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jasminesbookcase's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this!!
It was just what I needed! The last 80 pages literally had me scared
It was just what I needed! The last 80 pages literally had me scared
mollieh14's review
4.0
The book follows several different POV’s through the abduction of Zoe and her experience, the abductor and his past and present feelings, Zoe’s mum Helen and her need to find out what had happened and to find Zoe and Thomas, a nervous 10 year old boy who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I enjoyed the multiple POV’s as I find this to be really helpful when reading a thriller as it can show how the characters are feeling and why, as well as give more information for how certain reactions have developed and how the characters can interact with each other if their feelings are not obvious from another point of view. I also thought the pacing of this book was really good as the chapters had me hooked and I found myself being unable to stop reading as I just had to know what was happening next.
I found the ending of this book quite abrupt which didn’t feel like it matched the pacing of the book, which I enjoyed up until the ending. I found that it didn’t feel as satisfying as I was hoping as I read this book quite quickly but felt disappointed by the ending. I also found that I didn’t like the website entries as I found it didn’t seem to go with the rest of the novel and felt unnecessary. I think overall there was too much going on and too many details to enable the reader to keep track and understand what was going on and why.
A good fast paced and intense read, just let itself down a little by the end.
I enjoyed the multiple POV’s as I find this to be really helpful when reading a thriller as it can show how the characters are feeling and why, as well as give more information for how certain reactions have developed and how the characters can interact with each other if their feelings are not obvious from another point of view. I also thought the pacing of this book was really good as the chapters had me hooked and I found myself being unable to stop reading as I just had to know what was happening next.
I found the ending of this book quite abrupt which didn’t feel like it matched the pacing of the book, which I enjoyed up until the ending. I found that it didn’t feel as satisfying as I was hoping as I read this book quite quickly but felt disappointed by the ending. I also found that I didn’t like the website entries as I found it didn’t seem to go with the rest of the novel and felt unnecessary. I think overall there was too much going on and too many details to enable the reader to keep track and understand what was going on and why.
A good fast paced and intense read, just let itself down a little by the end.
megswhitaker's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
enticingtitles's review against another edition
5.0
Where do I even begin with this book? I LOVED IT! Rosie Walker does a fantastic job of setting up the creepiest setting ever, an abandoned insane asylum with a shady past, and gives you multiple different character points of view that take this novel to another level. I found it perfectly creepy and dark without being overly gory and throughout the book there are clues that are dropped at just the perfect time to lead the reader on the hunt for the serial killer. This is one book I couldn't put down!
jaime_15's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
magyklyxdelish's review against another edition
5.0
First of all, thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me access to this title.
I like to consider myself a huge thriller nut. It’s my favorite genre by far and as such I tend to be more critical of books in this genre. Which is all to say, this book blew me away.
She used the “multiple perspective” style to tell this story and she nailed it perfectly. There never seemed to be too many people and I didn’t feel like it switched too much or too little. She balanced this with perfection, which is impressive to me because it’s easy to do one or the other in this type of story telling.
The number one thing in books of any genre I’m most picky about is pacing and I’m happy to say this was never an issue for me. In fact for most of the book I found myself quite literally on the edge of my seat. This was a truly heart stopping thriller that made me anxious and I loved every minute of it.
The twist(s) we’re perfect. Not too outlandish and not too many of them. I can’t overstate how truly phenomenal this book is. It was amazing and an easy contender for my fave of the year. Any fellow thriller nut like myself would be silly not to read this!
I like to consider myself a huge thriller nut. It’s my favorite genre by far and as such I tend to be more critical of books in this genre. Which is all to say, this book blew me away.
She used the “multiple perspective” style to tell this story and she nailed it perfectly. There never seemed to be too many people and I didn’t feel like it switched too much or too little. She balanced this with perfection, which is impressive to me because it’s easy to do one or the other in this type of story telling.
The number one thing in books of any genre I’m most picky about is pacing and I’m happy to say this was never an issue for me. In fact for most of the book I found myself quite literally on the edge of my seat. This was a truly heart stopping thriller that made me anxious and I loved every minute of it.
The twist(s) we’re perfect. Not too outlandish and not too many of them. I can’t overstate how truly phenomenal this book is. It was amazing and an easy contender for my fave of the year. Any fellow thriller nut like myself would be silly not to read this!
connie445's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
jlynnoh5's review against another edition
3.0
From the publisher - A serial killer has been terrorizing Lancaster for decades, longer than should ever have been possible. The police are baffled, eluded at every turn by the killer whose victims span generations. Speculation is rife among the true crime forums; is someone passing on their gruesome trade?
