Our Kind of Cruelty: A Novel

⚠️Warning: You will be sleeping with the lights on after reading this book!
Welcome to the dark, obsessive mind of Michael Hayes.

Mike and Verity (known as V) had an intense relationship, to put it mildly! Their favorite past-time? Frequenting the local bar scene to “Crave”.
What is crave, you ask? Well, in order to avoid spoiling the party, I’ll just say it’s an adult game played that somehow proves their love and desire for one another.

When their relationship eventually fractures, one partner moves on. But the other is not so quick to give up their little game of “crave.”

One of the darkest, most up-ending thrillers I’ve ever read. Can you call it a love story? Personally, I would call it an insatiable, psychotic obsession.

Told from his POV, I was glued to the pages wondering just how far he would go to have and hold the love of his life. And what is V’s role in this on-going love affair? Very good question.

This thriller is not for everyone but I just loved it! From the moment I saw this book I knew I had to read it, knowing it would work its way to the top of my favorites list!
If you are into creepy...don’t miss this one!

Thank you to NetGalley, Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Araminta Hall for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review

Expertly written and brilliantly executed, Araminta Hall has written what is sure to be one of the most buzzed-about novels of 2018. A tale of toxic love from a wholly unreliable narrator, OUR KIND OF CRUELTY brings us an anti-hero that you’ll love to hate.

But…he is unreliable if he truly believes everything he’s relaying to the reader? Mike Hayes will get into your head like few characters can. His POV is both unsettling and fascinating. The reader cannot help but to feel sympathetic towards him, while at the same time feeling distrustful of him.

Araminta Hall has left me wondering, even after days spent in Mike’s head, exactly what it was that happened here. Her storytelling is smart and devious, leaving me questioning everything I believed throughout this novel. Is Mike really deluded? Or are there other machinations at work here?

While at times, the story did drag a bit for me, I couldn’t stop turning pages, trying to figure out which way was up, finding myself craving the delicious confusion and needing to know more, more, more.

After finishing this book, I was infuriated, I was confused, I was even a little sad. The climax of this book will leave you reeling. Questions will linger, you’ll find yourself doubting, never quite sure of what kind of cruelty you just witnessed.

This is the complete opposite of a feel-good novel. Dark and unsettling, it tells a story of obsession and a twisted kind of love that leads to murder. Mike loves Verity more than anything. Surely she must feel the same way, right? But how can a person who grew up in the most horrific circumstances know what it means to care about someone? Verity is not returning his messages, she changed her phone number, blocked his email address... that must surely mean that she wants him to fight for her, right? Man is Mike self-deluded! Yet, in his mind, this is a beautiful love story and there is nothing he won't do for her. Which is where things get even darker. I had to keep reading, even if it felt like a knife twisting in my gut. It's funny how the characters are not really well-defined, but just because we're seeing them through Mike's eyes. Mike, however, is so real that it's hard not to care. You know he's not going to end well but the conclusion of the novel is still so surprising and upsetting, that it wouldn't work if it wasn't so well written.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Farrar, Straus and Giroux!

This is a well-written novel about an obsessed man who is incapable of correctly interpreting social cues and a woman whose niceness and sexuality are used against her.

Mike had a rough youth with an alcoholic mother who couldn’t take care of herself, let alone a child or a house. He often went without food and his mother’s boyfriends’ fists led to bruises he did his best to hide. At ten years old, he’s taken away by Social Services. After two years bouncing around in the system, he was taking in by a loving couple who saw his intelligence and potential and nurtured it.

It was at university that he met Verity. They played a game where she’d go up to the bar alone and wait for a man to hit on her and Mike would break it up, something that turned them both on. When V breaks things off with him, he feels certain this is just another part of a game. Same thing when she tells him she is going to get married. He doesn’t believe she really loves this other man. Mike thinks it’s part of the game. He is clearly delusional to everyone but himself.

Thanks to NetGalley and MCD / Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the opportunity to review this book.

this book turns the usual Fatal Attraction dynamic on its head. Instead of the crazy woman, it is the man who is disturbed. Mike survived a nightmarish childhood to become an seemingly attractive successful adult. He and his girlfriend, Verity,play a sex game which entails her psoitioning herself to be hit on by a stranger upon which Mike comes to the rescue. The game is a turn on for both of them. But when Mike goes to the US for a short term job, Verity agrees to marry someone else. Mike is devastated until he realizes that it is just a matter of playing their game on a grander scale. Or is it?

