Deeply creepy, original and well written. I really enjoyed this horror and found myself thinking about it for weeks after.

I started this book without reading the synopsis so I was totally unaware of what was to come.
I started off thinking it was just another novel about a woman on the run with her daughter but as the story progresses it becomes clear that this is not the vein in which we tread.

How do I review this without a spoiler?

I probably can’t but it definitely chilled me to the core and I’m so glad that I read it. Brilliant story telling and I’m so glad I went into it blind.

Thank you NetGalley & Stuart Neville for an advanced read

Not having read a book by Stuart Neville before, I had no idea what to expect. And in hindsight, that couldn’t have worked out better for me. On the surface, 'Blood Like Mine' seems your regular crime fiction story. But there’s a lot more to it than that.

Rebecca and her daughter,Monica aka Moonflower, travel across the country in a van. It isn’t a road trip for fun, though. It becomes clear quite early on that they are actually on the run. Why? That remains to be discovered. It’s imperative that they lay low as much as possible, that nobody remembers them. But with no food and no money, that is becoming increasingly harder. 

FBI Agent Marc Donner is convinced they are serial killers. He’s been hunting them for two years, losing his family in the process. Rebecca and her daughter seem to leave a trail of dead men behind them. All with their throats cut, blood drained, and spinal cords severed. Donner has become rather obsessed with this case. How far will he go to prove he’s right?

At its heart, this is merely a story about a mother doing whatever it takes to protect her daughter. Rebecca has been undertaking this challenging task for many years. However, hunger and exhaustion are causing her to make mistakes. It’s easy to imagine the lengths she will go to to keep Monica safe, her daily struggles, the sacrifices she's made, her uncertainty about the future and underneath all of that, her undying love for her daughter. No matter what.

'Blood Like Mine' is one of those books that is immensely tough to review without giving anything away. Like me, you should definitely go in blind if you can, and prepare yourself for the unexpected. That jaw-dropping moment is where I sat up straighter and found myself completely absorbed by this story. 

Mostly, I just wondered how things would turn out. I never considered there would be a happy ending for all of these characters. After all, Rebecca, Monica and Donner are on a dramatic collision course. This is a deadly game of cat and mouse. Who will come out as the winner? It is that and the unpredictability of these characters that ratchets up the tension. 

'Blood Like Mine' is a dark, chilling and bloody (I know, shocking!) tale of a mother’s love and a fabulous twist on the serial killer genre. Pacy, exciting, slightly scary, fabulously addictive, … there is a lot to like about this book and I’m glad I took a gamble on it.

Thank you to the author, publishers Simon & Schuster and NetGalley UK for access to this as an advance reader’s ebook. This is an honest and voluntary review.

Rebecca will do anything to keep her daughter alive. And Special Agent Donner will do anything to track the pair down before someone else dies.

A fascinating tale of morality in the most extreme circumstances. It’s hard not to feel sympathy for Rebecca. Her life has been thrown off course by a series of unexpected events, but she’s consistently tried to make the best of it. And still she’s left with a lonely nomadic existence just her and her daughter always on the move.

Special Agent Donner is the embodiment of the dogged detective. Following the pattern of murders that no one else can see, and choosing his commitment to justice over family, over health and over his own self-interests.

It’s gripping stuff.

I found it really hard to rate this book.
There were things I really loved about it and part that just didn't work for me.

I loved the bond between Rebecca and moonflower. I was completely engrossed in their story and their relationship. I found Rebecca's journal entries intriguing and absolutely loved their parts of the book.

I wish we could have had more about Rebecca's dark side and maybe even some chapters from moonflowers point of view.

If the story had mainly focussed on these two characters I would have definitely rated it higher but it didn't and that leads me onto the FBI agent.
Initially I was invested in his character, but as it became clearer where the story was heading I found myself bored during his chapters, they were quite repetitive and I had no interest in him.

I was also slightly underwhelmed with the ending.
I did enjoy it while I was reading it and was excited to pick it up but mainly due to the moonflower and Rebecca storyline.
I would definitely read more of this authors work but this one fell a bit flat for me.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher's for the chance to read an early .copy of this novel.

