New 2024 Books & Revisiting Favourite Authors | Dark Fiction Reviews | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A video discussing new releases and backlist titles in the horror and thriller genre, with mixed reviews and recommendations.

Key Insights

• 😮 The Glass Woman surprises readers with its intricate twists and turns, although the ending may not be satisfying for all.
• 💩 Speculative thrillers can be challenging to pull off, resulting in some misses rather than hits.
• 🫠 Reading books out of order in a series can lead to disappointment and confusion, as important information and character development may be missed.
• 🫠 Undead Samurai blends horror and historical fiction seamlessly, making it an enjoyable read for fans of both genres.
• 💦 Bret Easton Ellis tends to write similar stories with unlikable characters, which may or may not appeal to readers familiar with his work.
• 😱 Bentley Little's books, including The Bank, offer entertaining and satirical horror stories centered around ordinary aspects of society.

Transcript

so I am back for my first horror and Thriller wrap-up of 2024 this is going to include all the dark things I've been reading since around Christmas and this video is going to be a combination of books that I received for reviews so 2024 books as well as some backlist titles that are written by some of my favorite authors and as I talked about in pr... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: Is The Glass Woman worth reading for fans of speculative thrillers?

Yes, despite the complex twists and turns that may leave readers wishing for a simpler ending, The Glass Woman still offers mystery, suspense, and elements of artificial intelligence that make it worth picking up.

Q: Should Anna be read by fans of speculative thrillers?

It depends on the reader's ability to suspend disbelief and their tolerance for underwhelming execution. While the premise is interesting, the book fails to live up to expectations and may not be worth the read.

Q: Is reading Two Dead Wives without reading the first book in the series a good idea?

No, reading Two Dead Wives out of order can lead to disappointment and confusion as it relies heavily on information and character development from the first book. It is recommended to start with the first book in the series for the best reading experience.

Q: Will readers who enjoyed historical fiction and horror like Undead Samurai?

Yes, Undead Samurai delivers a well-researched and captivating blend of horror and historical fiction set in 17th century Japan. It offers a unique take on the undead genre without relying on typical zombie tropes.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Glass Woman by Alice McIlroy is a thriller with speculative elements that surprises the reader with its intricate twists and turns, though the ending may not be as satisfying as expected.

• Anna by Matthew Blake is a speculative thriller about a woman who commits a double murder while sleeping, but the execution of the premise falls short, making it an underwhelming read.

• Two Dead Wives by Adele Park is a book in a series that should be read in order to avoid missing crucial information, with underdeveloped characters and a disappointing experience for readers who haven't read the first book.

• Undead Samurai by Baptist Pinson woo blends horror and historical fiction, delivering a satisfyingly realistic and creepy undead story set in 17th century Japan.

• Glamorama by Bret Easton Ellis, while enjoyable, highlights the author's tendency to write similar stories with unlikable characters and a familiar narrative.

• The Bank by Bentley Little is a horror novel disguised as satire, focusing on the banking industry and providing social commentary on its flaws in an entertaining way.

• Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood is a literary fiction book that explores the childhood of a painter and her interactions with a group of mean girls, offering a bizarre and ambitious reading experience with beautiful writing.