I read the first book in this duology (Stillhouse Lake) voraciously. It set up the premise for this book, that a serial killer has escaped from prison and that his ex-wife intends to hunt him down before he can find her and her children.

The first book was sort of a slow-burn mystery. It was focused on the psychological damage that comes from being victimized, first by a monstrous husband and then by a savage online community that blames a wife for her husband's actions. This book was constantly in motion and followed more of a thriller pattern.

Gwen, the afore-mentioned ex-wife of Mel, the serial killer, sets off with Sam, with whom she's formed an uneasy relationship. Sam originally was stalking her because his sister was the last victim of her husband. Sounds creepy when I put it like that! He has since developed very complicated emotions around Gwen and her children. Gwen also feels attraction to Sam, but is back-burnering this because her priority is taking down Mel. As you might say on Facebook, it's complicated.

Gwen leaves her two children with people she trusts at Stillhouse Lake, gambling that Mel won't looks for them there because he'd assume that she'd move them.

Stillhouse Lake was entirely from Gwen's perspective. In this book, we also hear from Lanny( her daughter), Conner (her son) and Sam. This is probably necessary because of all the moving pieces in the book- things happen to Lanny and Connor that Gwen can't know about because she's on the move. Sam's viewpoint is also necessary for part of the book. However, it dilutes the tight focus from Gwen's psychology and ends up reducing tension. This book is all about secrets. Lanny has one, Connor has one, and Gwen ends up blindsided by some rather nasty stuff floating around about her on the web that she didn't know about. You can see the train wreck coming. It's one of those books in which problems would be eliminated by one good conversation, but that conversation never happens. I hate those sorts of books, and it didn't do itself any favors here- and I'm willing to cut Rachel Caine a lot of breaks.

There's a lot of tension built around these characters mistrusting each other, and unfortunately it doesn't pay off. In the end, it's a TV-style running gun battle complete with just about every trope you might expect if you've read Silence of the Lambs. There's a lot of frenetic action, but the true drama of the book is built around these characters' fragile relationships and that balloon doesn't pop as much as have the air slowly sigh out of it. The real climax should be between Gwen and Sam, who have several betrayals to account for, but that is never resolved and the two of them seem to end up ignoring some rather nasty past history between them. That's what disappointed me and why I didn't rate the book higher. It went the way of a cheap action thriller instead of giving me a payoff for investing in the complicated relationships that the author went to such pains to set up, only to abandon.

Another great murder/suspense novel. These are fast paced books and perfect for anyone who loves a fun mystery. I'd suggest reading the first in the series first, otherwise the characters will make less sense. I enjoyed the alternating perspectives.

This is the sequel to Stillhouse Lake and I couldn't wait to read it.

Gwen Proctor has moved, changed her and her children's names, and done everything she can to stay off the grid and safe from her serial killer ex-husband Melvin Royal. That included starting over with her kids, Lanny and Connor, in the house they bought on Stillhouse Lake. In the first book, their fresh start was shattered by online harassment and more bodies piling up - Gwen Proctor, then Gina Royal, had been suspected of helping her husband kill his victims - so the suspicion fell back on her as more young women went missing. As it turned out, a devotee of Melvin's and a hacker named Absalom were setting her up. Now Melvin has broken out of prison and neither Gwen nor her children will be safe until Melvin is back behind bars or dead. So Gwen and Sam Cade, the brother of Melvin's final victim, set out to find Melvin and make sure he can never hurt Gwen or any other woman.

But Absalom is not what is seems - and maybe Gwen isn't either as new evidence suggesting that she may have been complicit in Melvin's heinous crimes begins to surface. Killman Creek is a fast paced, thrilling story. Rachel Caine is a talented author, who spins a masterful tale of suspension, suspicion, and deception.

This book was just as good as the last one. Gwen and Sam are hunting her serial killer, prison escapee and crazy husband. To finally be free from fear for herself and her children she decides to go after him before he finds them.
I finished this in one night. Very fast paced, full of surprises and twists. After the first book hooked me I'm disappointed to already be done reading this one. It was over way too quickly. With all of the good guys from book one reappearing in this one it picked up right where book 1 left off.

I received this copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

I was excited to have the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book on NetGalley.

I purchased the series starter, Stillhouse Lake, but decided to read Killman Creek first. I was pleased to see that Killman Creek stands well on its own. I had no problem getting pulled into the story. The author provides the perfect amount of information from the first book to keep the reader informed without rehashing all the details. Reading Killman Creek made me even more excited to read Stillhouse Lake and to find out what happens in book three.

Gwen does everything in her power to keep her two kids safe from her serial killer ex-husband, Melvin. She’s transformed herself from passive Gina Royal into a ready-for-a-fight Gwen Proctor and has left the kids with trusted friends as she hunts her hellish ex-hubby with Sam, the brother of one of Melvin’s victims. Everything falls apart when she finds herself alienated from friends and family and must face the forces of evil with nothing more than her wit and will.

Caine tells the story through the points of view of Gwen, Sam, and Gwen’s children. The author captures the voice of each character and slides the reader seamlessly into each person’s shoes, as Melvin and his cronies do their best to turn everyone against Gwen. The book is full of truths, such as, “It isn’t fair, or right, but it’s dreadfully human. The way we tear each other apart” that show the dark and the light sides of human nature.

I’m am a big fan of Caine’s urban fantasy and young adult novels. The Stillhouse Lake series proves that Caine can master any genre that strikes her fancy by bringing fascinating characters to life and by telling a gripping story.

I was intrigued after reading Stillhouse Lake where Cain would take the next installment. With a murderer on the lose and her life and children's lives in danger, there wasn't a lot of options for Gwen other than to take charge, not be a victim and to fight back.

And fight back she did.

This time told in alternating point of views, we get a deeper, maybe even darker look into the minds and hearts of those being haunted and hunted down by a man so ruthless and so evil, it will make your spine tingle.

I absolutely loved this and yet, I hated it too. I was so very mad, at everyone while reading this. The characters doubts in one another, the betrayal, the deceit and outright lies. I was so angry at the people that was making it all happen. That was egging it all on. How sick and twisted they were. It was...awful to say the least and horrific to less describe the horribleness of it all.

It was disgusting. And I loved every intense thrilling moment of it.

Once again Caine shows that she really is a fabulous writer, in whatever genre she chooses to write. I couldn't of asked for a more intense action packed story if I tried and truly ended perfectly. Not a perfect happily ever after, but a very realistic, slow building future of what ifs and maybes.

*ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Excellent book 2 in this thrilling, spine-tingling series! Once more, Rachel Caine does not disappoint. This book allows the reader the chance to see each character's personality and past in more depth. Highly recommend and please, could there be a book 3? Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book

This was a fast-moving, action packed book and an entertaining read.

I received an ARC from NetGalley to read and review. The below is my honest, unbiased opinion. Thank you, Rachel Caine, the publisher, and NetGalley, for allowing me to review.

Gwen Proctor won the battle to save her kids from her ex-husband, serial killer Melvin Royal, and his league of psychotic accomplices. But the war isn’t over. Not since Melvin broke out of prison. Not since she received a chilling text…

You’re not safe anywhere now.

Her refuge at Stillhouse Lake has become a trap. Gwen leaves her children in the protective custody of a fortified, well-armed neighbor. Now, with the help of Sam Cade, brother of one of Melvin’s victims, Gwen is going hunting. She’s learned how from one of the sickest killers alive.

But what she’s up against is beyond anything she feared—a sophisticated and savage mind game calculated to destroy her. As trust beyond her small circle of friends begins to vanish, Gwen has only fury and vengeance to believe in as she closes in on her prey. And sure as the night, one of them will die.

KILLMAN CREEK is the second book in Caine's STILLHOUSE LAKE series, and wow, is it a fantastic read. Be forewarned: this book is DARK. It's themes and scenes are much darker than its predecessors, but the writing was much too captivating to put down the book. Caine is a master at emotion, leaving me an absolute wreck after finishing this book. This is such an original series and a definite must read!

I was blown away by Stillhouse Lake when I read it a few months ago so I was beyond excited to finally get my hands on a copy of sequel Killman Creek from NetGalley and while my expectations were ridiculously high, Caine didn’t let me down.

Whereas Stillhouse Lake was a good old fashioned who dunnit which kept you guessing till the very end this is a much different type of thriller. Unlike the first book where Gwen was very much on the defensive this time she’s going on the attack. Her serial killer ex-husband is still on the loose and with help from hacker Absolom he seems to be able to find her and her children everywhere they go. She’s fed up of running and hiding though so she stashes the children Lanny and Connor somewhere safe while she and Sam go hunting.

