This was my first read of the year and I must say, once I sunk my teeth into it, I couldn’t help but devour this book. Though it’s over 400 pages long, I read it in under 48 hours. It’s a gripping story that compels you to keep reading even when you want to look away.
- Author: Grady Hendrix
- Publisher: Quirk Books
- Publication Date: April 7, 2020
- Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
- Pages: 404
Book Synopsis
“In every book we read, no one ever thought anything bad was happening until it was too late.”
Patricia Campbell’s life has never felt smaller. Her husband is a workaholic, her teenage kids have their own lives, her senile mother-in-law needs constant care, and she’s always a step behind on her end-less to-do list. The only thing keeping her sane is her book club, a close-knit group of Charleston women united by their love of true crime. At these meetings they’re as likely to talk about the Manson family as they are about their own families.
One evening after book club, Patricia is viciously attached by an elderly neighbor, bring the neighbor’s handsome nephew, James Harris, into her life. James is well traveled and well read, and he makes Patricia feel things she hasn’t felt in years. But when the children on the other side of town go missing, their deaths are written off by local police. Patricia has reason to believe Hames Harris is more of a Bundy than a Brad Pitt. The real problem? James is a monster of a different kind–and Patricia has already invited him in.
Little by little, James will insinuate himself into Patricia’s life and try to take everything she took for granted–including the book club–but she won’t surrender without a fight in this blood-soaked tale of neighborly kindness gone wrong.
My Thoughts
I’m not sure where to begin with this review. You know the saying, “You either love it or you hate it?” Well, I loved this book and I hated it. Grady Hendrix is a talented writer. His writing is absolutely immersive. This book made me laugh, wring my hands in frustration, squirm with disgust, and even contemplate abandoning it twice.
But I still finished reading it in mere hours. It is a quick read that compels you to keep turning the page, but it isn’t necessarily an easy read.
Hendrix draws you in with wit and humor in the beginning, but the book gets progressively darker as you go along. In the beginning, the story feels more like satire than horror. In fact, I think Hendrix is quite talented at mixing genres. This book is a mixture of satire, mystery, thriller, social commentary, and lots of gore.
I give this book 3 stars. I would have given it at least another star if it weren’t for the sexual violence depicted. I almost called it quits because of it. I could go into more depth about this but I don’t want to spoil the story.
Take Away
I would recommend this book to readers who:
- enjoy mysteries, thrillers, or horror
- have a dark sense of humor
- don’t mind a story that incorporates social issues like classism, racism, and sexism
- have a strong stomach
Overall, I think this book is worth the read. Just be sure to search the content warnings before you dive into it.