This was a good thriller with plenty of intrigue. I was engrossed from the very first page. It was well written

Dog Rose Dirt by Jen Williams is a decent crime thriller that follows the story of a woman named Margot who is struggling with the memories of her past. The book is well-written and the plot is engaging, but it lacks the depth and originality that sets it apart from other books in the same genre. The characters are well-developed, but some of their actions and decisions feel forced and unnatural. Overall, it's an entertaining read, but it doesn't quite reach the level of greatness that I was hoping for.

A dark and powerful novel which kept me rapt and turning the pages. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

The book was archived before our group could download it. We are sure that we would have enjoyed the book judging from the reviews it has received.

Dog Rose Dirt is an intriguing thriller that follows a young woman named Heather Evans who returns to the family home after her mother has died. Trying to discover the reason for her Mum’s suicide, Heather uncovers a series of letters between her mother and Michael Reave, the infamous serial killer known as the Red Wolf. When a body is found that has the same markings as Reave’s previous victims, the police are desperate to find out who is behind the killings. Only Reave can help the police, but he has spent a lifetime behind bars and the only person he will speak to is Heather. Can she uncover the truth behind her mother’s past and stop anymore people being hurt?

I read and really enjoyed Ninth Rain by Jen Williams so was really keen to pick up Dog Rose Dirt, this is a vastly different story but was still compelling and well written. I really liked the writing style and the story was easy to sink into. The story is a pretty fast paced one and Williams does a good job of creating tension and unease as the story draws to a conclusion. The mystery elements of the story worked well and while there were twists I guessed quite early on, there were some that I didn’t see coming.

While I enjoyed the bulk of the story, I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending, there was quite a lot going on in the final chapters which meant I wasn’t as gripped as I thought I would be. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the main protagonist Heather, who I found at times a bit irritating. The story is dark and at times disturbing and no doubt fans of psychological thrillers will really adore this one. If you’re looking for a thriller with a dark and sinister feel, this one will be exactly what you’re looking for.

Picture this - a journalist named Heather on a quest to unravel the mysteries behind her estranged mother's suicide. So, she starts poking around her mother's stuff and BAM! She stumbles upon a stack of letters from none other than an infamous serial killer. Talk about an eyebrow-raising discovery!

Now, there's a whole bunch of copycat killings happening in town, so Heather's like, "I gotta do something about this!" She contacts the police, hoping those letters will shed some light on her mother's shady dealings and maybe even reveal the culprit behind the recent murders.

But let me tell ya, this ain't no fast-paced thriller. Oh no, it's a slow burn, my friends, like a turtle on a leisurely stroll. Don't get me wrong, the atmosphere's pretty darn creepy, but sometimes I was like, "C'mon, let's pick up the pace, shall we?"

In the end, though, it all comes together with a bang! Unexpected revelations, intense showdowns - oh, it's like a fireworks display, but with a sprinkle of psychological thrill!

Now, a little heads up - this tale touches on some gory crimes, but hey, the author doesn't go into gruesome detail. It's like they're teasing us with just enough to get our hearts racing.

So, overall, this book's got its moments of creepy delight, but be prepared to take it slow and steady. I'm slapping on three stars 'cause it had potential, but the pacing kinda left me tapping my foot in impatience. Still, if you're into atmospheric mysteries with a dash of chill, give it a shot!

This was my first book by this author, it's my favourite genre so I had high hopes. This was dark and eerie and absolutely brilliant. I look forward to more by this author. Thanks to Netgalley for my Advanced copy

The opening of this novel is fabulous, it really draws you in, dark and creepy and intriguing.

It’s a clever story, and has plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and keep them interested. I suspected a few people several times, only to be proved wrong, which doesn’t happen often enough in crime thrillers.

The different threads worked well together, and the characters’ stories made for sometimes uncomfortable reading. I thought the way Michael was humanised, the way we understood why he was as he was to an extent, was very interesting and very well done. Too often the bad guy is just a bad guy, but people don’t exist in a vacuum, so his back story was so well done and really added depth to the story.

I did feel that things got a bit long-winded in the middle – the author is also a fantasy writer and this may well be the reason why this didn’t feel as snappy as a lot of crime fiction.

But that said, this is a really very good book.

The dark tale of Heather, who finds her late mother was pen-friends with a serial killer.

