as her friend.
This book is written in various point of views and that makes it interesting. This pulse-pounding and unputdownable thriller will surely turn heads.
It reminded me that fear, like a virus, is contagious too. The cover fuels your scared-self even more. Books like these don't feel as if they are debuts.
A gritty thriller Deceived is a propulsive and imaginative novel that features and satisfies your mystery/thriller starvation. If this one becomes a movie, I'm buying the first show.
Reading a thriller novel by an author who herself likes to read thriller novels, you can very well expect her to come up with a fantastic debut as Deceived.
December 6, 2017
I have started reading Deceived by Heena Rathore 3 days back and I couldn't put it down. Out of curiosity, I have completely devoured all 350 pages in 3 days to know what would happen next. Most of the books get boring in the mid part but this book has kept me on my toes throughout.
Before we get into the story I just want to take a minute to appreciate the cover because that is what made me pick the book in the first place and a line written on the cover "How well do you really know your loved ones?" Made me curious about this book.
The story is about Allison stone whose mother and a 5-year old brother was brutally murdered when she was young. She was getting blank calls from someone but she didn't tell anyone about that. The book has another story thread about a girl who has killed her parents at the age of thirteen. The book is filled with psychopaths, sociopaths, and unusual thing.
The overall writing is good though in starting it gets little confusing, as the story evolved everything comes in Pace. I am not a fan of a thriller but this psychological thriller has changed my opinion.
Detailed Review Link - http://chevusread.blogspot.in/2017/12...
Before we get into the story I just want to take a minute to appreciate the cover because that is what made me pick the book in the first place and a line written on the cover "How well do you really know your loved ones?" Made me curious about this book.
The story is about Allison stone whose mother and a 5-year old brother was brutally murdered when she was young. She was getting blank calls from someone but she didn't tell anyone about that. The book has another story thread about a girl who has killed her parents at the age of thirteen. The book is filled with psychopaths, sociopaths, and unusual thing.
The overall writing is good though in starting it gets little confusing, as the story evolved everything comes in Pace. I am not a fan of a thriller but this psychological thriller has changed my opinion.
Detailed Review Link - http://chevusread.blogspot.in/2017/12...
August 3, 2017
The story is unnerving and dark. The characters were well conceived and had a lot of backstory and content which made you feel you did know them. Not that you understood them, only that you knew them.
Harsh in realistic horror that made me want to continue reading while at the same time, I wanted to look away. There is a lot to be said for this book. It has a lot of terror and it has a lot of psychologically wounded people. It is a great first book.
Harsh in realistic horror that made me want to continue reading while at the same time, I wanted to look away. There is a lot to be said for this book. It has a lot of terror and it has a lot of psychologically wounded people. It is a great first book.
February 23, 2017
I love my work, so yeah, I love this book :)
June 24, 2017
‘Deceived’ is a story of a girl Allison Stone and her ordeals. At a small age of thirteen, she lost her mother and her five-year-old brother who was found brutally murdered in their own house. Since that day she struggled to cope with the loss and harsh reality but nightmares did not leave her alone. When everything looks coming back to normal less she knows the past loved her dearly more than her present and never wants to leave her alone.
The cover of the book is totally apt with the theme and setting of the story and enough to drag you to the book. It is a definite page-turner. I didn’t find a single loose string that I can complain. It is a psychological thriller uncovers the deepest secrets buried in the family which changed the course of the entire family. For all the thriller and mystery readers and everyone who enjoys reading a good book. This is for you.
It is a well-written and captivating tale of revenge and drama and a heart-wrenching psychological thriller that will give you an unforgettable experience. Read it to live it.
https://thereviewauthor.com/
The cover of the book is totally apt with the theme and setting of the story and enough to drag you to the book. It is a definite page-turner. I didn’t find a single loose string that I can complain. It is a psychological thriller uncovers the deepest secrets buried in the family which changed the course of the entire family. For all the thriller and mystery readers and everyone who enjoys reading a good book. This is for you.
It is a well-written and captivating tale of revenge and drama and a heart-wrenching psychological thriller that will give you an unforgettable experience. Read it to live it.
https://thereviewauthor.com/
May 8, 2017
I would like to thank Citrus Publishers to provide me with a free copy to read and review, thank you guys, you chose a good one to publish..
Let's start with the review.
There are two kinds of dread, first one where you have no idea and you don’t know what is going to happen, so you are mortified of the unknown, Second where you know things are going to go wrong, you know exactly what is wrong and you can do nothing but read further waiting for things to inevitably go wrong., this is a second kind of book..
The plot seems straightforward, there are killers, there are victims, you will be able to figure out which is which quite early but there are hidden twists, there are clues hidden all over as to what is happening, the biggest clue, the preface to the book where Heena describes the difference between Sociopaths and Psychopaths. Where this book catches you off-guard is the sheer unapologetic brutality and savagery the writer has induced in the book. For a moment I was transported back to the time when I read “The Inheritance of Loss” by Kiran Desai, the animal cruelty which I know how hard it would have been to write for the author, as a dog lover, it was heartbreaking to read, I am still not over what Kiran Desai wrote and it will take me some time to get over this one. I really think this is a book that would be really good for movie adaptation but i am not sure how much would get pass our stupid censor board.
As for the writer, Heena Rathore P. , i would like to congratulate her for this amazing debut novel, I am looking forward to read the next one. It was really interesting to find different tributes hidden all over the book to the different inspirations, be it the most obvious once, Stephen Stone for Stephen King, but others as well and here I might be wrong for many of them, but writing style, characters POV chapters to G.R.R. Martin, Dewar and Joan Moriarty for Arthur Conan Doyle, The Pub CJ’s for CJ Daugherty.
As for one character, who is till out there, haunting Allison, i wish Allison would have turned tables on him and called him to say that it doesn't matter that he sacrificed his brother and thinks he is safe, but from now on he is not alone
Let's start with the review.
There are two kinds of dread, first one where you have no idea and you don’t know what is going to happen, so you are mortified of the unknown, Second where you know things are going to go wrong, you know exactly what is wrong and you can do nothing but read further waiting for things to inevitably go wrong., this is a second kind of book..
The plot seems straightforward, there are killers, there are victims, you will be able to figure out which is which quite early but there are hidden twists, there are clues hidden all over as to what is happening, the biggest clue, the preface to the book where Heena describes the difference between Sociopaths and Psychopaths. Where this book catches you off-guard is the sheer unapologetic brutality and savagery the writer has induced in the book. For a moment I was transported back to the time when I read “The Inheritance of Loss” by Kiran Desai, the animal cruelty which I know how hard it would have been to write for the author, as a dog lover, it was heartbreaking to read, I am still not over what Kiran Desai wrote and it will take me some time to get over this one. I really think this is a book that would be really good for movie adaptation but i am not sure how much would get pass our stupid censor board.
As for the writer, Heena Rathore P. , i would like to congratulate her for this amazing debut novel, I am looking forward to read the next one. It was really interesting to find different tributes hidden all over the book to the different inspirations, be it the most obvious once, Stephen Stone for Stephen King, but others as well and here I might be wrong for many of them, but writing style, characters POV chapters to G.R.R. Martin, Dewar and Joan Moriarty for Arthur Conan Doyle, The Pub CJ’s for CJ Daugherty.
As for one character, who is till out there, haunting Allison, i wish Allison would have turned tables on him and called him to say that it doesn't matter that he sacrificed his brother and thinks he is safe, but from now on he is not alone
July 8, 2017
*** I would like to thank Citrus Publishers and the author, Heena Rathore, for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review ***
I followed Heena's comments and posts for two years, many times exchanging opinion about books with her. I was curious to read her first work and I wasn’t disappointed: Deceived is a psychological thriller that kept me glued to pages from start to finish.
