Book Review - The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

Title: The Last House on Needless Street
Author: Catriona Ward
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Published: 2021
 
Description: This is the story of a serial killer. A stolen child. Revenge. Death. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street.
 
All these things are true. And yet they are all lies…
 
You think you know what’s inside the last house on Needless Street. You think you’ve read this story before. That’s where you’re wrong.
 
In the dark forest at the end of Needless Street, lies something buried. But it’s not what you think…

Review: “The Last House on Needless Street” is an intriguing, yet at times frustrating , psychological thriller. The book excels in atmosphere but loses momentum due to an overabundance of plot twists.
 
We meet Ted, a lonely man who lives in a boarded-up house at the edge of a wild forest with his daughter, Lauren, and his talking cat, Olivia. Dee, a woman driven by vengeance, moves in next door. Dee is convinced that Ted is responsible for the disappearance of her younger sister, who vanished from a nearby lake eleven years earlier. 
 
The story’s strength lies in its unique narrative structure and its gloomy atmosphere. Catriona Ward creates an oppressive world surrounding the protagonist Ted, his daughter Lauren and the talking cat Olivia. The characters are untrustworthy, which creates constand underlying tension and a sense of disorientation for the reader. The gothic, dark setting, centered around the dilapidated house at the end of the street, on the edge of the forest, is beautifully described.
 
However, the structure is also the novel’s weakness. The book relies so heavily on mysteries and deception that the plot begins to drag halfway through. The constant shifting of perspective and the surrealistic elements make the story unnecessarily confusing at times. Although the final resolution ingeniously puts all the pieces of the puzzles in place, the build-up to it feels like an emotional battle of attrition that doesn’t remain equally engaging throughout.
 
It’s a daring and original horror story, at the end you will be wondering what the hell you just read. It’s a psychological puzzle, but the pace in the middle section and the overkill of plot twists keeps it at a solid three stars.
 
Rating: 3/ 5

Book Review - The Body by Stephen King

Title: The Body
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Fiction/ Thriller
Published: 1982
 
Description: It’s 1960 Castle Rock. Ray Brower, a boy from a nearby town, has disappeared, and twelve-year-old Gordie Lachance and his three friends set out on a quest to find his body along the railroad tracks. During the course of their journey, Gordie, Chris Chambers, Teddy Duchamp and Vern Tessio come to terms with death and the harsh truth of growing up in a small factory town that doesn’t offer much in the way of the future.
 
Review: I have read Stephen King’s “The Body” before, but this time I decided to listen to the audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton. One of my favorite movies, “Stand By Me”, is based on this novella and Wheaton plays Gordie Lachance.
 
Although Stephen King is known as the “King of Horror”, but he proves with this novella that he is the absolute master at capturing the human soul and the bittersweet transition from childhood to adulthood.
 
Four boys go looking for a dead body along the railroad tracks. It sounds simple, but it’s a deep, emotional journey filled with friendship, fear, and the realization that the worlds isn’t as safe as you hope it is as a child. The raw, honest way King describes the dynamics between the boys remains unmatched.
 
Wil Wheaton is the perfect choice as a narrator. He brings a vulnerability and sincerity to the text that perfectly matches the book’s melancholic tone. If anyone aside from King himself, knows this story, it’s Wheaton.
 
This book is an ode to friendship. Whether you’re familiar with the film or not, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves compelling characters development and atmospheric storytelling. A timeless classic that will stay with you long after you’ve closed the book.
 
Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Review - Remarkably Bright Creatures

Director: Olivia Newman
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 111 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Sally Field, Lewis Pullman, Alfred Molina, Colm Meany, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant, Joan Chen, Sofia Black-D’Elia
 
Description: Through unlikely bonds formed during night shifts at a local aquarium, Tova (Sally Field), an elderly widow, learns of a life-changing discovery that may bring her joy and wonder once again.  
 
Review: There are movies you watch, and movies you experience. “Remarkably Bright Creatures” undoubtedly belongs to the latter category. Director Olivia Newman has succeeded in translating the complex emotions from Shelby Van Pelt’s bestsellers into a visually stunning and deeply moving drama that lingers in your mind for days. The beating heart of the film is the extraordinary bond between 70-year-old Tova Sullivan and Marcellus, a giant octopus at the Sowell Bay Aquarium.

Sally Field plays Tova with a fragile strength that immediately touches you; her loneliness following the loss of her husband and the disappearance of her son thirty years ago is palpable in every scene where she silently scrubs the floors of the aquarium. When she and Marcellus (with the masterful, gruff voice of Alfred Molina) find each other, a chemistry emerges that is almost magical. Marcellus is not a pet, but a highly intelligent being who observes humanity with a cynical eye. Except for Tova. Their silent understanding and the way Marcellus helps her unravel the truth about her past form one of the most original and moving friendships I’ve ever seen.

