Member Reviews
4 stars
This book was really good. It started a little slow but picked up quickly. I love the back and forth chapters from the 2 women. Loved the characters except Dom, what an idiot! Can’t wait to read more from this author.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my free copy.
I've never read anything by this author, but after reading this one, I'll be sure to check out her other books. This book is an engaging, fast-paced thriller told from multiple POVs (Tamara and Stacey).
Stacey and Dom seem to have a picture-perfect life, but Tamara is determined to change that.
I had a hard time putting this book down, as I just couldn't wait to see what happened next. Tamara is so diabolical that I couldn't help but like her. Lots of twists to keep the reader guessing.
This is the first book i’ve read by this author but I will now be looking for others. I really enjoyed it, well written and easily grabs you.
Recommended.
Received an advanced copy from NetGalley for a fair review.
Fantastic psychological thriller! Had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
The story begins with a murder to aid in a twisted plot to infiltrate a loving family.
I would definitely recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.
This book was FULL of suspense. Seriously. It was a page-turner. So many twists. I thought I had it all figured out, but i was surprised!
Deserve To Die was tense, spine chilling, unnerving, addictive and intriguing (yes I’m going to put all synonyms here because they are so apt in describing the book) psychological thriller that revolved around happily married and happily living couple Dom-Stacey and not-so-happy Stacey who was after them with mission to destroy their life. It was about family love, betrayal, mistrust, and revenge.
Characters–
Characters were simply amazing, especially villain.
Tamara– She gave bad vibes from the very beginning. Hurricane of disaster, manipulating horrible witch, it all got one new word- Tamara. She was orderly, calculative, and a terrific planner with beauty and brain. She had everything you would want in villain. Her narration was most frightening in whole book.
Stacey was author children’s book. She was realistic, sensitive, and not too strong but one should not underestimate her when it comes to her kids and husband. You can easily place yourself in her situation and could see how precisely her actions and reaction were written. I like how mom turns to supermom when their kids are in trouble. I liked the way she fought back. She was great in the book.
Let’s not talk about husband here, because I was not happy with his actions. He should be more cautious while hiring her. What happened to employee background check?! I know Tamara was so believable but that’s no excuse. Other side characters were also good.
What I liked-
Writing was great. I liked author’s style the way she kept the nervousness alive from the very first page. Book was flawlessly written in first person narrative from Stacey and Tamara’s POV, one heroine, one villain who played their role terrifically. I liked the town, mom gossips and children’s stories in this book.
Plot was just brilliant. Book started with Tamara getting info about SAID, Dominic’s company, from its account director and putting forward her plan. It was blood chilling to read her callous plan and act. All I could think about was, why? What she had against Dominic? Or Stacey? Was it money, or something else? Stacey’s happy moments of signing contract with biggest publisher didn’t stay long when Tamara encroached in her life.
As I read more the more I disgusted felt towards Tamara, I was holding breath every time she executed her sinister plan, I felt so bad for Stacey and wanted to drag her out of this book. I kept thinking why Tamara is targeting this particular family. Is it her one of the game, destroy families and get all the money or something else? I couldn’t figure out the real reason until last 20% of the book.
It had somewhat ‘The Breakdown’ vibe, disbelieving husband, protagonist questioning her own sanity, all the bad things coming from all directions and where is her best friend all this time? But I’m sure husband doesn’t have anything to do here.
And this was just the first half. I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. You can see from series of questions how intriguing this book was. You might think you know where this will end and what might be the reason behind Tamara’s game but I tell you it was not that simple. It was getting even thrilling and darker in second half.
There was constant tense and anxious feel that didn’t die until the end. Twist and turn were surprising, I couldn’t guess Stacey and Tamara’s next step. At some point I thought things would get worse, Tamara played so perfectly that I couldn’t see how Stacey was going to prove her point.
And then came the revelation, the reason behind all these terrifying plan. I liked those backstories that cleared the fog of uncertainty. Climax was exciting. I was sitting on the edge chewing my nails till the end. I must say I wanted closure but I liked the way end was concluded. I’m sure I’m going to check out other books by author.
I’m glad I read author’s note in the end. All kid’s stories in this book were her own creation and I’m off to check author’s website where there is more info on them.
Overall, it was tense, gripping, and clever psychological thriller with brilliant plot and characters. I highly recommend this book.
I absolutely loved this book!! This a thriller that you want to read in 1 go. Unfortunately I had to work and help my mother move house, but in between I only wanted to read, read, read. Now it's finished I only want to do one thing: buy all here other books and I want them NOW!! When you like to read thrillers (even when you only read one every year) this is a book you just have to read!
This was a truly great read! Thank you to NetGalley for this book! I enjoyed it very much and was on the edge of my seat 'dying' to figure out what happened! If you want a book that you could stay up all night reading this is definitely it!
Good book! Suspense was good. I just feel the whole new woman makes the wife look crazy thing is done too much.