The story revolves around Allison Stone, whose mother was brutally murdered years earlier with her brother. After several psychological issues, she seems to have found a balance with her friend Sam, with whom she shares the apartment and Max, her dog, for which she feels a great affection. Around her, other characters revolve, family or friends, like her father and the cousin, Steve Stone. But now the killer is back to torment Alison and seems willing to finish what he started.
At the beginning, however, another fact of chronicle is reported, the murder of a couple, presumably by the hand of her thirteen daughter, Elizabeth, whose story will be told in parallel with that of Allison. Each chapter is narrated in first person by one of the three main characters (Allison, Elizabeth and Steve), providing all the pieces needed to rebuild the past and the lives of these women, intertwined at some point, with a series of nasty events. While Allison and Steve tell the facts that are happening in the present and the past ones reconstructed with investigative footage from Steve's investigations, Elizabeth’s chapters, show to the reader the past of the girl and the facts happened to her and have impacted on the present.
The story is intriguing precisely for this double narrative that shows to the reader the events, sometimes traumatic, that have affected the psyche and the life of the characters, outlining their personality. The story keeps for almost the whole book an investigative eye, becoming more cruel and distressing by approaching the end.
Although there is an end, indeed not all questions get an answer, but it’s open and worthy of the best thrilling movie.
Interesting is the initial introduction, which explain the difference between psychopathic and sociopathic, useful for understanding the character of some characters.
Two words also on the cover, a very well-researched image that it calls to mind of some passages in the book and transmits a sense of anguish and fear.
An intriguing and engaging story, which I recommend to all the mystery and thrillers lovers.
I followed Heena's comments and posts for two years, many times exchanging opinion about books with her. I was curious to read her first work and I wasn’t disappointed: Deceived is a psychological thriller that kept me glued to pages from start to finish.
The story revolves around Allison Stone, whose mother was brutally murdered years earlier with her brother. After several psychological issues, she seems to have found a balance with her friend Sam, with whom she shares the apartment and Max, her dog, for which she feels a great affection. Around her, other characters revolve, family or friends, like her father and the cousin, Steve Stone. But now the killer is back to torment Alison and seems willing to finish what he started.
At the beginning, however, another fact of chronicle is reported, the murder of a couple, presumably by the hand of her thirteen daughter, Elizabeth, whose story will be told in parallel with that of Allison. Each chapter is narrated in first person by one of the three main characters (Allison, Elizabeth and Steve), providing all the pieces needed to rebuild the past and the lives of these women, intertwined at some point, with a series of nasty events. While Allison and Steve tell the facts that are happening in the present and the past ones reconstructed with investigative footage from Steve's investigations, Elizabeth’s chapters, show to the reader the past of the girl and the facts happened to her and have impacted on the present.
The story is intriguing precisely for this double narrative that shows to the reader the events, sometimes traumatic, that have affected the psyche and the life of the characters, outlining their personality. The story keeps for almost the whole book an investigative eye, becoming more cruel and distressing by approaching the end.
Although there is an end, indeed not all questions get an answer, but it’s open and worthy of the best thrilling movie.
Interesting is the initial introduction, which explain the difference between psychopathic and sociopathic, useful for understanding the character of some characters.
Two words also on the cover, a very well-researched image that it calls to mind of some passages in the book and transmits a sense of anguish and fear.
An intriguing and engaging story, which I recommend to all the mystery and thrillers lovers.
April 10, 2017
You may check out the full book review on our blog Deceived by Heena Rathore P.| Book Review
Being a lover of mystery and thriller I always look forward to reading a book which is gruesome and can quench my reading thirst. After reading the blurb and seeing the book cover I was pretty much convinced that this is a MY TYPE of book. I have received an ARC of this book from the publisher so big thanks to them. So let’s check it out what this book offers.
Plot summary:
Allison stone aka Ally is totally paranoid and disturbed by the ghastly murder of her mother and 5-year-old brother Riley. It has been 9 years but still, it is very hard for her to get over from the memories. She has moved from her big Victorian house to stay away from the memories and live a peaceful life with her best friend Sam and lovable dog, Max.
Though she is struggling with her past but tries to be as normal as possible in her small world consisting Sam, Max and her Dad. Everything is going fine and she also patches-up with her old cousin Steve, who was her best friend in childhood but got separated due to the Stone murders.
With this story, the book also travels a story of 13-year-old Elizabeth Lawson who has cold blooded murdered her parents in the year 1978. Police have never found her.
Steve, who is also a journalist investigates the current murders and tries to make a link with Stone murders.
On the other hand, Ally who is in the four-month relationship with Danny moves into his house. Is her decision right? Or she herself is becoming the morsel of doom? Why a 13-year-old murdered her parents? Why she never found? And who is the real killer of Stones? What was his/her motive?
Read this freaking amazing book to know the answer to these questions.
Writing style:
The language is super easy; the author has not used any exaggerative words keeping this book simple for every kind of readers. Even a first-time reader can find this book easy to read. The book narrated from the first person and third person point of view. The chapters are divided like the diary entry, which you can also find in the book ‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn & books of Vish Dhamija.
My perception:
This book is gripping and I can bet that you can finish this book in one day. The way author has first created a plot of mystery and go on unveiling it is super amazing. Though you know who must be killer but you cannot be certain until the last page and I think this is the power of a successful mystery book. With a complex storyline, the author has used very few characters and each one plays a vital role in story development. I simply love the character of Ally, who is paranoid, struggling to get over from the murders but still love to read Stephen King’s book and go on venturing in abandoned bungalow. The foreword is really interesting to read. The author has not simply end this book with a conclusion but she has made her readers to think. She has also given some questions to discuss which comes in mind my while reading this book. There could be a sequel of this book. The way she has managed this book is really commendable and doesn’t look like to be written by a debut author. This book must be one of my favorite of the year.
If you love mystery, thriller, serial killers then you should definitely pick this book.
Being a lover of mystery and thriller I always look forward to reading a book which is gruesome and can quench my reading thirst. After reading the blurb and seeing the book cover I was pretty much convinced that this is a MY TYPE of book. I have received an ARC of this book from the publisher so big thanks to them. So let’s check it out what this book offers.
Plot summary:
Allison stone aka Ally is totally paranoid and disturbed by the ghastly murder of her mother and 5-year-old brother Riley. It has been 9 years but still, it is very hard for her to get over from the memories. She has moved from her big Victorian house to stay away from the memories and live a peaceful life with her best friend Sam and lovable dog, Max.
Though she is struggling with her past but tries to be as normal as possible in her small world consisting Sam, Max and her Dad. Everything is going fine and she also patches-up with her old cousin Steve, who was her best friend in childhood but got separated due to the Stone murders.
With this story, the book also travels a story of 13-year-old Elizabeth Lawson who has cold blooded murdered her parents in the year 1978. Police have never found her.
Steve, who is also a journalist investigates the current murders and tries to make a link with Stone murders.
On the other hand, Ally who is in the four-month relationship with Danny moves into his house. Is her decision right? Or she herself is becoming the morsel of doom? Why a 13-year-old murdered her parents? Why she never found? And who is the real killer of Stones? What was his/her motive?
Read this freaking amazing book to know the answer to these questions.
Writing style:
The language is super easy; the author has not used any exaggerative words keeping this book simple for every kind of readers. Even a first-time reader can find this book easy to read. The book narrated from the first person and third person point of view. The chapters are divided like the diary entry, which you can also find in the book ‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn & books of Vish Dhamija.
