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.

The Hunt Is On..
The hunt is on in this serial killer chiller with twists and turns aplenty and with a constant menacing undercurrent. There are stories to be told as the tale progresses. Gripping and atmospheric, with a well drawn cast of characters and a solid sense of place, this is sharp, edgy and tautly crafted.

A chilling reworking of a fairy tale that has murder at the heart of it. The big bad wolf in this story is no wild animal its a wild and disturbing man. A man who kills his victims then displays them decorated by flowers. How can this be happening again though because that man was caught and is in prison , is it a copycat, was the man wrongly convicted. These and other questions are answered by the author as the gruesome story unfolds. We learn of Reaves background growing up and the events that led to his conviction. We also discover facts that will take Heather on a journey to the past in order to confront the present. It’s mind chilling, thrilling and heart pounding . A book that will send shivers down your spine and bring gasps off shock as the events unfold and the calculating mind of the author reveals the stupendous climax. A book to be devoured in one or two sittings as it keeps you trapped in the nightmare world of the Red Wolf.

My first book, that I have read by this author, absolutely brilliant! Highly recommended, and I will definitely read others written by this author!

This was a dark, creepy thriller. Unfortunately, it was not to my taste and I struggled to finish it.

I have been dying to read this book – so a huge thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for sending me a review copy. This is a fabulous read that looks at a young woman’s life as she discovers her family is not quite what she grew up believing. When her mother commits suicide she discovers things about her mom she never knew. This is a gripping read that will keep you glued to the pages with its fast pace and easy reading feel.
This was my first time reading Jen Williams and I was amazed to discover that this was her first book of this genre. She is a natural at bringing creepiness and an eerie uncertainty to her story. I found myself loving her style and I hope she continues writing thrillers. I will definitely add them to my TBR if she does.
Returning to her childhood home when her mother unexpectedly commits suicide, Heather feels unsettled. Her mother’s house leaves her uncomfortable and not able to sleep. She discovers strange notes and soon finds out her mother was not the woman she thought her to be. When she finds a dead bird, she has to leave the house, but she also needs to understand. Her need for closure sends her to a small town where her mom once lived in a commune. However, what awaits her out in the woods is more than she was hoping to find.
This is one of those books that will haunt me for a while. The story was gripping and unputdownable I loved it. I raced through this book in record time, eager to find the truth.
Michael Reaves was without a doubt the most unlikely serial killer which just added to his character. This guy was beautifully creepy. The author did a fantastic job with him. He keeps you guessing while you do not doubt that he is a monster. However, the more of Michael’s story that is revealed the more your heart breaks for this villain. I closed this book feeling sorry for this guy, wishing he could find a way out of prison – even if that would not be a good idea.
Heather is a confused young woman who sometimes seems to miss what is right in front of her. For an investigative journalist, she sure seemed a little too trusting, However, the truth that is waiting for her – will leave you understanding her better. This poor woman has no idea what is waiting for her.
I loved every second of this book and I cannot recommend it highly enough. You are guaranteed a late night or two when you reach for this title.
Thriller fans can expect to be pleasantly surprised when they pick up this pacy, creepy tale. It is a fantastic read, so if you haven’t yet, be sure to add this one to your TBR – I promise you will not be left disappointed.

I'm so glad I started this book in the early evening before it got dark because this is one creepy book, verging on a horror story and reminding me of Steve Mosby/Alex Norths books.
William's managed to imbue such tension and fear throughout the book and so kept me flicking the pages with my heart pounding and with many furtive looks around to make sure the Red Wolf wasn't lurking nearby.
I know I'm very susceptible to scary reads about serial killers, but this one definately surpassed my hopes.
I found it bery difficult to empathise with the main character and initially that irked me, but then I realised that my dislike of her added to the tension and I wondered if making her so unlikeable was a deliberate ploy by the writer.

I thoroughly enjoyed this after I'd put aside my annoyance with the MC

There were numerous murders in this story which was very much like The Silence of the Lambs in its content. Some interesting moments but didn't really manage to get me involved.

Rounding up from 3.5*s. The premise of this novel was intriguing, and at the start I found myself drawn into the sense of foreboding. Loved the tension there, but around the midpoint, I found myself starting to not quite understand or like Heather's perspective or actions. Nearer the end, I found myself with more questions than answers, and I wasn't particularly taken by the ending. However, I did like the prose and the building of tension throughout.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. Other readers may enjoy it more, but I could not get into it and ultimately did not finish it.

I'm sorry I am not able to fully review this title as I found the child abuse, animalistic murders, and dismemberment of women too violent and disturbing and have been unable to finish it. I did find the connection between Colleen and Michael intriguing but the violence outweighed the mystery. Thanks for letting me have a copy though.

This was 100% my kind of book, dark, interesting and intriguing. A well written and gripping thriller.

What if your mother had been writing to a serial killer?
A convicted murderer with a story to tell
I initially found the first chapter a little hard going but then persevered and was hooked. An interesting thriller/mystery/horror themed book with twists and turns. I couldn’t wait to get to the conclusion - well recommended.
Thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
#DogRoseDirt
#NetGalley

I had heard great things about this book which is why I was desperate to read it.

Heathers mum dies and when sorting through her belongings she find letters to her mother from a serial killer currently in prison.

There were some very disturbing and graphic descriptions of the murder and it switched from past to present day without notice which sometimes confused me!

I got extremely frustrated with Heather and her ability to avoid thinking things through before acting on them.

A good story line with a twist at the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read an advance copy in return for my honest review.

So I didn't know what to expect going into this book but I was pleasantly surprised, I really enjoyed reading this book and the characters and the plot was good.

This was a slow starter and I wasn’t sure I was going to make it through the book, but once the story got going it was an intriguing read. Interesting characters (including the supporting players) and a dark plot took me racing towards a great ending.

I don't really know how to review this book. I read it, I finished it but I have no real recollection of being overawed by it. I enjoyed the interaction between Heather and Michael. Being face to face with a convicted serial killer who knew her mother was a good storyline. For me though the book just plodded along until the last few chapters, there it sped up and became interesting and faster paced. I didn't get the surprise but it did make sense. A good ending.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest, independent review.

After the death of her mother, former journalist Heather is sorting through her mother's belongings when she makes a shocking discovery. Her mother has been writing to serial killer Michael Reave - known as the Red Wolf - who has been locked in Belmarsh Prison for over 20 years for the horrific, ritualistic murders of countless women.

A body of a woman is found decorated with flowers, just like the victims of the Red Wolf, and Reave is the only person who can help. After years of silence, he will speak to Heather and no one else.

I struggled with this one; it was a slow burner that didn't really pick up pace until halfway through, by which time I was beginning to lose a bit of interest. The book is well written, but the plot didn't really work for me.

The storyline is told in two timeframes: the present day and "Before". The "Before" is before Michael Reave started his killing spree, and I found these chapters quite disturbing and dark, and certainly not for the squeamish.

I didn't really warm to Heather; I found some of her decisions a bit reckless and I struggled to become invested in her. I also found some characters, like DI Ben Parker, needed a bit more development; Heather and Ben's relationship did not feel believable.

I liked the Grimm fairytale references, but felt a little more of this was needed to make the most out of it; the symbolism felt a little lost and "too clever" at times.

Initially I struggled to get into this book. I stuck with it and wasn’t disappointed. A thoroughly enjoyable read once it got going.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to see an arc