You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
I was highly impressed by this carefully plotted and intriguing thriller from Jen Williams, and starting from a unique and fascinating premise, of how sometimes we know little of the lives of those closest to us, I was enthralled from the start. I found Heather to be an empathetic and earnest character, delving into her family history, when her life becomes inextricably linked with that of a notorious serial killer, and found her to be a credible character throughout. It was nice to be presented with an incredibly less hackneyed portrayal of a serial killer, than some of the overblown and overwritten thrillers I have encountered, putting a very different spin on a man imprisoned for heinous crimes.
As she investigates her mother’s past life in a hippie commune, I was strongly reminded of the poise and tautness of the late Barbara Vine, and William’s characterisation supported this initial impression of her writing. As the tension, and danger to, Heather ramps up considerably, Williams succeeds in keeping the reader with her during the plot twists, and although there was a slight disappointment at the final denouement, I would have no hesitation in recommending this one to you. Definitely worth a read.
As she investigates her mother’s past life in a hippie commune, I was strongly reminded of the poise and tautness of the late Barbara Vine, and William’s characterisation supported this initial impression of her writing. As the tension, and danger to, Heather ramps up considerably, Williams succeeds in keeping the reader with her during the plot twists, and although there was a slight disappointment at the final denouement, I would have no hesitation in recommending this one to you. Definitely worth a read.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I finish most books, but I didn't finish this, I abandoned it 42% through, because I just didn't care enough about the characters and what was happening in the story.
I found it slow and plodding, rather than creepy. I tried to get into it, but it just didn't get under my skin, it didn't make me want to carry on reading..
There are plenty of positive reviews though, so don't dismiss the book based on my review - read the other reviews before deciding.
I found it slow and plodding, rather than creepy. I tried to get into it, but it just didn't get under my skin, it didn't make me want to carry on reading..
There are plenty of positive reviews though, so don't dismiss the book based on my review - read the other reviews before deciding.
I finish most books, but I didn't finish this, I abandoned it 42% through, because I just didn't care enough about the characters and what was happening in the story.
I found it slow and plodding, rather than creepy. I tried to get into it, but it just didn't get under my skin, it didn't make me want to carry on reading.
There are plenty of positive reviews though, so don't dismiss the book based on my review - read the other reviews before deciding.
I found it slow and plodding, rather than creepy. I tried to get into it, but it just didn't get under my skin, it didn't make me want to carry on reading.
There are plenty of positive reviews though, so don't dismiss the book based on my review - read the other reviews before deciding.
4.5 stars rounded to 5
I closely missed Halloween when I read this book. Breathtakingly dark, this book is relentless in its horror, yet you cannot put it down. That's how appealing it is. I read it in two sittings, which is saying something.
So, Heather returns to her home after her mother's suicide. There, she finds loads of letters from a serial killer - one who drags off women into the woods and cuts out their hearts! This is the stuff of nightmares, people!
I liked Heather even though I didn't think she made the correct decisions all the time. The murderer reminded me of Hannibal Lecter (even thinking about it now sends a shiver down my spine).
Completely sinister and very readable. One of my best reads this year.
Thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Jen Williams for the ARC. The review is unbiased.
I closely missed Halloween when I read this book. Breathtakingly dark, this book is relentless in its horror, yet you cannot put it down. That's how appealing it is. I read it in two sittings, which is saying something.
So, Heather returns to her home after her mother's suicide. There, she finds loads of letters from a serial killer - one who drags off women into the woods and cuts out their hearts! This is the stuff of nightmares, people!
I liked Heather even though I didn't think she made the correct decisions all the time. The murderer reminded me of Hannibal Lecter (even thinking about it now sends a shiver down my spine).
Completely sinister and very readable. One of my best reads this year.
Thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Jen Williams for the ARC. The review is unbiased.
This book ended up going in a different direction than I thought it would. I was prepared for a typical ‘serial-killer-thriller’ novel, but what I got was more Manson than Bundy. That’s to say - there’s blood and death and the sinister feeling of being hunted that follows you through the pages, but you also get cults and their communes, ritualistic killings, and lore that takes on an urban legend or fairytale-like quality. This book is dark, like DARK dark, and you’re fully immersed in the grim storyline from the first line. However, it seems like the author was fully committed to driving the plot forward and as a result, didn’t pay any attention towards developing the characters, which meant it was hard for me to ‘get into’ this story because I didn’t care about the characters at all. It’s not a bad book by any means, and if you find yourself in the mood for something dark and disturbing, this would be a solid choice.
Content/Trigger warnings under the cut -
tw/cw:
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.
Content/Trigger warnings under the cut -
tw/cw:
Spoiler
child abuse, animal abuse, grooming, suicideI received a review copy of this book from the publisher.
Monsters in the wood
”The barghest. Black Shuck. The hound that haunts the lonely places.”
Take a jaunt through enchanting forests with a serial killer, while he tells you the most twisted and grisly fairytales you’ve ever heard! What more can you ask for? You really have to enjoy dark and gruesome if you read this one. I wanted it from the moment I read the synopsis, but it wasn’t what I expected. I felt like this a mix of horror, fantasy and supernatural thriller. But I don’t read fantasy, so I could be wrong about that!
Beware...there is some animal abuse. And just to confuse us, the title in the UK is “Dog Rose Dirt”. Why??
Heather heads back to her childhood home after her mother’s death. They didn’t have a close relationship and Heather finds herself tormented by Colleen’s suicide. When she reads the cryptic note that was left, she has even more concerns about her mother’s out-of-character behavior. But most shocking of all, is when Heather finds out that Colleen has been corresponding with a famous serial killer for decades.
