It was a thriller week for reading! Last week I read romance and the week before I read Christmas novels. This week I read Barbara Freethy and Rebecca Zenetti’s novels. So reading has been thrilling! I have read about serial killers and mass murderers. Spooky nights in the forest with icy rivers and a stalker. Parking garages in the middle of the night and being unable to find your keys with footsteps right behind you. What is it that makes us love to read scary books?
Fear gives us a physical reaction. Thanks to the amygdala that alerts your nervous system and sends blood to your limbs ready to fight or flight. In some cases, your brain becomes foggy and decision making is impaired. Fear can be healthy as it allows us to keep ourselves safer. During a scary incident that is staged (i.e. roller coaster, haunted house) the brain releases dopamine which is a pleasurable experience. (from the Northwest Medicine Group and the Feinberg School of Medicine) I think the short answer is we get a thrill when we read about mysteries and murders.
Barbara Freethy’s book is called Lethal Game and Rebecca Zenetti’s book is called You Can Kill. This week’s reviews include the new Catherine Bybee book as well. While it is not a thriller, there are some interesting scenes that could be quite creepy. (https://marjaysreadingblog.com/reviews/)
Elise’s interview this week is with Suzanne Woods Fisher and called The Healing Touch. The book is planned to be the first in a series called Dok Stolffus. The series explores a woman who has studied medicine coming home to work in a small Amish community. The novel is about compassion, understanding and resilience.
Take the time to read this week.
