The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier (thoughts)

The Butcher is one of the darkest thrillers that I have read this year by far.  This book isn't for the squeamish but it is definitely one of those books that a reader will find hard to put down!  Both creepy and dark are both words that I could use to describe this book that summarize it easily.  Because of this, it took me awhile to really get into this book.  When I did though, I was well and truly hooked.

Told from multiple viewpoints, the storyline revolves around "The Butcher", a well known serial killer that terrorized women in the Seattle area until he was killed by the police.  Edward Shank (also known as The Chief) was the person responsible for bringing this horrific killer to justice.  As The Chief moves into retirement, his grandson Matt is in the spotlight thanks to his restaurant and possible new television deal on the food network.  Matt grew up looking up to the Chief in every way possible but now with his own fame growing, he begins to realize that there are many truths that he has never known.  And when it seems like The Butcher is making a comeback from beyond the grave, it will affect everyone that Matt knows or cares for.

It is almost difficult for me to write my thoughts on this one because how can you say that you enjoyed a book that was this twisted?  I really struggled with it at the beginning because of this, and also because I struggled with Matt's character.  He isn't one of those characters that is easy to like and because of this I wasn't ever sure that I was going to care what happened to him.  I stuck with the book though because I was just so, so curious.  I gave a very brief summary that hopefully doesn't give many details away but it is those details that caused me to finally be hooked.  I had to know what was going to happen.  I finally started to connect to Sam (Matt's sorta girlfriend) as a character and by then I knew that I couldn't set this book down.  I had to see how it was all going to end!  The author does a great job with the atmosphere within this book.  I constantly felt like I was waiting....almost dreading seeing what was going to happen next.  It was such a creepy feeling!  It is really hard to describe my overall feelings because of how dark the storyline was.  While not always an easy read, it was certainly a book that kept me turning the pages.  I liked the ending especially because it all went down like I hoped that it would.  Is that vague enough for all of you?  Ha!  This is one of those books that I will not be forgetting about any time soon!

Overall, I liked this one enough to recommend it but I don't think that this is a book that everyone will enjoy.  Me?  I am definitely willing to read more by this author!  I just will make sure that I am in the mood for a darker read in case all of her books are this creepy (and I'm guessing they are from the titles).  Fans of dark thrillers will definitely want to give this one a try!  So recommended but with a few warnings/hesitations.

Bottom Line:  A disturbing book but one that I just could not put down!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher.  Thoughts are my own!

For those of you that have read this one, what did you think?  I found this book reminded me of Gillian Flynn a bit thanks to how it made me feel while reading.  I wasn't always comfortable reading this book but I also couldn't quite stop reading.  I'm looking forward to hearing what other readers thought!

Library Loot (Or Reasons I Love My Library #4)

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Linda from Silly Little Mischief that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

It has been entirely too long since I shared a library loot post with all of you.  I've kind of strayed away and instead just been posting pictures (aka my Reasons I Love My Library posts).  I have been missing writing these posts though so I think I'm going to get back to doing them.  I have had a really good couple of weeks at the library.  Here are the books that I have picked up recently:

There is so much bookish goodness here!  Where to begin?

• Fingersmith by Sarah Waters is my current read.  One that I've been meaning to read every since I read (and adored) Affinity by Waters.  It is a big book but I'm in the mood for chunkier reads with the colder weather approaching.  I'm super stoked about this one!
• The Man with a Load of Mischief by Martha Grimes is the first in yet another mystery series that I have been wanting to try for some time.  I'm on a mystery series kick this year so I'm looking forward to finally giving this series a try.  Even the title has me intrigued ;)
• The Water's Lovely by Ruth Rendall is for Carl's R.I.P. Challenge.  Actually, most of these books are now that I think about it.  I've been meaning to read this one for way too long.  I've checked it out from the library multiple times.  I'm really hoping to finally get to it this time around!
• A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole is thanks to the paranormal romance kick that I have been on.  And because I loved Dark Skye so much so I figured I should go back to the beginning of the series.  Not my favorite cover though...I definitely might have passed by the book if I didn't know better.
• Hysteria by Megan Miranda is one that I wanted to read as soon as I heard about it.  I then promptly forgot about it but in my quest to read more YA this year (I may have become sidetracked on this goal....I'm starting back up again) I decided to grab it from my library.  It will fit in perfectly with the R.I.P. challenge which makes me even more excited. 
• Made For You by Melissa Marr because it sounds oh so good!  YA romantic suspense!?!?  Yes, please!  I've been seeing some very positive reviews for it so I will probably be reading this one very soon.  Happy days!

 I've got plenty of books to keep me busy!  I've already managed to read my four books for the R.I.P. challenge but I am hoping to fit in a few more before the end of the month.  What books have you grabbed from the library lately?  And which one of these would you read first if the choice was up to you??  Do share!

The Night Visitor by Dianne Emley (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Gorgeous and successful, Rory Langtry seemed to have it all. Daughter of a movie star and sister of a supermodel, Rory was engaged to sexy artist, Junior Lara. But her bright future went dark one terrible, bloody night that left her sister dead and the accused murderer—Junior—in an extended coma.

Now, five years later, Rory appears to have put the past behind her. She has a wonderful new fiancé and heads a successful cosmetics company. Yet dark secrets threaten. Across town, Junior lies close to death but before he departs he seeks to clear his name."

