Book Slayers

Have you ever had a book recommendation from someone and once you've read it, you suddenly have a very new and disturbing opinion of that person?
Yeah, I'm looking at you, Betty.
Find out what book has me side eye and my cousin today and why I had trouble sleeping last night.
0:21 Come hang out with us as we talk about what we've been reading and what we are planning on reading in February.
Did you vote in our poll for our next deep dive book?
On Instagram?
You can find out what book we will be deep diving next.
All right guys, let's slay some books.
0:50 Hi readers, welcome back to Betty and Bonnie, the shit talking book slayers.
I'm Bonnie.
I'm Betty.
Yeah.
And we're back, baby.
We are back.
We are back.
You and I've got big emotions today.
1:05 Big, big emotions today.
I have tried to get a few people to read this book, but I don't sell it very well because on one hand it's bad, but it's so bad it was making me laugh.
And you're saying, but how disturbed you feel about me picking this book and making you read it?
1:25 I'd be more disturbed that I need to read the second one because I need to know what's going to come out of this one.
What?
Go on, what?
Do you think?
Oh, I left it on such a fucking click hanger that now I kind of need to know.
Now, the book that we're talking about is The Husband's Secret by Franklin Christopher.
1:42 And honestly, Franklin, are you OK?
Do you need help?
Did you?
Did you?
Is this a flare like to somebody to come and help you because Oh my fucking God.
Oh my fucking God, Jack.
It starts.
So when it first starts, you think, oh, it's just a kind of normal, maybe domestic Y kind of thriller and all of a sudden shit starts happening and there was so many chopping and changing of what was happening.
2:10 I thought I was reading different books at one point.
It was actually when something else happened, like another twist.
I was pissing my pants.
I found it hilarious.
Did you?
Open this man, I'm looking at you and I'm like, OK, this book is so fucking disturbing and you were laughing.
2:26 I was laughing what what how can it keep changing like this?
Like how?
How can you go through that many twisty, disturbing thing?
Go on, go into it.
I'm dying to do the pain.
2:43 So it starts out and this guy's like a personal trainer and he's like really baff and really sexy.
And he doesn't want his wife to be pregnant.
Like it's a thing about their marriages is he did not want kids.
And as we learn during the book, it's because he's fucking so unhinged.
3:00 He's basically a serial killer and the only way to stop him from killing people is for him to watch live abortions.
I know she found poor tights.
OK?
And I'm like, OK, he's going to be like a little freak.
OK, I can get on board with this.
3:16 Fucking live abortions.
BAE BAE.
Can I just say before I read this book I had no knowledge of what was going to happen.
Like I'm pretty sure the blurb doesn't let you know that something this fucked up is going to go on, but then so you think that's the fucked up thing and then there's more.
3:37 Yeah, you know what, I was like, I'm already at my limit for weirdness.
And yeah, then we found out the mother is just as fucking crazy.
And OK, so this whole thing about him, like, because the mum too, like, I don't know, she was psychologically abusing him, I swear to fucking God.
3:54 So you can kind of see why he's that mental.
About his mother.
Yeah, his mum.
So she literally made like, and I still don't know if this is true or not because of the way the book ended, but that she convinced him he was intersex and that he was fucking faggot.
4:13 And then they go through this elaborate scheme and making him fucking gain weight and having AC section, having this baby that apparently died.
And then they told him it wasn't true, that they were just like drugging him.
And then I was like.
And then the.
I can't.
I cannot actually remember how it ended.
4:31 I just remembered the whole intersex thing and then him being pregnant and then bearing in mind he didn't want his wife to be pregnant, no.
And then she was the one going out and he was the one like staying at home with the kid because they do have a kids in the end, right today or.
She so he got somebody else pregnant, they decided they didn't want to abort it late term.
4:52 And then he, that's a, he's the dad, but he makes her think they adopted this kid that just random kid that yeah, really kid.
Yeah.
Oh, he's like getting loads of other people pregnant and then you really so that he can have bought it and watch them because watching the abortions makes him not murder people because he was a fucked up kid that murdered people.
5:14 I've never heard, I've never honestly read a book on any level of this of fucked upness.
The mom, she was like, well, I made you fat.
I made you, I paid people to say these things to you.
So did she turn him into this crazy lunatic?
5:32 Because it kind of feels like she did.
But the end a case in the end, he he thinks he had this baby Kayla and he's really missing because he, he really felt like he carried this kid and this person at the fucking cemetery where they his headstone for this fake baby, like get no joke.
5:50 And he's like, oh, it was real.
Come to this place and we'll talk all about I'm an intersex too.
I was I was I was a seahorse father or something.
And I'm like.
I almost don't know.
It's like have a refresher of how the book ended before I do another one.
6:05 I mean I've known the books been out for a while, it's not top of my list or anything but I will get round to the second one because that is so fucked up.
I do not know where he's going to go with the next one, let alone the one after that.
So really top the crazy chart, OK.
Exactly.
I was about 50% through it.
6:23 I'm like, what did she do to me?
OK, Because I'm like this dude is really unhinged.
And honestly, if the wife's a little unhinged, I'm not being funny.
But she's even like playing the game to get money, like.
Yeah, there's.
Nobody likable in this fucking book.
6:38 Oh no, definitely not.
I mean, they're quite like a rich well off family, aren't they?
Maybe.
I think on his side and that's how the Mawa convinces him that he's like intersex and pregnant because they have their own private doctors that come in.
So she can tell the doctor to tell him whatever she wants him to believe.
But I think she's am I right in saying that she's trying to get him to realise how he's treating his wife or something?
6:58 Because he wouldn't be.
No, because she wasn't pregnant.
She was pregnant, but she fell down the stairs.
She tripped on Legos and fell down the stairs.
And then he wanted the little girl blamed for that, but it turns out it was a fucking nanny.
That's what I mean.
I'm like, I felt like he went bang and I'm like, Oh my God, I was just recovering from that.
7:19 And he uppercutted me right in the fucking face.
And I literally put the book down last night and I'm like, I fucking, I was like, I might say what's wrong?
And I'm like, Beige just hurt me in the worst way because I did not think that this was possible to be a recommendation from her ever.
