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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
Actual rating of 4.5 stars.
I deeply enjoy this series and this installment does not disappoint. That being said, this entry feels very much like a stepping-stone or bridging story.
Gwen's past is perfectly wrapped up at the end of book 2, so finding ways to try and continue that plot point almost feels forced and unnecessary. The two mysteries being solved in this were great and kept me reading as well as some of the character development.
I am looking forward to checking out the next installment to see where Gwen, Sam and the kids end up.
I deeply enjoy this series and this installment does not disappoint. That being said, this entry feels very much like a stepping-stone or bridging story.
Gwen's past is perfectly wrapped up at the end of book 2, so finding ways to try and continue that plot point almost feels forced and unnecessary. The two mysteries being solved in this were great and kept me reading as well as some of the character development.
I am looking forward to checking out the next installment to see where Gwen, Sam and the kids end up.
4.5
Big time spoilers. I warned ya and put a spoiler tag up so... Ta Da!
This book is supposed to be the end right?
In some ways it felt final and in others it felt like a lot of new beginnings.
Getting through this situation was brutal and I know I was left with some questions and unanswered concerns. Will there be more books but maybe a new series ?
Bc what about the hillbillies down the road that got offended by Sam?
What about Vee? Where will she go? I don’t think they definitively answered that.
A new series with Gwen in her new occupation would rock. This was the perfect book to bring it out and introduce it. It just didn’t feel like an end.
It didn’t feel like it truly tied up the whole Melvin Royal situation but I did love it. Perhaps becoming a PI will help Gwen truly move past those things and everyone else as well.
Big time spoilers. I warned ya and put a spoiler tag up so... Ta Da!
This book is supposed to be the end right?
In some ways it felt final and in others it felt like a lot of new beginnings.
Getting through this situation was brutal and I know I was left with some questions and unanswered concerns. Will there be more books but maybe a new series ?
Bc what about the hillbillies down the road that got offended by Sam?
What about Vee? Where will she go? I don’t think they definitively answered that.
A new series with Gwen in her new occupation would rock. This was the perfect book to bring it out and introduce it. It just didn’t feel like an end.
It didn’t feel like it truly tied up the whole Melvin Royal situation but I did love it. Perhaps becoming a PI will help Gwen truly move past those things and everyone else as well.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
before i say anything else, the epilogue of this book punched me in the face with hope and kindness. as someone who's been slowly unpacking and processing 20+ years of trauma, i've always felt closely attached with gwen and her kids, but the way gwen speaks in the epilogue is so poignant and reminds me that no matter what our pasts hold, we can use it to make the world better.
that being said there was so much character development in this book, but it's tucked in between some intense corrupt cop drama so neatly that it feels like you don't even notice it until connor's forgiving sam for something and it hits you that oh, wow, these kids have grown up so much and i'm so proud of them. sam and gwen have some rocky roads and they get stronger, even with all of the bumps. i didn't anticipate loving them as much as i do when i read stillhouse lake, but i do, and that's evident with how proud i feel whenever they make a huge step forward in their healing process.
with the events of the epilogue, i'm super excited to move onto the next book so i can digest that in a day and a half. seriously, i cannot recommend this series enough if you love thrillers - rachel caine is the best of the best at writing them, and i will not hear otherwise.
that being said there was so much character development in this book, but it's tucked in between some intense corrupt cop drama so neatly that it feels like you don't even notice it until connor's forgiving sam for something and it hits you that oh, wow, these kids have grown up so much and i'm so proud of them. sam and gwen have some rocky roads and they get stronger, even with all of the bumps. i didn't anticipate loving them as much as i do when i read stillhouse lake, but i do, and that's evident with how proud i feel whenever they make a huge step forward in their healing process.
with the events of the epilogue, i'm super excited to move onto the next book so i can digest that in a day and a half. seriously, i cannot recommend this series enough if you love thrillers - rachel caine is the best of the best at writing them, and i will not hear otherwise.
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Continues a fun-to-read series. Enjoyable.
This series has a continuing story arc and I highly recommend the first two books be read before starting this one. The backstories are critical to fully understanding the main characters, appreciating from where they’ve come and who they are now.
Gwen Proctor thinks she can finally take a breath after having escaped the clutches of her serial killer husband and exposed and dismantled a dangerous group supporting his sick objectives. However, her family is still at risk from their increased notoriety spearheaded by a group comprised of the family members of Melvin Royal’s victims. And, that group is led by someone with unlimited resources and hatred of Gwen. Meanwhile, she receives a cryptic call from a Marlene Crockett, a stranger from the small town of Wolfhunter who is seeking guidance for herself and her daughter but, not long after, turns up dead with that daughter accused of her murder.
There’s so much going on in this story, especially when Gwen lands in Wolfhunter to help Marlene’s daughter, Vera (Vee) who reached out to her. It was hard to distinguish between the compromised law enforcement, those that just resented Gwen because of her history and the good guys. In the midst of all this is an abducted child and three missing young women feared dead, in addition to the relentless media assaults on Gwen and her family. There’s obviously something seriously wrong in this town and figuring that out is just as challenging. I had to pay close attention because the clues are all there.
