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The Marsh King's Daughter
by
Karen Dionne (Goodreads Author)
The suspense thriller of the year - The Marsh King's Daughter will captivate you from the start and chill you to the bone.
'I was born two years into my mother's captivity. She was three weeks shy of seventeen. If I had known then what I do now, things would have been a lot different. I wouldn't have adored my father.'
When notorious child abductor - known as the Marsh King ...more
'I was born two years into my mother's captivity. She was three weeks shy of seventeen. If I had known then what I do now, things would have been a lot different. I wouldn't have adored my father.'
When notorious child abductor - known as the Marsh King ...more
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Andrea Strickland
The environments are so different, that I didn't really find myself drawing any comparisons to Room.
Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
I came across this book a few months ago. I knew it wasn't going to be released until June but I couldn't wait to read it. Once I started reading I didn't want to stop.
The narrator tells us that her mother was famous for things no one would never want to be famous for. She says we may recognize her mother's name, but we probably haven't thought about her for years....but she is sure we would remember she had a daughter and w ...more
I came across this book a few months ago. I knew it wasn't going to be released until June but I couldn't wait to read it. Once I started reading I didn't want to stop.
The narrator tells us that her mother was famous for things no one would never want to be famous for. She says we may recognize her mother's name, but we probably haven't thought about her for years....but she is sure we would remember she had a daughter and w ...more
Lately, I've been reading a little more suspense/thriller. 'The Marsh King's Daughter' is the most recent book in this genre to catch my attention. It certainly lived up to my expectations for a creepy, edge of my seat story.
The story centers on Helena, a woman with a secret past. While she lives her "normal" life as a mother, occupied with mundane daily issues, there is far more going on beneath the surface. She is always looking over her shoulder, never quite able to settle down or rest easy.
W ...more
The story centers on Helena, a woman with a secret past. While she lives her "normal" life as a mother, occupied with mundane daily issues, there is far more going on beneath the surface. She is always looking over her shoulder, never quite able to settle down or rest easy.
W ...more
This is atmospheric and brilliant storytelling from an author whose talent becomes increasingly obvious as you begin to read this tale. Its appeal lies in the twin interweaving of dark fantastical fairytale and the more human tale of the hunter and the prey, where these roles shift, change, merging into a hypnotic dance between father and daughter. Helena is married to Stephen, a photographer and has two daughters, Iris and Mari. She lives in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on the edge of the marsh w
...more
You know a story gets under your skin when you wake up in the middle of the night thinking about it.
This is a psychological thriller that has the added thrill of a spin on a classic fairy tale. The premise is disturbing. Helena is the daughter of a man whom abducted her mom, who was incarcerated for his crime but has now escaped- to the marshlands of Michigan- where she grew up and was held hostage for the first 12 years of her life. Now, the hunt is on and she needs either to be the hunter or b ...more
This is a psychological thriller that has the added thrill of a spin on a classic fairy tale. The premise is disturbing. Helena is the daughter of a man whom abducted her mom, who was incarcerated for his crime but has now escaped- to the marshlands of Michigan- where she grew up and was held hostage for the first 12 years of her life. Now, the hunt is on and she needs either to be the hunter or b ...more
I'd rate this 4.5 stars.
Helena and her parents lived an isolated life in a cabin on marshland in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. They had no electricity, no creature comforts, but Helena learned so much from her father—how to hunt; how to shoot; how to kill, dress, and cook an animal; how to appreciate nature and the outdoors.
She never understood why her mother always seemed so afraid of her father, although she knew he hurt her from time to time, and while he punished Helena and sometimes taught h ...more
Helena and her parents lived an isolated life in a cabin on marshland in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. They had no electricity, no creature comforts, but Helena learned so much from her father—how to hunt; how to shoot; how to kill, dress, and cook an animal; how to appreciate nature and the outdoors.
