Fantastic read from this author, I thoroughly enjoyed it. My heart was in my mouth the whole read! If you are looking for a new thriller author, try this! definitly a good recommendation.

**Content Warning:** This book contains graphic violence, disturbing themes, and mentions of child abuse.

Jen Williams, known for her captivating fantasy worlds, takes a sharp turn into the dark and gritty realm of crime thrillers with *Dog Rose Dirt.* This standalone novel chillingly explores family secrets, buried truths, and the monstrous potential that can lurk within seemingly ordinary lives.

The story follows Heather Evans, a journalist who returns to her childhood home after her mother’s unsettling suicide. While clearing out the house, she discovers a disturbing collection of letters written by her mother to Michael Reave, the infamous "Red Wolf" serial killer. As Heather delves deeper into her mother’s past, a new murder surfaces, bearing the chilling hallmarks of the Red Wolf’s gruesome crimes.

Williams masterfully weaves a suspenseful narrative, skillfully pacing the reveals and building tension with each chapter. The atmosphere is thick with unease, and the rural setting, steeped in folklore and shrouded in secrets, adds an eerie foreboding. The characters are complex and flawed, particularly Heather, who grapples with grief, a troubled past, and the horrific realization of her mother’s connection to a notorious killer.

While the novel is undeniably gripping, it does occasionally stumble. Some plot points, especially those involving supernatural elements, require a suspension of disbelief that may not sit well with all readers. Additionally, the pacing falters in the middle as the narrative becomes bogged down in exposition.

Despite these minor flaws, *Dog Rose Dirt* is a compelling read that will hold your attention until the final page. Williams's departure from fantasy showcases her versatility as a writer, and her ability to craft intricate plots and unsettling atmospheres translates seamlessly into this chilling thriller. This book is ideal for fans of dark thrillers, those who enjoy a touch of folklore and the macabre, and anyone looking for a suspenseful read with a unique premise.

Unfortunately this wasn't quite for me. I have started it twice and not managed to finish it. I wanted to love it

A very twisty and dark thriller. Good characters, amazing plot and so many twists and surprises I’m still reeling.
I had my suspicions of things but things were even darker, crazier and twistier than I could have ever guessed.
A very good book all in all. Not for the faint hearted.

After reading reviews and all of them pretty much saying the same thing, I chose not to read this one. Cults, communes and ritualistic killings are not my thing.

This is a thriller and it centers around several characters, mainly Heather.

When Heather's estranged mother dies of suicide. She returns to her childhood home to make arrangements.

Amongst her mother's things, she comes across a pile of letters given to her mother from Michael Reave, also known as the infamous serial killer, The Red Wolf.

Hesitantly, Heather investigates her mother's death and her relationship with Michael.

I think the author developed the characters well and created some suspense. I would've preferred reading a hard copy of the book as I like to reread sections.

Excellent scary and gripping read. Definitely worth reading as soon as possible.

Thanks for the opportunity to review

Dark, twisting. Just so good. It can be hard to pick between all the many thrillers out there but this is one I would definitely recommend.

I was asked by NetGalley to review this book.

Gosh this was intense and a bit of a Rollercoaster of a ride reading this book ( would be ideal half term at Halloween when I rent a cottage)

A really dark read and will keep you up all night readers. A daughter returns to her childhood home after her mothers sucide and find letters between her mother and a convicted murderer. Then a women is found murdered in the same ways as the convicted murder - but he is incarcerated in prison, and will only talk to the daughter - creepy, terrifying and full of secrets.

A recommended read - just dont read this alone or at night!

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.