Wicked Little Deeds is the new book from horror writer Kat Ellis. The story follows Ava Thorn, a resident of the small, superstitious town of Burden Falls. Ava is plagued by nightmares since witnessing a horrific accident a year ago, but when someone close to her is murdered, Ava is the prime suspect. Burden Falls is a town full of secrets and whoever is behind the murder has a grudge against Ava’s family.

Harrow Lake was one of my favourite reads of last year so when I heard Kat Ellis was releasing a new creepy horror book full of family secrets and a creepy small town, I was absolutely desperate to read it. The story had me hooked from the very first page and it was just as addictive as Harrow Lake. I ended up reading this book in a single day because I just couldn’t look away and I had to know how it was going to end. The story is full of twists and turns and there were lots of moments I didn’t see coming.

Kat Ellis has a really brilliant writing style, and I found myself completely captivated by this story. I won’t say too much about the plot as it’s definitely one of those books where you should go in knowing as little as possible. Ellis really knows how to give a scene that chilling atmosphere and there was definitely a few moments that sent a shiver up my spine. Wicked Little Deeds is a fast-paced story – one you might not want to read with the lights off.

Wicked Little Deeds has some really fascinating characters and I really liked our protagonist Ava – she’s still dealing with the loss of her parents as well as the pain of knowing her Uncle Ty has sold the family home to their enemies. Ava is a complex character, one that felt realistic and well developed. She’s the prime suspect in a murder and she’ll do anything to find out who’s really behind it. One of the things that I enjoyed most about this story was the urban legend of Dead Eyed Sadie, it made for some very spooky moments that had me on the edge of my seat. Wicked Little Deeds is a brilliant read, one that blends mystery and horror (and even has a bit of romance too!). If you’re looking for a chilling story that will keep you hooked right till the very last page, this is absolutely what you’re looking for. I enjoyed every second of Wicked Little Deeds and I can’t wait to see what Kat Ellis writes next!

I love a good horror story and this really delivers. The writing is super easy to read and the characters are wonderful. I would have loved to see more information about some of the side characters. It did feel like they were just there to help along the main characters when they had a problem as opposed to being whole people themselves.
I loved the mix of classic slasher tropes and potential supernatural elements. Ava is a great main character and I loved her drive and ferociousness. I will definitely be checking out Kat Ellis other works now.

Loved this book - think it was better than Harrow Lake - great twists in the story. The small town setting and backdrop work perfectly

The Characters:
When I started this book, I wasn’t sure what to think of Ava, the main protagonist. However, as I read more of this book, I began to like her more and enjoyed reading from her perspective. Ava had been through a lot prior to this book, and I thought that she was written really well. She had some great friends in this book who were very supportive of her, but she also had some friends who weren’t as good towards her. I think this was really interesting to read, especially as the book progressed. I really enjoyed reading the character development throughout this book, especially Ava’s. I also enjoyed reading about the town ghost/myth of ‘Dead-Eyed Sadie’. Sadie was mentioned throughout the book, with her mentions becoming creepier by the page. I think that the ghostly feel of this book teamed with the legend of Sadie made for a really atmospheric read.

The Plot:
The plot of this book did surprise me at some points, although there were certain parts near the end that I had guessed from the start. However, I think that the execution of the plot itself was done really well and I did find myself gasping at some reveals! This was a really fast-paced YA thriller that had so many twists and turns throughout. I loved the setting of this book as well. I could really picture the manor and the orchard in my mind. The small town setting of this book fit so well with the story, I don’t think this would have been as eerie if it had been set anywhere else.

Overall:
Overall I gave this book 4/5 stars. I really enjoyed reading this: it was a quick read, full of mystery and eeriness, and had me gripped. If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers with a hint of the supernatural, then I’d recommend this book, especially as an autumnal read. I’m looking forward to reading some of Kat Ellis’ other books in the future, especially Harrow Lake, which has been on my tbr since early last year.

What I loved with Harrow Lake, the other book by Kat Ellis that I read last year, was the setting. And I couldn’t help but mention it because it’s the same with Wicked Little Deeds, only this time, the town is called Burden Falls. Burden Falls is one eerie town, surrounded by mystery and dripping with countless superstitions and it sets the story for me perfectly. I felt the atmosphere of the town and was hooked right from the start.

