The Bancroft Strategy

Robert Ludlum

Summary:

Agent Todd Belknap has been cut loose after an operation goes wrong. When his best friend and fellow agent is abducted, and the government refuses to help, Todd takes matters into his own hands.

Meanwhile, Andrea Newton gets an unexpected call. She has been left a vast inheritance by a cousin she’s never met – on the condition that she joins the board of the charitable Bancroft foundation. Andrea is intrigued, but the foundation appears less and less benign the more deeply involved she gets.

What exactly is their involvement with ‘Genesis’ – a mysterious entity working to destabilise the geopolitical balance at the risk of millions of lives? As events escalate, Todd and Andrea must form an uneasy alliance if they are to uncover the truth – before it’s too late.

Plot:

This is an excellent story. There is mystery and suspense throughout and you really wonder how the author is going to connect all the plot lines together. The different twists mean that you’re never sure what to expect. However, it feels like the author added too many additional little facts that don’t really have anything to do with the story and that makes it all a little complicated. Most of these facts are hard to understand and I found myself just skimming the paragraphs that contained them. I really liked the themes that were explored in this book, especially the parts about the charity foundation trying to change the world, but maybe taking it a little too far.

Characters:

I liked the characters in this book, but it’s a little hard to know who to root for in this story since anyone could be revealed as being a villain. I didn’t fall in love with Andrea or Belknap, but I did root for them and worried when they were in danger. My favourite character is probably Belknap’s friend ‘Reinhart’, but I would’ve liked a little more insight into his character.

Who should read this:

13+, mainly for language as well as pretty graphic descriptions of violence. There is one sexual scene but it’s not graphic at all, merely implied. The story might also be a little complicated for younger readers and like I said, there are many parts that are not necessarily essential to the story that might also be a little hard to understand. If you like a story with some interesting twists and action this might be one you will enjoy.

My rating:

I really liked this story, although some parts bored me. I think it’s a good book, pretty well written, but there’s just too much unnecessary information. However, the ending is totally worth it. 4/5

Quote:

‘There are some acts that are simply heinous in themselves.’

The Priest's Graveyard

Ted Dekker

Summary:

Two abandoned souls are on the hunt for one powerful man.

Danny Hansen is a Bosnian immigrant who came to America with hopes of escaping haunted memories of a tragic war that took his mother’s life. Now he’s a priest. Yet that does not stop him from acting as an avenging angel on those who stay within the criminal law but live outside the laws of love and compassion.

Renee Gilmore is the frail and helpless victim of one such powerful man. Having escaped his clutches, she now lives only to satisfy justice by destroying him, regardless of whom she must become in that pursuit.

Danny and Renee: Soon their paths will cross and lead to one twisted fate.

Plot:

Woah...this story will take everything you believe in, make you question it and then make you question the fact that you questioned it. An incredible story, although at times almost too dark and brutal to take, it’s thrilling and horrifying and mind-altering. The strange perspective of a killer for a hero, and the incredible twists throughout makes this a completely unique and very unsettling story.

Characters:

The characters in this book is way too complex to explain. I didn’t always understand their motivations, or their reasoning, but I still connected to them. I wouldn’t call them relatable exactly and yet I really started rooting for the main characters, even though they were doing truly awful things. The main male character is a serial killer, and it’s fascinating to see his reasoning and justifying of the truly horrible things he does. The female main character is a little less impressive in my eyes, but still a very interesting character.

Who should read this:

16+, the violence is truly disturbing, and so is the overall feel of the book. I would definitely recommend caution with this book. If you enjoy thrillers and want something different I don’t think I could think of a better choice for you...except maybe another one of Dekker’s books. This is the darkest book I’ve read by him, but I think it’s my second favourite, after Thr3e, it's definitely one I'll remember. Brad Meltzer said-'The Priest's Graveyard will haunt you-long after you want it to', and I agree.

My rating:

This book scared the living daylights out of me. Not just because of the violence etc, but because of the way it made me think. It’s an incredibly well-written book that is completely original and unlike anything I’ve read before. In the end I loved it, but the violence was a bit extreme. 4/5

Quote:

I had done some right to fix the wrong, hadn’t I?

Skin

Ted Dekker

Summary:

A freak storm has spawned three tornados that are bearing down on the town of Summerville.

Yet under the cover of the storm looms a much more ominous threat: a vindictive killer known as Red who’s left a string of victims in his wake and is now bent on exacting his final revenge on the unsuspecting town.

But there is an enigma surrounding Red that the FBI is unwilling to admit – closely guarded secrets of something gone terribly wrong beneath the skin of Summerville. Secrets that will destroy far more than one small town.

Caught in the middle is Wendy Davidson, a recovering cult survivor who takes refuge in Summerville on her way to visit her estranged mother. And with her, four strangers, any one of whom could be the next victim...

...or the killer.

Plot:

After reading two of Dekker’s other novels I know to expect the unexpected from him, yet he manages to surprise, shock and thrill me every time. This novel pulls you in on the first page and keeps you on the edge of your seat, guessing every possible and impossible outcome to this story, until you close the book, and even then it doesn’t completely let you go. Thrilling is the best word to describe this novel, some parts are horrifying, and you never know what’s going to happen next.

