Scan barcode
heidikundin's review against another edition
4.0
Stillhouse Lake was one of my favorite books of 2017, so I was eagerly anticipating the release of Killman Creek, probably more so than any other recent sequel. I'm happy to say that it didn't disappoint! While I didn't love this one quite as much as the previous book, it was still just as action-packed and full of intense high-tension situations that kept me reading "just one more chapter."
Though the first book was written from Gwen's perspective, Killman Creek alternates POVs between several main characters - Gwen, Sam, and Gwen's two children, Connor and Lanny. I didn't mind the switch, but it made the characters feel a little disconnected and I found myself skimming through some sections of the narrative to get back to other storylines.
Though the first book was written from Gwen's perspective, Killman Creek alternates POVs between several main characters - Gwen, Sam, and Gwen's two children, Connor and Lanny. I didn't mind the switch, but it made the characters feel a little disconnected and I found myself skimming through some sections of the narrative to get back to other storylines.
books_coffee_oxfordcommas's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
nora23's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
samramsden's review against another edition
5.0
SOOO GOOD. I am listening to this series on audible and this second book was even better than the first. This series is so good to me, I love the action, the realness of the characters and listening to the characters developments along the way. I am currently listening to the 3rd book and I will say it is just getting a little too much which is always my concern with series - to keep it interesting they have to keep throwing curveballs and action and it usually crosses the line of “Ok really???” Lol.
gcreading's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Great read. Engaging from start to end. So glad to be able to see deeper into Gwen's life. This book is meticulously plotted with many conflicts throughout that keep you waiting. There is also an interesting start at the beginning of each chapter where it contradicts the point at the end of the previous chapter. This works as the chapters are now split by perspective.
mezzoir's review against another edition
1.0
Couldn't get past the ridiculous premise that her husband had escaped from death row......
kaitiecakes's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very interesting second book to the series, I’m interested to see where the rest will take us. You would think that with all the travelling you would get bored because it was dragging on; but it didn’t. It kept me interested and wanting to know what was going to happen next.
veraann's review against another edition
4.0
Gets right into it about where the first book left off. It was not what I expected in a good way. The action moved, the point of views really added to the story, and it got a lot darker than expected. Everything seemed to have closure by the end of this one. I see that there is more to this series and I can't imagine what it might be now, but I would be interested to see what happens next.
readandsip's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Second in the Stillhouse Lake thriller series and revolving around a woman on the run and her two terrified, angry children.
My Take
Killman Creek was an odd combination of too-long and so-short. Connor made me nuts with his behavior while Lanny played the part of the petulant teenager to perfection. Actions which dragged things out. But then Gwen’s and Sam’s escapades shortened all that right up. Especially toward the end when I was racing to find out what happened next.
As for the conflict in the story…jesus…it’s one helluva twist when you discover the betrayal. But it gets even worse at the end. The cold-bloodedness of some people. It will send chills down your spine, as you discover the truth behind Melvin’s actions towards his kids.
Whew, Caine has some nasty foreshadowing going on…it serves to make those betrayals feel even worse.
It’s an interesting set of perspectives, using first-person multiple point-of-view, so the primary characters each tell their part of the story. It’s a great way to hear their thoughts and feelings. Lanny’s doing that teen thing and yet is very introspective while Connor is terribly conflicted between his mother and father.
We get a bit more background on Sam’s relationship with his “estranged” sister, and it’ll make you weep at the unfairness of it.
I do wish Caine had done more to make me feel as if Lustig felt conflicted over his actions. It’s a tell that could have used some work. And I wanna smack that Connor!
The Story
Melvin Royal is on the run, heading towards his wife and kids, toward a refuge that has become a trap for her and the kids. It’s time for Gwen to turn that attitude around, and she leaves her children in the protective custody of a fortified, well-armed neighbor.
Now, with the help of Sam Cade, Gwen is going hunting. She’s learned how from one of the sickest killers alive.
But what she’s up against is beyond anything she could anticipate — a sophisticated and savage mind game calculated to destroy her. As trust within her small circle of friends begins to vanish, Gwen has only fury and vengeance to believe in as she closes in on her prey. And sure as the night, one of them will die.
The Characters
Gwen Proctor, the former Gina Royal, is desperate to save her kids and herself from the attentions of her serial killer ex, Melvin Royal. The fifteen-year-old Atlanta “Lanny” (Lily Royal) and twelve-year-old Connor (Brady Royal), who loves to read, hate the life they’re forced to lead.
Sam Cade had been stalking Gina/Gwen, for his sister, Callie, had been one of Melvin’s victims. Frodo had been her cat. Agent Mike Lustig is with the FBI, heading up a task force that investigates Internet groups, and owes his friend Sam some favors. Vivian is Mike’s wife.
Dahlia Brown became Lanny’s best friend. Mary Utrecht and Ernie are fellow students, and he’s the class's #1 jerk.
The Norton PD
Detective Prester was in charge of the investigation in Stillhouse Lake, 1. Officer Kezia Claremont had been Graham’s partner; she’s living with Javier Esparza, a retired Marine who runs a gun range. Boot is Javier’s Rottweiler.
Officer Lancel Graham had been the serial killer cop.
A small town in Georgia
Officer Turner has the cold stare and power play attitude perfected.
Ballantine Rivard is a billionaire whose wealth is based on a hyper-luxe series of shops, Rivard Luxe. His son was also targeted by Absalom. Mrs. Yarrow is his assistant. Chivari and Dougherty are his bodyguards. Mr. Sauer was the unfortunate private investigator.
Absalom was the computer hacker friend in Stillhouse Lake until the truth comes out. Arden Miller, who has recently found a passion for painting, is desperate to get out. Carl David Suffolk lives in Wichita and works in a copy shop, Imaging Solutions. David Roberts is the assistant manager.
Annie is the nasty woman in New Orleans.
Morningside House is a lovely B&B run by Aisha and Kiann. Arjunn is their young son, and they have a teenage daughter. Anita Jo Marcher had been Melvin’s fourth victim. Easy Claremont is Kezia’s dad.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a beautiful range of royal blues lighting up from the treeline and down from the lit-up house set back against those same trees in the center of the cover. The foreground is a more textured set of royal blues of snow and weed-filled fields. The author’s name is at the top in a much lighter blue while the title is at the bottom in a deep yellow.
The title is Gwen’s last stand, Killman Creek, where it becomes Gwen’s will against Melvin’s.
My Take
Killman Creek was an odd combination of too-long and so-short. Connor made me nuts with his behavior while Lanny played the part of the petulant teenager to perfection. Actions which dragged things out. But then Gwen’s and Sam’s escapades shortened all that right up. Especially toward the end when I was racing to find out what happened next.
As for the conflict in the story…jesus…it’s one helluva twist when you discover the betrayal. But it gets even worse at the end. The cold-bloodedness of some people. It will send chills down your spine, as you discover the truth behind Melvin’s actions towards his kids.
Whew, Caine has some nasty foreshadowing going on…it serves to make those betrayals feel even worse.
It’s an interesting set of perspectives, using first-person multiple point-of-view, so the primary characters each tell their part of the story. It’s a great way to hear their thoughts and feelings. Lanny’s doing that teen thing and yet is very introspective while Connor is terribly conflicted between his mother and father.
We get a bit more background on Sam’s relationship with his “estranged” sister, and it’ll make you weep at the unfairness of it.
I do wish Caine had done more to make me feel as if Lustig felt conflicted over his actions. It’s a tell that could have used some work. And I wanna smack that Connor!
The Story
Melvin Royal is on the run, heading towards his wife and kids, toward a refuge that has become a trap for her and the kids. It’s time for Gwen to turn that attitude around, and she leaves her children in the protective custody of a fortified, well-armed neighbor.
Now, with the help of Sam Cade, Gwen is going hunting. She’s learned how from one of the sickest killers alive.
But what she’s up against is beyond anything she could anticipate — a sophisticated and savage mind game calculated to destroy her. As trust within her small circle of friends begins to vanish, Gwen has only fury and vengeance to believe in as she closes in on her prey. And sure as the night, one of them will die.
The Characters
Gwen Proctor, the former Gina Royal, is desperate to save her kids and herself from the attentions of her serial killer ex, Melvin Royal. The fifteen-year-old Atlanta “Lanny” (Lily Royal) and twelve-year-old Connor (Brady Royal), who loves to read, hate the life they’re forced to lead.
Sam Cade had been stalking Gina/Gwen, for his sister, Callie, had been one of Melvin’s victims. Frodo had been her cat. Agent Mike Lustig is with the FBI, heading up a task force that investigates Internet groups, and owes his friend Sam some favors. Vivian is Mike’s wife.
Dahlia Brown became Lanny’s best friend. Mary Utrecht and Ernie are fellow students, and he’s the class's #1 jerk.
The Norton PD
Detective Prester was in charge of the investigation in Stillhouse Lake, 1. Officer Kezia Claremont had been Graham’s partner; she’s living with Javier Esparza, a retired Marine who runs a gun range. Boot is Javier’s Rottweiler.
Officer Lancel Graham had been the serial killer cop.
A small town in Georgia
Officer Turner has the cold stare and power play attitude perfected.
Ballantine Rivard is a billionaire whose wealth is based on a hyper-luxe series of shops, Rivard Luxe. His son was also targeted by Absalom. Mrs. Yarrow is his assistant. Chivari and Dougherty are his bodyguards. Mr. Sauer was the unfortunate private investigator.
Absalom was the computer hacker friend in Stillhouse Lake until the truth comes out. Arden Miller, who has recently found a passion for painting, is desperate to get out. Carl David Suffolk lives in Wichita and works in a copy shop, Imaging Solutions. David Roberts is the assistant manager.
Annie is the nasty woman in New Orleans.
Morningside House is a lovely B&B run by Aisha and Kiann. Arjunn is their young son, and they have a teenage daughter. Anita Jo Marcher had been Melvin’s fourth victim. Easy Claremont is Kezia’s dad.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a beautiful range of royal blues lighting up from the treeline and down from the lit-up house set back against those same trees in the center of the cover. The foreground is a more textured set of royal blues of snow and weed-filled fields. The author’s name is at the top in a much lighter blue while the title is at the bottom in a deep yellow.
The title is Gwen’s last stand, Killman Creek, where it becomes Gwen’s will against Melvin’s.