"The Serial Killer's Girl" by L. H. Stacey is a suspenseful thriller that weaves a tale of revenge, danger, and the haunting legacy of a serial killer. While the novel holds elements of tension and a compelling premise, it falls into the realm of a three-star rating due to certain aspects that impact the overall reading experience.

The story revolves around Lexi Jakes, who, upon the discovery of her biological mother's death mirroring her serial killer father's hallmarks, realizes that her past is catching up with her. The narrative explores the fear of revenge and the lengths to which Lexi will go to protect her daughter, Isla. The choice to set the story on a remote island, Lindisfarne, adds an atmospheric quality to the suspenseful plot.

The pacing of the novel is generally effective, with moments of tension building as Lexi grapples with the threat to her and her daughter. The premise of being trapped on a small, isolated island heightens the suspense, creating a sense of claustrophobia that adds to the overall atmosphere.

However, the characters, including Lexi, lack a certain depth that would make them more relatable and memorable. The emotional impact of Lexi's predicament and the weight of her past are not fully explored, leaving the reader with a sense of detachment. Additionally, some plot developments and character motivations may feel somewhat predictable, impacting the element of surprise crucial in a thriller.

The resolution of the story may leave some readers wanting more, as certain aspects of the plot are wrapped up in a somewhat straightforward manner. The potential for exploring the psychological and emotional toll on the characters, particularly Lexi, could have added layers to the narrative.

In conclusion, "The Serial Killer's Girl" offers a suspenseful premise with moments of tension and danger. However, the novel falls short in fully realizing the emotional depth of the characters and delivering a more nuanced resolution. While it may appeal to readers seeking a quick and engaging thriller, it doesn't quite reach the level of a higher rating due to its predictability and character development.

Good book, great characters and enjoyed the storyline. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion

I love anything serial killer so this was a definite winner for me. The plotline had my attention from the very first page and I read it in one day. Holy Island was the perfect setting, remote and very atmospheric. The characters well crafted, and the story is told from Lexi and the serial killer's POV. You can't even begin to imagine how Lexi feels, knowing her father is a serial killer, and now not knowing who is coming after her. And just when I thought i knew who the caller was going to be you get to the end and it's a big wham you thought wrong.

Thank you - this was a slow burn but great once it got going and then found I couldn't put it down.
There was something a little missing for me and I can't say what it was probably the slow start as I like to get really into a book to begin with - hence the 3 stars

Lexi’s father is a serial killer. She’s spent her whole life healing from this and forging her own path. When her biological mother is found murdered in the same way as her father’s victims… Lexi panics. She runs with her daughter back to the island that she grew up on. She thinks she’ll be safer there… but will she?

This book had me feeling anxious all the way through. Lexi’s innate NEED to protect her daughter resonated with me as a parent. The characters were well written, I loved Isla and wanted to protect her too 😂. The isolated setting is always a favorite of mine and this one was done so well. I kept second guessing myself on who the killer was, which I love. The twists and turns kept me sucked in. AND it’s on KU! I can’t wait to read more by this author.

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Wow. That was a breath of fresh air. This was a slow-burn and you really have to be patient to see the big picture. When you get into the story, there is no going back.

Cheers to Netgalley for the copy!

Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. The title of this book grabbed my attention and I am so glad it did, this was a dark and atmospheric thriller that I couldnt get enough of. Set on Holy Island which was remote and told from both the daughter's POV (Lexi) and her fathers POV it was so well written, Lexi is afraid someone is coming for her and her daughter and that the person is somehow related to her father. This book had me hooked from the start, I loved the feeling of something sinister going on that I needed to get to the bottom of. A perfect psychological thriller read, twisty dark and addictive. #lhstacey #theserialkillersgirl #netgalley #tea_sipping_bookworm #goodreads #litsy #thestorygraph #amazonaustralia #bookqueen #bookstagram #thriller

I enjoyed this book, it was easy to read and held my attention. I will be reading more from this author :)

Great plot to get yourself lost in. This book has everything. A real fast paced thriller. Will get your heart racing on more than one occasion. Very well written. Highly recommend this book

Thank you to @bookandtonic for the opportunity to read this #eARC !

Alexandra, now Lexi, has a safe and secure life working as a journalist with her boyfriend and daughter. But she’s been living with a big secret - her dad is a serial killer. He’s been locked up for twenty years but each year on the anniversary of his last kill and subsequent arrest he is allowed out to reveal the site of the last victim’s body. She braces for the news each year but this year instead of the usual, headlines show a new murder with the same style. When Lexi realizes that the victim is close to her and this is likely a revenge kill, the clock starts to get herself and her daughter to safety.

This kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing. I did guess the (new?) killer pretty early on but I did not see the final twist coming. I’m a little frustrated that Isla’s dad wasn’t confirmed, but maybe in a sequel? I did really enjoy the shift between the final victim’s sibling/new killer POV and the main plot that covered Lexi. I thought that the chess pieces could have also been explained more in terms of significance/“ranking”. I’ll have to read more from Stacey!

I recommend for those who enjoy a good mystery/thriller.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 - 3.5/5

This was a good, suspenseful book. I read it over two days and enjoyed the storyline. I did figure out the killer early on but it was still a good read.

