The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

From the moment I started The Housemaid, I thought I was in for a straightforward story. But by the time I reached the end, my adrenaline was through the roof! This psychological thriller took me on a wild ride, and I absolutely loved every twist and turn.

The story starts with Millie Calloway, a woman struggling to rebuild her life after spending the past ten years in prison. Rejection after rejection has left her desperate, forcing her to live in her car. So when she lands a live-in housekeeping job with the wealthy and elegant Nina Winchester, it feels like a dream—especially with the added bonus of a generous salary.

At first glance, Nina seems easy to work for. She has it all: a lavish home, endless wealth, and a husband who is the definition of perfection—Andrew Winchester is charming, caring, wealthy, and heartbreakingly handsome. But as Millie settles in, an unsettling feeling gnaws at her. Nina’s mood swings are erratic, her behavior unpredictable, and she scrutinizes Millie’s every move. Then there are the whispers, the rumors about the Winchesters, and before Millie knows it, she finds herself sympathizing with Andrew… maybe even falling for him.

Part II flips the script. We step into Nina’s world, and suddenly, everything shifts. The puzzle pieces snap into place, and the truth is far darker than I ever imagined. The character development is masterfully executed, tying the plot together in a way that leaves me breathless. It is a gripping, chilling, and brilliantly plotted novel that keeps me guessing until the very end - I give it a solid 4.5 stars!

Anak yatim piatu

Buat julung kalinya aku bawak budak 2 ekor ni balik kampung. Betapa bertanggungjawabnya aku kalau nak dibandingkan dengan mak budak berbulus ni. Harap² mak dia insaflah lepas ni dan berterima kasih pada aku sebab jadi mak angkat walau pun tak sempurna.😭

Famous by Blake Crouch

I’ve always been curious about this author’s work, given the glowing praise surrounding it. This novel was first published in 2011—one of his psychological thrillers —and didn't disappoint. While some reviews mention otherwise, I found it to be a deliberate and unsettling buildup to something truly unforgettable.

Meet Lancelot Blue Dunkquist, a man burdened by an uncanny resemblance to Oscar-winning actor James Jansen. Wherever he goes, people mistake him for the elusive star, a man rumored to be battling personal demons and disappearing from the public eye. But instead of brushing off the comparisons, Lance becomes obsessed. The idea of stepping into Jansen’s life grips him so tightly that he abandons his mundane routine, leaves his parent's house, and heads straight to New York, setting into motion a plan only he fully understands.

Lance is unpredictable, unreliable, and dangerously charismatic. As he maneuvers through the lives of those who idolize Jansen, charming his way into exclusive circles, the lines between reality and illusion blur. Then comes the moment he finally stands face to face with the real James Jansen—an encounter that unravels into a shocking, spiraling chain of events. He achieves what he set out to do... but not in the way anyone could have expected.

Darkly humorous and layered with psychological tension, though it moves at a slow burn, the payoff is worth it. The ending? I loved it. If you appreciate mind games and an unreliable narrator, this book is for you. Solid 4 stars from me.

Pantai Lido suatu masa dulu

Rindunya zaman ni. Kat sinilah tempat lepak family aku petang/ malam. Masa kami berempat dulu, abah memang akan sentiasa luangkan masa untuk kami walau pun dia penat balik kerja. Kenangan yang tak akan aku lupakan. 

Gaji abah tak banyak masa tu. Tapi kalau pegi sini mesti dia beli jajan. Paling aku ingat ice-cream calong dengan yongtaufu/cucuk². Sedap giler pada aku masa tu. Duduk² sambil hirup udara tepi pantai, the real definition.😩. 

 

Berbeza dengan sekarang. Aku nak tanya, sekarang tempat tu dah maju ke? Dengan terbinanya kondo, soho, kau rasa itu ke ukuran kemajuan? Kebahagiaan? Emm...tapi tulah aku bukan siapa². Aku cuma ikan kaloi...blupblupblup

Invisible Helix by Keigo Higashino

Ryota Uetsuji’s body is found floating in the bay with a bullet wound in his back. His girlfriend, Sonoka Shimauchi, immediately becomes the prime suspect—except she has an airtight alibi. Days before his corpse surfaced, she had already reported him missing. Now, as the homicide team races to untangle the mystery, Sonoka becomes more elusive, slipping through their grasp like a shadow. The deeper the investigation goes, the murkier the waters become. The homicide team discovered that the victim had a history of abusive behavior, making him a person who was universally disliked. 

Manabu Yukawa's connection to the case seems incidental at first, a mere coincidence in a tangled investigation. He was known for his razor-sharp intellect but whose true intentions remain shrouded in mystery. But as the investigation deepens, so does his involvement. Yukawa isn’t just solving a crime—he’s navigating a path toward something far more personal. The answers, when they come, are as startling as the crime itself.

With shifting perspectives, unexpected twists, and a fresh look at Yukawa’s enigmatic nature, this mystery pulls into a web of secrets where every answer leads to more questions. Brilliant, and utterly gripping—this is a case that won’t let go until the final, shocking revelation. 4.5 ⭐