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Disturbed
A captivating psychological thriller from #1 USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Jaynes.
On Halloween night five years ago, Chelsea Dutton’s college roommates were viciously stabbed to death, and Chelsea was critically injured. She was found hiding in her apartment’s bathtub, barely clinging to life.
With only fragments of shattered memory, she’s been trying her best to move past the nightmares ever since. Now in Boston, she lives a somewhat reclusive life, working from home as a medical transcriptionist and bingeing on mindless television shows.
She can’t shake the fear that her attacker is out there, waiting to finish what he started, and Elizabeth, a nurse she met after the murders, is the only person she can trust.
When someone from her past reemerges, Chelsea starts receiving disturbing messages and worries that her every move is being watched. As the messages mount and her memories begin to return, she’s led to a very terrifying and lonely place. But she needn’t be afraid. She won’t be alone there for long.
On Halloween night five years ago, Chelsea Dutton’s college roommates were viciously stabbed to death, and Chelsea was critically injured. She was found hiding in her apartment’s bathtub, barely clinging to life.
With only fragments of shattered memory, she’s been trying her best to move past the nightmares ever since. Now in Boston, she lives a somewhat reclusive life, working from home as a medical transcriptionist and bingeing on mindless television shows.
She can’t shake the fear that her attacker is out there, waiting to finish what he started, and Elizabeth, a nurse she met after the murders, is the only person she can trust.
When someone from her past reemerges, Chelsea starts receiving disturbing messages and worries that her every move is being watched. As the messages mount and her memories begin to return, she’s led to a very terrifying and lonely place. But she needn’t be afraid. She won’t be alone there for long.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2017
About the author
Jennifer Jaynes
8 books1,086 followersJennifer Jaynes was an accomplished author having published 7 books and was both a USA Today Best Seller and Amazon #1 best seller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 808 reviews
September 20, 2017
Put this on your reading list! It's a quick and creepy read just begging to be read during the spookiest season. It takes place around Halloween and opens with brutal murders of college students that share an apartment. The beginning is a bit bloody, but I wouldn't describe this book as overly gory. I can imagine this being made into a horror/thriller movie. As I've come to expect from Jennifer Jaynes, she keeps you guessing until the end.
Almost five years after being the only survivor of the "Springfield Coed Killings" Chelsea is still recovering. She works from home and doesn't particularly like leaving the house. She makes decent money and hangs out with her best friend Elizabeth often, but that's about it. No love life, no excitement despite the fact she's still in her early twenties. She runs every morning, but she keeps herself armed and wary of everyone around her. The man who murdered her friends, the man that almost killed her... he vanished afterwards and was never brought in. Her deepest fear is that Ethan will come back to finish the job, and her anxiety always intensifies around this time of year... it's almost Halloween.
She's spent almost five years ashamed of her scars and trying not to be recognized. Her life is about to change. She goes to a farmer's market with Elizabeth and recognizes a familiar face. It's Boyd, who was friends with Ethan and left right before the murders. She doesn't understand exactly why she approaches him at first, but they both feel a connection. It's nice to be honest with a man. He seems nearly perfect... but is he?
It's not long before Chelsea gets a strange note... a few simple words that also appeared written on a bathroom mirror on that terrible night. Her worst fears are confirmed... it's not over. The words were never released to the public, so the idea of a sick prank is quickly dismissed.
Lang, a police officer that saved Chelsea that night, is notified about the new note. He retired after an accident left him with a lot of pain issues, but he still feels connected to Chelsea. He begins to talk to people again, searching for Ethan and wondering if his wealthy family has been helping him hide. Who else would know what was written on that mirror, and who would want to scare Chelsea, who has been through so very much?
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
Almost five years after being the only survivor of the "Springfield Coed Killings" Chelsea is still recovering. She works from home and doesn't particularly like leaving the house. She makes decent money and hangs out with her best friend Elizabeth often, but that's about it. No love life, no excitement despite the fact she's still in her early twenties. She runs every morning, but she keeps herself armed and wary of everyone around her. The man who murdered her friends, the man that almost killed her... he vanished afterwards and was never brought in. Her deepest fear is that Ethan will come back to finish the job, and her anxiety always intensifies around this time of year... it's almost Halloween.
She's spent almost five years ashamed of her scars and trying not to be recognized. Her life is about to change. She goes to a farmer's market with Elizabeth and recognizes a familiar face. It's Boyd, who was friends with Ethan and left right before the murders. She doesn't understand exactly why she approaches him at first, but they both feel a connection. It's nice to be honest with a man. He seems nearly perfect... but is he?
It's not long before Chelsea gets a strange note... a few simple words that also appeared written on a bathroom mirror on that terrible night. Her worst fears are confirmed... it's not over. The words were never released to the public, so the idea of a sick prank is quickly dismissed.
Lang, a police officer that saved Chelsea that night, is notified about the new note. He retired after an accident left him with a lot of pain issues, but he still feels connected to Chelsea. He begins to talk to people again, searching for Ethan and wondering if his wealthy family has been helping him hide. Who else would know what was written on that mirror, and who would want to scare Chelsea, who has been through so very much?
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
October 21, 2017
Wow... this book blew me away.
Disturbed is a an addicting psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your toes! Man, I will be honest I thought this book was going to leave me disappointed BUT wow... definitely a refreshing and unique twist to this thriller.
This is the ABSOLUTE perfect novel to read right now with Halloween being right around the corner ;).
On Halloween night five years ago, Chelsea Dutton and her roommates are celebrating their friend Amy's birthday. The night ends with two girls brutally stabbed and murdered to death and Chelsea is found in her bathtub with multiple stab wounds clinging on to her life.... A message is written in the bathroom next to Chelsea's body "YOU MADE ME'' (ugh... can we say creeeepppyyy)
Five years later as a sole survivor, Chelsea is trying to come to terms with her trauma and can't remember what truly happened on that awful Halloween night. Chelsea has been laying low in her current life and hangs out with her best friend Elizabeth whom she met after the murders...who has been her rock.
Well... Chelsea's life is about to change real quick... one day she is at the Farmer's Market and runs into a familiar face. It's Boyd... one of the friends she was celebrating with who escaped that night of the murders. Chelsea feels herself gravitating towards Boyd and starts a connection. But, is Boyd really who he says he is?
Chelsea receives a note that says those three awful words she so was longing to forget "You made me". It's not over..... who is still tormenting Chelsea? Is it Boyd? Or is something else more sinister at play here?
Jennifer Jaynes had me at hello with this novel. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. I did not see that twist coming! Definitely recommend this one... devoured this in a day!
4 creepy and addicting stars!
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for an advanced arc in exchange for an honest review. Published date is 11/7/17.
Disturbed is a an addicting psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your toes! Man, I will be honest I thought this book was going to leave me disappointed BUT wow... definitely a refreshing and unique twist to this thriller.
This is the ABSOLUTE perfect novel to read right now with Halloween being right around the corner ;).
On Halloween night five years ago, Chelsea Dutton and her roommates are celebrating their friend Amy's birthday. The night ends with two girls brutally stabbed and murdered to death and Chelsea is found in her bathtub with multiple stab wounds clinging on to her life.... A message is written in the bathroom next to Chelsea's body "YOU MADE ME'' (ugh... can we say creeeepppyyy)
Five years later as a sole survivor, Chelsea is trying to come to terms with her trauma and can't remember what truly happened on that awful Halloween night. Chelsea has been laying low in her current life and hangs out with her best friend Elizabeth whom she met after the murders...who has been her rock.
Well... Chelsea's life is about to change real quick... one day she is at the Farmer's Market and runs into a familiar face. It's Boyd... one of the friends she was celebrating with who escaped that night of the murders. Chelsea feels herself gravitating towards Boyd and starts a connection. But, is Boyd really who he says he is?
Chelsea receives a note that says those three awful words she so was longing to forget "You made me". It's not over..... who is still tormenting Chelsea? Is it Boyd? Or is something else more sinister at play here?
Jennifer Jaynes had me at hello with this novel. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. I did not see that twist coming! Definitely recommend this one... devoured this in a day!
4 creepy and addicting stars!
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for an advanced arc in exchange for an honest review. Published date is 11/7/17.
November 1, 2017
YOU MADE ME.
It begins on All Hallows' Eve....and what a horrific beginning it is!.
Chelsea Dutton survives a night of terror....a night of multiple murders, but fears the worst....the killer's return.
Left with scars and memory loss from her ordeal, Chelsea relies on her trusted friend Elizabeth to help manage her way forward in the aftermath, but nightmares and sightings of him persist....AND the creepy notes begin.
DISTURBED is a fast-paced psychological thriller-crime novel that kept me guessing and quickly turning the pages for more. My first Jennifer Jaynes read won't be my last.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
AVAILABLE SOON: November 7, 2017.
October 13, 2017
4 Stars
Five years ago, five friends decided to celebrate their friend’s birthday at the apartment, three girls and two boys. But at the end of the night the thing that police found was two girl’s bodies with multiple stab wounds, one of boys left the apartment sooner and the other one was disappeared into thin air! They found the third girl cowering in the corner of the tub with stab wounds, barely alive. And a message was written on the bathroom mirror:
YOU MADE ME
After these years, Chelsea still can’t remember who did this to them and who was the killer. She remembers the night of the attack but not the important parts. The police couldn’t get the killer. Now she receives some strange notes that indicated to that night and she thinks the killer’s coming for her to finish the job!
I really liked this one. It’s one of those psychological thrillers that you’ll enjoy it! It’s well-written and fast-paced. Told in multiple POV, 3rd person. It’s a stand-alone novel. It was truly enjoyable for me and hope you like it, too!
Thanks to Jennifer Jaynes, Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced digital copy in exchange an honest review.