7:37 And I've been splatter punk, OK, I'm very, very hard to surprise and very hard to freak out at this book.
And I put it down and I'm like, what the fuck did she just make me read?
I was laughing though because I found it so I found it quite ridiculous.
I2 starred it and I don't really.
7:53 Two Starbucks and you.
Made me really two star.
But aren't you glad you did though?
That is no hinged book.
Yes you are.
Yes you are.
Because you're enjoying.
I can't decide whether I liked it or not and I hate that I read it in one go.
8:09 I can't remember fully because I read it quite a while ago, but I feel like towards the ends, like it wasn't very good writing, like the grammar wasn't great, like punctuation, like I just remember seeing a lot of mistakes and then all these ridiculous things kept happening and I was like what is going on?
8:25 What is what?
Is the author.
I think we should have him on.
I'm going to.
I'm going to see if I can.
I'm going to see if I can.
I'm going to see if I can get him on.
No way he won't.
If he listens to this, he will.
I don't want it.
Yeah, but I this book is going to sit with me for a very long time.
8:43 But this book gave.
Me.
Yeah.
I mean, my memory is joking, but I remember the massive highlights of this book like I have, even though it's a two star deal.
I've tried to get people in book club to read it, I've told them, but where I've gone it's not brilliant.
But if it's like fucking mental and idea what The thing is, you can't explain to someone what this book's about because it will just give it away.
9:04 They won't be shocked, they won't be surprised.
Like, it took me well to convince you to read it, didn't it?
No, you can't really tell him.
I couldn't, no, what it was is I couldn't for some reason, it wouldn't download to my Kindle and limited it kept telling me there was an error.
So it it took me until the day before yesterday to even get it on my Kindle.
9:21 I don't know what the oh shit.
I don't know if it was like Kindle Unlimited.
It was like, honey, you don't want to read this.
You're going to be terrified.
You're going to be horrified and you're going to be looking at your cousin for the rest of your life, darling.
Bad Betty.
Bad Betty No, I don't know, because it says like I think that he might be an independent author because he just pulled up his website and he has the go in the mirror isn't me for free on his website and you just book funnel it and it's called the reflection and I'm I'm kind of intrigued.
9:52 Hang on, are these this the next books in the series?
Is that what?
They're called.
I think this is something else.
No, it's just like it's a supernatural thriller.
So clearly I think he must self publish.
So there's a very good chance that if I emailed this man, this crazy lunatic of the man, that he might come on.
10:10 It would, yeah.
I mean, like you said, where has he gotten from?
It is a crazy.
Like this, very like Stephen King.
A couple of his books were really unhinged back when he was like doing drugs and drinking all the time.
And half the time he doesn't even remember what he wrote that it come across very like, did somebody hurt you, buddy?
10:31 Do you need some help?
You know what I mean?
And I didn't think the writing was bad, actually.
I actually quite thought that he had.
There was something there like.
Because I'm not normally one to pick up on stuff like that.
So we've I've mixed it up with another book or I don't know.
But I do remember I was sat there on my sofa and I was cracking up when it turned out he was pregnant, I think was like, game over.
10:54 I was absolutely pissed in my pants.
And then when it turned out that wasn't true, I was like, Oh my God.
What we don't know, it's not true because someone's come and told him that it was real and that's and now he's out for revenge.
That's how Book 2 starts, apparently now.
11:10 He's done.
Revenge.
So I don't know whether this baby was real, whether he really was pregnant, whether he really is Intersect.
I have a lot of questions and that's why I'm like, do I read?
The mum did.
So what happened?
Did the mum say anything?
When did she not say it wasn't real?
11:27 Yeah, she did.
She told him afterwards we did this to like, what, did you feel murderous while you were pregnant?
Like she's, it's almost like she's like, I don't know, she's really psychologically damaging.
I, I, I don't know, I, I got to and this was my biggest problem, I think because he's a fucking psychopathic, crazed lunatic.
11:47 And by the end of it, I felt ever so sorry for him.
I know.
I know how though, because he's such a fucking asshole in the beginning.
I know.
But you understand what's happened.
From a very young age, it seems as though the mum's been psychologically abusing him and shaking the hornet's nest.
12:06 She, he was a product of the environment she created.
And then when he started doing the things that she was expecting him to do, now he's she's like trying to figure out a way to to curb the things that she started.
Yeah, maybe not that mean.
Like when you just said that, that reminded me of the housemaid.
12:22 You know, like Andrew, you realize that he has his little punishments because that's what his mum would do to him.
Yeah.
No.
Did you watch that?
By the way, have you seen the housemaid?
I haven't seen it yet.
It's not the movie theater in it.
Yeah, it's been on a long that's on like well here I think it was just before Christmas or just after I watched it beginning of January.
12:45 It was really good and I I think it was quite true to the book most of it.
They changed the ending slightly.
I won't spoil it in case anyone hasn't watched it yet because it is good.
They just changed a couple of bits at the end which to be honest made the film better I think rather than.
They didn't have to do.
13:02 It didn't take away from it at all.
I thought it was a really good, really well done.
I went to the cinema with, I took my mum and my older, I've got older children, obviously they're 17.
So yeah, we went.
We all really liked it.
It was it was good.
I think anyone who's read book, I mean I've heard one person say don't bother, but only one out of loads.
13:23 And I've had loads of stories like through TikTok or like friends where the like a girl who's probably read the book has took their other half to the cinema and they're like, that is the best film I've watched.
Yeah, because I read book.
Yeah, really good.
13:38 It's on my list.
It's just we don't, we don't do the movie theatre.
Having four kids, 10 and under, like even paying a babysitter, it's really not worth it, you know what I mean?
Like, no, I'd rather be at home where I can pause the TV because I have to pee at least six times during the movie.
13:58 You know what I mean?
I'm old now, so I am definitely going to watch.
I'm hoping that my husband will watch it with me, but he's it was his birthday a couple weeks ago when I bought him a starter kit for sourdough.
I bought him like a Punjabi.
Well, he's obsessed with like, the science now.
14:18 That's all he's talking about is like he's reading a book right now about the science behind Brett.
I'm not going to lie, that sounds like the most boring book in the fucking world.
Mike, what are you doing?
I was reading this.
I was reading this fucking hellscape last night.
