Granite Harbor is a close knit coastal town in Maine. When a teenaged boy is murdered, the whole town is in shock. Found at The Settlement, a historic archeological site, the investigation turned up some gruesome discoveries. Alex is the towns newest detective, a career change after failing as a novelist, he’s put a lot of pressure on himself to prove that he isn’t a failure. Using his wits as a writer helps, but it’s not quite enough to figure it all out without the help of Isabel. The two are parents to the murdered boys best friends and they are deeply worried about their own kids. When another young boy from their friend group is murdered and Isabel’s son, Ethan, and Alex’s daughter, Sophie, go missing, they are terrified. Will they be able to solve the case before it’s too late or has time already run out? I listened to this one on audio and while it had interesting plot, and the story was unique, I wasn’t overly fond of the narrator and the perp was very easy to figure out. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC of this book.

I enjoyed this book and the story! it was interesting and extremely thrilling!!! I will say I didn't enjoy the narrator as much as I would have liked to. but overall the book was interesting I found myself thinking . it was page turning and gave that small town creepy vibe that we all love and look forward to. I love a small town serial killer! Just didn't love the voice for the audio.

One day a local teen is found murdered in the Settlement, a historic, archeological site in Granite Harbor, Maine. Alex, the town’s detective and a former novelist, faces his first murder investigation. The murder hits close to home as the victim was friends with Alex’s daughter Sophie. When a second teen is killed in the same way, Alex turns to his ex-girlfriend, Isabel, for help, also hoping to keep her son Ethan from becoming the next victim.

In many ways, this is a story I’ve read before. It’s a straightforward, police procedural following a serial killer in a small town.

But I was unprepared for the graphic, horror elements. This really is a mash-up of both mystery and horror. The murders are graphic and disturbing, and involve animal cruelty.

I don’t mind graphic horror. In some cases it really works for me. And I have to admit to wanting to read to the end and know what happened. It’s a book that you can fly through, if the horror elements don’t get in your way.

But there was something off for me in the characterization. For one, the way the children were described felt like the author didn’t have children or have experience with them.

One example, Alex is described as having to buckle and unbuckle his daughter when she was in first through fifth grade when he’d drop her off at school. By 4, my kids had unbuckled themselves and we’re practically jumping out of the car before I could turn it off! Even the teenagers were described as caricatures: extremely moody and uncommunicative, sullen and withdrawn. I’ve worked with many teens as a teacher and kids are way more nuanced and complex than this.

I also had issues with the chapters from the serial killer perspective. This person also didn’t feel real. I understand they were really messed up, but their character felt just surface level to me.

At first I found the audio narrator hard to listen to as he has a more monotone way of reading and does a very strange accent for Alex who is British (I guess the audio narrator was attempting a British accent?), but I did get more used to it and liked listening to it by the end.

If you enjoy plot-heavy police procedurals, if you find it fascinating getting into the head of a serial killer, or if you want a fast-paced mystery you can fly through, I’d recommend picking this one up.

*Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the alc. All opinions are my own.

Woah. There was some darrrrkkk and gory stuff going on here, but I couldn’t get enough. I usually reserve my audiobooks for chores and car rides, but this is the first time ever that I laid in bed or on the couch with the tv off listening to an audiobook 🤣 because I needed to know what was going to happen next! It was totally gripping.

There’s plenty of ick topics and TWs to check out, but I really felt like this was a “grown up” thriller, as opposed to a lot of the “fluffier” thrillers I tend to read.

True Detective or Mare of Easttown vibes.

Read if you love:
Small town mystery
Coastal scenery
Family drama
Teenage angst

&you probably shouldn’t be squeamish 🫣

I liked this but didn't love its - i think there were too many POVs that took away from the plot of the story. But loved the Maine setting and the overall mystery was intriguing.

3.75⭐️

Granite Harbor is an uneven but generally entertaining serial killer murder mystery tale. There was a large cast of characters, which was at times difficult to keep track of, and the pacing was often slow, but I was intrigued enough to keep reading. I appreciated that we got to hear from the killer’s perspective, getting to know their background without being told who they were. I was kept guessing for quite awhile, though I did figure it out before the final reveal.

Some of the characters were far more fleshed out and sympathetic than others, and there were some unsettlingly gory moments, but overall this proved a worthwhile read.

Peter Ganim did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Peter Nichols, Celadon Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

The descriptors of women characters will not be for everyone. It is reminiscent of Jim Butler's often misogynistic language. There are also multiple instances of animal cruelty that will make this title unsuitable for some audiences. The audiobook narrator is solid and delivers the narrative with care and an engaging tone, without going overboard.

Firstly, I would like to extend my gratitude to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of "Granite Harbor" by Peter Nichols. It's always a pleasure to delve into new stories, especially those that promise a blend of thrill and mystery.

