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abalderson's review against another edition
5.0
Potential spoilers‼️
I think this was one of the most disturbing books I’ve ever read.
I obviously knew going into this it was a thriller based on real life serial killers but yeah I was not prepared. For a debut novel it was amazing. The writing, pace, attention to detail, complexity and just the overall plot had me hooked from the very beginning and even with all the horror I struggled to put it down. The characters were also so well thought out and I actually loved every single one.. which left me feeling very conflicted & shocked (in a good way) in the end!
The twists and turns left me feeling like I had whiplash, but also in a good way. It wasn’t overly complex where you couldn’t keep up or got confused, but just complex enough that it really had you thinking and wondering who is it?! Just when you think you’ve worked it out another shocking twist is added and you’re left stunned at the outcome. I was CONVINCED I worked out who the killer was and thought Sam Holland did it so well but then with the next twist of the killers identity, I couldn’t believe it THEN the final twist just blew my mind and it was so so clever. Can we also talk about that ending?! I haven’t read a cliff hanger ending like that in a LONG time and I was left in pure shock at the end of the book. Like I need to know what happened next?! It can’t surely be left like that?
This was honestly one of the best thriller/horror books I have read in a very very long time and I will be running to pick up Sam Hollands next book “The twenty” and any other books they release! Also such a good choice for spooky season, I would highly recommend!
I think this was one of the most disturbing books I’ve ever read.
I obviously knew going into this it was a thriller based on real life serial killers but yeah I was not prepared. For a debut novel it was amazing. The writing, pace, attention to detail, complexity and just the overall plot had me hooked from the very beginning and even with all the horror I struggled to put it down. The characters were also so well thought out and I actually loved every single one.. which left me feeling very conflicted & shocked (in a good way) in the end!
The twists and turns left me feeling like I had whiplash, but also in a good way. It wasn’t overly complex where you couldn’t keep up or got confused, but just complex enough that it really had you thinking and wondering who is it?! Just when you think you’ve worked it out another shocking twist is added and you’re left stunned at the outcome. I was CONVINCED I worked out who the killer was and thought Sam Holland did it so well but then with the next twist of the killers identity, I couldn’t believe it THEN the final twist just blew my mind and it was so so clever. Can we also talk about that ending?! I haven’t read a cliff hanger ending like that in a LONG time and I was left in pure shock at the end of the book. Like I need to know what happened next?! It can’t surely be left like that?
This was honestly one of the best thriller/horror books I have read in a very very long time and I will be running to pick up Sam Hollands next book “The twenty” and any other books they release! Also such a good choice for spooky season, I would highly recommend!
twisttheplot's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
faitheve's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lia_fbt's review against another edition
5.0
I KNEW IT. The twist got me though. This book was so good. I love the short chapter writing style.
lauraslittlebooknook's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is my first Holland read, and it definitely won’t be my last.
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this (I never read a synopsis these days), but I’d seen loads of people rating it highly, so expected it would be decent. It blew my expectations out the water.
The characters were all flawed, and relatable. Each with their own internal battles and challenges in life. These all took second place to the joint challenge of solving the case of the serial killer whose kills have impacted all of their lives.
Holland weaves a gripping, edge of your seat story, with gruesome detail and horrifying narrative. It’s dark, violent, gory and brilliant. I was hooked from very early on, and while I thought I had it all figured out, the ending took me by surprise.
Fantastic read, perfect for fans of gory crime thrillers.
Do check trigger warnings! There’s a *lot* of them!
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this (I never read a synopsis these days), but I’d seen loads of people rating it highly, so expected it would be decent. It blew my expectations out the water.
The characters were all flawed, and relatable. Each with their own internal battles and challenges in life. These all took second place to the joint challenge of solving the case of the serial killer whose kills have impacted all of their lives.
Holland weaves a gripping, edge of your seat story, with gruesome detail and horrifying narrative. It’s dark, violent, gory and brilliant. I was hooked from very early on, and while I thought I had it all figured out, the ending took me by surprise.
