I'm not quite sure how to rate this book. The premise was a very interesting one but , for me anyway, the narrative dragged considerably at the beginning - then it picked up the pace somewhat. It was very weird and to be honest I wasn't invested in the characters. Writing style was good though it was macabre and dark. It wasn't what I was expecting having read the blurb but I did manage to finish it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A fantastically dark page-turner!!

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

IF you like reading diary books, and enjoy serial killers you might find this interesting. Ruby was quite the interesting character. She was definitely a recluse, and her favorite color was red. Hmm... I wonder why... ;-)

I liked this book, although it's not a page turner for me. I would read a 4-5 entries and then stop. I needed time to think about what I read. But, mostly because it's a diary, and I stop and want to turn back to see what date I'm on, but I refrained (most of the time). That's a memory thing for me, and I didn't want to take the time to write them down.

The age of Ruby versus some of the words she wrote in the diary were a bit of a distraction sometimes. I think because some of them seemed like she should be older, but she was abnormal, so I let it go. Her point of view is interesting as she grows older. I kept reading it because I wanted to find out how it ended. I wanted to see if she too started her own garage "game", or if she refrained. I won't give away the ending in this review. Sorry, you'll have to read it to find out for yourself. :-)

Thank you to Netgalley, and L.A. Detwiler for allowing me to read this book for my honest review.

To say this book was disturbing would be an understatement. I couldn't really sympathize with the characters because they were so sick and twisted but that being said I couldn't wait to hear about ruby and her father's next night. It was definitely worth reading! Thank you netgalley

An odd book. And not in a good way. I did not finish this book. I feel like other books exist like this and movies. I didn't feel wowed by it.

I enjoyed how this book was written from the child’s point of view as a journal. Unique read and very interesting!

A dark but captivating book. A unique inside look into the mind of a serial killers daughter told through her diary entries. The author really goes deep into the mind and thoughts of Ruby. If you loved the show Dexter, I think this book is for you.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for ARC.

Wow.. this book..

If you are interested in stories following serial killers and the crazy, mind-boggling worlds they see themselves in, you NEED to read this thriller! 

We follow the main character who starts out as a young girl who's father has more secrets than she ever realized. 

This is told in the form of diary entries which escalate as she grows older. It's the perfect inside scoop on how an environment forms a person's personality from such a young age. The author does a tremendous job in exploring the mindset of not only someone in that situation but of a growing child year after year. 

It has everything that I would love to see formed into a movie, and the psychological bond the characters have just blows me away. This book is such a different take than we typically see in this genre.

A 5 out of 5 star thriller if there ever was one!

If you enjoy anything crime related, you're in for a treat. I enjoyed this book a lot. It is very dark so it may not be suitable for everyone. Reading Ruby's diary, through the eyes of a child, was intense. Reading about her dad and the things she saw? So good.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for letting me review this read!

Synopsis:

Ruby is a daddy’s girl through and through. She was raised by her father after her mother died when she was two. Her father tries to give Ruby all she needs but there is a darkness inside him. A darkness Ruby witnesses when she watches her father kill. Ruby becomes obsessed and fascinated with these killings and the methodical way her father works. But when secrets about her own life begin to unfold, she has to chose between standing by or betraying the only man who has ever loved her.

Review:
I have to say, the title of this book had my interest instantly, it sounded exactly the kind of read I would be into. Then after reading the intriguing synopsis, I could not wait to get started! The book had mixed reviews and I was eager to make up my own judgement- and I was not disappointed!

I enjoyed how the book was written as a diary and from the first entry I had chills. Especially as I was also reading from a child’s perspective that gives the book an eerie feeling. When I read the diary entries of Ruby witnessing the murders, my stomach honestly gave a little twist, despite knowing this was just fiction. I was honestly left feeling quite scared for Ruby and her well-being.

The story to me felt quite disturbing at times, especially when you can see the physiological impact the father is having on the daughter. I felt it quite tense that stories of evil were being told through an innocent’s child’s voice and you can see the darkness creeping in. Some of the disturbing behaviour shown by Ruby was quite sickening at times and you just knew this would build up to something.

The author did a fantastic job at highlighting sensitive issues that go on in our society today. Bullying (which was quite saddening in places), self-harm and mental health was all addressed in this and it was not sugar coated which gives quite a powerful message.

I was reluctant to put this gripping book down despite it being a very dark read and I felt that throughout I was left with questions I wanted answering. It was gripping and brought to light the battle between good and evil. Despite guessing and expecting what events would unfold, it was still chilling which highlights how powerful this read is. Honestly, this is a thriller that thrills, the book does its job!

I chose this book because I really love the voyeurism of reading someone's diary...but this one was a bit too disturbing for me. I just couldn't get past the first few diary entries. Just not my cup of tea subject-wise, though I thought it was well written and enjoyed Detwiler's writing style. Sorry, did not finish but am thankful for the opportunity to preview.

Thank you NetGalley and LA Detwiler for the opportunity to read the ARC of The Diary of a Serial Killer's Daughter.
This certainly was a different read, it was written in diary form by a girl who's father is a serial killer. The diary starts when Ruby is the young age of five and she discovers that her daddy has a secret. Ruby is described as a child with a condition, she likes to be by herself, does not like to be hugged or touched, she knows her daddy loves her. She has not had her mother since she was two.
Through reading this novel or diary, we learn of Ruby's father's killings. Ruby sneaks out to watch when her father arrives home late at night when he thinks she is sleeping.
Ruby obviously is a sick and twisted child who grows up believing what she sees her father doing is normal and ok and she does her best to protect him
I recommend this book if you are ok with some gruesome details and unfortunate twisted ways that some people have. I found certain parts a little unrealistic when reading Ruby's journal entries, but overall a good book.

The Diary of a Serial Killer's Daughter presents a unique perspective of a character raised by a serial killer. I liked this book a lot, my only gripe is that this felt repetitive and slow at the start. Nonetheless, it was fascinating to see the characters and how they developed. While a few more things about this book bothered me, I'm glad I picked this up, because this gave me so much to think about! The tone of this book is dark & creepy; it gets really suspenseful towards the end and has the ability to make you squirm uncomfortably.

Ruby Marlowe is a lonesome girl who's only friend in the world is her daddy. Raised by a single parent, Ruby comes to worship her father and admire him to a great extent. Unknown to her father, Ruby has witnessed him kill and dismember many women in his garage. Ruby's fascination with her dad and the 'garage game' that he plays mounts over the years as she secretly watches him murder many women. Unlike everyone else, Ruby's fascination with the color red leaves her wishing for her dad to play the 'garage game' more often. As she grows up, she must decide if she wants a different life for herself and betray the only person who has ever loved her, or will she get wrapped up in his sinister path?

It took me a long time to finish this book because the early chapters of Ruby's diary entries were repetitive and there was not much new information being revealed. I also found it very hard to reconcile with the fact that Ruby had such a great vocabulary at such a young age. A child, even a well-read one, using terms like 'belligerent' don't make the entries feel genuine. But aside from these, the premise of the book was very good. I found myself turning the pages despite everything. If you can get past the first few chapters, this is one very good book!

Thank You, NetGalley & L.A. Detwiler for an arc!

This was such a unique read, as the premise alone was so different from anything else I have read! Ruby's dysfunctional relationship with her father after discovering that he is a serial killer had me hooked. Ruby's mother died when she was 2, so her father is her only surviving parent. The dilemma becomes one of loyalty to the parent that is still alive and the repulsion at what he is doing. It is an internal battle that was interesting to read play out. This was a great read!

I happen to like most books that are written in the form of a diary. This when I was about 10 years old and I am always on the lookout for good books in this genre.
This diary is... something else. I was immediately engrossed in the story because of the excellent way the author used the voice of a young girl. A girl 'with a condition' as her parents and teachers say. A weird girl, as her school mates say. But actually, a girl that just sees the world in a different way. Ruby loves simple things, and an orderly life, and she hates noise and unexpected happenings. So, lots of people could agree with her, you'd think. But then: Ruby knows of a secret her father has, a strange hobby, a hobby that gives her pleasure to look at because of all the beautiful colors and patterns.
We soon understand that this hobby is quite gruesome. And what's more gruesome, Ruby thinks she could help her father, make beautiful patterns just like he does. The older she gets, the more she understands, but not the way we would understand.
A great read and I would have loved to give it the full five stars, except that I thought the end not as good as the rest of the book and frankly, a bit rushed.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for this digital review copy.

Imagine seeing your daddy commit the most horrendous murders. With obvious glee in his face. And you have the opportunity to record all of this in your special diary.... What a thrilling read! Can't wait to read some more by this author! Recommended.

I liked how the main character, Ruby, was written as different from other people and how the diary entries were able to convey that through the way they were written. The writing was smooth and the plot had some moments of suspense. I thought that the book could have used some twists to help amp up the atmosphere. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this via NetGalley and the publisher.

This was a very quick, intriguing read, and only took me a few days.
This story is the diary of a very young Ruby Marlowe, and follows her father's killing spree throughout the years into her teens. I held my breath every time she got close to being caught watching him. Would he have hurt her too? Or did he realize she was watching and enjoyed having an audience? This question was never really answered, but with his temper, you kind of wondered, especially the part where he caught her reading one of his books about poison. He hated even his own daughter invading his personal space, but with him telling her the garage was "dangerous" to keep her away, he should have known the older she got, the more curious she would become.
Ruby ended up being a very well developed character. You could feel her personality leap from the pages. She was definitely an extrovert (so am I), and was constantly bullied because she was different (I was bullied in school too, simply because I was shy and wouldn't speak up). I won't ruin the book, but I could definitely feel empathy for certain scenes in which the bullying went to the extreme. It was easy to put myself into her shoes during those times, but the difference is, she thought it was okay to be like her dad and hurt others. His evil definitely runs through her veins. Most people would not go to this extreme to defend themselves.
What I did not like about this book, what happened to her mother was highly predictable, like no one would have seen it coming.
Overall, great book! Thanks for a pleasant read NetGalley.

When I first requested this book I thought it was a memoir for some reason. Once I started it, it became obvious it wasn't but I was still intrigued.

The book is written in diary form. It is the diary of Rose who is "special". She attends school with normal kids but doesn't like to talk to kids and be touched. It never stAtes it in the book but I am assuming she's autistic. Her talent is writing which she enjoys so her dad gives her a diary to keep all her secrets and write her feelings. Little does he realize she's writing his secrets.

As Ruby ages, she realizes her daddy who she loves more than anyone is a serial killer. She will do anything to protect him even if it means killing herself.


Thank you netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rather a unique thriller that flows quickly. Ruby is a daddy's girl and wants to be around him all the tiime, even to the point of watching daddy with the girls in the barn through a hole in the wall. Written in diary form it holds your attention too see what this does to Ruby.