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Showing posts from June, 2025

The Counting Game by Sinead Nolan

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416 pages   Disclaimer : This review is based on publicly available bibliographic data and the softcover advanced reader edition provided by the publisher. All opinions herein are my own.   Overview The Counting Game is a haunting debut thriller set in the rural Irish countryside of 1995, where folklore, family secrets, and forensic investigation converge in a race against time. When thirteen-year-old Saoirse Kellough vanishes into a forest steeped in local legend, psychotherapist Freya Hemmings is called in to reach the only witness—Saoirse’s younger brother Jack, who refuses to speak. Told against an atmospheric backdrop of community silence, ancient ritual, and inherited grief, the novel blends psychological drama with procedural tension to deliver a debut that invites comparison to Tana French and Liz Moore. Nolan demonstrates strong command of place, character, and suspense structure, grounding her narrative in the emotional toll of disappearance on individuals, families,...

The Surf House by Lucy Clarke

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  Book Review:   The Surf House   by Lucy Clarke Rating:   ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars) Disclaimer:   I was provided an advance copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. This provision has in no way affected the content, objectivity, or analytical rigor of this review. Publication and Context Title:   The Surf House Author:   Lucy Clarke Edition:   Hardcover Publication Date:   June 10, 2025 (US Edition) / February 27, 2025 (UK Edition) Publisher:   Atlantic Monthly Press Page Count:   391 pages ISBN:   9780802166456 (ASIN: 0802166458) Genre:   Psychological Thriller / Suspense / Mystery Target Audience:   Adult readers of contemporary suspense and destination thrillers. Publication Context and Author Background: In recent years, the psychological thriller has become increasingly fascinated with the concept of isolated luxury—what might be termed the “closed-ecosystem” mystery. Against a cultural backdrop ...