Characters:

The characters are the reason I prefer Dekker’s book over Frank Peretti’s, he builds his stories around his characters. You get a look into a crazy killer’s brain, and it’s both incredibly scary and strangely fascinating at the same time. All the characters in this book are slightly crazy, which seems to be a pattern for Dekker’s books. You start rooting for some of them, and some of them are not likable at all, but all of them have faults and positive points, even though it may be hard to spot.

Who should read this:

16+, this is definitely not one for anybody who is sensitive to graphic descriptions of murders, some of which are incredibly cruel and disturbing. Also, this is not a happy, nice or in any way light-hearted story, so if that’s what you’re looking for skip this one. If you enjoy thrillers that will keep you guessing, even after you finished reading, or something that’ll make you think I would definitely recommend this one.

My rating:

It’s really hard to say I loved this book, because it’s such a disturbing story, but I did. It’s just a great book, well-written and thought-provoking, even if it is horrifying at times. Although I prefer Dekker’s more famous book ‘Thr3e’, this one is definitely worth a read as well. 5/5

Quote:

“What we see may deceive us - the skin may be deceptive - but there has to be one truth, right? It can't all just be a jumble of perceptions. So what really exists out there, beyond what we can see? We're so dependent on the surfaces of what we see. But if we could see past the skin of this world...”

Pretty Little Liars

Sara Shepard

Pretty Little Liars #1

Summary: 

Three years ago, Alison disappeared after a slumber party, not to be seen since. Her friends at the elite Pennsylvania school mourned her, but they also breathed secret sighs of relief. Each of them guarded a secret that only Alison had known. Now they have other dirty little secrets, secrets that could sink them in their gossip-hungry world. When each of them begins receiving anonymous emails and text messages, panic sets in. Are they being betrayed by some one in their circle? Worse yet: Is Alison back? A strong launch for a suspenseful series.

Plot:

I found this story a little hard to follow, the writer uses very long sentences which make it a little hard to read as well. It’s a pretty good story that kept me guessing, but sometimes I didn’t know exactly what was going on. There’s a lot of characters and it takes a while for you to realise who is who. The ending is pretty well handled, ending with a cliff-hanger that will make you want to read the rest of the series.

Characters:

I didn’t hate any of the characters, but I didn’t particularly like them either. Most of them are your typical teenage girls, with their typical problems. You have the weight-obsessed one, the good-girl-gone-bad etc. They were pretty clichéd, but luckily the story saved this from being just another teens-with-problems book.

Who should read this?

13+, as there are many references to mature content. Definitely written with teenage girls in mind, this might be an interesting break from your normal teen girl romance stories. If you want something different, but still relatable, I might suggest this one.

My rating:

I didn’t particularly like this book. Yes the story kept me interested, but I didn’t feel connected to the characters or their problems, and the story wasn’t written well enough to have my full attention. I found it a little hard to read and follow. 2/5

Quote:
"Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead”

Ps. Sorry for taking so long to upload this, I've had it written for a while now, but kept forgetting to put it up...

The Bride Collector

Ted Dekker

Summary:

FBI Special agent Brad Raines is facing his toughest case yet. A Denver serial killer has killed four beautiful young women, leaving a bridal veil at each crime scene, and he's picking up his pace. Unable to crack the case, Raines appeals for help from a most unusual source: residents of the Center for Wellness and Intelligence, a private psychiatric institution for mentally ill individuals who are extraordinarily gifted.

Plot:

Horrifyingly brilliant, sickeningly ingenious and terribly excellent, this book reels you in and ties you up so tightly you won’t be able to get away. The story had me scared and amazed and thrilled all the way through. The writing is incredible, I’m pretty sure Ted Dekker is a slightly insane genius, just like most of his characters…The symbolism and deeper meanings you could get out of this book are so many I’m not even going to try to explain them. This is an incredible, but horrific story.

Characters:

This book’s characters will have you questioning your own sanity, beliefs and ideas. The scary part is that while many of them are clinically insane you can still sort of relate to them. They are excellently portrayed and you find yourself appalled and enthralled by them.

Who should read this?

16+, this book scared me, and that doesn’t happen very often. The violence and sheer insanity of the ‘bad guy’ is so cruel and sick that I would definitely recommend caution, but aside from that there’s very little mature content. This is an excellent psychological thriller that will have your mind reeling, but it’s not an easy read. If you prefer something relaxing and simple, this is the wrong book for you. However, I will recommend this to anyone who are interested in psychology, or who likes books that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout.

My rating:

This is not my usual type of book, I found myself hating it and loving it at the same time, which was really confusing. The horrifying, terrible and cruel actions of the ‘bad guy’ terrified me, but this book is sheer genius. So I have no idea what to rate this right now…I’m giving it…a 4/5, the ending did it for me…

Quote:
“Everyone is a lonely victim of life's complexity.”