I was not a huge fan of the ending and felt like there were several unanswered questions. Otherwise definitely worth a read.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this book for an honest review. This book had a plot of another book I read but I did enjoy it. The beginning of the book drew me in and kept me wanting to know more. Lexi's biological mother was killed in the beginning and it leads the reader to believe that Lexi and her daughter are also in danger. Lexi runs to the place where she feels the safest but she is playing right into the killer's hand. I could definitely identify with Lexi as she was doing everything she could to keep her daughter safe. It is a good read and you will enjoy this book.

Creepy, claustrophobic and chilling, The Serial Killer’s Girl is the latest thriller by L H Stacey.

The news that her biological mother has been found dead sends alarm bells ringing for Lexi Jakes. With her mother’s death bearing all the hallmarks of her serial killer father, Lexi knows that she must protect herself and her daughter Isla because a dangerous adversary is watching waiting to strike when she least expect it. On her guard and determined to do whatever it takes for her daughter, Lexi takes Isla back to the small remote island she had grown up on. Lexi hopes that they will be safe in Lindisfarne, but cut off from the mainland and with the tide coming in, she soon realises that coming back home might just be the biggest mistake she has ever made…

Trapped and with no way of getting off the island, Lexi is all on her own. With danger edging closer and closer, Lexi knows that one mistake is all it would take for her to lose everything and having lost so much already, she is not willing to surrender her freedom or make her daughter suffer because of her family history. Saving Isla is Lexi’s number one priority and she is willing to do anything in order to rescue her from the evil that threatens to destroy their lives…forever.

A nail-biting crime thriller I read in one sitting, The Serial Killer’s Girl is a tautly plotted, broodingly atmospheric and hair-raising chiller that grabs readers by the throat and keeps them on the edge of their seats until the final terrifying twist.

L H Stacey knows how to scare, tantalize and completely terrify her readers by writing a fast-paced tale of old ghosts, past secrets and persistent fears that explores a mother’s love, the complexities of families and the lengths we go to to protect the ones we love.

L H Stacey continues to get better with every book she writes and The Serial Killer’s Girl will delight her ever-growing number of fans and win her plenty of devoted new followers.

A quick read for me; didn’t take long, I liked this one but I did guess the bad guy 😂 in all though a great little book and one I enjoyed!

I finally was able to read this one and I didn’t enjoy it as much as I expected. The story felt reused. It was good for what it was, but not life changing in anyway. I would recommend for an easy read. Shouldn’t take it too seriously

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This book was okay. It was a quick read and had a promising story - I just feel like it didn't live up to the full potential of it. I would try another book from this author.

Lexi Jakes is keeping a secret from her husband. She is actually the daughter of an infamous serial killer. But now a copycat killer has tracked her down and she is desperate to protect herself and her daughter...
The Serial Killer's Girl is a stand alone psychological thriller set in the UK. Geography plays a relevant role in the plot as Lexi flees to the island of Lindisfarne which has limited access depending on the tides.
Lexi's father is a notorious killer and she hasn't seen him or her mother for decades. Her mother is killed in the same manner as her father killed his victims and Lexi fears she or her own daughter are next. She flees to her foster mother but has to confront her past.
The majority of the book is written in the third person to show Lexi's perspective. However, there are some chapters written in the first person to show the viewpoint of the person seeking revenge. I liked the dual perspective to show the motives of the killer as well as ramp up the anticipation as they get closer to Lexi.
The identity of the copycat killer is sustained well over the course of the book and I was kept guessing and had loads of different theories. I felt that the pace of the novel was good overall but there seemed to be several twists crammed in at the end so their impact was lessened in my opinion.
The Serial Killer's Girl is an enjoyable thriller.

This was not my favorite thriller book. It felt very generic thriller to me. There were some parts I did like and there were some parts that I did not like. I do not think I would suggest this one.

I thought the beginning of this book was very gripping and engaging. Not only do we hear of the death of Lexi’s biological mother, but there is a huge hint that Lexi is in danger as the culprit, or what we assume to be the culprit, targets something very close to Lexi’s heart.

At this point, Lexi understandably flees and this is definitely a heart-in-mouth moment in the book, though to be honest there are quite few of those! I was completely rooting for Lexi and Isla’s safety at this point, and as a mother of a 2 year old girl myself I was almost able to put myself in her shoes. I could definitely understand and identify with her sheer determination to keep Isla safe, even to the detriment of some other relationships and people in her life.

The book’s pace slows a little here, but the danger is always on the periphery, and it makes the ending even more shocking and exciting.

This is a new to me author and I was very impressed by this book. I found it gripping and exciting. I would recommend this book and author to fans of Shari Lapena, Miranda Smith and Arianne Richmonde

You can run from the past, but you can't hide...

Lexi has tried to move on from her heartbreaking childhood as the daughter of a heinous serial killer, Peter Graves. She's changed her name, started her own family, and has a career that she enjoys. Lexi's perfect life begins to fall apart around her when her biological mother is found dead, strangled by a red silk scarf and clutching a chess piece- the same MO as her father. Someone knows who Lexi really is, and they want to make her pay for her father's sins. Fearing that she and her daughter are in danger, Lexi flees to the only place she feels truly safe. Has she outrun the killer, or run right into a trap?
I was instantly drawn into this novel, as I have a fascination with serial killers and their MOs and rituals. I had a strong theory about who the killer was, and some back-up theories in case that one didn't pan out. I found a handful of characters very suspicious and couldn't wait to find out if I was right about any of them! I listened to the audiobook while reading the e-ARC, and the narrator had a way of making my heart pound during intense scenes. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves thrillers or likes to read about serial killers.