This novel has a great basic premise (a serial killer who frames others for the crimes he commits - even down to their DNA, a mother searching for her missing daughter). Rosie Walker also does a great job establishing setting in eerie detail- a decrepit insane asylum in the middle of a dark wood), transporting her audience into the middle of the story.
Overall, I felt there were far too many plot points and not enough development of any of them. The novel jumps from one moment to the next and it is hard to follow at times. The ending felt rushed and unfinished (note - I assume there will be a sequel).
I also found myself struggling to stay invested with any of the characters. The novel is written from the points of view of several different individuals, which makes it tough to form a connection to any of them.
Secrets of a Serial Killer has the foundations to be a great thriller and Rosie Walker definitely has the ability to craft a dynamic story, I just wished for more of a structured story overall.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This novel has a great basic premise (a serial killer who frames others for the crimes he commits - even down to their DNA, a mother searching for her missing daughter). Rosie Walker also does a great job establishing setting in eerie detail- a decrepit insane asylum in the middle of a dark wood), transporting her audience into the middle of the story.
Overall, I felt there were far too many plot points and not enough development of any of them. The novel jumps from one moment to the next and it is hard to follow at times. The ending felt rushed and unfinished (note - I assume there will be a sequel).
I also found myself struggling to stay invested with any of the characters. The novel is written from the points of view of several different individuals, which makes it tough to form a connection to any of them.
Secrets of a Serial Killer has the foundations to be a great thriller and Rosie Walker definitely has the ability to craft a dynamic story, I just wished for more of a structured story overall.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
thebookishkimmy's review against another edition
3.0
I feel a little mixed over this one because this was such a cool concept and there were definitely creepy moments that kept me turning the pages. I do think somewhere in the middle it lost some momentum, and to be honest, all the articles got in the way of its intensity. Even though they’re there to help the story along, I found them almost jarring once Zoe had been kidnapped.
Anyway, I still think this is worth the read if you enjoy thrillers and in particular serial killer style vibes.
Anyway, I still think this is worth the read if you enjoy thrillers and in particular serial killer style vibes.
bookishwithwine's review against another edition
3.0
There is a lot going on in this book, and I felt things were brought up once and never touched on again. For instance the mom, Helen, was studying the outside of an abandoned hospital building for the insane when her dog went inside the building and found a shoe. A shoe that had a dark red stain on it. There was suspicion on the news that there was a serial killer terrorizing surrounding towns. So why would she not turn the shoe into the police if she thought the stain was blood? That's the end of the mystery shoe. There are more little parts like this that are not fully developed that bothered me.
The story does pick up when Helen's daughter Zoe disappears after a night out with friends. To the police Zoe is seen as a teenager who wants time away with her much older boyfriend. Since they are going to be no help Helen takes matters into her own hands. Little does she know she has the help of two little kids, Thomas and Maggie. While playing in the woods they stumble upon an abandoned vehicle. Thomas and Maggie have no idea what they have discovered in the woods is the serial killer's lair.
Alternating between Helen, Zoe, HIM, and Maggie and Thomas this is a pretty fast paced read. There are also anonymous entries to an online site called Urban Dark Reporter about how to get away with murder that I assumed are wrote by HIM.
For the most part I did enjoy this book, I just wanted more information and I felt the ending was rushed.
Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the advanced copy of this book.
Book Rating: 3.5
The story does pick up when Helen's daughter Zoe disappears after a night out with friends. To the police Zoe is seen as a teenager who wants time away with her much older boyfriend. Since they are going to be no help Helen takes matters into her own hands. Little does she know she has the help of two little kids, Thomas and Maggie. While playing in the woods they stumble upon an abandoned vehicle. Thomas and Maggie have no idea what they have discovered in the woods is the serial killer's lair.
Alternating between Helen, Zoe, HIM, and Maggie and Thomas this is a pretty fast paced read. There are also anonymous entries to an online site called Urban Dark Reporter about how to get away with murder that I assumed are wrote by HIM.
For the most part I did enjoy this book, I just wanted more information and I felt the ending was rushed.
Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the advanced copy of this book.
Book Rating: 3.5