My Thoughts:

 The Night Visitor was a unique read that had me spellbound by the end.  An unusual mystery thanks to the paranormal elements, I found myself eagerly reading this book to see how it would all play out.  Rory finds herself in quite the mess.  She is having visions that don't seem to be her own that all relate to her sister's murder.  Her ex-fiancee is believed to have been responsible for Anya's death, but since that night he has been in a coma which means he can't tell anyone what happened.  The entire book is focused on Rory finding out what really happened on that night so many years ago.  

This book was an interesting read for me because I was never sure how it would all work out.  The idea of Rory experiencing visions thanks to a connection with Junior was a bit out there if I am being honest.  The author really followed through with it though and because of this "connection" Rory struggles with her sanity at times.  That made sense to me even if I wasn't sure how it would all work out.  It is also one of the factors that made me not want to stop reading by the end.  I think that readers need to go with the flow when it comes to this book.  At first I struggled with the plausibility of it all and really disliked the paranormal elements.  Finally I decided to set those feelings aside, and just experience the book.  And I really ended up enjoying it!  The mystery portion of this book was done quite well.  I never really saw the end coming at all.  I had an idea as to parts of what must have happened on that evening so long ago but it turns out I was completely wrong.  There was only one portion of the book that I figured out (and really it was such a tiny part of the overall story).  I really appreciated that this book kept me guessing throughout!  When I finished reading this book I was glad that I had allowed myself to be pulled into this book because it was worth it.  Definitely a very unique read!

Overall, this book was a good read and one that I enjoyed.  It wasn't perfect but it was engaging and has me thinking that I will be watching for more by this author.  I think that mystery fans will enjoy this one.  Just be warned that if you don't care for paranormal elements than this might not be the book for you.  If you don't mind them, let the author take you on a ride that will keep you guessing.  It was worth it!  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  An interesting mystery that kept me guessing!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley as part of a TLC blog tour.  Sorry that I missed my date and am posting this so late!  Thoughts are my own!

 

The Sunday Post #3 (A Reading Update)

"The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme"

Oops!  Yet another week long blog break for absolutely no other reason than lack of time/motivation.  I really hate when you are feeling motivated to blog but then are too overwhelmed by all that you want to do....it usually means a week of no posts like last week :)  Oh well, it is what it is....right?  I'm actually working on this post relatively early for me (Saturday afternoon) with the hopes that I can get posts scheduled for this entire week.  Maybe getting ahead will allow for me to lessen the blogging silence I keep going into.

This week was another busy one but with a light at the end of the tunnel.  Soccer and football season for the kiddos ends after this coming week.  And while I'm going to miss the games and cheering my kids on, I'm looking forward to more relaxed evenings during the week.  Maybe more sleep?  A girl can hope!  I've been reading up a storm since I last shared a reading update with you so I better quit rambling and talk books.

I have recently finished the following books:

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson- Creepy little book that begs to be reread at some point.  I am so glad that I finally knocked this one off of my R.I.P. reading list as it has been there for years.  I've got more questions than answers and am looking forward to seeing what everyone else thought who participated in the read-a-long.  (Yes, I know that I'm a bit late :) As usual.)

Bound by Night by Larissa Ione- Loved this one and am now kicking myself for waiting so long to try this author!  I really wasn't sure how the relationship between hero/heroine was going to work out due to their past but the author did a great job of making it work.  I was rooting for these two!  And am so ready to get started on the second book in this series!

All Shall Be Well by Deborah Crombie- Second in a long standing mystery series that I just started this year.  Oh my goodness, but I am such a huge fan already!  I really need to share my thoughts on book one so I might just do a double review to catch up.  I flew through the pages and was sad to see it end.  Crombie has created two detectives that I just cannot get enough of...I have lots to look forward to with this series!

Witness in Death by J.D. Robb (reread)- I started rereading this huge series by listening to them in audio format.  And then I became so hooked that I've been grabbing the print copies from the library every time I finished one.  I love these earlier books just because I am getting the chance to re-experience all of their connections/relationships all over again.  Such fun and a great reminder why I love this series so much!

I'm currently reading the following books:

I've just barely dipped into both of these books but I have high hopes for them both.  Fingersmith is for a read-a-long so I need to get my butt in gear with it.  Better Homes and Hauntings just looks like a fun read and perfect for this time of year.  Like I said, I'm excited!  I'm also still working on Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss which I read in spurts here or there.  I'm doubtful that I will finish before it is due back at the library but you never know!  I will just check it out again otherwise.  Also still working on A Penny For the Hangman by Tom Savage which I missed yet another tour date for.  Ugh!  I actually might put this one aside for now and come back to it at a later date.  I haven't quite decided.  I'm just now really feeling it at this point so we will see.

New Arrivals:

 

Thanks to the publishers I have some amazing books to look forward to!  I swear I was just commenting on a review (but whose I can't remember) for The Paris Winter saying that I was wanting to read it.  Color me thrilled when a few days later it showed up on my door!  Die I Will Not is a historical mystery (I believe) that sounds right up my alley!  And Asylum City is for a blog tour coming up in the next couple of months.  Yay for lots of great reading to look forward to!

Plans for this Sunday include the usual:  laundry and football.  I'm hoping to stay focused and write up lots of posts for next week.  Maybe fit in some commenting here and there?  You never know what I can accomplish when I put my mind to it :)  I will definitely be around visiting some of you! 

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!