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A review by meeklovestoread
The Good Samaritan by John Marrs
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
You know after reading "Keep It In The Family" (my official favorite J.M. book) a few months ago, I knew I needed a new one of his soon. This is my fifth book by him that I've read and although his books aren't my ideal thriller style I know I can always count on him to deliver an interesting and entertaining thriller.
Now when starting this, it was slow but I ran along with it. The first third I'd say is a lot of setup from what I recall. So we're in Laura's head and reading about her day-to-day life as well as her working at End of the Line and her state of mind and whatnot. So as we're reading in her POV, we can already tell that Laura not gonna be an empathetic character by any means. Now during this part of the story, although I was intrigued I didn't find the plot too interesting. I'm not sure how to explain it, like the plot wasn't boring; I actually admired how unique it was cuz I'm a sucker for a unique plot, but I didn't feel like anything exciting was happening.
And when we switched POVs, I still wasn't at the edge of my seat or anything. And about maybe halfway or over halfway an event happens that's pretty coincidental so I had to suspend my disbelief for that. And then afterwards it was just a cat-and-mouse situation which is fine, like it was entertaining. But I don't think this was the type of thriller I was in the mood for. I was hoping it was more adrenaline-pumping and more action. I was hoping more crazy things would happen. And I DID get that in the last 25%. Ooooooofffffff! The last 25% was crazy. Lots of vindictive and heinous things going on to the point where certain moments made me mildly uncomfy (which is rare for me when it comes to thrillers).
Brooooooo! Laura! Laura is INSANE! Like I knew she was ill in the brain considering she literally gets a kick out of people dying. However, my goodness! Bro, she's the devil in a dress (love the country reference); like oh my gosh! I've read about some nefarious people in books, but she takes the cake for being one of the most psychologically unhinged people I've ever read about. I saw a comment that said she'd put Joe Goldberg to shame and they are absolutely correct. Aint anybody stepping up to Laura. Like she was twisted in the worst and yet best way cuz I was lowkey rooting for her as well as synonymously wanting her to go down. Cuz at some point, it got too much, I'm like GIRL, you didn't learn your lesson!
You know as I was reading, I honestly was wondering about the mind of author cuz I find it mildly perplexing how John Marrs can create such a character and then go about his day like he didn't just write about one of the most abhorrent human beings to deface a page (I'm so dramatic, but she really was that bad). And speaking of Laura her whole "condition" wish we got more clarity on it, not necessarily a diagnosis but more so on what events she was talking about were real or not. Again, this thriller is more suspenseful, mysterious, and dark rather one that gets your adrenaline pumping. So, if you're an avid thriller reader this may not deliver on the "thrilling" factor, but if you're into DARK thrillers, this most definitely is that.
Because I was in the mood for a more adrenaline-pumping thriller and not more mysterious one where we're just following these people be unhinged, this book was a 3.75 for me for the longest time, but the last 25% did give me what I wanted so I'll give it that. Overall, I like this thriller. I appreciate how intricate John Marrs was with the details, the twists, and the characters' state of mind. I also appreciate that this was a subtle commentary on mental health and how one could be driven to suicide. As I mentioned before, this book is very dark, so I do think this book could be pretty triggering for people that deal with the themes associated with this book so before if you have underlying mental health issues especially if they're associated with depression and suicidal thoughts or idealations; beware when picking up this book.
Now when starting this, it was slow but I ran along with it. The first third I'd say is a lot of setup from what I recall. So we're in Laura's head and reading about her day-to-day life as well as her working at End of the Line and her state of mind and whatnot. So as we're reading in her POV, we can already tell that Laura not gonna be an empathetic character by any means. Now during this part of the story, although I was intrigued I didn't find the plot too interesting. I'm not sure how to explain it, like the plot wasn't boring; I actually admired how unique it was cuz I'm a sucker for a unique plot, but I didn't feel like anything exciting was happening.
And when we switched POVs, I still wasn't at the edge of my seat or anything. And about maybe halfway or over halfway an event happens that's pretty coincidental so I had to suspend my disbelief for that. And then afterwards it was just a cat-and-mouse situation which is fine, like it was entertaining. But I don't think this was the type of thriller I was in the mood for. I was hoping it was more adrenaline-pumping and more action. I was hoping more crazy things would happen. And I DID get that in the last 25%. Ooooooofffffff! The last 25% was crazy. Lots of vindictive and heinous things going on to the point where certain moments made me mildly uncomfy (which is rare for me when it comes to thrillers).
Brooooooo! Laura! Laura is INSANE! Like I knew she was ill in the brain considering she literally gets a kick out of people dying. However, my goodness! Bro, she's the devil in a dress (love the country reference); like oh my gosh! I've read about some nefarious people in books, but she takes the cake for being one of the most psychologically unhinged people I've ever read about. I saw a comment that said she'd put Joe Goldberg to shame and they are absolutely correct. Aint anybody stepping up to Laura. Like she was twisted in the worst and yet best way cuz I was lowkey rooting for her as well as synonymously wanting her to go down. Cuz at some point, it got too much, I'm like GIRL, you didn't learn your lesson!
You know as I was reading, I honestly was wondering about the mind of author cuz I find it mildly perplexing how John Marrs can create such a character and then go about his day like he didn't just write about one of the most abhorrent human beings to deface a page (I'm so dramatic, but she really was that bad). And speaking of Laura her whole "condition" wish we got more clarity on it, not necessarily a diagnosis but more so on what events she was talking about were real or not. Again, this thriller is more suspenseful, mysterious, and dark rather one that gets your adrenaline pumping. So, if you're an avid thriller reader this may not deliver on the "thrilling" factor, but if you're into DARK thrillers, this most definitely is that.
Because I was in the mood for a more adrenaline-pumping thriller and not more mysterious one where we're just following these people be unhinged, this book was a 3.75 for me for the longest time, but the last 25% did give me what I wanted so I'll give it that. Overall, I like this thriller. I appreciate how intricate John Marrs was with the details, the twists, and the characters' state of mind. I also appreciate that this was a subtle commentary on mental health and how one could be driven to suicide. As I mentioned before, this book is very dark, so I do think this book could be pretty triggering for people that deal with the themes associated with this book so before if you have underlying mental health issues especially if they're associated with depression and suicidal thoughts or idealations; beware when picking up this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Stalking
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail