*A long review. But I feel like long books deserve long reviews.

Given “A Disturbing Nature” was the author’s first novel, I was impressed. I have read debut novels before and in comparison to many, it’s clear a lot of time and thought went into crafting this story. What first grabbed me was the cover art and title. The description reeled me all the way in.

I’ll start with the length. It’s a bit longer than debut novels tend to be; however, it falls in line with many other well-known books I’ve seen or read. The length didn’t scare me off. If the writing is good, I’ll read anything. I’d prefer to read a longer, well-crafted book, than a shorter book with subpar writing. So yes, long for a first novel, but not much longer than debut novels like “The Kite Runner”, and still shorter than best-sellers like “The Lincoln Highway.” If you’re just trying to get through it to add to a number on a reading list, it’s not the book for you.

Secondly, it is slow. If you want a jam-packed, fast-paced, action flick of a read, this isn’t the book for you. It does pick up significantly in part 3. But there’s a lot of setup and character development that occurs first. I don’t mind this. I have read and loved novels other people considered slow and boring. I get that not every book is for everyone. But if you want something you can take your time getting into, this is a great book for that.

Addressing comments I saw in other reviews…I kept them in mind as I read through the story. (I try not to read reviews before reading a book, so I’m not biased. But they can be helpful to see if I agree with them in the end.) I found both Mo and Palmer sympathetic characters in completely different spectrums. Mo had a traumatic life, losing almost everyone and everything around him. And because he’s mentally underdeveloped, he doesn’t know how to cope with these losses. Palmer is sharp and intense (and at times unlikable) but has suffered losses of his own. He’s experienced traumatic events being in the line of work he’s in, likely suffering from forms of PTSD after every case. He takes valium to detox from cases after trying to get into the mind of the killers he’s hunting down. And he drinks heavily on Saturday nights. I have a friend who is in the Sherriff’s Dept. and have heard some of the stories he’s told. I’ve seen how it’s affected him. He’s very good at his job – being a smart guy with drive, focus, and purpose. But he unwinds in a way that reminds me of Palmer. So maybe because of the parallels between my friend and Palmer (despite the difference in the line of work and time period) I found myself sympathizing with and understanding Palmer better.

As for the believability of Mo living with college roommates, I didn’t find that offensive. I feel like some books stretch much more. If it was the 1970s, I don’t find it hard to believe a college placing a worker last minute, who needed a place to live (maybe even just for a semester until they get some paychecks saved up?), in a townhouse and offering the students in it cheaper rent. So, could it be a stretch? Maybe. But there was so much other stuff going on, I couldn’t get hung up on it. If that is a thing you’re going to pick apart, don’t even bother reading it. Books like “Jurassic Park” are incredible and yet, FAR more things in them are a way bigger stretch.

As for the abuse that took place, yes it was sad. But I figured these are drunk, college guys with issues of their own. Was it over the top? Maybe. But do we not remember books like Carrie, where the girls are screaming at her to “plug it up”? How about her getting pig blood dumped on her at prom? Even in the movie “Never Been Kissed”, they tried to dump dog food down some girls’ suit. What about the hateful things written in the bathrooms about Hannah Baker in “13 Reasons Why”? Nobody had an issue believing that. (Then again, these are girls being bullied. Maybe ‘Mean Girls’ had it right and only us females behave in this way?) I think about all the scenes in “The Outsiders” where young guys get jumped. There’s the scene in “It” where the bullies chase a kid on his bike. And the violent, confrontational scene early on at the fair. And the stomach-churning bathroom scene at the end of season 2 of “13 Reasons Why” with the mop handle. Don’t even get me started on scenes in “Euphoria” – specifically the one where Nate breaks into a kid’s house/apartment and attacks him. Or the bizarre hazing scene with McKay and Cassie. Yes, most of these are “young adult” movies, books, and shows. But I just can’t understand why the bullying in this book is considered unbelievable or over the top when I think about all the content elsewhere.

There were a lot of characters and dates worth paying attention to. (That took some adjusting and a few times I had to double back and read the dates.) Usually when a show or book throws a lot of different people at me, I don’t keep track that well. I just keep on going until some of it sinks in. However, I think I would need to read this a second time to catch everything. There’s a lot of questions throughout and in the end. I had to doublecheck to see that it was part of a series. Because if it wasn’t, the ending would’ve left me very unsatisfied (ahem, Tana French.) But now I’m very curious what will happen in the second book. I have no idea where it’ll go, but the first left a lot to be addressed.

