Broken Bayou focuses on Dr. Willa Watters trip back to her Aunts' home after a disastrous tv appearance. In addition to seeking refuge from the embarrassment, Willa wants to get some of her mother's things that were left with her aunts after their hasty exit years prior. The town of Broken Bayou is simultaneously dealing with the discovery that serial killer may be amongst them. Police have started recovering many secrets hidden in the bayou and the chain of events begins to unravel.

I really enjoyed this one. Moorhead did a solid job with the main character and creating a "quirky" but not comical small southern town. The twists in the book did surprise me which is rare these days so even more kudos to the author. Highly recommend for mystery thriller fans who want a straight forward story that tackles a lot of difficult topics.

Nature vs. nurture has been an argument for dealing with people that commit certain crimes. It is believed that both contribute to whether a person uses or chooses not to become what they experienced. This author did not really good job of keeping the reader from finding out who the sociopath was until the very end. I really find these kinds of novels so interesting to read because of how the author chooses to write about people who need or want to kill. I was so invested in this book that I read it in about 4 hours.

What an amazing debut novel! It kept me in the edge of my seat the entire time! I’ll be anxiously waiting for her next book!

Books like this make me scared to sleep. Bring all my fears as a woman simmer to the top and make me question if novels with such deep psychological horror towards girls gives people ideas or just nightmares for readers.

This one messed with me.

I wear left reeling and on the edge of my seat turning the page and ready to know what was coming next.

Broken Bayou by Jennifer Moorhead was an exciting debut thriller.
The premise was so intriguing and the title just drew me in and made me want to read it all the more. The writing was effortless that you easy can fall into turning pages long after you intended to go to sleep. The authors style is descriptive, character-driven but with an excellent mystery that will leave you gasping and wanting more. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Well written mystery/thriller (with a little psychology thrown in) that falters just a tiny bit at the end. Still, an enjoyable and fast read.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/197600306

I loved the atmospheric prose in this book! I felt like I was right there and living these experiences.

“Broken bayou” is an atmospheric, slow burn mystery / thriller.
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This was a great debut, the characters were written with depth, there was a dense scenic ambience to the location setting and lots of tension.

The plot follows Willa who finds herself revisiting a place from her past after her work life comes crashing down. She finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation as a potential suspect when bodies start surfacing in a local lake.

Although it doesn’t seem like she has any involvement in these suspicious deaths there is a lot to unravel as we find out what really happened.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, Jennifer Moorhead and NetGalley for the EARC!

Publish date: July 1st 2024

Set in southern Louisiana, the blurb for this book seemed to suggest a tale resembling something penned by James Lee Burke. And to an extent that’s exactly what it delivers. There are huge differences, of course: JLB’s tales are soaked in the lore of the place and the author’s love for it, but they’re also often abstruse, the narrative hard to follow; Moorhead’s novel provides some of the same atmosphere and sense of place, and yet despite it being a complex tale of historical misdeeds and present day angst, at heart it’s a more straightforward story.

Dr. Willamena (Willa) Pearl Watters is a child psychologist. She’s currently tortured by a disastrous television appearance, in which she became confused and, as a result, somewhat lost the plot. There’s also something in her past that she feels compelled to investigate and resolve. This combination lures her back to the small town in which she was raised, to a house owned by two, now deceased, aunts. There’s something there that is hidden and is demanding to be discovered. She is planning for it to be a short visit, and she’ll use this time to escape her present problems and emerse herself in the past.

We learn that she grew up with a bipolar mother and a younger sister she doted on. She’d spent a good deal of time at her aunts’ house – it was often an escape from the bad times at home, times when her mother was tough to be around. But the escape she was seeking quickly turns into a tortuous series of encounters with people from her past. Many seem to be aware of her televised disassembly, and it feels like she’s being taunted by them. There’s also an encounter with an ex-boyfriend, now a cop, and his spooky brothers. Very quickly, Willa realises she can’t wait to shut herself away in the house, to drink a bottle of cheap wine and decompress.

There’s also a second thread to this tale. The town has been invaded by the press and television media, as a result of a school teacher who’s gone missing and also a barrel that’s been discovered in the bayou. Human remains were discovered inside the barrel. Soon, more barrels are discovered, courtesy of a drought that’s affecting this area and is reducing the water level, causing the bayou to expose its secrets.

