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When artist Claire Chase is attacked in her coastal Connecticut home, she knows she must be careful about who to trust… especially her powerful and well-connected husband Griffin. For her upcoming exhibit, Claire was preparing to expose Griffin for the violent crime he committed 25 years earlier. Claire is certain he’s behind the attack. And she knows his supporters would kill her to stop the truth from getting out. This novel “will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading,” says bestselling author Harlan Coben. Don’t miss the bestselling thriller The Shadow Box by Luanne Rice. Prime members read free.
Welcome to Read This Book, a newsletter where I recommend one book that I think you absolutely must read. The books will vary across genre and age category to include new releases, backlist titles, and classics. If you’re ready to explode your TBR, buckle up!
Look, I’m not getting off the spooky season reading train anytime soon, so this week’s pick is a great book if you like historical fiction, were freaked out by In Cold Blood, and like things with a possible supernatural twist!
Before we get to the book though, did you know that Book Riot is TEN years old this October? To celebrate, we’ve launched a limited edition line of merchandise that includes hoodies, sweatshirts, totes, and more, all in our signature logo colors and with BR branding! You can only get it this October, so head to bookriot.com/merch to check it out!
All These Bodies by Kendare Blake
Michael is an aspiring journalist living in a sleepy Minnesota town when a serial killer sweeps across the Midwest. Someone is murdering people, seemingly at random, and their bodies are found completely drained of blood. The crime scenes inspire rumors and put everyone on edge, especially Michael’s dad, the Sheriff. Then, the unthinkable happens and the murderer strikes Michael’s town. But this time, it’s different. A teen girl named Marie is left behind, covered in blood. She’s taken into custody, but she refuses to speak about what happened, who is responsible, or even where she comes from. The only person she will talk to is Michael, but even he isn’t sure if he’s prepared to hear her full confession.
This is a chilling and eerie book that takes the staples of In Cold Blood and throws in a speculative twist that will leave the reader guessing. Michael is a grounded character who loves his family, wants to follow his dreams, and discover a life outside of Minnesota. He’s curious about Marie, wants to understand her, and even feels sorry for her…but his motivations for taking Marie’s confession are not altogether altruistic—he’s thinking about the story he might be able to write and how it could help him get into journalism school. But his plans are turned on their heads when Marie tells him something he can’t quite believe, and he must confront the slippery nature of truth. Along the way, he is forced to see his town and community in a different light, and learns the hard way that scared people aren’t always rational people. I thought that Blake did a great job capturing the vibe of the 1950’s Midwest, and this is a good book that reminds readers that darkness is always lurking, no matter how wholesome your town might appear.
Happy reading!
Tirzah
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