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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
Rating: 3.5
What is it that connects a mother’s sudden suicide, her steadfast correspondence with a serial killer, starling feathers sprinkled around as clues - or warnings?! - and a new string of grisly murders that feel all too familiar? For Heather, whose strained relationship with her mother leaves her unmoored in the wake of the death, all she’s left with is the strangely worded suicide note and so many questions. And the only way to get her answers and try to solve the mystery of the recent killings is to go back to the beginning, to speak to the original Red Wolf monster, a man behind bars for years.
This book is an intriguing thriller - it’s written by an author whose general genre is dark fantasy with an undercurrent of the old fairy tales, the more disturbing stories before Disney brightened them up. So, woven into this mystery is a thread of those tellings, and it makes for an interesting interplay between the light and the dark. You’ve got two very twisted killers dismembering victims - we’re talking body parts and pieces stuffed into tree hollows - but then also delicately planted with whimsical wildflowers in their teeth and empty heart cavities.
What is it that connects a mother’s sudden suicide, her steadfast correspondence with a serial killer, starling feathers sprinkled around as clues - or warnings?! - and a new string of grisly murders that feel all too familiar? For Heather, whose strained relationship with her mother leaves her unmoored in the wake of the death, all she’s left with is the strangely worded suicide note and so many questions. And the only way to get her answers and try to solve the mystery of the recent killings is to go back to the beginning, to speak to the original Red Wolf monster, a man behind bars for years.
This book is an intriguing thriller - it’s written by an author whose general genre is dark fantasy with an undercurrent of the old fairy tales, the more disturbing stories before Disney brightened them up. So, woven into this mystery is a thread of those tellings, and it makes for an interesting interplay between the light and the dark. You’ve got two very twisted killers dismembering victims - we’re talking body parts and pieces stuffed into tree hollows - but then also delicately planted with whimsical wildflowers in their teeth and empty heart cavities.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this! It was such a quick listen for me, I found the narration great and it really drew me into the story. My main genre is thrillers and what I thought was the plot to start was intriguing in itself. I'm totally fascinated by people who write to serial killers who are in prison - what's the attraction?
When Heather returns to her mother's home after she's committed suicide unexpectedly, she starts to go through some of the items in the house and finds letters with notorious serial killer Michael Reave. Heather finds pictures too and realizes they knew each other when they were younger and living at a commune. The police ask her to speak with him when there's a copycat killer on the loose. She starts to get deeper into what's going on and it took a few twists I wasn't expecting.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Dreamscape media for the copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.
When Heather returns to her mother's home after she's committed suicide unexpectedly, she starts to go through some of the items in the house and finds letters with notorious serial killer Michael Reave. Heather finds pictures too and realizes they knew each other when they were younger and living at a commune. The police ask her to speak with him when there's a copycat killer on the loose. She starts to get deeper into what's going on and it took a few twists I wasn't expecting.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Dreamscape media for the copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.
I enjoyed this despite the topic, really - books that are all like "serial killers, oh man, but WHY do they do the horrific things they do, let's DIG DEEP and also talk about the horrific things in detail" are not my thing at all. But I really love Jen Williams' writing, which made it a good read despite the topic.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Everything of essence is crammed into the first and last few chapters. Heather is really annoying, and there’s still so much I’m confused about.
That being said- I couldn’t put this book down. I NEEDED to know what happens next. There just needed to be a little more flow.
That being said- I couldn’t put this book down. I NEEDED to know what happens next. There just needed to be a little more flow.
fast-paced
"The ghosts are just too bloody loud."
I did not like this, although I recognize the story could have been interesting would it have been developed differently.
I'm giving it two stars instead of just one because I didn't mind the writing and the effort the author put in trying to be original.
ARC approved and provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.
truly bizarre turn from fantasy author Jen Williams ,, I respect the reaching out of your comfort zone, but isnt quite the levels of her usual work
Great, gripping story and a brilliantly read audiobook!
Would recommend.
Would recommend.