JULY Reads

As a huge fan of Freida McFadden's work, diving into 'The Crash' was something I was really looking forward to this July. Her books usually have me on the edge of my seat, complete with those signature, jaw-dropping twists you never see coming. The premise, coupled with that intriguing snowy road cover, promised a chilling and suspenseful read. I was picturing a secluded cabin, a blizzard, and secrets unfolding in the vast white landscape. However, after turning the final page, I found myself feeling a bit... underwhelmed. While it was an enjoyable enough read, I found myself predicting key plot points much earlier than I usually do with her novels. It wasn't that the story was bad, but the element of surprise, which I cherish in thrillers, seemed to be missing. For a book that's marketed as a thriller, predictability can really dampen the experience. I kept waiting for that classic McFadden punch, but it never quite landed for me. What makes a thriller truly gripping? For me, it's the masterful misdirection, the red herrings, and characters whose motives are constantly shifting, leaving you questioning everyone and everything. When a plot twist feels telegraphed, or a character's true intentions become obvious too soon, some of that delicious tension dissipates. I think part of it might have been the pacing, or perhaps some of the character revelations felt a little too straightforward compared to her usual complex psychological delves. I've read other thrillers with a similar 'snowy isolation' setting, and they often use the environment to amplify the sense of dread and uncertainty, which I didn't feel as strongly here. If you're new to Freida McFadden, 'The Crash' might still offer a decent introduction to her writing style, but if you've already devoured her more intricate works like 'The Housemaid' or 'Want to Know a Secret?', you might find this one less electrifying. I'd still recommend trying her other books first if you're looking for that true, unexpected McFadden thrill. For me, the magic of her previous books lies in how she intricately weaves a web of deceit, making you doubt your own detective skills until the very last chapter. While 'The Crash' provided a quick diversion, it didn't quite achieve the same level of suspense and surprise that has made her one of my go-to authors for psychological thrillers.