If you never read a psychological thriller, The Day of The Swans by Linda M James will give you the PERFECT introduction to the genre!
The word “psychology” itself might make some turn back, close the book and run from the store in panic, but, just like many readers, this is my first time reading one and I’m glad I chose to read Mrs. Linda’s book, because the way she writes erases ALL possible intimidating factors about it as the narrative greets you with its frictionless style and by the end of the second paragraph, you feel welcomed and at ease.
In fact, you enjoy reading it and slowly making part of the story. You enter in the scenes and walk with Anna, Max, Celia and Stefan, becoming the silent 3rd person in the scene as the narrative flows through the pages. It’s GREAT!
There’s a two-shade , 1st and 3rd person approach to the novel, which is nice to read, and the fact that not only the main character gets explored, explained and revealed adds to the immersive characteristic of the narrative.
The Day of The Swans by Linda M James, is full of surprises, secrets, mysteries, hints, plots, sub-plots and very detailed and complex, but easy to follow, character backgrounds.
The character traits feel substantial and real, as they shape the decisions they will make, a detail that MANY writers forget in their novels. But not this author! With attention to the tinniest of details, Linda M James, weaves the interactions between the characters that hold consistent to their initial traits, that discretely influence the plot, and so, we have no other choice, as readers, but to wait for the author tell us what happens next.
As the story develops, we are made aware of the small things being set on the background and start getting ripples of expectation for more, increasing the tension of the whole book, storylines start to take form, lies start to surface, and little by little, possibilities that seemed implausible, start to gain the weight of possible truths with catastrophic consequences brewing at the distance.
The things that I liked the most about this book were, first the consistency of the narrative and the ability of the author to keep it “still” and smooth throughout the novel. I have never seen such a things in all my life, it’s impressive.
The second thing, and probably what defines this great novel is the way the author shows how can the selfishness of oneself ruin somebody else’s life due to the lies created to have what one wants. This, is shown in an exemplary fashion by the author that did not leave a SINGLE thread loose, not a single hint unjustified and not a single character left undeveloped and skilfully shown.
And finally, the third, that UNEXPECTED, JAW DROPPING and TWISTED finale.
Exemplary work by Linda M James. We need more books like this one.
A perfect book for analytical people that love puzzles and small details.
Pros:
- Great dialogue sequences
- Amazing attention to detail
- Unpredictable plot
- Consistent narrative
- Impressive mind-games and puzzles woven in uttermost discreteness
- Great display of emotional cues and body language
- Exemplary storyline
- Progressive tension development in the plot that makes a memorable thriller
- Great screenplay potential
Cons:
- The main character seems, sometimes, rather naive, but for understandable reasons.
Lesson Learned:
“People are selfish and will do everything in their power to fulfil their delusions.”
Scribble's Worth 
Thank you for a great review, Julio!
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WELCOME! Thank you for sharing this AMAZING book with me, and allowing to review it. I had a BLAST reading it. It’s hard to come across indie books with THIS much quality! Your book is trully amazing. Please keep on writing XD.
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