14:33 I was sitting there talking all about you're on.
Front pages is unfucking real.
He's.
Like did you know?
That's funny.
That's funny.
I love that, though.
But I do like when you really get into something and then you can find a book you can read about it.
14:50 Yeah, that's a joy.
There's books about everything, isn't there?
Even about making breads.
Yeah, I think that he was talking about how, like sourdough became a thing during the Great Depression because there was no yeast.
And he was telling me about that last night.
15:06 And I'm like, this is actually kind of interesting, but all I really want is a.
Little bit interesting, I don't know if I could read a book on it, but you can let me know the highlights.
I just did.
What about the what about the so his and hers?
15:22 They did the TV show of that.
I watched it.
You watched it?
I did watch it.
What do you think?
I actually quite enjoyed it.
You have to understand, I read the book when it like before it came out, I had AI had an odd copy of it.
So it's not it wasn't refreshing my mind the book, but I really like we watched there.
15:39 We we binge there.
We finished it in a couple of nights.
Me and Mike did.
So I watched it and I don't know if it's just me the way I am since I started reading I actually find it quite hard to focus on TV for a long time unless it's really gripping.
So I think the first episode I was in episodes, let's say there was 6, I can't remember how how many there was I was.
8 I think.
16:01 Was it 8?
I think episodes two to seven, I was not gripped at all.
I was almost just kind of.
I do kind of remember the book.
I definitely remembered how it ended and who did it and whatever, but yeah, it wasn't gripped until the last episode.
16:16 And I was like, yeah, even though they did change it a bit, but I don't know if.
Yeah, they did.
They did that much.
I did remember because Mike asked me about it and I'm like, I'm fairly certain it's if they tweaked it.
And I think it worked really well.
I really do.
But I don't like the guy, like the the husband.
16:32 I can't remember his fucking name right now.
Is it Jack?
Yeah, it's Jack in the in the show, yeah.
I have disliked him from The Walking Dead because it was a real fucking tool in that and then he played the Punisher in Daredevil and he tried really hard but his nose irritates me.
16:50 I don't know I just feel his nose bugs me again.
It doesn't really bug me.
So watching him and I'm like why is this like hot woman married to that?
Yeah.
I'm still getting like a cold.
I'm just on honestly can winter fuck off now because I feel like since Christmas it's always a little bit of saying lingering, not enough to be ill, like you're off work, but it's constantly like I've just been itching my throat with my tongue like.
17:18 It's so.
Picky.
Have you not been there?
You have to like.
No, all mine's in my fucking sinuses.
I feel like, and I've never actually like maybe some like saline up my nose.
I don't like things up my nose, but I feel like I've been snorting razor blades and, you know, like hearts all in here.
17:37 I have sinus a little.
Nosy and my little.
Throat.
Yeah.
So I had this just before Christmas.
It was sinusitis.
And so normal thing would be to have like amoxicillin.
What is it?
I can't remember what the term is.
17:52 Antibiotics, but they weren't like giving it out anymore.
So she gave me like a steroid nasal spray.
And I just feel like that never cleared it up.
And there's just it doesn't hurt around where you're staying around your eyes, but it's always like lingering like around my throat and it just on.
And it's like, yeah, and this was before Christmas.
18:09 What?
And I.
Gone well, I'm mine's all cold based but Mike like because he has fibromyalgia rate so he takes medications for his pain and he can't even hold water down without like and it's been like that for a week yeah.
18:26 But I feel like ever since COVID more like cold, obviously, maybe it's it's like the hangover from COVID and COVID strains that have got like got to like flu cold.
But I've been more I'll since COVID than I ever have in my whole fucking life.
And if you know.
What?
No, not me.
18:41 From 2021 to about 2025, I barely got sick ever since I had my hysterectomy.
And all of a sudden my cleaning went out the window and I was eating fucking cookies and shit.
And I gained 20 lbs because.
And now I'm now I'm all sick.
18:57 I can't quite shake anything off like Mike's like, did you sleep?
And he's looking at my eyes and I'm like, yeah, he's like, you don't look well.
I'm like, I thought nicely fucker.
I've made an effort, you little bitch.
Yeah, I put eyeliner on.
19:15 I brushed my hair.
I showered.
Smell, noise.
I do.
You don't look good, fuck off.
You know what the you know what I hate about him?
Like I love my husband and I think he's really good looking, but he gets to roll out of bed with his fucking stubble and still look great and I look like I come out of a witch book.
19:36 My hair's sticking up.
Yeah, I'm like, I'm much more effort than they are.
I don't have one personally, but I do think men seem to grow older better than women in some cases, not all cases, obviously.
And they don't have to wear makeup.
They don't have to do anything, barely have to do your hair.
19:54 The only thing to the barbers more often.
But then we he.
Cuts his own hair.
He's got like this, He's got like, he's just starting to get the grey and he's like round here and oh God, I didn't realize I like that until I realized I like that.
That's not fair.
20:10 Making right with the grey hair.
It's it's good.
Like there, who is it?
Oh, Tom Welling.
OK, so Caitlin come over.
My eldest daughter, Caitlin, she come over and I was watching Smallville and she's like, oh, Tom Welling is like a really good looking man.
20:26 I'm like, have you seen him lately?
Because he's like silver foxing it, right?
And she's like, oh, that's actually kind of hot.
I'm like, dude, he is too old for you.
Don't even fucking think that.
You can look.
I'm like, you're allowed to lust after a 25 year old clock can over there, but you are not allowed to be lusting after a man older than your mother.
20:45 Exactly.
Not fair as weird men get.
Oh.
Although I did read it because I was watching a podcast episode with him and the guy that played Lex Luthor and he was like, I was telling my kids that I was like a 90s heartthrob and they're all laughing at me going sure, dad, I don't just laugh.
21:03 And I'm like, fuck, even he didn't get away from that.
That's so funny.
OK, so a book that I read because and I really, I actually quite enjoyed it.
So don't let it be in by Lisa Joel.
21:19 You didn't like it?
I didn't hate it, but I was just like, no, yeah, OK.
But do you not like, because we were talking about like how psychologically with the in the mirror house goes when we talk about Simon, about how his manipulations managed to create a cult of people in one room.
