First of all I have to say that I didn’t have time to finish the book (overwhelming news from Valencia), but I cheated because I had a hunch and when I realised I was not going to read it in time i had to go to the end and there it was. This is something that I was not exactly happy about, because it was so obvious and it’s a first with a J.D. Barker novel. Other than that, i must say that I was enjoying the read and suffering each time the governor’s son appeared and wondering how it was done. In that aspect, this was something I was expecting from J.D., pushing someone to the limit (two people here).. So I can say I was enjoying the novel and I’ll get it to finish the reading.

By the way, it has a biblical background that will make anyone familiar with the Old Testament follow it a little better than otherwise.

Excellent and gripping mystery that keeps you on edge. I was invested in the plot and characters. It's an absolute page-turner! I cannot recommend highly enough.

J.D. Barker does it again!! If you have read The 4MK series and are experiencing withdrawal….this is the remedy! Barker has a knack for creating perfectly flawed characters and twisted storylines that keep you coming back for more. Heavy Are the Stones is no exception. I felt the emotion alongside Jena as the serial killer seemed to always be a step ahead of her and her team. It’s an excellent 5-star read. This is the first collaboration that I’ve read, and it definitely makes me want to read more by Christine Daigle as well.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I absolutely love all of the books I've read by J.D. Barker so far so had to read this one! He does a great job of laying out the story and giving each character their own distinct personality. The story flowed very well; I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. There never was a slow point. Highly recommend; he's quickly becoming a favorite author of mine.

Five years ago, Detective Jena Campbell helped put away the Leviticus Killer, a serial killer who was stoning his victims to death. The only problem is she may not have done it exactly by the book. Now, a new serial killer has emerged, and he is killing one person a day until the Leviticus Killer is released.
*
Like all other JD Barker books, this is fast, lots of murder, and I really liked Jena as a character. It wasn't quite as break-neck speed as some of his other books, and I found it required a good deal of suspension of disbelief, but I still enjoyed reading it and got through it really quickly. It's a great popcorn thriller. It ends in a way that suggests there's possibly more to come? I would keep reading if this ends up being a series!

3.5 stars rounded up

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Heavy Are The Stones by J.D. Barker and Christine Daigle is a gripping thriller that delves into the dark recesses of human nature and the consequences of buried secrets.

The story follows Detective Jena Campbell, who five years ago, put the notorious Leviticus Killer behind bars, locking away a dark secret of her own. Now, a mysterious figure named Azrael emerges, threatening to unleash ten plagues unless the killer is released.

Barker and Daigle have crafted a masterful thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The narrative is tightly woven, with each chapter revealing new twists and turns that heighten the suspense.

Detective Jena Campbell is a compelling protagonist, haunted by her past decisions and driven by a fierce determination to protect those she loves. Her complex relationship with the Leviticus Killer adds an intriguing layer to the story, as she grapples with the moral ambiguities of her actions.

The book’s pacing is impeccable, with the ten-day countdown to the plagues adding a relentless urgency to the plot. Barker and Daigle skillfully build tension, making it nearly impossible to put the book down.

Heavy Are The Stones is a standout thriller that showcases the combined talents of J.D. Barker and Christine Daigle. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and relentless suspense, this novel is a must-read for fans of the genre.

I was 100% prepared to adore this one, but alas, I did not… I’m a J.D. Barker fan, which is why I hit that Read Now button, I didn’t want to wait until publication day to read it, but I dunno, I think there might be more Daigle than Barker to this book.

To be clear, Heavy Are The Stones is by no means a bad book, and if I had gone in with other expectations, I might have enjoyed it more than I did. I didn’t not enjoy it, there were just a couple of things that didn’t quite work for me. Bear with me…

I never really warmed to Jena, the main character, our detective trying to catch the bad guy. I’m not even sure why, but I didn’t. And that’s probably one of the reasons I never really became invested in the story. I never really cared all that much. Moreover, all the fuss about her having a deep, dark secret got on my nerves. Sometimes I appreciate a dangling carrot, sometimes I really really don’t. Moreover, the secret turned out to be a big deal, but also not? I dunno, I guess with all the fuss that came before the reveal, I’d expected something bigger and bolder. And especially, tangible proof of it. Anyone can tell you they know your darkest secret, but knowing (and being able to prove) something is very different from suspecting something.

Heavy Are The Stones packs not one, but two serial killer storylines. I love a mean serial killer thriller as much as the next gal, but that was a little OTT even for me. I’m pretty sure I would have liked it better if the focus had been on one of the killers, with the other one more of a side character. It’s not a seamless blend of the two storylines, but it’s not a dual timeline either, it’s just spouting of information that, honestly, I didn’t really need or care about.

The same goes for the Smart Board data peppering the story. I rather liked it at first, it reminded me of Lincoln Rhyme, but really, there is not that much information to retain, in terms of victims, targets and leads, and little need to repeat it every other chapter.