Side note/Disclaimer* I didn’t read it because of the mystery elements. I don’t care much for suspense. The lines, “Who is destined to pay for the sins of their fathers, and who will pay for their own?” and “…exploring the heredity of prejudice, the hypocrisy of privilege, and the blurred line between man and monster” are the lines that grabbed me, and that is the reason I decided to read it. So if you’re like me, and not a huge fan of mystery, you may still find this story enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley/Books Forward for the ARC in exchange for a (long) honest review

Mine is not a popular view, but I didn't care for A Disturbing Nature. Which, actually, surprised me because I love crime books, especially serial killer books. (I know I am weird😜). This is the only book I have read by Lebeau.

Set in the 1970's, there is a killer in Rhode Island. Special Agent Palmer, who has been helping with the Ted Bundy case on the West Coast, is sent by to help. As more bodies keep showing up, it looks like the case isn't going anywhere. Soon though, that changes.

I loved Palmer. He was sarcastic. I thought he would probably be like someone who dealt with murderers all the time. I liked that I didn't figure out who it was, which caused my rating to go from 1⭐ to 2⭐.

I hated that the book just didn't keep my attention. I would read a little while, then sit it down, and come back a day later to read it.
There was a lot of stuff that to me should have been left out. As if the author had a word count🤷

Of course, this is just my opinion. A ton of others have loved the book. I would get it from your library, unless you are a fan of his.

Thanks to Netgalley for the Kindle Version of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of eBook

A serial killer dubbed the Pastoral Predator brings FBI Chief Investigator Frank Palmer to Rhode Island. He’d been involved in the capture of Ted Bundy and many other killers, leaving him scarred, but this investigation forces him to face his inner demons.

Mentally challenged Maurice Lumen, who’s arrived in Rhode Island to work as an assistant groundskeeper at Bryant College, has left a difficult childhood behind and, at almost twenty-five years old, he’s frustrated by the Predator’s propensity to overshadow the Red Sox games as they head toward the World Series.

With a dozen young women known dead, the suspect list grows shorter; Mo wonders if he’s somehow involved. But it’s the secrets of the past that will lead to the one who is the monster.

=========

This psychological drama slowly unfolds, giving readers the opportunity to interact with the two central characters. Both are well-drawn and nuanced; Mo’s child-like demeanor elicits sympathy while Frank’s propensity to drink and pop pills makes the character far less sympathetic.

As the story evolves, Frank’s issues reveal the extent to which his long involvement with killers has marked him. And Mo’s backstory continues to elicit sympathy. The strong sense of place keeps the story anchored and often seems to take on the aspect of another character.

There are, however, a couple of disconnects. A college employee rooms with students? Students so cavalierly abusing the mentally challenged young man? Even in the New England of the 1970s this seems a bit over the top.

The plot twists and turns its way to a denouement that may surprise readers.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Books Fluent, Historical Fiction/Mystery & Thrillers and NetGalley
#ADisturbingNature #NetGalley

Thanks Netgalley, Brian Lebaeu and book fluent for giving me this arc in exchange for a honest review.
This story follows 2 people Detective Palmer and Mo who will later cross path during investigations.
Detective Palmer a man with an unhealthy attachment to his job and drugs has a case which is to find a mass murderer (aka as a serial killer now).
Mo a 24 year mentally disabled orphan who recently became a groundskeeper in Braynt College.
The story was good but i think Mo deserved a better ending than the one he was given after going through all the harsh treatments his roommates put him though.
Rating : 3.75 ⭐

A tense and thrilling psychological murder, mystery, this book is especially notable for superb character development. Mo Lomen is towering young man who has been developmentally disabled by a childhood seizure, Frank Palmer is a brilliant FBI senior agent haunted by the pursuit of serial killers. Their intersection in the search for the murderer of a number of young women in Rhode Island forms the backdrop for a rich cast of supporting characters. The tension and suspense remain until the very end of the story.

This was very wordy and way to descriptive about non issues. Maybe it was the arc, I am not sure but, it was very hard to read through.

Palmer a veteran investigator drinks and pops Valium, while people around him are clueless. He has been told by everyone to let the other case go, but he shows no respect and continues to ignore orders. He had been away for six months. I guess as a one man show, he failed to get the goods.

The Mo part was already sad. It was hard to read when he kept going back into his thoughts and babbling endlessly. Spending a lot of time in the White Mountains, I looked forward to that part of the story. The only thing the author mentions is Santa's Village and Clark's currently. Then the character Palmer goes into his thoughts again recalls a long story of his father taking him there and a glimpse of what his father was doing. Was he in the car waiting while his father had an affair or visited a sex worker? bizarre and still not worth the time.

Another issue is how does a groundskeeper room with students ? Such a mismatch that made no sense. I don't really care what year it is, I don't think this would have been at all likely. Cheaper rent? no clue. The Mo character is "slo Mo" and having roomies abuse him was another downfall. Take his paycheck during a card game? That is really low even for drunk college guys.

Needs edits. I hope the finished book avoids all of these flashbacks and reminiscing. Part of the plot can be mapping out the killer through characters thoughts, but it is a miss.