I read the first two books and opted to listen to this one as this series is ideal to listen to because of the pace and action. I’m so glad I made the switch because the narrators masterfully handled the narratives of Gwen, her daughter Lanny, her son Connor and her lover Sam Cade. I especially liked the performance for Gwen as she adeptly captured the personality and steeliness of this fearsome woman. I highly recommend this format.
This next phase of life for Gwen and her family didn’t disappoint and it has some powerful, painful moments with some shocking betrayals. There’s nothing predictable about the story and it was beyond exciting and gnarly. At times things seemed a little convoluted but eventually made sense when I got to the outcome. It’s an intricate story and you better pay close attention to the details. It’s a worthy edition to this unique and exciting series.
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Gwen Proctor thinks she can finally take a breath after having escaped the clutches of her serial killer husband and exposed and dismantled a dangerous group supporting his sick objectives. However, her family is still at risk from their increased notoriety spearheaded by a group comprised of the family members of Melvin Royal’s victims. And, that group is led by someone with unlimited resources and hatred of Gwen. Meanwhile, she receives a cryptic call from a Marlene Crockett, a stranger from the small town of Wolfhunter who is seeking guidance for herself and her daughter but, not long after, turns up dead with that daughter accused of her murder.
There’s so much going on in this story, especially when Gwen lands in Wolfhunter to help Marlene’s daughter, Vera (Vee) who reached out to her. It was hard to distinguish between the compromised law enforcement, those that just resented Gwen because of her history and the good guys. In the midst of all this is an abducted child and three missing young women feared dead, in addition to the relentless media assaults on Gwen and her family. There’s obviously something seriously wrong in this town and figuring that out is just as challenging. I had to pay close attention because the clues are all there.
I read the first two books and opted to listen to this one as this series is ideal to listen to because of the pace and action. I’m so glad I made the switch because the narrators masterfully handled the narratives of Gwen, her daughter Lanny, her son Connor and her lover Sam Cade. I especially liked the performance for Gwen as she adeptly captured the personality and steeliness of this fearsome woman. I highly recommend this format.
This next phase of life for Gwen and her family didn’t disappoint and it has some powerful, painful moments with some shocking betrayals. There’s nothing predictable about the story and it was beyond exciting and gnarly. At times things seemed a little convoluted but eventually made sense when I got to the outcome. It’s an intricate story and you better pay close attention to the details. It’s a worthy edition to this unique and exciting series.
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After finishing the second book I felt everything wrapped up nicely and the series should end. However after listening to this audiobook (which is the third in the series) I am glad Rachel Caine has decided to keep this series going!
I hope she continues to focus on family in the upcoming books. That's one of the things I love about this series. I love that they fight for each other and stick together. Rachel Caine focuses on each family member and I care about them all (Sam included! He's family ❤).
There's so much growth with each character and I can't help but feel proud of them.
I enjoyed this book very much! I will be getting the next one when it comes out!
Audiobook narration: A+
I hope she continues to focus on family in the upcoming books. That's one of the things I love about this series. I love that they fight for each other and stick together. Rachel Caine focuses on each family member and I care about them all (Sam included! He's family ❤).
There's so much growth with each character and I can't help but feel proud of them.
I enjoyed this book very much! I will be getting the next one when it comes out!
Audiobook narration: A+
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I am VERY invested in this series. While reading Killman Creek, I wondered how the series would go on once Melvin was out of the picture. I was like, will it be as interesting if his antagonism isn't what drives the plot? But now I frankly do not care! Caine is so so so great at world building that I am signed up to go on whatever venture Gwen and her family go on in the last two books.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This series continues to keep me absolutely hooked. I love the way Caine writes about human emotions and how nothing is black and white, how good people can do bad things and how bad people can have redeeming qualities or at least explanations for their behaviour.
The only small criticism I have about this book is that the ending felt a little rushed. Things kept building up and building up, and then all of a sudden, everything was resolved and wrapped up simultaneously. Perhaps spreading out the conclusions to different storylines would have felt more realistic than everything happening at the same time. This didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book however and it was still a solid 5-star read for me.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series, and I will definitely give a try to Rachel Caine's other books as well.
Spoiler
I also love how she writes the relationship between Gwen and Sam. I don't like romance in my books because I hate the "I saw his dazzling smile and looked into his deep blue eyes and from that moment on I was in love" trope. The relationship between Gwen and Sam builds up slowly and feels realistic. They are partners and look after each other, they care deeply about each other despite their flaws and the things between them. It's a lot more to my liking than two people falling in love at first sight and seeing everything with rose tinted glasses.The only small criticism I have about this book is that the ending felt a little rushed. Things kept building up and building up, and then all of a sudden, everything was resolved and wrapped up simultaneously. Perhaps spreading out the conclusions to different storylines would have felt more realistic than everything happening at the same time. This didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book however and it was still a solid 5-star read for me.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series, and I will definitely give a try to Rachel Caine's other books as well.