My perception:
This book is gripping and I can bet that you can finish this book in one day. The way author has first created a plot of mystery and go on unveiling it is super amazing. Though you know who must be killer but you cannot be certain until the last page and I think this is the power of a successful mystery book. With a complex storyline, the author has used very few characters and each one plays a vital role in story development. I simply love the character of Ally, who is paranoid, struggling to get over from the murders but still love to read Stephen King’s book and go on venturing in abandoned bungalow. The foreword is really interesting to read. The author has not simply end this book with a conclusion but she has made her readers to think. She has also given some questions to discuss which comes in mind my while reading this book. There could be a sequel of this book. The way she has managed this book is really commendable and doesn’t look like to be written by a debut author. This book must be one of my favorite of the year.
If you love mystery, thriller, serial killers then you should definitely pick this book.
February 19, 2017
I received a free copy of this e-book in exchange of an honest review.
You should know that I usually don't read thrillers but I decided to give the genre a try and I must say that Deceived was a suitable choice to enter the genre. Deceived is one of those books that you'll read and finish but the story itself and the thoughts you had about it will linger in your mind and continue to amaze and horrify you for a long time afterwards. If you ask me, that's precisely makes a novel of any genre attractive and praise-worthy.
Reading this book freaked me out and scared the bejesus out of of me at some parts towards the end but that's probably because I'm a little soft-hearted so most of you readers have nothing to worry about except maybe some hair-raising, bone-chilling moments that add to the optimum reading experience.
The Plot:
The author slowly feeds us hungry readers with bits and pieces of information that only manage to make the story more compelling and raise more questions than before! So naturally, I had to stay up all night- half terrified- trying to finish the book before I went insane due to all the suspense!
The book starts off with a newspaper article from the 1970s about a chilling murder that appears to be too brutal to be true. The story line is told from 4 different perspectives with 3 set in the present and 1 in the past. The way the newspaper article relates to the events happening in the present to the protagonist keeps the reader guessing and on the edge of his/her feet! There is never a dull moment as new revelations and variables start to take their toll on the characters.
The shiver-inducing descriptions and gory imagery matched the ominous theme of Deceived perfectly! The frightening sinister atmosphere was spot on! The author did not shy away from the more gruesome details and painful feelings so no character was spared.
The Characters:
The main character, Allison, was already struggling with the murder of her mother and younger brother from 9 years ago. She is still trying to cope with the help of her amazing dog, Max, her best friend, Sam, and her boyfriend, Danny. Things don't seem to be going terribly for her besides the horrendous nightmares she's been having every. After she makes the rash decision to move in her with her boyfriend, Danny, her life continues to go downhill from there. Someone's sick idea of a joke, is sending her threatening signals and messages that only bring back the unwelcome memories of the ghosts of her past.The emotional pain Allison went through only increased the complexity of her as a character and made her more human and relatable to.
Steve is Allison's cousin who arrives in town to investigate the recent murders that have been left unsolved. He thinks they might be related to the killer of Allison's mother and brother. I didn't really like Steve because his personality felt dull, the only decent thing about Steve was his determination and intellect that helped him follow clues that others overlooked to solve the crime.
Elizabeth is the 13-year-old girl from the past that was somehow related to the story. Elizabeth had a rare personality and a bone-chilling childhood that could've broken any soul. She is undoubtedly a memorable character. Although, her story is not suitable for the tender-hearted, as I could barely wrap my mind around what happened to that poor girl and thinking about it too much might've made me vomit or dissolve into hysterical tears. Her situation raises some seriously disturbing discussions about how children think and act and how the environment they're raised in affects them.
Michael is the psychotic serial killer whose identity remains hidden till the end of the book. His part of the story consists of his diary containing his revolting thoughts and heartless actions. Micheal is hellbent on avenging his Mother and all these elements manage to make this novel more threatening than before. Reading from the murderer's POV added a sickening twist to the story as I got to see how the villain of the story thought and exactly why the killer did what he did.
The secondary characters: Sam, Max and Danny all had interesting roles to play. They each had their own unique personality that effected the protagonist differently. Sam was super friendly and supportive and she provided some relief from the never-ending horror. Max who is Allison's dog counts as an essential character in my opinion because he was her most faithful companion and he literally always had Allison's back! I really enjoyed that lovely side to the story where the pet remains loyal to his/her owner forever. Danny on the other hand, felt like your basic boyfriend and I didn't see him as a very impressive guy but he did also make Allison feel cared for in the short time they were a couple.
The ending left me speechless and more horrified than I ever was before. I really didn't expect all that to happen at the end, it all just occurred so quickly that my mind couldn't register exactly how stunning it was.
In conclusion, Deceived was definitely a well-written memorable read that has opened some interesting new genres for me (YAY!). Even with some disturbing moments that I couldn't really handle well, I will be on the lookout for Heena's future novels. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy blood-curdling mind-boggling stories and don't mind getting an overdose of fear.
You should know that I usually don't read thrillers but I decided to give the genre a try and I must say that Deceived was a suitable choice to enter the genre. Deceived is one of those books that you'll read and finish but the story itself and the thoughts you had about it will linger in your mind and continue to amaze and horrify you for a long time afterwards. If you ask me, that's precisely makes a novel of any genre attractive and praise-worthy.
Reading this book freaked me out and scared the bejesus out of of me at some parts towards the end but that's probably because I'm a little soft-hearted so most of you readers have nothing to worry about except maybe some hair-raising, bone-chilling moments that add to the optimum reading experience.
The Plot:
The author slowly feeds us hungry readers with bits and pieces of information that only manage to make the story more compelling and raise more questions than before! So naturally, I had to stay up all night- half terrified- trying to finish the book before I went insane due to all the suspense!
The book starts off with a newspaper article from the 1970s about a chilling murder that appears to be too brutal to be true. The story line is told from 4 different perspectives with 3 set in the present and 1 in the past. The way the newspaper article relates to the events happening in the present to the protagonist keeps the reader guessing and on the edge of his/her feet! There is never a dull moment as new revelations and variables start to take their toll on the characters.
The shiver-inducing descriptions and gory imagery matched the ominous theme of Deceived perfectly! The frightening sinister atmosphere was spot on! The author did not shy away from the more gruesome details and painful feelings so no character was spared.
The Characters:
The main character, Allison, was already struggling with the murder of her mother and younger brother from 9 years ago. She is still trying to cope with the help of her amazing dog, Max, her best friend, Sam, and her boyfriend, Danny. Things don't seem to be going terribly for her besides the horrendous nightmares she's been having every. After she makes the rash decision to move in her with her boyfriend, Danny, her life continues to go downhill from there. Someone's sick idea of a joke, is sending her threatening signals and messages that only bring back the unwelcome memories of the ghosts of her past.The emotional pain Allison went through only increased the complexity of her as a character and made her more human and relatable to.
Steve is Allison's cousin who arrives in town to investigate the recent murders that have been left unsolved. He thinks they might be related to the killer of Allison's mother and brother. I didn't really like Steve because his personality felt dull, the only decent thing about Steve was his determination and intellect that helped him follow clues that others overlooked to solve the crime.
Elizabeth is the 13-year-old girl from the past that was somehow related to the story. Elizabeth had a rare personality and a bone-chilling childhood that could've broken any soul. She is undoubtedly a memorable character. Although, her story is not suitable for the tender-hearted, as I could barely wrap my mind around what happened to that poor girl and thinking about it too much might've made me vomit or dissolve into hysterical tears. Her situation raises some seriously disturbing discussions about how children think and act and how the environment they're raised in affects them.
Michael is the psychotic serial killer whose identity remains hidden till the end of the book. His part of the story consists of his diary containing his revolting thoughts and heartless actions. Micheal is hellbent on avenging his Mother and all these elements manage to make this novel more threatening than before. Reading from the murderer's POV added a sickening twist to the story as I got to see how the villain of the story thought and exactly why the killer did what he did.
The secondary characters: Sam, Max and Danny all had interesting roles to play. They each had their own unique personality that effected the protagonist differently. Sam was super friendly and supportive and she provided some relief from the never-ending horror. Max who is Allison's dog counts as an essential character in my opinion because he was her most faithful companion and he literally always had Allison's back! I really enjoyed that lovely side to the story where the pet remains loyal to his/her owner forever. Danny on the other hand, felt like your basic boyfriend and I didn't see him as a very impressive guy but he did also make Allison feel cared for in the short time they were a couple.
The ending left me speechless and more horrified than I ever was before. I really didn't expect all that to happen at the end, it all just occurred so quickly that my mind couldn't register exactly how stunning it was.
In conclusion, Deceived was definitely a well-written memorable read that has opened some interesting new genres for me (YAY!). Even with some disturbing moments that I couldn't really handle well, I will be on the lookout for Heena's future novels. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy blood-curdling mind-boggling stories and don't mind getting an overdose of fear.
February 21, 2017
So as usual , before I start , Let me give out a disclaimer stating that I recieved a free ebook copy of Deceived from Citrus Publications and My views and reviews of this book has in no way been influenced by this generosity shown by the publication .
What I Liked:
This is from what i know a debut novel for the author and if you didn't know that while starting to read this book , chances are you won't be able to guess it to be so . Her writing stays clear of any unnecessary attempt to throw in obscure words and delivers a striking thriller tale with fine details and beautifully imaginative scenarios.
In terms of being a psychological thriller itself , the book was on point keeping the suspense right until the end and finishing with some dark and twisted result and a few unanswered questions that only make me as a reader marvel and draw own conclusions regarding the ambiguity of it all.
Talking of Ambiguity , there's a lot of it present amongst the characters of the book , and while almost all characters have a darker side to them and make you cringe at their thought process.
The book was written in terms of character perspective and it was amazing to read the perspectives of a serial killer and the main character and how each of them became what they were due to their respective past and how it all affected their respective thought process .
What I Didn't Like:
While i did enjoy the ambiguity and character development , at times most of the characters and their actions/decisions felt hilarious and ridiculous to me. In fact , I'm not proud of this , but at one point I actually did want the serial killer to just kill the main character because how much annoying she felt .
Similarly many of the inter-character exchanges felt awkward and weird to me . The dialogues and interactions felt like they were forced and the characters kept changing their emotions following some really non-significant dialogues .
And OK , this is obviously not a mystery , but even for a thriller much of the book was telegraphed and events just were too easy to guess and whatever suspense was created for future events always felt dampened once your predictions of certain events turned out to be corrected .
Conclusions:
For a debut book the author delivers in terms of a superbly written and ambiguous character development , thriller that was high on suspenseful narrative , but an annoying main character , awkward conversations and predictive and cliched tale did let the book down somewhat . All that said It was in the end a really fast paced thriller that did manage to keep me entertained for most of my reading time despite a few eye-roll-worthy moments.
July 9, 2017
This was an odd one for me! I just couldn't get past locational issues, like where was this book set?! I don't know. It just didn't work for me!
May 5, 2017
A gripping debut that keeps you guessing till the end !! An absolute page turner that will keep you at the edge of your seat throughout.
I would like to thank Citrus Publishers for providing me with the ARC of Deceived in exchange for an honest review. Deceived had me hooked right from the very beginning. I enjoy horror and dark thriller genre and this book had all the elements including suspense, a psychopath serial killer and a very horrific end. The book begins with the introduction of two teenage girls separated by a number of years with one of them too distraught over the murder of her mother and brother and the other one gone missing after the murder of her foster parents and also being searched as the main suspect in the killings. Henceforth, the story revolves around the unravelling of the mystery behind these murders and how they were connected.
The plot is well thought out and written quite convincingly. It didn't let me put the book down and made me keep reading to know what happens next. The element of suspense was present throughout and I believed almost every character to be the culprit at least once during the narration. This exact non-predictable nature of the narration is what made the story very interesting. It was well paced and scary enough to make you hold your breath as you go along with the characters.
I will take down one star because of the dissatisfying ending. Without divulging any spoilers I would just say that I was looking forward to answers to all of my questions related to the serial killer especially when there were several mentions of an accomplice but that seemed to have been left for the reader to guess.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I look forward for more from the author - Sinister Town being the next. 4 zealous stars !!
I would like to thank Citrus Publishers for providing me with the ARC of Deceived in exchange for an honest review. Deceived had me hooked right from the very beginning. I enjoy horror and dark thriller genre and this book had all the elements including suspense, a psychopath serial killer and a very horrific end. The book begins with the introduction of two teenage girls separated by a number of years with one of them too distraught over the murder of her mother and brother and the other one gone missing after the murder of her foster parents and also being searched as the main suspect in the killings. Henceforth, the story revolves around the unravelling of the mystery behind these murders and how they were connected.
The plot is well thought out and written quite convincingly. It didn't let me put the book down and made me keep reading to know what happens next. The element of suspense was present throughout and I believed almost every character to be the culprit at least once during the narration. This exact non-predictable nature of the narration is what made the story very interesting. It was well paced and scary enough to make you hold your breath as you go along with the characters.
I will take down one star because of the dissatisfying ending. Without divulging any spoilers I would just say that I was looking forward to answers to all of my questions related to the serial killer especially when there were several mentions of an accomplice but that seemed to have been left for the reader to guess.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I look forward for more from the author - Sinister Town being the next. 4 zealous stars !!
March 5, 2017
Wow..
A wonderful book that was hard to put down. A young girl that murdered her parent. A family that is torn apart by the murder of half of it that remains unsolved. Time passes and strange things start to happen and a young woman starts to think she is losing her mind just as her cousin is connecting dots. Read and come to your own conclusions.
A wonderful book that was hard to put down. A young girl that murdered her parent. A family that is torn apart by the murder of half of it that remains unsolved. Time passes and strange things start to happen and a young woman starts to think she is losing her mind just as her cousin is connecting dots. Read and come to your own conclusions.
February 24, 2017
A bone-chilling, blood-curdling thriller.
A must-read for all the thriller lovers!
A must-read for all the thriller lovers!
June 15, 2017
Deceived is a psychological thriller and horror book by debut author Heena Rathore P. It follows the story of four characters and the book switches between their perspectives. Elizabeth is on the run after brutally killing her parents. Allison’s mother and brother were murdered and she is still haunted by it. Steve is trying to find the truth about their deaths and chasing a serial killer. Michael is a psychopath who is seeking revenge.
The book starts with a foreword by Patrick H. Moore about the difference between sociopaths and psychopaths. I think the purpose behind this was to make us think what the characters were among these terms as the story moved on.
The plot of this book is very interesting. Its a few years later and Allison hasn’t gotten over her mother and brother’s death. Nightmares plague her but she finds solace in the fact that she’ll soon move in with her boyfriend Danny. Danny seems like a perfect boyfriend but I could see from the start that he’s far from it.
All the story lines were equally gripping and I couldn’t wait to see how they were connected to each other. The events in the book are very chilling. They even made me paranoid and I was honestly scared for Allison. As the book progresses, it just gets more and more messed up. I started making a list of suspects in my head. The mystery is very intense and I needed to know how everything was connected. There were so many questions in my head and the mystery was killing me. It made me suspect each character.
I absolutely loved the writing! It was very captivating and exactly the kind of writing I love.
Allison loved books. I loved her dog Max and I loved how she took him everywhere she went. I feel really bad for her. She was innocent and had already suffered so much but was always in danger. However, I didn’t like that she put too much trust and relied so much on Danny. She seemed too naive at times. She ignored so many signs that she might be in danger.
Steve is Allison’s cousin. He’s a journalist and is trying to investigate his aunt’s murder. He care for Allison is very determined in his find out the truth.
Elizabeth was an extremely violent child. Her parents are horrible to her and she eventually ends up slaughtering them. I felt sympathetic towards her because of what happened to her but its undeniable that she was sick in the mind.
Michael is a psychopath who is after Allison. The book shows us his journal entries. He was actually very scary and I felt afraid for Ally.
The book also tries to say everyone has a story. Some have a good one, some a bad one and some a downright crazy one.
I have never before read a book that drove me crazy with the mystery. It was really unpredictable and I couldn’t see where it was going. The more I read, the more I wanted to know what would happen next. It got really chilling at times.
At the end, all the pieces fit together like I never imagined they would. I don’t know whether I like how it ended or not. It left me completely stunned.
This book is an absolutely insane read. It has misery, revenge and psychopaths. I have never read something so messed up before. It is scary, thrilling, mysterious and keeps you glued to it. The plot was amazing. The multiple story lines format was done very well. It didn’t get confusing at all.
This book is a phenomenal debut. It is unpredictable, unique and very thrilling. I will say its not for everyone since it gets really violent at times. Its a must read for fans of horror and psychological thrillers. I’m glad I read Deceived and I’m looking forward to reading the author’s next book.
“I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review”
The book starts with a foreword by Patrick H. Moore about the difference between sociopaths and psychopaths. I think the purpose behind this was to make us think what the characters were among these terms as the story moved on.
The plot of this book is very interesting. Its a few years later and Allison hasn’t gotten over her mother and brother’s death. Nightmares plague her but she finds solace in the fact that she’ll soon move in with her boyfriend Danny. Danny seems like a perfect boyfriend but I could see from the start that he’s far from it.
All the story lines were equally gripping and I couldn’t wait to see how they were connected to each other. The events in the book are very chilling. They even made me paranoid and I was honestly scared for Allison. As the book progresses, it just gets more and more messed up. I started making a list of suspects in my head. The mystery is very intense and I needed to know how everything was connected. There were so many questions in my head and the mystery was killing me. It made me suspect each character.
I absolutely loved the writing! It was very captivating and exactly the kind of writing I love.
Allison loved books. I loved her dog Max and I loved how she took him everywhere she went. I feel really bad for her. She was innocent and had already suffered so much but was always in danger. However, I didn’t like that she put too much trust and relied so much on Danny. She seemed too naive at times. She ignored so many signs that she might be in danger.
Steve is Allison’s cousin. He’s a journalist and is trying to investigate his aunt’s murder. He care for Allison is very determined in his find out the truth.
Elizabeth was an extremely violent child. Her parents are horrible to her and she eventually ends up slaughtering them. I felt sympathetic towards her because of what happened to her but its undeniable that she was sick in the mind.
Michael is a psychopath who is after Allison. The book shows us his journal entries. He was actually very scary and I felt afraid for Ally.
The book also tries to say everyone has a story. Some have a good one, some a bad one and some a downright crazy one.
I have never before read a book that drove me crazy with the mystery. It was really unpredictable and I couldn’t see where it was going. The more I read, the more I wanted to know what would happen next. It got really chilling at times.
At the end, all the pieces fit together like I never imagined they would. I don’t know whether I like how it ended or not. It left me completely stunned.
This book is an absolutely insane read. It has misery, revenge and psychopaths. I have never read something so messed up before. It is scary, thrilling, mysterious and keeps you glued to it. The plot was amazing. The multiple story lines format was done very well. It didn’t get confusing at all.
This book is a phenomenal debut. It is unpredictable, unique and very thrilling. I will say its not for everyone since it gets really violent at times. Its a must read for fans of horror and psychological thrillers. I’m glad I read Deceived and I’m looking forward to reading the author’s next book.
“I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review”
March 20, 2017
I would like to thank the Author for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
4.5 Stars.
What a fascinating story!
Psycopaths, serial killers, unexplicable murders, dark secrets, revenge... this book had it all.
I liked how the story was structured. It was told, alternatively, through the different point of views/perspectives of 4 characters:
- Allison Stone: the girl who survived the murder of half of her family, and after 9 years still trying to get back to normal life.
- Steve Jonhson: Ally's cousin, also an investigative journalist who came back to try and solve the mystery around the murders in Ally's family.
- A 13 year old girl, who murdered her parents almost 30 years ago.
- And the journal entries of a mysterious psychopath.
Except for the two "main" characters, Ally and Steve, i couldn't at first find a connection between the 4 different parts of the story. But as it kept going, it started to make sense, yet still make me feel confused, in a good way.
The author kept me hooked on the story the whole time.
What a tangled web of misunderstandings, deceit and craziness she managed to create!
Some of the scenes, espcially close to the end, were creepy in a way that made me look behind me repeatedly. And that almost never happens with me (except for King's stories). And it was not because of bloody or violent event, it was that subtle touch of uneasiness, that made feel almost unconfortable. I loved her style.
As for the story, i found it very interesting and intriguing. The way that she did not really try to hide who that psychopath was, is a nice touch. I kept thinking all the time that i seemed obvious, but then i was expecting some twists. And the end was so good, i loved it!
The characters were very interesting. I must admit, though, that i did not like Steve very much, he was way too arrogant for his own good! And he really had it all coming.
I enjoyed this book a lot, and enjoyed discovering a new author. I will be definitely waiting for other books by Heena Rathore P..
I recommend this book!
4.5 Stars.
What a fascinating story!
Psycopaths, serial killers, unexplicable murders, dark secrets, revenge... this book had it all.
I liked how the story was structured. It was told, alternatively, through the different point of views/perspectives of 4 characters:
- Allison Stone: the girl who survived the murder of half of her family, and after 9 years still trying to get back to normal life.
- Steve Jonhson: Ally's cousin, also an investigative journalist who came back to try and solve the mystery around the murders in Ally's family.
- A 13 year old girl, who murdered her parents almost 30 years ago.
- And the journal entries of a mysterious psychopath.
Except for the two "main" characters, Ally and Steve, i couldn't at first find a connection between the 4 different parts of the story. But as it kept going, it started to make sense, yet still make me feel confused, in a good way.
The author kept me hooked on the story the whole time.
What a tangled web of misunderstandings, deceit and craziness she managed to create!
Some of the scenes, espcially close to the end, were creepy in a way that made me look behind me repeatedly. And that almost never happens with me (except for King's stories). And it was not because of bloody or violent event, it was that subtle touch of uneasiness, that made feel almost unconfortable. I loved her style.
As for the story, i found it very interesting and intriguing. The way that she did not really try to hide who that psychopath was, is a nice touch. I kept thinking all the time that i seemed obvious, but then i was expecting some twists. And the end was so good, i loved it!
The characters were very interesting. I must admit, though, that i did not like Steve very much, he was way too arrogant for his own good! And he really had it all coming.
I enjoyed this book a lot, and enjoyed discovering a new author. I will be definitely waiting for other books by Heena Rathore P..
I recommend this book!