I liked that the book started with lots of mystery right away. That really sets my mood of reading of this book. I was so invested and kept guessing about lots of things till the last quarter of the book. I don’t really get scared reading a horror book but I know when a book is scary. And Wicked Little Deeds is one scary book. I also liked the bit of supernatural in this book. Well, I won’t spoil if there is really a supernatural element but I love the mystery surrounding it.

I found the main protagonist, Ava, a very well-written character. She’s strong and capable despite everything. But don’t be fooled she’s also vulnerable especially after becoming a suspect in a murder. I love solving murders with my favorite characters and I enjoyed reading Ava trying to connect the dots and solve the mystery. Ava is just so brave. I was rooting for her right from the start. She’d been through a lot and still going through a lot but she kept going. I love her. I also love Dominic. Seriously, the main characters are very well-written.

Even though the book started with a bang and mystery, I thought the pace was a bit slow but it picked up really soon. Then the pace became just enough for a story in this genre. I also think it’s brilliant that the chapters are short. It didn’t just make me keep reading but it made the tension alive. This is a page-turner. the author knows exactly what to reveal in the right moment in the story so there was no dull moment or info-dumping part. I also think the story wrapped very neatly.

If you’re a fan of YA, mystery, horror and thriller, this book is perfect for you. A big bonus is the setting, so atmospheric and eerie, it’s perfect escape.

I received Wicked Little Deeds by Kat Ellis for free in exchange for an honest review as part of a blog tour organised by The Write Reads and Penguin Platform. Thank you so much for having me on the tour! This review is also available on Book, Blog & Candle.

Wicked Little Deeds is set in the creepy town of Burden Falls which is filled with superstition, ghost stories and even more recently - a string of murders. Is there a killer on the loose or possibly an angry spirit from beyond the veil?

I have to make a small confession - this is not a genre I typically go for and I was very hestitant when I started to read it because I am a huge wimp when it comes to anything scary! However, it sounded so good and I've heard so many good things about it so far that I knew I had to give the story a try and I am SO glad I did! I like to try and stray away from my usual genres every know and again because I love finding amazing gems like this!

The story was immediately intriguing and I was hooked throughout! Once I got into it, I found it hard to put down. I really enjoyed how atmospheric it was! The author sets the scene very well and the book has a creepy, chilling and fantastically eerie feel.

Ava is our main character and also she is unfortunately the main suspect of the murder investigation in the eyes of the police due to her rival relationship to the victim. Now she is determined to clear her name and find the true killer! The characters are all really interesting and I loved the connections that were revealed between them!

As well as being very spooky, the story is brilliantly clever with so many amazing twists that I could've never seen coming!

Wicked Little Deeds is a spine chilling and mind-bending ghost story that has made me a fan of the genre! Thank you so much for having me on the tour!

Wicked Little Deeds was a really fun read, and while I didn’t feel the world-building was always done brilliantly (lots of slightly disjointed tales about how spooky the town of Burden Falls is, when I’d have preferred to be shown this: for example the random detail of the danse macabre tradition among the town’s teens which isn’t really fully fleshed out even when it’s happening on the page) it is sinister and creepy to a perfect degree and the reveals included several I hadn’t predicted. It will be ideal for YA readers aged 14+ who enjoy reading thrillers and watching TV shows like The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Riverdale.

Thank you to Dave @ The Write Reads, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Y’all know I love a good thriller, but something I don’t talk about as much is my love of horror novels. I love a book that can get under my skin and make me shiver. So, when I find a book that’s a great combination of both, it’s always a delight and I think Wicked Little Deeds hits just the right note. Lies, secrets, and family ghosts all come together to create a thrilling story that will have chills travelling up and down your spine!

In this story, we’re following Ava Thorn a year after her entire world was turned upside down. She is the sole survivor of the car cash that killed both her parents. She is struggling with her grief while trying to deal with her senior year of high school and the recent sell of the family manor. And, when Ava feels like things can’t possibly get worse, bodies start appearing and Ava is becoming more and more convinced that the legends of Burden Falls… might actually be true.

This was such a perfectly creepy thriller! I have to say, I’m a little sad I didn’t read this closer to spooky season because this would be the perfect Halloween read. Kat Ellis is a star are creating a tense atmosphere that will have you checking over your shoulder even after you’ve set the book down. I loved the hints of the supernatural in this story and the way she built the tension until I was on the edge of my seat. While some of the story beats were a tad predictable, I still had a great time following Ava as she tries to figure out what exactly is going on in her hometown.