She never understood why her mother always seemed so afraid of her father, although she knew he hurt her from time to time, and while he punished Helena and sometimes taught h ...more
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4.5 Stars
Growing up, Helena never knew that they were different from other families; she didn’t know the story of how she came to be, didn’t know that her father had abducted her mother for the purpose of taking her as his wife. She loved her father, and didn’t think of him as a bad or dangerous man, although she knew that he was quick to anger toward her mother, at times. She really didn’t know any better, and how could she? She was his ”Bangii-Agawaateyaa”, his Little Shado ...more
4.5 Stars
Growing up, Helena never knew that they were different from other families; she didn’t know the story of how she came to be, didn’t know that her father had abducted her mother for the purpose of taking her as his wife. She loved her father, and didn’t think of him as a bad or dangerous man, although she knew that he was quick to anger toward her mother, at times. She really didn’t know any better, and how could she? She was his ”Bangii-Agawaateyaa”, his Little Shado ...more
Wow! Well that was one heck of a good read!
THE MARSH KING’S DAUGHTER by KAREN DIONNE is an extremely gripping fast-paced suspenseful psychological thriller that had me totally engaged, entertained, and interested throughout this whole book. I was flipping those pages as fast as I could in anticipation and fascination finishing this book in less than 24-hrs. I could not put this book down!
KAREN DIONNE delivers an intense, atmospheric, and an angst driven read here with well-developed characters ...more
THE MARSH KING’S DAUGHTER by KAREN DIONNE is an extremely gripping fast-paced suspenseful psychological thriller that had me totally engaged, entertained, and interested throughout this whole book. I was flipping those pages as fast as I could in anticipation and fascination finishing this book in less than 24-hrs. I could not put this book down!
KAREN DIONNE delivers an intense, atmospheric, and an angst driven read here with well-developed characters ...more
*4.5 Stars* Thank you to Shotsmag for my paperback copy, I have given an honest review in exchange*
Helena was born in captivity, her mother having been abducted at the age of 14. To Helena, life in the marshlands is normal. She has no contact with the outside world, no electricity, no running water, no modern conveniences. She has grown to love her life of hunting and fishing; indeed she loves her Father and everything he teaches her about nature. Helena has no idea what her Father has done.
Hele ...more
Helena was born in captivity, her mother having been abducted at the age of 14. To Helena, life in the marshlands is normal. She has no contact with the outside world, no electricity, no running water, no modern conveniences. She has grown to love her life of hunting and fishing; indeed she loves her Father and everything he teaches her about nature. Helena has no idea what her Father has done.
Hele ...more
I really think that 2017 is fast becoming the year of the Thrillers and the The Marsh King's Daughter is without doubt a smart well thought out and entertaining read and one that I can see becoming a big hit over the summer.
When I read the premise of this Novel it really caught my attention and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it........
'I was born two years into my mother's captivity. She was three weeks shy of seventeen. If I had known then what I do now, things would have been a lot differ ...more
When I read the premise of this Novel it really caught my attention and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it........
'I was born two years into my mother's captivity. She was three weeks shy of seventeen. If I had known then what I do now, things would have been a lot differ ...more
5 stars! Wow - I’m still trying to catch my breath and slow my racing heart after finishing this fantastic book.
This book was SOOOOO GOOD! It was a fast paced, heart pounding, edge-of-my-seat, nail biting, suspenseful thriller. I was completely engrossed in the story from page one and addicted to finding out what would happen next - the intensity did not end until I hit the very last page. The story is so well-written and the characters are extremely well-developed – I was completely engaged and ...more
This book was SOOOOO GOOD! It was a fast paced, heart pounding, edge-of-my-seat, nail biting, suspenseful thriller. I was completely engrossed in the story from page one and addicted to finding out what would happen next - the intensity did not end until I hit the very last page. The story is so well-written and the characters are extremely well-developed – I was completely engaged and ...more
Wow, wow, wow. I was riveted by this book, completely glued to the pages! THE MARSH KING’S DAUGHTER was more than just gripping psychological suspense; it was also a compelling blend of literary fiction and unique coming of age story.
