Lucy has spent her life on the run with her mother, governed by strict rules of paranoia and secrecy. For thirteen years, across eleven states, she’s never known the reason for their constant fleeing—only that she must always be ready to move.

Their latest refuge, a secluded home in the New Hampshire woods, seems like a safe haven. Sharing the house with a reclusive pianist and his daughter, Gretchen, Lucy experiences friendship for the first time. But the house holds dark secrets, and Gretchen’s family harbors an unsettling obsession with puzzles.

As Lucy is drawn into a dangerous game of hide-and-seek, the truth about her past threatens to surface. This time, running might not be enough to save her and her mother from the dangers closing in.

My first reaction after finishing this book? Crazy! This was a novel that didn’t know what it wanted to be when it grew up. Is it a mystery? horror? action thriller? suspense? Yes it is all of these and more. ‘Over the top’ and bizarre in its plotting, this book is one that I’ll likely remember for quite a while, mostly because of its title character. Mind you, my memories will not be good ones.

The first half of the book differs greatly in tone and substance from the second half. The first part reads like a creepy psychological thriller. Then it enters crazy town and the story goes off the deep end with the plot entering the ‘disturbing’ and ‘far-fetched’ arena.

I cannot fathom why the cover art was chosen. Yes, it is a great cover, and gives off a creepy vibe, yet it did not in my opinion have anything at all to do with the book.

The book was narrated in alternate chapters by Lucy and her mother. I really liked Lucy’s character, how she was longing for a stable life. She was scary smart and she loved her pet cat, Allen. Her unorthodox childhood impacted every aspect of her life.

Though fifteen year old Lucy was the real protagonist, the title character Gretchen took the limelight in many ways. Obsessed with jigsaw puzzles and bones, she was a unique character that proved imminently memorable.

With themes of abduction, cults, mental illness, and horror, this novel might not be to everyone’s tastes, but I’m certain those that love it will love it a lot. I was not one of those people…

This was a bonkers, fantastic read. I recommended on Twitter and on Goodreads and gave a blurb to the author.

Wow, this was quite an original psychological thriller! It’s hard to sum up anything without giving anything away. Lucy and her Mom are on the run from…something. They end up renting a little place from a very odd father-daughter duo and things turn a bit crazy after that.

Highly entertaining read that I read in one sitting. I got this from NetGalley before it came out and also on Kindle Unlimited.

Thanks to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for the e-arc I received in exchange for my original and honest opinion. Sorry I read it so late but glad I finally did!

Just WOW! a creepy thriller a read done with a Buddy Read on Instagram. The first part was slow though I’d leave it but thank god i stuck with it.
The beginning was weird had weird characters especially the relationship between mother and daughter it was so strange it made you think are they really but the following parts you found out the truth about everything! It does leave you wondering what happened to a few major characters! I do recommend this book!

Why has it taken me so long to get to this book! This completely took me by surprise by how addicted I was by it, I loved the plot and Lucy as our main character.

I had high hopes for this book but soon came to realize it was more of a YA first person story than the mystery-thriller I was expecting. I stay away from YA and NA books (and a few others) because they are just not my cup of tea. I skimmed a few portions of the book to see if I might enjoy reading it but, alas, did not find anything that grabbed me. I am sorry this was not a good fit for me but rather than putting this into a review that might deter others from reading and loving this book I have opted not to give review on vendor sites. Thank you for the opportunity, though. (DNF)

This was a very strange book. Gretchen was an odd girl and dad was also odd. The add Lucy and her mother and the book was not believable or interesting to me. I think if you don't care about unbelievable and unlikable characters and can accept a far-fetched stoyline you might like this book. Sadly, it was not a book for me.

There was much to enjoy here, but I found I couldn't connect with it. I'd read more from this author in the future though.

This book was just an okay read. Although there were a few twists in it the story overall was quite predictable and did not keep me interested.

Wow, where do I begin? Gretchen is a deliciously dark book with plenty of twists and turns! Thriller bordering on horror, I didn't want to stop reading! Gretchen and her dad make such a creepy team that I absolutely HATED them...BUT that added to the story quite well! I definitely recommend this book if you're looking for that perfect trhiller!