21:41 This guy managed to fucking have like many wives and girlfriends and somehow managed to be exactly what each of these women needed.
To get maybe it just angered me because like this shit does happen, right?
21:56 Yeah, it's like obviously mirror house girls a little bit more far fetched, but still happens.
But this is a little maybe more common, but I wouldn't say it all the time.
But I don't know, I think I I got angered by the people falling for it.
Not that I, you know, I don't mean it like in a horrible way, but I think that annoyed me and I just, I don't know, I just didn't find it riveting.
22:18 Like I think we did it for book club.
I probably don't even remember a lot of it.
Probably not the best.
I did the audio book and I thought after being in the mirror house called it was a really beautiful like mirror house girls was cult like, like this guy manipulated them.
22:34 But this guy managed to take individual women separately, find out what their vulnerabilities were so that he could steal money from them because that was what that really was about, right?
But somehow managed to find these successful women like one of the women had like businesses.
22:51 They weren't like vulnerable people, but it just proves that a smart manipulator.
It doesn't matter what kind of woman or man, because as it happens to men too, but if you have the right kind of person and the right circumstances, anybody can be fooled.
23:09 And I think I really enjoyed that aspect of it because I'm like, that woman had money and prestige and her husband passed away and she had restaurants and money and a family.
It's not like she was vulnerable, but somehow he still weasel.
23:25 Takes a little prick right in there.
Yeah, what I enjoyed is it was actually set here where I live.
Oh my God, yes.
Every time, folks.
And I was like, I love that.
And I didn't know that was going to happen.
23:41 I didn't realise some of it was.
Standing and someone posted a page of the book into our book club WhatsApp group and I was like, Oh my God, what is that book?
And he was like, you haven't started book club book yet.
Then I was like no, really cool.
So that I like a lot of the setting in it was not actually folksen, it was a made-up area, but it it was in general supposed to be set around here.
24:04 So I just.
Every time they said the word folksen, I'm like, I felt like I was home for a minute.
And because I haven't been home in like, Jesus fuck, almost 20 years, right?
Like I have not been home in almost 20 years.
I don't know what folksen looks like anymore.
So to me, I was like reminiscing and they were talking about a pub that I think is a real pub, right?
24:21 They said the Harbour Arms.
That there is a pub called the Harborum.
Yeah, I think that was the pub that he went to.
To to Gillespie.
Yeah, you would have been in it.
It's the one connected to Gillespie's.
But that's what I mean, he the the author mentioned that pub and I'm like, and I was doing this like they I was like, oh, I was so gay.
24:45 But the other book I read, Oh my God.
So I did the Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley.
I fell asleep during the audio back.
I was literally, I was listening and I was doing my socials because that's usually how I roll.
And the next thing I know I'm like, I'm like, oh, I must have dozed off.
25:04 I never dozed off during the day.
OK, I am not a napper.
And I'm like, oh, that was weird.
So I went back and I'm like, oh, that's why I fell asleep.
This book is fucking boring.
It was the first book of DNF this year.
I did read all of it.
I brought this book.
25:21 Where did I get it?
I think we was on holiday and maybe we went to like somewhere.
Maybe my dad bought it for me.
Maybe it was that one.
I can't remember.
I've got it from like a charity shop or something.
It wasn't a first hand and I think I might have read it on holiday or when I got back I thought it was OK.
25:36 It wasn't.
Again, it wasn't riveting.
I can kind of remember bits of it.
I can't remember the twist.
I can't remember the bit at the end.
I don't think.
I think Lucy Foley for me is generally sometimes a bit.
And apart from the Midnight Feast, I full start that one.
25:52 I quite liked that one.
I didn't.
And the other one I read was the guest list, which again was yeah, it was OK.
Oh no.
Oh.
My God, no.
I DNF that one too.
Last year.
Did you?
Yes.
I'm like, hang on a minute.
That's the one.
26:07 And I was like, I recognize the name.
Everyone's wedding.
Yes, and it was fucking boring.
OK, so Lucy Foley, like I am normally a quite high reviewer.
Like I have a tendency to force Starbucks than most people would like 3 Starbucks.
26:25 So I automatically am already that person and I did not like her at all.
I feel like maybe you should.
I don't think write Lucy Foley off because I don't.
It's not like I think I would still read one of her books, but I.
Won't now.
Now that you've just reminded me, fuck no.
26:42 Midnight Feast was better but actually people in my book club only freestyled it and I afford it so ohh.
God, you know what, you 2 start that one.
So I'm not sure the wheel line anymore.
But I'm gonna fucking read the second one.
I'll do it with you, OK?
26:58 I'll do it with you because I don't want to be disturbed by myself.
I.
Want to talk about what I've just read, which I think has ruined the next book that I'm reading at the moment.
So at the moment I'm just going to start with this.
I'm reading Wonderland by Jennifer Hillier and I've read a couple of her books and I I really like her.
I quite rate her.
27:14 Wonderland is going OK for me, but I think because I've read this bad boy is not doing it.
So this bad boy is the only one left.
Riley Sager if you've.
Read.
It you know how good it is 5.
Stars 5 Star That Baby.
27:31 That at the end was like twist, twist, twist, twist, twist, twist, twist.
It was so good.
I really enjoyed it.
This is I've kept this out as well because this is going straight to my mum next.
She'll enjoy it all.
There was a.
Couple of.
I don't want to ruin this one for anyone though, because I really want people to read it.
27:48 But we we can if you've got something to say.
But now I forgot what I was going to say.
See, it makes you so excited even thinking about this book.
Can't remember what they're going to say.
OK, was that your first Miley saga?
Yes, yes, it was bookshelf you.
28:05 Have just been introduced to a world that you will never want to leave because my friend JC, she introduced me to Riley Sager and she now that she's a mum, can't read thrillers.
But Riley Sager is the only thriller author she can read now.
It was really good.
28:21 I enjoyed all of the story.
Oh, this is what I was going to say when some of the twist comes up.
It literally made me go.
I had to remove the book from my face and go.
Wait a minute, let me think about this.
I need to figure this out before I carry on because you've just said some shit and I need to.
28:39 I need to work this back.
I couldn't just carry on.
Read him.
It's good.