There are some wonderfully descriptive passages in this novel, as Willa wrestles with the challenges she currently faces and is plagued by elements of her early life, frankly things she’d rather completely block out of her mind. And yet there’s a sense that just too many issues are piling up for her personally, and with a bunch of others impacting this small town, all at the same time. It’s busy, very busy. I really think it could have all been paired back a little. A case of less would have been more.

It’s probably unfair to compare this novel to Burke’s work. JLB has been at it for many years, for time immemorial, it seems. This is Moorhead’s first novel. It’s a decent story, and it’s well told, too. Perhaps she’s stacked too much on the plate, but there really is an awful lot to enjoy here. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for her next offering.

pretty good overall!!!! this would a great mystery type thriller. i enjoyed this author's writing style. 4/5 stars!

Can you go home again and what will you find.?

WIlla ends up back where she spent many summers after her work life implodes and finds herself as a person of interest when bodies start surfacing in the lake. I didn't really like Willa, but that isn't a deal breaker for me in a thriller. She was always psychoanalyzing everyone. This isn't your normal crime novel, because Willa is the central character and she is neither investigating the murders nor does it seem like she is involved.

The setting and the characters were deep and well described and I was interested in seeing how this one played out.

Sophie Amoss did a good job bringing this slow burn atmospheric mystery to life. Her voice fit with Willa and she kept me engaged in the slow unraveling, which is not always a given for me on a slow burn.

I always imagined that if I ever wrote a novel, it would be a story like this one. This is the type of tale that made me fall in love with mysteries as a teenager: a young woman revisits her past by returning to the town where she spent most of her summers as a child. While uncovering dark secrets hidden in the old house she once called her summer home, she realizes a serial killer is haunting the town, and she may know more than she realizes.

Broken Bayou is deeply atmospheric, setting the characters in a hot and humid Louisiana town filled with damage, hurt, and evil. The book is quite short, at under 300 pages, which keeps the pace fast and engaging, making it hard to lose interest. I didn't realize how quickly I was turning the pages because I simply wanted to know more.

While the mystery itself isn't the story's strongest point—you might guess the outcome if you pay attention, and I was suspicious of almost everyone—it didn't detract from my enjoyment. I was captivated by the author's vivid descriptions and, most of all, the tense and harrowing family dynamics portrayed in the novel. Some parts reminded me of Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects.

What can I say? I've always loved a dark, Southern setting above all else.

Wow! This book was amazing! I was captivated during the entire thing! It was an edge of the seat nail biting adventure. If you’re looking for a thriller to keep you guessing, then you need to read this. The writing was great and everything came together in the end. I loved it so much! Thank you to NetGallery for the ARC.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In her debut thriller, Jennifer Moorhead takes readers on a suspenseful journey through the hauntingly beautiful yet treacherous landscapes of Louisiana in Broken Bayou. This novel is a masterful blend of psychological intrigue, family secrets, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

Dr. Willa Watters, a renowned child psychologist, finds herself at a crossroads after a disastrous television interview threatens her career. Seeking solace, she retreats to Broken Bayou, the small town where she spent her childhood summers. 

Willa Watters is a compelling protagonist. Her depth and relatability draw readers in as she navigates the complexities of her past and present. Moorhead skillfully portrays Willa’s internal struggles and her determination to uncover the truth, making her a character that readers will root for. 

Moorhead’s vivid descriptions of the Louisiana bayou are a highlight of the novel. The oppressive heat, the dense swamps, and the eerie stillness of the bayou create an atmospheric backdrop that enhances the tension and mystery. 

Broken Bayou explores themes of redemption, the impact of past traumas, and the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones. 

Moorhead’s writing is engaging and fast-paced, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Her ability to weave together multiple plot threads and maintain suspense throughout the novel is impressive. 

Broken Bayou is a gripping debut that showcases Jennifer Moorhead’s talent for crafting suspenseful and emotionally resonant stories. Fans of psychological thrillers and mysteries will find much to enjoy in this atmospheric and well-written novel. It’s a promising start for Moorhead, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Gripping and intense, complex bayou mystery confounded with small town secrets, dysfunction, theft, betrayal, misdirection, miscommunication, and murder - woven through with interesting and broken people, some wanting help, some not asking, and others hiding. Great mystery, a must read!

Alright, so in the debut novel, Dr. Willa Watters heads back to Broken Bayou, LA. She's a psychologist focusing on children with special needs. After her aunt's passing, she returns to gather some belongings. Her mother's battle with bipolar disorder and alcoholism plays a significant role in the story's background. Upon her return, the discovery of women's skeletal remains in barrels around town unfolds. She also reconnects with her high school flame, Travis, who now works as a town police officer.