February 4, 2017
I knew from the onset that Heena Rathore’s new novel, DECEIVED, was special. A consummate wordsmith, it’s very apparent Heena painstakingly took her time with this masterpiece. Combining magical prose with breathtaking imagery, Heena immediately drew me into the story about Allison Stone, a young woman whose mother and brother had been viciously murdered by an assailant who after many years has never been found. Who killed Allison’s mother and brother and why? Those questions continue to haunt Allison who clings to her dog Max, her boyfriend Danny, her best friend Sam, and her father Stephen. Those questions kept me on the edge of my seat turning the pages.
Allison isn’t the only one who wants to know who killed her family members. Her cousin, Steve Thompson, who’s a journalist has always wondered who murdered Allison’s brother and mother. He gets the opportunity to work on the case when he’s assigned to the Dewar branch of Affront Chronicles. This move also gives him an opportunity to reconcile with Allison. After her family was murdered her close relationship with Steve became nonexistent. Steve is determined to find out who killed Allison’s parents and he believes the killer is also responsible for several other murders that have occurred in Dewar, including the brutal murder of Allison’s father’s business partner, Davis Miller.
The book opens with a news report about a 13-year-old girl who kills her parents. I found this to be a very clever opening because it sets the stage for the suspense to come and it caused me to wonder what role the girl plays in the novel. Did she kill Allison’s mother and brother? That would be impossible because those murders took place in 1978. The story takes place in present day.
The novel is written in three acts, is told from several first-person POV’s, and moves back and forth in time and place. The present day narrators are Allison Stone, her cousin Steve Thompson, and a mysterious character named Michael. Characters Elizabeth Lawson and Beth Adams tell the story from their POV’s when Heena takes us back in time.
The most bloodcurdling sections of the book are the chapters featuring the mysterious character Michael. Who is he and why does he want to hurt Allison? Then there’s the story of Elizabeth Lawson, a young woman who was raped by her adoptive father. Is Elizabeth connected to Allison in any way? There’s also the character Beth Adams with an equally gut-wrenching story. How is she connected to Allison? I was racking my brain trying to figure out what role each of these characters played in the murder of Allison’s mother and brother. I was not able to decipher this mystery until the very end. I found my jaw hitting the floor when Heena began unraveling the mystery right before my eyes. All I could say was OMG! I never saw that. Wow, what an ingenious plot. I was stunned into silence upon learning that all is not what it seemed and not everyone is who you think they are. The shocking bloody ending will make your hair stand on end.
Allison isn’t the only one who wants to know who killed her family members. Her cousin, Steve Thompson, who’s a journalist has always wondered who murdered Allison’s brother and mother. He gets the opportunity to work on the case when he’s assigned to the Dewar branch of Affront Chronicles. This move also gives him an opportunity to reconcile with Allison. After her family was murdered her close relationship with Steve became nonexistent. Steve is determined to find out who killed Allison’s parents and he believes the killer is also responsible for several other murders that have occurred in Dewar, including the brutal murder of Allison’s father’s business partner, Davis Miller.
The book opens with a news report about a 13-year-old girl who kills her parents. I found this to be a very clever opening because it sets the stage for the suspense to come and it caused me to wonder what role the girl plays in the novel. Did she kill Allison’s mother and brother? That would be impossible because those murders took place in 1978. The story takes place in present day.
The novel is written in three acts, is told from several first-person POV’s, and moves back and forth in time and place. The present day narrators are Allison Stone, her cousin Steve Thompson, and a mysterious character named Michael. Characters Elizabeth Lawson and Beth Adams tell the story from their POV’s when Heena takes us back in time.
The most bloodcurdling sections of the book are the chapters featuring the mysterious character Michael. Who is he and why does he want to hurt Allison? Then there’s the story of Elizabeth Lawson, a young woman who was raped by her adoptive father. Is Elizabeth connected to Allison in any way? There’s also the character Beth Adams with an equally gut-wrenching story. How is she connected to Allison? I was racking my brain trying to figure out what role each of these characters played in the murder of Allison’s mother and brother. I was not able to decipher this mystery until the very end. I found my jaw hitting the floor when Heena began unraveling the mystery right before my eyes. All I could say was OMG! I never saw that. Wow, what an ingenious plot. I was stunned into silence upon learning that all is not what it seemed and not everyone is who you think they are. The shocking bloody ending will make your hair stand on end.
February 28, 2017
A very engaging read with lifelike characters. I was 100% invested into the story. Some things I guessed half right, but couldn't confirm them until the very end. Ally frustrated me sometimes and made me shout out 'what the fk are you still doing in that house?! Get the fk outta there!' :-D
A quality read and a book I'll surely remember for a long time.
A quality read and a book I'll surely remember for a long time.
March 23, 2017
A captivating read! Heena Rathore starts the reader off with a foreword that immediately puts you in the mindset for this mystery thriller. Things only got better as the author weaved a complicated web tying past and present events leading up to an ending I was not expecting.
The characters in this story are easy to identify with, especially Allison who is still struggling to recover from her tragic past and she believes her mother killer is still at large. The other main character Steve though not as dynamic as Ally, allowed the reader to follow the trail of breadcrumbs the author left in the story as he investigates what happened all those years ago. While the supporting characters added dimension to the story. (Even MAX)
The overall plot of the story was good even though I began to suspect who the killer was early in the story. But the author did manage to keep most of the reason behind the killings a mystery for most of the book and of course gave the twist ending. Making this a very enjoyable read.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new thriller to read.
The characters in this story are easy to identify with, especially Allison who is still struggling to recover from her tragic past and she believes her mother killer is still at large. The other main character Steve though not as dynamic as Ally, allowed the reader to follow the trail of breadcrumbs the author left in the story as he investigates what happened all those years ago. While the supporting characters added dimension to the story. (Even MAX)
The overall plot of the story was good even though I began to suspect who the killer was early in the story. But the author did manage to keep most of the reason behind the killings a mystery for most of the book and of course gave the twist ending. Making this a very enjoyable read.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new thriller to read.
February 20, 2017
Allison Stone’s life suddenly is torn to pieces when her mother and little brother are brutally murdered for no reason. Baffled and confused, she grows up with inhibitions and doubts, stemming from the scarring incident. She find solace in her Dad, her best friend and roommate Sam and her lovable dog, Max. She reconnects with her cousin, Steve who was her best friend growing up but cut off all the ties when Ally’s mum and brother were murdered. Now an investigative journalist, he is determined to know the reason for the cold blooded murder and help him and Ally find closure. The questions still remain: who would murder someone with a slash through their throats for no reason? Why did a ten year old girl murder her parents in cold blood? How are the two different plots connected to each other? And why does, despite all the odds, Ally feel as if the murderous spree isn’t over?
The book starts off with the explanation of the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath which helps the reader understand the story even better. The portrayal of Ally is stunning and at times the plot reminded me quite a lot of Dark Places by Gillian Flynn but as soon as I thought I had an inkling about what the story would hold next, I was thrown into a twist.
The author has managed to not only keep the reader guessing until the very end but it also managed to give me the creeps every now and then. The story is mingled with flashbacks and Rathore has very cleverly managed to keep the reader wondering where it all fits together. I have read quite a few crime and psychological thrillers and I think I’m qualified enough to say that this one makes up to all the hype that it has created, even before its launch. The writing style is easy, engrossing, detailed and engaging without actually dragging or going overboard with the murder and gore.
Apart from a few typos and glitches, which it would obviously have since it’s an ARC, it has managed to make a thriller reader like me happy for this is miles ahead of its indian counterparts. I think Heena Rathore P. has made me wonder if I should wait on for the next part because I’m seriously not over this one!! An overall rating of 5 out of 5 for the sheer amount of detail, expression and unique storyline!
Disclaimer : I received the e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The book starts off with the explanation of the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath which helps the reader understand the story even better. The portrayal of Ally is stunning and at times the plot reminded me quite a lot of Dark Places by Gillian Flynn but as soon as I thought I had an inkling about what the story would hold next, I was thrown into a twist.
