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A review by chemistreadingonthejob
Wonderland by Jennifer Hillier
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Hair-raising, Unpredictable, and Calculated
Wonderland by Jennifer Hillier is a serial killer thriller that is hard to put down. Jennifer Hillier intricately weaves multiple perspectives into a cohesive story that reveals something shocking almost every chapter. The main protagonist Vanessa, a newly hired Deputy Police Chief and mother, has a compelling back story and a fierce personality. Unfortunately, just as her family starts over in Seaside, a homicide investigation threatens to topple the reputation of the area's main tourist attraction, Wonderland. Events of the present are startlingly similar to the dark past that hides beneath the cheery surface of the clown museum.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the cult mentality of Wonderland. The entire town revolves around this amusement park. The police drop everything to handle Wonderland related incidents swiftly and quietly. This book provides a detailed array of diverse characters. Some are likeable such as Vanessa and Jerry, a retired detective (also found in Jennifer Hillier's novel Creep). Others are cringeworthy like Bianca, who is known as the dragon lady that runs the park and resident cougar. All are well written with interesting perspectives. Loving this book was unexpected. A creepy amusement park setting has been done before, but the atmosphere is fitting and feels unprecedented with the way it's put together. Everytime I thought I had predicted the outcome, I would fall victim to another misdirection. In the end, I could never have guessed where this story was leading, but it came together brilliantly. All I can say is that it's always the people you least expect. Readers looking for a unique and unsettling thriller will love this.
Wonderland by Jennifer Hillier is a serial killer thriller that is hard to put down. Jennifer Hillier intricately weaves multiple perspectives into a cohesive story that reveals something shocking almost every chapter. The main protagonist Vanessa, a newly hired Deputy Police Chief and mother, has a compelling back story and a fierce personality. Unfortunately, just as her family starts over in Seaside, a homicide investigation threatens to topple the reputation of the area's main tourist attraction, Wonderland. Events of the present are startlingly similar to the dark past that hides beneath the cheery surface of the clown museum.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the cult mentality of Wonderland. The entire town revolves around this amusement park. The police drop everything to handle Wonderland related incidents swiftly and quietly. This book provides a detailed array of diverse characters. Some are likeable such as Vanessa and Jerry, a retired detective (also found in Jennifer Hillier's novel Creep). Others are cringeworthy like Bianca, who is known as the dragon lady that runs the park and resident cougar. All are well written with interesting perspectives. Loving this book was unexpected. A creepy amusement park setting has been done before, but the atmosphere is fitting and feels unprecedented with the way it's put together. Everytime I thought I had predicted the outcome, I would fall victim to another misdirection. In the end, I could never have guessed where this story was leading, but it came together brilliantly. All I can say is that it's always the people you least expect. Readers looking for a unique and unsettling thriller will love this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual violence