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Emily Kenyon #1
A Cold Dark Place
In a secluded farm house in the Pacific Northwest, a family has been slaughtered—and a teenage son has disappeared. Single mother and cop, Emily Kenyon spearheads a dark hunt for a killer. But Emily’s teenage daughter Jenna is one step ahead of her. Then another family is butchered, and another. As Emily fits the puzzle pieces together, she makes a chilling discovery: the killer is coming after her and her daughter . . .
385 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2007
4662 people are currently reading
3415 people want to read
About the author
Gregg Olsen
116 books7,085 followersThroughout his career, Gregg Olsen has demonstrated an ability to create a detailed narrative that offers readers fascinating insights into the lives of people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 532 reviews
April 28, 2013
The author, Gregg Olsen, is renowned for his true crime novels and I cannot wait to get to them; I don’t question his writing skills in that genre. However, his hand at this work of fiction fell really short for me.
The major problem with this book is with the characterizations and it starts with the main character, Emily Kenyon. She doesn’t seem to have strong relationships with anyone (ex-husband, ex-boyfriend, boss, co-worker) but the underlying reasons of how they got that way were never really addressed and of course they pivot without explanation later in the story. Getting who Emily is was critical to believing and understanding the course of the investigation. When you can’t get a grip on the main character (who does something completely foul in the middle of story), it’s really difficult to relate to her and invest in the rest of the story.
Normally, serial killers are the most well defined characters in a mystery/suspense story. The one here seemed to be pretty clear until we get to the end of the story and nobody is behaving to type. I still don’t understand what happened and why.
This was a convoluted plot with poorly developed characters that in the end didn't make a whole lot of sense. It was hard to predict character's behaviors as I never felt I got to know them, really. The device where the story goes back and forth in time was okay but when we were reading the thoughts of undefined and unidentified characters who never showed up again, it was hard to figure out what was important. If Olsen had spent more time developing the main characters and the serial killer, the story would have worked better. As it was, this was just a mess for me.
I will definitely read the two true crime novels I’ve purchased but I can’t continue this series, even though I bought the next (and last) book. I peeked and found out what I needed to know.
The major problem with this book is with the characterizations and it starts with the main character, Emily Kenyon. She doesn’t seem to have strong relationships with anyone (ex-husband, ex-boyfriend, boss, co-worker) but the underlying reasons of how they got that way were never really addressed and of course they pivot without explanation later in the story. Getting who Emily is was critical to believing and understanding the course of the investigation. When you can’t get a grip on the main character (who does something completely foul in the middle of story), it’s really difficult to relate to her and invest in the rest of the story.
Normally, serial killers are the most well defined characters in a mystery/suspense story. The one here seemed to be pretty clear until we get to the end of the story and nobody is behaving to type. I still don’t understand what happened and why.
This was a convoluted plot with poorly developed characters that in the end didn't make a whole lot of sense. It was hard to predict character's behaviors as I never felt I got to know them, really. The device where the story goes back and forth in time was okay but when we were reading the thoughts of undefined and unidentified characters who never showed up again, it was hard to figure out what was important. If Olsen had spent more time developing the main characters and the serial killer, the story would have worked better. As it was, this was just a mess for me.
I will definitely read the two true crime novels I’ve purchased but I can’t continue this series, even though I bought the next (and last) book. I peeked and found out what I needed to know.
May 13, 2009
Very disapointing. The main character, Emily, is weak and simple minded. I hate books and movies with weak women. I figured out the ending somewhere in the first or second chapter and read the rest just to see if I was right. Nick's character did suprise me at the end but not enough to say this was a good read. The author left out many important details in the last sequence. How did Emily get the gun to shoot Dylan? How did she get untied? Why couldn't Dylan see anyone? I went back and reread the last couple chapters and still have no idea how to answer these questions. This Emily character sits around and waits while her daughter is in danger, not a believable mother. Won't make the mistake of reading anymore Greg Olsen books.
February 2, 2011
Oh dear.
I picked up Gregg Olsen’s book A Cold Dark Place on a whim. It wasn’t on my to-read list; I hadn’t heard anything about it. I’ve been on a bit of a mystery-suspense thriller kick and this one sounded good.