The author has managed to not only keep the reader guessing until the very end but it also managed to give me the creeps every now and then. The story is mingled with flashbacks and Rathore has very cleverly managed to keep the reader wondering where it all fits together. I have read quite a few crime and psychological thrillers and I think I’m qualified enough to say that this one makes up to all the hype that it has created, even before its launch. The writing style is easy, engrossing, detailed and engaging without actually dragging or going overboard with the murder and gore.
Apart from a few typos and glitches, which it would obviously have since it’s an ARC, it has managed to make a thriller reader like me happy for this is miles ahead of its indian counterparts. I think Heena Rathore P. has made me wonder if I should wait on for the next part because I’m seriously not over this one!! An overall rating of 5 out of 5 for the sheer amount of detail, expression and unique storyline!
Disclaimer : I received the e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 13, 2017
This book is miles ahead of other Indian books I've read in the past. The writing style of the author is really good and I was able to follow each and everything nicely.
I loved the diary entries and they really took the book to a whole new level. And the nerve-wracking parallel stories were really chilling.
I guess we've got ourselves an Indian Gillian Flynn here.
Loved the book, the psychological aspect for me was 10/10 and the storytelling skills of the author are exceptionally good. I'll be on the lookout for more books by this author.
I loved the diary entries and they really took the book to a whole new level. And the nerve-wracking parallel stories were really chilling.
I guess we've got ourselves an Indian Gillian Flynn here.
Loved the book, the psychological aspect for me was 10/10 and the storytelling skills of the author are exceptionally good. I'll be on the lookout for more books by this author.
April 22, 2017
What an excellent debut work. For all those who love suspense and thrill, this book is sure going to keep you on edge of your seat.
You'll be turning pages and you wouldn't know it.
Oh! Be ready for the surprise at the end. You're in for a brutal treat.
You'll be turning pages and you wouldn't know it.
Oh! Be ready for the surprise at the end. You're in for a brutal treat.
April 3, 2017
Love it! I felt scared to death for most of the time.
The writing was great and characters superb! I love Ally and Max <3
Way ahead of other Indian books in terms of writing as well as creativity and imagination.
Can't wait for the next book by author Heena Rathore P.
The writing was great and characters superb! I love Ally and Max <3
Way ahead of other Indian books in terms of writing as well as creativity and imagination.
Can't wait for the next book by author Heena Rathore P.
December 5, 2018
The cover is the most spectacular aspect about this book. It's really captivating, attractive & intriguing to the eyes. If one must talk about book covers, then this is one best refined example of how a cover must be.
Title is fascinating. It present a deeper indulgence, a unique insight which creates an atmosphere of suspense for the readers.
The book talks about life, death, fear, mystery, suspense, unexplained theories, unexpected occurrences, serial-killings & many more factors which makes this a rare reading experience.
What else can one ask for?
I won't talk much about the plot or the story. It can be predicted by the blurb & the description attached with the book. To know more, grab the book & find out yourself!
Language is excellent, satiating, a pleasant reading experience!
Narration is equally justified!
In short, a must thriller to read!
Title is fascinating. It present a deeper indulgence, a unique insight which creates an atmosphere of suspense for the readers.
The book talks about life, death, fear, mystery, suspense, unexplained theories, unexpected occurrences, serial-killings & many more factors which makes this a rare reading experience.
What else can one ask for?
I won't talk much about the plot or the story. It can be predicted by the blurb & the description attached with the book. To know more, grab the book & find out yourself!
Language is excellent, satiating, a pleasant reading experience!
Narration is equally justified!
In short, a must thriller to read!
February 9, 2017
Heena Rathore's debut novel is a brilliant psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the very last page. Her heroine, Allison Stone, is a deeply flawed protagonist with a troubled past who is equal parts tragic and compelling. I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.
July 5, 2017
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Content warning: Deceived contains references to child sexual abuse, rape, violence against animals, graphic violence, and murder. The first three are mentioned, but not graphically described, while the latter two are described in detail. However, if you can stomach a PG-13 movie, I would assume you could handle this book.
Heena Rathore P.'s debut novel, Deceived, walks the line between psychological thriller and crime novel. For nearly a decade, Allison (the protagonist) has been tormented by the brutal murders of her mother and younger brother. When her cousin, Steve, comes back into town to investigate the murders, weird things start happening to Allison ("prank" phone calls, items going missing, etc.). Eventually, the characters determine that the serial killer who murdered Allison's mother and brother has returned for her.
On a content/plot level, Deceived has a lot to recommend it. Its narrative structure weaves together the present day (shown through Allison and Steve's perspectives, as well as the killer's journal) with a secondary plot line that occurs in the past (depicted in third-person point-of-view and centering on a woman who killed her parents as a child). The author does a great job of interlacing these stories and giving information to the reader in small bursts. While I did not predict how the past narrative fit with the present day until the book nearly ended, I did guess the present-day serial killer from the first scene in which the character was featured ... at least, I think (see MAJOR spoiler below for explanation).
From a writing standpoint, I found Deceived to be a fine first novel. The pacing remained steady until it quickened near the book's climax. However, the narrative style was a bit distracting. It "told" more than "showed," which made it difficult to connect with the characters on an emotional level and to fully understand their motives/reasonings for certain behaviors and actions. Another reviewer likened it to hearing a campfire story rather than experiencing the story with the characters, and I agree. Likewise, the dialog felt stilted and the grammar seemed a bit wonky, but this could be a cultural difference (the author is Indian writing in British English and I'm American).
Overall, Deceived is a solid debut novel. While some aspects of the plot may be predictable, others will keep the reader guessing. The climax, in particular, kept me on the edge of my seat, and the ending left me wondering what might be in store for the remaining characters. If you like thoughtful crime novels and/or psychological thrillers that encourage you to consider themes like nature vs. nurture, human attraction to violence, emotional abuse, and psychopaths/sociopaths, then you'll like Deceived.
Content warning: Deceived contains references to child sexual abuse, rape, violence against animals, graphic violence, and murder. The first three are mentioned, but not graphically described, while the latter two are described in detail. However, if you can stomach a PG-13 movie, I would assume you could handle this book.
Heena Rathore P.'s debut novel, Deceived, walks the line between psychological thriller and crime novel. For nearly a decade, Allison (the protagonist) has been tormented by the brutal murders of her mother and younger brother. When her cousin, Steve, comes back into town to investigate the murders, weird things start happening to Allison ("prank" phone calls, items going missing, etc.). Eventually, the characters determine that the serial killer who murdered Allison's mother and brother has returned for her.
On a content/plot level, Deceived has a lot to recommend it. Its narrative structure weaves together the present day (shown through Allison and Steve's perspectives, as well as the killer's journal) with a secondary plot line that occurs in the past (depicted in third-person point-of-view and centering on a woman who killed her parents as a child). The author does a great job of interlacing these stories and giving information to the reader in small bursts. While I did not predict how the past narrative fit with the present day until the book nearly ended, I did guess the present-day serial killer from the first scene in which the character was featured ... at least, I think (see MAJOR spoiler below for explanation).
From a writing standpoint, I found Deceived to be a fine first novel. The pacing remained steady until it quickened near the book's climax. However, the narrative style was a bit distracting. It "told" more than "showed," which made it difficult to connect with the characters on an emotional level and to fully understand their motives/reasonings for certain behaviors and actions. Another reviewer likened it to hearing a campfire story rather than experiencing the story with the characters, and I agree. Likewise, the dialog felt stilted and the grammar seemed a bit wonky, but this could be a cultural difference (the author is Indian writing in British English and I'm American).
