A book that has it all – if you read one book this year, make it this one. A stunning and scary plot which leaps out at you, The Nesting by C. J. Cooke is a must read.
The plot:
Deep in a remote Norwegian forest, Lexi has found a new home with architect Tom and his two young daughters. With snow underfoot and the sound of the nearby fjord in her ears, it’s as if Lexi has stepped into a fairy tale.
But this family has a history – and this place has a past. Something was destroyed to build their beautiful new house. And those ancient, whispering woods have a long memory.
Lexi begins to hear things, see things that don’t make sense. She used to think this place heavenly, but in the dark, dark woods, a menacing presence lurks.
With darkness creeping in from the outside, Lexi knows she needs to protect the children in her care.
But protect them from what?
I loved everything about it. READ. THIS. BOOK.
“Wow” < what you will say after you finish this book.
The Nesting is an intense read, filled with Norwegian folktales and a sinister plot to keep you on your toes.
This book definitely creeped me out – it goes beyond your typical thriller in the ‘scary’ sense and brings together moments which will genuinely make you hold your breath. Now I have a pretty vivid imagination, but everything is explained so well that you can envision everything – it makes you jump at every noise, and because 90% of it is so believable, I found my heart racing more often than not.
Not only has it got fantastic characters and the gorgeous setting of Norway, but also important topics and traditions weaved in with indescribable first-class language and a plot twist to die for. A gothic thriller mystery which will make you shiver? YES PLEASE X1000.
It’s incredibly fast-paced; it really only felt like I’d read 100-odd pages, and there are lots of different stories for you to follow, with never a dull moment. I can’t express enough how fantastic this plot was, but it’ll definitely make my top books of the year.
Chapters are split between ‘then’ and ‘now’, and you’re really trying to establish what is going to happen and what’s happened in the past. You’re given snippets of information, but nothing to prepare you for the end (WOW, honestly!!).
I don’t know if it’s particularly a book I’ll read again in a rush knowing how the story goes, but I’m envying all the people who get to read this afresh, and I won’t be forgetting it in a hurry.
It’s a tough one to review, because I really don’t want to give spoilers because it’s a plot you need to fully immerse yourself in. But trust me, The Nesting envelopes you and will take over you for the hours you spend reading it. I’d offer a money-back guarantee (disclaimer: my bank would not allow this), because I’m that confident you’ll like it.
5-stars. One of the best books I’ve read this year. I loved everything about it. READ. THIS. BOOK.
The Nesting, C. J. Cooke, RRP £12.99 (hardback); Book Depository
Pages: 394
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Gothic/ Mystery/ Thriller/ Fantasy/ Horror
