This is definitely a creepy unusual book with every creepy button pushing hard on it.
Jen Williams knows how to make the hair stand stand up on the back of your neck in those few chapters of Dog Rose Dirt.

A copycat killer is targetting young women in the most gruesome murders. The first murders took place twenty years ago and the serial killer is still behind bars with little contact with the outside world apart from corresponding with a woman from his past, a woman who has recently committed suicide.
When the estranged woman's daughter returns to the family home for the funeral she finds a stack of letters that her mother has received from the prisoner and when she looks at the letters she finds that they have been corresponding for many years. The daughter has no idea of the connection between her mother and the killer but is determined to find out. I did enjoy this book but didn't find it amazing, it was an okay read

As my lockdown experiences seem to mainly involve going through murder mysteries at the speed of light, I was very grateful to NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this before it comes out in July 2021 - as always. opinions are entirely my own.

This book opens with an ex-journalist, Heather Evans, returning to her childhood home after the suicide of her mother. While clearing out the house, she finds letters that make it obvious that her mother has been writing to a serial killer who has been in Belmarsh Prison for over 20 years, Michael Reave or 'The Red Wolf'. As strange and creepy events occur to Heather, a murder victim is found with all the markings of a Red Wolf killing and Heather is forced to confront the truth about her mother's past.

I'll admit, I read most of this book with my heart pounding! There is tension galore and it is a true page-turner - I had to keep reading on because I needed to find bits I wasn't scared by! All in a good way, of course - I did find I was caught up in Heather's story and wanted to find out the truth about her family's past, especially when it became involved with a commune, an intriguing location (and another terrifying one!)

There are some really dark elements to this story that I found a little disturbing. I don't want to give any spoilers, but the abuse element needs a cautious approach (although it isn't a huge part of the book). Some of the events are also a little unbelievable at times, but I did think that Jen Williams handled the plot well - I certainly wanted to read on, although I found the sections focusing on Reave's childhood very uncomfortable (as, I guess, was intended!)

Overall, I'd recommend this to those who like their crime stories with a dark heart. It is fabulously twisty, tense, pacey and will keep you reading - even if you then have to sleep with the lights on.

Heather returns to her family home after the unexpected suicide of her mother. While going through her mother's possessions, Heather discovers a stack of letters between her mother and a serial killer known as the "Red Wolf" who is still in prison for his crimes. While reeling from this gruesome discovery, murders in the style of the "Red Wolf" are happening again.

Heather tries to come to terms with finding out this huge secret about her mother resolves to find out more about her past and how on earth the woman she knows could possibly have been in contact with a serial killer. Meanwhile bizarre and creepy things begin happening around her from strange notes on bouquets to strange things happening in her house.

Scattered with hints of the original darker versions of fairy tales, this story is full of twists rights up to the closing pages.

This was a rollercoaster of a book. A family mystery, that goes way back, creepy houses, a creepy wood, a serial killer and an unexplained suicide. This has everything, including a thrilling, heart-stopping ending that you simply must keep on reading, no matter how late at night it is!

Heather is a journalist, recently sacked from her job. Her mother commits suicide - Heather was virtually estranged from her - and when she moves into her mothers house and starts to turn things out she finds that her mother had a long-standing correspondance with an imprisoned serial killer. A new series of murders is happening, mimicking the MO of the man in prison. Odd things start to happen in Heather's house suggesting that someone is pursuing her. She is asked by the police to talk to the man in prison to see if he can shed any light on who the new killer might be and the hunt is on, for Heather to find out how her mother became involved with a brutal killer and who the new killer is. The plot is complex and ingenious and the action fast and tense, with plenty of "Don't go into the graveyard" moments. Needles to say Heather invariably goes into the graveyard.

I enjoyed this novel. It was an unusual story, moving between timeframes. The portrayal of a serial killer and how he became one was well described and the gloomy atmosphere of the woods brought to life. Overall I was very impressed.

Heather has returned to the family home following the suicide of her mother colleen. Although they have not had a close relationship, the suicide baffles Heather as it is so out of character of her mother. Whilst going through old papers in the loft Heather comes across a bunch of letters to her mother from a serial killer who is in prison.
Heather is desperate to understand her mother's life and requests a prison visit to meet this man.
However despite him being in prison, copy cat murders are still occurring.
This book goes back to her mother's younger years alongside a commune which attracted young people.
Thus book is dark, full of unexpected twists and turns with an ending I didn't see coming. Although I got slightly lost at times, would recommend the read.

