Ah yes, the psychological thriller. They seem to bloom like dandelions in the summer, don’t they? One after the other, it’s hard to keep track of where they are coming from, and why are there so damn many of them? They’re definitely a trendy genre right now; with the popularity of Paula Hawkins, Gillian Flynn and Ruth Ware there are many authors who are jumping on this bandwagon in hopes of tasting similar success. But many of these extremely popular books can turn off the typical crime fiction lover, simply because they tend to be very commercial (read: simplistic and unbelievable). There’s nothing wrong with that, in fact I really enjoy it myself, but I’ve found a book that will appeal to those who enjoy a more character-driven plot.
The Substitute by Nicole Lundrigan is a study in character, first and foremost. It alternates between the perspective of an unnamed (and ungendered) psychopathic teen, and an awkward substitute science teacher named Warren Botts. A few pages into the book we learn that Botts has had problems with a student showing up at his house wanting to discuss her marks, her family, etc and then she shows up dead, hanging from a tree in his backyard. 
The chapters that were told from the perspective of the psychopath were fascinating, if not extremely depressing. Not surprisingly, this person has a terrible and difficult childhood (yes, it’s always the parents fault, in case you were wondering). But Lundrigan deftly paints the portrait of Botts’ similarly difficult childhood in a parallel fashion, so at some points, it almost seemed as if both characters were the same person. But then, tiny, easy to miss clues are dropped, and those of us who are feeling particularly clever could begin trying to put together the puzzle. I personally don’t like too think too much when I’m reading like this-I’ll pause for a second to digest what I just read, but I try to slow down and just read the words for what they are, rather than frantically try to figure things out as I go along. 
Regardless of how you read your mysteries, this is a satisfying one. And despite the fact that I don’t dissect the plot as I go, I did guess who the killer was about 2/3 of the way through (I’ve watched ALOT of Murder She Wrote) but I was still pleased with the ending. Based on the reviews on Goodreads, most people were shocked by the ending though, so don’t let my experience scare you off. This is a great read, no doubt about it.
So what do you think, are you sick of the psychological thriller trend, or are you excited to get the jollies scared out of you again this summer?
I’m not entirely sick of the psychological thriller, but it better be good. I’m not looking to read the same thing I read last month and the month before. I’ve never heard of this author, so I wouldn’t mind giving it a try.
True, when you read a lot of books it’s hard to find things that are unique!
I loved her previous writing. Thanks for letting me know about this book.
You are most welcome! Hope you enjoy this one too 🙂
I’m tired of them! Have been for ages and ages and ages and… oops! Sorry! However this sounds a little bit different from the norm and at least it doesn’t have a girl in a red jacket on the cover. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Hahaha
I don’t read that many of them, generally, so I’m not tired of them. Probably just a few a year. I usually alternate types of books so I don’t overdose on any particular genre.
Good call!
I read The Woman in Cabin Ten because my book club picked it. It was okay. Then, I read Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough because Irvine Welsh recommended it, and I really loved that one. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: I really think thrillers need to be ingested as audio books instead of paperback. They come across SO differently through voice actors. Other than that, no, I’m not a thriller reader.
Hmmm not a lot of people have brought up that point but it’s good to keep in mind
Do you like audio books? I can do an audio book and a paperback book in the same time frames and not mix the stories up. It’s nice.
I’ve never listened to an audio book! And the only books I read nowadays are the arcs sent to me from publishers…
Do you not enjoy them? My library has TONS of them, and sometimes they only have a book in audio format.
I’ve just never tried them! I feel like I owe so many reviews to the publishers that I never do my own reading, which is a shame
Seeing as I read close to no mysteries/thrillers, I think I would definitely be as shocked as the rest of Goodreads hahaha But I’m glad figuring it all out before the ending didn’t make you like the book any less.
Murder She Wrote is a really interesting show! I used to watch it sometimes, sparingly, but remember having a great time.
Awesome review, once more!