Thr3e

Ted Dekker

Summary:
Enter a world where nothing is what it seems. Where your closest friend could be your greatest enemy. Kevin Parson is driving his car late one summer day when, suddenly, his cell phone rings. A man who identifies himself as Slater speaks in a breathy voice: You have exactly three minutes to confess your sin to the world. Refuse, and the car you're driving will blow sky high.

Kevin panics. Who would make such a call? What sin? Kevin ditches the car. Precisely three minutes later, a massive explosion sets his world on a collision course with madness.

Plot:

This was an exceptionally good story that had my mind reeling. The author’s use of suspense throughout made this book impossible to put down. The pace was thrillingly fast, without one moment of nothing happening. Gripping! I could say a lot more, but I'm afraid of giving something away...So, read it!

Characters:

This book emphasized a belief I’ve had for a while, that no person on this planet is completely and utterly evil. The characters in this book are incredibly ‘fascinating’ (read the book to understand the quotation marks). You find yourself rooting for them and fearing for their lives, feeling sorry for some and loathing others.

Who should read this?

13+, only because this is a thriller. Some violence and strange behavior is the only mature content. This is not an easily understood story, so if you want something simple and straightforward, this isn’t the one for you. However if you’re looking for something that will stimulate your mind and make you see the world and people differently you should definitely read this one. If you like books that will hook you from page one and keep you on the edge of the seat this is perfect for you. I’ll recommend this to anyone interested in psychology and who likes thrillers.

My rating:

As you can see from my review (sorry about the raving, I just can’t find anything bad about this book) I loved this book! One of my new favorites and I will definitely be reading more of Dekker’s stories as soon as possible! 5/5

Quote:
“Though being freed from sin, most remain slaves, blinded and gagged by their own deception.”

A Pocket Full of Rye

Agatha Christie

Miss Marple #7

Summary:
King Rex was in his counting house, counting out his money. The Queen was in the parlour…

But where and why the blackbirds?

There are baffling similarities between the rhyme and the action and it takes all Miss Marple’s ingenuity to find them…

Plot:

Another epic ‘who dunnit’ murder by the queen of crime herself. Those of you who are familiar with Christie’s stories knows that she is a master at surprise endings, and pulling all the little random facts, scattered throughout the story, together. This book was no different. And I honestly can’t say too much, because I don’t want to give anything away, but I loved how the murders connected in a seemingly random way through a nursery rhyme…I mean…how do you come up with something like that?

Characters:

The characters are pretty much the same in all Christie’s writing, but the story is usually so fascinating you don’t even notice them that much, except as could be murderers. Mrs. Marple, the  ‘detective’ in this story is an old grandmotherly type lady and a wonderful character. She has a way of finding out things through the most roundabout ways, and it never seems strange that an elderly woman would be able to solve a crime, because it’s always through cool use of intellect, of which she has a lot. She uses that gift some women had of sticking their noses into other people’s business and puts it to good use. I find her fascinating.

Who should read this?

10+, while this is a crime book, and contains murder, the descriptions aren’t gruesome or even very detailed, so I feel the violence in this book is quite mild for one of its genre. There aren’t any other mature content, maybe some references to a woman being unfaithful to her husband. The style in which this book is written is not complex, or confusing, even if the story can be, but some of it may be hard to understand for younger readers. I think fans of Sherlock Holmes should enjoy this and, of course, any fans of Christie’s, because we all know she’s brilliant.

My rating:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I don’t have anything bad to say about it. So 4/5, although I probably would’ve given it a higher rating if I wasn’t familiar with Christie’s work, since I know now to expect the unexpected, so the ending is still very surprising, but I know it’s going to be. If that makes any sense…

Quote:
“Nobody believes in magicians any more, nobody believes that anyone can come along and wave a wand and turn you into a frog. But if you read in the paper that by injecting certain glands scientists can alter your vital tissues and you'll develop froglike characteristics, well, everybody would believe that."

Honour Among Thieves

Jeffrey Archer

Summary:

Who would pay a billion dollars to humiliate America?

The time, 1993. The place, Washington DC. Of the adversaries in the Gulf War, the sole survivor is Saddam Hussein. And Saddam is planning a revenge so diabolical that the United States will be left with no choice but to retaliate.

Plot:

As anyone who’s read an Archer novel knows, he is a master storyteller. This book started off a little slow, but picked up the pace quite early in the story. And what a story! It will terrify and amaze you. I loved the action and the suspense in this book. Also, Archer almost always adds a twist to his endings so expect the unexpected! The story of this book was fascinating and thrilling.

Characters:

Archer rarely writes a story about characters, but rather uses characters to make the story work. His plot always comes first. This book contains a lot of characters, each important to the story as a whole. Although they aren’t the main focus Archer manages to make them human and unique, earn our sympathy, dislike and even hate. The fact that some of these people were/are real makes it all the more interesting. It gives a sense of authenticity to the story.

Who should read this?

13+, not because of the content, although there are some mature content and violence, but younger readers will probably find this book boring and hard to understand, since it is quite complex. Also, if you prefer simple, light reading this is not the book for you. Any fans of Archer’s should definitely read this, as well as fans of John Grisham and Robert Ludlum.

My rating:

This was a very good book with an excellent ending, but a little confusing here and there. I’ll give it a 4/5.