Reviews

Killing Jericho by William Hussey

hlm24's review against another edition

dark tense

4.75

stagedoormerch's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

disniq's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Book club book. Not something I would have read otherwise, crime isn't really my thing. I don't know if that makes the tropes and conventions more appealing or less, but either way it was a compelling read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Racism, Hate crime, Murder, and Gore

Moderate: Pedophilia

Minor: Rape

itslucyamber's review against another edition

2.5

Dare I say it? There was too much plot.

'Twas merely okay.

joanne_price's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

em_nightreader's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

What a ride. This tale of fairgrounds, murder and history really had me gripped. I loved all the intrigue and the characters were just perfect. A very well written, twisty thriller. I will definitely look forward to the next instalment.

quinniantheduck's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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

4.25

motherofladybirds's review against another edition

2.0

I was intrigued by the premise of this book, openly gay detective set in the world of travelling showmen. It soon became apparent that he was dealing with a serial killer who had chosen him as an adversary. This is a trope that is familiar and I was reminded of Seven. The killings were staged and gruesome. There was a Victorian Gothic feel to the whole novel. For me, the plot was a bit too contrived, although I liked the character of Scott with is troubled past and dark thoughts and addictions. I found the reveal a bit far fetched, particularly when we had been specifically told that Scott was almost supernaturally good at reading people. I really enjoyed seeing a little into the lives of this community. I do not think I will read the series further.

claudia_is_reading's review against another edition

4.0

Well, looks like I'm in luck, as I found another series that piqued my interest.

Scott Jericho it's a very interesting character, complex and with a darkness that already got him in deep trouble and, when we meet him, he's barely surviving, holed up at his father's fair. But then, a mystery that's somehow related to his family story is brought to him and he finds himself ensnared by it.

I also enjoyed the setting very much; the focus on the travellers added a lot to the book's attractiveness for me.

Jericho is intuitive, observant and smart and this case will need all of these gifts of him to be solved. He has the help of his old mentor unravelling the mystery and, coincidence or not, his old love is also entangled into the story.

And what a story is this! Dark, twisted, and with such an unexpected shocker at the end! 

I really liked it, I'm going right into the second book of the series!

demetria_books01's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I must be honest- I don’t read crime novels that often but when I do, there is one thing I expect from their authors: not making it too easy to realise who is the murderer.

And god dammit, William Hussey did not make it easy. On the contrary, I had absolutely no clue who was going to be revealed as the bad guy right until the very end. Hell, I was just as confused as our main character Scott Jericho! The case he was working on seemed to be incredibly theatrical and like in a gothic novel. Other things that were happening to him were just too perfectly timed to be accidents. Still, knowing all that I had no idea who could be responsible for the murders, so just like Scott I was suspicious of every single person in Scott’s life. 

This book was just a pleasure to read, right from the start. The characters were all interesting, even if some played a part of a racist child killers or annoying paparazzi. Scott himself was such a complex character, definitely morally grey but oh how lovable and impossible to hate. Once again, William Hussey has taken his time to talk about mental health of his characters and the impact things in their life have on their behavior and way of thinking. I love how real William Hussey characters are, how they’re never just caricatures and how most of them have their good and bad moments (except racists, I approve beating them into a pulp)!

The ending blew my mind! I did not expect this rollercoaster of emotional confusion I was served! I also absolutely adore the fact that in this book some people do not get happy endings and holy duck I love the fact that William Hussey understands that some people do not deserve it. Don’t worry though, justice is served just… in a very different way than you’d expect. Nonetheless, this book was amazing and the only reason I’m giving it half a star less is because of the complete mind quack I had in the first 30% of it. Although I probably should get used to this style of writing because I adore the way William Hussey writes his books and I will definitely read anything he writes!