Scan barcode
beanjoles's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
All in all, an incredible follow-up to The Jigsaw Man! Nadine Matheson is a supremely talented author who has a remarkable knack for writing clear, descriptive prose that’s gripping from start to finish. Greatly looking forward to more Henley novels. My only regret is that I found her book series so soon, because I don’t have a backlog I can work through now that I’m done her two current novels! :’)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Torture, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Racism and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide
Schizophrenia, psychosis, borderline personality disorder, and bipolar disorder are all mentioned by name in this book. Symptoms of psychosis, mania, and depression are discussed in detail at various points. In my opinion as a person with bipolar who’s frequently frustrated by how we’re portrayed in media—the descriptions of mental illness are factual, not overplayed for drama, and are respectful to the folks who are ill. They are not demonized for their illnesses by any of the key protagonists. Mild plot spoilers:molsreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
tabby2920's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely loved this! Nadine Matheson is becoming one of my favorite authors! Not only she writes gripping and heart-racing thrillers, she also develops realistic characters that leap off the page and make you as the reader identify with them and want to learn more about them. If you are fan of mysteries, then Matheson's books need to be on your list!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
library_dreamer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
DI Anjelica Henley is back in The Binding Room by Nadine Matheson. If you enjoyed The Jigsaw Man, you won't be disappointed by this new one.
When Henley is called to investigate the murder of a popular preacher, she gets more than she bargained for when they find an unconscious and tortured man in a secret room of the church.
Faced with multiple suspects, a possible missing child, and more bodies, Henley must unravel the tangled web to catch a sadistic killer.
Matheson is an amazing crime writer. At over 500 pages, this one was a bit chunky for a thriller, but there wasn't much that didn't add to the story, so I don't think it could have been shorter. I'm definitely excited for more from this author.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and @NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
When Henley is called to investigate the murder of a popular preacher, she gets more than she bargained for when they find an unconscious and tortured man in a secret room of the church.
Faced with multiple suspects, a possible missing child, and more bodies, Henley must unravel the tangled web to catch a sadistic killer.
Matheson is an amazing crime writer. At over 500 pages, this one was a bit chunky for a thriller, but there wasn't much that didn't add to the story, so I don't think it could have been shorter. I'm definitely excited for more from this author.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and @NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Miscarriage, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, and Murder
allthebookssheloved's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I hate not giving mama Nadine 5 stars but she left me slightly unsatisfied in the ending; it was a bit rushed and not as detailed as I needed for closure.
Dalisay and Niall’s backstories, who are these people? What are their motivations?
But I can not deny the impactful descriptions, the social commentary and the strong connection I felt toward Anjelica Henley and my investment in her professional and personal journeys.
Nadine Matheson has become an auto-buy author for me.
But I can not deny the impactful descriptions, the social commentary and the strong connection I felt toward Anjelica Henley and my investment in her professional and personal journeys.
Nadine Matheson has become an auto-buy author for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
locpressedbooks_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Torture, Violence, Dementia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual harassment
Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
soobooksalot's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Crime procedural with a dark edge? Nadine Matheson is 100% your author!
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada and Netgalley for my eARC for review!
The Binding Room is one of my most-anticipated books of the year, as it's the second in the series featuring DI Angelica Henley from The Jigsaw Man.
Friends, this sequel does NOT disappoint.
The same gritty, fast-paced storytelling that hooked us in The Jigsaw Man is here again, and possibly even more, in The Binding Room.
Pastor Caleb Annan has been stabbed to death in his church, which oddly isn't the most disturbing thing found in the building. A barely-alive young man is found in a hidden room in the church, with injuries chronicling torture and neglect.
This sets off a series of finding further victims with similar abuse, and investigations of who is behind it and why.
This is a relentlessly readable book, with not one extraneous scene. It all flows and fits and pertains.
Henley, Ramouter, Pellacia et al are back, and even more fascinating in the second installment - these are characters I can't wait to follow the stories of through the rest of the series.
For fans of Criminal Minds/CSI-style thrillers, highly recommended!
Released on July 12.
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada and Netgalley for my eARC for review!
The Binding Room is one of my most-anticipated books of the year, as it's the second in the series featuring DI Angelica Henley from The Jigsaw Man.
Friends, this sequel does NOT disappoint.
The same gritty, fast-paced storytelling that hooked us in The Jigsaw Man is here again, and possibly even more, in The Binding Room.
Pastor Caleb Annan has been stabbed to death in his church, which oddly isn't the most disturbing thing found in the building. A barely-alive young man is found in a hidden room in the church, with injuries chronicling torture and neglect.
This sets off a series of finding further victims with similar abuse, and investigations of who is behind it and why.
This is a relentlessly readable book, with not one extraneous scene. It all flows and fits and pertains.
Henley, Ramouter, Pellacia et al are back, and even more fascinating in the second installment - these are characters I can't wait to follow the stories of through the rest of the series.
For fans of Criminal Minds/CSI-style thrillers, highly recommended!
Released on July 12.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Dementia, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I bloody loved this book. I enjoyed it just as much as THE JIGSAW MAN. It’s a very dark gritty detective thriller series which I am loving - it’s been a while since I’ve read one like this.
The plot for this book follows a series of ritualistic murders which I found to be very interesting. The writing style of this series fits that dark storyline. A big part of this book is mental health which I found was handled really well - not just the victims/suspects but the investigating team as well.
I found it very gripping, I literally couldn’t stop reading it and kept wanting to know more. The writing is fantastic and I love the character development for the investigating team. We knew a bit about them from the previous book, but this one has expanded on that a lot more for each of the characters. I am loving Henley and Ramouter’s friendship in this book. They bounced off each other really well.
The only negative thing I’d have to say about this book is that it’s an absolute CHONK of a book. I honestly think it could’ve been shortened by about 100 pages and still contain all the necessary details.
Overall, I loved everything about this book and I honestly can say that Matheson is one of my favourite authors, and an auto-buy author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Dementia, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail