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Chasing the Dead by Tim Weaver – Book Review

01/05/202501/02/2021 by dr. gunga

Chasing the Dead by Tim Weaver - Book Cover

You might already be drooling in anticipation because Chasing the Dead by Tim Weaver seems like one of those dark and brooding crime thrillers that Dennis Lehane typically delivers. And to be fair, the book does start off on the right foot: you immediately empathize with David Raker after his great tragedy, and maybe you even grow to like this meek, good-hearted soul. The investigation is solid enough too, barring a few hiccups in the dialogue, like:

“Yes?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Are you sure it’s really real?”

Why is everyone acting so weird here?!

Furthermore, Tim Weaver introduces such a twisted antagonist that you might just crap your pants! You’re so freaked out that you barely notice how bizarre most of the characters in Chasing the Dead are. For instance, they casually rat out their well-paying clients for a measly 200 quid or, for no apparent reason, suddenly off themselves!

The Fifth to Die by J.D. Barker – Book Review

01/02/202512/12/2020 by dr. gunga

The Fifth to Die (4MK Thriller #2) by J.D. Barker book review

If you were a serial killer, you definitely wouldn’t complicate your life with as many twists and turns as Ansom Bishop, the mysterious villain in The Fifth to Die. You wouldn’t plan such a tight timeline, nor would you keep your schemes so tightly packed with cursed details… Only to end up constantly checking your watch to make sure you’re not falling behind on your own plot.

And all this while, of course, you’re still a fugitive from the previous book’s crimes. I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t be keeping a diary, only for half the police force and the FBI (who you kindly send it to) to feast on it and gather USEFUL intel to use against you. But, then again, a seasoned serial killer probably knows best…

The Fifth to Die: Overwritten and Overcomplicated

In short, Barker’s book is overloaded with too many complications, too much contrived plotting, and unbelievable precise twists that are calculated down to the last centimeter, thanks to which Bishop, somehow, always stays several steps ahead of his pursuers.

Locke & Key Master Edition 1. by Joe Hill · Gabriel Rodriguez – Comic Book Review

01/02/202512/09/2020 by dr. gunga

Locke & Key Master Edition 1. (Locke & Key 1-2.) by Joe Hill · Gabriel Rodriguez

The Lockes and Keys: A Dangerous Combination

After the tragic death of her husband, Nina Locke moves back to her late spouse’s childhood home, Keyhouse, in Lovecraft, Massachusetts, along with her three children. However, as it turns out, the protagonists of Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez’s Locke & Key couldn’t have chosen a worse place to start over. (And let’s be honest, even the town’s name isn’t exactly promising.)

Keyhouse is an incredibly dangerous place. The members of the Locke family share a supernatural connection with the house, which harbors countless secrets. Scattered around the house—or carefully hidden—are various keys that unlock doors leading to unexpected destinations. Some open physical spaces (think something mundane, like our dear Aunt Maggie’s pantry), while others provide access to far more extraordinary places—like inside someone’s BRAIN. There’s even a key that separates your soul from your body.

But with these keys, the Locke kids could also accidentally summon creatures straight from hell if they’re not careful.

So, yeah, best to handle these keys with care!