As an avid reader, I would like to share my own personal thoughts of what were the best books for me to read this year. If they did not come out in 2008, then that is okay, too. These books were the best reads that I have come across this year including some thrillers, which I absolutely love to read. They keep me on edge, they are gritty and the main character is almost always someone you can sympathize with.
Hide, written by Lisa Gardner, is a suspense novel focused around a main character, Annabelle Granger, who has moved and ran away all her life. Due to her paranoid parental guidance, her life is shoved in five suitcases every so often. The explanation of what her family is running from is never explained fully, but once Annabelle is an adult, she is fully happy to be free of her old skeletons and destined to get on with her life. The author makes a note of her extensive research with the places she mentions in the book such as a mental state hospital, the police procedures and of course, weapons that are used. I recommend this book to those that are looking for a fast-paced story that blends a cold case crime, a chase and a little romance with the complexities of all the characters. These individuals portray the problems of everyday people who are sometimes faced with a tragedy. The author has proven that even with an old tragedy, there can be triumph at the end.
Another suspense thriller that took me on a whirlwind of edge was Beautiful Lies written by Lisa Unger. The protagonist Ridley Jones is a woman who loves her life working and living in Manhattan and has somewhat of a decent life until an event happens that changes her life for good. Mysterious notes and packages appear on her doorstep that is leading Ridley to find out who she really is. Only thing is, Ridley is entwined with confusion and pulse as she escapes the dangers that lie ahead. A romantic suspense filled with action and twists, this novel will give readers the notion that they already know the answer. As the author will point out throughout her book, just one event can truly change one person’s life forever, leaving room for more answers. She follows up with a sequel entitled Sliver of Truth. Promise to read this in 2009.
I also am an avid fan of fiction packed with drama and trouble. In Another Woman’s Husband, the title alone lets one know that somebody has drama and is in some deep trouble. Written by Angel Mechelle, this novel takes place with the main character, Bree Michaels wanting to truly get her life in order, meaning drama free. However, she just can’t resist the advances she receives from her neighbor’s husband. Mixed with clarity to the truth of why some women settle for more than less, this novel will definitely have one shaking their head at Bree in disdain over the choices she makes. At times you would want to feel sorry for her, but then again, who could feel sorry for someone doing something so wrong? I recommend to all who are in the struggle of their own relationships and the decisions of dipping in someone else’s spoon if you can read between the lines! And something tells me that Bree will not remain drama free for too long!
Staying on the “dramatesque” level, I read Nikki Turner’s Black Widow. This author spun a tale of bad luck, betrayal, love and deceit all in one. I felt absolutely sorry for her main character Isis Tatum who at a young age, loses a parent due to some very vile unforeseen circumstances, makes the wrong choices in her men, and the only way out for her is to get rescued by a man who happens to be a notorious crime lord. Finally getting her life together after so many bad instances in her life occurs, she is pulled in another web of trickery as she is too busy trying to rescue a family member and seeks assistance from the wrong people. This novel left me with lingering thoughts since the main character viewed herself as a bad vibe to all that fell in love with her. I suspect a sequel to this novel and the theme of the story has revenge written all over it.
Last but not least, I came across a novel entitled, Every Reasonable Doubt written by Pamela Samuels Young. The main character, Vernetta Henderson is an employment attorney who is approached by the senior partner of her firm to assist with a high profile murder case. Itching to make partner and putting her own life on hold with her persistent husband who wants to start a family, she takes on the case. A socialite is on trial for the murder of her extremely rich husband and Vernetta, along with her comrades, try their best to find out who did what. When another murder is committed that involves one of her associates, Vernetta begins to feel overwhelmed. Trying to make wind of the case without making any mistakes and holding onto dear life of her own newly entangled life, Vernetta is thrown into conflict from the very beginning. This legal thriller was very significant and detailed that I felt like I was right there working as a private investigator. The twists were surprising and I enjoyed every minute of it and the fact that the author portrayed Vernetta as being very persistent was true to me as a real trait.
If you have a chance to pick up any of these novels, I say to hurry and do so. I read all genres, well I try to, but thrillers and urban fiction are my absolute favorite so far. Happy Reading!