It was a thinker and I feel like it's ruined Wonderland.
It's been on my TBR for ages.
What I haven't read, I haven't read that one, but I did do Things We Do in the Dark and I it wasn't brilliant.
28:58 I like Helio did jar of hearts.
I haven't read that one.
And the the Butcher.
Oh, you know what?
I did really enjoy the Butcher.
OK.
That's really good, yeah.
That was a good one.
29:14 I did that.
That was a poor paint lifestyle.
Jar of Hearts was the first one I did about that far and then I'd yeah.
So I, I quite rated both of those.
And I've got to be honest, you know, like when I was reading the Riley Saig one when I got home and I'd like done all my shit, done dinner stuff.
29:30 I can read my book now when I'm at home and I'm like, what's on TV before I go and read this book.
And it's making me not feel very nice because I I just like her as an author or I've liked the book.
Do you know what I mean?
So yeah, that was sort of 1.
29:46 It's a mood thing.
Maybe.
Yeah, I think so.
I've gone.
I'm trying to keep up with my reading.
So I had quite a high go even though half of mine are audio books like and I'm fine.
I I really enjoy an audio book.
I can audio book like between work while I'm getting ready in the morning when I'm coming home from work.
30:04 I can do an audio book in like 2 days.
I'm happy with that.
Boo To people that say that audio book is not reading, fuck you.
What else I've read?
Oh I've just audio books.
30:20 The surrogate mother, Frieda McFadden, I quite enjoyed that.
I was actually like going back to free joke.
So I loved her and then some of them you're like new started getting a bit not as great and I quite enjoyed listening to this one.
30:38 I did only three stuff, but I didn't I didn't I didn't for saw it.
I feel like you did, but I quite enjoyed.
So like mind fucking like cheeky fucking bitch.
Is she really doing she's?
Popcorn thriller She is.
She is book crack.
30:55 OK.
You get what you need from it really quick and it's fun and it's easy to read and it's not complicated and there's a nice twist and you move on with your day.
That's freedom.
McFadden it.
Was good.
I enjoyed it.
I won't go into it.
Don't want to ruin it.
I think it's an old, like an older Freedom McFadden.
31:10 No, it's not.
I think that she released that as an indie author and now they're re releasing all her books because she got picked up by a publisher and I'm really proud of her for that.
Like she works really fucking hard but they're re releasing all her backside.
I am genuinely A Frida fan.
31:27 I think some of her new ones that come out, I don't know what it is.
I feel like the housemate was so peak.
That and Never Lie was a great one.
I really enjoyed that one.
So I think the intruder, yeah, I think they're not as good.
31:45 But you can't.
Like I said, I feel like she peaked with those ones.
Anyway, still love Frida, the other one we need to talk about because I was disappointed in this one as well.
I feel like I'm being a right bitch today.
You are right bitch.
You know what you gave me this fucking book to read That was 2 squats Why would you do that?
32:04 I I'm not I can't get over this OK?
This was a two star book, why would you make me read it?
Because it's so fucked up you have to read it.
No, no, that's not how that works.
And you know what?
I don't care if you love it or hate it, you will come away going.
What the fuck?
Like don't listen.
I'm.
Going to be what the fucking this book?
32:22 This book have to read this book anyway.
I'm going to tell you right now, I think I'm giving this one a four and I really think that that he needs to come on and talk to me.
I do.
I really do.
I got questions.
We need to we need to poke that bear and find out give.
32:38 Me the next one.
What are you on about?
Sorry right?
This is my last one that I wanted to talk about that I've read this month.
Holly Jackson not quite dead yet.
I was so excited to read this book.
I really liked.
I'm a fan of the Good Girls Guide to Murder series.
I loved it.
32:55 I do wonder because I audio books this one I not like the voice of the narrator didn't help.
Do it that can.
Do it.
Did you?
Did you listen to it or did you read it?
I read it.
I had an odd copy of it.
I read it.
I it wasn't her best work because The Good Girls Guide to Murder was one of my top trilogies of 2024.
33:18 I couldn't help it.
So now everything is judged by how amazing.
Yeah, I don't think it's a bad book, by the way.
I definitely think it's worth a read for anyone who likes Holly Jackson.
I do think it's good, but I probably if you get an if you start the audio book and the voice is annoying, you stop and read the book.
33:38 Yes, format change.
Always, always always format change.
Yeah, I feel like if I'd read it, I would have enjoyed it more, if I'm honest.
Obviously, like, I think it took many a while to get used to it, but even then it was still irritating me.
Story was probably better than, yeah, me listening to it.
33:59 Yeah, I just, I was just really, I was really sad because I I, I, I listened to this on Libby again.
Anyone who's got Libby, get Libby free.
Books.
Free audio, free books.
I tend to only audio because I don't like reading off my phone.
I can't do it.
34:16 I have my Kindle.
I have my iPad.
I read the actually the only books that I read off there was Holly Jackson, the reappearance of Rachel Price, which I liked and knew wasn't a fan of.
No I did not.
That was probably my worst book by Holly Jackson.
It was still decent.
It's still bad than most books.
34:32 Yeah, I think we're talking about this.
I think you've got to remember we're just comparing everything to Good Girls Guide to Murder.
We're not.
Her work is still good.
She is still like the story is still so intricate that you have to pay attention like and the other one that I liked of hers just to big up Holly Jackson.
34:48 So do you like her five survivors?
I thought that was great.
I.
Thought that one was really good too.
It still wasn't up to good.
Girls Guide to Murder.
I think that was her.
That was her Mecca right there.
That was her work of art.
That was her Sistine Chapel as far as I'm concerned.
35:06 And I don't think she has done anything as good since.
She's still a phenomenal author.
I really like her work.
But.
That just, yeah.
Yeah, I was still, I have and I was still recommend to read it if especially if you are already a Holly Jackson fan, still read it.
35:23 I just, I had such a build up.
I think I'd like a 16 week wait to get this audio book.
So I think I you know, when you pipe something up in your head when someone's going, Oh my God, this is amazing, this is amazing.
You've got to read it.
And then I was like, just, OK.
And it's just a feeling, you know, like I said, like when you get excited to either pick up the book or not pick up the book.
35:43 I judge a lot of books.
