Marianne Perry's Blog - Posts Tagged "supernatural"

Behind Her Eyes: Book Review

Book Review:
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

Sarah Pinborough has penned an interesting book. A psychological three hundred paged thriller set in London, England, it is divided into three parts told from the third point of view: Then, Later and Now. Though effective in layering the action, the sequence of events is somewhat muddled.

The story is told from the viewpoint of the two major female characters, Louise and Adele. The chapters revert back and forth, which helps us understand the women plus the unfolding situation. The plot focuses on traumatic issues such as marital infidelity, family trauma and mental health. No one is whom they seem and the truth reveals what we assume false.

There is a thread of the supernatural throughout that I didn't feel was developed fully. As a result, it reduced the quality of an otherwise twisting and turning story. The ending from Rob's point of view was also unsatisfactory; too quick and neat though a surprise, for sure. Nevertheless, a worthwhile read.

Marianne Perry
Writing inspired by genealogical research to solve family mysteries.
www.marianneperry.ca (less)
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on April 13, 2017 16:50 Tags: england, infidelity, london, mental-health, sarah-pinborough, supernatural, trauma

Fear The Dark by Kay Hooper

Set in small town Serenity, Tennessee, psychic investigators from the FBI's Special Crime Unit assist Jonah Riggs, the Police Chief in finding six people who have disappeared within one month during the ordinary course of their days. They include: two eloping teens, a judge, new mother, 10 year old girl and young man. A female police officer is killed and they are tasked with solving this crime, too. Hopeful the disappeared are still alive, investigators attempt to establish a common link in an attempt to rescue them.

At the end of the book, the author includes agent bios, definitions of psychic terms plus a time line pertinent to this series. Practical for first time readers (like myself) and hence, noteworthy.

An intriguing plot, the crime is complicated with technological invention, energy bursts, hacking of security systems, mind manipulation and references to a "dark hungry force."

Quotes such as the following from Chapter Seven prompt reader contemplation on larger issues:

"Evil hides," Sam reminded him. "More often than not, behind something familiar, something nonthreatening. That's its ace, being able to hide....SO they aren't looking for one (monster), especially close to home."

"It only has to make sense to him," Dante spoke up to say. "A madman has his own mad logic."

The twist of psychic characters was interesting but I rated the common link Chief Riggs shared with the disappeared "obvious" and a weak point in the novel. The conclusion was laced with tragedy yet satisfactory.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on October 08, 2018 10:16 Tags: crime, kay-hooper, murder, psychics, supernatural