Granite Harbor is a page-turning mystery that delves into the social fabric of a small town, exploring the complexities of relationships, fear, and hidden truths. Nichols’s nuanced storytelling keeps readers on edge, making this novel a must-read for crime fiction enthusiasts.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What did I just ginger read? This is the type of read that has me 1) questioning my sanity as I quickly flip the pages filled with gruesome crime and 2) questioning the authors warped mind.

I do find it hard to rate though as I want to be mindful of the HUGE triggers that lie between the pages. I appreciated the publishers warning of chapter 34 that came with the ARC.

Where others have found the pace slow, I rather enjoyed it build towards a truly twisted demon like tale. I did pick up on the WHO early on but learning the HOW and WHY was very interesting.

I felt the jumps from past to present lacked a chapter title warning or setting but once I knew how the author was laying it out I got used to it.

This was an incredibly dark horrific read. Not for everyone.

I found a few things unrealistic which brought my rating down.

Thank you @celadonbooks @netgalley for the ARC!

Pub Date: April 30, 2024

A peaceful Maine town shatters when a teen is murdered. Single dad and sole detective, Alex Brangwen, faces his first case. As fear grips the town and dark secrets surface, Alex races to catch a killer before another life is taken.

There were so many characters to keep track of! With chapters switching between characters, including the killer themself, the story played mind games as I tried to figure out who the killer could be.

I loved the first 3/4 of the book. It starts out as a dark police procedural but another far fetched angle is added to the story that just didn't fit in but I can't say without giving spoilers.

Read if you like:
✨ small town settings
✨ serial killer storylines
✨ multiple points of view

Atmospheric? Yes. I felt cold the entire time I was reading this book. The local weather seemed foggy and dark and it gave me a shiver. Alex Brangwen is Granite Harbor, Maine's only police detective. When two teenagers are found murdered, Alex knows the town is expecting him to find the killer. He has to act fast and smart before another child is killed. Everyone is a suspect and in a small town everyone knows everyone but no one is a suspect, at least until starts to investigate. Granite Harbor is a tight-knit community, but no so tight that someone can get away with murder. An enjoyable read. The pace is excellent and the writing is interesting and engaging. I would like to see Alex investigate other crimes. My thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC and congratulations, Peter Nichols!

I loved getting to know the little town and can always appreciate a suspense novel with a twist that I didn’t see coming. It’s a quick read with a lot of fun quirky characters.

This book is a solid thriller, following a local Maine detective trying to find a serial killer with a very unique method of murder. I enjoyed it, especially the flashbacks with "the boy," the serial killer when he was young - I found that it helped give a lot of explanation into both the why and how of the murders. I liked all the characters (with the exception of Morgana haha), and the slight supernatural bent to it. It reminded me of a Stephen King novel, in the best sense.

Granite Harbor is quite gritty and dark and sometimes gruesome. There was one scene of animal torture that was too graphic for me. The story was engaging but some parts were very dark. The resolution was good but maybe it could have wrapped up a little quicker.

Thank you to Celadon Books for providing an ARC via Net Galley for review.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. While I sort of liked the characters, the pace was glacial and I lost interest, though I kept trying. Will work for others - I just needed something a bit faster paced.

Ok, This took me a longgggg time to get through. I will admit I was extremely busy while reading this, but nothing about this book really kept my attention or made me want to sit and binge several chapters. It honestly didn’t get entertaining or exciting for me until about the 80 percent mark. Once I hit that point, though, it did keep my interest. Alex was my favorite character and I enjoyed his POV as a detective.

I’ll round up to 2.5 stars as I would probably read this author again. But it didn’t really work for me as a “thriller”. There was no plot twist— the killer is pretty much slowly revealed to the reader, so there’s nothing to really figure out.. and if it doesn’t get my brain working, unfortunately it’s just not enjoyable for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for this e-arc! All opinions are my own.

This is my first book by Peter Nichols. It intrigued me right from the beginning and kept my attention throughout the book. The characters were well developed and had depth. There are some very graphic depictions in the book, they were gruesome.

In the small town of Granite Harbor, a teenager is found murdered at The Settlement, a place where the past is re-enacted. Alex, an author turned detective is investigating this case, his first murder. The teenager is connected to him through his daughter and also his ex, Isabel, and her son. The investigation is a dangerous game of who or what is next? As Alex tried to untangle this web of lies, deceit, bullying, and more, the twists keep turning pulling you further into the web.

I really loved the character of Alex and his thoughts. This book jumps around in multiple POV’s, including the murderer, to the point where it got a little confusing. I would have liked a more direct process. There were multiple vivid and gory scenes of torture and abuse. Overall, the story was a great read, I loved the characters and felt connected to them. The descriptive story was told well, with pieces of the puzzle being revealed at the perfect moments. I would absolutely recommend this book, but be sure to read the trigger warnings before you do!