Five years ago, five friends decided to celebrate their friend’s birthday at the apartment, three girls and two boys. But at the end of the night the thing that police found was two girl’s bodies with multiple stab wounds, one of boys left the apartment sooner and the other one was disappeared into thin air! They found the third girl cowering in the corner of the tub with stab wounds, barely alive. And a message was written on the bathroom mirror:
YOU MADE ME
After these years, Chelsea still can’t remember who did this to them and who was the killer. She remembers the night of the attack but not the important parts. The police couldn’t get the killer. Now she receives some strange notes that indicated to that night and she thinks the killer’s coming for her to finish the job!
I really liked this one. It’s one of those psychological thrillers that you’ll enjoy it! It’s well-written and fast-paced. Told in multiple POV, 3rd person. It’s a stand-alone novel. It was truly enjoyable for me and hope you like it, too!
Thanks to Jennifer Jaynes, Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced digital copy in exchange an honest review.
September 8, 2017
DISTURBED by bestselling author Jennifer Jaynes is a riveting standalone psychological thriller that is sure to please. I have read all of her books, I really loved the Stranger Series, but this book will not disappoint, a real page turner, full of suspense. Just when you think you have it figured out, a new twist, to blow it out of the water!
On Halloween night five years ago, Chelsea Dutton’s college roommates were viciously stabbed to death, and Chelsea was critically injured. She was found hiding in her apartment’s bathtub, barely clinging to life.
Detective Robert Lang, 5 years with the Homicide Department was called to the crime scene of an apartment building, after building tenants heard screams and called 911…the occupants were 3 young women who attended Springfield College.
“Lang rushed inside to find a young woman cowering in the corner of the tub. She was curled tightly in the fetal position, shivering. The room was freezing. The odor of blood and the sickly-sweet scent of vomit hung in the air…a message scrawled on the bathroom mirror in what appeared to be a red marker.”
“YOU MADE ME”
Chelsea was covered in blood and had suffered multiple stab wounds…but she was still alive. She had a long road ahead of her to recover. Her boyfriend, Ethan became the only suspect in the murders as his fingerprints were on the knife block, but he disappeared that night and hasn’t been seen since.
She had a nasty scar on her cheek that extended from the side of her nose to her left ear. Chelsea had been diagnosed with amnesia and lost memories, nightmares and flashes. Now 5 years later, she still lived in fear with the thought of the killer’s return. After the murders of her roommates, Chelsea left Springfield and moved to Boston, where she lives an isolated life working from home as a medical transcriptionist. Elizabeth, a nurse she met after the murders, is the only person she can trust.
But then Chelsea starts receiving disturbing messages and believes she is being watched!
Disturbed is a crime fiction novel, with intriguing characters, a fascinating plot kept me on edge and a twist at the end that I did not see coming.
I wish to thank Jennifer Jaynes for the ARC. Waiting patiently for your next novel!
*Available for Pre-order. This item will be released on November 7, 2017.
On Halloween night five years ago, Chelsea Dutton’s college roommates were viciously stabbed to death, and Chelsea was critically injured. She was found hiding in her apartment’s bathtub, barely clinging to life.
Detective Robert Lang, 5 years with the Homicide Department was called to the crime scene of an apartment building, after building tenants heard screams and called 911…the occupants were 3 young women who attended Springfield College.
“Lang rushed inside to find a young woman cowering in the corner of the tub. She was curled tightly in the fetal position, shivering. The room was freezing. The odor of blood and the sickly-sweet scent of vomit hung in the air…a message scrawled on the bathroom mirror in what appeared to be a red marker.”
“YOU MADE ME”
Chelsea was covered in blood and had suffered multiple stab wounds…but she was still alive. She had a long road ahead of her to recover. Her boyfriend, Ethan became the only suspect in the murders as his fingerprints were on the knife block, but he disappeared that night and hasn’t been seen since.
She had a nasty scar on her cheek that extended from the side of her nose to her left ear. Chelsea had been diagnosed with amnesia and lost memories, nightmares and flashes. Now 5 years later, she still lived in fear with the thought of the killer’s return. After the murders of her roommates, Chelsea left Springfield and moved to Boston, where she lives an isolated life working from home as a medical transcriptionist. Elizabeth, a nurse she met after the murders, is the only person she can trust.
But then Chelsea starts receiving disturbing messages and believes she is being watched!
Disturbed is a crime fiction novel, with intriguing characters, a fascinating plot kept me on edge and a twist at the end that I did not see coming.
I wish to thank Jennifer Jaynes for the ARC. Waiting patiently for your next novel!
*Available for Pre-order. This item will be released on November 7, 2017.
November 2, 2017
Five years ago on Halloween night Chelsea Dutton and her friends were celebrating a birthday in the group when things went horribly wrong. Chelsea is found barely clinging to life in the bathtub while a couple of her other friends nearby were brutally murdered along with an ominous message left that was never released to the public. The boyfriend of one of the girls, Ethan, was always a suspect but nothing could be proven and he'd disappeared without a trace leaving the case to go cold.
Now Chelsea is doing the best she can to go about her life as she struggles with anxiety even with no memory of what had really happened that night. She has her best friend Elizabeth that she met during her recovery that helps her cope and move on from that horrific night. When Chelsea runs into Boyd that had escaped that night by leaving the party early to go to work she finds it's nice to have someone who understands her pain. Shortly after meeting and beginning a relationship with Boyd however Chelsea finds a note with the same message left at the murder scene which let's the detective open the case back up again.
Disturbed is the second thriller I've read from Jennifer Jaynes and just as with the first book she had no problem wowing me with her story within the pages. This one is definitely one of those intense reads that you just don't want to put down until you know exactly what happened and who is to blame. There are plenty of twists and turns and for me an outcome that I just didn't see coming.
Chelsea is one of those characters that carries many emotional scars from her trauma but yet determined to move on with life. However as quickly as I began to feel for Chelsea I just as quickly began to suspect everyone around her and wonder just what would happen in this girl's life now. Never quite putting my finger on the outcome this would be one thriller I'd definitely recommend checking out.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Now Chelsea is doing the best she can to go about her life as she struggles with anxiety even with no memory of what had really happened that night. She has her best friend Elizabeth that she met during her recovery that helps her cope and move on from that horrific night. When Chelsea runs into Boyd that had escaped that night by leaving the party early to go to work she finds it's nice to have someone who understands her pain. Shortly after meeting and beginning a relationship with Boyd however Chelsea finds a note with the same message left at the murder scene which let's the detective open the case back up again.
Disturbed is the second thriller I've read from Jennifer Jaynes and just as with the first book she had no problem wowing me with her story within the pages. This one is definitely one of those intense reads that you just don't want to put down until you know exactly what happened and who is to blame. There are plenty of twists and turns and for me an outcome that I just didn't see coming.
Chelsea is one of those characters that carries many emotional scars from her trauma but yet determined to move on with life. However as quickly as I began to feel for Chelsea I just as quickly began to suspect everyone around her and wonder just what would happen in this girl's life now. Never quite putting my finger on the outcome this would be one thriller I'd definitely recommend checking out.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
November 29, 2017
What a captivating read!
I simply could not put this book down! The novel just flowed so well, I kept turning page after page after page. Disturbed is reminiscent of Fight Club or even Primal Fear, it simply leaves you guessing. You're so caught up in the story and desperately trying to understand what happened to Chelsea and her roomates on that Halloween night.
I loved the dynamic between Chelsea and Elizabeth. The story of two best friends, Elizabeth, being the older of the two, the protector and nurturer, while Chelsea is the milder, more timid and insecure. Elizabeth was always there for Chelsea, picking her up when she was down, helping her through her blackouts since that horrific Halloween night.
The secondary characters were just as troubled and well developed. Robert Lang, the detective who discovered Chelsea that Halloween night and saved her life became the cliche washed up retired detective. He'd suffered a terrible car accident that forced him to retire, and along with it, a part of him was left behind at the force. Then there's Boyd, the roommate of Ethan who got lucky and escaped the tragic night back in college when he had to leave the party early to attend work. Boyd had always secretly longed for Chelsea, and after years of pining for her, he finally decided it was time to intervene and make his presence known again. He swoops in and wins the heart of Chelsea, making her feel alive again. Only he's harboring some pretty dark secrets, and once Chelsea discovers those secrets she's crushed. The moment he spoke the words "There's nowhere else in the world I'd rather be?" I just knew there was something Boyd was hiding. So guess who has to clean up Chelsea's broken heart after Boyd has crushed it, you've guessed it, Elizabeth.
There's so many ways this story could have gone, I slowly started to put the pieces together. At about 60% into the book I was certain where it was headed, and I was correct. Though I must admit, briefly I started to change my mind. I thought maybe the story was headed in a different direction, but soon realized that's what Jennifer Jaynes wants the reader to think. Well played Jennifer, well played. Even though I had predicted where it was headed, I was not at all disappointed with how it played out. This is a great psychological thriller!
There's only one thing that keeps eating at me... what happened to Chelsea's scrapbook? In chapter 4 her scrapbook goes missing, but I don't recall reading what happened to it?
I want to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Jennifer Jaynes for allowing me the chance to read this novel in exchange for my review.
I simply could not put this book down! The novel just flowed so well, I kept turning page after page after page. Disturbed is reminiscent of Fight Club or even Primal Fear, it simply leaves you guessing. You're so caught up in the story and desperately trying to understand what happened to Chelsea and her roomates on that Halloween night.
I loved the dynamic between Chelsea and Elizabeth. The story of two best friends, Elizabeth, being the older of the two, the protector and nurturer, while Chelsea is the milder, more timid and insecure. Elizabeth was always there for Chelsea, picking her up when she was down, helping her through her blackouts since that horrific Halloween night.
The secondary characters were just as troubled and well developed. Robert Lang, the detective who discovered Chelsea that Halloween night and saved her life became the cliche washed up retired detective. He'd suffered a terrible car accident that forced him to retire, and along with it, a part of him was left behind at the force. Then there's Boyd, the roommate of Ethan who got lucky and escaped the tragic night back in college when he had to leave the party early to attend work. Boyd had always secretly longed for Chelsea, and after years of pining for her, he finally decided it was time to intervene and make his presence known again. He swoops in and wins the heart of Chelsea, making her feel alive again. Only he's harboring some pretty dark secrets, and once Chelsea discovers those secrets she's crushed. The moment he spoke the words "There's nowhere else in the world I'd rather be?" I just knew there was something Boyd was hiding. So guess who has to clean up Chelsea's broken heart after Boyd has crushed it, you've guessed it, Elizabeth.
