I’m a fan of Miranda Rijks, and I think she is a solid choice if you want to read a psych thriller. The Concierge is her latest, and it’s pretty darn good.
First, I will say that the book didn’t start – or even continue – the way I thought it would. I was expecting a story more along the lines of one of my favorites of hers, The Influencer.
In some ways, it was better (but I still hold The Influencer as a standard).
Simone wants to find out the truth behind a tragedy involving her sister. What she uncovers is twisted beyond what she could have ever thought.
I liked that Simone wasn’t a perfect character. She had no problems lying and obfuscating to get the information that she wanted. She was also a doer; she didn’t sit around and dither.
Goldie and Braun were an interesting pair. On the one hand, they seem to be a cool couple with the movie production company. But there were times that I didn’t feel like that was fully realized.
I think in some ways, it seemed to be more of a plot contrivance. And that itself sounds odd because, really, everything is a plot contrivance, right?
The author did do a good job with Rose, Goldie and Braun’s daughter. It felt like she was the most developed and real character.
I will say that there is nothing simple about this plot. What one might think is a straightforward “why did this happen” is anything but. There are plenty of twists and side stories that almost complicate things too much.
But it stops just short of being totally unbelievable. So, kudos to the author for knowing when enough complications are simply…enough.
Oh, and the totally meta movie that Ally was working on? Loved that little tidbit.
All in all, Miranda Rijks has written another solid psych thriller, and I’ll continue to look forward to her books!