That's how I rate my books on how I feel when I'm reading it.
Not, not necessarily.
I'm not not a big person.
You're an.
Emotional reader, I've noticed that you are an emotional reviewer.
I take because I am a book influencer and I have to take a certain amount of it with the the grit.
36:01 So I have to look at how it's been written, how it's been paced, how it's been plotted.
You write based on emotions only.
And I kind of, I'm jealous of that.
So I wish that's how I rated books.
Yeah, yeah, I'll get you.
Yeah, OK, so one more book.
36:19 And it's funny because we did The Good Samaritan by John Mars, right?
Yeah, so.
And I don't, I know you haven't read it yet, so I'm not going to spoil it, but Dead in the Water, I got his latest one.
I I got the audio.
36:35 I listened to it and Laura from The Good Tamaritan is in it.
Shut the fuck up.
Now I won't because she is, and Remember Me telling you that I felt that he needed to do a book where the daughter comes and punishes her?
36:52 She doesn't.
That's not what happens.
But I will say that Laura finally gets a spoonful of fuck you cunt, Yes.
That is when I finish Wonderland.
This is what I'm going to read now.
You have to, OK.
It's, it's, it's not as like, you know, like the other ones where he does like the like, it's like futuristic and whatnot.
37:17 It's on the same kind of like trajectory as the way the Good Samaritan was.
I really fucking enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed it.
That's my next.
Read, but I'm already a John Mars fan and I already told him in our group, because he's in my psychological thriller group, that he needs to start fucking paying me for the amount of times that I big him up on our podcast.
37:36 Again, all good.
I've saw in this post, I saw this post and I was like, yeah, you do.
I think we've rated him did.
You see it, but you just see the other author.
Time I say you read my new book.
Yeah.
Oh no, I didn't see any.
No, I'd obviously got it.
When you see that, tell me you have to show it or find.
37:54 It so, oh God, it was great because it was because it was someone was talking about both of these authors being in our group.
Nice.
Yeah, hang on a minute.
That's no fun.
I love that.
I'm going to find it now.
38:11 Yeah, you.
I really, I've read a few John Mars books.
I've liked all of them, but the Good Samaritan is definitely the best.
But I've also heard, and I don't know whether you're not telling me and maybe don't tell me, but I've heard there's 2 Easter eggs in this new book.
There is.
38:27 I don't want to spoil it because you haven't read it yet, but OK.
So I turn around and say I feel like John Marsh should be paying me for the amount of time to bring up his books on my podcast.
I just finished his new one, and I'm recording tomorrow and bragging about it.
OK.
And Brian Sullivan is in the group.
OK.
And he's like.
38:43 And he laughed and he's like, that sounds great.
Stacey, have you read my new book by chance?
Clusterfuck.
Oh yeah, we go.
Hang on time again, I'm going to Brian.
Brian D O'Sullivan Apparently he he barely popular psychological thriller author.
39:04 Is he like how is he published?
Yeah, Brian D O'Sullivan.
Oh.
Yeah, he's one of the big ones that's in our psychological thriller group.
I've actually never read him.
39:21 He's been on my TBR for a while.
But now that he has noticed me and mentioned there, I think we're going to have to give him a go because then I can send him an invoice for the amount of times I say his name.
I'm thinking 5 bucks.
39:37 So Brian O'Sullivan, that's at least 30 bucks you owe me right now.
OK bro.
Yes, I'm definitely up for reading this book.
Just glance covers gripping me, the names gripping me.
I'm in.
Let's do it.
OK, let's do it.
Let's let's give me my go.
39:55 Come on.
He's he's noticed and said something.
So now we have to OK, So I don't know if anyone voted in our poll.
A lot of people did on Instagram.
I don't know if any of you people are watching, but you actually decided that we're going to be deep diving next.
How to kill men and get away with it by Katie Brent.
40:11 And I'm starting to wonder about the people that follow me on Instagram.
I'm pleased about it because I've actually been recommended this book.
Really what?
I was happy.
With this trip.
57% of people of the three books that we put up, 57% picked this.
One high so that.
40:28 Will be really high that was really high and that.
Couple of weeks now that.
Was just the Instagram post.
I think on Facebook too, the only two people that voted there said the same thing.
So this is Book and you're OK with that?
Yeah, yeah.
Sounds good.
Yeah, it sounds fun.
40:45 Fun like dark comedy kind of vibe and.
I think that's kind of us a little bit, but I already got it from Kindle and limited after we talked and we're picking the block books.
I'd already got it, so I already have it.
I'm not going to lie, although I didn't pick that one.
41:02 I picked which book did I pick because I actually picked a different one when I because I did the poll and I.
Oh, was it?
Well, I'm going to read them all because hello, I have the ability but I picked The Loss by Natasha Preston.
41:18 Yeah, and I picked the well, I didn't vote in the poll.
I but I was the one that suggested unspeakable things.
This has been on my Kindle for fucking ages.
So I actually.
I, I what we can do, we can read all three together because I actually took all three on Kindle Limited because they all sounded.
41:37 We can do it in what we call our mini pod even though it's not mini today.
God still going?
Sorry.
We're already 4-8 minutes in.
We haven't caught up with each other for ages, so we're going to keep going.
But yeah, we can do it on the mini ones because I feel like that book that you've just said, that will be our next deep dive.
41:53 And I feel like the deep dive after that, we've got Brian, yeah.
Exactly, exactly.
And I'm very excited because after after he met, like after he posted, and I love it when authors post because now I know that they're paying attention to their readers, right.
42:09 And I know that he's probably going to have come and have a look for this episode.
I'm telling you right now, I get the feeling that he's going to come looking for this episode.
So I think giving him a big up, especially as his book sounds really good.
And I went in and I had a look and I'm like, he's got a lot of stuff, a lot of stuff.
42:29 Excited.
So yeah, you're listening and you want to know where to find us?
Don't forget to find us at Spotify Bot Bot and Benny.
Why do I always do that?
Oh my.
God, you need to stop that.
Betty and Bonnie Book Sayers, you can find us on wherever you find your podcast.
Just make sure you go and follow on there because if you follow on there, you'll know exactly when our episodes drop.
42:49 Yes, yes, yes, yes.
