The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer

Near Metland Farm, hidden among the cliffs, a near-mythical colony of guillemots once laid eggs unlike any other. The Metland Egg—cone-shaped, blood-red, and several times the size of a hen’s egg—became the stuff of legend. A prized possession among early 20th-century collectors, it was as elusive as it was illegal in modern times. Most striking of all, the egg was red..

A hundred years later, the Metland Egg has become more myth than reality—until Weird Nick tells his friend Patrick Fort that a strange egg has been stolen from his house. An inheritance from his father, the stolen artifact turns out to be the legendary Metland Egg itself, and its disappearance sets them on a path filled with secrets, obsessions, and the shadowy underworld of illegal wildlife collectors.

What unfolds is a richly layered, dual-timeline mystery, filled with twists that pull readers deeper into both the past and present. The narrative deftly juggles the tension of a classic whodunit with the quiet melancholy of lost heritage and fragile ecosystems. But what truly makes the story stand out is the character of Patrick Fort. His literal interpretation of language, difficulty with sarcasm, and social challenges strongly suggest traits of Asperger’s Syndrome. 

As I reached the end of this spellbinding novel, I found myself both satisfied and haunted. The writing is immersive, the pacing well-balanced, and the tone strikes just the right chord between nostalgic and urgent. And yet, one question lingers, quietly unsettling in its simplicity: Aren’t eggs supposed to hatch?

4.5 ⭐A richly imagined, emotionally intelligent story that combines the thrill of a mystery with the quiet wonder of natural history. Riveting.

The Death Of Us by Abigail Dean

Despite the slow-burn pacing, I found myself completely drawn into the chilling chronology of this story, told through the eyes of Isabel Nolan. What begins as a seemingly ordinary love-at-first-sight moment between Isabel and Edward Hennessy in the '90s quickly unfolds into something far more haunting. The author’s writing style is magnetic — weaving tenderness and terror with equal finesse.

As fear spread through the city, small crimes turned into something far more dangerous — the rise of a serial attacker known as the South London Invader. Starting in the late '80s with petty thefts and break-ins, his crimes grew darker over the years, leading to violent home invasions, torture, and eventually, murder.

Each page is a raw glimpse into the trauma left behind — how victims live under the shadow of being watched, how ordinary life slowly unravels. In 2001, tragedy strikes Isabel herself. What follows is not just her struggle to survive, but to exist. The emotional aftermath is palpable. You feel it in every missed detail, every strained attempt to return to normalcy.

Told in a striking epistolary format, the novel feels like reading Isabel's private messages — personal, vulnerable, and eerily intimate. Her words to address the Invader himself, as if trying to reclaim power over the narrative. The emotional weight Isabel and Edward carry after their trauma is rendered with aching.

This isn't just a story about a criminal — it’s about the enduring wounds left behind, and the quiet, invisible strength it takes to go on living. Every chapter brings new revelations, questions, and heartbreaks. I couldn’t put it down. I give 5 ⭐

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 ⭐

Bubur chacha

Bahan tak cukup tapi tetap teruskan. Malas nak pegi kedai.🙃