Paul DeSantis

An archetypal example of "domestic thriller" that took me a little while to enjoy, but ultimately had me hooked. The book is overall well written and I enjoyed the narration for the audiobook as well. Potential readers may find themselves frustrated by the book's frequent examples of gaslighting or many negative discussions of weight and physical appearance, but I believe the author wraps the story up in a way that justifies their inclusion. This story also passes an important test for thrillers where it does provide clues to the resolution along the way, and does a good job of looping back and showing the full picture with fresh eyes before concluding. You will not be blindsided by a fantastical ending that comes out of nowhere, as the story builds in a methodical way.

Frieda McFadden should be applauded for her ability to write strong villains that you love to hate.

A number of the stories in this collection are top tier and are worth a read considering their placement in time (~1950s). However, a few of these stories fall flat in their conclusion. Many tend to build and set the reader up for a Twilight Zone-esque big reveal that never comes. While I suspect the author is allowing the reader to imagine their own outcome to the narrative she has established, I would largely prefer to read the story as it was perceived--in its entirety.

Regarding the major themes, I enjoyed that many of the stories established these dark unknown characters. It can be fun to theorize and imagine what these characters look like or what their intentions are, but again I wish I could walk away with some confirmation at the story's conclusion. Another reoccurring theme is how many aspects of life that I consider "mundane" can be quite terrifying when considered from the female perspective. Running into a stranger on the street, a partner bringing a friend home, or a strange sound outside your bedroom window become more sinister when you already in a society that requires you be wary of everything around you.

While I would recommend this to fans of short stories and horror literature, prepare yourself for more of a focus on domestic life and a few endings that fall flat.

The Things She's Seen (AKA Catching Teller Crow) is aimed at young adults, but still delivers a captivating story with a lot of adult themes. It features a strong premise and a unique writing style that consistently kept me interested.

I am unsure how an actual young adult might react to this story, but I think the themes of dealing with abuse, racism, and the fallibility of police would make it a great book for a classroom, but there are a few scenes that are quite graphic--possibly too much. This book also covers the experience of Aboriginal people in Australia, a topic that I think deserves even more attention in literature.

The book's short length made it a quick read, but definitely delivered a fully fleshed out story. Very reminiscient of The Lovely Bones, but with an additional hint of The Sixth Sense. Definitely would recommend!

The God of the Woods was a very enjoyable read. I got my copy from Book of the Month Club after seeing it was highly rated there, and I think it's worth the praise it's been getting.

It's a mystery novel at its core and it does a great job of presenting facts from a few different perspectives and encouraging you to solve the crime with the characters. There are definitely clues that end up being red herrings, but never in a way that feels disingenuous to the reader. I felt strongly about my own (incorrect) theory, but I was still very pleased with the conclusion.

It was a bit longer than what I am used to reading (at nearly 500 pages), but I was very engrossed and finished it over just a few days. Definitely would recommend!

I found this work to be a really strong sequel that you will likely feel equally about when compared to the first novel. The book follows a very similar formula and is about equally paced. Overall I enjoyed the story and I appreciated the attempt to subvert some expectations based on the first novel, and possibly based on societal expectations as well.

I found the ending of the first novel to be the weakest point, and while Millie acting as a vigilante is a a noble idea, I found the concept a bit unrealistic and trivialized the ordeal Millie experienced herself. I was relieved that this book does not pick up right where The Housemaid ends and instead presents a new story after some time has passed.

Also, while I believe Frieda McFadden is a talented author who is capable of writing complex characters, I believe Enzo is a crutch for her stories so far. He is the deus ex machina of the franchise and I suspect that in the next book when Millie finds herself trapped in a new location we will learn that Enzo has also been a talented helicopter pilot this whole time. Maybe Enzo's years as a sleight of hand magician with a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry will be revealed in the subsequent book? We will have to see!