Now you're going to find this episode on my channel as well, my adulterous whore channel.
I love that you guys follow me there, but you need to move over to Betty and Bonnie because all our stuff is so fucking good and you're going to get all the updates on our on our channel.
43:06 So move your little butts.
You're very cute, very weird.
Freaking little butts over to Betty.
I'm funny.
Yeah, just so that you know as well, like when our episodes are out and when Stacy's Epps are out.
I know you're doing some new stuff as well.
Do you wanna mention that 'cause I'm cool?
43:23 OK, so I am doing the very first time and no one else has done this.
I looked, no one else is doing this.
I am doing a true crime fiction podcast on the Black Dahlia.
I don't know if you've ever read the book, but James Ellroy, he fictionalizes who did it.
43:39 So I'm going to do it as a true crime podcast.
And this is a.
Fictionalized version of Who Killed the Black Dahlia Elizabeth shot, which is an actual true crime from 1947 and I'm really fucking excited.
Like a true crime and this is your This is your solo exciting.
44:00 It's really exciting.
It's really, it's different because I've never had to write a podcast in such a way where I am literally plotting a true crime.
That's really did happen.
But from the fictionalized version of a book from James Ellen Roy, he did a really phenomenal job of coming up with who he fictionalized version of who killed her.
44:22 And that's how I'm going to to progress the book.
And I've almost finished writing the episode.
I'm almost finished writing the episode.
I don't know if you've ever heard that like the movies LA Confidential.
Have you ever seen the movie?
So that's the book series that James Eller wrote.
And it's like different crimes.
44:38 And actually the book is really fucking good.
So if you want to come along with me on my journey, The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy might just be one of the best crime fiction books I've ever read.
That's going on my list.
Say that name again, Go for it.
44:56 Go for it.
The audio book was really good too.
I did both.
What was it called?
I'm going to write it down.
The Black Dahlia.
The Black Dahlia.
By James Ellroy and it was really good.
OK, but before we run out of time, what are you planning on reading in February?
45:12 Like what are your must reads for the month?
Right, so I've got two books next to me, so for Christmas I brought myself the Steve Kavanaugh series.
So the first one think if I've done it right, is the Devil's advocate.
45:29 Are these thrillers or are they more like they're like courtroom type thrillery I.
Think he's procedural if I remember correctly.
I haven't read him yet.
He is big on books to grams.
Big on books to grams.
This is definitely one that I need to get to because I've got like 8 books of his.
45:46 Yeah, there's a lot in it.
Yeah, I bought this book last year.
This is Lisa Jewell.
Then she was gone.
I know I'm late to the party, but I haven't read it.
I need to get this one done.
I've had that for over six months.
Needs to be read.
Have you got some thoughts before?
46:03 I liked it.
I liked it, but if you didn't like the one that I just did.
I didn't hate it, it just wasn't.
I've read a couple of other Lisa Jules and likes them more.
It wasn't and it really annoyed me because we did it for book club and I had to buy the fucking hardback because the paperback wasn't out yet.
46:22 And I might have mentioned about this before.
That's all the books that I've got next to me.
I've got a couple of random ones with a bit of a funny story.
So if you're in the UK and you've watched the UK Traitors, you will know that there was an author that went on the Traitors, her name is Harriet Trice.
46:42 Trice can't remember her name and she's got some books.
I think one of them is called Blood Orange or something like that.
She was fucking funny on there.
She was.
Have you?
Have you got the traitors in Canada?
Do you know what this the premise of this TV show is?
No, so you'll have to fill me in, love.
46:58 Let's go the.
Thing is, is basically, I don't know how many people, but so there's 20 people out of them, 20 people.
They will pick a few people that are the traitors and they meet every night and they get to kick someone out who's a faithful.
So it's traitors and faithfuls.
And then at the end, so basically people go every night the the faithfuls vote out who they think a traitor is, but obviously no one knows who the traitors are.
47:22 OK.
They vote someone out every day, but the traitors also murder someone every day and it's very well, it's very fun.
Like you should.
Oh, it must be everywhere.
I can't believe you don't get this.
In Canada.
There's an English version, there's an American version, there's Australia, maybe Australia, New Zealand.
47:39 They just have an Ireland 1.
You should see if you can find this anywhere.
It's good.
It's really good to watch.
So anyway, this awful went in and I've googled her net worth, which I don't know if it's true, so I won't say what it is, but she's obviously don't need the money.
But she went in there to go right?
I'm going to sit back and watch you all.
47:56 And then on the day that she was kind of going, she was like, you're a fucking idiot.
He's obviously this person.
And she was actually right.
I was like, now get rid of me, but just vote for her next time.
And she basically told everyone to vote her out because she was like, I'm done.
I know it is, I'm done.
48:11 She's like a crime writer, but she's her background is, I don't know if it's a barrister or some kind of courtroom background, but yes, I meant to one there.
I was like, but I'd already seen one of her books.
I swear it's called Blood Orange.
Anyway, someone will know.
Harriet Trifest.
48:27 Sean KU.
She is not on KE, but I don't think they're overly expensive.
If you've got the Kindle, let me find it.
Just please.
Go now bucketing treat.
I have you do this for me like.
48:42 Ice TYC Toys, our Kindle version is a fiver, but it might just be because she's just been on the traitors.
So maybe give it some time, maybe it'll go down.
But I'd already seen her book.
And then when she went on, I was like, oh, I know that name.
I know her book, that's my, that's one that I'd like to read.
49:01 I don't know if I'll get to it this month, but I just wanted to shout out she's just been on the trade as if you're in the UK you will know.
Other than that, I don't have anything massive apart from I've got quite a, I've got a bit of a curveball recommendation, which is not really thriller.
It's called Dungeon Crawler.
49:18 Carl, have you heard about me?
Have you heard?
My God.
OK, so Hannah on the toppling TBR it's just like, OK, this book.
Well, I know now that he was a indie author, he just got picked up by Penguin and that his books are fucking hilarious.
49:40 Yeah.
And I am so fucking intrigued that I almost bought them.
So paper.
First one is on KU because I've got it.
OK, well maybe I'll check him out on there first because yeah, I keep hearing about this fucking series.
49:56 There's six perks and apparently he.