Wow. This novel surprised me (in a good way), I went into it thinking it was going to be a straightforward crime novel and it definitely isn't! Told from the perspectives of both the mother and daughter fleeing the law and the detective pursuing them, this is a cat and mouse thriller as well as a complex exploration of family ties and the things we do for love. It's not often you end up emotionally invested in the "bad guys". An orginal, eerie and thought provoking read.

So, this was a bit of a surprise! I am a huge fan of Stuart Neville's books but I was not expecting this! The Twelve is one of my all time favourite books and I like the supernatural twist to it. with the ghosts. But this book, Blood Like Mine is a huge step further in terms of being other worldly and spooky. It is more of a horror than a thriller but there is a cat & mouse chase running through it. Well written and a good story. I am not a big fan of horror so its not usually the kind of book I would read but for anyone who likes horror, I would highly recommend it.

"Blood Like Mine" by Stuart Neville is a compelling story. The book excels in building tension and suspense, taking readers on a thrilling journey from beginning to end.
The story follows Rebecca Carter and her daughter Monica, known as Moonflower, who are on the run from something or someone. We're not entirely sure what's going on at first, but Rebecca will do anything to keep Moonflower safe, including putting herself in harm's way. Meanwhile, Special Agent Marc Donner is on the hunt for a serial killer who's been leaving a trail of bodies across the country. The killer is clever and always seems to be one step ahead of Donner.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that there's more to Moonflower than meets the eye. She's not like other children, and Rebecca's motivations for keeping her safe are shrouded in mystery. Donner is obsessed with catching the killer, but his obsession is taking a toll on his personal life. His wife and children are suffering because he fixates on the case.
The tension in this book is palpable. Neville does an excellent job of building suspense and keeping you guessing until the very end. I found myself wondering if Moonflower was truly innocent or if she was somehow connected to the murders. And what about Rebecca's motivations? Was she doing everything she could to keep her daughter safe, or was she hiding something?
The characters in this book are complex and multi-dimensional. Rebecca and Moonflower are both flawed and troubled, but they're also deeply human. Donner is a more straightforward character, but his obsession with the case is understandable given the circumstances.
The writing is superb. Neville's prose is evocative and immersive, and he does an excellent job of creating a sense of atmosphere and setting. The pacing is quick and intense, and the plot twists are expertly handled.
Overall, "Blood Like Mine" is for anyone who loves thrillers with a supernatural or horror twist. It's a gripping and suspenseful read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Just be prepared for a wild ride - this book is not for the faint of heart!

I didn’t even read the description of this or the blurb on the cover. I just dove in. This was such an exciting read! And when I got to “that one part”, I was like OMG! I was even more excited to continue reading. Such a good book!

Alsolutley loved this book! I was bitten and taken on a wild ride, think Twighlight but less glitter darker and with some real teeth!


Review posted on my Insta is below



Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville

This was an advance copy thanks to @netgalley
Released 15th August 2024

I heard about this book when @cltaylorauthor recommended it saying it was one of the best books she had read recently and she isn’t wrong!

I was gripped by this book which I can only describe as a dark twighlight, minus the glitter and Edward Cullen! This book builds and builds and ……. I always keep my reviews spoiler free so I’m going to leave it there 🤭but you all need to read this @stuartnevilleauthor is a genius and I was shook by this book! 😬

If you’re looking for an epic thriller, get it preordered now! I’ll definitely be grabbing a physical copy when it’s released!

Rebecca and her daughter travel across America- always hiding, never staying long in one location. And wherever they go, bodies are left behind. FBI Special Agent Marc Donner has spent two years tracking a serial killer who targets men; their throats slashed and spinal cords severed. Donner is searching for a middle-aged woman who poses as a child online to lure her prey. Donner doesn’t know what he has unearthed and is he truly prepared to face it?

Blood Like Mine is a cat and mouse style thriller with a supernatural element which I really enjoyed. The pacing matches the narrative throughout and Neville has managed to bring the genres of thriller and horror together in perfect harmony in this story.

Told from multiple points of view, I found the focus on the mother/daughter relationship captivating and Neville’s focus on the themes of resentment and loss very interesting. I’m not sure the story needed the perspective of the detective as I would have preferred more on Rebecca and Moonflower’s ten years on the road surviving and what they had to go through.

