I was very worried about reading this once I found out it was the second in a series, but thankfully, it is a book that can be read on its own. While there are some references to the first book that would make more sense had you read the prior novel, it did not hinder the reading experience.

I mean this in the best way possible, but this kind of felt like if mindhunter (the show, not book) and V.C andrews books had a baby. I really enjoyed this book and was thoroughly entertained the whole way through. It felt very crime investigator meets paranormal investigator and I ate that up.

I definitely am considering picking up the first novel and any others that come out in the series!

4.5/5 stars! Wow! This book was a wild ride. I loved how at parts it read as a true crime novel and at other times as a supernatural mystery. I thought I knew the final twist, but I was shocked by both of the final two twists. I am eagerly waiting for book 3 in the Steinbeck and Reed series.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book started off a bit slowly and it took me a while to really get into the story but I'm glad I stuck with it because the further I got with this story, the more I found myself enjoying it. I didn't realize that this was the second book in a series. Perhaps I would have enjoyed the beginning more if I had already read the first book. Very well written and atmospheric though. I think that I'd like to go back and read that first book.
Thanks for the opportunity to read this ARC, NetGalley!!

I love the Steinbeck and Reed series! The Taken Ones was excellent, so I was so excited for this 2nd book in the series. A cold murder case file of a family murdered in 1998 is reopened in Alku, Minnesota when a recent homicide with a similar scenario occurs. Steinbeck and Reed are called in to investigate. Unfortunately, this hits a little too close to home for Harry Steinbeck whose own sister was taken years ago in the Northland. The residents of Alku are very strange and very secretive. It takes a lot of deep diving to gain any information in this case. And as the days go on, it’s a race against time to save the children of Alku from another “reaping”.

After reading the first in there series I found myself angry I had to wait for September for this book and then I remembered I had it from Netgalley and I'm so glad I did!

It's rare to enjoy a book 2 as much as you enjoyed book 1 but I did. And I think a big part of it was that we got Harrys pov this time and not Vans.

We follow them as they dive into another case that connects to a cold case and learn more about Harry. The book was well written with an interesting story and I did not expects the ending at all.

4 stars.

I am giving this one a sold 3.5 stars. I can say with certainty that this can be read as a standalone. Being a series addict, I was erked that I did not read book 1 before this as there are some references that I did not understand. This was a good old school detective book with a touch of paranormal/horror. It had an added cult like feel as well. I enjoyed this one enough to pick up book 1 and be on the lookout for the next one in the series. There was a good dynamic between the two MCs that I enjoyed. They played well off each other when trying to crack this case. I also liked the added element of them being part of the BAU and working a cold case (that is my JAM).

Someone has been murdered in Alku. Minnesota. The key difference here is that the murder exactly replicates a family of five that was murdered 25 years ago. Harry and Evangeline are called to help how they can and after digging into a few things decide they are going to reopen the cold case to determine what happened to the family. The more they dig, the worse things look. There is a very weird vibe going on in this uber small town that doesn't accommodate outsiders or seem to let people leave like ever. Weird in the fact that children are missing one day but then have been found without anyone seeing them. Everyone seems to be covering something up but Harry and Van can't figure out what. Until they catch a break, they have witnesses that tell them of the true horror that is happening in this town. It is unspeakable and tragic and now that they know what they know, they have to find the missing children before it is too late.

Even though this is set in modern times, it felt a little different than your standard murder mystery police thriller. There was an old school aspect in my mind with Harry that stemmed from how he processed things. I would recommend this one! I am intrigued to learn more about Evangline in book 1.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

In 1998 an Alku, Minnesota, family of five was brutally murdered in their sleep. The event shook the insulated community but, without any solid leads, was relegated to the cold case files, where it moldered for twenty-five years. Until today. Agent Harry Steinbeck hoped never to return to the northland, a place that holds terrible memories of his sister’s abduction. But when a recent homicide is connected to Alku’s unsolved mass murder, he and cold case agent Evangeline Reed have no choice but to investigate. The case grows impossibly darker as, one by one, the children of Alku begin disappearing. And Harry and Van can’t shake the sensation that someone is watching every move they make. As an elusive killer’s trail leads to a truth more sinister than either imagined, Harry knows there’s only one way to crack this case: he must finally face the secrets of his own past—even if doing so will cost him everything. Second in a brilliant series from one of my favorite writers. This can read as a stand-alone but why would you want to? This will keep you hooked until the very end and then you’ll be wanting more so hopefully this will be a long running series.

This is the 2nd book in the Steinbeck and Reed series.
I love how Jess Lourey mixes a hint of mysticism in with crime solving.
I'm hoping she continues this series, because it is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
I'd give this a 4.5 star rating, but will round up to 5 on Goodreads and Amazon.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

My thanks to Thomas and Mercer, Jess Lourey and Netgalley.
It's an odd thing, but I have this love affair with books that take place in Minnesota. I can't tell you how many times I've contemplated moving there. So many lakes! I do love multiple water sources!
Anyway, on to my non review!
I've noticed some reviews that stated that this book wasn't near as good as the first in the series. I've not read that one, but if its better? Count me in.
Oddly enough, these two characters reminded me of Karin Slaughters characters in the series with Will and Sara. Except they were kind of reversed. Great characters and story. I plan on reading more from this author. I enjoyed every stinking' moment!

