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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-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
I can usually guess what’s going to happen in a book but No Rest For The Wicked kept me guessing! This book had me on the edge of my seat almost the whole time. The twists and turns were captivating! The ending had me sitting with my mouth open in shock! Rachel Louise Adams writing is magical.
Poor Delores left her past behind her and moved to California to forget. She is forced to come back to her hometown when her father goes missing. She has not had any contact with her father in 18 years, her best friend and comfort. She refuses to remember what happened to her. In this story Delores is forced to remember. Forced to face that the people closest to her are not who she thought they were. Forced to find her father.
Although this book is amazing, please check your ‼️‼️‼️TW ‼️‼️‼️
Poor Delores left her past behind her and moved to California to forget. She is forced to come back to her hometown when her father goes missing. She has not had any contact with her father in 18 years, her best friend and comfort. She refuses to remember what happened to her. In this story Delores is forced to remember. Forced to face that the people closest to her are not who she thought they were. Forced to find her father.
Although this book is amazing, please check your ‼️‼️‼️TW ‼️‼️‼️
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have to agree with another reviewer that the cover doesn’t match the story at all BUT it’s a really page-turning thriller!
I loved the political family secrets dynamic, forgotten cold case, and of course cats. I wish there were more cats I’d love a novella to see what happens with them all!
I really recommend this to readers who enjoy Holly Jackson and Loreth Anne White.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review
I loved the political family secrets dynamic, forgotten cold case, and of course cats. I wish there were more cats I’d love a novella to see what happens with them all!
I really recommend this to readers who enjoy Holly Jackson and Loreth Anne White.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
many thanks to minotaur books and the author for this e-galley
every time i thought i knew what was going on, i was wrong. i figured out what happened to Dolores but i did not catch the hints of who the villain was until it was revealed and i really enjoyed that element of confusion. i liked that the book was split into past and present and that it was third person pov with multiple characters. it felt like i was in Little Horton myself and it made me want even more povs to see what i may have missed.
this was a sloowww burning mystery even though the actions themselves took place in a fairly short time frame. i got to know the characters, their motivations, and see what life was like for them in that small town. i loved that we got to be in every crime with Dolores and how the the reveals just kept coming. i liked the ending but i'm hoping that was a set up for book 2 because the material is there and i'm intrigued.
every time i thought i knew what was going on, i was wrong. i figured out what happened to Dolores but i did not catch the hints of who the villain was until it was revealed and i really enjoyed that element of confusion. i liked that the book was split into past and present and that it was third person pov with multiple characters. it felt like i was in Little Horton myself and it made me want even more povs to see what i may have missed.
this was a sloowww burning mystery even though the actions themselves took place in a fairly short time frame. i got to know the characters, their motivations, and see what life was like for them in that small town. i loved that we got to be in every crime with Dolores and how the the reveals just kept coming. i liked the ending but i'm hoping that was a set up for book 2 because the material is there and i'm intrigued.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence
No Rest for the Wicked is a paint-by-numbers thriller that hits all the familiar story beats we’ve come to expect, but ends on a strong, emotional high note! Rachel Louise Adams doesn’t reinvent the wheel with No Rest for the Wicked, in fact I found almost every major plot point to be predictable, but the story was still interesting and Dolores, our main character, was compelling. The characters, to me, are the strongest part of the novel - they are all complex, and very rarely is someone exactly what they seem when they were first introduced.
No Rest for the Wicked was slow to get going, but about 50-60% through the action begins to really pick up and it was hard to put down! As generic as the plot felt at times, the story ends on a really beautiful note that plays to the strength of Adams’ character writing and will definitely stay with me for a while.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
What a phenomenal debut novel for Rachel Louise Adams! No Rest for the Wicked sucked me in from the first chapter. The setting in a sleepy town of Little H, known for its Halloween celebrations and the folklore of a curse that’s been around for centuries was the perfect place for this mystery to take place. I was thoroughly surprised to find out who was behind the murders in this story and ate up every bit of info along the way. With this novel debuting September 15th I highly suggest anyone that enjoys a good spooky mystery to add this to their Fall/October reading lists!
Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.
This was a really impressive debut mystery. I think the synopsis missed the mark. I wouldn't call this cozy nor do I think the Halloween town part was integral enough to the story to be so heavily mentioned. I don't think it gave small-town spooky vibes as much as I had thought based on the synopsis. The plot was really tragic and there's definitely trigger warnings to be had regarding rape, killing, drug abuse and everything else related to serial killing and kidnapping. I will say, the plot twists were very twisty but not far fetched and everything came together by the end of the book. I think the cats on the cover emphasized a plot point that wasn't super consequential to the outcome. I do think that the set up was well done and that jumps back and forth between the past and present made sense for the plot. The pacing was a little slow at the beginning and became a bit erratic until the last 30% or so. I'm ready for Adams' next book, I can't wait to see what she does next.
This was a really impressive debut mystery. I think the synopsis missed the mark. I wouldn't call this cozy nor do I think the Halloween town part was integral enough to the story to be so heavily mentioned. I don't think it gave small-town spooky vibes as much as I had thought based on the synopsis. The plot was really tragic and there's definitely trigger warnings to be had regarding rape, killing, drug abuse and everything else related to serial killing and kidnapping. I will say, the plot twists were very twisty but not far fetched and everything came together by the end of the book. I think the cats on the cover emphasized a plot point that wasn't super consequential to the outcome. I do think that the set up was well done and that jumps back and forth between the past and present made sense for the plot. The pacing was a little slow at the beginning and became a bit erratic until the last 30% or so. I'm ready for Adams' next book, I can't wait to see what she does next.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder
dark
mysterious
fast-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:
Yes
This was twisty and entertaining, well thought out, and fast paced. I loved the backstory of the town's fascination with Halloween, I just wish that Halloween vibe was a bit stronger through the story. It was definitely more of a police procedural with a touch of Halloween vibe, and less of the creepy, Halloween mystery I was expecting. I love the cover, it was one of the things that drew me to the book, I figured the cats would fit into the Halloween theme, or that there would be a cat(s) in the story somehow, but they were very minor and their portion of the story was actually the only part I didn't enjoy for a couple of reasons- I didn't like what happened to the cats, and I felt like it was just popped into the story just to be popped in.
The writing was great, if I didn't know, I wouldn't think this was a debut. I am looking forward to reading other books by the author in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for the ARC copy! All opinions are my own :)
The writing was great, if I didn't know, I wouldn't think this was a debut. I am looking forward to reading other books by the author in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for the ARC copy! All opinions are my own :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was such a great mystery-- I can't believe it's a debut! So rarely does a twist truly surprise me anymore, but this one was really shocking!
Dolores, a forensic pathologist in California, has been estranged from her father, Alexander; stepmom, Charlotte; and two half siblings since age 18. She left her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin and never looked back. Little Horton is famous for its Halloween celebrations--and violence that has occurred over the years on that date--but for Dolores, it's just a holiday that she studiously avoids since she left.
But then she receives a call from the FBI: her father has gone missing. She reluctantly returns to Little Horton to investigate with two agents.
This book is spell binding! It effortlessly draws you into the claustrophobic and judgmental town of Little Horton, with its relentless focus on Halloween--and secrets and lies. Everyone in Little Horton reveres Alexander as their former mayor and Senator. For Dolores' family, especially the formidable and scary Charlotte, nothing matters more than appearances.
Adams weaves a taut and dark tale, as the bodies pile up, and Dolores looks into her father's life and disappearance, while slowly remembering more and more about why she left Little Horton so long ago. This story is dramatic and well-written, filled with plenty of suspense. It keeps you guessing, while also featuring nuanced, flawed characters. I would love a sequel!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for NO REST FOR THE WICKED on 09/16/2025!
Dolores, a forensic pathologist in California, has been estranged from her father, Alexander; stepmom, Charlotte; and two half siblings since age 18. She left her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin and never looked back. Little Horton is famous for its Halloween celebrations--and violence that has occurred over the years on that date--but for Dolores, it's just a holiday that she studiously avoids since she left.
But then she receives a call from the FBI: her father has gone missing. She reluctantly returns to Little Horton to investigate with two agents.
This book is spell binding! It effortlessly draws you into the claustrophobic and judgmental town of Little Horton, with its relentless focus on Halloween--and secrets and lies. Everyone in Little Horton reveres Alexander as their former mayor and Senator. For Dolores' family, especially the formidable and scary Charlotte, nothing matters more than appearances.
Adams weaves a taut and dark tale, as the bodies pile up, and Dolores looks into her father's life and disappearance, while slowly remembering more and more about why she left Little Horton so long ago. This story is dramatic and well-written, filled with plenty of suspense. It keeps you guessing, while also featuring nuanced, flawed characters. I would love a sequel!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for NO REST FOR THE WICKED on 09/16/2025!