Overall, Deceived is a solid debut novel. While some aspects of the plot may be predictable, others will keep the reader guessing. The climax, in particular, kept me on the edge of my seat, and the ending left me wondering what might be in store for the remaining characters. If you like thoughtful crime novels and/or psychological thrillers that encourage you to consider themes like nature vs. nurture, human attraction to violence, emotional abuse, and psychopaths/sociopaths, then you'll like Deceived.
June 22, 2017
Wow. This is Heena Rathore's debut novel, but you would never think that when you read her book. She wrote Deceived so masterfully.
I know Heena for more than 2 years now, anshe became a wonderful friend and a kind person to know. If you don't know who she id s, go give her a visit. But now that she is about to publish her first novel, I was even more thrilled to read her book and I am so happy I did. I may not read a lot of Thriller books, but this book was amazing and scary to read.
Once the book arrived in my mailbox I was so happy to see this gorgeous cover, it made the book even more chilling and scary. I must say that my expectations for this book were met and even went beyond them.
I loved the Forward by Patrick H. Moore, a crime blogger and a writer, which clarified the difference between psychopath and sociopath. I think it was a great idea because a lot of people get confused by these terms and usually think they are the same.
This book has a very wonderful feel of Stephen King combined with Neil Gaiman to it, a beautiful mix of creepy/scary and Psychological elements. This book is dark, emotional and scary in a way that chills you to the bone.
I usually don’t like it when the POV changes, but Heena did it masterfully and it made the story flow better and even made it more enjoyable, also reading the events from the killer's POV made it feel even scarier and twisted.
I found myself guessing who the killer is, and although I guessed right it was still a guessing game right up until the end.
Characters
Ally (Allison Stone) is the main character the story, nine years ago her mom and 5-year-old brother were murdered and she never been able to move on with her life, making things worse is her nightmares filled nights also she is being stalked by someone but won't get any help. I really connected with Ally as she is a writer as well and loves to read a lot, but I also connected with her pain and anxiety.
Max, Ally's dog. I would say that I love dogs a lot (a lot!) but there was a very scary part in the book about Ally’s dog Max, Thank you Heena for that mini heart attack and the tears :D
Sam, Ally’s roommate.She is such a wonderful addition to Ally’s life and to the story.
Steve is Ally's cousin and a journalist. His main goal is to find out the killer of Ally's family, however he is my least favorite character, I just couldn’t connect with him.
Danny, Ally’s boyfriend. After moving in with Danny she realized he is not the guy she thought he was.
Elizabeth the 13-year-old girl (her story is set in 1978), wow she was chilling and that story really was creepy.
The killer (which I’ll leave you to figure out who he is by yourself), was very well crafted to a very scary point.
The journal entries in the story add so much to the story, well-done Heena for writing this so masterfully, they flow and seem so real at the same time and they have a huge part in understanding who is the killer, these journal entries give us hidden bits of information.
This book is a page turner and you will not get bored – I promise you.
Both the gorgeous cover and the story delivered on the premise of the book of leaving you by the end feeling scared and chilled by the possibilities.
As you get closer to the end, the story becomes more violent and chilling that while I was alone I read it with all the lights on, locked the door and constantly watched all the windows for any movement. There are a few big warning signs that Ally ignored and I just wanted to shake her vigorously, resulting in me shaking the book a lot, lol.
The ending is so good, but I won’t tell you more about that, I will however say that it was written extremely well, it was horrifying and came so quickly that I was shocked (still am).
Not all is perfect and I will say one thing that was a bit confusing to me, the names of some of the characters in the book are too similar.
To sum up everything
This book can easily be a movie thriller – easily. Everything is so well written and detailed, even the brutality was a stage to move the story and characters to where they needed to be by the end of the book.
The story, the characters and the writing all leave you wanting more and you won't let the book down.
The cover is chilling and amazing. I know I already said this, but I had to say it again, lol.
I recommend this to everyone who likes thrillers, phycological story, mystery, and crime. But I also think that even if you don't read much of this genre (like me), you should still give this a read, you'll love it.
Read more at Coffee n' Notes
I know Heena for more than 2 years now, anshe became a wonderful friend and a kind person to know. If you don't know who she id s, go give her a visit. But now that she is about to publish her first novel, I was even more thrilled to read her book and I am so happy I did. I may not read a lot of Thriller books, but this book was amazing and scary to read.
Once the book arrived in my mailbox I was so happy to see this gorgeous cover, it made the book even more chilling and scary. I must say that my expectations for this book were met and even went beyond them.
I loved the Forward by Patrick H. Moore, a crime blogger and a writer, which clarified the difference between psychopath and sociopath. I think it was a great idea because a lot of people get confused by these terms and usually think they are the same.
This book has a very wonderful feel of Stephen King combined with Neil Gaiman to it, a beautiful mix of creepy/scary and Psychological elements. This book is dark, emotional and scary in a way that chills you to the bone.
I usually don’t like it when the POV changes, but Heena did it masterfully and it made the story flow better and even made it more enjoyable, also reading the events from the killer's POV made it feel even scarier and twisted.
I found myself guessing who the killer is, and although I guessed right it was still a guessing game right up until the end.
Characters
Ally (Allison Stone) is the main character the story, nine years ago her mom and 5-year-old brother were murdered and she never been able to move on with her life, making things worse is her nightmares filled nights also she is being stalked by someone but won't get any help. I really connected with Ally as she is a writer as well and loves to read a lot, but I also connected with her pain and anxiety.
Max, Ally's dog. I would say that I love dogs a lot (a lot!) but there was a very scary part in the book about Ally’s dog Max, Thank you Heena for that mini heart attack and the tears :D
Sam, Ally’s roommate.She is such a wonderful addition to Ally’s life and to the story.
Steve is Ally's cousin and a journalist. His main goal is to find out the killer of Ally's family, however he is my least favorite character, I just couldn’t connect with him.
Danny, Ally’s boyfriend. After moving in with Danny she realized he is not the guy she thought he was.
Elizabeth the 13-year-old girl (her story is set in 1978), wow she was chilling and that story really was creepy.
The killer (which I’ll leave you to figure out who he is by yourself), was very well crafted to a very scary point.
The journal entries in the story add so much to the story, well-done Heena for writing this so masterfully, they flow and seem so real at the same time and they have a huge part in understanding who is the killer, these journal entries give us hidden bits of information.
This book is a page turner and you will not get bored – I promise you.
Both the gorgeous cover and the story delivered on the premise of the book of leaving you by the end feeling scared and chilled by the possibilities.
As you get closer to the end, the story becomes more violent and chilling that while I was alone I read it with all the lights on, locked the door and constantly watched all the windows for any movement. There are a few big warning signs that Ally ignored and I just wanted to shake her vigorously, resulting in me shaking the book a lot, lol.
The ending is so good, but I won’t tell you more about that, I will however say that it was written extremely well, it was horrifying and came so quickly that I was shocked (still am).
Not all is perfect and I will say one thing that was a bit confusing to me, the names of some of the characters in the book are too similar.
To sum up everything
This book can easily be a movie thriller – easily. Everything is so well written and detailed, even the brutality was a stage to move the story and characters to where they needed to be by the end of the book.
The story, the characters and the writing all leave you wanting more and you won't let the book down.
The cover is chilling and amazing. I know I already said this, but I had to say it again, lol.
I recommend this to everyone who likes thrillers, phycological story, mystery, and crime. But I also think that even if you don't read much of this genre (like me), you should still give this a read, you'll love it.
Read more at Coffee n' Notes
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