Another standout figure was The Nurse- no spoilers but I found the character an interesting addition to the story. The similarities between Donner and Rebecca are also an interesting aspect of the story- both alone, troubled figures, sacrificing everything to achieve their goals. Be warned there is plenty of gory and violent scenes so beware if you’re not a fan of that.

Probably one of the most original stories I’ve read in a while and if you like Let The Right One In, Blood Like Mine should go on your tbr list.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for the arc- Blood Like Mine will be released 15th August.

I read this all in one sitting this morning, one of those crazy addictive novels that defy all attempts to abandon them even when you might need a minute

Blood Like Mine is pacy and terrifying and emotional all in one go, it doesn't really let up on the tension at all yet also has a strong character driven core, is cleverly written and packs one hell of a punch.

The Kingesque ending just sealed the deal for me.

Going to be one of my favourites this year I think.

I loved Blood Like Mine. I was so invested in the story, and I could feel the love between mother and daughter, but also the resentment and loss.
It was reminiscent of Let the Right One In, but it was also totally its own storyline.
I would definitely recommend this book.

This book was really more like a 2.5… so slow for easily the first half. Additionally, the amount of chapters from the FBI Agent’s perspective really seemed unnecessary and boring to be quite honest, I wanted to hear more about Rebecca and Moonflower’s current life, or the 10+ years they spent on the run. This one was just okay.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for a review!

This was really different and I loved the fact that it took a while to realise the full situation with Rebecca and Moonflower. I always enjoy a cat and mouse thriller but I struggled a bit with this as I felt that the detective was a little under drawn- I struggled to care as much as I would have liked about what happened to him.
Very enjoyable read nonetheless.

I think I’ve realised that I’m not a fan of cat and mouse thrillers. The premise of this was great, I wish we didn’t have the detectives POV as much. The characters felt very under developed.

Well this was different! I was instantly hooked.
Gripped by the mother daughter relationship and wanting to figure out what the hell was going on!

On the edge of my seat for most of it. Definitely a recommended read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Back in the 80s I cut my adult reading teeth with the horror genre. Herbert, Masterton, King, Brandner, Lumley - I can go on... These days I have fell a bit from that wayside, more favouring crime fiction, apart from every so often dipping a toe back in the pond. This was my latest dip... And it was wonderful...
We start with Rebecca Carter driving her and her daughter, Moonflower, on a dark snowy night in the run-up to Christmas. She swerves to avoid an elk, driving her van into a snowdrift. It's the latest annoyance to her ever mounting list of annoyances. Broke, no food, no help, no nothing, and now stuck. As luck would have it, along comes a man in a pick-up truck. But strangely, Rebecca refuses all or his efforts to help her... But why...?
Meanwhile, we also follow FBI Special Agent Marc Donner who has been hunting down what he has identified as a prolifically gruesome serial killer who drains their victims of all their blood before severing their spinal cords. But for some reason he is pretty much on his own with this investigation...
And so begins a rather interesting and intriguing game of cat and mouse with loads of violent brutality and just enough maverick behaviour to keep me up, reading way beyond my bedtime, so eager I was to get to the conclusion... And I was well rewarded for my endeavours...
I do admit that I haven't read too much by this author before. But I have enjoyed what I have read, and I do fully intend to make a concerted effort to play catch-up in the near future.
Rebecca and Marc are more alike than they would both wish to admit to. Both troubled - in different ways. Both alone. Both out on a limb. Both trying to make the nest of what they are left with. But also, both on opposing sides. They are also both cracking characters.
Pacing is good, matching the narrative all the way through. Heavy on the violence and a bit brutal in places, deliciously so...
And the ending when it came was perfect. Wholly satisfying for what had gone before but also, maybe, also leaving a wee chink of light for the future...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Absolutely thrilling. Blood Like Mine blends the crime and horror genres in a new and exciting way. The best way to explore this book is to go on completely blind and be taken on an adrenaline filled adventure. It is a bleak chase across America as one FBI agent chases the elusive wanted serial killer who he has pursued to the detriment of his marriage and sanity. It is also a story of a mother's love and desire to protect. Unputdownable. #bloodlikemine #stuartneville #netgalley

This is a crime thriller with a supernatural edge and I loved it. Stuart Neville has a nice easy style of writing that engages you with the characters and fleshes out the plot gradually. This cleverly written story is a film or series waiting to be made. Now, where are Mr Neville's other books?