This was such a creepy yet totally captivating debut from Williams! I was immediately intrigued by this one - a serial killer and a cult commune?! Yes please! Fans of true crime will enjoy this dark and twisted read!

I enjoyed the multiple POVs, the alternating timelines and I really relished in the chilling and eerie atmospheric aspects. The sinister and spooky fairytale stories were also extremely spellbinding!

Ultimately it was a compelling yet disturbing read that I flew through!

A very dark and chilling tale that merges modern-day fairytales, A Dark and Secret Place by Jen Williams will make you as yourself, "How well do I really know my family?"
Thank you Crooked Lane Books for my #partner copy! This marketing package still one of my favorites yet.
Every single thing about this story was creepy. Heather discovers her late mother had been secretly corresponding with a serial killer in prison. Once his MO starts to reappear on present-day victims, Heather is determined to find out if the killer is still on the loose and what did her mother really know?
What I liked: the chill factor. There are parts that I honestly had to read with the light on. The murders in this story are absolutely terrifying, and the fact that they kept happening while the killer is in jail is scary. I also really like the retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairytales. So many of today's Disney fairytales are actually based on scary folklore which I find fascinating.
What didn't work for me: the animal abuse. I know that it is a scientific fact that actual serial killers usually/always start abusing animals when they are young. These actions were hard for me to read. But I will admit - it definitely set the scene for the book.
TW: suicide and animal abuse (specifically birds and cats)

A Dark and Secret Place is a twisty standalone thriller in which fantasy writer Jen Williams turns her hand to crime writing and poses the question: what would you think if your mother had been corresponding with a brutal serial murderer for many years? Disgraced journalist Heather Evans and her mother Colleen have been estranged for a long time and haven't spoken in close to two decades, so returning to her childhood home is quite the shock. However, it isn't anywhere near as baffling and inexplicable as her mother, someone who had seemingly never been diagnosed with depression or mental health issues, committing suicide suddenly. When Heather first arrives she finds a note bizarrely addressed: "To you both," despite the fact that Heather is an only child. As she mourns her loss, she decides to look for answers as to who the enigmatic other person is who Colleen referred to in the letter believing they must be important and what she discovers astounds her. She is chilled by the huge cache of letters going back decades from notorious convicted serial killer Michael Reave, aka The Red Wolf, a friend of Colleen's from a commune popular in the 70s known as Fiddler's Mill and who carried out a series of ritualistic killings in which he removed the women's hearts before adorning their bodies with flowers.

She has a lot of unanswered questions, but when the bodies of new victims are found with the same eerie modus operandi as Reave's her questions multiply. Reave has claimed his innocence since the very beginning but could it really be true? The copycat seems to have meticulously studied Reaves' apparent crimes and investigator DI Ben Parker asks Heather to pay Reave a visit in jail. However, although he agrees to see her and talk, he doesn't appear interested in helping the case. Can she get to the bottom of why her mother killed herself, Reave and Colleen's relationship and who is behind the targeting of new victims before another person perishes? This is a compulsive and thoroughly addictive thriller and the story Williams spins is packed full of twists and suspense. It's creepy, disturbing and so atmospheric, but be warned it isn't for the faint of heart or those who enjoy less graphic, ominous crime as it is rather nausea-inducing at times, which is testament to the author's skill. The sense of foreboding starts almost immediately and grows as the narrative progresses never letting up for even a second. Well written and quick-paced, it is told from Heather and Reave's perspectives connecting past and present seamlessly. And watch out for the explosive, stomach-churning ending.

I found the book to be fun and crazy. It was just a fun read/listen (I took turns doing both) though I preferred to read it myself because the narration was often hard to follow when characters changed. A daughter returns to her mother's home after her suicide to try to settle her estate and answer her questions about why her mother would kill herself. Her mother's home is surrounded by strange characters, as you would expect. Interspersed with the present are flashbacks to the childhood and early adulthood of Michael, a convicted serial killer. Why was Heather's mother corresponding with Michael? And does it have anything to do with her suicide? That's then basis of the story.

From my blog: Always With a Book:

As soon as this book was pitched to me, I knew it was something I wanted to read…and I’m so glad I did. I really liked it, as dark and chilling as it was.

