Blink / Safe with Me by K. L. Slater

Blink / Safe with Me by K. L. Slater
Publisher/Year: Grand Central Publishing, 2019
Format: Mass paperback
Pages: 723
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

What if the person you love most in the world was in terrible danger…because of you?

Three years after her then five-year-old daughter Evie disappeared on her way home from school, desperate mother Toni refuses to believe her daughter is gone. As she begins to piece together her blurred memories from that tragic time, she comes to the devastating realization that Evie’s disappearance might not be random.

Trapped in a world that is constantly trying to silence her, Toni knows that the only way to save her daughter is to do the impossible. She must find a way to make herself heard.

Blink is a compelling, gripping thriller with a breathtaking twist that will keep you awake until the early hours.

Includes the bonus novel Safe with Me: Thirteen years ago, someone did something very bad to Anna. Now it’s her turn to get even.

What I thought

Blink

My copy of Blink also includes Safe with Me, but as I’ve just finished with Blink, I wanted to jot down a few quick thoughts. For starters, I enjoyed this one! Even though I took forever to read it (haven’t been doing too much reading), this was a quick, suspenseful read that kept me guessing. It was enjoyable enough, but nothing spectacular. I have nothing against the use of unreliable or unlikeable narrators, I just really didn’t care for Toni and had a hard time getting past that. And for as high as tensions ran throughout the story, the ending was a little disappointing. But overall, I did enjoy my time spent reading this one and would recommend this to thriller fans. I’m looking forward to reading Safe with Me next!

Safe with Me

Looking back at my review of Blink, I have to admit, I’m actually a tad bit surprised–my thoughts about Safe with Me are almost identical. This was an enjoyable read that didn’t wow me, even though I did like it enough to keep reading. For me, the two weakest spots were the same: an intensely unlikeable narrator and an ending out of left field that felt somewhat rushed. I have absolutely nothing against characters–when done well, they are a testament to deeply flawed humanity. But for as much as I didn’t like Toni in Blink, I didn’t like Anna here either, and it made it difficult for me to want to pick this up and read it. One thing I have to give props to the author for, now having read two of her novels, is that she is extremely talented at building tension through her writing. Both of these books had me feeling so uncomfortable at times, which is just what you want from a good thriller. Overall, I did enjoy this one, even though it wasn’t a favorite, and I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a psychological thriller!

The One Who Got Away by L. A. Detwiler

The One Who Got Away by L. A. Detwiler
Publisher/Year: One More Chapter, 2020
Format: E-book (Nook)
Pages: 312
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

“Get out while you can. You’ll die here…”

Adeline Evans has recently moved into a home for the elderly. A safe space, where she can be cared for.

When she begins to receive cryptic and threatening notes, she is certain that someone is out to get her.

But the residents are warned against listening to a woman who is losing her memory. It would seem Adeline is tormented by the secrets in her past, and that the menace is all in her mind.

Until danger comes down the corridor and starts knocking in the night…

What I thought

I consider myself pretty lucky to have a local author whose books I enjoy so much, and The One Who Got Away was no exception. This was my first time reading one of her thrillers, and it did not let me down–this book went to some DARK places. The feeling of a claustrophobia and tension absolutely permeate the pages of this book. And I really loved how unique this story was–from the setting taking place inside a corrupt nursing home to Adeline’s perspective. Her point-of-view put such a distinct twist on everything. Having dementia, she was, at times, an unreliable narrator, but it was also heartbreaking to read, at the same time. The pacing of the story does ebb and flow a bit, but the ending hit me like a sucker punch. I did NOT see that coming. I appreciate it so much when an author doesn’t take the safe way out, and in this case, it just added to the overall bleakness and horror of this book.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I am so glad to have read one of Lindsay’s thrillers, finally. I’d definitely recommend this to fans of psychological thrillers and suspense novels!

Salvation Station by Kathryn Schleich

Salvation Station by Kathryn Schleich
Publisher/Year: She Writes Press, 2020
Format: Paperback
Pages: 313
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

Despite her years of experience investigating homicides for the force, Captain Linda Turner is haunted by the murders of the Hansen family. The two small children, clothed in tattered Disney pajamas, were buried with their father, a pastor, in the flower garden behind a church parsonage in Lincoln, Nebraska. But Mrs. Hansen is nowhere to be found–and neither is the killer.

