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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
dark
emotional
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Couldn’t put it down! An amazing mystery with an incredible protagonist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol
Having devoured and deeply enjoyed Jess Lourey's previous novels, "The Quarry Girls" and "Bloodline," I eagerly anticipated diving into "Unspeakable Things." Set in rural Minnesota in the 1980s, the story follows young Cassie as she navigates a seemingly normal childhood overshadowed by her parents' increasingly bizarre behavior.
Strange parties and even stranger guests become the backdrop to a more unsettling mystery: local boys begin to disappear, returning changed in ways that hint at something sinister.
Lourey's evocative prose is, as always, a major strength. Her ability to paint a vivid picture of time and place, and to create characters that draw you in, remains undeniable. I found myself turning pages quickly, eager to uncover the truth alongside young Cassie.
However, while the stage is set for a dark and gripping narrative, "Unspeakable Things" ultimately didn't quite reach the heights of Lourey's other work for me. The story is told entirely through Cassie's innocent perspective, and while this offers a unique lens on the unfolding events, it also acts as a barrier to fully exploring the darker undercurrents hinted at throughout the book.
The premise of missing boys returning "completely changed" felt somewhat misleading. While they are described as moodier, grumpier, and perhaps a little more aggressive, the profound transformation I anticipated never truly materialized. Similarly, the recurring emphasis on the strange parties ultimately led to a rather anticlimactic reveal.
Perhaps my expectations were colored by the unflinching way Lourey tackled darker themes in "The Quarry Girls" and "Bloodline." In comparison, "Unspeakable Things" felt like it was constantly hinting at the edge of something truly disturbing, but never quite dared to venture over.
Despite these reservations, "Unspeakable Things" is still a compelling read, largely due to Lourey's captivating writing style. It's a testament to her skill that even a story that doesn't fully deliver on its darker promises can still hold your attention. While it might not be my favorite of her novels, it's a solid entry that will likely still appeal to those who enjoy atmospheric mysteries.
Strange parties and even stranger guests become the backdrop to a more unsettling mystery: local boys begin to disappear, returning changed in ways that hint at something sinister.
Lourey's evocative prose is, as always, a major strength. Her ability to paint a vivid picture of time and place, and to create characters that draw you in, remains undeniable. I found myself turning pages quickly, eager to uncover the truth alongside young Cassie.
However, while the stage is set for a dark and gripping narrative, "Unspeakable Things" ultimately didn't quite reach the heights of Lourey's other work for me. The story is told entirely through Cassie's innocent perspective, and while this offers a unique lens on the unfolding events, it also acts as a barrier to fully exploring the darker undercurrents hinted at throughout the book.
The premise of missing boys returning "completely changed" felt somewhat misleading. While they are described as moodier, grumpier, and perhaps a little more aggressive, the profound transformation I anticipated never truly materialized. Similarly, the recurring emphasis on the strange parties ultimately led to a rather anticlimactic reveal.
Perhaps my expectations were colored by the unflinching way Lourey tackled darker themes in "The Quarry Girls" and "Bloodline." In comparison, "Unspeakable Things" felt like it was constantly hinting at the edge of something truly disturbing, but never quite dared to venture over.
Despite these reservations, "Unspeakable Things" is still a compelling read, largely due to Lourey's captivating writing style. It's a testament to her skill that even a story that doesn't fully deliver on its darker promises can still hold your attention. While it might not be my favorite of her novels, it's a solid entry that will likely still appeal to those who enjoy atmospheric mysteries.
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
DNF 36%. Slow, boring. Every chapter it would feel like something was about to happen and then nothing. The plot focused more on the main character and her day to day life rather than the boys and the kidnappings.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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