Books matching: tension and intrigue
100 result(s)
- #1
'Hunting Annabelle' by Wendy Heard follows the story of Sean Suh, a young man with a troubled past who meets Annabelle at an amusement park. When Annabelle is kidnapped, Sean becomes the prime suspect and takes it upon himself to find her. The book delves into Sean's schizophrenia, his dark urges, and the mystery surrounding Annabelle's disappearance, with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader engaged. The writing style is described as dark, suspenseful, and gripping, with a unique perspective from the unreliable narrator, Sean.
I lock my bike up near the gate underneath the giant Four Corners sign. Sweat trickles down the small of my back, slowly soaking through my shirt. At the gate, a bored-looking teenager casts an apathe... - #2
"The Two Faces of January" by Patricia Highsmith is a psychological thriller set in Athens, Greece, where American con man Chester MacFarland accidentally kills a police officer and is helped by a young American, Rydal Keener, to escape the city along with his wife Colette. The story revolves around the complex dynamics and shifting relationships between the three main characters, leading to further unfortunate events and a web of deception and betrayal. Highsmith's writing style is praised for its suspenseful and well-paced narrative, creating tension and keeping readers engaged until the shocking conclusion.
At half past three of a morning in early January, Chester MacFarland was awakened in his berth on the San Gimignano by an alarming sound of scraping. He sat up and saw through the porthole a brightly ... - #3
Alex Delaware, a psychologist and consultant to the LAPD, is pulled into a chilling mystery when he receives an album titled 'The Murder Book' filled with gruesome crime scene photos. The pictures lead Alex and his friend, LAPD detective Milo Sturgis, to investigate a decades-old unsolved murder that has connections to powerful figures. As they delve deeper into the case, their lives are put in danger, uncovering dark secrets that reach deep into L.A.'s centers of power and wealth.
The writing style of 'The Murder Book' is described as strong and engrossing, with a complex plot that keeps readers intrigued. The book focuses on the dynamics between the main characters, Alex and Milo, as they navigate through a suspenseful and unpredictable investigation, making the story both unsettling and realistic.
His test scores and solve-rates and persistence got him to Central Homicide, where they paired him with a rail-thin forty-eight-year-old D-II named Pierce Schwinn, who looked sixty and fancied himself...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Alex Delaware ) - #4
'Silence Fallen' in the 'Mercy Thompson' series by Patricia Briggs follows the story of Mercy, a character known for her indomitable will and resourcefulness. Kidnapped by Bonarata, she finds herself navigating through various challenges, including political maneuvering, battles, and magical intrigue. Set in Europe, particularly Prague, the book delves into Mercy's growth in power and her alliances, showcasing a different side to her character as she faces dangers with cunning and quick thinking.
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Mercy Thompson ) - #5
Witchborn by Nicholas Bowling is a historical fantasy set in 1577 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and the imprisonment of Mary Queen of Scots. The story follows Alyce, whose life is upended when her mother is executed for witchcraft. Fleeing to London, Alyce navigates a world of rivalry between the two queens, witch hunters, and her own growing powers. The book weaves together real historical figures like Dr. John Dee and Queen Elizabeth with a tale of witchcraft, mystery, and survival in a superstitious society.
The plot is filled with intrigue, dark magic, and political complexities as Alyce struggles to evade capture, uncover her heritage, and understand the extent of her powers. The author, Nicholas Bowling, brings historical London to life with vivid descriptions and a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged from the first page to the very end.
- #6
Jules, a young woman facing unemployment and heartbreak, takes a job as an apartment sitter in a luxurious and mysterious building called the Bartholomew. Despite being warned about strange rules and disappearances of previous sitters, she accepts the job for the high pay. As she delves deeper into the secrets of the building and its residents, Jules uncovers a sinister truth that puts her own life in danger. The story is described as a suspenseful and atmospheric thriller with unexpected twists that keep the reader on edge.
But the woman next to me certainly fits the bill, with her blue Chanel suit, blond updo, perfectly manicured hands weighed down by several rings. She might be in her fifties. Maybe older. Botox has ma... - #7
'The Last Days of Night' by Graham Moore is a historical fiction novel that delves into the patent war between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse over the invention of the light bulb and the battle between AC and DC current. The story follows young attorney Paul Cravath as he navigates the legal challenges and personal relationships involved in this high-stakes feud. With a focus on the historical events and the interactions between real-life figures like Nikola Tesla, the book presents a thrilling narrative that blends fact with fiction, providing a detailed insight into the early days of the electrical age.
The immolation occurred late on a Friday morning. The lunchtime bustle was picking up as Paul descended from his office building onto the crowded street. He cut an imposing figure against the flow of ... - #8
'Lie to Me' by J.T. Ellison is a fast-paced domestic thriller that follows the lives of Ethan and Sutton Montclair, successful writers with a seemingly perfect life until tragedy strikes. When Sutton disappears, leaving behind a note instructing Ethan not to look for her, suspicions arise, and Ethan finds himself at the center of the investigation. The story unfolds with numerous twists and turns, revealing secrets, lies, and unexpected revelations about the characters, all leading to a thrilling and unpredictable conclusion.
Readers are taken on a suspenseful journey through multiple points of view, including Ethan's, the police officer Holly Graham's, and an anonymous narrator who adds an eerie tone to the story. The narrative is filled with complex plot twists, short chapters that keep readers engaged, and a writing style that builds tension and keeps the reader guessing until the very end.
Ethan found the note ten minutes after he rolled out of bed that Tuesday, the Tuesday that would change everything. He came downstairs, yawning, scratching his chest, to...nothing. Empty space, devoid... - #9
'Shatterday' by Harlan Ellison is a collection of surreal and ethereal short stories that leave readers feeling intrigued and disturbed. The stories range from bitter-sweet and comical to dark and gripping, with a pacing that keeps readers turning the pages. Ellison's writing style is described as brilliantly disturbing, deeply satirical, and blackly humorous, creating mind-wrecking speculative fiction that showcases his talent as a writer.
The purpose of these introductory notes to each story is to reaffirm that fact, over and over again. It cannot be said too often. A writer cannibalizes his own life, that’s true: all we have to relate... - #10
Season of the Witch by Natasha Mostert is a dark and alluring intellectual thriller that delves into historical and occult concepts. The story follows Gabriel Blackstone, a computer hacker with the ability of remote viewing, as he gets entangled in a Gothic witchcraft mystery involving the Monk House and two captivating sisters, Morrighan and Minnaloushe. The plot is a crescendo of sensuous thrills and academic exploration expertly weaved by Mostert, keeping readers on edge with weighty philosophical and occult themes.
The narrative of Season of the Witch unfolds through parallel realities, maintaining a credible and engrossing flow that captivates readers from the very first page. Mostert's writing style is described as hypnotic, original, and well-researched, seamlessly blending modern technology with Gothic mystery and witchcraft, creating a unique and enthralling reading experience that balances seduction with mysticism and academic exploration.