As crazy as this sounds, I love books about serial killers. I just cannot get enough of them and this one really kept me on my toes. I loved the idea that Heather had no idea her mother had been corresponding with a serial killer and upon further investigation, might have even closer ties to him. The book moves aback and forth from the present to the past and I loved that it really keeps things mysterious as to how everything is going to come together in the end.

While I had some guesses, and did figure a few things out before they were revealed, I still found this book to be full of surprises and suspense. It is such an atmospheric read and I really loved how the author works in the fairy tale component – not the Disney versions, but rather the dark, disturbing versions. It definitely adds to the creepiness of the overall book and I loved it!

I might not have agreed with all the character’s decisions – a few times I thought Heather made some questionable choices – but overall, I did like the characters and I found the book to be quite engaging and very readable. It was one that once I started reading, I had a very hard time putting down. I loved dark and disturbing books and if you do, too – definitely give this one a try!

I received a free electronic ARC of this interesting thriller from Netgalley, Jen Williams, and Crooked Lane Books. I have read A Dark and Secret Place of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend Jen Williams to friends and family who enjoy thrillers and horror tales - this is a combination of both, with a little bit of fairy tale thrown in as well.

The premise of this novel sucked me in and I must admit that although I generally set horror of this magnitude aside I was compelled to finish this one. Heather Evans is an ex-reporter who was fired from her last newspaper and is trying to make a go of it as an independent journalist. Her relationship with her mother was never good and she left home at 16 years old, shortly after the death of her Dad. She is an only child and is called home on her mother's unexpected suicide. Colleen Evans was basically her only relative and though there was a sad, bad history between them, Heather must do the right thing and handle the funeral and sorting out her mother's home.

Which she can handle, despite the unexpected sorrow she feels when coming across things that her mother treasured. Until she unearths twenty-five years of letters addressed to her mom, letters sent by Michael Reave. The Red Wolf. It was a name recognized by almost everyone, especially in Lancashire and Manchester - a name synonymous with serial murder in England. Michael Reave wrote frequently to Colleen, from prison for most of those years, many of them years when Heather's Dad was still alive and the center of their family. And it was obvious that Colleen was writing back, asking questions he answered, sharing memories from their youth. Though she obviously never mentioned her husband or daughter.

Heather cannot help but follow through on this information, find out what her mother could have had in common with a man who murdered so many many women. Share these letters with the police, see if there is a connection between Michael Reave and the currently busy copycat serial killer working in Lancashire and environs now. Perhaps she might then find out enough about Colleen to understand her better. And she shutters to think of how Michael Reave might fit into her own family tree...

I so enjoyed this that I read it in one sitting! Jen Williams gives us a sinfully good story with twists and turns and that keep you on the edge of your seat. Job well done!

A Dark and Secret Place is a psychological thriller. A daughter discovers her mother’s secret after she dies that turns her world upside down. The book is very twisted and had me guessing how this story would end.

Fairy tales! Serial killers! Cults! Oh my!

A Dark and Secret Place is packed full of grim details. It begins with a horrific scene from the past and then brings us into the present, as Heather Evans returns to her childhood home to pack up and make funeral arrangements after her mother’s shocking suicide. While going through her mom’s belongings, she discovers that her mother had been in correspondence with an imprisoned serial killer for years. As Heather’s questions increase, so does the body count. A copycat killer has surfaced and Heather might hold the key to unlocking his identity.

Jen Williams definitely knows how to write creepiness. The imagery she created in this book was vivid and chilling. I had to pause to chew on certain lines, as I was so impressed by how palpable those moments of shock and terror were.

I thought the story maintained a steady level of suspense throughout and I loved the complexities of the narrative. Williams tackled a lot in one novel, but I found that she managed all of the topics well. Having so much to process made this all the more engrossing for me and the bits of humor in the dialogue helped break up the seriousness of it all, making the characters feel more realistic.

I would have loved to have seen this explore Heather’s grief a bit more. Her complicated relationship with her now deceased mother created an excellent opportunity for a layer of emotional depth, but the author seemed to only scratch at the surface with this aspect. I really appreciate thrillers that capture both fear and brokenness, but I was still pleased that the first component was so well conveyed.

You can absolutely expect characters who make foolish decisions in this one and you might find yourself yelling at Heather and Ben (the detective) throughout the book. They won’t listen. I still enjoyed the story, despite this, and it wasn’t until the last few chapters, as all of the reveals surfaced, that my positive feelings about the book began to dissipate. The ending didn’t really work for me and that was rather disappointing after being so immersed in the rest of the story.