In St. Louis, the televangelist Ray Williams is about to lose his show–until one of his regular attendees approaches him with an idea that can save it. Despite his initial misgivings, Ray agrees to give it a try. He can’t deny his attraction to this woman, and besides, she’s assured him the plan is just–God gave her the instructions in a dream.

Multiple storylines entwine throughout this compelling mystery, delving into the topics of murder, religious faith, and the inherent dangers in blindly accepting that faith as truth. While Reverend Williams is swept up in his newfound success and plans for his wedding, Captain Turner can only hope that she and her team will catch the Hansens’ cunning killer–before more bodies surface.

What I thought

Thank you to She Writes Press and Book Publicity Services for a free finished copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was a good, solid debut, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this one! The first thing that caught my attention with this book was its cover–how deliciously creepy! I was also drawn in because in a world of thrillers, Salvation Station certainly stands out with its unique premise. This turned out to be an easy read with writing that flowed well and an interesting plot that kept the story moving forward. One thing that I do want to note is that rather than being described as a murder mystery, this is more of a suspense novel. You find out almost immediately “who did it,” and the question shifts to “will they catch the culprit before it happens again?” Still, I enjoyed the multiple perspectives employed to tell the story. I will say that I much preferred Linda’s section about solving the crime. I found that the heavy religious tones, although not necessarily preachy were a bit much for me.

Overall, I’m glad I had the chance to read this one and it was a good debut entry into the suspense genre!

The Twin by Natasha Preson

The Twin by Natasha Preston
Publisher/Year: Delacorte Press, 2020
Format: ARC – paperback
Pages: 375
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

Ivy and Iris haven’t lived together for years–when their mother and father divorced, each parent got custody of one twin. But after a tragic accident takes their mom’s life, the devastated sisters are reunited, and Iris moves in with Ivy and their dad. Ivy promises that she can share her life now. After all, they’re sisters. Twins.

It’s a promise that Iris takes seriously. And before long, Ivy’s friends, her teachers, and even her boyfriend fall under Iris’s spell. Soon Ivy begins to think there’s something wrong with her twin. It’s almost like Iris is out to get her. Ivy tells herself she’s being paranoid. It’s not like she’s in any danger from her twin…

The Twin is an unputdownable read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

What I thought

Thank you to Penguin Random House and Delacorte Press for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

What a wicked little book! This one is a slow burn, psychological thriller that is all about the entertainment value. You know those books that you can just see being made into a movie? This is one of those. The story starts out and the tension builds oh-so-slowly, but once it ramps up, the story goes to some pretty dark and sinister places. You can’t help but feel for Ivy, but I will say it takes a good author to get me, as the reader, to have moments of doubt surrounding her reliability at times. I’ve seen other readers say this book was predictable, but I, for one, didn’t know WHAT was happening. All I know is that once this book got going, I was perpetually STRESSED trying to guess what Iris’s next move would be. And that ending! I NEVER saw it coming, and I actually really like that Preston didn’t write the “safe” ending, but went the unconventional route. (Just keep that in mind if you don’t like open endings.)

If you’re a YA reader looking for an entertaining, slow burn of a psychological thriller, this book’s for you!

You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
Publisher/Year: St. Martin’s Press, 2020
Format: ARC – paperback
Pages: 392
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

You probably know someone like Shay Miller.

She wants to find love, but it eludes her. She wants to be fulfilled, but her job is a dead end. She wants to belong, but her life is so isolated.

You probably don’t know anyone like the Moore sisters.

They have an unbreakable circle of friends. They live the most glamorous life. They always get what they desire.

Shay thinks she wants their life. But what they really want is HERS.

What I thought

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

You guys, this book just did NOT do it for me, and I’m so bummed about it. So, I’m going to keep this short because it seems like a lot of people really enjoy this one, and this might be a case of “it’s me, not you.”

