Review of Misery Loves Company

[Akinsemoyin Adeola]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Misery Loves Company" by Paul Marino.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Misery Loves Company by Paul Marino is a chilling psychological thriller about Dan, a young man who joined an anonymous support group for serial killers under false pretences. Rather than sincerely seeking help, Dan signs up for the group out of curiosity, merely pretending to be truly repentant. His façade soon falls off shortly after his first meeting, when he murders a young woman he is attracted to.

This compact yet intense novel takes readers on an unsettling trip through Dan's mind, revealing how dark the human mind can get when left untamed. We continue to see more of this support group through Dan’s eyes as the members gather on specific days to share their unpleasant stories of murder.

One of this book's most appealing attributes is its brevity. It is short yet intense; it can be easily read in one sitting, making it possible for readers to revisit it later if they choose to. Despite the dark subject matter, Marino expertly infused moments of dark humour that helped balance the graphic scenes described mostly in this book. These disturbing yet captivating elements created chills that made the reading experience both exciting and compelling.

However, I believe the author could have provided more background stories about Dan's character. We were only shown the serial killer part of his life without context about what led him to this current position, thereby limiting the reader's understanding of his mental development. Also, the concluding part feels somewhat abrupt, suggesting a sequel rather than providing a satisfactory closure. The author might have served readers better by extending the story instead of leaving so many unanswered questions.

This book appears professionally edited, as I didn't encounter any notable errors while reading. The story flows smoothly, allowing for an enthralling reading experience despite the disturbing content. This shows that the author is a good storyteller. Which is why I would rate it five out of five stars.

I must caution that this book is suitable for adult readers due to its disturbing psychological content, and frequent profanity. Nevertheless, adult readers who enjoy dark psychological thrillers will find this book an interesting read.

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Misery Loves Company
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