There's so many ways this story could have gone, I slowly started to put the pieces together. At about 60% into the book I was certain where it was headed, and I was correct. Though I must admit, briefly I started to change my mind. I thought maybe the story was headed in a different direction, but soon realized that's what Jennifer Jaynes wants the reader to think. Well played Jennifer, well played. Even though I had predicted where it was headed, I was not at all disappointed with how it played out. This is a great psychological thriller!
There's only one thing that keeps eating at me... what happened to Chelsea's scrapbook? In chapter 4 her scrapbook goes missing, but I don't recall reading what happened to it?
I want to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Jennifer Jaynes for allowing me the chance to read this novel in exchange for my review.
October 21, 2017
Super quick read that certainly lives up to it's title and is just perfect for a Halloween thrill!
I had this read in a matter of hours, so I'm happy to say my second experience with this author was much better than my first! (The Stranger Inside and I didn't get along well)
This has it all: suspense, dark secrets and fear all centered around Chelsea, who was a victim in a brutal Halloween night murder years earlier where she lost her 2 roommates. Chelsea is damaged, making her an unreliable narrator throughout as she tries to fill in the missing pieces of her memory that have brought her to present day. Her only lifeline is her best friend Elizabeth, who is always there when her anxiety gets the best of her.
One chance meeting with someone from her past is where the plot really takes off, and at this point you just need to strap yourself in, because you won't want to put this book down until you have read the last page.
About 3/4 of the way in I did guess as to how things were going to play out, but I enjoyed finding out if I was right or not.
I'm happy I gave this author another go around-I will most definitely be looking into more of her work.
ARC provided by NetGalley
I had this read in a matter of hours, so I'm happy to say my second experience with this author was much better than my first! (The Stranger Inside and I didn't get along well)
This has it all: suspense, dark secrets and fear all centered around Chelsea, who was a victim in a brutal Halloween night murder years earlier where she lost her 2 roommates. Chelsea is damaged, making her an unreliable narrator throughout as she tries to fill in the missing pieces of her memory that have brought her to present day. Her only lifeline is her best friend Elizabeth, who is always there when her anxiety gets the best of her.
One chance meeting with someone from her past is where the plot really takes off, and at this point you just need to strap yourself in, because you won't want to put this book down until you have read the last page.
About 3/4 of the way in I did guess as to how things were going to play out, but I enjoyed finding out if I was right or not.
I'm happy I gave this author another go around-I will most definitely be looking into more of her work.
ARC provided by NetGalley
October 15, 2017
Just finished Disturbed and have totally loved it.
The book starts with a Halloween party and two friends, Christine and Amy are murdered.
The story takes up five years later and Chelsea is still suffering from that fateful night, doing her best to carry on with her life.
She struggles to function and everyday tasks are extremely difficult.
Lang, a detective who has history with Chelsea looks out for her and re-opens the case. Although retired, he decides to delve into what really happened that fateful night.
The book is very well written and extremely fast paced.
The characters are very believable, and it has some shocking twists which I genuinely didn’t see coming.
I have read some big hitters this year but this is by far my favourite thriller of the year.
Perfect for fans of scary psychological thrillers.
Loved it.
A very special thank you to the author, Jennifer Jaynes, for personally sending me a copy for a review.
The book starts with a Halloween party and two friends, Christine and Amy are murdered.
The story takes up five years later and Chelsea is still suffering from that fateful night, doing her best to carry on with her life.
She struggles to function and everyday tasks are extremely difficult.
Lang, a detective who has history with Chelsea looks out for her and re-opens the case. Although retired, he decides to delve into what really happened that fateful night.
The book is very well written and extremely fast paced.
The characters are very believable, and it has some shocking twists which I genuinely didn’t see coming.
I have read some big hitters this year but this is by far my favourite thriller of the year.
Perfect for fans of scary psychological thrillers.
Loved it.
A very special thank you to the author, Jennifer Jaynes, for personally sending me a copy for a review.
November 13, 2017
One year on Halloween, Chelsea's college roommates were brutally murdered and Chelsea was left clinging to life. After being taken to the hospital, she awakes with not much recollection of what happened that night, but is told that her boyfriend Ethan is being implicated in the murders, but has fled and hasn't been found. Now, almost five years later, Chelsea has relocated to Boston with her best friend Elizabeth, a nurse she met at the hospital after the attack, and is doing her best to move forward in her life.
After she reconnects with someone from her past, Chelsea starts receiving threatening notes, and constantly feels like someone is watching her. She thinks she sees Ethan at random places, and she grows more paranoid that she's in danger...
I absolutely loved this book! I'm a huge fan of books where a character is being stalked, or feels like they are being stalked, so Disturbed was right up my alley. I absolutely loved Chelsea as our protagonist, and most of the book was told from her point of view, though there were a few additional POVs, especially at the end of the book, but I think they worked really well in this book in lending to the creepy nature of the story.
The book starts off with a bang and ends with one too. I was immediately drawn into the story, and ended up finishing it in just one sitting! I got strong 'Final Girls' vibes, which was another book (written by Riley Sager) that I just adored, so that made me even more excited to see how this one would end and compare it to Final Girls. I had a lot of theories from really early on as to what happened that Halloween night, but I wasn't able to correctly piece everything together, which I loved. The ending took me by surprise until it was hitting me in the face, and I thought it was perfect!
The middle of the book seemed to take a different pace, and focused a little more on Chelsea's relationship and the issues that came with it, and for a little bit I thought it was odd that the book was taking that direction, however everything tied together in the end, and it all made sense, so if you read the book and start thinking it's losing its thrilling edge, just you wait!
All in all, this book was a quick read, and was gripping from beginning to end. This was the first book I've read by Jennifer Jaynes, and she's got a new fan in me! I can't wait to read more of her work! I'd definitely recommend this one for thriller fans who are looking for a quick creepy read. If you liked Final Girls, I think you'll especially like this one!
After she reconnects with someone from her past, Chelsea starts receiving threatening notes, and constantly feels like someone is watching her. She thinks she sees Ethan at random places, and she grows more paranoid that she's in danger...
I absolutely loved this book! I'm a huge fan of books where a character is being stalked, or feels like they are being stalked, so Disturbed was right up my alley. I absolutely loved Chelsea as our protagonist, and most of the book was told from her point of view, though there were a few additional POVs, especially at the end of the book, but I think they worked really well in this book in lending to the creepy nature of the story.
The book starts off with a bang and ends with one too. I was immediately drawn into the story, and ended up finishing it in just one sitting! I got strong 'Final Girls' vibes, which was another book (written by Riley Sager) that I just adored, so that made me even more excited to see how this one would end and compare it to Final Girls. I had a lot of theories from really early on as to what happened that Halloween night, but I wasn't able to correctly piece everything together, which I loved. The ending took me by surprise until it was hitting me in the face, and I thought it was perfect!
The middle of the book seemed to take a different pace, and focused a little more on Chelsea's relationship and the issues that came with it, and for a little bit I thought it was odd that the book was taking that direction, however everything tied together in the end, and it all made sense, so if you read the book and start thinking it's losing its thrilling edge, just you wait!
All in all, this book was a quick read, and was gripping from beginning to end. This was the first book I've read by Jennifer Jaynes, and she's got a new fan in me! I can't wait to read more of her work! I'd definitely recommend this one for thriller fans who are looking for a quick creepy read. If you liked Final Girls, I think you'll especially like this one!
August 7, 2018
Five years ago on Halloween night Chelsea and her friends were celebrating a birthday party when both her friends were killed and Chelsea was found brutally stabbed hanging on to her dear life.Now years later she still has no memories of that night and leads a secluded life.But then when she receives a scary note her worst fears come true as she knows she’s being hunted again
Disturbed is a fast paced psychological thriller that’s keeps you guessing till the end. Lots Of twists and turns with an unexpected ending. My first by Jennifer Jaynes but definitely won’t be my last.
I would like to thank Thomas & Mercer & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
Disturbed is a fast paced psychological thriller that’s keeps you guessing till the end. Lots Of twists and turns with an unexpected ending. My first by Jennifer Jaynes but definitely won’t be my last.
I would like to thank Thomas & Mercer & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
March 29, 2018
Disturbed
is a poorly written, cheesy story about yet another survivor of a massacre in which the main character conveniently can't remember a single detail of that fateful night.
Chelsea is your every day female; a weepy, cry baby with no backbone and needs a man in her life. Wah wah.
Minus the poor character development, the lack of decent writing (you don't have to be Shakespeare but you do have to string a readable sentence that doesn't sound like it came out of my third-grade primer), and the laugh out loud, insta-love romance that pops out of nowhere between Boyd (stupid name) and Chelsea, there's absolutely nothing I can say to recommend this poor excuse of a book.
I saw the twist coming a mile away.
I've read some variation of this twist in so many books, some of which were better written.
It's like discovering the killer and the detective are one and the same. Mock gasp!
Why, why, for the love of God, does a man always have to pop into a woman's life to give it meaning???
By the way, Halloween doesn't celebrate death. It originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
The author could have easily Googled the holiday to discover the origin.
Heck, she could also have watched The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episode instead of make stuff up.
Get your facts straight!
I'm gonna go read Sybil again.
Chelsea is your every day female; a weepy, cry baby with no backbone and needs a man in her life. Wah wah.
Minus the poor character development, the lack of decent writing (you don't have to be Shakespeare but you do have to string a readable sentence that doesn't sound like it came out of my third-grade primer), and the laugh out loud, insta-love romance that pops out of nowhere between Boyd (stupid name) and Chelsea, there's absolutely nothing I can say to recommend this poor excuse of a book.