I get that the thriller genre, in general, requires its readers to suspend their disbelief. Usually, I’m pretty good with that, but with this book, I just seriously struggled, and I’m not sure why. And I think it kept me from really connecting with Shay and this story. Don’t get me wrong, I did like this book–it certainly had a completely unique plot. The short chapters and the writing style kept me wanting to see how it would all turn out. But once I got to the end and put it down, the only thing I could think was “Meh.”

Please don’t take only my word for it. I can’t even begin to describe how bummed I am–I had heard so many great things about this author duo’s first two books. I still plan on reading them. I just think this one wasn’t for me.

The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica

The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica
Publisher/Year: Park Row Books, 2020
Format: ARC – paperback
Pages: 359
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

She tried to run, but she can’t escape the other Mrs.

Sadie and Will Foust have only just moved their family from bustling Chicago to small-town Maine when their neighbor Morgan Baines is found dead in her home. The murder rocks their tiny coastal island, but no one is more shaken than Sadie.

But it’s not just Morgan’s death that has Sadie on edge. It’s the eerie and decrepit old home they inherited. It’s Will’s disturbed teenage niece, Imogen, with her threatening presence. And it’s the troubling past that continues to wear at the seams of their family.

As the eyes of suspicion turn toward the new family in town, Sadie is drawn deeper into the mystery of Morgan’s death. But Sadie must be careful, for the more she discovers about Mrs. Baines, the more she begins to realize just how much she has to lose if the truth ever comes to light.

What I thought

Thank you to Park Row Books for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book STRESSED ME OUT in the best way, and to me, that is a sure sign of an excellent domestic thriller! This was the first book I’ve read from Mary Kubica, and I really enjoyed it. I know where to turn now when I’m in the mood for a thriller!

I want to keep this very short because it’s better to go into this knowing next to nothing. The unsettling atmosphere and the unreliable narrators instantly drew me into this story and kept the pages turning. Mary Kubica has such an easy writing style–simple, yet effective without being overdone. Honestly the only thing that kept this from five stars was the considerable amount of suspension of disbelief required from the reader. That isn’t something that bothers me exactly, it’s just that it takes me out of the story. I will also say that despite several theories, I never saw the “twist” coming–I love when authors can keep the suspense going!

All in all, kudos to Mary Kubica for writing one helluva thriller! It kept me up at night, flipping the pages, and I cannot think of a better recommendation than that.

29 Seconds by T. M. Logan

29 Seconds by T. M. Logan
Publisher/Year: St. Martin’s Press, 2019
Format: ARC
Pages: 360
Rating: ⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

What if a 29 second phone call could change the course of your life forever?

Sarah is a young professor struggling to prove herself in a workplace controlled by a charming and manipulative man. Alan Hawthorne is a renowned scholar and television host who preys on female colleagues behind closed doors. And Sarah is his newest target.

When Sarah rescues a young child in trouble, she expects nothing in return. But her act of bravery puts a powerful and dangerous man in her debt.

A man who believes all favors must be repaid.

What I thought

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. This was one of those books that ended up being just an “okay” read for me, which genuinely surprises me because it got rave reviews. It was a quick read, even though it took me a while to get through. When I did feel like picking it up, the pages flew by quickly as the chapters were really short, which I do like in a thriller. So, the pace was on point, I just struggled with connecting to the story.

I knew from the get go that the plot was going to be far-fetched, and I can suspend my disbelief as much as anyone. But once the phone call went awry, I just couldn’t anymore. The story just went off the deep end. I thought the ending was awful–I didn’t buy it, and I’m honestly still not sure what even happened. Not to mention, I never felt remotely like the villain got what he deserved.

As far as Sarah goes, I simply couldn’t stand her as a protagonist. She was so wishy washy and whiny and felt 100% like a woman written by a man. There was a scene that so bothered me that I had to rant about it to my husband. Sarah eats lunch with a friend who orders fish and chips while she has a lowly ham salad sandwich. And she has this inner dialogue where she wonders how her friend can eat like that and still maintain her figure while she nibbled her sandwich and ultimately threw the whole thing away. That makes me cringe even typing it out. Heaven forbid that a woman eat some freakin’ fish and chips and not worry about the effect on her figure! And I think why it bothered me so much was that this was a book clearly written as part of the #MeToo movement where we see a professor who habitually sexually harasses (and borderline assaults) his colleagues and who ultimately “pays” for it. So that scene felt so contradictory and even hypocritical to me.

