You know I love a good mystery. I enjoy trying to decipher the clues and following a sleuth to the conclusion but recently I’ve read two books, which although had a good mystery aspect to them, were definitely more focused on the psychological aspect.
“The suspense created by psychological thrillers often comes from two or more characters preying upon one another’s minds, either by playing deceptive games with the other or by merely trying to demolish the other’s mental state.” From Wikipedia.
If this sounds like the sort of reading you might want to check out then I highly recommend Into the Woods by Tana French and Trick of the Eye by Jane Stanton Hitchcock.
First, Into the Woods. This was a review copy and one I was very excited about. I’d first heard about this book through the Barnes & Noble Discover New Writers newsletter and then of course it was on my radar for a while as the book has received a lot of praise and even won an Edgar award for best first novel. The praise is well deserved. This intense novel tells the story of three childhood friends who go into the woods to play one day and only one returns home. The event has haunted Detective Rob Ryan for the past 20 years and now with a new crime in the same woods he has the chance to solve both crimes and finally put this behind him. You see, he was the one who made it back from the woods.
This story is gripping and one where you really get into the minds of the characters. You see them making mistakes or taking actions but you know the reasons why and understand. It’s not a typical mystery so readers wanting neat resolutions may not enjoy this one but give it a try. I think this is one of the best mysteries I’ve read this year. You can read more of my review here. There are also plenty of reviews on the book selling websites but I warn you a lot of those give away the ending which I think is because so many people didn’t like it. I admit at first I wasn’t sure but honestly I think it ended in just the right way. I wouldn’t have changed it.
Now I can’t wait to read The Likeness which is a follow-up to Into the Woods.
The other book I enjoyed was Trick of the Eye (click on title for my review) by Jane Stanton Hitchcock. Also an Edgar nominee several years ago. This is one of those books that I was eager to read but as sometimes happens, it ended up lounging on my shelves for quite a while. We all know how that goes right? Anyway, I was in the mood for a thriller and this fit the bill nicely. Duplicitous characters abound and an ending with a twist. Plus, I do get a kick out of reading about art and/or artists.
In The Woods sounds very good! I’ll definitely move this book towards the top of my TBR list, Iliana. And I’m thrilled to hear about the sequel too! π
Trick of the Eye sounds equally exciting so I’ll have to check that out.
Your review makes me want to run out and read Trick of the Eye right away!!
I’ve already looked up In The Woods at our local library and there are 12 holds on it! I went ahead and placed a hold, who knows it may be next year before I read it, but this sounds like a book I would totally enjoy. I did finish The Watchman by Robert Crais and I highly recommend it to those that like fast pace, gritty detective type mysteries. I’m just starting James Benn’s The First Wave, which is a Billy Boyle World War II mystery, that should be interesting. Have you made progress on it?
I love psychological thrillers! I never heard of Trick of the Eye – it’s now on my check-it-out list. Thanks for the high recommendations!
I like the sound of Trick of the Eye!
I keep picking up Into the Woods at the bookstore and putting it back, thinking it’s proabably just another thriller. I think I’m going to have to give it a try. Great review.
I’ve been seeing In the Woods around, but I didn’t quite know what it was about. I’m going to have to check it out. I read the Hitchcock book a while ago and while I don’t remember details, I do remember I enjoyed it. I also love these sorts of thrillers!
I am putting In the Woods on my TBR pile also. Thanks for the great review. I will also be looking for Trick of the Eye. I just printed a new list of what I have out from the library, 14 books. Thank goodness for a long weekend.
I’m getting ready for vacation and I”ve been looking for something good to read. Your review of In the Woods caught my eye — so I’ll definitely have to check that one out! Thanks!
Melody – Yay, glad you are moving it up in the stacks! I do want to read the sequel but at the same time I sort of want to wait a bit. You know how that is, because if it’s great then you have to wait such a long time for another one π
Eva – It’s a good one so I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Shadan – Really? If I don’t forget I’ll try to bring you my copy. I really want to read the Crais book. I could use something fast-paced now. Oh and I haven’t started the Billy Boyle book yet. You know me, wait until the last minute. ha.ha.
Joy – I do like good ones too. As much as I love solving mysteries sometimes these are just so much more interesting because you get to know the characters more in-depth!
jenclair – Her writing reminds me of someone but I can’t quite put my finger on it. I would say maybe a bit like Carol Goodman who also writes some great psychological mysteries.
Tara – Thank you. I hope you do pick it up. And, it’s definitely not a typical mystery book. I mean, I love all kinds of mysteries but it’s nice to try something a bit different.
Danielle – You’ll have to keep us posted if you get to it. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. Have you read anything else by Hitchcock? I need to find that other book of hers that I have!
Jennifer – Thank you! I hope you’ll get to do a lot of reading this weekend. 14 books sounds like enough to keep you busy π
Jenna – Hope you’ll enjoy your vacation and some good reads!
Both sound terrific. Thanks for the reviews!
These both sound great, especially Into the Woods. That’s a new title for me.
I like mysteries, especially those that are really complex. I never try to figure them out – in fact, I’m disappointed if I do!
Nancy, aka Bookfool – You are welcome! If you check ’em out let us know what you thought ok π
ravenous reader – Sometimes I enjoy guessing and trying to figure out whodunit but with these types of books the mystery is almost secondary. You want to know the characters and their reasons. So, with these I don’t even bother trying to solve the mystery myself π
I loved ‘In The Woods’, I think it was my favourite thriller read of last year. I can’t wait to see what she will produce next. For a first novel it’s stupendous.
As soon as I read your review, I got out my list of books to get and added it right on. As a psychologist, I love a good psychological thriller.
These both sound really good. I have In The Woods on my shelf waiting to be read as well as Likeness by the same author.
The journal arrived this past week, Iliana and it is so beautiful! I love it. It’s a perfect size too for my reading notes–it’ll fit right in my bag along with the book I am reading without any trouble. Thank you!
Ann (Table Talk) – I thought it was a great debut novel as well. I already have her sequel but I almost want to savor having it before diving in!
Nicole – Ooh, that’s great! I’d love to hear your thoughts on the books so please keep us posted if you get to them!
Literary Feline – I hope you’ll enjoy the book. I really loved it. And, am so glad you liked your little journal – yay! π