If you like creepy, tense fiction that hauls you in, this one's for you. The serial killer has long maintained his innocence, and is in prison but the killing starts again and Heather finds herself drawn in. How is he connected to her mother, and is he actually innocent? Put your feet up for the weekend, and find out.

Dog Rose Dirt is a psychological thriller by Jen Williams that takes readers on a suspenseful journey filled with dark secrets and unexpected twists. Set in the rural town of Flinstead-on-Sea, the story follows the life of former detective, Maeve Kerrigan, who has left her job to pursue a more peaceful existence. However, when a young woman is found murdered, Maeve is drawn back into the world of crime-solving.

Williams does an excellent job of building tension and creating a gripping atmosphere throughout the novel. The characters are well-developed and realistic, with their motivations and actions driving the plot forward. The writing is fluid, with enough twists and turns to keep readers engaged until the end.

While Dog Rose Dirt is an enjoyable read, there are some aspects that may not appeal to everyone. The pacing can be slow at times, and some readers may find the ending unsatisfying. Additionally, the graphic nature of the crimes and violence depicted in the book may be disturbing to some.

Overall, Dog Rose Dirt is a well-crafted psychological thriller that is sure to keep readers engaged.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An unexpected turn of events! I had a great time reading this thriller - I found the pace solid, the mystery creepy and characters compelling. This is a genre I love, so these days it takes something extra interesting to keep me engaged. I loved the blend of the Stepford-type home, the mysterious letters, the connection to a serial killer and a sinister '70s commune. All of these element made for a fun time, and while I will say I thought the plot twists were a little tropey and guessable, I would still recommend this to other thriller lovers.

Dog Rose Dirt is a creepy mixed paced mystery/thriller which follows Heather Evans as she tries to figure out the circumstances around her mothers suicide. What follows is a very twisty and atmospheric look into the world or serial killers, cults and folklore.

It starts off as a slow burner then everything starts moving at whiplash inducing speed with several strands of the storyline diverging and converging again. Sometimes things can be a little difficult to keep track of and I think that's why it wasn't a higher star rating for me.

I switched between the eBook and the audiobook narrated by Emily Pennant Rea. I found the narration really matched the pacing of the book and the character and definitely added to my overall enjoyment of the book.

An enjoyable read for fans of dark complex mysteries.

This book has the Silence of the Lambs vibe to it (no spoilers). I utterly enjoyed it, and will definitely read some by Ms Williams again! This book was full of action, a lot of bodies being found laying around and twists up to the yazoo! Recommended.

Thank you Harper Collins and NetGalley for this book.
I was thrilled to get this and it was creepy and different but for me something was missing. I cannot put my finger on what it was but I loved the beginning, it went off in the middle and the fizzled out at the end. This is the first book I have read by Jen Williams and I did like the way she writes.
For me this is only 3 stars - please remember this is my opinion only!

First time reading a book by Jen Williams, I found the subject of the book interesting but the jumping back and forwards in time a little confusing at times. I did figure out a little bit of the story before it came out.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I thought it was written really well, and while the premise of the book is similar to a lot of holiday reads, this book did keep me guessing even if it was slightly predictable. I like the fact that it’s set in London as many books in this genre tend to be US based.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

In this story we meet Heather. Heather is an ex journalist, and her mother has committed suicide. Heather returns to her old home to arrange her mothers affairs. Whilst doing this Heather finds that her mum was corresponding with a renowned serial killers for many years. And then women start turning up murdered using the same MO as the serial killer. The aim is to find out exactly what’s going on.

I quite enjoyed this book, it is quite different from the usual books in this genre. I liked the characters, especially Heather. I felt she was intriguing and had many layers to her personality. She also had a fraught relationship with her mother, and that is quite common in this day and age, and will resonate with some readers. The book had a creepy, atmospheric feel to it, with a plot that I didn’t guess. A great read and recommended.

Brilliant story, really enjoyed this book. Took me a while to get into this book but was definitely worth sticking with.

A mothers suicide and hidden letters link Heather to long locked up serial killer.... but how? And who is killing women in the same way again?

This is an interesting book with an unusual killer and enough twists to keep me hooked.

I loved the mix of mystery and nature in this thriller. Local folklore and the revelation of long kept secrets moved the pacing along nicely and the tension ramped to the max.