2 stars

Gwynn Denning is a serial killer. But she's always wrestled with her demons, and fought to do what's right throughout her life; heck she even works as the director of a home for abused children. When she sees the man that allegedly assaulted her roommate back in college, she knows he has to die and she's the one who needs to kill him. Unfortunately for Gwynn, that one action leads to a cascading domino effect of problems that she decides will require further killings if she has any hope of saving herself from jail.

This was a thriller that ultimately fell flat for me, which is too bad because the plot really had some decent potential to be good. Mainly, I couldn't find any sympathy for the main character - or any character actually - and the execution of everything else felt underwhelming. Gwynn's motivations were quite clear - she wanted to get rid of bad people (which I get) and wanted to make sure nothing and no one would get between her and her young son (which I also get). However, her processes were clunky, her inner thoughts and justifications were unconvincing, and somehow she still seemed to have all the men revolving in her life falling over themselves to protect her from her own failings. Ugh. The fact that the head detective on the case just completely talked himself out of any feelings he had that she was guilty because he was attracted to her was so yuck, and their whole relationship was cringe-worthy. There were definitely some twists that I didn't see coming, but none of it resolved into a satisfying conclusion (don't even get me started on that terrible ending with her whiny, estranged husband and his ultimatum - just, no.) Ultimately this felt like it needed another editing pass or two; I'm sorry but this is one book that I say you can leave on the shelf.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me access to a free digital ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.

Cruel & Bitter Things is a wild ride through the mind of a serial killer. You almost can't help but find parts of Gwynn charming and root for her. I enjoyed the twists in the story and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

Gwynn has had unhealthy, homicidal thoughts since she was a child. She began acting on them as a teenager, believing that what she was doing was ridding the world of bad people. She gets mental health help to try to keep her thoughts at bay. As an adult, she finishes college and gets a job in Social Work. She has a successful career, a five year old son, and a husband who is her friend. However, she is not in love with him, and she claims he is controlling of her. Following a separation, she runs into an old college acquaintance who may have date raped her roommate. She kills him, and the dominoes begin to fall as she tries to cover up her crime. She falls for the detective over the murder case, and discovers very dark things about her family roots in the process.

This was a good book that kept me reading to find out what happened. The descriptive visuals were good. It looks as it will be part of a series, and I am hoping there will be a sequel. I had some unanswered questions... Did her roommate really get raped or was she being the drama queen she was described as being? How in the world did the detective get by with the things he did, I can't believe a love interest would cause him to throw away his work ethics and career. What happened to Sandra's dog? Did Nyugen survive? Why is everyone in her life willing to keep her killings a secret?

This book not only kept me on the edge of my seat biting my nails but second guessing myself the whole time. This book was written and executed perfectly.

Some thrillers keep you guessing. Cruel and Bitter Things keeps you second-guessing—who to trust, who to root for, and what justice even means.

I loved this story. The characters are complex, flawed, and deeply human—no one is purely good or evil. We follow Gwynn, a murderer seeking redemption, constantly faced with new challenges that force her in unexpected directions. Opposing her is Detective Peters, tasked with investigating the murder she committed. Both characters have their own strengths and weaknesses, making them relatable. So much so that, at times, it’s hard to decide who you want to win in this gripping cat-and-mouse game between cop and killer.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is the chapters narrated by Dr. Kaufman, Gwynn’s psychologist. He acts as a voice of reason, offering deeper insight into the characters and adding another layer to the story.

While the book weaves together multiple subplots, they all connect seamlessly, creating a rich and layered tale of love and justice—without applying a clear-cut "right" or "wrong" label to anything. The reader is left to draw their own conclusions, but I suspect many will ultimately make the socially expected choice.

The only part that didn’t quite work for me was the investigation itself. Maybe I’ve watched too many crime dramas, but I couldn’t help but notice that a crucial clue—one that should have been easily discovered—was seemingly overlooked. A victim’s phone contained a photo that should have raised questions, yet no one ever checked it. I kept waiting for the police to find it, but that moment never came. While this didn’t ruin the story, it did pull me out of the experience at times.