I saw the twist coming a mile away.
I've read some variation of this twist in so many books, some of which were better written.
It's like discovering the killer and the detective are one and the same. Mock gasp!
Why, why, for the love of God, does a man always have to pop into a woman's life to give it meaning???
By the way, Halloween doesn't celebrate death. It originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
The author could have easily Googled the holiday to discover the origin.
Heck, she could also have watched The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episode instead of make stuff up.
Get your facts straight!
I'm gonna go read Sybil again.
October 29, 2017
Five years ago on Halloween night, Chelsea Dutton's college roommates were viciously stabbed to death, and Chelsea was critically injured. She was found hiding in her apartments bathtub. Now living in Boston, Chelsea lives a somewhat reclusive life. She works from home trying to shake the fear that her attacker is out there, waiting to finished off what he started. Elizabeth, a nurse she met after the attack, is the only person she can trust. After meeting someone from fee past, Chelsea starts getting disturbing messages and fears she's being watched.
Oh what a creepy read this is. It fits in very well for this time of year. I liked that the story was fast paced but it did not skip on any attention to detail while doing so. There's plenty of twists to keep your attention but the author saved the best twist till the end, and I certainly did not see that coming. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be looking out for more from her in the future.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author Jennifer Jaynes for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Oh what a creepy read this is. It fits in very well for this time of year. I liked that the story was fast paced but it did not skip on any attention to detail while doing so. There's plenty of twists to keep your attention but the author saved the best twist till the end, and I certainly did not see that coming. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be looking out for more from her in the future.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author Jennifer Jaynes for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2017
3.5 stars
'Tis the season of Halloween, putting me in the mood for reading something disturbing...
Disturbed by Jennifer Jaynes is a quick read that will hook you in from the very first paragraph.
It's a story that revolves around Chelsea, the sole survivor of a brutal stabbing in her apartment on Halloween night. Five years later, she bumps into Boyd, who had escaped the horrifying attack that night by leaving for work before it happened. Soon after she gets reacquainted with Boyd, Chelsea receives a note with the very same words displayed on the bathroom mirror on the fateful night of the stabbings..." You made me." No one knew of those words besides Chelsea, the police and of course the person who wrote them. The nightmare isn't over... Chelsea's fears that her former attacker is out to get her and is watching her every move is now a reality. Is it a coincidence that Boyd is back in her life when she received this message, or is something more disturbing at play here?
I sped through this one, in anticipation for what was to come. I can say for certain the twist was unexpected! I had the urge to want to go back and reread the book in order to pick up on what I'd misread the first time around. I do however have mixed feelings about the shocking twist, as, although it was surprising, it was unfortunately very clichéd as well, leaving me feeling somewhat deflated.
Another downside for me is the author decided to finish the story with an open-ended ending, which unfortunately I'm not a fan of. It does lend itself into a possible sequel, but I prefer having all the loose ends tied up in a neat, pretty bow, instead of being left hanging with unanswered questions.
All in all an entertaining read, getting me ready for the creepy Halloween season.
Many thanks to the author, Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this entertaining read in exchange for my honest opinion.
'Tis the season of Halloween, putting me in the mood for reading something disturbing...
Disturbed by Jennifer Jaynes is a quick read that will hook you in from the very first paragraph.
It's a story that revolves around Chelsea, the sole survivor of a brutal stabbing in her apartment on Halloween night. Five years later, she bumps into Boyd, who had escaped the horrifying attack that night by leaving for work before it happened. Soon after she gets reacquainted with Boyd, Chelsea receives a note with the very same words displayed on the bathroom mirror on the fateful night of the stabbings..." You made me." No one knew of those words besides Chelsea, the police and of course the person who wrote them. The nightmare isn't over... Chelsea's fears that her former attacker is out to get her and is watching her every move is now a reality. Is it a coincidence that Boyd is back in her life when she received this message, or is something more disturbing at play here?
I sped through this one, in anticipation for what was to come. I can say for certain the twist was unexpected! I had the urge to want to go back and reread the book in order to pick up on what I'd misread the first time around. I do however have mixed feelings about the shocking twist, as, although it was surprising, it was unfortunately very clichéd as well, leaving me feeling somewhat deflated.
Another downside for me is the author decided to finish the story with an open-ended ending, which unfortunately I'm not a fan of. It does lend itself into a possible sequel, but I prefer having all the loose ends tied up in a neat, pretty bow, instead of being left hanging with unanswered questions.
All in all an entertaining read, getting me ready for the creepy Halloween season.
Many thanks to the author, Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this entertaining read in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 18, 2017
I received this arc from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Looking for a new thrilling Halloween read? The kind that keeps you guessing right until the very end, even though you get cocky and think you have it all figured out? Well, this is the book for you. If you haven't read anything by Jennifer Jaynes before, not to worry, I hadn't either but I gave her a shot and she didn't disappoint- I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her books. I loved everything about this book, it had everything I want in a thriller- surprising twists and turns, multiple suspects with different motives, secrets, tragic backstories and flawed characters. This book is set to be published on the 7th November 2017, so I'm glad I got a chance to read/review it for you guys a little early.
Halloween night five years ago, Chelsea Dutton's roommates were viciously stabbed to death during an at-home birthday party, Chelsea being the only one to survive was found in the bathtub critically injured, with the words 'YOU MADE ME' written in red marker on the mirror. Having suffered a concussion, leaving her with shattered memories of that night and her life before it, Chelsea is struggling to live a normal life again five years on- scarred from nose to ear, plagued with nightmares, paranoid, living a reclusive life with her at home job as a medical transcriptionist. With the person responsible never caught, Chelsea fears they will turn to finish the job. The only person she trusts is a nurse from the psychiatric facility she stayed at after the murders, Elizabeth, who is her only friend. When someone from her past comes back into her life, disturbing messages of 'YOU MADE ME' start appearing causing Chelsea to become even more paranoid and feeling as though she is being watched. Slowly pieces of her memory start returning and it's only a matter of time before the truth of what happened that night is out. What happened that night five years ago? Who is leaving the messages for Chelsea? And will their plan pan out this time around?
"No matter who the victims were, no matter their gender, religion, social class or circumstances, the bitter, acrid stink of their fear always smelled the same"
The writing was really well done, it's the kind of writing a thriller needs. It didn't give anything away too quickly, it kept you guessing, it was a fast-paced and well thought out read, the characters were well written(even their backstories), very ' things are not quite what they seem' and it held my interest all throughout. Everything I love in a good thriller!
My favorite aspect was the ending when the truth is revealed. I'll admit I thought I had it all worked out, I was being cocky and actually thought of DNF-ing it at one point because I was so smart and already knew what was going to happen. I'm so glad I read on because I was so goddamn wrong about everything and would have missed out on a really good book with a killer ending. I can see why this novel has so many 5 star reviews, it was a jaw-dropping, paging turning, suspenseful anomaly, which I hope will someday be turned into a movie.
I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a suspenseful, thrilling page-turner that you won't want to put down. My rating is based on the fact I couldn't fault anything on this book, it had everything I love about thrillers and it will be going into my 'favorite's list'. I will be looking forward to reading more from Jennifer Jaynes in the future.
Recommended for lovers of: Fiction/Thrillers
October 18, 2017
This was pretty darn entertaining. I knew that this book took place during Halloween so I had to move it up my TBR stack.
The book starts with a bang! A cop arrives on scene and finds two college girls brutally murdered in their apartment while a 3rd girl, Chelsea, is just barely clinging to life while hiding in the bath tub.
We find out that the girls had company that night, Ethan and Boyd. Boyd had to leave early to go to work. Ethan is never seen again after the murders. He is their only prime suspect and the case goes cold after so many years. He has simply vanished or so it seems.
Fast forward to the present and we find that Chelsea is still reeling from her ordeal and barely leaves her apartment. Her only solace is her best friend Elizabeth. Then, out of the blue, Boyd re-enters her life. That's when the strange messages start arriving. She is terrified that Ethan is stalking her and wants his revenge.
This is a short, fast, and creepy story. I enjoyed the few hours I spent with this.
I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The book starts with a bang! A cop arrives on scene and finds two college girls brutally murdered in their apartment while a 3rd girl, Chelsea, is just barely clinging to life while hiding in the bath tub.
We find out that the girls had company that night, Ethan and Boyd. Boyd had to leave early to go to work. Ethan is never seen again after the murders. He is their only prime suspect and the case goes cold after so many years. He has simply vanished or so it seems.
Fast forward to the present and we find that Chelsea is still reeling from her ordeal and barely leaves her apartment. Her only solace is her best friend Elizabeth. Then, out of the blue, Boyd re-enters her life. That's when the strange messages start arriving. She is terrified that Ethan is stalking her and wants his revenge.
This is a short, fast, and creepy story. I enjoyed the few hours I spent with this.
I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 11, 2017
4.5★s
When Chelsea Dutton’s life was shattered five years previously, she hovered on the brink of death for some time, gradually getting stronger. But mentally she didn’t cope. Her two room-mates had been brutally murdered while she’d been left for dead. The killer had never been found. Living in Boston, working from home and keeping company with her cat Harry and best friend and one-time nurse Elizabeth was Chelsea’s life; but she was depressed and still looked over her shoulder whenever she was outside…
Chelsea’s memories of the event still hadn’t returned, so the fragmented pieces of her past frustrated her. But it was when she unexpectedly met up with someone from that time that things began to change in her life. And when creepy messages started appearing, she was terrified. The detective who had found her that night was called back into the cold case – but would they be any more successful this time around? And was the killer out there somewhere – determined to finish the job?
Disturbed by Jennifer Jaynes is an intense psychological thriller that totally creeped me out! Gritty, suspenseful and filled with innuendos and red-herrings, the unexpected twist at the end shocked me. Chelsea’s character was well done – a sweet, naïve young woman who’d had a dreadful upbringing and her life sure didn’t improve! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my digital copy to read and review.