Due to the nature of the story there’s a lot less mystery this time around, it’s more a game of cat and mouse, but that’s not to say there isn’t the odd unexpected twist and there are still a lot of questions over who can be trusted. It’s a fast paced and gripping story that does somehow make you question everything you previously thought was true.

Rather than being told solely from Gwen’s point of view, Killman Creek is told from multiple pov’s, something that took a little bit of getting used to. As well as Gwen, there are also chapters from Sam, Lanny and Connor’s points of view and while I liked some more than others it did add a new and interesting perspective to the story and let us get to know the other characters a bit better.

I have to say I do love Gwen/Gina. She does get put through the wringer time after time but no one can say she isn’t a fighter and I love how she always puts her kids first. Sam is quite an intriguing character, brother to one of Gwen’s ex-husband’s victims, he’s out for vengeance but is very confused about his feelings towards Gwen. It was great to see them spending so much time alone together this time around. The way the dynamic between them shifts and changes makes for some brilliant reading.

As for Lanny and Connor, gah!!! I know they’re young but really? Did they have to do everything they weren’t supposed to do? So frustrating but you just know they’re going to do the stupid thing that lands everyone in danger.

There aren’t very many new characters, and the ones there are come and go fairly quickly with only one or two making much of an impression, but really this is all about the relationships between those we know, so who cares.

This is pretty much non stop action and suspense from beginning to end and the final explosive showdown makes it all worthwhile. Caine’s writing is as always brilliant, creating just the right balance of tension, action and the more emotional scenes which keep you connected to and rooting for the characters.

Overall I thought this was a great conclusion to the story and definitely one I’d recommend.

Ho finito stamattina (a letto, mentre Madre e Zia intrattenevano l'Infanta - che goduria!) il buon Killman Creek di Rachel Caine. Sebbene non mi entusiasmasse l'idea dei punti di vista multipli, il romanzo mantiene alto il livello di tensione del precedente Stillhouse Lake, anche se la trama porta in vicoli che non mi sarei aspettata: dal gioco di gatto e topo fra un serial killer e la sua ex moglie si passa a esplorare le correnti oscure del dark web, e dal male dell'animo umano alla mancanza d'anima di chi questa oscurità la sfrutta per denaro. Ottima la scrittura, buono il ritmo, credibile e dolorosa l'analisi psicologica dei personaggi, sia come singoli che nei rapporti (difficili e faticosi, anche nell'affetto) fra di loro.

This is my first book via Netgalley. This is the second book to Rachel Caine's Stillhouse Lake which I enjoyed and was excited to find out there was a sequel. I enjoyed Killman Creek though I found it interesting that the title of the book didn't come into play into almost the very end of the book. Gwen's ex-husband Melvin was a truly a scary figure and kudos to author for creating such a horrifying character and it I liked that the sequel included Gwen, the kids, and Sam's point of view.. It was fast-paced and I couldn't put it down. Thanks!.

Killman Creek by Rachel Caine is the second book in the Stillhouse Lake series. The first book in the series, Stillhouse Lake, introduced readers to Gwen Proctor who had gone into hiding with her two children after it was found that her husband was a serial killer. The trio had been on the run for several years not only trying to make sure that her husband who had gone to prison wouldn’t know of their whereabouts but also the vigilantes that thought Gwen was an accomplice to the killings instead of an innocent housewife.

Now in Killman Creek the story picks up shortly after the ending of the first book with Gwen trying to decide how to proceed now with her husband having escaped from prison. Gwen is tired of running and hiding and wants to put down roots in Stillhouse Lake with her kids but first she needs to find her ex, Melvin Royal, and make sure he never hurts anyone again. With the help of her friend, Sam Cade, the brother of one of Melvin’s victims, Gwen decides to turn the tables and go on the hunt for Melvin and his network of psychotic accomplices.

After finishing the first book of this series I was completely in love with Gwen, her children and their story. Focusing on the family left behind of a captured serial killer the author did a wonderful job making it feel realistic with the way they had been tried in the media and online and lived in fear that someone out there would go after them for revenge or vigilante justice. I was curious if the intensity of the story would carry over into the second book and I’m happy to say that it certainly did.

