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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
This is the 3rd book in Dot Hutchinson's The Collector series. This might have been my favorite so far. Each book as taken a closer look at the life of one of the members of the FBI team we were first introduced to in The Butterfly Garden, using the book's case to explore why they joined the FBI and face the demons of their own past. This is the first in the series, however, which does not include the voice of any of the current victims. This book dives into Agent Ramirez's troubled past and we get a deeper look at the interactions and relationships she has with others at the agency. And you still get cameo appearances from some of the victims the team has taken under their wing from the previous installments in this series. I am thoroughly looking forward to next year's addition, The Vanishing Season! I can't wait to see what new horror Dot dreams up for the new case, find out which agent's POV we'll gain insight into, and see how well Maya, Bliss and Priya are adapting in the years since the close of their cases.
I LOVED the first book in this series. It was truly haunting and has stayed with me like i just read it yesterday. The second book was good and had some of the similar elements to the first. This book, the third in the series, didn’t have the same vibe to it. This book felt more like it was about the agent’s life and less about the horrible crimes. The crimes against the children felt like the subplot and in both the first two books it was the opposite- the crime was the focal point and the agents were the subplot. Although i enjoyed learning backstory on Mercedes, it didn’t have me on the edge of my seat because of how spread out the horrific parts were. Will i read the fourth book ? Yes, but I’m not too hopeful after this one. It’s not a bad book i just had different expectations based on the previous books in the series.
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Drug use, Gun violence
Got this book off netgalley and was quite happy! Book 3 in the series and possibly the best one yet.
If you like thrillers then read this one.
If you like thrillers then read this one.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was fantastic and I absolutely loved it!! Pacing was great characters and their motivation were so well done and I definitively recommend this book :)))
A good read
I enjoyed this third installment, told from Mercedes point of view.
While it focuses more on the team dynamics than the actual case, I felt that was a healthy way to balance the very dark subject matter.
I wish that Bliss' name hadn't been changed to Victoria-Bliss, it feels clunky.
I'll definitely be reading the final one, I'll be sad to see these characters go.
I enjoyed this third installment, told from Mercedes point of view.
While it focuses more on the team dynamics than the actual case, I felt that was a healthy way to balance the very dark subject matter.
I wish that Bliss' name hadn't been changed to Victoria-Bliss, it feels clunky.
I'll definitely be reading the final one, I'll be sad to see these characters go.
Finished reading: April 14th 2018
"Scars mean we survived something, even when the wounds still hurt."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
I have been following this series ever since I read the first book back in 2016. The Butterfly Garden blew me away with one of the most disturbing and twisted serial killer cases I've encountered to this date. And somehow, I think The Summer Children is my new favorite of the series. Because while I remember having some doubts about the pace in the middle of the first book, it was literally hook, line and sinker with The Summer Children. I practically devoured this third book of The Collector series and couldn't let go until the final page. Dot Hutchison has created another intense, disturbing and painful case, and this time things are getting really personal for Mercedes Ramirez. The Summer Children is intense until the very last page and despite the heavy subject I loved every single minute of the ride. Why? First of all, the writing style is just as strong as ever, engaging, gritty and with a perfect mix of suspense, shocking moments and a healthy dose of bantering and a dash of humor. I also loved the mix of normal chapters with the thoughts in cursive! The characters are both well developed and very easy to like and I just love the dynamics between Mercedes and the rest of her team. And no, I'm not just biased by the fact she consistantly uses Spanish phrases and words in her dialogue (don't worry, non-Spanish speakers will still be able to understand the dialogue perfectly!) The characters in general feel very realistic and all have their flaws and history, making them that much more human and very easy to warm up to. The serial killer in this case has an underlying message that will make you think... A trigger warning is in place for graphic scenes and child abuse for those who can't stomach these elements in stories. But not without a note that these elements are very well incorporated into the story and not abused in any way. There are also lots of twists and turns included as they try to figure out who is behind it all. The Summer Children was strong from start to finish and this is the main reason this third book is now my new favorite of the series. And I just can't wait to find out what the next book has in store for us next year.
I thought it was going to be hard to outshine The Butterfly Garden, since it's one of the best/most disturbed serial killer characterizations I've come across. But somehow, I think The Summer Children is the best book yet. From a consistant and superfast pace to likeable and realistic characters, a well developed plot and another intriguing and disturbing case... This third book just ticked all the boxed for me. Add the joy of revisiting old favorite characters and their bantering, and you have a new favorite The Collector book. Can you guess already I can recommend this one if you can stomach the graphic scenes and child abuse triggers?