When Chelsea Dutton’s life was shattered five years previously, she hovered on the brink of death for some time, gradually getting stronger. But mentally she didn’t cope. Her two room-mates had been brutally murdered while she’d been left for dead. The killer had never been found. Living in Boston, working from home and keeping company with her cat Harry and best friend and one-time nurse Elizabeth was Chelsea’s life; but she was depressed and still looked over her shoulder whenever she was outside…
Chelsea’s memories of the event still hadn’t returned, so the fragmented pieces of her past frustrated her. But it was when she unexpectedly met up with someone from that time that things began to change in her life. And when creepy messages started appearing, she was terrified. The detective who had found her that night was called back into the cold case – but would they be any more successful this time around? And was the killer out there somewhere – determined to finish the job?
Disturbed by Jennifer Jaynes is an intense psychological thriller that totally creeped me out! Gritty, suspenseful and filled with innuendos and red-herrings, the unexpected twist at the end shocked me. Chelsea’s character was well done – a sweet, naïve young woman who’d had a dreadful upbringing and her life sure didn’t improve! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my digital copy to read and review.
November 13, 2017
I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for this opportunity.
Synopsis: Chelsea lives her life in Boston by hanging out with her cat and binge watching television. She lives this way because her life got turned upside down nearly 5 years ago when two of her classmates were brutally murdered and she was left to die from severe stab wounds. Luckily Detective Lang finds her in the bathtub barely alive and she gets help in enough time.
In present day, Chelsea still battles nightmares and the trauma of that horrible night. She battles memory lost of the tragedy and from her childhood because of the trauma. Chelsea moved to Boston to move away from the tragedy and to follow her friend Elizabeth. Elizabeth is always there for Chelsea when she needs her and helps her through her trauma issues.
When Chelsea and Elizabeth go out to the weekend farmer’s market, Chelsea runs into a person that she knew at the time of the tragedy. Suddenly, Chelsea starts recieving disturbing messages and suspicious encounters. Has the murderer returned after 5 years to finish the job? Will Chelsea be able to protect herself and face her trauma? Read Disturbed by Jennifer Jaynes to find out!
Review: This is going to be a really tough review for me because I am very conflicted about this book. I really enjoyed the storyline and how much twists and turns the author put in this story. This a very suspenseful thriller and can see why it’s so highly rated. The problem was I figured out everything from the beginning. I know so many other reviewers were completely thrown off guard and completly can see why everyone kept guessing. I don’t want to give any spoilers away but I can say I’ve been in a circumstance so was able to know where things were going. I was able to recognize early clues right off the back. I think this book will do really well and definitely recommend it. The reason I’m giving it 3.5 stars is because I knew everything that was going to happen so it lessened my experience but it was still very enjoyable. 95% of people I’m sure would not be able to keep up with all the twists and turns and this would be a very satisfying mystery. I also didn’t really enjoy how they made the effects of main character’s trauma look. The reason this review is so hard is because if it wasn’t a trigger for me this would have been 5+ stars. I can’t say the trigger without it being a spoiler but I think many would love picking up this psychological thriller and will love the twists and turns! Jennifer Jaynes does a really great job of putting a story together. Sorry if this review was a little confusing but overall this is a good book. Top grade thriller!
Synopsis: Chelsea lives her life in Boston by hanging out with her cat and binge watching television. She lives this way because her life got turned upside down nearly 5 years ago when two of her classmates were brutally murdered and she was left to die from severe stab wounds. Luckily Detective Lang finds her in the bathtub barely alive and she gets help in enough time.
In present day, Chelsea still battles nightmares and the trauma of that horrible night. She battles memory lost of the tragedy and from her childhood because of the trauma. Chelsea moved to Boston to move away from the tragedy and to follow her friend Elizabeth. Elizabeth is always there for Chelsea when she needs her and helps her through her trauma issues.
When Chelsea and Elizabeth go out to the weekend farmer’s market, Chelsea runs into a person that she knew at the time of the tragedy. Suddenly, Chelsea starts recieving disturbing messages and suspicious encounters. Has the murderer returned after 5 years to finish the job? Will Chelsea be able to protect herself and face her trauma? Read Disturbed by Jennifer Jaynes to find out!
Review: This is going to be a really tough review for me because I am very conflicted about this book. I really enjoyed the storyline and how much twists and turns the author put in this story. This a very suspenseful thriller and can see why it’s so highly rated. The problem was I figured out everything from the beginning. I know so many other reviewers were completely thrown off guard and completly can see why everyone kept guessing. I don’t want to give any spoilers away but I can say I’ve been in a circumstance so was able to know where things were going. I was able to recognize early clues right off the back. I think this book will do really well and definitely recommend it. The reason I’m giving it 3.5 stars is because I knew everything that was going to happen so it lessened my experience but it was still very enjoyable. 95% of people I’m sure would not be able to keep up with all the twists and turns and this would be a very satisfying mystery. I also didn’t really enjoy how they made the effects of main character’s trauma look. The reason this review is so hard is because if it wasn’t a trigger for me this would have been 5+ stars. I can’t say the trigger without it being a spoiler but I think many would love picking up this psychological thriller and will love the twists and turns! Jennifer Jaynes does a really great job of putting a story together. Sorry if this review was a little confusing but overall this is a good book. Top grade thriller!
October 19, 2017
I do love Jennifer's books and this one is no different. The suspense starts at the beginning and builds throughout the book to an edge of the seat ending nobody will see coming.
Chelsea barely survives a horrific murder at Halloween which sees her 2 flat mates slaughtered. She is stabbed, slashed and bleeding out when Lang and his police colleagues arrive. Her life is saved and she recovers physically, albeit scarred. Mentally the scars will never heal and she spends some time in a psychiatric hospital after attempting suicide.
The story picks up again 4 years later with Chelsea living an insular life working from home and venturing out only to run. Her confidence is shattered and she is plagued by nightmares. Everyone believes that Ethan committed the murders but he disappeared the night of the murders and hasn’t been seen since. Her best friend is Elizabeth who looks after her and is always there for her.
Lang was investigating the murders and forms an attachment to Chelsea but is involved in a bad accident which he has spent the 4 years since the murders rehabilitating from. He returns to work part time to work on cold cases and the Halloween murders are top of his list.
The characters develop well over the course of the story into complex, realistic characters that fit with the story perfectly.
There are many twists and turns as Lang reopens the investigation and the pace of the book increases along with the suspense.
This is a very gripping book that readers of psychological thrillers will love. The ending didn’t quite work for me but overall this is a brilliant book.
Many thanks to the author, Jennifer Jaynes, who kindly gave me an advance copy of this book
Chelsea barely survives a horrific murder at Halloween which sees her 2 flat mates slaughtered. She is stabbed, slashed and bleeding out when Lang and his police colleagues arrive. Her life is saved and she recovers physically, albeit scarred. Mentally the scars will never heal and she spends some time in a psychiatric hospital after attempting suicide.
The story picks up again 4 years later with Chelsea living an insular life working from home and venturing out only to run. Her confidence is shattered and she is plagued by nightmares. Everyone believes that Ethan committed the murders but he disappeared the night of the murders and hasn’t been seen since. Her best friend is Elizabeth who looks after her and is always there for her.
Lang was investigating the murders and forms an attachment to Chelsea but is involved in a bad accident which he has spent the 4 years since the murders rehabilitating from. He returns to work part time to work on cold cases and the Halloween murders are top of his list.
The characters develop well over the course of the story into complex, realistic characters that fit with the story perfectly.
There are many twists and turns as Lang reopens the investigation and the pace of the book increases along with the suspense.
This is a very gripping book that readers of psychological thrillers will love. The ending didn’t quite work for me but overall this is a brilliant book.
Many thanks to the author, Jennifer Jaynes, who kindly gave me an advance copy of this book
October 4, 2017
Dangit. This is what I get for not writing a review immediately after finishing the book. I totally forgot about it and now it's been over 4 months since I read this.
Some story details may have gotten lost along the way, but I definitely remember this being one hell of a page-turner. A trilling, chilling, mind-fuck of a book with quite a few big turns of events I didn't see coming.
A psychological thriller at its best with a well fitting title.
Let's just hope that there's currently a sequel in the works. There's no way Jennifer Jaynes can leave it at that. Or is there?
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2017
4/5 ⭐️!
This book wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be. Creepy yes, but not really scary. It was also a bit bloody, but nothing too disgusting which made me feel a little better.
Disturbed focuses on the life of Chelsea, the only living survivor from a double murder on Halloween night. Her two college roommates were stabbed to death in their apartment, but Chelsea made it out alive and is now trying to cope with her life after the traumatic event.
This was a crazy fast read being as I read it all in one night. I had no issues staying focused on this book and it was definitely a perfect read for the Halloween season!
I didn't see the ending coming AT. ALL., and it definitely threw me for a loop when I learned the truth of what was going on. That being said, the end also killed me a little. It makes me wonder if there will be a second book. I was more than a little frustrated though at how the book ends, and since I haven't read anything else by Jennifer Jaynes, I have no idea if this is what she does at the end of all her books, or if it was just this one.
Either way, I definitely think this book is worth the read, and I for sure want to read other books from this author.
*As always, my reviews can be seen at readingbetweenwinessite.wordpress.com
*This book is going to be published on 11/07/2017*
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an electronic ARC of this book. My review is completely honest and unbiased
This book wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be. Creepy yes, but not really scary. It was also a bit bloody, but nothing too disgusting which made me feel a little better.
Disturbed focuses on the life of Chelsea, the only living survivor from a double murder on Halloween night. Her two college roommates were stabbed to death in their apartment, but Chelsea made it out alive and is now trying to cope with her life after the traumatic event.
This was a crazy fast read being as I read it all in one night. I had no issues staying focused on this book and it was definitely a perfect read for the Halloween season!
I didn't see the ending coming AT. ALL., and it definitely threw me for a loop when I learned the truth of what was going on. That being said, the end also killed me a little. It makes me wonder if there will be a second book. I was more than a little frustrated though at how the book ends, and since I haven't read anything else by Jennifer Jaynes, I have no idea if this is what she does at the end of all her books, or if it was just this one.