If considering this, you should know that the book is, at times, brutally detailed in how the victims were killed and how their bodies were laid out. It also includes a chapter of animal torment. It isn’t graphic, but it is disturbing. And, obviously, there is talk of Heather’s mother’s suicide.

Although the ending didn’t meet my expectations, there was so much that I did enjoy in this propulsive novel and I’m not sad that I read it! After looking at her previous works, I discovered that Jen Williams is typically a fantasy writer. I hope she’ll venture into this world of terror and thrill again in the future and, if she does, I’ll definitely be picking up the book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I am immensely grateful to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for my digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

A Dark and Secret Place will be out tomorrow! (6/8/21)

This is a story about how well we think we know our loved ones... until we look in the attic.

This was a solidly atmospheric thriller. I appreciated the exploration of grief and complex family dynamics,. I would’ve appreciated more time spent in the prison visitation setting, but I think the pacing was solid as is.

Thank you NetGalley & Crooked Lane books for this eARC!

Beware of the Red Wolf!

Heather returns home after her mother shockingly commits suicide. Hidden in a tin, she finds letters from convicted serial killer, Michael Reave, known as The Red Wolf. Why was her mother writing to him? What was she hiding about her past? What could have happened to cause her so much pain that she would take such drastic measures to end her life? While conducting her own investigation and interviewing Reave, Heather finds suspicious notes left for her. Who is leaving the notes and what do they know? Is Heather in danger? She must figure out her connection to the Red Wolf before it’s too late.

A Dark and Secret Place is part fairytale complete with monsters and magic and part serial killer thriller, filled with suspense and mystery. Williams expertly weaves between both genres without compromising the integrity of the book and losing the reader along the way. She slowly lays breadcrumbs for the reader to follow Heather on her journey to finding out her mother’s connection to a convicted serial killer. While I had an inkling as to what was going on, I didn’t figure out how all of the pieces ultimately fit together. Kudos to Williams for pulling one over on me! This is a solid thriller that will also appeal to those who enjoyed Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone.

Jen Williams is a new author to me and I really enjoyed her writing.

4/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Publishing for the ARC of A Dark and Secret Place by Jen Williams in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, Jen Williams, NetGalley, and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book that hits shelves on June 8th, 2021!

A Dark and Secret Place by Jen Williams is an eerie book filled with cults, serial killers, and a mystery! Heather comes home for the first time in quite a few years. She and her mother always have had a difficult relationship and Heather never really understood why. Now she is home, after her mother’s suicide and she has more questions than ever. While going through her mother’s home, she discovers a letter from her mother to a serial killer who has been in prison for years and is called the Red Wolf. However, he has always professed his innocence. She thought these letters could answer some questions about her mother but then a body is discovered and it is similar to the Red Wolf murders. Now the letters could help in the capture of the copycat, but could it put Heather in danger as well?

Trigger Warnings: Suicide, Murder, Abuse, Cults

There is something just so thrilling about a serial killer story forged with the gruesome Grimm fairytales. This book gave some Little Darlings written by Melanie Golding vibes–a book which I loved! There is so much to unpack in this thriller. The book jumps back and forth between two timelines. The present and the past when Heather’s mother met the Red Wolf. The only issue is that it wasn’t a smooth transition, but it really shines a light on why her mother was so closed off from her daughter and it also provides a spectacular twist at the end!

One complaint that I saw was the inclusion of fairytales. That actually made me appreciate the book even more! I studied fairytales in college and the early tales are particularly dark and not sunshine and rainbows like the tales we are familiar with now. I thought it was particularly clever that they are a huge part of the cult.

The book keeps a fantastic pace. The interviews between Heather and the Red Wolf felt like a scene out of Criminal Minds. There are moments where the readers are as unnerved as Heather is! Overall, it was a fantastic read, I rate it 4 out of 5 stars!

Creepy killer fans, assemble! Michael Reave is here to haunt us in A Dark And Secret Place.
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC for review.
Reave was a neglected and traumatized child, and grew up to be a serial killer known as the Red Wolf.
Upon the death of her mother Colleen, former journalist Heather Evans discovers letters indicating she and Reave were friends/pen pals while he was in prison.
Heather arranges for visits with him in prison to determine the origin of the relationship with her mother. Meanwhile, a killer is targeting women in the same manner as Reave. Has the Red Wolf inspired new killings?
There are some dark and scary moments in this book, so this is for seasoned thriller lovers for sure! Some of the narrative felt a bit disjointed to me at times and some points went on a bit long. But only my opinion!
By concept, this is definitely an interesting and compelling read - for my fellow thriller folk, recommended!
For release on June 8.