So caught up.in everything Jess Lourey writes. She takes actual crime stories and yes some of those creepy tales that make it through time and gives us one fantastic story. Which brings us here to book two in the Steinbeck and Reed series!

A brutal family murder, a nursing home for serial killers, history of witches! This has some of everything. Ms Loudly really went all out in this one.

If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would! The interactions between the main characters is just *chefs kiss*

The Reaping was like diving into a pool of old-school creepiness and mystery, with a splash of thrill to keep you on the edge of your seat. Even though I hadn't cracked open the first book featuring Detectives Steinbeck and Reed, I was totally hooked from the get-go. These two are hot on the trail of a murder in a sleepy Minnesota town that's got more secrets than a treasure chest. Turns out, it was settled way back when by a bunch of Finnish families running from who knows what. And get this, their descendants still run the show, making the whole place feel like a living history lesson. But it's not all quaint cottages and friendly smiles—there's a spooky rumor swirling around about a blood witch lurking in the shadows. Talk about giving you the heebie-jeebies! But honestly, that's what made it such a satisfyingly spine-tingling read. You'll want to keep those lights on for this one!

*Thank you to NetGalley, Jess Lourey and Thomas & Mercer for providing the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for a review, but all thoughts are my own*

Jess Lourey has a way of making the old feel new and fresh. I was instantly transported back 20+ years into this story with these characters who some I have come to love in past books. The child's perspective in this book was so smartly written and genuine. I had the feeling of someone watching me every time I picked up this book. Immersive to say the least!!

old-case detectives Steinbeck and Reed are back and on the case. This time, they are looking into the village of Alku, a remote and insular village, that is a step back in time.

Alku was founded by seven Finnish families and they have their own way. They all own the town and are ruled by a board of '7 Families'. They are also ruled by a Blood Witch, who will often call for a 'reaping'. A terrible murder of an entire family 25 years ago has the same details as a murder that just happened to a guard at the private prison/nursing home in the town of Alku.

As expected Van and Harry are plagued by their own issues - Harry and his missing sister, Van with her nightmares/predictions. Using the motivation from both of these, they work together to save the children of Alku from the long tradition.

As with The Taken Ones, both Harry and Van are complicated characters. Complicated and the kind of book characters that I love. I'm rather avoidant of any series after devoting so much time to Game of Thrones, but I will be the first in line for the Steinbeck and Reed partnership. With every book, we peel back the layers on each of our leads.

I HIGHLY recommend reading The Taken Ones and then digging into The Reaping. Jess Lourey has a fantastic duo on her hands.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Reaping was a good, old-fashioned creepy, mystery, thriller. It probably would have helped if I had read the first book of this detective series but not knowing the background of Detectives Steinbeck and Reed did not affect my enjoyment of this story, though there is some character development as his past trauma is interjected throughout the story. They are called investigate a murder in a small Minnesota town that was settled by seven families fleeing Finland over a hundred years ago under tragic circumstances. Descendants of the seven families still run the town and the prison now housed within it. The town is distrustful of outsiders and a rumor of a blood witch haunting the town adds to the uneasiness Steinbeck and Reed feel when investigating. Satisfying, but creepy, read!

This spine-chilling book permeated my soul in a trance-like state as I read every detailed word. Through the author’s descriptive words, I could see how the Alku clan looked, feel the horror of the scared children, smell the prison, experience the chill in the prison tunnel, the heart warming subtleties in the relationship between the detectives and more. This cold case was an eery one with a witch, children disappearing and a strange culture centered around a sanitarium/prison. Thank You for another great read, Jess Lourey!!

Creepy, shiver inducing tale. Set in a Finnish community in Northern Minnesota it introduces mysterious murders, missing creatures and fabled monsters

Loved it! I love a book that keeps you guessing who the villain is. Couldn’t stop reading it. Enjoyable to the very end.

Bam...Lourey knocked this one outta the park! So hood and creepy...what a twist! I loved the ending as well! Can't wait for the next Harry and Van story!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks to Thomas and Mercer, and NetGalley, for the digital advanced readers copy of Jess Lourey’s book, The Reaping, due for publication in September 2024.
This is a story unlike anything I have read - and I’ve read and loved all of the authors previous books! Jess Lourey has a way of weaving absolute heartache with the most tender moments of human connection. This is a story of a murder in the present day that has links to a cold case from 25 years ago; a cult- like community with secret and dark traditions - and lots of secrets.
I enjoyed meeting Harry and Van in the previous books but their partnership continues to be develop organically and beautifully in this story. Based on the ending, there seems to be an opening for another story featuring these two and I am already looking forward to it.