Reviews

Maidens of the Cave by Lloyd Devereux Richards

kelseylitsliftsanddips's review against another edition

3.0

Much like the first in the series, this one just wasn’t for me. It wasn’t a bad book by any means, just not what I’m looking for. The language/dialogue just doesn’t feel authentic to me, and there was no shocking twist like I want from a thriller. The use of indigenous cultures rituals and practices was something that I don’t see often, but other than that, it’s just not for me. 

thatbookbetchhh's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

📖 Maidens of the Cave by: Lloyd Devereux Richards | 📅 Pub Day: OUT NOW!!!(Tuesday August 1, 2023 )

Lloyd Devereux Richards has done it again! This sophomore novel in the series is a completely immersive thriller suspense book that reads like an episode of Criminal Minds with a sprinkle of Silence of the Lambs! 

Head strong FBI agent and forensic anthropologist, Christine Prusik, is back again looking for the cause of a series of different horrifyingly curated homicides (young college aged women’s bodies start showing up in isolated caves on hiking trails). She races against time, and her superiors, wondering if she’ll be able to find the culprit (or culprits?!) before they strike again OR WORSE.

I absolutely loved this book! It was a refreshing far cry from other FBI agent books that I’ve read in the past that come off as boring and monotonous. I hope there are many more books in this series and/or by this author to come, OR maybe even a film or tv show adaptation because I’m HOOKED!!!

5.00⭐️ 

Special thanks to @netgalley @morrowbooks and @stonemaidens for the eARC and @morrowbooks for the physical ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!

alwaysaudreyreads's review against another edition

4.5

 Sometimes I feel as if the second book in a series doesn't quite deliver as strongly as the first - that is not the case for this one. While I enjoyed Stone Maidens, I devoured The Maidens of the Cave. We follow Forensic anthropologist Christine Prusik again as she investigates the deaths of college students whose bodies have been left in remote caves. She has the same tenacious, won't back down from finding the truth attitude and I love it. This book kept me engaged, staying up way later than I should to finish just one more (or five more) chapter. The mystery also kept me guessing until the end, I only started figuring it out about a chapter or two before the reveal. 
This book is a police procedural and heavy on forensics, but please don't take that as boring - I read this book in a day and a half because I just couldn't put it down.

Thank you to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for the gifted copy of this book. 

alex_reads_anything's review against another edition

I think I would’ve liked this a lot more when I was younger and read more books within the genre. 

There were too many pov’s, some of which felt unnecessary. There was also a lot of technical jargon that made certain parts more difficult to understand than they should’ve been. 

I think this story will appeal to a wide audience, I just don’t happen to be a part of it. 

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

cj_mo_2222's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Maidens of the Cave is a sequel to Stone Maidens, which I haven't read, but this new book works wonderfully as a standalone. I connected with the main character, Christine, right away. Christine Prusik is a forensic anthropologist working for the Chicago branch of the FBI. She is determined to catch a killer when the bodies of young women are being found in caves with similar bruising on their backs. Christine becomes frustrated when office politics create obstacles for her to do her job. Most of the story is told from Christine's point-of-view, but other points-of-view from witnesses, suspects, and members of Christine's team are also included. 

This book has a complex plot that becomes more and more suspenseful as the story progresses. Christine is a flawed character who doesn't always make the right decision, which makes the story more realistic. I really hope this series continues, because I enjoyed the characters, the writing style, and the surprising twists in this thriller. Readers who enjoyed the first book, as well as fans of Kathy Reichs, will like this book. 

I received an advance copy of this book at no cost from William Morrow Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.