This one took me a while to get into but once I did it was pretty good! The twists were a little predictable but still enjoyable! Overall a pretty good scary season read!

When I heard this was based on Mary Shelly’s classic Frankenstein and being compared to the show American Horror Story, I knew I needed to read this book immediately. This was my first Jennifer McMahon book, though I do have others on my shelf, and it will certainly not be my last.

The story jumps back and forth between the events of 1978 and present at a Vermont ‘treatment center’. Founded by Dr. Helen Hildreth, the center uses unconventional methods to treat patients, and is home not just to Hildreth but also to her two orphaned grandchildren Eric and Violet. In 1978, Hildreth decides to bring a young patient, Iris, to live in her home on the property. Iris doesn’t talk and Eric and Violet quickly initiate her into their special Monster Club – where they search for and catch various monsters. As Iris grows closer to Eric and Violet, an accident will leave all three of them changed forever.

In the present-day Podcaster Lizzy Shelley has heard rumors of the abductions of young girls, near the treatment center. As the host of the podcast Monsters Among Us, Lizzy narrates her investigation into the abduction. Lizzy knows that monsters exist, and as she gets deeper into her investigation, she’s convinced that the events of 1978 and the disappearances are tied together.

McMahon did a wonderful job of layering the two stories and weaving them into one intriguing, dark, and thrilling story! I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book and was honestly surprised by the ending. Which when you read as many thrillers as I do is a huge complement. If you enjoy atmospheric thrillers with excellent storylines, or even a fan of supernatural thrillers, then this is a great book for you! Will definitely be adding Jennifer McMahon to my auto read author list!


Children on the Hill is out now. Huge thank you to Gallery/Scout Press for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof.books.

This book didn't work for me. I had a difficult time getting into it. I kept putting it down and not remember anything about it when I would pick it up again. I found it to feel like a YA book. The plot was over the top and not realistic in any way.

This book was crazy and I loved it so much. I went in not really remembering what this book was about, and I was just blown away by the story.

It's one of those books that makes you think about humanity and the very real monsters that live among us. It was mixed in so well with the world of mythological monsters and how similar they can sometimes be.

I loved the chase and the mystery. And I did not expect that twist or that ending. Bravo to the author on this amazing story.

If you haven't read anything by Jennifer McMahon, you need to change that. Everything she puts out, I read it. I have never been disappointed. If you like spooky, but in a realistic way, this needs to be your next read!

This novel was phenomenal. McMahon is a master at creating stories that keep you bewitched and guessing. As you read, you know something is just not quite right, but the answer lies just outside your reach. She is also wonderful at building up the atmosphere and tension. 'The children on the hill' isn't quite horror, but it damn sure is spooky.

1978:
Violet and Eric are living with their Gran. Dr. Helen Hildreth is a renowned psychiatrist best known for her work with the mentally ill. But while home, she nutures her grandchildren, providing them with the love and attention they need.

One day, Gran brings home another child. A girl named Iris. Iris is hollow eyed, emaciated, and essentially feral. Violet and Eric quickly accept the new child and ask her to join their monster hunting club. Because monsters are everywhere after all.

2019:
Liz Shelley, a popular podcaster who chases the "monsters among us," is headed to Vermont, where a young girl was recently abducted. Liz believes in the existence of monsters. She knows they are without any doubt real because she has met one.

"The Children on the Hill" is a genre-defying novel that takes inspiration from Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein." But in this novel, the monsters are real, and they look like us.

As always, thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review

Jennifer McMahon is an author I look forward to reading who consistently puts forward spooky stories about the strange and mysterious with quirky female characters that are so instantly familiar that you can’t help but connect to.

The Children on the Hill involves monsters… who makes monsters, what are the monsters, and who hunts the monsters. McMahon’s play on Frankenstein. Remakes or retellings tend to put me off of stories so I had initially hesitated to read this, even though I’d enjoyed so many of her other novels. But! I’m glad I read it, it really had a feeling of nostalgia with the story of Vi growing up in Gran’s house.