And now I’m just rambling, so suffice it to say that this wasn’t the book for me. Please don’t take just my word for it–plenty of people enjoyed it, and I do believe that there’s a book for everyone. This one just happened to not be for me, and that’s okay.

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
Publisher/Year: Atria Books, 2019
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 257
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am. She learns not only the identity of her parents but also that she is the sole inheritor of their abandoned mansion on the banks of the Thames in London’s fashionable Chelsea neighborhood. The home, even in its dilapidated state, is worth millions. Everything in Libby’s life is about to change. What she doesn’t know is that others have been waiting for this day as well–and although they’ve been in hiding, they are now heading her way.

Nearly twenty-five years ago, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old safe and sound in the upstairs bedroom. In the kitchen, three dead bodies, all dressed in black, were seemingly posed next to a hastily scrawled note. The four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were gone.

In The Family Upstairs, the New York Times bestselling author of Then She Was Gone and master of “bone-chilling suspense” (People) delivers a powerful and propulsive story of two families living in a house with the darkest of secrets.

What I thought

The Family Upstairs was my introduction to the much-beloved author, Lisa Jewell, and I must say, I definitely want to read more from her now. This was a deeply unsettling, engrossing, slow-burn of a Gothic-style mystery, and I very much enjoyed my time reading it.

I’ve seen some mixed reviews, but I think what it comes down to is whether you enjoy multiple-perspective plot lines or not. Me? I love them, and I loved how Jewell used them to keep the momentum going. There’s nothing better than following multiple storylines, wondering how they are all going to come together, and knowing that when they do, it’s going to be jaw-dropping. Especially when you realize that one of your narrators is 1000% unreliable. And for me, that moment of realization was deliciously chilling.

The other thing that worked for me with this format was that I enjoyed each perspective equally, which kept the pace moving relentlessly forward. I’m trying to stay as vague as I can, but I will say that one character in particular was so freakin’ horrifying that all of my murderino senses were going off. Two of the things that scare me the most in this world were present here–cults and sociopaths. And that last sentence? Totally made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

The Family Upstairs was a delightfully entertaining, completely absorbing read–you’ll want to set aside a block of time for this one because once you pick it up, it won’t let you go.

The Whisper Man by Alex North

The Whisper Man by Alex North
Publisher/Year: Celadon Books, August 2019
Format: E-galley
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

In this dark, suspenseful thriller, Alex North weaves a multi-generational tale of a father and son caught in the crosshairs of an investigation to catch a serial killer preying on a small town.

After the sudden death of his wife, Tom Kennedy believes a fresh start will help him and his young son Jake heal. A new beginning, a new house, a new town. Featherbank.

But the town has a dark past. Twenty years ago, a serial killer abducted and murdered five residents. Until Frank Carter was finally caught, he was nicknamed “The Whisper Man,” for he would lure his victims out by whispering at their windows at night.

Just as Tom and Jake settle into their new home, a young boy vanishes. His disappearance bears an unnerving resemblance to Frank Carter’s crimes, reigniting old rumors that he preyed with an accomplice. Now, detectives Amanda Beck and Pete Willis must find the boy before it is too late, even if that means Pete has to revisit his great foe in prison: The Whisper Man.

And then Jake begins acting strangely. He hears a whispering at his window…

What I thought

Thank you to NetGalley & Celadon Books for the free e-galley of this book! This does not affect my opinion presented here in this review.

I read my first Stephen King novel at the ripe old age of 13. Since then, I’ve read through a majority of his works. All of this is simply to say–unless it’s written by Uncle Steve, I’m generally not phased or spooked by much. That’s why it absolutely blows my mind that this novel gave me the serious creeps, so much so that I had to only read it in the morning in order to avoid the nightmares it was giving me. I mean, come on:

If you leave a door half open,
Soon you’ll hear the whispers spoken.
If you play outside alone,
Soon you won’t be going home.
If your window’s left unlatched,
You’ll hear him tapping at the glass.
If you’re lonely, sad, and blue,
The Whisper Man will come for you.