When you’re talking about this kind of book, you don’t want to give too much away. I mean, generally speaking, suspense thrillers aren’t literary gems. I read them because they’re fun. Page turners filled with menace and heart-racing thrills.
A Cold Dark Place tells the story of Detective Emily Kenyon who is hot on the trail of a killer. A tornado has just swept through the town of Cherrystone, Washington. Kenyon has gone out to the home of a family no one has heard from since the storm. Their house is leveled, but a closer inspection of the premises turns up three dead bodies: dad, mom and a young boy. They’d all been murdered. The older son, Nick, is missing. Soon after Kenyon begins her investigation, her teenage daughter, Jenna, disappears. Jenna and Nick were friends, but Kenyon can only believe the worst.
This is only the beginning of a convoluted plot that involves convicted serial killer Dylan Walker, old cases that Kenyon was involved in, an adoption agency, a hateful relationship with her ex-husband, a creepy lawyer and an ex-partner who turns up at the end to help Kenyon.
The ending is wholly unbelievable (and, okay, sometimes that’s the case in this sort of book), but worse- the characters are shrill and annoying. Olsen was a true crime writer before he turned to fiction and maybe that’s why none of the book’s details seemed authentic. (I know, it seems ridiculous- but a true crime writer doesn’t have to fabricate anything.) In A Cold Dark Place what characters had for dinner seems like a tacked on detail rather than an investment in their character- and let’s face it, if you’re not rooting for someone in this kind of book, the denouement hardly matters.
I picked up Gregg Olsen’s book A Cold Dark Place on a whim. It wasn’t on my to-read list; I hadn’t heard anything about it. I’ve been on a bit of a mystery-suspense thriller kick and this one sounded good.
When you’re talking about this kind of book, you don’t want to give too much away. I mean, generally speaking, suspense thrillers aren’t literary gems. I read them because they’re fun. Page turners filled with menace and heart-racing thrills.
A Cold Dark Place tells the story of Detective Emily Kenyon who is hot on the trail of a killer. A tornado has just swept through the town of Cherrystone, Washington. Kenyon has gone out to the home of a family no one has heard from since the storm. Their house is leveled, but a closer inspection of the premises turns up three dead bodies: dad, mom and a young boy. They’d all been murdered. The older son, Nick, is missing. Soon after Kenyon begins her investigation, her teenage daughter, Jenna, disappears. Jenna and Nick were friends, but Kenyon can only believe the worst.
This is only the beginning of a convoluted plot that involves convicted serial killer Dylan Walker, old cases that Kenyon was involved in, an adoption agency, a hateful relationship with her ex-husband, a creepy lawyer and an ex-partner who turns up at the end to help Kenyon.
The ending is wholly unbelievable (and, okay, sometimes that’s the case in this sort of book), but worse- the characters are shrill and annoying. Olsen was a true crime writer before he turned to fiction and maybe that’s why none of the book’s details seemed authentic. (I know, it seems ridiculous- but a true crime writer doesn’t have to fabricate anything.) In A Cold Dark Place what characters had for dinner seems like a tacked on detail rather than an investment in their character- and let’s face it, if you’re not rooting for someone in this kind of book, the denouement hardly matters.
October 19, 2020
This would have been a 4 but i am so disappointed with the ending. It was well written and I enjoyed it but have to many unanswered questions in the end. I hate that! I needed a why and I just don't have it. I don't understand the victims he chose after he got out.
July 15, 2015
3.5-ish....my first Gregg Olsen so I'm still on the fence...Perhaps I need to get used to his writing style, but I did find it a bit maddening bouncing back and forth 20 years at a time!
I will probably read the next book in the series and see how that goes before making a final ruling.
This was a good, creepy thriller-mystery...gotta love that! Some of the details I feel weren't completely wrapped up, but still very compelling.
I will probably read the next book in the series and see how that goes before making a final ruling.
This was a good, creepy thriller-mystery...gotta love that! Some of the details I feel weren't completely wrapped up, but still very compelling.
