Killman Creek by Rachel Caine, Book Review

Gwen survived the encounter with her husband’s serial killer buddies. Peace didn’t last long. She’s now chased by a worse enemy – a ransom group who produces deepfakes to extort rich people. They’re now after Gwen. She is interesting because her husband is a serial killer who is somehow connected to the group.

Gwen is not helpless, she shoots well, she’s deeply suspicious of everyone and everything, and moves a lot. So in an ideal world, the hackers wouldn’t be able to find her. Unfortunately, the world is not ideal and the wonders of the modern Big Brother have turned against her.

This book is disturbing. It’s like a different point of view to Chris Carter story. There’s blood and horror, and the book is like a scream that never stops. You have Gwen and a few of her friends who are rational, and then you have characters who are acting like victims. They are doing everything possible to sabotage their chances of survival. Buddy, I know this is the first time you see me but please hop in my pretty, white van.

At the end of the day, you don’t buy this book if you have no tolerance to horror. It’s fine but I liked Stillhouse Lake more. I had to skip a few exceptionally silly pages, and I think I missed one of the clues this way. 4.5*/5.

Anniversary Harvest

I had a work anniversary a few days ago and rewarded myself with some new thrillers.

Left to right:

  • Killman Creek by Rachel Caine – a continuation of a very successful first part.
  • Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Weatherspoon and Harlan Coben. Bad Goodreads reviews on this one but I respect both authors and will give it a chance. Harlan Coben has been on a negative trend lately. I hope this collaboration gets him out of the slope.
  • Exit Strategy by Andrew and Lee Child. In Too Deep was a flop but I adjusted my expectations. I now imagine Jack Reacher as played by late-day Steven Seagal – arrogant, slow, and absurd. After reading a scene where Reacher defeated an armed opponent while tied to a table, I expect nothing less. Looking forward to seeing if he can beat an international conspiracy while sitting on a chair.

Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

Just completed this thing, it was intense. 9/10 on the Matthew Reilly’s Contest scale. It was so intense that I’m not sure if I will dare to read the continuation. It also makes sense. Books like that tend to ignore the laws of physics, this is connected with reality.

Clear 5*/5 and a strong contestant for best thriller on my blog this year. Very impressive.