This book tells the unusual life story of Helena Pelletier. She’s a wife, mother, and small business owner, but at one time her life was very strange, and growing up she didn’t realize it. The father whom she adored was actually a monster, a cruel psychopath who kid ...more
This book tells the unusual life story of Helena Pelletier. She’s a wife, mother, and small business owner, but at one time her life was very strange, and growing up she didn’t realize it. The father whom she adored was actually a monster, a cruel psychopath who kid ...more
4.5 stars
The strongest part of this novel is the titular character. Her name is now Helena Pelletier, but she is also, even more so, the Marsh King’s Daughter. And while the plot is suspenseful and the revelations make it a type of psychological thriller, it is the character development, revealed through the perceptive, evocative, and striking language of the author, that packs the biggest punch. For me, it read as a coming of age story, a child’s growth to themselves, outside the boundaries of ...more
The strongest part of this novel is the titular character. Her name is now Helena Pelletier, but she is also, even more so, the Marsh King’s Daughter. And while the plot is suspenseful and the revelations make it a type of psychological thriller, it is the character development, revealed through the perceptive, evocative, and striking language of the author, that packs the biggest punch. For me, it read as a coming of age story, a child’s growth to themselves, outside the boundaries of ...more
4.5
This one came in from the library the day before I was leaving town and I was so excited to get it. I wasn't sure how I could read it in a day along with the other things I had to do. Well once I started reading I couldn't put it down and everything else just waited. It became a very quick read for me.
The Marsh King’s daughter is a heart pounding, compelling, interesting and unique character driven psychological thriller. When we first meet Helena she is happy and living with her family but ...more
This one came in from the library the day before I was leaving town and I was so excited to get it. I wasn't sure how I could read it in a day along with the other things I had to do. Well once I started reading I couldn't put it down and everything else just waited. It became a very quick read for me.
The Marsh King’s daughter is a heart pounding, compelling, interesting and unique character driven psychological thriller. When we first meet Helena she is happy and living with her family but ...more
The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne is a 2017 G.P. Putnam's Sons publication.
Hypnotizing, thrilling, tense, and absolutely riveting!!
I receive many emails from publishers and publicist promoting the latest book releases, but this book kept cropping up across different platforms, which piqued my interest. Then I noticed the rave reviews on Goodreads from trusted friends, and knew I had to see what all the excitement was about.
Although I was eager to start the book, and carefully read the ...more
Hypnotizing, thrilling, tense, and absolutely riveting!!
I receive many emails from publishers and publicist promoting the latest book releases, but this book kept cropping up across different platforms, which piqued my interest. Then I noticed the rave reviews on Goodreads from trusted friends, and knew I had to see what all the excitement was about.
Although I was eager to start the book, and carefully read the ...more
4.5
Well, what a story! This novel will have you at the edge of your seat. This is the fastest I've read a book in ages!
Well, what a story! This novel will have you at the edge of your seat. This is the fastest I've read a book in ages!
4.5 Stars for an Intense - Disturbing - Fast Paced Psychological Thriller!
I read this book in less than 24 hours - It's that good!
This would have been a full 5 star read for me, but I felt the hunting descriptions got a bit over the top at times. It was not gratuitous and fit the story being told, but for this squeamish reader it was too much.
Still highly recommend - Do not miss this one!
I read this book in less than 24 hours - It's that good!
This would have been a full 5 star read for me, but I felt the hunting descriptions got a bit over the top at times. It was not gratuitous and fit the story being told, but for this squeamish reader it was too much.
Still highly recommend - Do not miss this one!
4.5 stars
At first glance, Helena Pelletier seems like an average young woman juggling a busy life. Married to Stephen, mother of Iris & Mari & purveyor of homemade jellies & jams. But one look at the book blurb tells you she’s anything but.
Her mother was 13 years old when she was abducted by Jacob Holbrook & taken to a remote cabin in Michigan’s upper peninsula. At 16, she gave birth to Helena. Twelve years later, mother & daughter escaped & their story became an internat ...more
At first glance, Helena Pelletier seems like an average young woman juggling a busy life. Married to Stephen, mother of Iris & Mari & purveyor of homemade jellies & jams. But one look at the book blurb tells you she’s anything but.
Her mother was 13 years old when she was abducted by Jacob Holbrook & taken to a remote cabin in Michigan’s upper peninsula. At 16, she gave birth to Helena. Twelve years later, mother & daughter escaped & their story became an internat ...more
When notorious child abductor, known as the Marsh King, escapes escapes from a maximum security prison, Helena suspects that she and her two young daughters are in danger. Not even Helena's husband knows the truth about her past. That she was born in captivity. With no contact with the outside world before she was 12. Or that her father raised her to be a killer.