There are so many twists and turns in this book and i loved the characters in this book. So dark and twisted!

This one started out strange and got progressively stranger. Lucy and her mother are on the run, setting up housekeeping in their eleventh state because a stranger seemed to think Lucy had reminded him of someone. It's a blessing to find a landlord who will accept the rent in cash and not ask too many questions, but the man and his daughter have secrets of their own. Lucy has always wanted lasting friendships, but soon she realized that Gretchen is really, really weird and has no respect for personal boundaries.



There's an obvious twist or two, then it snakes and spirals into something I don't think anyone would expect. At about the point where the story got insanely convoluted and twisted, I really found myself getting attached to Lucy and her mother.



It's not quite as good as Method 15/33 by the same author, but if you're in the mood for something weird and suspenseful (and don't require things to be actually plausible) give it a try. Especially if you've got Kindle Unlimited.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Gretchen by Shannon Kirk.

Lucy and her mother have been on the run for as long as Lucy can remember. The minute someone even glances at them a beat too long, they pack their bags and move. Now that Lucy is getting older, her "normal" is starting to seem less and less normal.

So when they settle down again, sharing a home with older and gently spoken piano player, and his eccentric daughter Gretchen, Lucy is desperate to stay. Yes, Gretchen is weird, has no boundaries, and totally creeps Lucy out, but she also has friends, and a new job and she just wants to live a normal life.

Have you ever started reading or watching something and your like...okay...okaaaaaaaay...uuuuh ooooookaaaaaaay...wait...WTF! Yeah, that was this book. One super bizarre turn after the other. And I was here for it. I love being caught off guard, especially when I'm already into a story. It drug just a tiny bit, and got a little messy, but I forgive it because this book was bananas.

Oh my god Gretchen and her dad are soooooo mental and creepy!!!!

I loved this book and storyline and everything about it, I wanted to kill Gretchen myself 😂 and I was honestly sat at some points thinking date I read on as the tension was so bloody strong!

Adored it, more as soon as possible needed!!!!

2.5 stars

I'm so conflicted about this one.
I loved the first 300 pages so, so much. The plot and mystery about Lucy's identity was so intriguing, the plot twist was really surprising, and Gretchen was so. so. creepy.

However, the last 50 pages were so boring I had a really hard time getting through them. I didn't care at all about the relationship between Mother and another character (I don't want to say who, because spoilers), and Mother going around basically being a sneaky spy-type character wasn't interesting at all. I was so disappointed with where the story went-I was hoping for a more supernatural ending, but the ending was just so far out of left field.

I also had a really hard time with the writing. I can't even think of a solid reason of why I didn't jive with it...it was just so clunky and awkward. I think that was intentional, but I just really didn't like it. There were also so many random pop culture references that seemed so out of place, and will date the book so badly in a year (or less).

I would still recommend this, just because the first 2/3 of the book is so good. I think the ending is going to be one that readers either love or hate.

This is one of those reads that is best done in one go. Don't sleep, don't leave the house, just grab a sandwish and a cup of tea and READ. You'll not be disappointed.

Wow, what a read!!!!!! The secrets and twists will keep you glued to this book. I couldn't stop thinking about getting my hands back on it when I had to put it down to do that silly thing we call go to work. Highly recommend anyone who loves psychological thrillers get your hands on a copy of Gretchen.

It took me forever to read this book. It was just not at all what I thought. I was somewhat disappointed with it. It was more of a creepy story than anything. I didn’t like Gretchen at all. To me she was one strange cookie. LOL Just not my kind of book.

While the beginning was very good and I sure thought it was going to be good it fell way short for me.

Thank you #NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for this book. My opinions and my review.

I only give it 2 stars. One of those because I actually finished it. I’m sorry but I just didn’t like this one.

Despite an intriguing concept, this book never quite got off the ground for me. I found the characters unbelievable and the tone-- while at first mysterious-- ultimately irritating. Not for me!