In addition to the connection with Marcellus, the arrival of Cameron (an excellent Lewis Pullman) drives the story forward. Cameron is a man in his thirties who cant seem to get his life together and ends up in Sowell Bay in search of answers about his origins. The dynamic between the dutiful, reserved Tova and the chaotic, searching Cameron is beautifully crafted. What begins as an awkward working relationship grows into a deep human connection. Tova sees in Cameron the potential he himself does not yet see, while Cameron unconsciously fills the void left by the disappearance of Tova’s son. The film sublimely demonstrates how two strangers can heal each other, simply by appearing in each other’s lives at the right moment.

Visually and emotionally balanced, the cinematography perfectly captures the misty, melancholic atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest, which forms a beautiful contrast with Marcellus’s colorful and almost otherworldly appearance.

“Remarkably Bright Creatures” is a rare film that both breaks your heart and mends it. It is an ode to the power of friendship, in whatever form it takes, and a reminder that it is never too late to find the truth to start over. With top-notch performances and a script that never misses a beat, this is an absolute 5-star must-see. Don’t you just love it when they get the book to movie adaptation right?

Rating: 5/ 5

Book Review - Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Title: Remarkably Bright Creatures
Author: Shelby Van Pelt
Genre: Fiction/ Contemporary
Published: 2022
 
Description: After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors an tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago. Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors – until her forms a remarkable friendship with Tova. Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.
 
Review: “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt is a rare kind of debut novel: one that moves from the very first page, makes you laugh, and ultimately leaves you with a lump in your throat. It is a beautifully woven story that shows that hope and connection can be found in the most unlikely places.
 
The absolute star of the book is Marcellus, a headstrong and highly gifted giant octopus who lives in the Sowell Bay Aquarium. His observations of the human world are sharp, humorous, and surprisingly wise. Marcellus is not just an animal; he is a fully-fledged character with a voice of his own who compels the reader to look at the world and intelligence in a different way.
 
The human heart of the story is Tova Sullivan, a seventy-year-old widow who cleans the aquarium at night to dispel the silence in her life. Tova carries a heavy loss with her: the unsolved disappearance of her eighteen-year-old son Erik, thirty years ago. The bond that forms between Tova and Marcellus is one of the most heartwarming friendships I’ve read in a long time.
 
When the young Cameron arrives in Sowell Bay, the various storylines begin to come together in an ingenious way. Van Pelt carefully builds the tension and emotional release, allowing the reader to see every piece of the puzzle fall into place.
 
The book tackles heavy themes such as loneliness, grief, and aging, but does so with a light, almost magical touch. The town of Sowell Bay feels like a warm community you’d want to be a part of yourself. And besides to bond between Tova and Marcellus, Tova also forms a bond with Cameron, which I absolutely loved as well.
 
I have read many books where we follow several characters, but never have I read a story with chapters told from the perspective of an octopus. It could become silly, but Van Pelt makes Marcellus believable and unforgettable.
 
“Remarkably Bright Creatures” is an ode to the power of friendship and the ability to come to terms with the past. It’s a book you don’t just read, it stays with you long after you closed it. An absolute must-read for anyone looking for a story with soul. This is the ultimate feel-good read and it is now one of my all-time favorites.
 
Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Review - Apex

Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Genre: Action/ Thriller
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Charlize Theron, Taron Edgerton, Eric Bana
 
Description: A mountain climber (Charlize Theron) haunted by a fatal decision in Norway retreats to the Australian wilderness for isolation. Her journey turns into a desperate hunt when a deceptive local (Taron Edgerton) targets her as his next ritualistic prey in the bush.
 
Review: “Apex” is a thrilling survival thriller. Sasha is by herself in the wilderness of Australia, wanting some solitude. But a local starts hunting her, literally.

The film is just over 90 minutes and it’s a thrill ride. The story is simple yet original, but features some predictable plot twists. It has solid action and the tension is really present. It lacks depth, but somehow that isn't all that bothersome. We know just enough about Sasha to root for her.

I have to praise Charlize Theron for her physical commitment to the role and portrayal of the grieving, independent climber. Taron Edgerton shows a different side of himself. His performances sometimes balances on the edge of being too much, but he never crosses that line.

“Apex” is a cat-and-mouse game. The final half-hour is not as compelling as the rest, but it’s an exciting nail-biter of a thriller.