This is a creepy book that is uneven in pacing. I thought the ending was a let down and, to a large part, Verity w=remained a cipher. Mike is somewhat sympathetic despite his clearly obsessive behavior. Mike believes he has fashioned himself into the perfect man for Verity. The real question is determining Verity's culpability. Is she guilty of something other than indulging her libido. If she were a man would anyone eve question her desires nd enjoyment of physical pleasures.? Interesting but imperfect, it is still worth a read.

wow wow wow

Shocking

This was really good. Mostly told by Mike the main character of his undying, unhealthy love for Verity. This goes way over the edge and I didn't see the most shocking part coming, nor the ending. I am totally shocked. Poor Verity she tried to get away and ended up in it for the long nasty end. I had something like this happen to me and sometimes no matter how far you run they find you. It wasn't anything like this though but some parts were. Should I feel like a jerk for liking this book though? Perhaps yes, perhaps no. I'm glad it's behind me. So you can't say this is a far-fetched story cause it does happen. Probably more than we know. I like how this book did that. It bought the real to a novel and the courtroom part to the finale is the best.

I do recommend this book if you can deal with this kind of content.

On to the next book if I can get this one out of my mind.

Thank you Net Gallery for this great read and the opportunity to review a second book on behalf of you, the publisher, and of course the Author.

Cherie'

The psychological thriller market is currently flooded with books that are becoming indistinguishable from one another. This novel stands out as it is not just a thriller about a psychopathic stalker. It also a wonderful illustration of how people can share the same experiences but experience two completely different realities. It's a wonderful insight on how the mind of a predator works, and the mental gymnastics they will do in order to keep their reality intact. I also see social commentary about the perils for women who are trying to be "nice" and "kind" in the face of male abuse that is occurring under the guise of being a "nice guy".

I received an advanced copy of this book and when I did, I quickly finished a previous book just so I could start this one. I was very interested after seeing the description for this book and knew I would love it. I was 100% right! I haven’t read about a crazy, love obsessed, jealous stalker/lover like this before. This story is about Mike and his love for “V”. They play a game called “Crave” a game only the two of them understand. Mike ends up moving to New York and their Long distance relationship works for a while, after something happens, , V wants to move on (just punish Mike) and gets engaged to someone else. Mike is invited to the wedding, which of course he knows is all a part of the Crave game and she just wants to be saved. This was such a good book and I didn’t want it to end. I could have finished it in one day but I wanted to savor it and hold on to the perfect psychological thriller that it was! I have never reread a book, but I honestly crave it and would consider reading it all over.

A creepy, dark tale of obsession! I thought this book was about a game called The Crave, played by Mike and Verity, who were deeply in love but had some kinky sexual interests. Mike came from a horrid childhood where he was pitifully neglected, but once adopted he went on to university and did well and became wealthy. Mike met Verity met at university and loved her totally and completely. He went to America to live for awhile and their relationship continued, but then he received a wedding invitation - to Verity's wedding to a man named Angus.

The book really creeped me out and for awhile I had the wrong impression of what was really going on. An interesting psychological read and I kept wondering what was going to happen next - almost like a chess game between the characters. An absorbing book that made me keep reading to better understand what was really happening.

Thanks to Araminta Hall and Farrar, Straus and Giroux through Netgalley for an advance copy.

This book has left me aggravated and feeling rather disgruntled, I liked it.
The story that is told in this book is one that you just can't easily put down once you start reading it. It's written in the point of view of a man who seems to have quite the obsessive nature and he sure is focused on his ex. You get to watch him spiral out of and back into control. He's a strange one, that's for sure! I don't want to give anything away but this is an extremely well written suspenseful thriller that keeps you guessing right up until the end. The author did such a brilliant job (if you read the author's acknowledgements and notes at the end and stuff she mentions a little about the story and her motivation in writing it.. I can't really say what it is or anything right now so when you are all finished reading the book, just read that little bit and you'll see). So, I would recommend this book to suspense readers. Give it a shot. It's very good.

This was one creepy and disturbing book and I loved it! Not sure what that says about me but I thought it was fantastic. In the very beginning, the book really bothered me and I almost put it down but I kept reading and was glad that I did.

Mike and Verity (who he refers to as V) met in college and appear to be deeply in love. Mike is obsessive about V and wants to do whatever he can to make her happy. When he returns from work in America, they break up and she invites him to her wedding (WHY??) to another man. He still thinks that they are playing a game with each other and she is just trying to punish him but really plans to end up with him. The question you keep asking yourself - is Mike really crazy or is this really all a game?

This is a dark and twisted novel but one I won't soon forget.