Either way, I definitely think this book is worth the read, and I for sure want to read other books from this author.
*As always, my reviews can be seen at readingbetweenwinessite.wordpress.com
*This book is going to be published on 11/07/2017*
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an electronic ARC of this book. My review is completely honest and unbiased
September 29, 2017
Talented Jennifer Jaynes returns following The Stranger Inside with her latest twisty psychological thriller DISTURBED — a gritty fast-paced standalone page-turner, both chilling and emotional with a mind-blowing conclusion.
“You Made Me.”
Those were the words on Nov 1, 2010, the morning after Halloween. Three women who attended Springfield College. 911 was called. The young officer Brandon was the first responder.
One girl was left alive in the tub. Multiple stab wounds. One of them deep in the side of her abdomen. Blood everywhere.
Now, Oct 4, 2015 —Four years and eleven months later.
Twenty-three-year-old Chelsea Dutton is safe and sane. She is still paranoid and fearful. No one is out to get her. Not anymore. These words had been her mantra for almost five years.
The Halloween night that her college roommates (Christine and Amy) had been murdered and she had been carved up and left for dead.
Since then, she had merely existed. She had been diagnosed with psychogenic amnesia, which made life even more confusing and frightening.
There were no guarantees whether she would recover any of her lost memories. A few had come back over the years but nothing of real significance. A flash here, and there. Some scents and settings brought back some memories of the horrible night.
Her biological parents had been dead since she was six years old. There were a long string of foster families whom she had lived with until she turned eighteen and started college.
The night of the murders clung to her.
There had been a boy, Ethan whom Chelsea had invited and his roommate Boyd. Ethan was from a wealthy family. He was gorgeous. What caused him to start the brutal killings?
She had left Springfield and moved ninety miles east of Boston after the murders. She would be safer there. However, she had wondered why he had spared her. Would he return to finish the job?
She did not want to play the victim anymore.
Chelsea has a close friend Elizabeth. She had been her salvation. They had met nearly five years ago in the Springfield psychiatric hospital where Chelsea had been held for three months after following the attacks.
Elizabeth had been one of the nurses assigned to her pod. She was older, but they had stayed connected and when she had transferred to a Boston hospital, Chelsea tagged along. With her scars, she had a fresh start. Elizabeth was her rock.
When she runs into Boyd she thinks it may be nice to be around someone who was there that night. Even though Elizabeth was great, she was intimated by her. With Boyd, she was on more of an even playing field.
However, shortly afterward, there is a message left at a murder scene with the same message. Lang (detective) takes up temporary residence at a motel in Southie.
He remembered Boyd. The kid had been a drug user. He is determined to solve the case. Was it Ethan? Why come back to torment Chelsea now after all these years?
Who was the message meant for? One of the victims? Were the killings retribution for something? Motive?
Another message: “You’re going to make me do it again, aren’t you”?
Detectives Lang and Garcia are on the case and Chelsea is worried her attacker is back. Who can she trust?
Halloween, the fifth anniversary of the murders, takes on a new twist. Who is really the killer (then and now)? Or is there something more dark and sinister at play?
As always, Jaynes keeps her readers in suspense with twists and turns. A thrilling ride to very dark places of the human psyche. Disturbing, intense, and suspenseful to the final mind-blowing shocking conclusion.
From beginning to end, Jennifer creates a sense of foreboding, paranoia, fear, distrust, and lurking darkness. You know there is something beneath the surface.
Chelsea is a complex character. She continues to live with the consequences of her violent and painful past, which continue to plague her. However, is she an unreliable narrator?
As a reader, you will question everyone.
The author does an exceptional job in keeping you glued to the pages. She knows how to emotionally hook the reader. Without any spoilers . . . nothing is as it appears. Jaynes’ fans will enjoy another twisty, edgy psychological thriller to add to their collection.
Highly recommend all of the author's books. She never disappoints. For fans of James Hankins, Jennifer Hillier, and Lisa Unger.
Read my reviews here:
The Stranger Inside
Don’t Say a Word
Ugly Young Thing
Never Smile at Strangers
A special thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced reading copy.
JDCMustReadBooks
“You Made Me.”
Those were the words on Nov 1, 2010, the morning after Halloween. Three women who attended Springfield College. 911 was called. The young officer Brandon was the first responder.
One girl was left alive in the tub. Multiple stab wounds. One of them deep in the side of her abdomen. Blood everywhere.
Now, Oct 4, 2015 —Four years and eleven months later.
Twenty-three-year-old Chelsea Dutton is safe and sane. She is still paranoid and fearful. No one is out to get her. Not anymore. These words had been her mantra for almost five years.
The Halloween night that her college roommates (Christine and Amy) had been murdered and she had been carved up and left for dead.
Since then, she had merely existed. She had been diagnosed with psychogenic amnesia, which made life even more confusing and frightening.
There were no guarantees whether she would recover any of her lost memories. A few had come back over the years but nothing of real significance. A flash here, and there. Some scents and settings brought back some memories of the horrible night.
Her biological parents had been dead since she was six years old. There were a long string of foster families whom she had lived with until she turned eighteen and started college.
The night of the murders clung to her.
There had been a boy, Ethan whom Chelsea had invited and his roommate Boyd. Ethan was from a wealthy family. He was gorgeous. What caused him to start the brutal killings?
She had left Springfield and moved ninety miles east of Boston after the murders. She would be safer there. However, she had wondered why he had spared her. Would he return to finish the job?
She did not want to play the victim anymore.
Chelsea has a close friend Elizabeth. She had been her salvation. They had met nearly five years ago in the Springfield psychiatric hospital where Chelsea had been held for three months after following the attacks.
Elizabeth had been one of the nurses assigned to her pod. She was older, but they had stayed connected and when she had transferred to a Boston hospital, Chelsea tagged along. With her scars, she had a fresh start. Elizabeth was her rock.
When she runs into Boyd she thinks it may be nice to be around someone who was there that night. Even though Elizabeth was great, she was intimated by her. With Boyd, she was on more of an even playing field.
However, shortly afterward, there is a message left at a murder scene with the same message. Lang (detective) takes up temporary residence at a motel in Southie.
He remembered Boyd. The kid had been a drug user. He is determined to solve the case. Was it Ethan? Why come back to torment Chelsea now after all these years?
Who was the message meant for? One of the victims? Were the killings retribution for something? Motive?
Another message: “You’re going to make me do it again, aren’t you”?
Detectives Lang and Garcia are on the case and Chelsea is worried her attacker is back. Who can she trust?
Halloween, the fifth anniversary of the murders, takes on a new twist. Who is really the killer (then and now)? Or is there something more dark and sinister at play?
As always, Jaynes keeps her readers in suspense with twists and turns. A thrilling ride to very dark places of the human psyche. Disturbing, intense, and suspenseful to the final mind-blowing shocking conclusion.
From beginning to end, Jennifer creates a sense of foreboding, paranoia, fear, distrust, and lurking darkness. You know there is something beneath the surface.
Chelsea is a complex character. She continues to live with the consequences of her violent and painful past, which continue to plague her. However, is she an unreliable narrator?
As a reader, you will question everyone.
The author does an exceptional job in keeping you glued to the pages. She knows how to emotionally hook the reader. Without any spoilers . . . nothing is as it appears. Jaynes’ fans will enjoy another twisty, edgy psychological thriller to add to their collection.
Highly recommend all of the author's books. She never disappoints. For fans of James Hankins, Jennifer Hillier, and Lisa Unger.
Read my reviews here:
The Stranger Inside
Don’t Say a Word
Ugly Young Thing
Never Smile at Strangers
A special thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced reading copy.
JDCMustReadBooks
November 27, 2017
Caffeinated Reasons to listen to Disturbed
The prologue shares a tragic event that occurred on Halloween Night five years ago. Chelsea Dutton’s college roommates were viciously stabbed to death, and Chelsea was found critically injured in the bathtub. The story fasts forwards to the present where Chelsea is dealing with the aftermath. The killer someone they all knew was never found and events from that night are still a blur even in her nightmares.
Jaynes sets the story up perfectly and like Chelsea we begin to look over our shoulder. She works from home and is very vigilant in her daily life. She only has one close friend/support person, a nurse named Elizabeth whom she met after the attacks. When someone from her past appears, Chelsea begins to feel moments of "normal." That is until she thinks she has spotted the killer outside her home and someone is leaving random notes.
I loved the tension, the red herrings, and the secondary characters Jayne provided from the tenacious detective to suspects. The story was well-paced, and at roughly six hours, this is the perfect audio for a road trip or for tackling chores.
Carly Robins is a new to me narrator, but one I would gladly listen to again. Her unique voices, tone and ability to drive up the tension were superb. The story lends itself perfectly to audio with its flow, chapter set up and perspectives.
While I did figure out the who, Jaynes tripped me up with a stellar twist that was brilliant. I love when the reveal feels like an "aha moment" and is delivered with believability. Disturbed was my first Jennifer James book and I look forward to reading/listening to more of them.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
The prologue shares a tragic event that occurred on Halloween Night five years ago. Chelsea Dutton’s college roommates were viciously stabbed to death, and Chelsea was found critically injured in the bathtub. The story fasts forwards to the present where Chelsea is dealing with the aftermath. The killer someone they all knew was never found and events from that night are still a blur even in her nightmares.
Jaynes sets the story up perfectly and like Chelsea we begin to look over our shoulder. She works from home and is very vigilant in her daily life. She only has one close friend/support person, a nurse named Elizabeth whom she met after the attacks. When someone from her past appears, Chelsea begins to feel moments of "normal." That is until she thinks she has spotted the killer outside her home and someone is leaving random notes.
I loved the tension, the red herrings, and the secondary characters Jayne provided from the tenacious detective to suspects. The story was well-paced, and at roughly six hours, this is the perfect audio for a road trip or for tackling chores.