A dark dark chilling read a serial killer a copycat killer an edge of your seat thriller.I sat down to read a few pages and wound up reading late into the night.A gritty thriller that kept me guessing images that stay on your mind.An author I will be following.#netgalley#harperujk

Heather Evans , an ex journalist , estranged from her mother Colleen hears the news that her mother has committed suicide. She stays in her mothers house and with no siblings and father died some time before, starts to clear the house . She finds letters.
These letters are surprisingly, started some time ago and continuing up to recent times are from a convicted serial killer.
Heather wants to find out what the relationship was between the serial killer and her mother.
This journey of exploration is dangerous as there appears a copycat killer on the loose and arranging to visit the killer is fraught with confusion and doubt.
A commune of hippies years ago , dark foreboding woods and mysterious events have you fearing for Heathers safety as things unfold .

A great book with nerve jangling twists that have you on edge wondering where it will go to.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. WOW what could I say to describe this book, apart from absolutely brilliant. I didn’t know what to expect when I seen the name of the book but it blew me away. It’s a definate edge of your seat page Turner. I couldn’t put it down but didn’t want it to end either. I think this book would be great on the big screen, it would be brilliant. The characters and storyline where fantastic, the twists and turns in this book where unexpected. Well worth 5 stars and more. I think I’ll read it again just incase I missed some. 😊

I very much enjoyed this book. It has a good story and excellent main characters. I would definately recommend this book.

An intriguing read that had me completely riveted at times. At times, this book made me feel uneasy and tense, exactly what you want from a thriller!

I don’t want to give too much away, so urge you to read this book for yourself.

This book grabbed me from the beginning. I read it quickly and I couldn’t put it down. The sense of tension and unease is acute all the way through and it’s skilfully written. Heather is an intriguing character who has lost her job as a journalist and finds out that her late mother has been corresponding with a serial killer. Some of the story is macabre and I came close to putting it down once, but the plot is so exciting, I had to finish. The ending wasn’t what I was expecting. Read this if you want a novel that’s a bit different and has a fantastic narrative drive!

I’m so glad I’ve finally finished this book! I can finally go back to sleeping normal, instead of reading into the night as it’s so addictive!
I did slightly guess some of the ending, but the majority of it was a huge surprise. It’s absolutely brilliant, very well written. Will be looking forward to some more murder mysteries from this author. Thank you for letting me preview this book.

A deeply disturbing book that will haunt me for some time to come. Dark and twisted with intense family secrets, not for the feint hearted.

This is a very scary story. The backstory of abuse and apparent complete lack of morals is written as flashback and leads on to the beginning of the story in modern time.
The physical attacks and psychological manoeuvring lead on the the final meeting of the characters, and the final reveal.
It is very gripping and I found myself racing to the end of the book but the dreadful actions are difficult to read. The psychological campaign is probably best read n the daylight!
Recommended.

I was a bit disappointed with this book as I felt a lot of the action by Heather, the main protagonist was a little unrealistic but having said that the storyline is good and quite creepy. I would have liked more interaction between Michael and Heather. Overall a good novel.

Did I like this book? I am still not sure. It was certainly different to other books I have read recently. It was creepy, cruel and extremely dark. It had lots of twists and turns and the ending was unexpected. I did not like Heather and found her interactions with the police and the main policeman, Ben, quite disturbing. It is worth a read and I am giving it 4 stars but I don't think I will be looking out for the next Jen Williams book.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to give my unbiased opinion.

This book is primarily about Heather. We meet her as she comes to attend her mothers funeral. Her mother, Colleen, has committed suicide. Her death and the note she left make no sense. Heather thinks there is something more going in here and it seems someone is trying to frighten her. Alongside this we have Michael's story. He's in jail convicted of multiple murders but maintains his innocence. As Heather discovers her mother has a connection is Michael she becomes more determined to get to the truth. But Michael isn't talking - he's only telling her fairy tales. Heather travels to the place that connects her mother to Michael in the hope of finding answers - but she gets more than she bargained for and realises that not only did she not know her mother she doesn't know herself.

There were so many things I liked about this book... there are some real twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The idea is original and different. I really enjoyed the first half of the book but struggled with the second half. There was an incident of animal cruelty which I really didn't like and felt was unnecessary with a second incident hinted at. There is child cruelty too although the detail is not graphic and it is an essential part of the story. The opening chapter is a real shocker. I think maybe the big issue with this book for me is Heather. I didn't like her and I don't know why. The relationship she dallies with was unlikely and yet still felt unfinished. There were a few loose ends that just left me feeling a bit disappointed. This is a sad tale... that didn't really feel like it had a satisfying conclusion.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.