A review by nzlisam
They Never Learn by Layne Fargo

4.0

3.5.

There's a serial killer loose on an East Coast campus!


Her name is Scarlett Clark. She's an English Professor at Gorman University, and she's been killing men for years, and no one is any the wiser. The men she targets are guilty of crimes against women – voyeurism, sexual harassment, domestic violence, rape – but they have never been held accountable for their crimes, so it falls on Scarlett to punish the guilty. Because, in her eyes, men like that don't deserve to live.

Carly Schiller is an introverted, shy Freshman at Gorman. That is, until she makes friends with her dorm roommate, Allison, and starts to come out of her shell. But when Allison is drugged and assaulted at a Fraternity Party, Carly is desperate to help her friend seek justice. And, Scarlett is just the women for the job.

They Never Learn was fun escapism but not as good as I thought it was going to be. I expected that it was going to be far-fetched because ‘revenge’ stories of this type normally are, but the last half progressively became just too ridiculous and unbelievable for my taste. I admit black comedy is a bit ‘hit’ or ‘miss' for me though. I'm a huge fan of Dexter and Samantha Downing’s and John Marrs’ brand of twisted, but They Never Learn wasn't on the same level. Aside from the mind-blowing opening chapter (the first line sent shivers down my spine), nothing much happened during the first 150 odd pages.

The other unfortunate thing was that I figured out the biggest twist. It was a good one, but because I've read two books that did the same thing, I saw where this one was going. Although, I admit the author was fantastic at misdirection and I did start to doubt myself a couple of times. Maybe I've just read too many psychological thrillers? I hope not, because I do love them.

An enjoyable read, but I wish (like many others) I had of loved it more.

PS: I just noticed the original title was intended to be ‘Learn Her Wrath'. Glad they changed it, as ‘They Never Learn' is brilliant.