"Granite Harbor" is indeed a solid entry into the thriller/whodunnit genre. Nichols crafts a narrative that is engaging from start to finish, with a pacing that skillfully builds tension and keeps the reader hooked. The setting of Maine is another highlight, portrayed with such vividness that it becomes a character in its own right. The atmosphere of the locale adds a chilling backdrop to the unfolding mystery, enhancing the overall experience of the narrative.

However, the book is not without its shortcomings, particularly in terms of character development. The protagonist, Alex—a novelist turned town detective—struggles to leave a lasting impression. Unlike many detectives in literature who are defined by either their clichéd quirks or their deep and complex personas, Alex falls into a grey area where he is neither. This lack of distinctive characteristics renders him somewhat uninteresting and predictable, making it challenging for the reader to fully engage with his journey.

The portrayal of the high school teenagers in the story also veers towards the cliché, with the exception of Ethan. Ethan stands out as a sympathetic character with a depth that is sadly missing from his peers, who come across as generic and hard to empathize with. Isabel, serving as both the love interest and Ethan's mother, similarly suffers from a lack of development, leaving her character feeling somewhat flat and unengaging.

Despite these criticisms, the core of the story—the mystery and the identity of the killer—remains the book's strongest suit. Nichols successfully weaves a suspenseful tale that keeps the reader guessing and turning the pages eagerly. The plot is well-constructed, with enough twists and turns to satisfy fans of the genre.

In conclusion, "Granite Harbor" by Peter Nichols is a commendable thriller that delivers on its promise to entertain and mystify. While it may fall short in the realm of character development, the compelling storyline and the intriguing setting make it a worthwhile read. I would recommend it to those looking for a good, albeit not groundbreaking, addition to their thriller collection.

The book takes place in a small settlement town called Granite Harbor. Life is quiet there until a boy is discovered murdered and set on display. The deceased boy is part of a small tight knit group of friends and the town starts to go on a frenzy when a second boy in their group is discovered murdered. The police are now racing against time before there is another murder.

I like that the killers past is dispersed throughout the book so you get to know the unnamed killer as he grows up and you get to see what made him the way he was. I was surprised when the killer was revealed, I didn't see it coming.

It was a dark thrilling adventure and there were definitely some parts that made me cringe. I enjoyed the narration by Peter Ganim, he made the characters come alive. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I found it to be engaging and it made me want to keep listening.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6348861188

I found 'Granite Harbor' by Peter Nichols to be very well written and interesting. I did figure out the identity of the killer about half way through the book but it was still a very enjoyable book. The narration by Peter Ganim was great. He did a good job with the accents other than the main character Alex is supposed to have a British accent and I don't think it was shown in the narration. He had some kind of accent, but it was more like an unspecified accent, like Alex was from some other unspecified European country. However, it was still a good narration. There is some incest (cousins) and a bit of animal cruelty. I enjoyed the grittiness of the style. It's pretty close to Nordic Noir so I'd recommend it if you enjoy that. I would definitely read more books by this author.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this audiobook.

I cannot stomach and will never recommend books with animal violence. I think it is extremely irresponsible to publish this with no trigger or content warnings.

Very well-written book and has excellent narration. Story was just as well done as other of similar style, Could definitely see this being adapted tot he screen.

As I delved into the audio experience, I found myself enveloped in a world both hauntingly sad and deeply emotional. Each moment kept me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath as the characters disappeared one by one, leaving behind a palpable sense of fear and uncertainty.

The darkness that permeated every scene added to the intensity, drawing me further into the narrative and heightening my senses. It was as if I was right there with the characters, experiencing their terror and desperation firsthand.

What truly set this audio apart for me was the subtle hint of the paranormal woven throughout the story. While not crucial to the plot, it added an extra layer of intrigue and mystery, leaving me pondering long after the final chapter ended.

Overall, this audio experience left a lasting impression on me. It gripped me from the very beginning and didn't let go until the very end. It's a journey through darkness that I won't soon forget.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an alc in exchange for an honest review.
Granite Harbor releases April 30, 2024

Let’s just say I’m glad my life does not depend on explaining this book… because I have no idea what I just read/listened to.

The writing was rather choppy with rough transitions, and I think that largely contributed to why I was so confused with the plot. It felt like the characters kept going in circles with no clear sense of direction.

Granite Harbor reminded me a lot of Locust Lane (another title published by Celadon) where it focused on both a set of teenagers as well as their parents.

The bullying scene involving a group of students urinating and defecating on the face of another student really turned me off and I lost interest after that.
If I’m not mistaken, I think this included incest/SA between young minors and animal cruelty as well.