Speaking of Ava, I think Ellis does an incredible job of depicting a character that is still very much in the throes of grief. Ava lost her parents only a year ago and I thought the way she was written showed how such a tragic and traumatic event can really affect a person. Ava is a fantastic character. She doesn’t make the best choices, she doesn’t always know how to deal with what she’s feeling, and sometimes you want to shake her, but she felt so authentic because of that. Like she might walk right off the page and start talking to you about art. The other characters are well-developed, as well, with nuances that make them feel like more than just words on a page. Personally, I could have done without the romance, but it was a nice break from the anxiety every once in awhile.

As for the plot, though I was able to figure out what was going on at a fairly early point, I have to give Kat Ellis props for the execution! Like I mentioned, she has a way of building tension and drama where, even if you guess what’s going on, you’re still biting your nails waiting to see how it will all come to light. The last few pages had me practically pacing I was so anxious to see how it would all resolve! You should see how many of my notes are written in all caps, lol. And the ending certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Final thoughts: This was a fast-paced, nail-biter of a thriller! The atmosphere is expertly crafted to build the tension and keep you on your toes as the story progresses. I loved the creepy, horror elements that lend just the right touch of spookiness, as well. Though parts of the story were predictable and I wasn’t the biggest fan of the romance, I still really enjoyed the story and that ending just blew me out of the water! If you like your thrillers to have a touch of horror and keep you gripped until the very end, I think you would enjoy Wicked Little Deeds!

"First you see her, then you die"

It's been a while since I read a good spooky thriller. Aptly described as Riverdale meets Pretty Little Liars, this book checked all the right boxes for me.

Small Towns filled with superstitious tales, Mysterious Mansions, Ghosts of the past and ancestral rivalries.

Dead Eyed Sadie is the creepiest Mascot of the creepy Burden Falls, a small town where two families are rivals since generations- The Thorns and The Millers. It's said that the Thorns are cursed and every member sees dead eyed Sadie before their death.

Ava Thorn, knows it all too well, since she witnessed an accident a year ago and made a close call with death, she is still plagued with nightmares and visions.

The Thorn Mansion, Ava's home, is sold to the rivals, her life is turning upside down, and one body after the other starts turning up, murdered in the same way, and she somehow becomes the prime suspect. It's upto her to find out the truth.

The storyline was very interesting, so was the execution. I really couldn't guess who the culprit was until the last few chapters. The descriptions of Ava's visions spooked me.

The romantic storyline in the midst of a spookfest was a good distraction for me and I rooted for the couple.

I loved the protagonist Ava's character and the growth in her character too. I also liked Daphne, Carla and Dominic was my favorite.

If you're a fan of mysteries and thrillers do read this one. 💜

Thank you to @thewritereads @netgalley @penguinplatform @katelliswrites for the opportunity and the arc.

The writing style took me the first few chapters to get into but once I did get used to it, it sucked me in and it did a good job of maintaining the suspense and the spooky atmosphere right till the end.

The plot was a nice one, it was pretty gripping as I kept on flipping pages until the end and it was so gripping.

The story has the lore of the town mixed in with the latest murders that were happening which gave it a very spooky vibe and had me a little bit scared, at least in the start.

And when the story starts rolling it was difficult to put it down as it has a lot of suspense built up and the fact that the main character was a prime suspect in the murder added an additional layer to the story which I really appreciated.

I guessed the plot twist but still reading how everything played out kept me at the edge of my seat and I was scared for my favorite characters.

The romance in this book was also done very well, I am glad that it did not overshadow the mystery aspect and the couple really fit together well.

Ava, is the only character I can talk about, she was a great character to follow. She is intelligent and is working hard to figure everything out as well as trying to put her life together, she deserves better and I really hope her well.

Overall this was a good mystery novel which will keep you at the edge of your seat and may even spook you a little.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes reading mystery with kinda spooky vibes

I read Harrow Lake last year after hearing so many good things about it. I’d hoped for something creepy and intriguing, and I got that. I knew I’d be reading Kat Ellis again after that. And I’m glad to have gotten the opportunity to read her latest, Wicked Little Deeds (or Burden Falls in the US), for a Write Reads Tour.