I’d recommend this to fans of mystery, classic tales of suspense and the psychological thrillers. I look forward to reading the next book by McMahon.

I've been reading Jennifer McMahon since I was a teenager, and I love the shift she's done from more traditional thriller books to these sorts of horror/thriller hybrids that she's come out with recently. Although this isn't my favorite of her new books, I did enjoy my time with it - the beginning just started off a little bit too slow for me. Once things picked up, I was totally invested!

I received an advanced digital copy of this novel from the author, publisher and NetGalley.com. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Children on the Hill might just be Ms. McMahon best writing. All of her novels set you on edge, looking over your shoulder if you make the mistake of reading late into the evening. This novel is far more subtle in it's pace and suspense. It got under my skin and I couldn't stop thinking about it for days after reading. I didn't see the twist coming and I was floored!
Excellent stuff, a must read!

5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.

A darkly addictive read. from beginning to end, this book shows how McMahon is an expert at crafting thrilling stories with that hint of something otherworldly.




Reviewer Note: For a while, I originally posted on my website because that was where most of my followers were, and it was the easiest for me at the time. Then my website crashed. The reviews I wrote were lost. I am doing my best to post my comments here from what I can remember. Starting 2023, I have been posting across platforms (site/Instagram, Goodreads, & Amazon) so that the reviews are in more places.

Goodness I love Jennifer McMahon's books! They are so filled with atmosphere and intrigue, and her writing style really works for me! I think this book would be a good one to read if you want something a little creepy, but aren't necessarily a horror reader. It draws that thin line between thriller and horror and I love that. I think I could say this about most of her books! This was a total smash hit for me and I'd highly recommend it.

Did not see that coming!

This story is written by a “monster” hunter and partially in podcast style.

It’s a great story about three “siblings” and how they try to make life enjoyable while trying to find out the secrets behind the locked door.

Told in present time and the past, you’ll need to pay attention to everything.

This was a book I was really excited about and it did not disappoint. I loved the unique way it was written!

I have had this book to read for over a year. My half year from hell didn't even start until July last year, so I have no real excuse for not getting around to this well before now.

And I am absolutely kicking myself for taking this long to read such an insanely unique, ridiculously twisted, brilliantly engrossing book. It is going to take up space in my brain for so long to come.

We start with a flashback to 1978, with a 13-year old girl named Violent, or Vi. She and her brother live with their grandmother, in a house that shares land with a mental hospital. A very prestigious, elite mental hospital. This isn't a screaming insane asylum. They're classy.

Their grandmother is world renowned for her work with mental illness. She takes in the hard cases, the ones other doctors may have given up on, and she gets results.

One day, Gran brings home a little girl named Iris. Iris is Violet's new sister. She's a secret, we mustn't tell anyone else about her. She's going to live here, and we're going to take care of her. And Violet is to report back how Iris is adjusting.

Iris is silent. Scared. She wears her clothing inside out and backwards, and is scared of everything. Iris has no memory of her past, of her life. But she adjusts quickly, and joins the kids in their Monster Hunting Club.

Cut to 2019. Lizzie is a monster hunter. She has a podcast, and has made appearances in TV shows tracking down Big Foot, Loch Ness, all worlds of Urban Legend Monsters. She travels the country searching for monsters.

One monster in particular that she's hunting isn't supernatural. This monster steals teenaged girls, never to be seen again.

Lizzie is sure this monster is her sister. And she's using the guise of local monsters to cover up her crimes.

Bouncing back and forth in time, this is such an engrossing suspenseful mystery. I was absolutely certain I had some details already carved out, knowing where this was going.

So when the reveals start trickling in, I was comfortable. I felt good. There was still much I didn't know, and was waiting to see how we got to where we are in 2019.

Good grief, did Jennifer McMahon yank the rug out from under me. And the fact is, it's something I ABSOLUTELY should have seen coming. Am I losing my touch?