In this gripping thriller by Peter Nichols, once successful but now failed English novelist turned American police detective Alex Brangwen is on the trail of a (serial) killer striking the town’s teens, even endangering Detective Brangwen's own daughter Sophie. The way the crime is comitted and put on display puts the the town’s historical puritan settlement at the forfront of the investigation. Are any of the reenactors involved ? Could any one of the neighbors in this tight knit coastal community be a murderer ? And can Detective Brangwen put an end to these killings before they reach his doorstep ?

This book is a captivating and exciting police procedural page turner. The characters are realistic, and the novelist turned police detective is, o of course, a treat for every booklover. He knows his literature and as a British author, transplanted to small town Maine he has a unique perspective and another reason to notice oddities and put them out for the reader, The plot is well thought out and fast paced.
I would love to return to Granite Harbor to see more of police detective Brangwen.

I like the author turned small town detective to make ends meet character in this murder mystery. There is some pretty heavy violence including animal trapping n this story of an abused and neglected boy who turns into a serial killer. There is a local pioneer site where some of the characters work that is an interesting addition to the setting. The reveal is well timed as the suspense builds. A solid read.

Copy provided by the publisher and Netgalley

This was quite gritty and dark. At times it was totally gruesome. I did not like the chapters from the killer's point of view. There was one scene of animal torture that was so graphic that I couldn't read it and skimmed to the next section. Overall this was a fairly engaging crime/mystery novel. I think that I just don't have the stomach for them any more.

Thank you to Celadon Books for providing an ARC via Net Galley for review.

Fantastic book! Small town and a serial killer is on the loose. I was hooked from the start but about a quarter of the way in, I wasn't sure where this book was going or if I liked it. Then it took a turn for the better, and I was hooked again. Definitely recommend.

the book starts with a gruesome murder of a local teen which sends shockwaves across the close-knit community of Granite Harbor, a coastal town in Maine. Alex Branwen is tasked to lead the investigation when another body is found. Peter has to rush to find the killer before he strikes again. The story delves into the town people and how they react when something tragic happens in their community.

Granite Harbor is a small, peaceful town on the coast in Maine, that is until the body of a local teen is found and everything points to a murder. In charge of the investigation is Alex Brangwen, a novelist turned detective. The entire town is counting on Alex to find the killer, and his task is made all the more difficult when a second body is found, leaving many of the parents in Granite Harbor worried that their child might be next, but as secrets are uncovered throughout the investigation some find they have more to worry about than others.

Granite Harbor came across as an honest novel, from the portrayal of teenagers and their problems–large and insignificant–as well as their relationships with their parents, to the raw and rash behavior by their parents. I also liked the way in which Nichols chose to present the events. While a majority of the novel follows Alex and Isabel, it also contains sections from the point of view of the killer, all without giving away the individual’s identity. There were some sections that were a little slow, but when things really got going Granite Harbor became an edge-of-my-seat mystery, I just wish it hadn’t taken so long to get there. It was also nice to have my suspicions about the killer’s identity but still come across some surprises at the end.

This book lacked the element of suspense I typically look for when reading a mystery or thriller. I will say that the author did a good job of using descriptive language. I was able to create visual images of some pretty disturbing scenes. I did not care for the supernatural aspect of this book. Overall, this book really wasn't for me.

A slow burn crime thriller with a perfect setting but an imperfect plot. The writing, plot, and characterization needs edited/revised from about the midpoint on.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150260819

Peter Nichols delivers a gripping crime thriller with 'Granite Harbor,' a haunting tale set in a small coastal town in Maine. As the community grapples with the shock of a brutal murder, detective Alex Brangwen finds himself thrust into his first murder case, tasked with unraveling the chilling mystery that has descended upon Granite Harbor.

One of the standout features of this novel is its atmospheric setting, vividly brought to life by Nichols' descriptive prose. From the serene landscapes to the tight-knit community, the town of Granite Harbor serves as a compelling backdrop for the unfolding drama. The small-town atmosphere adds depth to the narrative, heightening the sense of tension and unease as dark secrets come to light.

Another notable aspect is the narration from the killer's perspective, providing readers with a chilling glimpse into the mind of a psychopath. Nichols deftly weaves together multiple viewpoints, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The slow burn of the thriller combined with the intricate plot kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

It's worth noting that 'Granite Harbor' delves into dark and gritty territory, with Nichols unflinchingly portraying the harsh realities of crime and its impact on a community. While some readers may find certain descriptions disturbing, others will appreciate the raw intensity of the narrative.

In conclusion, 'Granite Harbor' is a riveting read that will appeal to fans of true crime documentaries, offering a captivating blend of suspense and atmosphere. Peter Nichols' skillful storytelling and attention to detail make this novel a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling escape into the depths of small-town intrigue. Thank you to Celadon for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me, at about 30%. There was just to much animal death mentioned through just that I read.


Thank you to Celadon Books for my gifted copy.