The blurb might have hinted at a lot going on, but the story didn't quite deliver that action-packed feel. It did move fast, but the shifts between present and past through Willa's thoughts made it a bit confusing. The parts about past abductions needed some re-reading due to the abrupt transitions.

Willa's character came off as unlikable, especially with her constant diagnosing of everyone in the small town.
Figuring out the villain halfway through and being right left me feeling somewhat indifferent.

Overall, I see potential in the author's talent and wouldn't mind checking out her future works.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for the arc! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Broken Bayou by Jennifer Moorhead is a solid mystery with an evocative setting and an intriguing premise. Set in the atmospheric bayous of Louisiana, the novel successfully captures the essence of its location, immersing readers in the lush and eerie landscape that adds depth to the story.

The plot centers around a series of mysterious events that unfold in a small, tight-knit community. Moorhead excels at building suspense and creating an air of mystery that keeps readers guessing. The central mystery is engaging, with enough twists and turns to maintain interest throughout the book.

However, while the setting and plot are strong, the character development falls somewhat short. The protagonist and supporting characters, though interesting, often lack the depth needed to fully connect with the reader. Their motivations and actions sometimes feel predictable, detracting from the overall impact of the story.

The pacing of the novel is uneven at times, with certain sections dragging and others feeling rushed. This inconsistency can make it challenging to stay fully engaged with the narrative. Additionally, while the resolution of the mystery is satisfying, it may not be as surprising or impactful as some readers might hope.

Overall, Broken Bayou is a decent read with a captivating setting and a compelling mystery. While it has its shortcomings in character depth and pacing, it remains an enjoyable book for those who appreciate atmospheric mysteries and the unique charm of the Louisiana bayous.

In this debut novel, Dr. Willa Watters returns to Broken Bayou, LA. She is a psychologist that specializes in children with special needs. She used to spend her childhood summers here at her aunts house with her mother and sister. She is coming back after the death of her aunts to get some things that they left behind the last time they were there. Her mother is bipolar and a recovering alcoholic- this plays into the past part of the story. When she returns, skeletal remains of women are turning up in barrels around the town. She runs into her high school flame, Travis, who is now a police officer for the town.

Ok- so much to unpack here! The story was fast paced, and although told in primarily the present, the author weaves the past into the narrative through Willa's thoughts and memories. There are also chapters that address the abductions of the past girls. There were times when I would have to re-read and switch mindset, as when the past is told from Willa, there really is no transition.

I figured out who the villain was by about 50%. The author threw red herrings out, but so many clues were obvious that I did not believe the others were viable suspects.

My one big issue, and the reason for my rating: the portrayal of all the children that had special needs. We know from the intro that Willa is good at her job. However, in this small town, every child/person she interacted with, she diagnosed. What really upset me... As someone who works with children with special needs, you cannot read about different diagnoses and generalize them. What affects and causes reaction in one, will not be that way with another. Although there are commonalities such as stemming, walking on toes, vacant eye stare, shyness- these do not demonstrate themselves in the same way or only in people with special needs! Each child is unique and individual, and any therapist of repute would understand that they needed to be seen and treated that way. They also would not diagnose and see disability in everyone they meet.

I was engaged in the story other than being frustrated about the above. It is a quick read.
I think the author has talent, and with more research into her subject matter, and fine tuning of her thriller techniques, she will grow.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC!

"Broken Bayou" by Jennifer Moorehead is a riveting and atmospheric mystery novel that plunges readers into the heart of the Louisiana bayou. The story follows Claire Thibodeaux, a woman returning to her hometown to uncover the truth behind her brother's mysterious death.

Moorehead's writing is evocative and richly detailed, capturing the haunting beauty of the bayou and its complex, close-knit community. Claire is a compelling protagonist, whose determination and resilience drive the narrative as she delves into the secrets and suspicions that shroud her brother's death.

The plot is expertly crafted, with plenty of twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. Moorehead skillfully builds suspense, blending elements of Southern Gothic with a modern mystery. Themes of family, loss, and the search for truth are woven throughout, adding emotional depth to the story.

Overall, "Broken Bayou" is a captivating and suspenseful read that will appeal to fans of atmospheric mysteries and Southern fiction. Jennifer Moorehead delivers a powerful and engaging tale that immerses readers in the enigmatic world of the bayou and keeps them hooked from start to finish.