A Dark and Secret Place is the latest story by Jen Williams. In this book Ms Williams gives the reader a serial killer, a copycat killer, and a young woman who is haunted by her mother's suicide. Some edge of the seat moments keep the pages turning. I want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an early copy to review.

The title says it- this book is dark. This is definitely one for people who like serial killer stories of the grimmest variety (best comp I can think of offhand is Chelsea Cain). It's a frightening story about how little we can know about those closest to us, and how much potential they have to hurt us.

I always enjoy a twisty serial killer novel. This one didn't disappoint. A Dark and Secret Place was clever and inventive. The main character, Heather is dealing with the aftermath of her mother's death when victims of an apparent serial killer surface. The deaths seem to resemble those from decades ago when the Red Wolf preyed on young women in the area. It's as if the same person has resurfaced and is killing again - except Michael Reave (Red Wolf) is still in prison.

Heather spends a great deal of time trying to understand how all of the pieces tie together and also link to her mother's passing. In digging into the past, will she put her own life in danger?

I really enjoyed the storyline. The only drawback for me was that I felt there were a few loose ends at the end which I would have liked to see tied up....;but that's probably just me.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are entirely my own.

We all think we know our parents, but as Michael Reave (Red Wolf) points out in this book, they had lives before they had us. Heather Evans learns this after her mother commits suicide. Upon coming home after her mother’s death, she discovers that her mother had been corresponding with serial killer, Michael Reave known as the Red Wolf. Why? It seemed so out of character. Her mother abhorred violence and yet she has stacks and stacks of letters from him.

Michael Reave has been imprisoned for over twenty years for the ritualistic murders of several women. Unfortunately, another woman is found murdered and her body staged as Michael Reave staged his victims. Is there a copycat on the loose or is the wrong man behind bars?

Heather gets the opportunity to speak with Michael. In fact, she is the only one he will speak with. She is naturally unnerved by him and his is curious about her as her mother never mentioned having a daughter. hmmm So the plot thickens as plots often do. Naturally, Heather wants to learn why her mother committed suicide. Apparently, no one warned Heather about what happened to the curious cat!

I enjoyed the "Before" parts of the book much more than I did the present day. The psychosocial aspect of his formative years. Having been a forensic therapist for years, this gets my juices flowing. The present-day aspect of the book was not as interesting to me; although I enjoyed Michael's use of The Grimm Fairy tales to tell Heather things while she is visiting him. Too bad some of it appeared to be lost on her. I wanted to root for Heather more, but I just could not connect with her character.

At times creepy, dark, interesting and at times frustrating.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for gifting me a digital copy of this book by Jen Williams - 4 creepy stars!

Heather hasn't been close to her mom, Colleen, for years but when Colleen dies by suicide and Heather returns to her home to settle things, she finds out that she didn't really know her mom at all. The suicide note is cryptic but Heather also finds letters that Colleen exchanged with Micheal Reeves, a notorious serial killer currently in prison nicknamed "Red Wolf." When similar style murders begin again, local police enlist Heather to talk to Michael to see if she can get him to talk. But strange, frightening things are happening to Heather, leaving her afraid to stay in her family home.

This is a well-written mystery that kept me guessing to the end. But it is quite disturbing so be aware if you are squeamish!

DNF AT 10%. I tried very hard to read this book, but unfortunately it just wasn't my style. I didn't connect with any of the characters and the plot ended up not interesting me. Sorry!

Heather Evans is stunned when she learns that her mother has committed suicide. She returns to her family home to settle her mother’s affairs and to learn why her mother chose to end her life. She finds more answers than questions as she searches through her mothers’ belongings. Most notably is that her mother had been communicating with a serial killer who has been in prison for over twenty years. As she decides to contact the police about the letters, a woman’s body is found hidden in a tree. The summary of this book sounded interesting, but I lost some interest during the lengthy descriptions of her mother’s home, etc., that seemed to slow the story down. However, the quick ending to the story was a surprise. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)