Ava Thorn lost her parents a year ago and has been plagued with nightmares since. Her family is supposedly cursed by Dead-Eyed Sadie, and when someone she knows from school is murdered, Ava is the prime suspect. She can’t help but wonder if Sadie is the killer or if there’s a human murderer on the loose, but she knows that she has to find out who it was.

I was really interested in the Dead-Eyed Sadie story. I don’t want to go into that, as I try to keep my reviews spoiler-free. But I still want to find out what exactly happened to her. And I think Ellis could have gone into so much more. If this was purely a supernatural horror, I think I would have liked it even more. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy this book, as I did. It was interesting, and I liked that it was a human killer. Yet, I still kind of would have liked more to the supernatural aspects. I was kind of hoping for more and even suspected how the supernatural storyline could have played out. But it turned out to be something a lot more human instead.

That being said, I didn’t see any of the twists coming. I thought I knew what would be going on pretty early on. And it turned out I was completely wrong. I wouldn’t say I fell for red herrings, but I also didn’t see what the twists were going to be. I was genuinely surprised, and that’s rare in books like this. So that was really well done on Ellis’s part.

I enjoyed the characters. Ava has had a tough time, but she always likes to see the best in most people. Maybe she has some anger and issues, but you do understand why. Dominic was a great love interest. I really was rooting for them together. I liked the names on the phone and their love of comics and things. It was fun.

This was overall a great book. It didn’t mess me up as Harrow Lake did, but this also felt more like a thriller than a horror compared to the last one. So I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what Ellis reads next, whether it’s more horror or thriller!

This was an incredibly eerie and creepy YA horror/thriller that felt very much like Riverdale’s scarier cousin. We’ve got a small town with a dark history, a creepy urban legend, angsty teen romance, tragedy and trauma. This all culminates in a murder mystery teetering on the supernatural - it kept me in a constant state of uncertainty around what was real and what wasn’t - a line that Ellis toed brilliantly.

The main plot is twisty and exciting, I definitely did not see everything coming and was genuinely so surprised at points - and I read a LOT of thrillers, so I always love it when one surprises me without the twist being so out of the blue that it makes no sense. It was well plotted, deliciously spooky and had the perfect level of teen angst. It felt like the perfect combo of a slasher film crossed with a CW show.

If you’re working on your spooky season TBR, or are just looking for some thrills, I really recommend picking this one up. I was genuinely spooked and had a lot of fun!

This book was fast paced and a little twisty. It held my attention and kept me interested in the storyline, and I was a little suprised by the twist at the end.

I thought the main character, Ava, was relatable. Dominic was also an interesting character, but some of the side characters were not as well developed, and I would have liked to have seen more characterization with them.

This is not one of my favorites, but I did give it a solid three star rating. Some FYI – there was a bit of language and some weird references to Satan (i.e – “thank Satan” instead of “thank God”).

Fans of #Murdertrending, All Your Twisted Secrets, and White Fox would probably also enjoy this book.

It’s my day on The WriteReads blog tour for this new YA horror and after enjoying Kat Ellis’ Harrow Lake last year, I’ve been looking forward to reading another one of spooky small town mysteries.

When Ava Thorn’s parents are killed in a car crash, she is astonished to discover that Thorn Manor, the house she grew up in, has been sold to the Miller family -a family who have a long-term rivalry with the Thorns. She is even more surprised to learn that her Uncle Ty was perfectly ok with this sale going ahead. Then the bodies start piling up in Burden Falls and Ava appears to be a prime suspect but she is convinced that Dead-Eyed Sadie, a local legend, may have something to do with it. But ghosts don’t exist… right?

Burden Falls could have been lifted right out of an 1980s horror film. It’s exactly the kind of place where brutal things happen and I love the way that Kat Ellis creates a setting. Describing the town like a face isn’t something I remember coming across before but it helps me picture the layout of the town so well and I knew where everything was in relation to everything else. Why don’t all writers do this? It’s a genius writing technique!

Like many small towns, Burden Falls is dripping in folklore and traditions. Masked parties celebrating death could only ever be normal in a town with a lot of buried secrets and a dark past, so I was fully on board with the idea that there were a host of spirits surrounding the place. I also enjoyed seeing how Kat Ellis expertly weaved the COVID-19 pandemic into her book by letting us know that danses macabres are now held outside. Very topical and very smart!