It's kind of, and I might be wrong so please don't quote me.
It's kind of given me some kind of Hunger Game kind of vibe, but I'm not sure.
But yeah, I need to read the book.
50:11 That is my that is my curveball recommendation, which is, I know it's not a thriller, but it sounds like it could be like fighting to the death.
So maybe it is a little bit, but I think it's more like maybe like sci-fi fantasy.
Yeah.
50:27 Dystopian.
Yeah.
Apparently it's really good.
So the fact that you're picking that up is kind of, I like that.
As well.
But didn't you also get the Project Hell Mary the audio book?
It wasn't the fucking audio book, it was the book and I was getting on.
50:45 So I've deleted.
I'm not I'm not reading it on the apparently audio books really good.
So I was quite excited.
So I'm just going to, I'm going to hold back a little while and see if any.
Yeah, that's what someone else said.
Because there's so much sciences stuff in the beginning when he's talking about like how they like what?
51:04 I don't want to spoil it because it's a phenomenal audio book and I don't read a lot of sci-fi.
I don't.
It's not, it's not my, it's not normally my jam, but the audio book was so fucking good.
It's the best audio book I have ever done.
Ever done.
Yeah, so I'm going to hold fire and maybe Libby will pick it up.
51:21 I've also had that there's one called Borrow Box, so I don't know if I need to sign up to that.
I feel like you can do that with your library card as well.
I've seen it on a post today in some groups.
I'm like, oh, maybe I'll try that.
So, you know, I did hold back on that.
I don't know.
Well, I had to because my Libby didn't have it.
51:37 I literally, I have Amazon Music and they let you have one audio book a month.
So I have been utilizing that, but they don't let you keep it.
It's not like Audible where you get to keep the books that you when you get credit, you literally get it for the month and then it's gone.
51:54 They'll try and do three things of that.
Maybe I'll try and do a free thing of Amazon Music.
I've already done it once but it was a while ago so maybe they'll maybe I'll get away at the end.
I think you probably will give it a go because it's definitely on there because that's how I did How to site Christmas.
I I use one of my Amazon Music credits for that, but apparently Spotify does a lot of audio stuff now too.
52:16 But I refuse to sign up for something I don't use.
Mike uses it, but only one person gets listened to the audio box.
So I'm like, yeah, right.
I don't need any more subscriptions.
That's all that's on my list.
What's on your leg?
So I and Cleaves, she has a book series.
52:37 It's like Inspector Ramsay, and there's six of them now.
My publisher that I do a lot of them implementing for has sent me all six of hers as Alcs.
Yeah, because she's just released them all as audiobooks.
I'm really fucking excited for that.
52:53 So that's going to be one of the things that I'm going to be doing next week, The Devoted Game by Deborah Webb.
Now this book, she's like, she does a lot of like FBI stuff and she's such a good writer.
So I'm really excited for that.
And then I actually got a Dean Koontz book.
53:09 It's called Friend of the Family and this book doesn't come out till July, but I have moved up my part because it sounds so fucking good.
This couple literally saves this like child from this oddities carnival.
Yeah, and.
Wonderful.
53:25 You know, kind of like, you know, you have like the bearded lady and.
I like the circus, right?
Yeah, but they call, they call it, they call it the Human Oddities Museum of the Strange.
So they rescue this golf from it.
And she's kind of fucking weird.
So I'm really excited for that.
53:43 And then I got doll.
I got doll Face by Lindy Ryan.
And this is this is literally how the book is being touted.
OK?
It says Barbie meets Scream with a 90s nostalgic twist and this horror romp from Bless Your Heart, author Lindy Ryan.
And I was like, yes, I mean, I'm fucking in.
54:02 That's all I needed to fucking know.
I love Lindy Ryan.
Okay, Bless your heart was a really good book.
I really fucking enjoyed it.
So I cannot wait.
This is like a Barbie serial killer.
Like she's I love.
This I've heard from none of these books you've just said.
54:18 Well, because none of them are out yet.
My.
Inspector Bamsi's stuff is, but she only just did the audiobooks.
Like she's these books were from the 90s.
I think this was a book series from the 90s and she only just got them all put on audiobooks.
54:34 So I'm really excited for that.
But The Doll Face by Lindy Ryan is literally like the cover is so cool.
And I was like, yeah, I'm in, but it's not out till next month, so.
I mean, nice.
Some good wrecks.
Yeah, right.
As much as I love talking to you, we've gone well over of what we what we meant to do.
54:53 But we're just having so much fun.
I didn't want it to end.
I know we should probably wrap up there.
Let's wrap.
Are you ready?
Go.
Let's go.
We hope that you have enjoyed this episode of us literally just bitching about books.
55:09 I'm still not over the book yet, Jackie, so I hate you.
I'm going to be reading book 2 today, I guess, because I can't help myself.
But you can find all our updates for any of our episodes and what we're getting up to on our social medias.
You can find us on Instagram at Betty and Bonnie book slayers.
55:24 Our Facebook Betty and Bonnie book slayers TikTok is Betty and Bonnie.
We have a bookmark store Betty and Bonnie book slayers dot square dot site.
That's all mystery, thriller, horror, that kind of merch.
And I, I will, I promise, get all official merchandise on that.
55:42 I've just been so fucking busy and sick.
If you want to submit a book submission for us to read your book for all podcasts or if you want to become on as a guest host, you can e-mail us at bettyandbonniebookslayers@gmail.com.
You can find us on Spotify, YouTube, pretty much anywhere, Apple, Amazon, you name it.
56:02 And our website is BAE and Bonnie bookslayers.com, right?
That's it.
I never write it down.
Betty and Bonnie anywhere and you'll find us.
So find.
That much?
Subscribe do all that shits that you are the first ones to get our new episodes guys.
56:18 Exactly.
It's been great catching up today.
I've loved it.
Oh man, it went so fast.
I know, I know.
It's the time.
And I was like, I don't care how long this episode is.
We need to.
We need to talk shit.
So we need to talk shit and we do it with such style.
56:38 We hope you have a great reading week guys and we will catch you in a couple of weeks.
Take care, readers.
See you soon.
Bye.

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Thriller Catch-Up | Dark & Disturbing Psychological Reads

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