The book alternates between Helena's past and present. The storyline is tense, honest and disturbing. I really liked Helena's character ...more
The book alternates between Helena's past and present. The storyline is tense, honest and disturbing. I really liked Helena's character ...more
Wow!! Great book. I loved the main character, I thought of her as the woman version of Rambo. I was completely engrossed with this book. I immediately googled to see if this was based on a true story because it seemed so real.
Wow! What a book! It took me just two days to read this. I haven't been this captivated by a book in a long time!
I'm not going to summarize the story. The blurb explains this book well enough.
I grew up with a father who hunted and fished, but I'm not either of those. Well, I am a hunter, I suppose, but I use binoculars and a spotting scope. I’m an outdoorsy, nature-loving person. I enjoy wildlife watching and have spent hours upon hours in forests and fields. I understand the relationship betwee ...more
I'm not going to summarize the story. The blurb explains this book well enough.
I grew up with a father who hunted and fished, but I'm not either of those. Well, I am a hunter, I suppose, but I use binoculars and a spotting scope. I’m an outdoorsy, nature-loving person. I enjoy wildlife watching and have spent hours upon hours in forests and fields. I understand the relationship betwee ...more
Jun 03, 2017
Annie ~ The Misstery
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-noir,
arc-from-publisher
Most of you know that The Marsh King’s Daughter was, probably, my most anticipated release this year. I was obsessed with the book before I even got it. I love stories about kidnappings and the way the blurb described the events had me all curious and excited.
When you read the synopsis of a book, sometimes you get some ideas and, without even realizing it, you might create unrealistic expectations. To be honest, I expected this novel to be something like Still Missing by Chevy Stevens or even Ro ...more
When you read the synopsis of a book, sometimes you get some ideas and, without even realizing it, you might create unrealistic expectations. To be honest, I expected this novel to be something like Still Missing by Chevy Stevens or even Ro ...more
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
What a year 2017 is turning out to be, there have been some truly outstanding thrillers published this year and I was convinced I had read the best in this genre and then along came The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne. Oh my oh my what a book, this one is definitely going to be one of the top books of summer 2017 and it’s one that’s immediately gone on my top reads of 2017.
Helena had the best time and the most horrifying time growi ...more
What a year 2017 is turning out to be, there have been some truly outstanding thrillers published this year and I was convinced I had read the best in this genre and then along came The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne. Oh my oh my what a book, this one is definitely going to be one of the top books of summer 2017 and it’s one that’s immediately gone on my top reads of 2017.
Helena had the best time and the most horrifying time growi ...more
I’m usually not a fan of books where there is a “chase” type of situation, they can get to be predictable. This book, however, is definitely the exception to this.
The plot of this story can be told quickly. A young girl, age 14, is abducted from a small town and never found. We later find that she was held for many years and had a daughter who was aged 12 when she was finally rescued and the man who abducted and raped her was put in prison.
The marsh king’s daughter, named Helena, is still livin ...more
The plot of this story can be told quickly. A young girl, age 14, is abducted from a small town and never found. We later find that she was held for many years and had a daughter who was aged 12 when she was finally rescued and the man who abducted and raped her was put in prison.
The marsh king’s daughter, named Helena, is still livin ...more
Riveting and atmospheric, this novel delivers a powerful punch. I've never been one to really appreciate a lot of descriptive imagery, but it worked so well in this novel. This was a quick read & one that I think will appeal to fans of The Room. 4 stars, only because I wanted the ending to be lil bit more impactful.