Carly Robins is a new to me narrator, but one I would gladly listen to again. Her unique voices, tone and ability to drive up the tension were superb. The story lends itself perfectly to audio with its flow, chapter set up and perspectives.
While I did figure out the who, Jaynes tripped me up with a stellar twist that was brilliant. I love when the reveal feels like an "aha moment" and is delivered with believability. Disturbed was my first Jennifer James book and I look forward to reading/listening to more of them.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
September 15, 2017
I received a free digital copy of this book for my honest review.
So I've read every book that Jennifer Jaynes has written. I'm already a fan. But this particular book has just shot her to the front of the line of books I will ALWAYS pre-order, PERIOD.
The story follows Chelsea, a college student whose roommates were murdered while she was left for dead. The murderer escapes and Chelsea loses her memories ... not only of that day, but also of most of her life. She didn't exactly grow up happy-go-lucky, but thankfully she has her best friend, Elizabeth, to help her cope with stresses and blackouts. Each page entices you to keep going until you finally get to the end and freak out because it's over.
You guys, this book is PHENOMENAL. I thought I loved her previous books, but she has completely outdone herself with DISTURBED. I didn't want to stop reading. I was captivated from the start. Not to mention that the end completely floored me. I wasn't ready for it to end. I'm still mourning the fact that there's nothing left for me to read.
So I've read every book that Jennifer Jaynes has written. I'm already a fan. But this particular book has just shot her to the front of the line of books I will ALWAYS pre-order, PERIOD.
The story follows Chelsea, a college student whose roommates were murdered while she was left for dead. The murderer escapes and Chelsea loses her memories ... not only of that day, but also of most of her life. She didn't exactly grow up happy-go-lucky, but thankfully she has her best friend, Elizabeth, to help her cope with stresses and blackouts. Each page entices you to keep going until you finally get to the end and freak out because it's over.
You guys, this book is PHENOMENAL. I thought I loved her previous books, but she has completely outdone herself with DISTURBED. I didn't want to stop reading. I was captivated from the start. Not to mention that the end completely floored me. I wasn't ready for it to end. I'm still mourning the fact that there's nothing left for me to read.
September 12, 2017
I received an ARC ebook from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Another awesome 5-star novel.
DISTURBED left me, er, well, disturbed! Reading Jennifer Jaynes's novels is an absolute pleasure, and DISTURBED wasn't the exception. As I read it, I wondered who the mysterious killer was. I came up with seven different theories, then flipped a coin, asked my Magic 8 Ball, and even tried to throw darts. And one of my theories was right ... ish! Man, the ending is almost impossible to guess and it will surprise you. I promise.
Highly recommended.
Another awesome 5-star novel.
DISTURBED left me, er, well, disturbed! Reading Jennifer Jaynes's novels is an absolute pleasure, and DISTURBED wasn't the exception. As I read it, I wondered who the mysterious killer was. I came up with seven different theories, then flipped a coin, asked my Magic 8 Ball, and even tried to throw darts. And one of my theories was right ... ish! Man, the ending is almost impossible to guess and it will surprise you. I promise.
Highly recommended.
May 31, 2018
A review will be done later.
February 26, 2018
“Get down with the sickness...”
For as much as I love dark thriller movies, I find that I rarely read a dark thriller book. And I’m not really sure why. I love me some twisted and devious villains, damsels in distress, and a team of understaffed but motivated folks trying desperately to stop a monster (human or otherwise). Put that on celluloid, and I’m already in line buying a ticket. Put it in the pages of a book and I’m like…meh. It’s doubly strange, too, considering that I love reading the reviews of friends here on Goodreads who regularly read these types of novels. I’ll read a good review and be all like “yeah, I need to read that!”. But then I never do…
So it’s doubly strange that I went out on a limb and purchased Disturbed for my Kindle. I’ve got Oathbringer by Sanderson waiting in the wings, and a few other recent adds to my TBR that are more in my general wheelhouse, but I wanted something different. Maybe it’s because I was in the mood for something dark and atmospheric, after having just watched The Ritual on Netflix. I’d never read a Jennifer Jaynes book before, but the premise sounded promising, and the price point was good. The cover was also pretty cool (I know, I know, don’t judge a book…). So I took the plunge.
And…well…I’m mostly happy I did.
As always, I will endeavor to keep this review spoiler free. I think all books are more enjoyable when you go in as plot-blind as possible, but that’s especially true with murder mystery thrillers. So if it’s not mentioned in the official synopsis, I’ll do my level best to avoid mentioning it here.
First, the pros. Though I can’t speak to her other books, Jennifer Jaynes definitely crafted a page turner here. I think I finished this one in less than three and half hours. There is a palpable sense of dread, so she definitely handles the dark atmosphere well. And once you get invested with Chelsea and what she’s been through, you can’t help but stick around and see what happens to her. I can see why she’s a bestseller…her books are intense, easy to read, and dark and disturbing (pun intended) without being TOO dark or disturbing. They have that mass market appeal that makes them fly off the shelves.
Chelsea is a decent protagonist. She survived a horrific night, and though she still bears scars (figuratively and literally) of her awful experience, she is moving on with her life and doing what she can to put it all behind her. There are themes touched upon with Chelsea that make sense. Survivor’s guilt being the biggest one. There’s also the difficulty with making lasting connections, which is almost a given due to her foster home upbringing. She’s also kind of a contradiction…she runs 5 miles a day, but eats almost nothing but pizza and Hungry Man microwave dinners. But, I guess with the constitution of a 23 year old, you can get away with that. She’s reclusive, which make sense given her past experiences. And she’s struggling with memory loss, which makes her question some of what she sees. It’s an interesting mix, as she’s determined and motivated, but she’s also basically programmed to doubt what is real and therefore can hardly make any forward progress. She’s essentially her own unreliable narrator.
Our other protagonist, though he’s doesn’t get a lot of chapters, is Detective Lang. He was the investigating Detective on the night when Chelsea and her friends were attacked, and he has a vested interest in the case. Though he retired from the force due to an injury, he was re-hired to help close cold cases. And when Chelsea’s past starts to haunt her again, he is determined to help catch the killer and keep Chelsea safe.
Other characters come and go, generally just to help advance a certain part of the plot along. Boyd, another person from Chelsea’s past, could have had a much more interesting and plot deepening setup, but his point of view chapter comes too late to make as much of an impact as it could have. If he’d been given a little more establishment in the beginning, he could have been much more effective in the book.
As for the antagonist, all I can say is that, despite a few strange clues near the 2/3’s mark, it wasn’t who I expected it to be. So that’s a win for the author, as the whole “mystery killer” plot point IS the point of the book. And while the motivations weren’t always the strongest, the ways in which the killer operates worked pretty well.
So yeah, the murder mystery itself was unique, and I felt genuine concern for Chelsea and her well-being. Even though she was a bit of a cypher, Chelsea still had grit, and I wanted to see her overcome this trial.
But, what about the stuff I didn’t like? Well, I’m glad you asked.
Remember how I said that this book was easy to read? Well, there’s more than one reason for that. There’s a good sense of dread, which definitely helps keep the pages turning, but there’s also a significant lack of detail. This is a VERY plot and event driven book. So much so that the character interactions and the mystery set pieces are basically all that the book contains. We get the bare minimum of details as to what the characters look like, how they live their lives when they aren’t talking about the crazy shit going on, and what they surround themselves with. We get the barest description of Chelsea’s place or Lang’s life aside from his daughter. In fact, one the most detailed passages in the book talks about a coffee shop that our heroine visits only once. Now, I’m not saying that you need Robert Jordan levels of detail to tell a story. That’s certainly overkill, and basically takes the momentum of a tale and grinds it to a halt. But at the same time, one of the main reasons that this book was so easy to burn through was there wasn’t much substance to it outside of the major events taking place. Again, this kind of writing is great for putting books on shelves in a quick manner, but it did nothing to help deepen the story or fill out the characters. Aside from their involvement with Chelsea (past or present), the characters barely have a presence.
I read a review somewhere by someone who’d visited Boston in a trip, and mentioned that they loved that this book was set there. But, let me be honest, I didn’t get much of a feel of Boston from this book at all. Again, since this is a plot/event driven novel, there’s really very little detail given to the city itself, the people who inhabit it, or the general vibe. Having travelled to some interesting cities in our fantastic United States, I can definitely say that each city has a unique vibe. Philadelphia felt very different from New York, which felt very different from San Francisco. I could talk about the southern hospitality and nearly overwhelming green of Atlanta, or the complete lack of hurry and worry in nearly all the residents of Colorado Springs. But though this book ostensibly takes place in Boston, it honestly could have been happening anywhere.
There were also a couple of supporting characters who didn’t get anywhere NEAR enough time to shine or deepen the plot. And that was a big missed opportunity I think. Once the story starts nearing the endgame, what little fluff there was gets jettisoned to keep the story moving along. But I think a few more chapters from the supporting characters would have gone a long way in enhancing the narrative and given us even more possible suspects in the “who wants to slice up Chelsea 2.0” mystery.
But, I’m perfectly willing to admit that the problem could be my own. I’m used to reading much larger and longer books that are much more detail-centric. And that’s very likely given me a set of blinders. And I’m not trying to take anything away from the author. I think she wrote the book she set out to write, and she obviously has a knack for crafting a page turner. If this was a movie, instead of a book, it would do decently well at the box-office. The story certainly has appeal. I just can’t help but wonder what Jennifer Jaynes could accomplish if she gave everything a bit more detail and room to breathe.
All that said, I feel like I got my money’s worth, and managed to step outside of my comfort zone. So I’ll count that as a win.