I read an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This novel was creepily enchantingly written, especially since it's all from Mike's point of view and, Crave or no Crave, it's kind of crazy.  I'm not saying Mike is crazy, but some of the things he thinks are a bit off. Maybe it's because he was raised in foster care and by an alcoholic mother with an abusive boyfriend, maybe it's just my predisposition to normalcy. Either way, I could not put this book down. I binge-read it all in one day, and I have no regrets. I don't really know what I wanted from the ending, but I was relatively satisfied. It definitely answered a huge question playing in my mind, but I kind of already suspected the answer. While this book may sound crazy, because you're basically in the mind of a stalker, if you believe the prosecution, but it is so well written that you won't even care. You'll be in it from the get-go and unable to get out. Luckily it's short though, less than 300 pages, so you don't have to spend too much time inside such a mind. 

With this book, what you read is exactly what you get..warts and all. I absolutely hated it. I think that was part of the point of the story though. The main character "Mike" is a detestable, slimy stalking piece of crap. He and the Judge who tried the case should be taken out back and have a bullet forcefully shoved between their eyes. The truth is that women are judged on a completely different scale than men. This just wasn't a book that I should have read, because it's a subject that's bound to get my dander up. "That's putting it politely." I thought the author did a great job in her storytelling, and I'd probably read something else by her. I'll confess though, I'm thoroughly sick and tired of this kind of story. My thanks to the publishers and Netgally for letting me read this. Now I think I'll go read something more pleasant. Horror maybe?

This was a good book, bordering on great. The writer was intriguing. Some of the prose was absolutely beautiful. The story itself was excellent. I genuinely did not have any idea how it would end.

The story is of a jilted lover who reads into everything his ex says and does. Is he right to read into it? Does he really know her the way he thinks he does? Do her actions and words have dual meanings?

This book also gave me a lot of very sad feelings. I wanted to justify behavior based on past injustices. I was surprised at the amount of emotions it stirred.

What's going to keep this book from being a 5-star book is my ability to put it down. It took me a good three weeks to read it. Five star books render sleep impossible. So it was good, very solid, good story, good writing, but not un-put-down-able.

I truly loved this book and will happily recommend it to others. I received an unproofed copy from #NetGalley and the author in exchange for my unbiased review. The whole book consists mainly of two people and the relationship between them. Mike grew up in foster care during his formative years. Luckily for him he ended up with a very nice couple who did the best they could after he had been abused for 13 years. He met V (Verity) at university where she has a same sex relationship (or not because not everything in this book is as it seems). Mike and V start dating and start a relationship that consists of V going to pubs and try to seduce a man and then Mike comes to her rescue and end up having steamy sex. Mike and V eventually break up (or do they?) and someone ends up dead. Don’t want to spoil it for anyone. Great book. Please read! Five stars.

3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a good debut novel. I will definitely read this author’s next book. I enjoyed this book, but I wanted to like it more than I actually did. It was fast-paced in parts and very slow in others. I found myself very bored during parts of it and then racing through other parts of it. One character’s obsessiveness drove me a bit nuts—although I didn’t dislike either of the main characters. Both were sympathetic in different ways. I genuinely cared about Mike given his broken childhood, and I felt annoyed with Verity when I saw her through Mike’s eyes. Although the more I learned about her, the less I disliked her. The trial felt repetitive of the 100s of pages I already read, revealing only a few things I hadn’t already learned. The trial was certainly unfair to her and shed light on the stereotypes that women have to overcome. I kept hoping for an exciting twist that never happened, and I felt the ending was disappointing. The author did a great job in making the plot seem realistic. This was not a far-fetched type of book, which I appreciated. However, for me, the way it ended left me annoyed. If the ending had of been different then I think this could have easily been a 4.0-4.5/5 starred review. Overall, it was pretty good for a debut novel.

Too repetitive. Not believable. Ending is blah. I agree with those who felt it is a waste of time to read. But we are clearly in the minority. The book was okay for a beach read or maybe a plane ride where you don’t want to have to concentrate too much. I think I will go back to historical fiction and leave “thrillers” alone for a while.

"...sometimes two people need each other so much it is worth sacrificing others to make sure they end up together."

Holyyyyyyy crapola I can finally exhale. I feel like I've been holding my breath the entire read.

This story is a masterful, slow-burning decent into the mind of a delusional and obsessed man...and it's flipping fantastical!!!! Brilliant writing with flawless development of an utterly unreliable narrator. I've never felt so disquieted while reading a book, the discomfort was palpable throughout but I couldn't stop reading even if I had wanted.

Fans of dark psychological fiction are those readers most likely to enjoy reading Araminta Hall’s novel titled, Our Kind of Cruelty. V and Mike have a relationship built around a game involving desire and an irregular line between a made-up sex game and reality. After V marries Angus, Mike believes this is a sham wedding and part of the extended game, so he remains in love with V and tries to suss the next move in the game. Hall draws readers into Mike’s troubled mind as the story grows ever darker.

