ARC Review: Beautiful Victim by Claire C. Riley.

» Dark. Twisted. Eerie. Claire C. Riley stirs up a hornet’s nest with this intoxicating psychological thriller you won’t have the power to put it down even when there would be times you will probably want to. «

Beautiful Victim

by Claire C. Riley

Details

Published on March 30th, 2018
Stand Alone|300 pages |Mystery – Suspense – Thriller

by Claire C. Riley

The perfect villain… or the perfect victim?

Growing up, Carrie was Ethan’s one true love, his fixation and his constant obsession. Friends to the bloody end, they were each other’s rocks whilst navigating through their dark and monstrous childhoods together. But then Carrie died and Ethan was almost destroyed by the secrets that were revealed in her wake.

It’s now fifteen years later and Carrie is back from the dead… and Ethan is forced to confront a truth he’s tried to deny himself for all these years.

With his obsession renewed, the situation rapidly spirals out of control as their story escalates towards a dark and startling conclusion. Because now Ethan has a singular focus;
Keep the girl, no matter what the consequences!

The truth should set you free, but what happens when the truth is the one thing that can destroy you?
Can Ethan’s obsession for the girl he’s always loved ever really be more than that? Or is the idea of her the only thing left to fight for… because perhaps, the illusion of Carrie was the only thing he ever really had.

«I received a complimentary copy of this book and have volunteered to leave a review.»

I wanted to try a new genre. I wanted to test my limits. But with a thriller? Oh, yes! And Beautiful Victim meant to be the perfect head start on that direction.

What I didn’t expect on Beautiful Victim is the in first person narrative of one complexed mind. He believes that he is no one, a shadow into the dark corners of the city. He likes it that way. However, Ethan is a man with high moral standards, righteous and polite to people. He could have been someone but life treated him wrong. Years ago, Ethan fell in love with a younger girl, Carrie Brown, because she had shown him interest. However, their relationship wasn’t conventional, wasn’t right. Yet, Ethan promised to save her, promised to forever love her. Twenty years after, his promises to Carrie are still vivid even if Ethan never seen her since that tragic night. He doesn’t believe that she’s dead. He still feels her presence. The moment he took a glimpse of her, after all these years, he made his mission to find her and finally own her. Now, the pandora box is opened and the abnormality of Ethan’s and Carrie’s relationship is at last exposed. Who will survive in the end? Of course, the beautiful victim…

Chaotic. Turbulent. Beautiful Victim demands your attention and has the power to earn it. This page turning, suspenseful thriller is meant to be read in one sit. Ethan’s narration is utterly riveting. The moment I felt something good for him I was instantly confused by the unorthodox turn of his thoughts. I even hated him. I felt almost the same for Carrie’s character. Couldn’t find good in her either. What I like most of the storyline was how the author, with her well versed talent helped me visualise the scenes she narrated. The power to surface the feels of despair, dread or obsession in me was intoxicating. Like I was Ethan and Carrie at the same time. Like I was placed into their cruel reality. Wicked!!!

Overall; Beautiful Victim was an interesting reading for me, tho is a far cry from what I usually read. To readers who enjoy psychological thrillers and who are looking for a great read Beautiful Victim is one perfect choice. I honestly recommend it. Until next time, enjoy your free time reading great books with the most unforgettable stories.

Vivi

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