A review by onemorepagecrew
Creep by Jennifer Hillier

challenging dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 After reading three of Jennifer Hillier’s recent psychological thrillers, I knew I had to go back and read her first book, Creep.  She first published this novel in 2012 and it delivers on mystery, tension, and disturbing events – much like her more current works. 
 
In Creep, we meet Dr. Sheila Tao, a professor of psychology and an expert on human behavior, as she is ending an affair with her teaching assistant and marry a different man.  Ethan, her TA, does not take it well and the psychological games begin.  He’s threatening her career and her safety, but the scene quickly escalates past emotional abuse and into something much more unsettling.  
 
This was a solid thriller that kept me turning the pages.  In addition to the dynamic between Sheila and Ethan, there is a murder being solved and it adds to the notion that Ethan is not to be trusted.  Midway through the book I had an inkling about the ending, and it proved to be correct, but it did not detract from the tension or my engagement.  I think avid suspense readers will have at least a hunch on this one.  
 
If you decide to read this, I’d advise you to also order / place a hold on her next novel, Freak (Creep #2).  Creep ends in a place that gives you closure on this storyline, but it leaves you needing to know more about the characters.  When I closed Creep, I immediately started Freak and I’ll share more on it tomorrow. 
 
If you love Jennifer Hillier, I encourage you to go back and read her first novel.  For comparison, it’s the same pace and suspense level as Little Secrets.  It’s not quite as disturbing as Jar of Hearts, but it’s not easy reading either.  If you read it, DM me so we can chat! 
 
Content warnings: Addiction, Abduction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Violence, Infidelity, Stalking 
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