Of course I decided to read this right after another book with an eerily similar plot twist, but it didn't ruin anything for me. In fact, this was definitely the better of the 2 novels. This is actually the first I've read by this author and I'll definitely be reading more. The author cares about each one of his characters and it shows. There were quite a few characters to keep track of, which took me a bit of time, but they were all interesting and unique. The killer in this was definitely not stereotypical, though I still was about to figure it out fairly early on. The thing that I wasn't such a big fan of was the flashback scenes. The entire book you keep going back a year and then forward. I think it would have been better to just show everything all at once at the beginning. Overall, definitely a good read and one that I'd recommend for a good, quick, fun read.

This was my first book by this author, but won’t be my last. It was creepy and mysterious. Rory and Lane head to Westmont Prep school to see if they can figure out why students, involved in a previous attack/murder, are committing suicide. Something feels off to Rory and she must figure it out. I really like her personality with all the quirks.. This book had me hooked from the beginning.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Charlie Donlea has created a superb and engrossing read with The Suicide House. A true page-turner in the vein of Donna Tartt!

I love a prep school mystery! The Suicide House by Charlie Donlea is exactly the kind of creepy, secret society story that fans of mysteries/thrillers will devour. This is my first time reading a book from this author, it won’t be my last.

Synopsis:

Inside the walls of Indiana’s elite Westmont Preparatory High School, expectations run high and rules are strictly enforced. But in the woods beyond the manicured campus and playing fields sits an abandoned boarding house that is infamous among Westmont’s students as a late-night hangout. Here, only one rule applies: don’t let your candle go out—unless you want the Man in the Mirror to find you. . . .

One year ago, two students were killed there in a grisly slaughter. The case has since become the focus of a hit podcast, The Suicide House. Though a teacher was convicted of the murders, mysteries and questions remain. The most urgent among them is why so many students who survived that horrific night have returned to the boarding house—to kill themselves.

Rory, an expert in reconstructing cold cases, is working on The Suicide House podcast with Lane, recreating the night of the killings in order to find answers that have eluded the school, the town, and the police. But the more they learn about the troubled students, the chillingly stoic culprit, and a dangerous game gone tragically wrong, the more convinced they become that something sinister is still happening. Inside Westmont Prep, the game hasn’t ended. It thrives on secrecy and silence. And for its players, there may be no way to win—or to survive. . . .

This was an intense read with multiple POVs in alternating chapters and flashbacks. It took some effort to concentrate and keep it all straight in my mind but it was well worth the mental strain!

Goodreads is running a GIVEAWAY for this book here. Coming out on July 28, pre-order here.

Five stars for an extremely difficult-to-solve mystery, five stars for the return of Rory Moore, five stars for the return of another surprise character, five stars for always having a plethora of women both good and bad, weak and strong.

Charlie Donlea again goes back-and-forth in time to tell this story, and because we're now in the Time of Corona, it was sometimes difficult for me to keep track of where we were. But the book should (in "normal times") hold your complete attention, and if you can just read through in a few days you should have no difficulties. There's a complicated, well-woven plot with a solid red herring thrown in, and no major holes that I noticed.

I love a great story, a gruesome murder, and interesting characters, but I *really* love the game of guessing Who Done It. In this book I was so sure I had guessed the twist, I was SO SURE I had at least narrowed it down to two characters... I mean I was POSITIVE I had figured it out early... but nope, the rug was pulled out from under me again and Charlie Donlea surprised me with a very creepy, terrifying culprit. And Donlea avoids the "Culprit confesses all at the end" by just stirring the confession into the story from the beginning. Splendid!!

If you've never read a Charlie Donlea book, know that even with reappearing characters each book stands on its own and can be read in any order. A special thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I've honestly given 5 stars to all but one of Charlie Donlea's books, and I look forward anxiously for his next one!!

In the case of “The Suicide House” by Charlie Donlea all I can say is wow. We are brought back into the lives of Rory Moore and Lane Phillips. They are drawn to the elite Westmont Preparatory HS where a year ago two students were brutally killed by a teacher. But something does not feel right and Rory, who reconstructs cold cases, gets to work. But could the “game” be too much for even her this time?

This is my third book by Donlea and I am hooked. A definite read. I received an ARC through Net Galley and this is my honest review.

DNF-just couldn't get into the characters. The plot and the author sucked me in, but I got halfway in and realized that I just didn't care to finish it ha. I think it would be great for others, just not for me.

Now THAT was a thriller. A fantastically fast paced, creepy, disturbing, twist filled, compelling thriller. This would be the perfect horror read for an eerie October night, and despite the fact that I didn’t read it in Autumn, I still got the spooky, spine-spine chilling vibes and felt like it was an Autumn night while I was reading.

If you plan on reading this book (and you really really should) then prepare a cup of coffee/tea, or perhaps a snack beforehand, because once you start reading you won’t want to stop until you get the answers to the many mysteries that haunt this book. Settle in and prepare to be equal parts freaked out and mystified!

Seriously, this book has all of the elements needed to make an amazing, edge of your seat thriller/horror story.

A boarding school with dark secrets. A secret society within the school. (What is a boarding school without a secret society, right?) A creepy as hell game played by the students of the school/members of the secret society, called “The Man in the Mirror.” I mean, does the name of the game alone not make your spine tingle just a little? A mysterious, abandoned boarding house deep in the woods of the school grounds, where the society members would go in order to meet and play the ghoulish, macabre game. (And seriously? An abandoned house in the woods? Was anybody else thinking of the beyond creepy house in The Blair Witch Project? Because I was every time the house was ventured to/mentioned in the story.) Disturbing journal entries throughout the story hinting at a very dark history and disturbed individual. Grisly murders at the abandoned house connected to the society, but with a much bigger web than first thought. And suicides (or are they?), all of which take place on a set of train tracks right near the abandoned house in the woods. Seriously, all of the above ingredients made for a fast paced and horrifying reading experience because there is just so much creepiness going on.

The very start of the story is ominous and goosebumps inducing and immediately captures your attention. A student enters the woods in the middle of the night, makes his way to an abandoned boarding house, and horrifying hijinks ensue. A dark, disturbing history is revealed in a private journal entry. And police are called to the scene of a gruesome murder scene at the abandoned boarding house. And that’s all within the prologue! I was immediately gripped, and knew I was in for one hell of a thrill ride. (And a very chilling one at that!)

This book is layered with mystery upon mystery; Mysteries which intertwine, and weave a twisting, harrowing tale. And the deeper you delve, the more sinister it all is.

A large cast of characters are introduced to the story, the mystery of the boarding house murders and suicides is bigger than anyone ever imagined, and there are just so many twists and questions, leaving you to wonder just what the hell is happening, how everything, including all of the characters, are connected together and how its all going to play out.

There are many characters and POVs in this story, and it was a little hard to keep track of who was who at the very start, but that soon fell away the more the characters became involved in the story, and the more that was revealed about them and their relevance to what was happening.

The main characters in the story consist of: A man who runs a popular podcast focused on the tragic happenings at the boarding school. A detective, who was called to the scene of the murders. An investigate journalist who has been following the grisly happenings at the school. A criminal profiler and his partner, who specializes in solving cold cases. They were a very interesting pair, as well as unique and fascinating individuals in their own right, and definitely added more depth to the story. There are also other smaller POV’s thrown into the story, but the characters are still of relevance and so, even if they aren’t one of the main POVs, their perspectives only add to the story instead of taking away from it and are not at all an unnecessary distraction that takes away from the story in any way.

The disturbing journal entries continue throughout the story as well, making you wonder who the author of the journal is, and what part they play in the overall, blood drenched mystery that is happening.

This book. Is. Creepy. As. Hell.

The only thing that was a bit disappointing was the ending, although not terribly so. The build up and the reveals were excellent, but after all of it unfolds, it feels a bit rushed. BUT. It was still a good ending and wrap up over all despite it being just a bit rushed.

This book is a gruesome, harrowing story that will keep you fully engaged and entertained (not to mention horrified) during your entire reading experience. It certainly was all of the above for me, and is also a tale that will stick with me even though i’ve already solved the macabre mystery within.

Definitely recommend, although not for the faint of heart. But if you enjoy creepy thriller novels, then this is definitely the book for you!

This was my first book by Charlie Donlea, but certainly won’t be my last.

A year ago, two students were killed at Westmont Prep. The case has since become the focus of a hit podcast, The Suicide House. Though a teacher was convicted of the murders, mysteries and questions remain. The most urgent among them is why so many students who survived that horrific night have returned to the boarding house to kill themselves. I’ve been listening to true crime & supernatural podcasts so i was hooked with this one. The characters are quirky, my fave is Rory! It’s twisty, suspenseful and creepy everything I expected it to be!

Donlea is fierce!

This was an explosive thriller. I was glued to the pages and I stayed up until the wee hours of the night finishing this book. The pacing was excellent and I could not wait until I finished. I just HAD to know what was going to happen. It is best not to know much going into this.. so I won't reveal anything. All I can say is.. READ IT! You won't be sorry. This is truly a pageturner and a suspenseful one at that.

VERY gripping!

A very good mystery that keeps the pages turning. I like the character, Rory, in fact so much that I looked up those Madden boots she loves to wear:) This is the second book I've read with her as the main character and I enjoy all her quirks and her hobby of restoring dolls. Definitely, worth reading. Author, Charlie Donlea puts out good work that keeps the reader engaged.

I requested this book after so many of my book friends gave such great reviews. This is a great book! I could tell that some of the characters were part of a series, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book at all - in fact, I'll be seeking out the others soon. There are several plotlines the book follows: the 25-year-old former student who held on to bitterness about not being selected for the secret society when he was at prep school; two remaining seniors who survived the horrible night the summer before; the local press reporter who was a bit jealous that a nationally ranked podcaster 'stole' her story; and a former FBI behavioral analyst (and his girlfriend) who is asked to consult on the current 'suicides' of 3 students since the events of the previous summer. The book starts with a counseling session cum diary entry from the murderer's POV. There are no indicators whether this is a man or a woman, young or old. The diary entries continue as a thread throughout the book.
The FBI agent and his girlfriend are continuing characters from another of Mr Donlea's books. It did not matter at all that I hadn't read any of the previous books. It was clear that these two were devoted to each other and fed off each others instincts and energies. The two of them, working with the local police and with the help of the reporter pulled the plotlines together and solved multiple mysteries.
I wasn't sure about the format of the writing at first. Written in the 3rd person, but moving between the perspective of multiple characters was hard to keep track of at first. After awhile, it didn't matter - the story was so engaging, I just kept turning pages until I was done! I would definitely recommend this to my friends and anyone in search of a mystery-thriller

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: July 28, 2020
Every time I see a Charlie Donlea book, I always say “I HAVE to read this one”….then things happen, and I never do. For one reason or another, they always seem to slip by me. I will say one thing right now—this is a mistake I will NOT make again. “The Suicide House” is my first experience with Charlie Donlea, and I’m happy to say that my instincts were right on the mark. Donlea’s novels are works that I need to experience.
There are rumours of a secret society at Westmount Prep School, rumours where an elite group of juniors are selected to participate in an initiation game called Man in the Mirror, where students call on the Man from the spirit world. One summer before their senior year, a group of juniors participated in the game, and it ended in the gruesome and tragic deaths of two of their classmates. When the chemistry teacher is charged for the crime, everyone at Westmount Prep begins to move on. However, it is one year later and now, the remaining students are slowly throwing themselves in front of moving trains, right in the place where their initiation happened. Forensic specialist Rory Moore and her partner, Lane Philipps, are called in to investigate if the tragic deaths are actually suicides, like the police suspect, or if they are tried to the gruesome events that occurred at the abandoned house one year ago.
“The Suicide House” is a stand-alone novel, although Donlea states that there are “Easter eggs” from his other novels throughout. Lane and Rory appear in another novel (“Some Choose Darkness”) of Donlea’s, but it is not necessary to have to have read any of Donlea’s previous works to be able to comprehend this one (I speak from experience!).
This novel is told in two timeframes- the year of the initiation and the following year when the suicides begin to occur. There are many perspectives as well, and a lot of characters. If you can get a handle on who is who quickly enough, it is one heck of a thrill ride.
I love the perspective of the psychologically twisted killer (of course), and I really loved the Temperance Brennan-type character of Rory. Rory absolutely made the novel spectacular. Her experience with Asperger’s and the way she manages her life, is thoughtful and respectful to those on the spectrum, while still providing an honest portrayal.
This novel has short chapters, which helped keep me hooked and invested in the plot from the start, and the alternating perspectives were visibly differentiated, making it very clear who was doing the narrating. I actually thought I had guessed the ending halfway through, and I was thrilled to find out I was wrong (normally, I don’t revel in being wrong. But in this case….). The ending came as a shock and a surprise, yet an enjoyable one.
I am a forever fan of Donlea now, after just one novel. “The Suicide House” is a must-read.

I really enjoyed the story line of this book. It combines a life long serial killer with a college secret society and an urban legend. Couple that with an eclectic cold case guru and her quirky partner and you have a great story line along with memorable characters.
The book was very suspenseful and the story was told quite well. The only thing that is causing it to lose a star for me is the fact it was a little drawn out. I think the story could have moved at a faster pace.

This is the fourth book I've read by Charlie Donlea. And sadly it was my least favorite of all his books. What makes it so disappointing is I loved his previous releases. Unfortunately, this one just didn't grab me.

Everyone wants to be part of the secret club at the exclusive boarding school. It’s up to the current senior members to approve or deny the Juniors’ acceptance. Once voted in, the initiation process begins. But at what cost? What lengths and sacrifices would you be willing to make to belong to this club? How far will you take their secrets?

Rory and Lane are two characters that I've become quite fond of. I watched them develop through the previous books and looking forward to seeing how their characters would blossom in this latest. But the same magic from this duo fell rather flat.

I will continue to be a huge fan of this author and will definitely be reading more of his future work in the future. Just not a match for me this time.

A buddy read with Susanne that left us both a bit underwhelmed.🙁

Thank you to NetGalley Kensington Books for an ARC to read and review.

Westmont Prep High School - an elite boarding school in Indiana harboring some big secrets. When a group of selected students join the initiation for a top-secret cult led by upperclassmen, those secrets unleash horrifying murders and suicides. The murderer was caught, supposedly. But why the suicides?

Popular podcasts have kept the murders in the news, especially since the spate of suicides involving students have occurred. Rory Moore, forensic re-constructionist along with her work colleague and life partner, serial profiler Lane Phillips, are called to assist with research on the podcast. And the fun begins.

The Suicide House is a wonderful, suspenseful whodunit which kept me wondering throughout. There were so many possibilities and red herrings tossed out by the author, Charlie Donlea. To be fair, the red herrings all contributed to the conclusion, but never in the way I thought they would. There's nothing better than a book that surprises you throughout, all the way to the end. This one definitely did that!

The book is a stand-alone, but its predecessor, Some Choose Darkness, which I can't wait to read, apparently introduces the character of Rory, and gives some background as to her unique character, including her obsessive-compulsive disorder and possible placement on the autism spectrum. I found her character fascinating, especially her obsession with restoring antique dolls. Although some might wonder why this element is even part of the story, I found a parallel between her restoration and reconstruction of broken dolls from the past, and her reconstruction of cold cases, fitting pieces together to make sense of them again.

This was my first Charlie Donlea book, but it won't be my last.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

5 creepy stars!

Rory Moore and Lane Philips enter into a world where young people have died tragically by throwing themselves in the path of an oncoming train after an initiation ritual at their prestigious high school goes disastrously awry. These two characters, first introduced in his book Some Choose Darkness form the background of ferreting out what exactly is occurring as certain students are chosen to join a secret club if they pass the man in the mirror test. The initiation takes place in an old abandoned house on both the winter and summer solstice, that once was home to the teachers in the school, but is now deserted. It lay next to railroad tracks and these tracks become the place where students have thrown their lives away.

As in most initiations, there is hazing and cruelty, and the gauntlet being thrown down as to how one can gain entrance to this most sought out secretive club. Teachers are usually the butt of pranks and one teacher in particular has been designated as the patsy for the kids initiation rites.

Things go disturbingly wrong and the students who were privy to a night where two students were massacred, hold a secret, a terrible conspiracy that threatens their very lives. As the deaths mount, Rory and Lane try to ferret out what exactly is happening. These two are wonderfully developed characters, Rory, being not only a forensic reconstructionist, but also autistic. Somehow she is the pivotal character equipped to see what other don't. Lane, is the ying to her yang and he analyzes serial killers. As we follow all the characters, there emerges the idea that one among them is a cold blooded killer and it's probably not the man who was convicted of the crime.

Fast paced, engrossing and compelling, this story will keep the reader fully engaged in the tragedy that unfolds. It's certainly was for me, a fascinating and riveting story. Definitely recommend this one and now onto more Donlea books for this reader!

Thank you to Charlie Donlea, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for a copy of this gripping book due out June 28, 2020.

I tried, but the writing didn't capture me and I quit around chapter 20. Nothing about the story or the characters pulled me in. Not for me.

Two students enter a dilapidated old house on a dare.
A disturbing history is revealed in a private journal.
Police are called to a grisly scene near a prestigious prep school.

Holy Moly…and we’re off! Three distinct & creepy threads make up a prologue that immediately grabs your attention & fills your head with 100 questions. Who are these people, are the events related, what the hell just happened…..there, I got you started.

We soon realize everything revolves around an horrific event in Peppermill, Indiana during the summer of 2019. That’s where you’ll find Westmont Preparatory H. S., a prestigious academy that takes in teens & spits them out 4 years later, polished & ready for uni. On the summer solstice, a group of students made their way to an old manor house on school grounds. Most returned home. Two did not.

Detective Henry Ott was called to the scene & although a local man was eventually convicted of murder, he’s never been able to let go of what he saw that night. One year later, several of the students returned to the area & one by one committed suicide. Despite the school’s efforts to hush up the whole mess, the cases are currently the topic of a hugely popular podcast & true crime website.

And that’s when criminal profiler Dr. Lane Phillips & his partner Rory Moore get involved. We were introduced to them in Some Choose Darkness & they’re an interesting pair. Rory usually consults with the Chicago P.D. She has a unique ability to recreate a crime scene & “see” what others missed. Rory falls somewhere on the autism spectrum & although she lacks social skills, her eidetic memory & obsessive need for detail means she’s a rock star in the world of cold case solves.

The book has an interesting format that serves the multiple story lines very well. Rory & Lane are key characters but they share narrating duties with several others in alternating chapters. This means you gradually get the low down on what happened in 2019 as events in current day unfold. It effectively builds tension as what you learn about the original case begins to inform Rory & Lane’s investigation. And it’s obvious pretty damn quick that someone would rather they stop digging & put Peppermill in their rearview mirror.

After reading the previous book, I knew this was a series I’d follow. One of the reasons is the intriguing MC’s & their relationship. Lane is a smart & driven man who accepts Rory & all her personal tics as is. As for Rory, I enjoy watching how her brain picks away at a puzzle. The author portrays her as completely self aware, someone who has learned how to channel the “gift” she’s been given in order to function. Her hobby of restoring antique dolls is particularly poignant as the meticulous care she puts into fixing their broken bodies mirrors the effort it takes for her to manage her life.

But the other reason I knew I’d be back is the author’s ability to spin a compelling story that keeps you reading. As each thread progresses, connections are made & the reader begins the game of name-that-killer. I was keeping my eye on a couple of candidates but it wasn’t ’til the final pages that i knew their identity. At some points we know more than Rory & this adds nicely to the tension that culminates in a creepy finale. A bonus for faithful fans are cameos by several characters from previous books. If Moore/Phillips #3 is on the way, I’m all in.

So, despite how excited I was to read this, some parts fell slow and flat for me. I loved the plot of this book though. As a fan of anything dealing with serial killers and thrillers, it was still a pretty good book.

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