Rating: 3/ 5

Book Review - The Examiner by Janice Hallett

Title: The Examiner
Author: Janice Hallett
Genre: Mystery
Published: 2024
 
Description: The students of Royal Hastings University’s new Multimedia Art course have been trouble from day one. Acclaimed artist Alyson wants the department to revolve around her. Ludya struggles to balance her family and the workload. Jonathan has management experience but zero talent for art. Lovely Patrick can barely operate his mobile phone, let alone professional design software. Meanwhile blustering Cameron tries to juggle the course with his job in the City and does neither very well. Then there’s Jem. A gifted young sculptor, she’s a promising student… but cross her at your peril.
 
The year-long course is blighted by accusations of theft, students setting fire to one another’s art work, a rumored extra-marital affair and a disastrous road trip. But finally they are given their last assignment: to build an interactive art installation for a local manufacturer. With six students who have nothing in common except their clashing personal agendas, what could possibly go wrong?
 
The answer is: murder. When the external examiner arrives to assess the students’ essays and coursework, he becomes convinced that a student was killed on the course and that the others covered it up. But is he right? And if so, who is dead, why were they killed, and who is the murderer? Only a close examination of the evidence will reveal the truth. Your time starts now…
 
Review: Janice Hallett’s “The Examiner” is, as we’ve come to expect from her, a unique reading experience. Hallett remains the queen of the modern epistolary style; the story is told entirely through emails, text messages, transcripts, and official documents. Although this format is once again ingeniously crafter, this book managed to captivate me not as much as her earlier work, such as “The Appeal” and “The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels”.
 
The book follows six students pursuing a master’s degree in Art at the University of Royal Hastings. Their project is closely monitored by an external examiner, who soon notices that behind the artistic expressions lies a web of jealousy, passive-aggressive emails, and a dark secret.
 
It remains impressive how Hallett can weave a complex murder mystery using only digital communication. It feels very relatable and modern. The tension among the group of students is, at times, delightfully uncomfortable. The passive-aggressive tone in the group chats is spot-on.
 
Unlike her other books, I found it difficult to really connect with the characters. This time, they felt more like “types” than real people, which made the final resolution less impactful for me. The middle section drags a bit and it takes a while before the true stakes of the mystery become clear.

“The Examiner” is a solid whodunnit for lovers of the genre and fans of Hallett’s distinctive style. It’s a cleverly constructed puzzle, but for me it lacked the urgency and sharpness that made some of her previous books so spectacular. A good read, but not a standout.
 
Rating: 3/ 5 

Book Review - Half His Age by Jenette McCurdy

Title: Half His Age
Author: Jenette McCurdy
Genre: Fiction/ Romance
Published: 2026
 
Description: Waldo is ravenous. Horny. Blunt. Naïve. Wise. Impulsive. Angry. Forceful. Hurting. Perceptive/ Endlessly wanting. And the thing she want most of all: Mr. Korgy, her creative writing teacher with the wife and the kid and the mortgage and the bills, with the dead dreams and the atrophied looks and the growing paunch. She doesn’t know why she wants him. It is a passion? His life experience? The fact that he knows books and films and things that she doesn’t? Or is it purer than that, rooted in their unlikely connection, their kindred spirits, the similar filter with which they each take in the world around them? Or, perhaps it’s just enough that he sees her when no one else does.

Review: After the impressive “I’m Glad My Mom Died”, my expectations for Jenette McCurdy’s fiction debut were sky-high. Unfortunately, “Half His Age” is a massive disappointment that falls short in nearly every way. What works as a direct and honest voice in her memoir feels unpolished and repetitive here.
 
We meet Waldo, a 17-year-old girl who starts to show a special interest in her creative writing teacher, Mr. Korgy, who is 40.
 
Waldo is meant to be a complex character struggling with trauma and a shopping addiction. Instead she comes across mainly as insufferable and one-dimensional. Her obsession with her teacher lacks emotional depth. Mr. Korgy himself is a cliché and he is utterly uninteresting. Because you don’t connect with either of them, their destructive relationship feels more like a tedious repetition of tropes than a bold literary statement.
 
The book relies heavily on explicit, often vulgar scenes that push the boundaries of discomfort. Although McCurdy indicates that this discomfort is intentional, in practice it mostly feels like cheap shock value. There is one scene especially (if you read it, you know which scene I mean) that was so gross. The couple already gave me the ick, but that scene made it worse.
 
I love Jennette McCurdy, and I really wished I liked this book, but it lacks humor, nuance and sincerity that made McCurdy such an interesting voice. “Half His Age” is mainly a frustrating reading experience that I wouldn’t recommend to anyone.
 
Rating: 1/ 5