"The Marriage Test" by Ellie Monago

 

"The Marriage Test" by Ellie Monago is an exciting psychological thriller that will have you pouring over the pages from start to finish.

The concept is very interesting. Four couples participate in a reality TV show, “Relationship Rescue,” set on a tropical island in the Caribbean to save their relationships. Each couple has their own issues, secrets, and agenda: Pregnant Lauren and Tristan, Tatiana and Zarine (a gay couple), Cain and his wife Naomi (a Christian couple), and Blanche and Joshua (a suburban couple). The plot thickens when a murder occurs on the last day of the program, and they are stuck on the island with a murderer.

The author has concocted an intriguing concept, and her writing style is captivating and absorbing. I flew through the pages. The book is written in the first person from multiple perspectives and combines the police interviews of the cast and contestants. While I will never participate in a reality show or am a fan of it, I love reading about it. While the first half of the book focuses on the process, the second half focuses on the murder investigation while continuing with the show. After all, the show must go on...

The author does a great job bringing you into the characters' lives. I loved that each chapter was headed with the character’s name, as it made it easier to differentiate between them. As the plot unfolded, their voices became clearer. We got to know more about the characters who narrated the story than the others. They were more well-fleshed out. Each character has a secret or surprise that slowly unfolds as the story progresses. It is these secrets and surprises that keep the reader on their toes and encourage you to read the next chapter to find out more.

I didn't like most of the contestants (they were all self-centered and unlikable). To be accurate, I liked one or two of the contestants (Lauren, Cain, Tatiana), but my fondness fizzled out the more I got to know them. I found the process and the dynamics of the couples very interesting. I also liked how each couple had a different set of issues.

The author weaves together an excellent, unique book, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader hooked. Interwoven within this exciting tale are themes of family, loyalty, infidelity, toxic relationships, daddy issues, and hate speech on social media. I didn't guess the identity of the culprit(s), and the plot kept me guessing right up until the end.

While I loved the book, I didn't like the ending and found it abrupt. Because of that and because I am tired of culprits getting away with things they did, I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars. It was an excellent book, but the ending did not leave me fully satisfied; I wanted a bit more closure and justice. I still recommend the book, as I really enjoyed the way it was written and the way the author expertly built the tension and atmosphere throughout the book.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Marriage Test" by Ellie Monago

"The Stepdaughter's Lie" by Teri Terry

 

I said it before and I'll say it again, Teri Terry is one of my all-time favorite authors. I have read and reviewed her other psychological thriller, which I loved. This is her second psychological thriller, and it is even better than the first.

"The Stepdaughter's Lie" by Teri Terry is a gripping psychological thriller following Rowan, a woman with a troubled past and present. She is married to Theo and lives with him and his 17-year-old daughter Ellie in a smart house. Unfortunately, her stepdaughter hates her and makes her life miserable. The plot thickens when Rowan finds out she is pregnant, and she is plunged into a whirlpool of confusing emotions. She starts to suffer from fainting spells, insomnia, and nightmares, and something seems off with her husband. When her past catches up with her, things start to go south.

I loved the book! The story is told from the first-person points of view of Rowan and Ellie, alternating between the two. I liked Rowan and rooted for her. Her character is easily the most interesting in the book—her dilemmas, her nightmares, and her mindset are all dealt with superbly by the author. I didn't like that she let herself be convinced to quit her job and didn't stand up for herself more. I loved that Rowan volunteered at a dog rescue center and the connection she had with one of the dogs there.

Ellie, I didn't like at first—she was childish and blamed Rowan for all her troubles—but over time, she grew on me. I loved the role reversal (wicked stepdaughter instead of wicked stepmother) and the build-up of suspense. I connected with Rowan and found myself tensing up when things seemed to take an ominous turn. Theo was a different kettle of fish altogether and not very likable either (like father, like daughter?). The lack of open communication between him and Rowan worked against them.

The tale is intricately plotted and there is more to it than my summary. The book explores issues of grief, abuse, religious fanaticism, abandonment issues, lies, manipulation, and gaslighting. It also details problems that can arise from smart home systems. I said it before and I'll say it again: I don't have a smart home and certainly won't get such a system. Too many loopholes for my peace of mind.

This is a gripping psychological read with characters that reach out and grab you. With a seamless blend of suspense, intrigue, and family drama, Teri Terry spins an absorbing tale I couldn't stop reading. I recommend the book to anyone looking for a surprisingly refreshing thriller. If you are into psychological thrillers that make you think and feature a masterful buildup of suspense, this is definitely a book for you!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Stepdaughter's Lie" by Teri Terry

"The Patient" by Teri Terry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teri Terry is one of my all-time favorite authors. I have read and loved several of her books and jumped at the chance to read her new book. "The Patient" by Teri Terry is a character-driven psychological thriller with a dash of supernatural elements thrown in for good measure.

Saphy, a young woman with a life-threatening heart condition, receives a heart transplant and gets a new lease on life. The donation came from Flora, a young woman who was declared brain-stem dead after a vicious attack that left her in a coma and on a ventilator. After learning her donor’s identity from the news, Saphy becomes obsessed with Flora. She picks apart every detail about Flora, collects her photos, and even tries to copy her appearance. She starts having nightmares about her and develops tastes similar to Flora.

When Flora's family contacts her and asks to meet her, she eagerly agrees for the chance to learn more about Flora. She wants to be Flora, whose life seems to sparkle. The plot thickens when a couple of patients, recipients of Flora’s organs, are viciously attacked, leaving Saphy worried that she is next in line. Maybe being Flora isn't such a good idea...

The novel is a concoction of intrigue, a psychological character study, and a family drama. With themes of friendship, bereavement, fallible human nature, right and wrong, and moral dilemmas, the author has woven a tale that I enjoyed reading.

The book is written from a first-person perspective, alternating between Saphy and Fern (Flora’s sister). Almost two-thirds of the book follows the characters and builds up to the action in the last third of the book. The story is well-written, and the narrative flows at a steady pace. I like that the author addresses the dilemma of organ donation from both sides of the coin. One of the most interesting questions this book raises is how you would act in the same position, and it emphasizes the importance of organ donation.

Even though the action doesn't start until the last section, it was an interesting read. I loved reading about the transplant process from the perspectives of both Saphy and Fern, though I really preferred Saphy and connected with her more. Fern was colder and harder to connect with, and I found her lacking, and her choices unacceptable. The ending was satisfactory, but I didn't like that not all parties got their just desserts. Some twists I guessed, but others managed to surprise me.

All in all, I loved the book and found it difficult to pull myself away from it. I give the book 4.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars. The story was engaging, the characters believable, and the steady pace of the plot kept me turning the pages. The author does a wonderful job of providing just enough detail to paint a clear picture of the characters and settings without being tedious. I recommend it to those of you looking for something a little different in their mystery books.

 * Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own. 

* For more info about the book: "The Patient" by Teri Terry