There is also some commentary on how news of dead young women isn’t often something that the media or wider world think about for too long. It’s almost as if girls are killed so often that the world has become desensitised to it, which is why so many murder cases go unsolved. In fact, we still never find out what actually happened to Claire Palmer, the first girl to be found dead in Burden Falls. The unravelling at the end suggests that her death wasn’t related to the rest of what is going on in town but we actually never find that out for sure.

The idea of what ghosts really are is also explored and I very much agree with the notion that they are simply scars from a place’s past. Most towns will have some form of extreme darkness in their history and a town’s ghosts are there to remind them of that. I honestly think that’s why so many ghosts are the spirits of women, children and oppressed people. The pain and persecution they experienced while they were alive was so great that it can’t be erased from the town’s past. The townspeople can -and should- learn from it and ensure that no one else ever has to suffer cruelty or prejudice again.

Wicked Little Deeds is a twisty thriller with a great balance between supernatural and psychological horror. There is gore and violence, which can be quite visceral. I definitely recoiled at some of the images that I was presented with and I physically gasped at the dramatic truth’s reveal, which I certainly didn’t see coming. Gobble up this perfect accompaniment to a misty, autumn night!

Book Bite
“Something wicked this way comes.”

A girl haunted by memories she has struggled to repress while bodies fall..

#BookRengu

Dead eyes follow her,

she cannot see through the mist

over Burden Falls

Haunted by visions that chill

she needs to find her true skill

By unlocking the

door to the past she hopes to

reclaim it at last.

What will she find there under

the dark echo of thunder.

Good Night To Read Review

Kat Ellis is a deft thriller writer with a gift for portraying characters who have suffered psychological trauma and are burdened with deep, dark secrets. She evokes creepy locations guaranteed to send shivers up a reader’s spine, dropping foreshadowing hoots of an ominous owl, reminiscent of Macbeth, as danger stalks its victims.

Having read Harrow Lake I knew to expect macabre symbology and malign intent from Wicked Little Deeds. A book that should be read late at night for maximum impact, it is a study in fear and suspense. Stalked through the shadows and pursued by the past, Ava Thorn is faced with as painful questions as Lola. Cruelly torn from her childhood mansion, once a thriving blood red apple orchard business concern, and now the home of her enemy, her repressed feelings seep into her art. Plagued by small incidents that escalate, she begins to fear for her sanity. Working on a graphic novel for a school art programme, she tries to concentrate on her goal, while falling further into despair.

Rivalry, jealousy, greed and guilt are all part of the toxic maelstrom that surrounds her. Add to the mix a growing attraction to someone she thought she hated, a friend she’s not sure she can trust and a penchant for finding dead bodies. Anxious not to be the next subject of Haunted Heartland, a teen Vlog exploring the paranormal, run by her bitter rival, she struggles to cope. Something is rotten in Burden Falls and it’s not just the smell of dying apples.

Steeped in sinister urban legend and playing with the imagery of witchcraft the eerie setting of Burden Falls is a character in itself. Recurrence of the colour red and a creeping sense of dread play on the reader’s mind. The spirit of the iconic Japanese horror movie Ringu is evoked as the killer comes closer. While Ava treads a dangerous path by Copper Bell Dam, Dead Eyed Sadie wants revenge. Where will she strike next?

As the tension builds, startlingly cinematic set pieces, sensory writing and claustrophobic traps alarm the reader making them feel that they are inside the story with Ava and being watched. Who is not what they seem? There’s something she’s not seeing. Can she escape her poisonous family legacy? As the truth reaches for her with cold fingers, the reader is encouraged to unravel the plot and discover the killer with Ellis hounding them towards an explosive and exciting finale.

This atmospheric thriller will satisfy horror aficionados and terrify the uninitiated.

Don’t have nightmares.

You have been warned.

Sweet Dreams.

Rating- 4 Chocolate Libraries

Many thanks to #Net Galley for making an ARC available and @The_WriteReads @WriteReadsTours @penguinplatform @el_kat for including Good Night To Read in their ultimate blog tour for #WickedLittleDeeds #KatEllis #TheWriteReads.