For as much as I love dark thriller movies, I find that I rarely read a dark thriller book. And I’m not really sure why. I love me some twisted and devious villains, damsels in distress, and a team of understaffed but motivated folks trying desperately to stop a monster (human or otherwise). Put that on celluloid, and I’m already in line buying a ticket. Put it in the pages of a book and I’m like…meh. It’s doubly strange, too, considering that I love reading the reviews of friends here on Goodreads who regularly read these types of novels. I’ll read a good review and be all like “yeah, I need to read that!”. But then I never do…
So it’s doubly strange that I went out on a limb and purchased Disturbed for my Kindle. I’ve got Oathbringer by Sanderson waiting in the wings, and a few other recent adds to my TBR that are more in my general wheelhouse, but I wanted something different. Maybe it’s because I was in the mood for something dark and atmospheric, after having just watched The Ritual on Netflix. I’d never read a Jennifer Jaynes book before, but the premise sounded promising, and the price point was good. The cover was also pretty cool (I know, I know, don’t judge a book…). So I took the plunge.
And…well…I’m mostly happy I did.
As always, I will endeavor to keep this review spoiler free. I think all books are more enjoyable when you go in as plot-blind as possible, but that’s especially true with murder mystery thrillers. So if it’s not mentioned in the official synopsis, I’ll do my level best to avoid mentioning it here.
First, the pros. Though I can’t speak to her other books, Jennifer Jaynes definitely crafted a page turner here. I think I finished this one in less than three and half hours. There is a palpable sense of dread, so she definitely handles the dark atmosphere well. And once you get invested with Chelsea and what she’s been through, you can’t help but stick around and see what happens to her. I can see why she’s a bestseller…her books are intense, easy to read, and dark and disturbing (pun intended) without being TOO dark or disturbing. They have that mass market appeal that makes them fly off the shelves.
Chelsea is a decent protagonist. She survived a horrific night, and though she still bears scars (figuratively and literally) of her awful experience, she is moving on with her life and doing what she can to put it all behind her. There are themes touched upon with Chelsea that make sense. Survivor’s guilt being the biggest one. There’s also the difficulty with making lasting connections, which is almost a given due to her foster home upbringing. She’s also kind of a contradiction…she runs 5 miles a day, but eats almost nothing but pizza and Hungry Man microwave dinners. But, I guess with the constitution of a 23 year old, you can get away with that. She’s reclusive, which make sense given her past experiences. And she’s struggling with memory loss, which makes her question some of what she sees. It’s an interesting mix, as she’s determined and motivated, but she’s also basically programmed to doubt what is real and therefore can hardly make any forward progress. She’s essentially her own unreliable narrator.
Our other protagonist, though he’s doesn’t get a lot of chapters, is Detective Lang. He was the investigating Detective on the night when Chelsea and her friends were attacked, and he has a vested interest in the case. Though he retired from the force due to an injury, he was re-hired to help close cold cases. And when Chelsea’s past starts to haunt her again, he is determined to help catch the killer and keep Chelsea safe.
Other characters come and go, generally just to help advance a certain part of the plot along. Boyd, another person from Chelsea’s past, could have had a much more interesting and plot deepening setup, but his point of view chapter comes too late to make as much of an impact as it could have. If he’d been given a little more establishment in the beginning, he could have been much more effective in the book.
As for the antagonist, all I can say is that, despite a few strange clues near the 2/3’s mark, it wasn’t who I expected it to be. So that’s a win for the author, as the whole “mystery killer” plot point IS the point of the book. And while the motivations weren’t always the strongest, the ways in which the killer operates worked pretty well.
So yeah, the murder mystery itself was unique, and I felt genuine concern for Chelsea and her well-being. Even though she was a bit of a cypher, Chelsea still had grit, and I wanted to see her overcome this trial.
But, what about the stuff I didn’t like? Well, I’m glad you asked.
Remember how I said that this book was easy to read? Well, there’s more than one reason for that. There’s a good sense of dread, which definitely helps keep the pages turning, but there’s also a significant lack of detail. This is a VERY plot and event driven book. So much so that the character interactions and the mystery set pieces are basically all that the book contains. We get the bare minimum of details as to what the characters look like, how they live their lives when they aren’t talking about the crazy shit going on, and what they surround themselves with. We get the barest description of Chelsea’s place or Lang’s life aside from his daughter. In fact, one the most detailed passages in the book talks about a coffee shop that our heroine visits only once. Now, I’m not saying that you need Robert Jordan levels of detail to tell a story. That’s certainly overkill, and basically takes the momentum of a tale and grinds it to a halt. But at the same time, one of the main reasons that this book was so easy to burn through was there wasn’t much substance to it outside of the major events taking place. Again, this kind of writing is great for putting books on shelves in a quick manner, but it did nothing to help deepen the story or fill out the characters. Aside from their involvement with Chelsea (past or present), the characters barely have a presence.
I read a review somewhere by someone who’d visited Boston in a trip, and mentioned that they loved that this book was set there. But, let me be honest, I didn’t get much of a feel of Boston from this book at all. Again, since this is a plot/event driven novel, there’s really very little detail given to the city itself, the people who inhabit it, or the general vibe. Having travelled to some interesting cities in our fantastic United States, I can definitely say that each city has a unique vibe. Philadelphia felt very different from New York, which felt very different from San Francisco. I could talk about the southern hospitality and nearly overwhelming green of Atlanta, or the complete lack of hurry and worry in nearly all the residents of Colorado Springs. But though this book ostensibly takes place in Boston, it honestly could have been happening anywhere.
There were also a couple of supporting characters who didn’t get anywhere NEAR enough time to shine or deepen the plot. And that was a big missed opportunity I think. Once the story starts nearing the endgame, what little fluff there was gets jettisoned to keep the story moving along. But I think a few more chapters from the supporting characters would have gone a long way in enhancing the narrative and given us even more possible suspects in the “who wants to slice up Chelsea 2.0” mystery.
But, I’m perfectly willing to admit that the problem could be my own. I’m used to reading much larger and longer books that are much more detail-centric. And that’s very likely given me a set of blinders. And I’m not trying to take anything away from the author. I think she wrote the book she set out to write, and she obviously has a knack for crafting a page turner. If this was a movie, instead of a book, it would do decently well at the box-office. The story certainly has appeal. I just can’t help but wonder what Jennifer Jaynes could accomplish if she gave everything a bit more detail and room to breathe.
All that said, I feel like I got my money’s worth, and managed to step outside of my comfort zone. So I’ll count that as a win.
September 11, 2017
Jaynes has this magical method of writing which keeps you engrossed and guessing until the last line--and then you want a sequel, if for nothing but the writing. I've read other books by her and they are all equally enticing. You never know what turn these mysteries are going to take, and this was no exception. Disturbed follows a young woman after the worst night of her life, as she tries to piece together the events leading up to the brutal murder of her roommates, her date disappearing, and police finding her left for dead in the bathtub. You will not be disappointed as you read through this book. The writing and story will keep you on edge until the very end.
September 14, 2017
Thrilling, captivating and unbelievably ADDICTING!!
I was absolutely and completely riveted! I just had to keep reading and reading until I ran out of pages! And even then.... I wanted MORE! I could not put this book down!!
Jennifer Jaynes knowns how to keep you interested and on your toes throughout the whole story! She is such a vivid story teller. I was literally gasping out loud. I was so invested in the outcome. I had absolutely no idea what was gonna happen.
When a friendly Halloween party turned into a blood bath leaving Chelsea as the lone survivor, her life has never been the same. And they never caught the murderer. Is he still out there? Watching? Waiting?
And holy crap!! That ending!!! Totally mind blown! Nothing is at it seems in this thriller! The twists and turns. I can honestly say, I've never had an author surprise me the way Jennifer Jaynes did.
This is, without a doubt, A MUST READ!!! I am such a fan!!
I was absolutely and completely riveted! I just had to keep reading and reading until I ran out of pages! And even then.... I wanted MORE! I could not put this book down!!
Jennifer Jaynes knowns how to keep you interested and on your toes throughout the whole story! She is such a vivid story teller. I was literally gasping out loud. I was so invested in the outcome. I had absolutely no idea what was gonna happen.
When a friendly Halloween party turned into a blood bath leaving Chelsea as the lone survivor, her life has never been the same. And they never caught the murderer. Is he still out there? Watching? Waiting?
And holy crap!! That ending!!! Totally mind blown! Nothing is at it seems in this thriller! The twists and turns. I can honestly say, I've never had an author surprise me the way Jennifer Jaynes did.
This is, without a doubt, A MUST READ!!! I am such a fan!!
August 28, 2017
I've read several books by this author, and this was another one I really enjoyed. It's a fast-paced psychological thriller, I read it in one sitting. Once again I thought I had everything all figured out, but nope!
Chelsea has been living, barely, a very reclusive life since being the sole survivor of the gruesome murders of her roommates while she was in college. Thankfully she has her lifeline and only friend, Elizabeth to help her cope with the aftereffects and memory loss of the horrifying event.
When Chelsea has the chance to reconnect with another person who was tied to that tragedy 5 years ago, she also discovers an opportunity to open her heart again. At the same time, Chelsea starts to receive mysterious messages that seem like they could only come from the killer – the fugitive Ethan. Chelsea's rescuer, retired Detective Robert Lang, comes back into the picture to try and find out what's behind the messages, and may have a chance to be Chelsea's savior again.
As Chelsea gets drawn down a path that could bring back her memory, she needs to decide where to lay her trust and maybe her life.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in return for my honest opinion.
Chelsea has been living, barely, a very reclusive life since being the sole survivor of the gruesome murders of her roommates while she was in college. Thankfully she has her lifeline and only friend, Elizabeth to help her cope with the aftereffects and memory loss of the horrifying event.
When Chelsea has the chance to reconnect with another person who was tied to that tragedy 5 years ago, she also discovers an opportunity to open her heart again. At the same time, Chelsea starts to receive mysterious messages that seem like they could only come from the killer – the fugitive Ethan. Chelsea's rescuer, retired Detective Robert Lang, comes back into the picture to try and find out what's behind the messages, and may have a chance to be Chelsea's savior again.
As Chelsea gets drawn down a path that could bring back her memory, she needs to decide where to lay her trust and maybe her life.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in return for my honest opinion.
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