If you love a good murder mystery told from both the killer’s and the detective’s perspectives, this book is definitely for you. But be warned—just when you think you know where it’s going, Souza pulls the rug out from under you. You won’t see that ending coming.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"Cruel & Bitter Things" is a raw, unflinching exploration of the darkest corners of the human psyche, a descent into the abyss of despair and the corrosive power of guilt. Souza masterfully weaves a tapestry of morally ambiguous characters and morally gray choices.

Not really a book that is enjoyable or lighthearted.

The story unfolds with a relentless pace, each chapter peeling back another layer of the protagonists' complex and often contradictory motivations. Souza depicts the brutal realities of their actions and the devastating consequences that follow. The prose is stark and unforgiving, mirroring the bleakness of the characters' inner worlds.

This novel refused to offer easy answers or simplistic morality. There are no heroes or villains, only flawed individuals grappling with their own demons and the weight of their past choices. Souza forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the human condition, challenging our own assumptions about good and evil.

However:

*The bleakness can be overwhelming. This is not a book for the faint of heart. The constant exposure to darkness and despair may leave some readers feeling emotionally drained.

The ending may feel ambiguous or unsatisfying. While the open-ended nature of the conclusion reflects the complexities of life, some readers might yearn for a more definitive resolution.

"Cruel & Bitter Things" is a powerful and unsettling read which is a testament to Souza's raw talent as a storyteller and a chilling reminder of the destructive power of human choices.

Cruel & Bitter Things is a compelling and engaging read with an interesting morally ambiguous protagonist. With lots of tension building right from the start Souza creates an uneasy atmosphere that keeps you turning the pages. Well paced and with good character development, this is a page turner adressing some interesting themes of guilt, culpability, revenge and background. A very enjoyable and satisfying read.

This book grabbed me from the start and never let up. First read with the author but won't be the last. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Cruel & Bitter Things by Joseph Souza was a action packed ride that kept me interested the entire book. Overall, I loved how Joseph was able to create such a deep story that flowed and did not have any plot holes. This was an easy read that had great pacing and intrigue which led me to give it a solid 4/5 rating. I will definitely look into other books by Joseph.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm always very happy about an ARC and being able to give it a review! <3

I found the story really exciting at the beginning. It was easy to get into the story and the characters were very interesting too. I loved the dynamic between Gwynn and the detective.

But at some point her murders became too ridiculous and too "unrealistic" for me and for the story... you're waiting the whole time... but yeah... for what? For her next victim? The murders also happened too "quickly" for me. I needed a little more to it.

A nice and exciting thriller that I really enjoyed reading and couldn't put down. However, it didn't really catch me, it was way too over the top and won't stay in my head for very long.

my first read from #NetGalley, This book has very good plot and characters driven. It has started well but went flat towards the end. I just don’t like some characters (Ezra Kauffman specially so much annoying ) on this one as they acted so dumb. I read many police procedural novels but this one seems unrealistic and ain’t well written.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Cruel and Bitter Things. The story centers on Gwynn Denning. She is one tough woman who lives a double life. It’s not often you get a female lead in such situations like say serial killing. The author creates a detailed aspect to a woman who doesn’t seem to have a problem with murder. But does she…the line are blurry and as she leads a double life you wonder what makes her ‘tick’.
Truly an interesting novel that is thought provoking and scary as well.
Made me think about how one might operate in the world with a double standard of what is right and wrong
Thought provoking and not just an average novel. 3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley & Level best books for a chance to read this book..

and I really really tried to read this book, but unfortunately, it's a DNF for me around 50% of the book, I just kept waiting for something to happen to pick up the reading pace on this one and get me excited and it just didn't happen. I got halfway through and it was just a slow reading pace and I was quite literally bored and falling asleep during the book. None of the characters really felt likeable to me, honestly the most intriguing character for me was probably Jack

Joseph Souza’s *Cruel & Bitter Things* had the potential to be a captivating psychological thriller, but it missed the mark. The plot features Gwynn Denning, who decides to kill Sam Townsend, the man who date-raped her friend. Unfortunately, the characters are underdeveloped and passive. Joseph Souza's *Cruel & Bitter Things* had the potential to be a gripping psychological thriller, but it ultimately misses the mark. The story revolves around Gwynn Denning, who resolves to kill Sam Townsend, the man who date-raped her friend. However, the characters are poorly developed and largely passive.

I was left waiting for a twist to inject some excitement into the narrative, but it never materialized. While some may appreciate its slow pace, I found it to be a letdown. If you enjoy thrillers about an underdog fighting back, this book may resonate with you. However, those seeking sharp twists and engaging plot dynamics will likely be disappointed.

Great book full of surprises! Encouraged my friends to add it to their TBR list. I cannot wait to hear what they think!

Cruel & Bitter Things by Joseph Souza is a psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of guilt, vengeance, and self-deception. The story follows Gwynn Denning, a woman haunted by her past and driven to kill after discovering the man who harmed her friend, Sam Townsend, is still around. As she tries to maintain a facade of normalcy—balancing motherhood, her career, and therapy—her violent impulses and the consequences of her actions spiral out of control. The tension builds as Gwynn’s world unravels, forcing her to confront her own dark secrets and the painful truths about her family. Souza expertly weaves suspense with emotional depth, creating a gripping narrative about the blurred lines between justice and revenge. The novel explores not just crime, but the psychological toll of living a double life, making it a compelling read for fans of morally complex characters.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and it was fantastic!! I did not want this story to end!! I was addicted from the very first page! If you’re wanting a thriller with an interesting & twisted FMC who offs bad people then this is the story for you. Gwynn gets invited to an event, where a man from her college days, will be in attendance. This man assaulted her best friend and she told her friend if she had the chance she would kill him. Except that’s where the story takes an interesting twist and she starts to realize her perfect plan, wasn’t so perfect after all!

This was a super addicting story and I will recommend this to everyone now!! This is my first book I’ve ever read by this author, but it will not be the last!! I wish I could give this more stars because that’s how much I loved this story! Was it perfectly written or the best thing I’ve ever read? No…but that doesn’t even matter because I was so entertained, on the edge of my seat needing to know what was going to happen next and honestly felt like I was in a trance because I was just so focused on the story! I will say the ending did feel a tad bit rushed. I would have liked it to be a little bit longer and to answer some of my questions and also wish what was going on at the end would have been wrapped up with a bit of a better resolution. But other than the rushed ending this was a fantastic thriller & an addicting story!

**A Dark and Mesmerizing Thriller That Will Leave You Breathless**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Joseph Souza’s *Cruel & Bitter Things* is an enthralling and gritty novel that delves into the darkest corners of human nature while keeping readers on the edge of their seats. This story is a masterful blend of psychological suspense, raw emotion, and shocking twists that make it impossible to put down.

From the very start, Souza pulls you into a world rife with tension and secrets. The protagonist’s journey is as gripping as it is harrowing, filled with moral dilemmas and personal struggles that add depth and complexity to the narrative. Souza’s ability to create such vivid, flawed, and relatable characters is truly remarkable.

The pacing is perfectly calibrated, with moments of quiet unease erupting into heart-pounding action. Just when you think you’ve uncovered the truth, Souza delivers a twist that upends everything, leaving you desperate to know what happens next.

The novel’s dark themes and richly atmospheric setting create an immersive experience that lingers long after the final page. Souza doesn’t shy away from exploring the complexities of guilt, redemption, and the lengths people will go to protect what they love.

*Cruel & Bitter Things* is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and dark suspense. Joseph Souza has crafted a story that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a novel that challenges the mind while quickening the pulse!

I was hooked with simply the need to see if my own questions were answered from blurb. So ma y moral dilemmas here.

I.cant imagine the anger and want for revenge when someone you love is attacked. Especially in current world where justice and repercussions are few and far between in both law and society.
The story follow different character point of view. I thought it was a really great way to show from all points. From the perpetrator right down to the detective trying to solve the case.
But Gwynn has problems in the present and past and there is so much going on for her to battle.
And is she guilty? But what of?
Add in a romance with the detective and you've got an emotional.and angst filled read.
complexity. The story follows Gwynn Denning, a group home director and mother, who leads a double life as a vigilante serial killer. While she sees herself as delivering justice, her actions, relationships and past create a protagonist both horrifying and fascinating.

I really loved the style of writing in this book. The story was intriguing and didn't spell out everything so left you wondering at parts which I really enjoyed. I am not sure what I was looking for in the ending but I was left a bit disappointed. I am not usually surprised but this one had exceptionally twists I did not see coming.