Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton

The Grade: B+

Quick Take: A young London police officer works with a task force to catch a Jack-the-Ripper copycat killer—and hide her past from the team.

Makes Me Want To: Turn on all the lights while reading it

My Thoughts: Every few years there is a book or movie that truly scares me. When I was studying abroad in England, it was the John Cusack movie Identity. Oh. My. God. It’s a good yarn, as my mother would say, and it was frightening. Walking back to our college, my friends and I linked arms and loudly reassured ourselves that everything was fine. We took a very wide turn around the corner we had to navigate, and upon reaching my dorm, I wouldn’t enter rooms without first turning on all the lights and opening the door completely so that there couldn’t be anyone hiding behind it. I walked at an angle so that my back was to the wall. It’s intense.

Now You See Me had a similar effect. I stopped reading in the middle of a chapter (something I dislike) because I knew it was not good bedtime reading and I needed to stop. I still turned on all the lights in my house. I finished it the next day, during daylight hours.

Lacey Flint is a young police detective in London. One night after interviewing a witness, a woman literally dies in Lacey’s arms. Because of this intimate connection to the case, Lacey’s is brought in to the task-force formed to solve the murder, which is quickly recognized as a Jack-the-Ripper copycat killing. As a child, Lacey had a fascination with Jack the Ripper, so she’s a bit of a Ripper-ologist. This knowledge also earns her a place on the task force, but, as the dust jacket reads, “the details of the case start reminding her more and more of a part of her past she’d rather keep hidden.”

It’s difficult to say more about the plot without revealing or hinting at something. Suffice it to say, this is a good plot. I think that’s why my mother liked it. She recommended the book but cautioned, “I cannot warn you enough about the violence.” If The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was too graphic for you, you’ll want to skip the passages when the killer is with the victims. Fortunately, these are presented as stand alone chapters, so it’s easy to skim.

However, this isn’t gratuitous, graphic violence. There is a purpose, and some very important themes and issues touched upon in this crime thriller. It haunted me for the rest of the day as I mulled over the revelations and resolutions.

Exercise caution with the violence, but if you like twisty crime thrillers, or a wicked scare, I highly recommend this novel. It’s perfect for the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril challenge.

Peril the Second complete! You can also see my review of The Lantern, the other book I read for the challenge.

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The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson

The Grade: C+

Quick Take: Rebecca in southern France coupled with the story of the sisters who previously lived in the house

Makes Me Want To: Re-read Rebecca and find a better gothic read

My Thoughts: I really wanted to like this book. The Unabridged Chick raved about it, it was on the Indie Next List for September and sounded like a delicious gothic mystery, so I chose it for the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril challenge. Perhaps my expectations were too high but I was disappointed. Lawrenson does a great job setting the mood, building the suspense and generally setting up the reader for a modern gothic tale. But this mood isn’t sustained.

The modern reveal is close enough to Rebecca, that I expected something like it. I figured out what was happening in the past at the same time I’m sure every other read did. Consequently the last five or 6 chapters of that plot were confirmation and not that interesting. I also really wanted to slap the narrator for being so dense and passive. Clearly I should just finish the Millennium Trilogy already, since I seem to have little patience with literary characters who react to male mistreatment of women with anything less than Lisbeth Salander-style rage and revenge. This is the primary reason I gave up on Jerusalem Maiden as soon as my plane landed and I could buy a new book. I bought The Lantern so all and all, that was not a successful reading excursion.

My book club is discussing The Lantern in November; perhaps I’ll have a greater appreciation for it after our meeting. On the plus side, Peril the Third complete!

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