This second book is done a bit differently from the first in the fact that now the family is being split apart so the story also does so with the point of view changing between the characters. Not only does Gwen have a voice and viewpoint but so do her children and the man they had come to rely on in the first book, Sam Cade. This gave a wonderful depth to the story and allowed the author to expand the action. The twists and turns that I came to expect from the first book were still there and never failed to keep the pages turning. This definitely is a series I’d recommend to the thriller fans out there and I do hope the author continues the story.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

*3.5 stars*

I’ve always been a fan of Rachel Caine’s writing and her Stillhouse Lake series was no different.

‘Killman Creek’ follows up where book one left off and takes us through this journey where you are constantly wondering if you’re the hunter or the prey and that tension is something I really enjoyed while reading. I found myself trying to read as fast as I could because I wanted to see where Caine would take us and how the final showdown would play out and at around the midpoint where a the dark web element became center stage is where things got a bit lost for me and changed what would have been a 5 star rating.

I loved the first book 'Stillhouse Lake' and was so excited to be approved for an ARC for the sequel 'Killman Creek'. I became attached to the characters in 'Stillhouse Lake' and was heavily invested in their well being, so I was a little apprehensive that the sequel wouldn't live up to the first book, but I wasn't disappointed. I spent an entire weekend devouring this book.
This book had many twists and turns, it was a roller coaster read. One minute I think I know what's going on and how the book will conclude and then something completely unexpected happens and I had no idea what was going on.
We get different characters perspectives in this book, which I was really pleased about. We get to really find out how Sam, Lanny and Connor are dealing with the effects of book 1 and everything Melvin Royal has done to them. I really felt for each character. Sam's anguish, Lanny's confusion, Connor's sadness and Gwen's fear. It all came out in this book.
I don't want to give too much of the plot away, but you won't be disappointed with 'Killman Creek'. Especially if you enjoyed the first book.
This was a great suspenseful, thrilling read that I'm putting at the top of my favourite reads of 2017.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This in know way altered my opinion of the book.

Another well written mystery by Rachel Caine. I was extremely skeptical before reading the first book in this series,due to the fact that I was worried about transition from her normal vampire books. However I was extremely hooked after chapter one. This is the second book in this series, and I highly recommend reading g the first one before this. There is way to much information you need before beginning this one.
I enjoyed this book, and will definitely read the next. I did however think some of it just seemed to drag on, while at other times went to fast. Still a good read though.

Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book. I loved the first book, Stillhouse Lake, and was excited for the sequel. It’s rare that I like a sequel even more than the first book, but that happened with this book. This picked up right where Stillhouse Lake left off. I really enjoyed the different points of view from each characters in Killman Creek, which kept the momentum going. I could not put it down. The perspectives of the kids was a good addition to the overall story. The twists and turns were well written and kept me surprised. I now wonder if there will be a 3rd book in the series, which I would read in a heartbeat. Overall, this was a fast paced, well written book that I will recommend to others who enjoy this genre.

I read the first book in the series and was so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me this ARC for an honest review. I requested this book because as a fan of Rachel Caine (author) and having read her first book - Stillhouse Lake - I was looking forward to the second in this series since the her first book was amazing.

I was not disappointed with this book either. The continuing story of Gwen Proctor and her psycho husband continues. In book #1 Gwen finds out her husband is a serial killer. In book #2 he escapes from prison and she is again on the run with her two children. The suspense and surprises and harrowing escapes continue until Gwen leaves her children with another couple, so she and Sam Cade (whose sister was killed by this maniac also) go on to track down Melvin and stop him from further killings. This is a book you will not be able to put down, each page brings you closer and closer to what we hope is an to Gwen's nightmare...or is it?

Because there is a book #3 in this series and I will have to wait until Oct 2018 to read it!

Rachel Caine has done it again- Killman Creek is a worthy sequel to Stillhouse Lake. The books begins where Stillhouse Lake left off, with Gwen Proctor and her two kids hiding out from her ex-husband, the notorious serial killer Melvin Royal, and his helpers. When it becomes clear Melvin will not stop coming after them Gwen decides to draw him away from Stillhouse Lake and hunt him down with the help of Sam Cade. What they discover along the way is far more terrible than they imagined. This book is great not only for fans of the first book but also for readers who enjoy an intricate plot with multifaceted characters.