Wicked Little Deeds aka Burden Falls by Kat Ellis is a slow, creeping horror with all the right elements, making for a great read to occupy you over the course of an evening or two. I read Harrow Lake, Kat Ellis’ other book and absolutely loved it so I knew going in that Wicked Little Deeds would be up my street and I was absolutely right. I think Kat Ellis will be an auto read / auto buy author for me now because I really enjoy her writing style and what she’s bringing to the Y/A horror sub genre.

Wicked Little Deeds is focused on a core group of characters, set against the backdrop of a small town with a murky history of witch trials, evil eyes carved into trees and two families who have a long standing rivalry. Ava Thorn is our protagonist, a teen who lost her parents a year prior and is just trying to get through life the best way she can. I thought the portrayal of Ava’s grief and survivor’s guilt was well done in the novel and the relationships in the book felt realistic and complex. I feel like Ellis has a talent for writing slightly prickly teen protagonists who are just trying their best and this isn’t a bad thing by any means as I empathised with Ava and she was kind of relatable in many ways.

I liked the small town setting within the book and how it just adds to the claustrophobic, creeping suspense as the story progresses. We learn that the Thorns and the Millers have a long standing grudge against each other stemming back to centuries ago and a curious and sinister local legend, called Dead Eyed Sadie. Much like in Harrow Lake, you can’t be sure whether the supernatural is at play or if it can all be explained away by human causes, but I like that this is kind of ambiguous and left to the reader to discern. I really don’t want to spoil anything as this is the kind of book you can’t have ruined.

Overall, Wicked Little Deeds was a fun, thrilling read which I pretty much devoured over a couple of evenings. If you’re into Y/A horror or thrillers then you should definitely check this book out, Kat Ellis is definitely a writer to watch out for.

Ava Thorn’s family have lived in the small town of Burden Falls for generations. The Bloody Thorns of Thorn Manor are as well known as the legend of Dead-Eyed Sadie, the town’s most famous ghostly legend – as is the fact that a sighting of Sadie is supposed to portend tragedy for any Thorn unlucky enough to catch a glimpse of her. Following a horrific accident that killed her parents, Ava is reluctantly leaving Thorn Manor – and its ghosts – behind her.

But when pretty and popular Freya Miller – Ava’s school nemesis and the daughter of the man who ruined her life – is found brutally murdered, Ava begins to wonder if the creepy stories that surround her family might be true after all. Reluctantly teaming up with Freya’s brother Dominic, Ava begins investigating the truth behind Dead-Eyed Sadie. Who was she – and why does every tragedy in town seem to lead back to a Thorn? As secrets are uncovered and old truths are laid bare, Ava and Dominic must confront both the past, and the killer who is waiting for them in the present.

Combining the compulsive suspense of a thriller with the sinister chills of a ghost story, Wicked Little Deeds (published as Burden Falls in the US) is the perfect page-turner to pick up as the nights begin to draw in! I was rapidly drawn into the story and, with the cliff-hanger chapter endings and constant stream of mysteries and revelations, I read the book in just a couple of sittings.

Ava is, if not always a likeable character, a very sympathetic one. Grieving for her parents and the loss of her family home, she’s angry and resentful but also determined, driven, and brave. I liked her very much – even when she was being horrid to her friends or lashing out at easy targets like the Miller family – and I really liked how resilient and resourceful she was. Kat Ellis has done a fantastic job of capturing what its like to be a teenager – all high drama and shifting emotions that, sometimes, you barely understand yourself. And that applies equally well to the other characters too – from queen bee Freya and Ava’s preppy best friend Ford to Freya’s quieter, more reflective (and unbearably handsome) brother Dominic, all of the characters came across as real people with real, messed-up emotions and shifting, complex motivations.

The novel blends the mystery/thriller and horror/supernatural elements of the story together really well, although I’d say the focus does stay on the mystery throughout as Ava and Dominic work to stop the spate of murders and uncover the truth behind the old Thorn family legends. That said, things do go towards the horrific in places – there are some fairly gory moments when the bodies are discovered, and some of the descriptions tend towards the gruesome so readers of a sensitive disposition should be forewarned. Trigger warnings also for bereavement, a road traffic collision, mentions of alcohol abuse/alcoholism, mentions of depression, psychological abuse, and drug abuse. Taking the edge off all those dark themes, there are also some fantastic friendships, cutting humour, and a gentle, nicely interwoven romance.