Rating: Four-star (I like it)

Wow. This was an entertaining and disturbing psychological thriller. Unique approach from the skewed point of view of one character .(No spoilers) Definitely recommended. It will keep you interested, give you chills at times.

3 1/2 Stars
Mike and Verity play games. After they breakup Mike is convinced V is still playing. Is she, or is Mike delusional? Is he an unreliable narrator, or is V still playing games? What happens when things go too far? Is V involved or is she innocent? A story of obsessive love gone wrong. A fast paced, good book, but could have been great if it had a few more twists and wasn't quite such a straight forward read. Thank you to Farrah, Straus and Girox and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Read the much superior book by Ruth Rendell entitled Going Wrong, published in 1990. Ms. Hall seems to have lifted most of the premise for her book from Going Wrong; perhaps she felt enough time had passed that no one would notice this little fact. Both male protagonists have brought themselves up in the world from hard beginnings; both are obsessed with a woman they were intimate with; both refuse to believe the woman is no longer interested in them romantically; both woman make the mistake of trying to be friends with her stalker; both invite their stalker to their weddings, etc.. Ruth Rendell's book is the same length as Ms. Hall's but I believe it is superior in plotting, writing and use of language.

I found this book to be very engaging and thought provoking, especially at the end. The book is written in three parts, the first two parts being the past and the last part being the present. It is written from the point of view of the male within the relationship, and delves into the psychological thoughts of the main character. I personally found the plot to be a little flat while reading the book, and I don't think this book held the suspense that I had expected it to have based on the description of the book. Moving beyond the flatness, I think the author did a fantastic job at approaching current problems within society, including mental illness, unstable/toxic relationships, the importance of proper care for children, and sexism. Based on these key themes, I would strongly recommend this book. I am hoping that the author writes a sequel from the woman's perspective, which for me, would be a must read!

Hard to review without spoiling, but Michael definitely has issues and V doesn't make it easy for him to resolve those. With an alcoholic mother and a childhood in a foster home, Michael never really learned normal relationships. Hooking up with Verity (V) in college din't help the situation as the games they play to space up their sex life sprays out of control. A good psychological thriller well worth the read.

A very strange tale about a weird love affair that I found repellant. I disliked the main characters and did not care about their development. I felt It was a waste of my time to read such a dreary tale.

What period was this written about, the 1960s? Good grief, furthermore women or anyone for that matter with that much money could get the most high-powered law team available. Also, where were real character witnesses? Carly would have been an invaluable witness for verity but the judge said he wasn't interested in Mike's sexual activities but allows all details about verity's? Why couldn't they get a deposition from her if she couldn't come to court. That should be grounds for reversal on appeal, judicial misconduct.
Is the English system of law so different than theu.s.?

I'm giving this one star because the actual writing is a cut above what you often get in thrillers. If only it had been used in service of an interesting story! Instead we got profoundly unlikeable characters and no narrative surprises, unless you count the fact that there were no surprises. I kept waiting for some sort of plot twist, but instead the narrative devolved into a self-righteous rant about women's sexuality. (Which normally I would be cheering on, but this was so heavy handed I found myself bizarrely siding with the chauvinist judge: just shut up already!) I will definitely be avoiding this author in the future.

The negative reviewers appear not to understand the power of ambiguity. This book is a fascinating glimpse into a disturbed mind and its power to destroy others. It also makes a refreshing change from the parade of wine-swigging, out of control, unreliable female narrators who fill the pages of currently popular psychological novels. I found it beautifully written, shiver-inducing, and impossible to put down. I got my copy at the library, but I plan to buy it for friends.

A strong ending might have salvaged this tedious drag of a story, but no. At least
the author was consistent. Interesting how she told the story from the man's perspective.
I wonder where she got her ideas of how he thought, etc. That gets her two stars.

A clever updating of Nikolai Gogol’s famous short-story, Dairy of a Madman. A timely reminder of how destructive delusional, obsessive, mentally-ill people can be to the object of their fixations. The lack of insight into Verity’s inner-life is more than made up for by the in-depth plunge into the bowels of Mike the Madman’s twisted psyche. There were several times I thought Hall couldn’t keep this going, but she did, right to its sequel-tantalizing ending, which would be great if told from Verity’s point of view.

This narrator’s voice grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go. I love the way the other characters’ perceptions of him challenge what you actually know he is thinking - because he tells you! Such a creatively written and gripping book. Unputdownable. More literary than this type of book tends to be and with a little social commentary if you like that sort of thing (I do!). Great stuff. An author to watch.

