Dog Rose Dirt is a creepy mixed paced mystery/thriller which follows Heather Evans as she tries to figure out the circumstances around her mothers suicide. What follows is a very twisty and atmospheric look into the world or serial killers, cults and folklore.

It starts off as a slow burner then everything starts moving at whiplash inducing speed with several strands of the storyline diverging and converging again. Sometimes things can be a little difficult to keep track of and I think that's why it wasn't a higher star rating for me.

I switched between the eBook and the audiobook narrated by Emily Pennant Rea. I found the narration really matched the pacing of the book and the character and definitely added to my overall enjoyment of the book.

An enjoyable read for fans of dark complex mysteries.

This book has the Silence of the Lambs vibe to it (no spoilers). I utterly enjoyed it, and will definitely read some by Ms Williams again! This book was full of action, a lot of bodies being found laying around and twists up to the yazoo! Recommended.

Thank you Harper Collins and NetGalley for this book.
I was thrilled to get this and it was creepy and different but for me something was missing. I cannot put my finger on what it was but I loved the beginning, it went off in the middle and the fizzled out at the end. This is the first book I have read by Jen Williams and I did like the way she writes.
For me this is only 3 stars - please remember this is my opinion only!

First time reading a book by Jen Williams, I found the subject of the book interesting but the jumping back and forwards in time a little confusing at times. I did figure out a little bit of the story before it came out.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I thought it was written really well, and while the premise of the book is similar to a lot of holiday reads, this book did keep me guessing even if it was slightly predictable. I like the fact that it’s set in London as many books in this genre tend to be US based.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

In this story we meet Heather. Heather is an ex journalist, and her mother has committed suicide. Heather returns to her old home to arrange her mothers affairs. Whilst doing this Heather finds that her mum was corresponding with a renowned serial killers for many years. And then women start turning up murdered using the same MO as the serial killer. The aim is to find out exactly what’s going on.

I quite enjoyed this book, it is quite different from the usual books in this genre. I liked the characters, especially Heather. I felt she was intriguing and had many layers to her personality. She also had a fraught relationship with her mother, and that is quite common in this day and age, and will resonate with some readers. The book had a creepy, atmospheric feel to it, with a plot that I didn’t guess. A great read and recommended.

Brilliant story, really enjoyed this book. Took me a while to get into this book but was definitely worth sticking with.

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.