A review by becky_97
Hydra by Matt Wesolowski

4.0

 Hydra is the second book in the Six Stories franchise, maintaining the engaging pace of the first instalment with a brand-new case that showcases Matt Wesolowski’s talent for navigating a crime filled with mystery and unanswered questions.  

This time, the Six Stories podcast delves into the 2014 massacre of the Macleod family, committed by the sole survivor, Arla Macleod. Arla is currently serving time in a mental health institution after receiving a verdict of diminished responsibility for the killings. But how diminished was she really? Through the perspectives of five witnesses, Scott King, an investigative journalist, examines who Arla truly was and whether the crime committed that cold November night could ever have been avoided.  

The last Six Stories novel was one of my standout reads of 2024, and there’s always some apprehension when committing to an entire franchise. However, I needn’t have worried, as Hydra is fantastic. The novel also provides deeper insights into Scott King, a character who remains largely out of the spotlight. This allows readers to appreciate each book as a standalone while also rewarding those who choose to follow the whole series.  

My only criticism of this book is my desire for a slower pace regarding events outside the podcast. Everything unfolds very quickly, and I believe the shocking twists in this novel would have been much more impactful had they been preceded by a slow burn.