Wow what a book. It kept me gripped from the first chapter I had to read to the end without putting it down
I will definitely read more from Miranda
I will rate Deserve to Die 4.5/5 stars. Once again, Miranda Rijks has written one heck of a thriller! Deserve to Die is one of those books that you hate to put down to go to bed or do anything else besides reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The theme of this book lies solely on this question: What would cause a stranger to want to ruin the perfect family life of Dom and Stacey Nicholson? This book is chopped full of twits and turns with an ending you won't know what hit you!
What I enjoyed about this book:
I enjoyed reading this book from the two different character perspectives of Tamara and Stacey. From the beginning I was trying to figure out the connection between these two women. Tamara, a highly attractive, cunning businesswoman seemed to have it all on the outside with her fancy designer clothing and impeccable taste, but in reality she was a bitter, manipulative and scorned evil woman. Stacey, on the other hand, is an author and a wife married to the wealthy Dom with two young children, Ivy and Arthur. What possibly could connect these two women? You'll be amazed when you discover the connection once it's made clear as to why Tamara infiltrates herself into Stacey and Dom's world and tries to steal Stacey's life.
This book was a major page turner. Tamara is one of those characters that you love to hate and I really enjoyed reading from her point of view and seeing how twisted her mind really was. The way she was able to convince almost everyone around her to love her was amazing. I couldn't wait to discover why she wanted to take revenge out on Stacey.
I enjoyed this author's writing style. She is able to vividly paint a picture for her audience while they are reading. The details are on point and there's never a dull moment.
What I didn't enjoy about this book:
Stacey's husband, Dom, was really a high class idiot and gullible. How he didn't notice that Tamara was trying to take his wife's place in his life was beyond me. He really started believing her lies over Stacey's truths all because Stacey had a mental breakdown in the past before the even met! Ohhhhh, his character irritated me to no end. So many times I wished I could just jump into the book and slap him hard across the face.
Thank you to NetGalley, Inkubator Books, and the author for a chance to rate and review this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is so close to 5 stars but I don’t give 5 star ratings out easily. This book from the first chapter had my attention completely. When you start a book off with a BANG, it is hard to stray. I was eating it up wanting to know how it ends. Why where the things happening? What could one possibly do to lead to such revenge? What was she going to do next? The book was well written and very descriptive and had very few slow moments. It kept me guessing constantly and because I read so many mystery/thriller books, I typically can see the ending coming. But, nothing in this book I guessed. That is the best sign of a great book! I will be bragging about this book on all platforms I can! Keep up the great work Miranda Rijks.
Stacy and Dom have the perfect life until Tamara enters their lives. Tamara is exacting revenge- but why? Great read, twists and suspense.
This was another thrilling read by a talented author! I have only read one other book by Ms Rijks, but already I can see I have another author to add to my never-ending list of authors to follow. This was a well written, entertaining and suspenseful read, keeping me glued until the very end. Recommended.
Stunning psychological thriller that grabs you from the very beginning and builds and builds until the very end where the final reveal is had. Very well written with no slow spots. The most scary part is that this is entirely plausible and could happen to any of us. Yikes!
Blimey! Deserve To Die by Miranda Rijks was Just a brilliant read! I was totally hooked from the beginning.
Dominick and Stacey Nicholson have the perfect life together. They are happily married with two beautiful children. Dominick runs a successful design agency and its doing well. Stacey has a great job and finding fame as an author writing children's books.
Everything os perfect...................
What could go wrong??
Until, they meet Tamara...........She's brilliant, beautiful and perfect in every way! But, is she?
Tamara hides a horrifying secret. Tamara is a woman with a plan. She executes it step by step – patient, systematic, methodical.
One that could destroy all of them. Especially Stacey!
And as her plan unfolds, Dominick and Stacey find their lives slipping out of control. Taking them from heaven into the deepest, darkest hell…..
Will they come out together?
WoW.....What a book.....it has lots of twists and turns and you wont want to put it down.
Miranda Rijks is a new author to me and so glad I found her.
I Highly Recommend this book and will read more of her books in the future.
5 Stars.
Big Thanks to Miranda Rijks, Inkubator Books and Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological thriller.
Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
I loved this book. I was sucked in from the first chapter and I read this in one day. I could not stop
It was well written, fast paced and exciting. I liked that I didn’t know who the actual intended victim was until the last few chapters. Amazing format.
I felt like the ending was a little rushed. That last chapter was so short. I could have had a little more there. But great book. Will read another of this author.
I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is a great book. I was completely hooked from the first page. There are lots of twists throughout this book.
A must read book
I can’t recommend it enough
This story is told from two points of view: Stacey, and Tamara. Stacey is married to Dom, and Dom recently employed Tamara as Account Director at his company. The story pulled me in from the start, and did not let go. This is the first book that I’ve read by Ms. Rijks, and I will definitely read more. Recommended!
God Tamara was scary, I really enjoyed the characterization of the main three characters and I think my enjoyment of the book was based on the characterization. Overall this was a great mystery