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME? I refuse to go into more detail because it’s truly better if you go into this book blind. Just know that the hair on the back of my neck stood up frequently while reading this one. Children are creepy, serial killers are spine-chilling, that nursery rhyme above is nightmare-inducing, and imaginary friends are horrifying.

Besides all of the “scary stuff,” this book was just SO GOOD. As a psychological thriller, the twists and turns and multiple POVs really kept the pace moving so quickly that I could barely stand to put this down. And North’s character development was just impeccable. The characters here absolutely came to life, which added to the horror. Where this book goes above and beyond, and in my opinion is reminiscent of King himself, is that The Whisper Man is not “just” a scary book. North examines grief and father-son relationships in such a poignant way that it will evoke emotion out of just about any reader.

Like I mentioned earlier, it is absolutely unfathomable to me that this book isn’t even out yet (it debuts on August 20th), and I already can’t wait to read his next one! This book has landed squarely on my favorites of 2019 list–you’ll not want to miss this one. It was just announced as one of the August picks for BOTM, too. Whatever you have to do–get your hands on a copy of this book!

Stolen Things by R. H. Herron

Stolen Things by R. H. Herron
Publisher/Year: Dutton, 2019
Format: E-galley (via NetGalley)
Rating: ⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

A sensational crime, a missing teen, and a mother and daughter with no one to trust but themselves come together in this shocking debut thriller by R. H. Herron.

“Mama? Help me.”

Laurie Ahmadi has worked as a 911 police dispatcher in her quiet Northern California town for nearly two decades. She considers the department her family; her husband, Omid, is its first Arab American chief, and their teenaged daughter, Jojo, has grown up with the force. So when Laurie catches a 911 call and, to her horror, it’s Jojo, the whole department springs into action.

Jojo, drugged, disoriented, and in pain, doesn’t remember how she ended up at the home of Kevin Leeds, a pro football player famous for his on-the-field activism and his work with the CapB–“Citizens Against Police Brutality”–movement. She doesn’t know what happened to Kevin’s friend and trainer, whose beaten corpse is also discovered in the house. And she has no idea where her best friend Harper, who was with her earlier in the evening, could be.

But when Jojo begins to dive into Harper’s social media to look for clues to her whereabouts, Jojo uncovers a shocking secret that turns everything she knew about Harper–and the police department–on its head. With everything they thought they could rely on in question, Laurie and Jojo begin to realize that they can’t trust anyone to find Harper except themselves…and time is running out.

What I thought

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the free e-galley of this book! This does not affect my opinion presented here in this review.

Unfortunately, this book turned out to be just “okay” for me. There were aspects of it that I did like, but then there were others that I didn’t, so let’s just dive in. There’s a lot going on in this novel: racism, feminism, rape, LGBTQ rights, police brutality, police corruption, mental health, and more. And while this speaks to today’s society and current events, it just felt like too much. I am all for using one’s voice to make a difference, but to me, it was just laid on too thick. It felt gimmicky, like the author was just throwing hot topics in there to get your attention.

All of that being said, my biggest issue with this novel was that so much of it felt, frankly, unbelievable. I know this took place in a “small town,” but it just seemed to me that there’s no way that Laurie and Jojo could have gotten away with some of the measure they took. Maybe I’m wrong–I have never worked for a police department–but I don’t buy it. I do want to give credit where credit’s due–what I did enjoy about this book was that, at times, it got my heart pounding, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I do want to warn readers that this one does get pretty graphic. Even I felt uncomfortable at some parts. One final point I wanted to make was that the ending felt kind of abrupt. The final chapters built up to this almost maddening pace, which was great, but then it was just over, with very little resolution.

As you can see, I felt pretty torn about this one. I didn’t hate it, but I also didn’t love it. Again, Stolen Things was just okay for me. If this one sounds like something you enjoy, I say go for it because it was a heckuva thriller. I just don´t think that personally I´d be interested in other books by this author.

Pretty Revenge by Emily Liebert

Pretty Revenge by Emily Liebert
Publisher/Year: Gallery Books, July 2019
Format: Kindle
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Summary

The name of the game is revenge–no matter the cost–in this emotionally charged thriller reminiscent of The Wife Between Us and The Perfect Nanny.

