msmelissm's review against another edition
3.0
Liked at the beginning but then the plot was just so far-fetched, I cared less. I’d like more back story on the OG villain and the mom. It was interesting enough to finish out of curiosity but nothing blew me away
cleg11's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Following the suicide of her mother Heather discovers that she had been writing to a serial killer for years. After years of silence he decides to break his silence and will only speak to Heather. This coincides with the discovery of a body of a woman found in the same circumstances as his victims. Heather decides to talk to him to find out why her mother wrote to him and how he is connected to her. She returns to where the serial killer committed his crime and uncovers a few family secrets she wishes she hadn’t discovered.
Hard to follow at type beginning as the book jumps backwards and forwards.
Following the suicide of her mother Heather discovers that she had been writing to a serial killer for years. After years of silence he decides to break his silence and will only speak to Heather. This coincides with the discovery of a body of a woman found in the same circumstances as his victims. Heather decides to talk to him to find out why her mother wrote to him and how he is connected to her. She returns to where the serial killer committed his crime and uncovers a few family secrets she wishes she hadn’t discovered.
Hard to follow at type beginning as the book jumps backwards and forwards.
jasmine_peacock's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lolaslalaland's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Jen Williams does it again. I love her writing. That's it. Plain and simple. She transports me with her words and enthralls me with her stories.
This book was about a creepy serial killer on the loose intertwined with the mystery of a lost mother's dark past, and it was amazing. I constantly wondered what was going on and tried to make guesses at who was who or what happened. But not only that, I also found the main character, Heather, to be incredibly real and relatable. Her friendships, hardships, behavior, all of it was just so raw.
Honestly, I want to talk about everything that happened this book, but I also know no one would bother reading a super long summary of it all. All the twists and turns, the side characters, the little details, the powerful dialogues and quotable moments. It would turn into a multi-page essay of me fan girling over Jen and her amazing team that got this book out. Thank you!
If you're still looking for a spooky read for this fall season, I highly recommend this one!
This book was about a creepy serial killer on the loose intertwined with the mystery of a lost mother's dark past, and it was amazing. I constantly wondered what was going on and tried to make guesses at who was who or what happened. But not only that, I also found the main character, Heather, to be incredibly real and relatable. Her friendships, hardships, behavior, all of it was just so raw.
Honestly, I want to talk about everything that happened this book, but I also know no one would bother reading a super long summary of it all. All the twists and turns, the side characters, the little details, the powerful dialogues and quotable moments. It would turn into a multi-page essay of me fan girling over Jen and her amazing team that got this book out. Thank you!
If you're still looking for a spooky read for this fall season, I highly recommend this one!
kbranfield's review
4.0
A Dark and Secret Place by Jen Williams is a chilling mystery.
Heather Evans and her mom, Colleen, have been estranged for several years. But she is still shocked to learn her mum committed suicide. Returning to her childhood home to put Colleen’s affairs in order, she discovers her mum has been corresponding with convicted serial killer, Michael Reave aka Red Wolf. Because of a recent spate of murders that bear an eerie resemblance to Reave’s MO, Heather contacts the police about the letters. Surprisingly, Detective Inspector Ben Parker allows her to visit Michael at HMP Belmarsh. He is hoping that Reave might reveal information that will lead them to the killer. Heather continues trying to understand what her mum’s connection is to Michael.
Heather is a bit of a mess as she tries to make sense of this unanticipated information about her mum. She is uneasy at Colleen’s house due to some weird discoveries and the unnerving sense someone is watching her. She dismisses her uncomfortable feelings as she concentrates on learning more about her mum's and Michael’s past. There is more to Heather’s attempt to find answers but she mostly keeps her other reasons to herself.
Chapters from Michael’s perspective reveal his deeply troubled past. He lives with a mysterious person who cultivates Reave’s interest in original fairy tales which are very dark. Michael is free to roam through the wood surrounding the place he calls home. He is content to spend time by himself so he is dismayed when some of the land is turned into a commune. Michael wants as little to do with the hippies as possible, but he cannot avoid running into them. After his arrest and conviction, Michael proclaims his innocence, but the evidence against is solid. When the killings begin in the present, does he know the identity of the copycat?
A Dark and Secret Place is an atmospheric mystery with a unique storyline. Heather is not an easy character to like and she makes questionable decisions. Michael’s history is disturbing and his crimes are extremely gruesome. His benefactor encourages Michael’s darkest impulses and the descriptions of his murders are graphic. With a jaw-dropping plot twist, Jen Williams brings this suspenseful mystery to a satisfying conclusion.
Heather Evans and her mom, Colleen, have been estranged for several years. But she is still shocked to learn her mum committed suicide. Returning to her childhood home to put Colleen’s affairs in order, she discovers her mum has been corresponding with convicted serial killer, Michael Reave aka Red Wolf. Because of a recent spate of murders that bear an eerie resemblance to Reave’s MO, Heather contacts the police about the letters. Surprisingly, Detective Inspector Ben Parker allows her to visit Michael at HMP Belmarsh. He is hoping that Reave might reveal information that will lead them to the killer. Heather continues trying to understand what her mum’s connection is to Michael.
Heather is a bit of a mess as she tries to make sense of this unanticipated information about her mum. She is uneasy at Colleen’s house due to some weird discoveries and the unnerving sense someone is watching her. She dismisses her uncomfortable feelings as she concentrates on learning more about her mum's and Michael’s past. There is more to Heather’s attempt to find answers but she mostly keeps her other reasons to herself.
Chapters from Michael’s perspective reveal his deeply troubled past. He lives with a mysterious person who cultivates Reave’s interest in original fairy tales which are very dark. Michael is free to roam through the wood surrounding the place he calls home. He is content to spend time by himself so he is dismayed when some of the land is turned into a commune. Michael wants as little to do with the hippies as possible, but he cannot avoid running into them. After his arrest and conviction, Michael proclaims his innocence, but the evidence against is solid. When the killings begin in the present, does he know the identity of the copycat?
A Dark and Secret Place is an atmospheric mystery with a unique storyline. Heather is not an easy character to like and she makes questionable decisions. Michael’s history is disturbing and his crimes are extremely gruesome. His benefactor encourages Michael’s darkest impulses and the descriptions of his murders are graphic. With a jaw-dropping plot twist, Jen Williams brings this suspenseful mystery to a satisfying conclusion.
brealoadion's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I first started reading this book I noticed that the rating was kind of low and couldn’t figure out why, but I think I realized quickly that it must be the graphic nature of the book. That said, I think the graphic and disturbing depictions in this book serve an important purpose for the plot and character development that happens in this story. Obviously if that sort of thing isn’t something you’re okay with reading, then this is definitely not the book for you.
This book turned out so much better than I thought it was going to be! I thought it was going to be a suspenseful thriller, but it read more like a horror to me and I was totally okay with that! This books had me guessing and theorizing up until the end and it had a satisfying finish, in my opinion. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a dark and twisted plot that will have your mind turning over and over again.
This book turned out so much better than I thought it was going to be! I thought it was going to be a suspenseful thriller, but it read more like a horror to me and I was totally okay with that! This books had me guessing and theorizing up until the end and it had a satisfying finish, in my opinion. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a dark and twisted plot that will have your mind turning over and over again.
hemisha101's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
radicalbeth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
greergreer's review
3.0
It had its thrilling moments, and then it had some stagnant times. I really need more info on the mother Collene in this book because there was a part of the story that went real fast and didn't seem to have much of a story line to it, but which was actually the main part of the story. I know that made no sense, but I don't want to give anything away.
beckygray98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0