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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Started off so strong, then kept going on…and on….and on.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I had a hard time putting this down, I was very on edge about what would happen next! Very good read
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received an ARC of this book.
Psychological thrillers and crime are my jam at the moment and this debut from Amy is outstanding. It fits right in up there with the established authors in this genre who have been keeping me enthralled over recent weeks.
This book is told from the perspective of a true crime podcast investigator. Her last couple of seasons have resulted in arrests and Ellie hopes that this new one will be no different. Does she become obsessed with the case? To the point that she sees no other option? Or is everyone just dismissive of her ideas because she is too close?
Why is Ellie so determined to out TCK? The case is 20 years old and the killers countdown seems to have stopped at 11, or has it?
There are twists and turns that will keep you on yours toes. Highly recommend this book if you are a super fan of the psychological thriller.
Great debut Amy Suiter Clarke and I look forward to the next book sucking me down the rabbit hole.
Psychological thrillers and crime are my jam at the moment and this debut from Amy is outstanding. It fits right in up there with the established authors in this genre who have been keeping me enthralled over recent weeks.
This book is told from the perspective of a true crime podcast investigator. Her last couple of seasons have resulted in arrests and Ellie hopes that this new one will be no different. Does she become obsessed with the case? To the point that she sees no other option? Or is everyone just dismissive of her ideas because she is too close?
Why is Ellie so determined to out TCK? The case is 20 years old and the killers countdown seems to have stopped at 11, or has it?
There are twists and turns that will keep you on yours toes. Highly recommend this book if you are a super fan of the psychological thriller.
Great debut Amy Suiter Clarke and I look forward to the next book sucking me down the rabbit hole.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There were a few spots that had me shaking my head and the ending seemed off somehow but overall a decent read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Complicated
I loved the way this story was told through both POV and podcast transcripts! I really enjoyed feeling like an armchair detective, following the clues to the twisted conclusion. This was a dark, fast-paced story packed with all kinds of twists, and the writing was well done. This was a great read, and I'd definitely recommend picking it up when you get the chance!!
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Despite some solid initial suspense and a strong hook, the story stalled under a main character written to overshadow every plot point. If you prefer a crime thriller where the mystery takes center stage, you might find this too focused on a main character playing the woe-is-me card.
Energy: Serious. Ruminating. Tedious.
🐺 Growls: The main character’s personal life info-dumps hijacked the story at the expense of the investigation and victims’ stories. Her one-note personality didn't help either (I think we’re meant to sympathize with her, but I found her insufferable). The tension kept getting interrupted by melodrama (like descriptively imagining the terror and pain the victims might have gone through). There was a revolving door of people constantly telling the MC not to do something dangerous…she always did it anyway and then got mad when her loved ones were upset or scared because she was putting herself and them in danger.
🐕 Howls: The main character's past was hinted at so often that it became frustrating. The story tended to "tell, not show," with some parts feeling more like a summary list of what she did that day. Side characters felt underdeveloped, and the dialogue was too similar in tone.
🐩 Tail Wags: True-crime podcast initially felt authentic and immersive with transcripts I could easily hear. Early chapters reminded me of an Apple TV crime drama.
Scene: 🇺🇸 Dinkytown, Minnesota, USA
Perspectives (2): A podcast host investigating a serial killer case with a hot take that the killer is still alive and will strike again. A character who has experienced family tragedies that altered their previously happy relationship with a parent. Snippets of the Justice Delayed Podcast transcript as if we’re listening to episodes.
Timeline: Linear with flashbacks to 1970s. 2019 – 2020. ❄️ November to January.
🔥 Fuel: Who was the serial killer preying on young women in the Minnesota area? Can the podcast help figure out their identity? What happened in our main characters past that has her drawn to this cold case? Will her podcast put her and her loved ones in the crosshairs?
📖 Cred: Suspended disbelief
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Castor bean. Dry, frigid air. Smell of snow. Darjeeling tea. Podcast studio. Police station. Blizzard.
- Invisible in the room, being told a story, theorizing on the case (third person).
- Dense, direct writing style
- Podcast on page
- Cold case crime thriller
- Compromised, serious, self-centred main character
- Serial killer origin story moments
- Troubled investigator working with police
- Threats against a loved one
Content Heads-Up: Abduction (child, teens). Child abuse (physical). Child deaths. Confinement. Corpse (discovery of murder victim). Fire (fatal, building, arson). Grief. Loss of parent (at birth). Loss of siblings (as child). Poisoning. Racism (public profiling, threats). Serial murder. Torture. Violence against women.
Rep: American. Mexican American. Cis. Hetero. Ace or aro. Pale, ruddy, medium-brown, black, and deep brown skin tones. Muslim, wearing hijab (peripheral character). Wheelchair user (peripheral character).
📚 Format: Paperback
💖 Musings powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Racism