And yet another aspect that got old fast was the religious aspect. I’m not religious and I have zero patience for religious nuts like Silas.

The premise is ace, the murders are dark and gruesome and quite inventive, and the final part is fast-faced and action-packed. Still, there were too many elements that didn’t gel with me and it never became more than an okay read for me.

Heavy Are The Stones is out in digital formats, hardcover and audio on 26 November.

Thanks to Hampton Creek Press and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

I have just read Heavy Are The Stones By J.D. Barker and Christine Daigle.

This Thriller of a book written by co-authors J.D. Barker and Christine Daigle, is filled with crime, psychology, and momentum.

I love the way the storyline has a familiar feel of a J.D. Barker book which grabs your attention immediately, and has characters that are multi layered and tormented.

Combined with top notch detective work that has many challenges.

It's a serial killer story that is deep, dark and terrifying.

A good book by two authors that will keep you on your toes, and leaves you wondering if there will be sequals.


Thank you to NetGalley, The Authors and Hampton Creek Press for my advanced copy to read and review.

#NetGalley #HeavyAreTheStones

Release: November 26, 2024

Rating: 4.25/5 ★ 

Heavy Are the Stones by J.D. Barker is a relentless thrill ride that pulls you into a labyrinth of crime, dark psychology, and high-stakes detective work. The pacing is sharp, and Barker’s unique narrative structure—incorporating investigation notes, case files, smart board entries, and news articles—keeps the momentum racing. This layout creates an immersive experience, as though you’re piecing together the mystery alongside the characters, adding depth to an already intense storyline.

In a chilling twist, the plot follows not just one but two serial killers, each casting an ominous shadow over the investigation. It’s a darker story than some of Barker’s previous works, and that sinister tone serves as a fitting backdrop for the suspense that unfolds. The characters are richly developed, especially Detective Jena Campbell, a complex figure with an emotional past. Jena’s internal struggle over a decision made five years prior adds an extra layer of tension, showing her humanity as she faces the moral and professional weight of her actions.

With a race against time to prevent further bloodshed and the backdrop of a relig zealot’s terrifying actions, Heavy Are the Stones delivers page-turning suspense and a hauntingly vivid look at the mind of a detective under extreme pressure. Barker has crafted a masterful work that challenges, thrills, and surprises in equal measure.

Favorite Quote:

“Some choices carve themselves into your bones, becoming a silent ache you carry. Five years later, the shadows of what she’d done still stretched long, reminding her that justice wasn’t always clean—and the hardest battle was often with herself.”

This book actually reminded me of that TV series, The Following. I wonder if that was an influence.

Although I enjoyed this story, didn't have the usual polish of JD Barker novel. It's difficult, when a book is co-authored, to know how much each author completed in the final product. I'm wondering if Barker wrote much of this, just because I've read other books that were so much better. If you've read the 4MK books, you'll know what I mean. That trilogy is pure genius!

And it's not the entire book I have issues with. It's the last half, when the book morphs into block buster movie territory and loses the more sinister and suspenseful feel. The first half of this book is amazing. It's tense, chilling, gripping. I'm a sucker for serial killer books, where there's a hunt to find the killer before he strikes again. Add in the killer having a whacked out vision for his crimes, and that's a cherry on the cake. But then we have a shift, and when the book becomes too much, it really is overdone and predictable. And I found my attention wavering.

There are some other aspects to this book that make it different and interesting, primarily involving the good-guy protagonist, and I see the heavy suggestions for a sequel to this story. Would I read the sequel? Definitely. Because I just get a feeling there would be something sinister lurking around the corner.

If this gets the right marketing, I see this being a popular read, because it has that mix of fast pace, readability, and shocks that many readers crave in thriller like this.

Five years ago Detective Jena Campbell was responsible for the incarceration of serial killer Silas Halvard but has kept a guilty secret ever since. Switching to the present day a man named Azrael appears on social media and threatens to kill ten in ten days with ten plagues unless Silas is released. A misguided religious connotation is behind this madness and it is a race against time to stop this evil killer. Jena has to face her own demons while putting herself in unimaginable danger to save lives. J D Barker is an absolute genius who has the most incredible imagination that shocks every time. Murder is never straightforward in his books. I had not encountered Christine Dailgle before and obviously don’t know what parts she wrote but the storyline was seemless. Another excellent book and maybe we will meet Jena Campbell again.

JD Barker is a go to author for me. I love dark thrillers and his books never disappoint. I have not read Christine Daigle, but as soon as I finished I started researching her and will be following her career now

I was drawn in from the beginning. A book that has a serial killer that is mixed with Biblical references is going to get pushed to the top of TBR every time.