Fantastic read, perfect for fans of gory crime thrillers.
Do check trigger warnings! There’s a *lot* of them!
thisislauraw's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was everything I wanted it to be. It was exciting, twisty, dark...
I'm not a true crime fan, but the idea of a killer who is copying the crimes of notorious serial killers is a fascinating premise for a crime thriller.
The characters are interesting and well written, and there's not a boring moment in the book. The author keeps you guessing at who the killer may be. Although I did guess early on, I then spent the rest of the book doubting and second-guessing myself. Brilliantly done!
the_reader_mommy's review against another edition
5.0
There is a new serial killer in town. One who is a fan of other serial killers. One who will recreate their killings and create the perfect and most gruesome tableau for the police to find.
DCI Cara Elliott and DS Noah Deakin are sent on a chase throughout town as the killer finds and kills his/her victim. Each killing is violent, gut-wrenching.
Meanwhile, Jess Ambrose is on the run from the police for arson. She teams up with suspended detective Nate Griffin to help find justice.
While the body count rises, it becomes more and more difficult for Jess to find the truth.
There is plenty of murder and graphic descriptions of bodies in this book. For those who find it difficult to read such things, I would advise them to stay away. As for me, I revel in such gruesomeness. In fact, I had been reading too clean (almost pathologically clean) mysteries for quite some time. I guess my blood thirst has been quenched.
Of course, there are some loopholes in the end. But I am willing to forgive all of them just for the joyride that this book is.
I cannot believe this is the debut work of the author. I would love to read her further works if they are fractionally as good as this book.
5 stars!
Thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Sam Holland for the ARC.
DCI Cara Elliott and DS Noah Deakin are sent on a chase throughout town as the killer finds and kills his/her victim. Each killing is violent, gut-wrenching.
Meanwhile, Jess Ambrose is on the run from the police for arson. She teams up with suspended detective Nate Griffin to help find justice.
While the body count rises, it becomes more and more difficult for Jess to find the truth.
There is plenty of murder and graphic descriptions of bodies in this book. For those who find it difficult to read such things, I would advise them to stay away. As for me, I revel in such gruesomeness. In fact, I had been reading too clean (almost pathologically clean) mysteries for quite some time. I guess my blood thirst has been quenched.
Of course, there are some loopholes in the end. But I am willing to forgive all of them just for the joyride that this book is.
I cannot believe this is the debut work of the author. I would love to read her further works if they are fractionally as good as this book.
5 stars!
Thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Sam Holland for the ARC.
daydreaminthepages's review against another edition
4.0
"It hardly seems real, does it."
This is one of the darkest and most disturbing thrillers that I have ever read and yet I still really enjoyed it. The story was fast paced and gripping and despite the fact that I thought I had worked out the identity of the killer, I was proven wrong and truly shocked by the ending.
Some of the scenes made me feel very squeamish which was slightly off putting so tread lightly if you struggle with gore. I also did not particularly love the epilogue as I felt that it took away from some of the story. However as a whole I found this story to be clever and gripping and I will definitely continue with the series.
This is one of the darkest and most disturbing thrillers that I have ever read and yet I still really enjoyed it. The story was fast paced and gripping and despite the fact that I thought I had worked out the identity of the killer, I was proven wrong and truly shocked by the ending.
Some of the scenes made me feel very squeamish which was slightly off putting so tread lightly if you struggle with gore. I also did not particularly love the epilogue as I felt that it took away from some of the story. However as a whole I found this story to be clever and gripping and I will definitely continue with the series.
azwahine_reads's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
agataugorenko's review against another edition
5.0
4.5⭐️rounded up!
Really enjoyed this book, especially as someone with interest in true crime. The characters were interesting and I couldn’t stop reading. Cannot wait to read more books and highly recommend this to anyone who likes twisted thrillers.
Really enjoyed this book, especially as someone with interest in true crime. The characters were interesting and I couldn’t stop reading. Cannot wait to read more books and highly recommend this to anyone who likes twisted thrillers.