Kerrie O’Malley, jobless and in an unfulfilling relationship, can isolate the singular moment in her life when things veered off course–the night she was irrevocably wronged by someone she looked up to. Eighteen years later, when Kerrie sees the very woman who destroyed her life on televesion, a fire ignites inside her. The stakes are high. The risks are perilous. But she’ll stop at nothing to achieve the retribution she deserves.

Jordana Pierson is a gilded New Yorker who appears to have it all: wealth, glamour, a successful and handsome husband, and a thriving wedding concierge business. Her record is spotless. Her business is flourishing. No one knows the truth about her and the dark shadows of her past.

No one, that is, except Kerrie.

Exploring just how far someone will go for vengeance, Pretty Revenge is a riveting, compulsively readable novel bursting with twists and turns and plenty of suspense.

What I thought

First thing’s first–can we talk about this stunning cover?! It’s SO eye-catching!

As for the inside of this book, unfortunately, although I enjoyed my time spent reading this one, it fell flat in some ways for me. For a novel that’s described as a thriller, I guess I just wasn’t…thrilled enough. Reading this one required a lot of suspension of disbelief, which I can certainly look past, but then the big reveals along the way, plus that ending, were not dramatic enough for me. The story just kinda flopped.

On a more positive note, I really enjoyed the fact that by the end, I was feeling sympathetic towards both narrators. It was far less “good guy versus bad guy” than I was expecting. I love when an author can show that there’s more than one side to a person, and Liebert successfully created multi-faceted main characters. Not only that but her writing in general flows very well, making this a quick, easy read.

All in all, although I was pretty disappointed in this book as a thriller, I did enjoy Emily Liebert’s writing. So even though I don’t think I’d ever re-read this one, I would like to try some of Liebert’s other books.

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this e-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinions or my review.

Her Dark Inheritance (The Willoughby Chronicles #1) by Meg Hafdahl

Her Dark Inheritance (The Willoughby Chronicles #1) by Meg Hafdahl
Publisher/Year: Inklings Publishing, 2018
Format: E-book (Nook)
Pages: 316
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads

Synopsis

On the day her mother died, Daphne Forrest learns the devastating truth. She’d never really known the woman who raised her, not even her real name. Fueled to unravel the tragic mystery behind her mother’s secrets, Daphne abandons all she knows, traveling to the bucolic yet sinister town of Willoughby, Minnesota.

Navigating through the memories of her own bloody legacy, Daphne throws herself into the insular and haunting small town of her ancestors. She investigates the murder that led to her mother’s shame aided by charming, yet tortured, local, Edwin Monroe. Edwin has a unique understanding of the darkness in Willoughby, and how the town holds a lurking threat more foreboding than any unsolved murder.

As Daphne gets closer to the truth, Willoughby itself rebels against her. She bears witness to terrifying scenes from the past. Is her mother a murderer? Is that Daphne’s dark inheritance? And is she strong enough to battle an evil more frightening than her own past?

What I thought

I have to give a big shout out here to thank the ever-wonderful Ladies of Horror Fiction for introducing me to Meg Hafdahl’s writing! I was very impressed by Hafdahl’s debut novel, and I’m always glad to add another female horror author to my authors-to-watch list.

From the very first chapter, I had a hard time putting this one down. The writing was descriptive without being overdone, the characters were vivid and diverse, the town of Willoughby came to life, and at the end, I didn’t want the story to finish! I’m glad that this will be a series because I’m looking forward to more from Hafdahl!

My two favorite things about this book were the character of Daphne and the town of Willoughby. I loved watching Daphne’s character develop, and I especially appreciated the fact that she was a flawed character, not cookie-cutter, by any means. The town of Willoughby reminded me of Stephen King’s Derry so, of course, I loved it. I only wish we knew more about Willoughby’s evil background, but maybe that’s for future books.

All that being said, I’m so glad to have read this one–I enjoyed it so much. I don’t know what you call it, but this type of horror is one of my favorites–the kind where you have this sense of dread and unease to the point where you don’t want to stop reading because you have to know how it turns out (thriller, maybe? I dunno). I can’t wait to read more from Meg Hafdahl, and I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series!