Saying any more about the plot would be to risk spoilers but I will say that this was definitely an edge-of-your-seat, can’t-turn-the-pages-fast-enough read for me! Once the story got going, I was so eager to get back to my book and get to the next chapter – definitely one of those reads where I wanted to put life on hold for a bit! Perfect for anyone looking who loves dark and creepy mysteries or YA thrillers with a horror twist, Wicked Little Deeds might have been my first novel by Kat Ellis, but it certainly won’t be my last!

Well, this is a creepy piece of work! Is the ghost real? Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows? But there’s a very real killer on the loose in this depressingingly named town. I mean, seriously. Who wants to live in a town called Burden Falls? It just sounds dark and creepy and, well, depressing. Anyway, Ava is a great character even if she’s not all that great a judge of friends. And even if she makes stupid choices, but then she’s a teenager so stupid choices kind of go hand and hand with the teenage years.

The murder is twisted and mystifying. Who the hell did it? And why? There are several possible suspects including Ava, so it’s not an easy solve. When another murder happens in a similar fashion Ava is really beginning to think she’s next. Or maybe she’s just going crazy. In any case, real people are dying and someone is responsible. When Ava becomes friendly with someone she figured for an enemy she slowly realizes she has an ally amongst all the hostiles.

The buildup and conclusion are nail-biting and edge of your seat anxiety inducing. Especially that one part that triggered my claustrophobia. UGH! I will not be re-reading that. Ever. Come for the intrigue, stay for the mystery, and be rewarded with a happy ending? Depends on your definition of ‘happy’, I guess. There is resolution and that’s important.

When Ava loses her parents in a tragic accident, she is put under the care of her Uncle Ty. With only ten years between them, he uncovers how much the family business is worth and makes the decision to sell the manor that Ava had grown up in. He moves himself, his wife, and Ava to a smaller cottage that is still within the village. But when Ava learns of who has purchased her old home she is left reeling – the last person she wants there is the local ‘mean girl’.

When awful things start happening shortly after the new tenants move in, the harrowing tale of the girl who haunts the bridge on the grounds of the manor starts to take a much larger form as the bodies that are found have had their eyes gouged out in the same way as the original victim Sadie had.

As people start looking at Ava as a suspect for the rising number of murders taking place, she makes it her own personal mission to uncover who is responsible and why they are doing these things. But the strain of the situation soon catches up with her and she finds herself unable to cope with the trauma of all she has seen and experienced over the years. Can she clear her name and get her life back on track or will she become the next victim?

Kat Ellis has once again provided us with a chilling story that consumes you from the start. The storyline is perfectly structured and sets the pace with an ever rising level of suspense from the first chapter gradually increasing until the story reaches its climax. Each of the characters have deep, complex personalities that really drive this tory forward and makes this book all the more difficult to put down.

A brilliantly written, utterly chilling tale that will prove impossible to forget.

Wicked Little Deeds is the perfect book to read now if you already want Summer to be over and Autumn to arrive!

So where to start?

Wicked Little Deeds is set in the small town of Burden Falls, and with such small communities everybody knows one another which leads to long time grudges, knowing everyone’s business and weird superstitions and supernatural occurrences!

Thus, we have Ava Thorn. A notable member of the Thorn family who have been around for centuries in their big Manor and being by Burden Falls waterfall, where many a story has happened with a certain creepy figure being at the heart of it.

Dead Eyed Sadie, a ghost who only shows when the Thorns are about to die, who showed when Ava’s parents died and someone seems to be copying her death with the murders of local kids, and soon Ava is suspected to be the murderer.

Reading the story feels like balancing on a wire, making the reader doubt whether the deaths, and all the events have a reasonable explanation or could it be supernatural?


It is such a slow, and intense plot driven story that will keep you guessing on who is the culprit, and I absolutely adored how Kat Ellis doesn’t need to develop the characters more than necessary to tell the story, allowing us to bask in the creepiness and the actions of the characters and how they’re deaths cause ripple effects throughout the community!

The other brilliant thing is that Ava ends up being friendly with one of her nemesis family- The Millers. These two families have always had bad blood, and always steer clear of each other yet we find their lives intertwining more and more as the plot goes on giving such an intriguing look into overcoming these initial grudges and creating something steady out of such tragedy!

If you love Harrow Lake, and are a fan of books that confuses the reader and the main character, leading to a slightly unstable narration, then I really recommend Wicked Little Deeds!