The court transcripts and medical records were a nice insight into the mind of the killer as well. Lime other have mentioned this book did take me longer to read than I expected but it was totally worth if

I read this with mixed feelings throughout. I’ll be honest, some of the feelings were based on my expectations going into the book. I’m a fan of JD Barker’s writing and have read other co-authored books that had his distinct voice. While I still enjoyed the story, I suspect the writing leaned more towards the co-author. There was something there but it wasn’t tightly written as other JD Barker works. Usually I’m fully immersed in the stories he creates, completely forgetting I’m read a story, not living inside it.

This is about a serial killer toying with the police. Detective Campbell is praised for locking up the Leviticus Killer 5 years earlier, but is now being taunted by someone who is willing to kill people one by one until the Leviticus Killer is released from prison. Detective Campbell is struggling with her own moral dilemma as it relates to the case.

I don’t know exactly why, but I wasn’t a fan of 1st POV for the main character. It didn’t feel like the right flow choice. I did figure out who Azrael was fairly early on, but the story still kept me engaged and wanting to know more about how everything was going to wrap up at the end. Something else that rubbed me wrong was some of the supporting characters. They often came off cartoonish: offering levity or comic relief, but that was their whole personality. It seemed unnatural (ex. Mary, Torres, Papich). I felt like there was absolutely nothing to support Mary (detective partner) being an actual officer/detective. She seemed more like the bubbly best friend with no law enforcement experience. I appreciated the ending which was very suspenseful and fast paced.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This review will be shared on NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon.

Pub Date Nov 26 2024

J.D. Barker does it again. This one gave me major “Angels and Demons” vibes, which I loved . I will be researching the co-authors books for sure !

Five years ago, when Detective Jena Campbell put the Leviticus Killer behind bars, she locked her darkest secret away with him. Something never meant to surface. Something better left to rot with the madman who had destroyed so many lives.
When a strange man calling himself Azrael appears on social media with threats to unleash ten plagues, ten deaths, in ten days, unless Leviticus is released, Jena is forced to reopen that door and face her past.

Unusually, I struggled to get going with this book as previously I have loved J D’s work. Maybe collaboration isn’t for him. I found the characters wooden and unloveable. Even Silas, the imprisoned serial killer, was about as scary as a puppy. I found myself skipping pages to stop myself from falling asleep. Maybe it was just my mood but it didn’t work for me.

Written jointly by J D Barker and Christine Daigle this is a stunningly brilliant read and after a slowish start the pace then just never let up till the superb conclusion and I absolutely loved it.
So much was going on in the story it took me longer than usual to read it as I was so intrigued as to what was going to happen next and reread some parts just looking for clues but it had me fooled and I loved that.
Fabulous characters especially Detective Jena Campbell who I really liked and not just one serial killer but two how good is that!
Superb writing, gripping plot and as I have loved every book by JD I’m happy to say this one was no exception I can’t fault anything about it and really hope there will be another collaboration with these two authors in the future, many thanks to them both for a 5 star read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Yes! This book was awesome, I devoured it quickly. The religion aspect of this book made it quite interesting for me. I am also a sucker for a Pittsburgh setting. This book was a bit graphic in some spots so check trigger warnings. If you are looking for a read that is action packed and keeps you wanting more this is the book for you.

J.D. Barker brings us another superb dark horror thriller. When is doing the wrong thing right, and maybe doing the right thing almost certainly wrong. Detective Jena Campbell gets herself caught in knots as a past decision to catch a serial killer means she now finds herself in major trouble trying to protect innocent lives. Thank you to Hampton Creek Press and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

A horrifying and suspenseful novel, Detective Jena Campbell is called in on her day off to find a missing teenager. This is below her paygrade, but it’s the son of the governor who’s missing so, on she goes to try and locate him, along with her partner Mary. Soon, she finds a better case that she just knows is a budding serial killer. The victim rings a bell with ties to a dangerous murderer that she put away in the past and is currently rotting in jail. The plot is so tightly wound that it was hard to stop reading. I liked Jena and was rooting for her, even when she makes a huge mistake in my opinion. Mary is simply a wonderful character, and I was worried that she didn’t have all the details because Jena was keeping a secret. The Leviticus Killer that Jenna put in jail is a creepy baddie who gives serious Hannibal Lecter vibes. I did see the other villain coming a mile away, but it was still suspenseful not to know how Jena would stop the murders. There was one detail that made me give this four stars. In the last, most suspenseful part, when everything is hitting the fan and Jena’s future and life are in peril, the plot is interrupted with documents about the Leviticus Killer’s case, with introductions, explanations of the methods used to psychoanalyze him, and other information that I would have loved in any other part of the book, but not when I was screaming at my Kindle in terror. Other than that, I really enjoyed this novel.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Hampton Creek Press.

I love J.D. Barker and will read anything he writes. But this one didn’t jive with me for some reason. I didn’t click with any characters or the plot.