Relentless
You would never know it’s the beginning of summer by looking at this week’s New York Times best-seller list – with witches, weretigers, and tech-savvy killers, it feels more like Halloween. But clearly these are the books that keep people turning pages late into the night or distract them from re-applying sunscreen as they cook on their beach towels. In fact, reading any of the following books almost guarantees loss of sleep or a red back, so take a look at the following reviews before deciding which are worth the sacrifice.
RELENTLESS by Dean Koontz (#1 Hardcover)
In Relentless, an author who can’t ignore a scathing review finds himself stalked by the sociopath critic, who he soon realizes has killed more than just careers. The novel boasts the combination of action, humor, and sheer terror that Koontz is known for, but some reviewers find fault with the killer’s shoddy motivation and inconsistencies in the plot and tone.
- “An exquisite crafting of the thrilling, the unexplainable, and the personal.” – Julie Kane, Library Journal
- “The over-the-top villain’s underdeveloped motivation and a jokey narrative tone that jars when juxtaposed with terrifying scenes of violence will leave [readers] scratching their heads..” – Publishers Weekly
THE PHYSICK BOOK OF DELIVERANCE DANE by Katherine Howe (#2 Hardcover)
In this debut from historian Katherine Howe, a Harvard graduate student’s research into the Salem witch trials causes her to re-consider her view on witchcraft as mysterious, seemingly magical things happen to her. Critics are praising Howe for telling an enticing story while also teaching readers about the Salem witch trials and asserting the strength of women, both in the 17th century and now.
- “Historian Howe’s spellbinding, vividly detailed, witty, and astutely plotted debut is [...] propelled by an illuminating view of witchcraft.” – Booklist (starred review)
- “Katherine Howe has filled us in on much more than we used to know about that group of unfortunate women who paid the price of their lives due to a town’s irrational fears.” – Carolyn See, The Washington Post
THE SCARECROW by Michael Connelly
If you’re looking for brutal murders and demented killers, this is your book. The Scarecrow follows reporter Jack McEvoy as he tracks a killer who selects victims through the internet. The killer’s technical knowledge allows him to detect Jack McEvoy’s search and stay one step ahead. Told by both the villain and McEvoy, the book succeeds in building incredible suspense, though some say that the ending is too sequel-friendly and inconclusive to be satisfying.
- “Connelly builds tension expertly, using dramatic irony to its fullest, screw-tightening potential.” – Booklist (starred review)
- “Mr. Connelly allows the long-range demands of his career to diminish this particular book’s ending.” – Janet Maslin, New York Times
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