3.5. A small Maine Coastal town, a failed novelist turned to police work, and a terrible, horrifying killing. Four friends, one the cops daughter, watch terrified as it seems that a serial killer has them in his target. Everyone knows everyone I this town, many of them work at the Settlement, an archeological site, where those employed dress up in costume and show the visitors how life was lived in the past. No strangers have come to town. But as parents try to keep their children safe, they all wonder, could the killer already be in their town?

Gritty and quite gruesome, graphic descriptions of the murders. Also, animal cruelty. Tough read, but I really enjoyed a few of the characters, so I just skipped over the parts that I didn’t want to read.

Soooo many character to keep straight! It became confusing at times. This was just an ok read/listen for me. I did both and actually preferred reading over listening to the narrator of this one.

Granite Harbor (audiobook)
4⭐️

Small town detective Alex has his first major crime in an otherwise sleepy town. Teenagers are being murdered and all signs point to a serial killer due to the similarities found on/in the bodies.

This was a bit confusing with so many POVs that weren’t announced at the beginning of the chapters. It was especially difficult while listening to the audio version. The reader hears from almost every characters’ perspective at least once-some once and never again. That said, the last quarter of the book had me on the edge of my seat. I liked the writing.

One of my pet peeves in detective/law enforcement stories are how dim witted the lead detective can be, yet everything falls into place!-especially small town law enforcement that wouldn’t have the experience or resources to do what the book characters do. I loved that Alex doesn’t pretend to be an amazing detective. The character of Alex straight up admits that he he only became an officer because he didn’t make enough as a writer and was hired and (eventually) promoted because it’s easy enough to do in a small boring town. He often lacks confidence and admits to himself he doesn’t know what he’s doing-often pulling from his knowledge of tv and books. It was a breath of fresh air to hear the character saying the things I usually think about them 😆

While this had good suspense, thrill, and mystery, this is not for everyone. There are
stomach turning details about animal abuse/death, human mutilation, and sexual activities involving children.

Thank you to NetGalley, Peter Nichols, and Macmillan Audio for providing this audio ARC. This review is being shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.

this was a solid read! I love a small town serial killer thriller, and this did not disappoint! I loved seeing the insight in how the serial killer grew up.

Mystery thriller set in Maine.

The setting for this novel is the fictional small coastal town of Granite Harbor. With a population of 5000, the unusual novelist turned only detective on the police force, Alex Brangwen, hasn't had much exposure to real crime and definitely not murder. It seems that there is a serial killer hidden in plain sight in the area and the targets are teenaged boys.

A ton of characters are introduced, and it takes a while to keep them straight. I personally did not care for any of the adults (parents, townspeople) and really disliked the depiction of the 16-year-old teens in the book. It baffles me how parents do not seem to have any ability to monitor and appropriately discipline and guide their adolescents (not just in this book but in many I seem to read). Of course, most of these adults are messed up too. Anyway, I was put off by the descriptions and activities of the characters which made me less inclined to worry too much about them running around making dumb decisions.

The plot, with a deranged and obviously weird serial killer whose history we get glimpses of, sort of drug on. As the small police force, along with temporary help from an FBI agent, struggles to align the few clues to identify a suspect, the parents who know there is someone in their town who is a bad actor, should be locking down their kids. There's some strange ritual stuff with animals and a bit of supernatural clairvoyance that sort of made me tune out.

Anyway, not one I will enthusiastically recommend as it really did not live up to the blurb description.

I both read the e-book and listened to the audio production. The narrator was OK. Thanks to the publishers for those ARC copies.

Thank you NetGalley for an ALC and Edelweiss for an ALC of "Granite Harbor".

Peter Nichols's "Granite Harbor" is a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling. Set against the picturesque yet unsettling backdrop of a seemingly idyllic Maine town, the novel unravels a dark and chilling mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Nichols excels at crafting complex characters. Alex Brangwen, the single father and failed novelist thrust into the role of detective, is a compelling protagonist. His grief, vulnerability, and determination to protect his daughter resonate deeply. The supporting cast is equally well-developed, each harboring secrets and complexities that contribute to the overall mystery.

The small-town atmosphere is a character in itself. Nichols masterfully captures the close-knit community's charm and claustrophobia. The idyllic facade crumbles as long-held secrets come to light, weaving a web of suspicion and fear. The novel's pacing is perfect, with each new revelation propelling you further into the heart of the mystery. The villain's motives are both chilling and surprisingly believable, adding another layer of depth to the story.

"Granite Harbor" isn't just a thrilling whodunit; it's a profound exploration of family, loss, and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of even the most seemingly peaceful communities. The ending is both satisfying and impactful, leaving you pondering the characters and their fates long after you turn the final page.

If you're looking for a heart-pounding thriller with unforgettable characters, a richly atmospheric setting, and a plot that will stay with you long after you finish, then "Granite Harbor" is an absolute must-read.