After reading so many great mystery and/or thrillers this year, my last two have been big duds. If you’re looking for a creepy stalkerish type character, I recommend Caroline Kepnes’ You over this one.

The story surrounds itself around a very disturbed and dilutional individual. Away from the norm, this novel is not made up of true chapters, but I actually enjoyed this setup which gave a sense of ease when putting it down and picking it up. Especially in my life of chasing a very active toddler around. Made up of three-part over 288 pages, this was a quick and easy read. While I enjoyed the banter more than being trapped in Mike Hayes head with him, it was an interesting premise and I rather enjoy stories told in the first person.

I have read reviews where readers suggest this novel reminded them of Joe from one of my absolute favorite books, YOU... well, I am sorry, but I am in complete disagreement. Aside from the obsessive feel, and of course, this story is told in the first person, I just don’t see it. I don’t believe Michael Hayes lived up to Joseph Goldberg at all. Even with his sociopathic nature, I craved Joe... I did not, however, care much for Mike. I did start this with the expectation of that familiarity, but I am also not upset with the outcome of it not living up to YOU. In truth, that’s a difficult feat to live up to.

As far as the downsides that dropped this bad boy a star for me... for starters, there were times where I felt the writing diverged into far too much, and at times stomach-turning, details that I could have easily gone without and didn’t need to fully paint the picture. Also, the repetitiveness of the word “crave” began to wear thin drawing toward the halfway point. I get it, I totally get it, but I have an issue with things being repeated and that’s probably just me.

Araminta did a great job of making her reader feel for the story’s main character. From the tragedies that make up Mike's adolescence to his complete instability, it really pulls at your heart and it’s difficult not to feel an array of emotion for/towards him. Mike is obsessive, compulsive, and very unpredictable, which is a recipe for a juicy and enthralling story. I really enjoyed Part III the most. Something about a courtroom drama is always a major win for me. Hmm, I wonder. I do not want to divulge too much as the story really takes off at Part II and all the pieces come together nicely throughout the proceedings that take place in Part III.

Overall, I enjoyed the total mindf*** that Araminta sought out to do with this novel and fully accomplished. This story was told with an underlying message that is not only important but well received. I hope Araminta has plans to give us readers a Cruelty #2 that offers the same story told from Verity's perspective. I would pick that up in a heartbeat!

Many thanks to Araminta Hall and MCD / Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the advanced reader's copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This was one creepy and disturbing book and I loved it! Not sure what that says about me but I thought it was fantastic. In the very beginning, the book really bothered me and I almost put it down but I kept reading and was glad that I did.

Mike and Verity (who he refers to as V) met in college and appear to be deeply in love. Mike is obsessive about V and wants to do whatever he can to make her happy. When he returns from work in America, they break up and she invites him to her wedding (WHY??) to another man. He still thinks that they are playing a game with each other and she is just trying to punish him but really plans to end up with him. The question you keep asking yourself - is Mike really crazy or is this really all a game?

This is a dark and twisted novel but one I won't soon forget.

I read an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

OMG! This book is bananas! It's dark and ethereal. It's like driving past a car accident and you know that you shouldn't look but you do anyway. It's the type of book that you read with the lights on in the daytime. The type of story that once you start reading there's no way that you can stop until the breathless end. And it's the type of book that will stay with you far longer than you want it to. So yeah pick it up but remember I warned you. Happy reading!

Very great read. Starts as a love story. The couple has a game they play called Crave to make their sex life more exciting. V uses a eagle necklace she bought when she was younger in this game. They plan on getting married but V meets Angus a very rich man and ends up marrying him instead of Mike. Mike has an obsession with V and can't accept she is happily married and out of his life. He stalks her and continually emails and calls her over and over. He lives in a dream world. The ending is very mysterious and someone ends up dead. A trial begins and it will surprise you what happens. Crazy love or obsession can bring you down, even land you in prison, even if you are not guilty. A lot of things come out at the trial, some truths ands some lies. I couldn't put this book down. Must read.

I purchased this book from @bookofthemonth to read with @blackheartreads. All opinions are my own. Our Kind of Cruelty by Araminta Hall. This is a twisted love story told from his point of view. It's different. It's twisted and sweet and vengeful and the entire time I was reading I kept thinking this guy is twisted. Have I said twisted enough? It's twisted!!!!! ????? I took less than 5 hours to read front to back because you won't be able to put it down. You have to know what Verity and Mike do next or rather what Mike does to her next. A twisted love story.

Compelling and sickening really. I was hoping for a better ending but it was very fitting. Especially in current times where woman are not allowed to be sexual but men are. Disturbing but a good read.