The Serial Killer's Girl by L.H. Stacey

Lexi Jakes thought she could run from her past.

But when her biological mother is found dead, strangled with a red silk scarf and holding a chess piece, Lexi knows that her worst nightmare has come true. Because the murder has all the hallmarks of her own serial killer father, renown strangler Peter Graves.

Now with her own precious daughter’s life in danger, Lexi will do anything to keep her child safe…she is the serial killer's girl after all.

This title sounded right up my street and the synopsis really dragged me in , however, for me , the story , whilst good , was a little plodding and hard to get through so I'd say good but not brilliant.
I would still recommend.

Lexi Jakes is dreading this day, the anniversary of serial killers, Peter Graves last murder. Peter is actually her father, but no one knows this secretive past. Then she hears a woman has been found murdered, red ribbon round their neck and holding a chess piece, just like how her father killed. The identity of this woman shocks Lexi. As the killer comes to close to home, she escapes to her Foster mums sanctuary.
An amazing books, great plot and characters you really warmed to and an ending that is not obvious. 5 stars to L. H. Stacey and look forward to reading more.

Wow this book. Is really well written. It is really gripping. The characters are great. It is edge of your seat addiction. I loved it.

I enjoyed this book. Even though it was a bit slow. Great storyline.
Plot was good so was the ending
4****

This is the first I've read by this author. This is my go-to genre so I have a lot to compare it to. I have to say, this one was not one of the best. It started out really slow and it didn't take me long the figure it out. Normally I would finish a book like this in a few hours, this one took me a few days to get through. The premise was good. I think it needed some more development - more suspense - a lot less unnecessary words./scenes.

Thank you #netgalley and #boldwoodbooks for the eARC.

The first chapter was intriguing and got my attention right away, but after that the book became very slow. There were a lot of details that were not necessary. I guess the ending rather quickly.

Lexi Jakes has been running from the past for almost her entire life. One day, her biological mother was murder. On her neck was a red scarf with a chess piece. This is Lexi’s worst nightmare, as it that is the trademark of serial killer, Peter Graves. Peter Graves is Lexi’s father. Now her life is in danger, along with her daughter’s life. Lexi will do anything to keep her daughter safe.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

I do not think this book was well written at all. The first chapter was so boring with all the useless words and metaphors, it barely made me want to continue reading. The first chapter also made me feel like the author was trying to outsmart the reader, but then all the chapters that come are not written like that, so it felt out of place. I was able to figure out the “who” very early on. The author was not clever is trying to trick the reader at all. Moreover, Lexi’s daughter is a two year old but talks like she’s 5 or more. Yes, I know that sometimes there are two year olds that can speak well, but it just felt not likely. I have two children, and I’ve been around children, so I know how *most* two year olds speak; and it definitely was not like how it was written in the book. It made me question the author and the editor for not catching that. As I was able to figure things out pretty quickly, there were no surprises for me; no twists and turns.

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. IFYKYK, my reviews are ALWAYS honest.

Writing: 2/5 | Plot: 2/5 | Ending: 2/5

THE PLOT

Lexi Jakes is the daughter of an infamous serial killer. 20 years later and she still can't outrun her past. Her biological mother is found murdered in the same fashion as her father's victims. Since daddy dearest is in jail, Lexi realizes someone is coming for her. But who?????

MY OPINION

The synopsis had me requesting this faster than Usain Bolt's 100m dash at the 2008 Olympics. It started strongish (some thicc run-on sentences packed in early) but by 20% I was on the struggle bus. Talk about repetitive. Literally during the first 20%, about 50% was spent lamenting whether she could trust her bum ass husband Nate with her secret. And then the gratuitous attempted sex. NEXT.

The writing style just isn't for me. It's not bad—other than the run on sentences—but it's basic. It's not closed captions, but it's creative writing 101 in university level. Lots of "her heart banged in her chest" or "rain pounded on the window." No Shakespeare with the pen tbh. Reading this was like trying to wade through quicksand. Slow. Relentlessly repetitive.

And then the plot... So ripe with potential, but ended up like an avocado you leave out for a lil too long. What could've been "fresh" ending up spoiled with lazy thriller tropes like surprise! we're related!!! and the significant other who may or may not be cheating.

Not for me but I can see how this would work for others. Give it a read and decide for yourself :)

PROS AND CONS

Pros: juicy synopsis
Cons: repetitive, run-on sentences galore, flimsy plot, bleh ending

Lexi Jakes thinks she can run from her past but when her birth mother is murdered strangled with a red scarf and holding a chess piece she knows these are all hallmarks of her serial killing father.
Now Lexi's daughter is in danger and she'll do anything and everything to protect her after all she is her father's daughter.
Suspense,twists and turns and a ending I wasn't expecting makes this book a must read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

“I always promised myself that revenge would bee sweet, that it would give me closure and that once I’d taken someone from him, someone he loved, i’d consider myself his equal.”

I had the antagonist of this story pegged from her very first introduction. It was so obvious to me who was seeking revenge on Lexi and her father. BUT I had no idea of why or how they were connected.

L. H. Stacey did an excellent job of brining suspicion onto other characters. The introduction of Vicki had me second guessing for a little while. I even felt like it could have been Harry for a split second.

And while the ending was incredibly predictable, I still was unable to put the book down. Maybe I wanted to know if I was correct in my assumptions, or maybe it’s just that I have been avoiding real life with books recently. Either way, I was hooked from the first page.

I will say, I can’t give this 5 stars because the ending was too clean. The murderer got caught, a victim recovered, forgiveness was granted, a wedding occurred, the question of paternity was forgotten. It was just too clean.

Oh My Gosh I loved this book. It was well written with a gripping and well executed storyline and well developed characters. It was twisty and unpredictable with an ending that made me gasp out loud. A really enjoyable read.

Lexi’s father is a serial killer and has been in jail for many years. Then all of a sudden her mom ends up murdered but her husband was in jail so he couldn’t have done it. Could it be a copycat killer? Poor Lexie just wants to protect her 2 year old daughter and had never even told her boyfriend all of her secrets. I thought I knew what was going to happen but it kept me guessing till the very last chapter. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like growing up with a serial killer as a father. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

"Your life is about to end - you just don't know it yet, and once the tide comes in, you'll be trapped on the island... with no means of escape."

Oh. My. God. My head is spinning I did not expect that ending! EASILY one of my favourite thrillers now!

P.s. someone my baby Isla and "Agafa" Agatha the kitten a giant hug. if you know, you know they need it. :(

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers, Boldwood Books for providing me a digital ARC of this book. #TheSerialKillersGirl #NetGalley

#TheSerialKillersGirl #NetGalley
Awesome.
Lexi Jakes thought she could run from her past. But when her biological mother is found dead, strangled with a red silk scarf and holding a chess piece, Lexi knows that her worst nightmare has come true. Because the murder has all the hallmarks of her own serial killer father, renown strangler Peter Graves. Now with her own precious daughter’s life in danger, Lexi will do anything to keep her child safe…she is her father’s daughter after all.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me an advance copy.

Good book! I stayed up all night to read it! Lol this book had suspense, intrigue, and so many twists and turns! It also had a great who done it! I highly recommend reading this book! It was a great thriller worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!