★★★★
It's been a long while since I've so admired a heroine. Helena is a survivalist in more ways than one. She knows how to handle herself - she's confident with weapons and in the wild. She knows how to hunt bear and kill a man. These are the surroundings of her childhood. You see, she was born and raised in a primitive setting to a mother who was being held captive. Though a narcissistic psychopath, her father is still her father - he taught her everything she knows. Sometimes her lessons resu ...more
It's been a long while since I've so admired a heroine. Helena is a survivalist in more ways than one. She knows how to handle herself - she's confident with weapons and in the wild. She knows how to hunt bear and kill a man. These are the surroundings of her childhood. You see, she was born and raised in a primitive setting to a mother who was being held captive. Though a narcissistic psychopath, her father is still her father - he taught her everything she knows. Sometimes her lessons resu ...more
This book was not a suspense thriller nor did it "chill me to the bone." Mostly it pissed me off. Sorry, but amid all the glowing 4 and 5 star reviews, there is my takeaway. I detested the main character, Helena, and I am sorry for the couple of hours I spent of my life reading this.
It had a great premise, the daughter of a man who abducted a young teenaged girl and kept them in the marsh for years, comes of age and FINALLY decides to DO SOMETHING about the life she is living though she worships ...more
It had a great premise, the daughter of a man who abducted a young teenaged girl and kept them in the marsh for years, comes of age and FINALLY decides to DO SOMETHING about the life she is living though she worships ...more
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I really enjoyed this book. I decided to pick this book up simply because the story sounded interesting. I had never read anything by the author so I really didn't know what to expect. I was immediately hooked. I actually ended up reading the whole book in a little more than a day because I wanted to read it during every free second I had. If I wasn't reading, I was thinking about this captivating story. I am very happy that I decide ...more
I really enjoyed this book. I decided to pick this book up simply because the story sounded interesting. I had never read anything by the author so I really didn't know what to expect. I was immediately hooked. I actually ended up reading the whole book in a little more than a day because I wanted to read it during every free second I had. If I wasn't reading, I was thinking about this captivating story. I am very happy that I decide ...more
When Helena Pelletier hears that Jacob Holbrook has escaped from prison after killing two guards, she freaks out. Jacob, also known as "The Marsh King", is Helena's father.
Jacob kidnapped Helena's mother when she was 14-years-old and held the girl captive in the marshes of Michigan's Upper Peninsula for many years. During that time, Helena was born - and raised in isolation for 12 years.....until she ran away. Afterwards, Jacob was captured, convicted, and sent to prison.
As a child, Helena ado ...more
4.5 stars
Helena is 12 when she discovers that she's a captive child and her mother had been kidnapped at 14 by her father. She always refers to it as her mother's captivity but she was every bit as imprisoned. A child doesn't know there is anything different when they are isolated and see no other people. Helena and her parents live in a secluded cabin in the marshes of Northern Michigan. They hunt their own food and provide their own needs because the father is a wanted criminal. Helena doesn' ...more
Helena is 12 when she discovers that she's a captive child and her mother had been kidnapped at 14 by her father. She always refers to it as her mother's captivity but she was every bit as imprisoned. A child doesn't know there is anything different when they are isolated and see no other people. Helena and her parents live in a secluded cabin in the marshes of Northern Michigan. They hunt their own food and provide their own needs because the father is a wanted criminal. Helena doesn' ...more
I’m busy getting ahead of myself on reading (who can resist 2017 so far, not me that’s for sure) so this is a bit of an early review but trust me I’ll be talking about this one again nearer to the publication date – having finished it late last night though I can’t resist saying a few words now.
Talk about addictive quality – this book has that in spades and then some, once I started I could barely put it down, if it wasn’t for the fact that I kind of need to keep my job I would have dumped every ...more
Talk about addictive quality – this book has that in spades and then some, once I started I could barely put it down, if it wasn’t for the fact that I kind of need to keep my job I would have dumped every ...more
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Karen Dionne is the author of dark psychological suspense THE MARSH KING'S DAUGHTER, coming June 13, 2017 from G.P. Putnam's Sons, and three other novels.
Karen is cofounder of the online writers community Backspace, and organizes the Salt Cay Writers Retreat held every other year on a private island in the Bahamas. She is a member of the International Thriller Writers, where she served on the boar ...more
More about Karen Dionne...
Karen is cofounder of the online writers community Backspace, and organizes the Salt Cay Writers Retreat held every other year on a private island in the Bahamas. She is a member of the International Thriller Writers, where she served on the boar ...more
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