Book Review- Scott Kershaw's The Game

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for providing me with a copy of Scott Kershaw’s novel, The Game, in exchange for an honest review.

A group of strangers from different parts of the world are shocked when the person they love the most has been kidnapped. To save their loved one, they are sent instructions via text, which involve immediately traveling to the United Kingdom and meeting at a remote countryside inn. At this inn, the strangers all meet and must work together to play a “game” created by the kidnappers, all have the knowledge that there can only be one winner. Desperate and filled with distrusted, the strangers are uncertain if they should truly work together or if one among them might actually be involved in the crime.

The Game gets off to a strong start as short chapters ping-pong between the main characters and their reactions to the kidnappings. Mothers lose their children, a man’s best friend is taken, and another man finds that his fiancé has been snatched. The loved ones of those who have been kidnapped, each have their own secrets and guilt. One mother spends time playing online bingo and is neglectful, and another is an addict. It is not clear why they are being targeted, but they all feel certain level of guilt.

The first half of the story is compelling and fast-paced. I wasn’t quite certain where the story was headed, but I couldn’t put it down. The story is creepy and unsettling, as the kidnappers always seemed to be watching and were quite vicious in their actions. It reminded me of a much less intense version of one of my favorite film franchises, Saw. The Game was not brutal like the Saw films, but the themes of the guilty getting their comeuppance was a big part of both stories.

Although the pacing is quick, The Game is uneven in its acts. There is a lot, more than half the book, dedicated to the build-up to when the characters meet in at the Inn. Even though I was intrigued, I found my interest waning by the middle of the story. I did not anticipate the ending, including the reveal of the kidnapper, so this was certainly a surprise, but I also didn’t feel satisfied by the ending. It went a direction that was unexpected, which is a obviously a positive with a good mystery novel, but on the flip-side it felt disconnected from the overarching vibe. The kidnapper had a clear and strong motive for doling out the punishment, but the entire concept of this elaborate “game” didn’t fit with the character. I believed in their need for retribution, but not the methodology. It almost felt like two different novels stitched together. Also note that the final reveal with the kidnapper’s motives includes some very heavy and sensitive issues. It was surprising.

This all said, The Game was a fun weekend read. I recommend it to those who like mysteries that have a sinister quality. I can’t put this in the horror category, but it has a touch of that genre. I can imagine The Game being turned into a film.

Book Review-J.P. Pomare's In the Clearing

Thank you to Mulholland Books for providing me with a copy of J.P. Pomare’s novel, In the Clearing, in exchange for an honest review.

Amy has spent her whole life in “The Clearing” home to a reclusive cult in rural Australia. A preteen and the oldest child on the compound, she has been indoctrinated to fear the outside world. Amy’s life is filled with restrictions, brutal punishments, and manual labor. The focus of the cult is to adore and follow the guidance of their leader, Adrienne, whom is referred to as their “mother.” Amy’s life changes when she takes part in the kidnapping of a new child to join their cult.

Freya distrusts society. She lives with her young son, Billy, in a heavily fortified home with a bunker located on the edge of a national park. Freya takes every possible precaution, yet Billy goes missing.

In the Clearing alternates between Amy and Freya’s perspectives. The story is intense and engaging from the first chapter, and I found it difficult to put down. Pomare expertly doles out clues regarding Freya’s past, allowing the reader to piece together the mystery of both Freya and Amy. Neither woman is a reliable narrator, yet both hold clues to the mystery of Billy’s disappearance and their stories collide in the most unexpected twist.

In the Clearing was the perfect novel to read on my winter vacation. Although the story is set in scorching hot, drought/fire prone Australia, the tone is ominous and dark. I cozied up on the couch of our rental home, sheltered from the gloomy weather outside, and dove into this psychological thriller.

It’s an intense read and I can imagine this being turned into an exciting film or television limited series. I’m not easily scared, but elements of the story lingered with me in a haunting way. Pomare has crafted an intriguing plot with fast pacing and memorable characters. If you like thrillers and are not turned-off by a bit of violence, I highly recommend adding In the Clearing to your TBR pile.