Heather becomes obsessed with this hidden side of Colleen, and requests to meet with Michael Reave in prison. Reave, known as the “Red Wolf”, has always claimed to be innocent. And now the horrific and ritualistic murders have started again. Could he be telling the truth?
”This man, currently serving life for chopping women up into bits, apparently knows a whole different side to my mum I’ve never seen.”
You think you know your parents. But do we ever know who they truly are? I'm sure all parents have their secrets, but Colleen’s is a whopper!
It’s a little concerning that I found this extremely horrendous story so entertaining!
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Jen Williams for this digital ARC, in exchange for my honest opinion!
My Rating: 4 ⭐️’s
Published: June 8th 2021 by Crooked Lane Books
Pages: 304
Recommend: Yes...but only if you like gruesome and gory serial killers.
@sennydreadful @NetGalley #Crooked Lane Books
@crookedlanebks #NetGalley #ADarkAndSecretPlace #Horror #Fantasy #Thriller #InExchangeForReview #NoRulesJustThrills #FairyTales
”The barghest. Black Shuck. The hound that haunts the lonely places.”
Take a jaunt through enchanting forests with a serial killer, while he tells you the most twisted and grisly fairytales you’ve ever heard! What more can you ask for? You really have to enjoy dark and gruesome if you read this one. I wanted it from the moment I read the synopsis, but it wasn’t what I expected. I felt like this a mix of horror, fantasy and supernatural thriller. But I don’t read fantasy, so I could be wrong about that!
Beware...there is some animal abuse. And just to confuse us, the title in the UK is “Dog Rose Dirt”. Why??
Heather heads back to her childhood home after her mother’s death. They didn’t have a close relationship and Heather finds herself tormented by Colleen’s suicide. When she reads the cryptic note that was left, she has even more concerns about her mother’s out-of-character behavior. But most shocking of all, is when Heather finds out that Colleen has been corresponding with a famous serial killer for decades.
Heather becomes obsessed with this hidden side of Colleen, and requests to meet with Michael Reave in prison. Reave, known as the “Red Wolf”, has always claimed to be innocent. And now the horrific and ritualistic murders have started again. Could he be telling the truth?
”This man, currently serving life for chopping women up into bits, apparently knows a whole different side to my mum I’ve never seen.”
You think you know your parents. But do we ever know who they truly are? I'm sure all parents have their secrets, but Colleen’s is a whopper!
It’s a little concerning that I found this extremely horrendous story so entertaining!
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Jen Williams for this digital ARC, in exchange for my honest opinion!
My Rating: 4 ⭐️’s
Published: June 8th 2021 by Crooked Lane Books
Pages: 304
Recommend: Yes...but only if you like gruesome and gory serial killers.
@sennydreadful @NetGalley #Crooked Lane Books
@crookedlanebks #NetGalley #ADarkAndSecretPlace #Horror #Fantasy #Thriller #InExchangeForReview #NoRulesJustThrills #FairyTales
Creepy vibes? ✓
Mysterious? ✓
Haunting? ✓
Suspenseful? ✓
Page-turning? ✓
I'm always leery when I pick up thrillers or horror books from new authors or new-to-me authors. Sometimes they turn out to be gems. Sometimes they turn out to be duds. This one is definitely a gem I was glad I took a chance on.
This book is equally parts creepy, suspenseful, dark, haunting, and mysterious. I had no clue what was coming next. I was turning pages with trepidation on what would come next.
I was left feeling a sense of dread and unease in many parts of this book. If you know me, that's not easy for a book to do. I will admit, there were some scenes that were a little off. I felt like the author was trying to force certain things with the main character. However, these instances were so little, they didn't totally distract from the rest of the book.
Overall, this book was a winner for me. I can see where some might not like it. It's different from the "norm" and sometimes people just aren't into change or different. And that's okay. If you're looking for a book with a haunting vibe to read in the fall, this is going to be one to add to your list.
Mysterious? ✓
Haunting? ✓
Suspenseful? ✓
Page-turning? ✓
I'm always leery when I pick up thrillers or horror books from new authors or new-to-me authors. Sometimes they turn out to be gems. Sometimes they turn out to be duds. This one is definitely a gem I was glad I took a chance on.
This book is equally parts creepy, suspenseful, dark, haunting, and mysterious. I had no clue what was coming next. I was turning pages with trepidation on what would come next.
I was left feeling a sense of dread and unease in many parts of this book. If you know me, that's not easy for a book to do. I will admit, there were some scenes that were a little off. I felt like the author was trying to force certain things with the main character. However, these instances were so little, they didn't totally distract from the rest of the book.
Overall, this book was a winner for me. I can see where some might not like it. It's different from the "norm" and sometimes people just aren't into change or different. And that's okay. If you're looking for a book with a haunting vibe to read in the fall, this is going to be one to add to your list.
the story revolves around Heather, a 20-30 year old woman who does not have a good relationship with her mother, Colleen. Heather must return to her mother's house after having run away at the age of 16, since Colleen committed suicide. upon returning home, she begins to investigate why her mother did this and discovers that she was exchanging letters with a serial killer, Michael Rave, better known as Red Wolf.
From this premise, we follow Heather's great adventure in discovering the motivations and the reason for her contact with a psychopath.
I received the portuguese edition - since i am brazilian
From this premise, we follow Heather's great adventure in discovering the motivations and the reason for her contact with a psychopath.
I received the portuguese edition - since i am brazilian
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced