A fast paced thriller with a good narrative that sustains the interest of the reader despite the predictable conclusion. The middle one third slows down and the intention of the father is unclear. 4 stars

The writing was good, but the story was lacking. There were no surprises really with respect to what occurred in the past since it was pretty much spelled out who the main character was afraid of. Also, she is kind of an idiot to write a book that mirrored what happened in the past that involves a murder, and for her to realize that later and try to change the details made me lose some respect for her.

Spoiler alert:


[ I thought it would have been better if her and her sister got rid of their father, who really is the source of most of their problems (and obviously, the sister needed some psychiatric help). Instead, she ended up killing her sister, exactly how her father wanted her to. I also figured out that the son killed the father pretty early on. Also not that much of a twist.

This was the first book which I have read from this author. It was an enjoyable quick read. There was enough mystery and suspense to keep the reader interested. This is a book that I would recommend to others.

This is not a mystery, but still nonetheless a thriller. What makes this story so mesmerizing is not the plot itself, as the plot was revealed very early on in the book. The bigger-than-life characters are what make this story so unique and intriguing. I know Logan is a minor character and yet his booming attitude and take charge personality is what drew me to the story and make me stay. As the main character, Rose's personality is meek compared to her father and sister. The ending was not to my satisfaction. There were many unanswered questions. I'm completely fine with an open ending, but Cora's character carried the story along and yet was seriously under-developed.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rose is recently widowed, and she and her son return home to stay with her estranged father. Rose falls under suspicion because her husband died similarly to a murder featured in her last novel. During the investigation, the reasons why Rose left home to start with begin to unfold.

This book was a little choppy, with very short chapters and alternating narrators. It made it hard to get into it in the beginning, but eventually I got used to the pace.

Overall, I'd say this was a good story but not great. The family drama was a little over the top. While the twist was predictable, it was still satisfying to read.

Thank you to @netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first Carter Wilson novel. I really enjoyed it – it was fast paced and had lots of unexpected twists and turns. I quickly got hooked on the story. I found myself unable to put it down as I was intrigued by the mystery and wanted to find out what happened next. I will definitely be picking up more of his books.

Thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Carter Wilson for the opportunity to review this ARC. This review and all opinions are my own.

This is a pretty good domestic thriller. It's my first book by Carter Wilson and I am really impressed with his writing. I also appreciate the dark and disturbing quality to the story and the commitment to that tone throughout.

My main critique would be the length. I feel like the long length invites too much repetition of events, thus losing their effect and diminishing the ‘suspense’ aspect of the book.

But overall, an entertaining read!

Rose Yates left her hometown of Bury, NH behind after a tragedy occurred twenty two years ago. Now having lost her husband to suicide she and her son Max move from Milwaukee back to Bury to live with her domineering father whom she is not close with and to come to terms with a past that has left her riddled with guilt.

This book lacked the suspense and intrigue I was looking for. First of all, this book is too long. I do not believe that any psych thriller needs to be 400 + pages. What ends up happening is that we have many pages of dizzy spells and panic attacks. Rinse and repeat. By the 80% mark I just wanted this story to wrap up. This is a rather straight up story. Everything you think is happening, is. Everyone you think is guilty, is. There is one little twist at the end that may take some by surprise but I found it rather lackluster, not to mention unbelievable, giving the 400 pages it took to get there.

TW: Animal Killings.

This all sounds negative, I know, and while I didn't enjoy the story or the lack of editing I can't deny that Wilson is a good writer. I will definitely pick up another book by him and for that I'll add a star. 3 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for granting me my *wish* to read this arc.

This is my first Carter Wilson novel, and overall, I was impressed.

This fellow can write...his prose is so smooth and concise, it was a pleasure to read. The story was fast-paced and entertaining, alternating between two points of view, those of Rose (whose husband died under suspicious circumstances), and Colin (the detective looking into his case). I enjoyed reading about the town of Bury, New Hampshire. I found it to be atmospheric...a very appropriate setting for this story.

Unfortunately, I did figure out the major twist very early on..around the 20% mark of the book. So that was a bummer. And worse, there are a couple instances of animal torture/death, which deducted half a star from my final rating. Instead of four, this novel gets 3.5 stars.

I will definitely read more of Wilson's work in the future, and if the trigger warning mentioned above isn't an issue for you, I'd definitely recommend this novel.

Available May 4, 2021

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my review copy.

I have read and adored all of Wilson's books, but this one I think is my favorite! I may have let out a small gasp when my "wish" was granted for this ARC (husband and daughter called me a Book Nerd...yep, I embrace that)! Yes, it is dark, graphic, and visceral as it portrays violence, abuse, and murder; but if you've read his others you know he handles it with a side of heartwarming scenes as well (especially between mother and son). Rose returns to her hometown with son Max as they navigate the sudden death of husband and father, Riley. But because she writes mystery novels, she falls under suspicion as one of her books mirrors the death of her own husband. Now she must deal with her controlling and strong-willed father as well as her often unstable sister, Cora. I appreciate how Wilson is able to write from a female perspective (and get it right)! Many themes are addressed here: how the past (the dead) influences the future (the living)--reminiscent of Hitchcock to me--buried secrets, grief, and bullying. Wilson has an incredibly wry and subtle use of humor that comes through Rose and I loved that there was a "teaser" at the end of each chapter that keeps building the suspense that never wanes. Ultimately, this is a book about how far you would go to protect your family but I also liked how he
doesn't tie up the ending in a neat little bow; life is messy sometimes, yes? This is one of those not to be missed!

Would recommend this book. I enjoy the mystery of the book. Defined will read more by this author. Always awesome to read a new author. Thank you

Thanks NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Carter Wilson for an early copy to review.
One of those books where I am asking myself, ok it seems - and I emphasis upon the it seems part- that I as a reader knows most of the facts, who killed who, why and everything..and yet I keep reading, more accurately racing through the book to reach the ending just to find out this brilliant ending!
I loved the most Rose's character with its different layers and her author personality analyzing and creating scenes in her head all the time even in very dangerous situations. All the characters are flawed, some more than the others gravely.
Rose returns to her home town after the death of her husband due to an unfortunate mix between drugs and alcohol. She hopes to face the past's demons and maybe have a fresh start with her son.
Whether she'll have this new start or face new demons, that's the question.
lots of conflicted opinions and ethical dilemmas you would be facing, Is it ok to sympathize with this character or should I condemn him/her? Being in their shoes wouldn't you do the same actions?
I highly recommend it for a full ride of unexpected outcome, not what you think..a very uncomfortable sad book indeed with a maybe hopeful ending, who knows?
I am excited I found out the writer has yet 6 other books for me to hunt :)

One of the best thrillers I've read in years! Rose, a writer of murder books, returns home to her family home after the sudden death of her husband. From there, a world opens up of deceit, mental illness, and buried family secrets. I loved it!

The premise of the book is great and the author really delivers. Great read. Highly recommended. .

I love this fast paced thriller is it left me on the edge of my seat until the last page. Wilson always keeps me guessing. This is going to be on the best books of the year. I highly recommend it.