Is it me? It's got to be me. No way this author just kicked my ass down the hill pointing and laughing as I plummet to my death. WOW did she get me.

On top of that, 2019 starts with Lizzie in Honey Island Swamp, a locale in Louisiana. Not just in Louisiana, in MY Louisiana. Literally 15 minutes from my house. My father got lost and had to be search and rescued from there twice when I was a child.

I had absolutely NO idea there was a Honey Island Monster. I thought she made it up! I ask my other local friends, and they think I'm insane because this something they've heard about their entire lives.

What the hell.

Seriously. So good. So, so good.

Wow! This book had me hooked from the very beginning! With the twists and turns in the plot I was sure I things figured out until the plot exploded! The past and present timelines along with the excerpts from the journalism students book helped fill in holes while keeping you anticipating a he next twist. Such a good, creepy read. Going to have to keep this in mind for a reread in October!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you NetGalley, Jennifer McMahon and Simon & Schuster for hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner

Jennifer McMahon is one of my favorite authors. Quite a few of her previous works have been 5 stars reads for me. But Ultimately, This book just missed the mark. I felt compared to Jennifer's past books, this one was not "unique" in regards to the storyline as some of her previous works. Over all this was a good book, but do not go into "The Children on the Hill" Expecting the fantastic story telling as in her previous books.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Jennifer McMahon is a relatively new find for me. I have read maybe 3-4 of her books, But I like her!!
I don't want to spoil any of the story but the surprising conclusions - more than one - were smart, unexpected, and well-executed!

I requested The Children on the Hill because it sounded good and I wanted something different from what I usually read. I ended up having a hard time getting into it. Maybe it was just because it's not my normal reading...I'm not sure. I read a lot of reviews where people really liked it. So it's probably just me.

I did like the two timelines of 1978 and 2019. I was a kid in the 70's so it was neat to relate to it in that way.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 21 April 2022.

“I don’t believe places can be haunted. Only people, and not in a supernatural way. People are only haunted by their pasts.”

There is nothing worse when writing. a review and knowing that every significant thought you have revolves around a mid story event. There is no way I would spoil this one for anyone, but I won't be able to articulate all of my thoughts thoroughly.

Our main character is a middle aged Monster Podcaster who describes various monster stories that she adjunctly investigates around the country. We received a dual POV with the MC current and past self. It was easy to get lost in both narratives and feel almost shocked when you have to go to the other one.

Overall, I feel truly neutral about this book. There were a few really grand moments that kept me roped back in but I didn't feel any passion for wanting to read this book. HOWEVER, the atmosphere was spectacular and very true to itself throughout the book.

"1978: At her renowned treatment center in picturesque Vermont, the brilliant psychiatrist, Dr. Helen Hildreth, is acclaimed for her compassionate work with the mentally ill. But when she’s home with her cherished grandchildren, Vi and Eric, she’s just Gran—teaching them how to take care of their pets, preparing them home-cooked meals, providing them with care and attention and love.

Then one day Gran brings home a child to stay with the family. Iris—silent, hollow-eyed, skittish, and feral—does not behave like a normal girl.

Still, Violet is thrilled to have a new playmate. She and Eric invite Iris to join their Monster Club, where they dream up ways to defeat all manner of monsters. Before long, Iris begins to come out of her shell. She and Vi and Eric do everything together: ride their bicycles, go to the drive-in, meet at their clubhouse in secret to hunt monsters. Because, as Vi explains, monsters are everywhere.

2019: Lizzy Shelley, the host of the popular podcast Monsters Among Us, is traveling to Vermont, where a young girl has been abducted, and a monster sighting has the town in an uproar. She’s determined to hunt it down, because Lizzy knows better than anyone that monsters are real—and one of them is her very own sister."

What is it with McMahon and sisters? This book was suspenseful and kept me intrigued the entire time. Frankenstein-esque. Mostly predictable twists.