A review by librarianlex
The May Queen Murders by Sarah Jude

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 
The May Queen Murders has been on my TBR list for over a year now. I don't remember exactly where I saw the title mentioned, but it struck me as something I would enjoy. "Dark, dangerous, and drippingly gothic," has been used to describe the book. Lately I have been reading dark-fantasy, mysteries, or something with an element of horror. Sarah Jude's novel, The May Queen Murders did not disappoint. 

Like most books on my TBR list, I see the cover, see a quote or quick description, and decide it sounds like something I want to read. More often than not I don't read reviews, summaries, or anything else about the book. I just go with my gut. I was pleasantly surprised by this title. I knew there were sapphic and horror elements, but not much more than that. Similar to the Village, Rowan's Glen is commune like and a self-sufficient town, set apart from the modern world, a town full of old-fashioned superstitions, traditions, and secrets. "Stay on the roads. Don’t enter the woods. Never go out at night."


The best part of The May Queen Murders's for me was the overall vibe, it's a Southern Gothic horror mystery that really delivers on both the horror and the mystery aspects. I was so intrigued and drawn in by Rowan's Glen and its residents, traditions, and murders. From the title to the prologue, the entire experience felt ominous. At times there are silvers of hope and falling in love, the backdrop of spring creating a false sense of security when the realty of the story is sinister. Written in first person, the secrets unfolded as if you are experiencing them yourself. I was constantly anticipating the next bad thing that would happen. There were a few too many twists making things hard to keep up with. It was a very atmospheric and eerie read that managed to be quite gripping at times and the end payoffs are worth it. If you're looking for an unexpected, spooky read, I suggest adding this to your TBR stacks.
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