I wouldn’t call this horror – or even suspense – but psychological? Definitely.
Hello, Everyone! I hope you’re all enjoying this beautiful summer weather!
I won the AmazonKindle pre-release e-book version of this from Goodreads Giveaways, which is due to release this July, 2021.
These will absolutely be my own thoughts and opinions on the book.
I found myself wondering how a book is placed in it’s genre.. because this one missed a mark or two.
Horror, it is not. I also wouldn’t pick this one up hoping for a good scare or some fast paced, edge of your seat, tension building either. In fact.. I’m just going to go with ‘Wtf?’ for now.
Curious yet?
Potential Spoilers Ahead!
Trigger Warning: Topic of suicide, Violent altercations, Murder
Publication date: June 2021
Pages: 362
Genre: Horror, Psychological thriller, Suspense
Standalone
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First line: Since landing in New York and crashing on the small, lumpy sofa in Ben and Sofia’s apartment, I’ve heard Anthony Marino’s name a thousand times.
Betty’s running from the past and, when a long-time friend introduces her to the famous filmmaker Anthony Marino, she dives at the opportunity to become the lead role in his next big movie.
I’m being melodramatic. Insecure. Anthony offered me the role last night, didn’t he? Why can’t I just relax?
What would you do to be a different person?
Anything?
Anthony agrees she’s perfect for the part, but no one has said what part that is, or even what the movie is about. The other cast and crew members are keeping it to themselves and with Anthony only doling out small bits of information Betty’s starting to feel singled out.
Why am I the only one who doesn’t know what’s going on? These three are all in on the secret.
The location is set. They’ll be shooting on an private island owned by Anthony’s family, isolated, and under the constant surveillance of cameras hidden throughout. Their every moment will be recorded.
“This might sound improbable to you, because most people aren’t like this. But I think he needs a camera to function. Until he sees himself on film, he doesn’t know he’s real.”
It’s not long before Anthony’s true intentions for the movie come to light and Betty finally begins to understand the complicated purpose for her character. Now she has to ask herself whether the risks of continuing are worth the consequences and how far she’s willing to go to remain ‘Lola’.
This is it. This is what I’ve been asking for, since the first moment he mentioned the movie. The truth. The simple, unadorned, unsophisticated, raw, painful truth.
Tension rises and nerves fray as Anthony’s manipulations grow darker and more dangerous by the day. Everything starts to unravel before their eyes, terrible choices are made, and Betty has to wonder what they, and the movie, will look like in the end.
This is precisely what Anthony wanted. The cameras are still rolling. This chaos, this uncertainty, this moment of crisis when no one knows what will happen next or whether we will even survive another night—this—is the film Anthony plotted.
Three Stars
About the book:
Betty is running away from her past, things are too dark at home, and she just can’t deal. Her story begins from the couch of an old friend, Sofia, and her partner Ben. Now, these two are acquainted with the ‘Oh-so-amazing’ Anthony Marino who sweeps into their lives like a whirlwind. Betty feels an instant connection to Anthony and decides that landing this role is something she needs to get out of her own head and life. Why this supposedly incredible filmmaker chooses an untried and inexperienced “friend of a friend” for the biggest role in his newest masterpiece remains to be seen..
Overall:
To explain my earlier ‘Wtf’: Everyone in this book is unlikable. Every single one. Usually there’s at least some one you can think back on a go ‘See! They’re not all bad!”
But here? I couldn’t find myself feeling sympathetic towards, attached to, or very interested in any of them.
Betty: Indecisive and unsure of herself, she constantly second guesses her every move(and everyone else.) There’s no feeling of connection between her or any of the others, leaving most of the relationships awkward and stilted.. you can feel her discomfort and it makes you uncomfortable as well. She knows something is hinky from the very beginning and questions them often, but it literally does not matter, she just kind of mentally shrugs it off and keeps going.
Anthony: Entitled and self centered, he manipulates those around him, using their loyalties for his own means. He’s controlling and dismissive of Betty and uses his creation of ‘Lola’ as an excuse to get away with much. Their ‘relationship’ felt toxic. His actions and motivations mostly came off as childish and spiteful.
Sofia and Ben: Are such an adorable couple it’s a bit much.. but they are terrible friends to Betty. No good friend would knowingly put the other person in a position to be used the way they did.
Sammy: The real star of the show.. but that’s not until later.
There are quite a few moments in the book where the characters, mostly Betty, feel unsettled or spooked. Moments that allude to some dark, eerie atmosphere that I just wasn’t getting.. and it only added to my frustration with this book.
And I’m not sure if the all characters were meant to be off-putting, it really may just be me, but wow.. these guys are something else.
The one saving grace was the end, and I don’t just mean I was relieved to be finished, no. The author actually pulled out a pretty good twist at the last possible moment. Kudos for that.. but it just wasn’t enough.
Did I consume it in a fit of curiosity and confusion? Yes.
Was it a great read? No.. I don’t think it was.
This is my completely honest review of ‘Shutter’, I hope it was informative, and good luck!
What is a book you kept reading even when you didn’t like any of the characters?
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great review!! i haven’t heard of this one before! thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much.
And the release date is set for this June 15th! Happy reading! 🌹
i look forward to it!
Excellent review Sheri. Yes, I often disagree with classifications, mostly when books are touted as psychological thrillers, and they are not! ❤📚
Thank you! I understand that some will agree and some won’t.. but there are times when it’s just frustrating. You go in expecting one thing and get another.
It sounds like this one had potential but didn’t deliver. I also have a problem with books where not a single character is likable. That’s rough.
Very insightful review, Sheri!
You’re definitely right. The idea was there, it just didn’t work for me.. it might for someone else. 😅
Thank you! I really appreciate it!
Wow, that cover really captured my attention. So did the description. It’s a shame it didn’t deliver. It’s also a shame it didn’t nail the genre. (That always perplexes me, too. It’s like false advertising.) I’m not a fan of a whole cast of unlikeable characters, either. Seems like a lot of things for a book to overcome. Thanks for a candid review.
Right? I thought the same thing when I saw it!
Everyone’s reading experiences are different, of course, but you’re right.. there was quite a bit to get past. I can see others enjoying this book, it has promise, it just definitely wasn’t for me. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!