Scan barcode
mikareads's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a fun, well-written, fast-paced thriller. This was one of my first reads by Jennifer Hillier and she immediately became a favorite author of mine. I also recommend her other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
ripxreads's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Fatphobia
hlbayles23'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sheila Tao is a college professor, who is engaged to Morris, an ex pro football player turned high stakes banker. It seems that she has a picture perfect life. However, Sheila has a seedy past and has been sleeping with her TA, Ethan (who is also in a long term relationship), for a few months.
Once Morris proposes to her, Sheila decides it’s best to end things with Ethan. Feeling a bit scorned and jealous, Ethan develops a plan to take what he thinks is his. After all, if he can’t have Sheila, no one can.
I can’t recommend Jennifer Hillier enough! I’m never disappointed when I read her books. Creep is now added to that list. It was captivating and had me thinking about it when I wasn’t reading. I figured out the twist about half way through but I really enjoyed reading the backstory that supported said twist.
There were a few times that I wanted to scream, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” at Sheila because some of her choices were just *facepalm.* I could overlook that though. I definitely would recommend this for all of my thriller reading people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual harassment
julienicole1106's review against another edition
challenging
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
onemorepagecrew's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Violence, Kidnapping, and Stalking
More...