November 29, 2020
Olsen writes some seriously sick bad guys. This one was a tough match for several good cops. In the end, the mystery played out nicely. Emily has a solid future. I look forward to the next one.
Olsen writes the Pacific Northwest well. I haven’t encountered many books set there but find that I really enjoy them. It’s a good thing I have many of his books to choose from. I’ll get to Emily’s next one sooner than later.
Olsen writes the Pacific Northwest well. I haven’t encountered many books set there but find that I really enjoy them. It’s a good thing I have many of his books to choose from. I’ll get to Emily’s next one sooner than later.
December 22, 2009
My first thought after I finished this ( and I did ) and don't take this the wrong way ladies, I've read plenty of novels by female authors...is I thought this could have been written by a woman. Mr. Olsen seemed to be writing with his feminine side showing. A weak female protagonist, and not a very good thriller.
August 20, 2012
I loved this book. It was dense with great, complex characters and awesome plot twists. It kept me up very late at night turning pages. It was an absolute pleasure to read. Emily Kenyon is a tough small town Sheriff’s detective and single mother of a teenage girl. When she is called upon to investigate the murder of an entire family at a nearby farmhouse, she discovers that their adopted teenage son is missing. He becomes the prime suspect. Before Emily can get a handle on what went down at the farmhouse which was subsequently destroyed by a tornado, her daughter Jenna is on the run with the missing teenage murder suspect. As Emily’s investigation and desperate search for her daughter intensifies, she uncovers a twisted web of lies and past murders, at the center of which is a ruthless serial killer.
What I loved about this novel is that it is well-written and the deftly handled plot twists are plenty. Olsen is a master at fleshing out various characters’ psychology and motivations. He writes women incredibly well—from the embittered, haunted but compassionate and likeable Kenyon to the serial killer groupies, Bonnie and Tina who show up later in the book. His use of the flashback is incredible and I loved how everything came together in the end. Olsen puts a new, brilliant and clever twist on the murder-suicide story. Things are not at all what they seem. As a long time crime thriller reader, I found this novel to be incredibly satisfying and I can’t wait to read the rest of Olsen’s fiction.
What I loved about this novel is that it is well-written and the deftly handled plot twists are plenty. Olsen is a master at fleshing out various characters’ psychology and motivations. He writes women incredibly well—from the embittered, haunted but compassionate and likeable Kenyon to the serial killer groupies, Bonnie and Tina who show up later in the book. His use of the flashback is incredible and I loved how everything came together in the end. Olsen puts a new, brilliant and clever twist on the murder-suicide story. Things are not at all what they seem. As a long time crime thriller reader, I found this novel to be incredibly satisfying and I can’t wait to read the rest of Olsen’s fiction.
December 30, 2012
I live for murder/cop/mystery stories. This was terrible. References were all wrong, a males perspective on a female cop/mother. He never even came close to embarking on what a woman would feel or do in such situations. Way too many contradictions. For example in the beginning of the book there is some horrible storm and they cops keep commenting on how lucky they are that there were no deaths, yet by chapter 2 there is a triple homicide that must have happened in the storm. Well if there was a triple homicide and you didn't know about it, how can you say there were no deaths in the storm. Then towards the end of the book they are on the west coast and the author references New England fisherman! Really?!?!? It also did not help that I listened to this as an audio book and the narrator was also male. Why would yu have a male narrator for a primarily female novel? I probably will make no effort to ever read any of Gregg Olsen's books again. And if I do it will not be any in this series, as Emily Kenyon is the worlds dumbest, naive detective in the world.
August 18, 2009
I like a good thriller, but this doesn't qualify. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great either - slightly less than mediocre - not a ringing recommendation.
The plot was thin & had loose ends hanging about all over the place that never really got resolved or that got resolved in unbelievable ways. I hated the main character for being such an incompetent whiner. I mean, really, you're the Chief Detective in your town & a murdered family has been discovered in the middle of the night, but rather than see the investigation through you go home to sleep until the morning & don't supervise the crime scene. Add to that the very minor (but irksome) misidentification of BB King as a New Orleans musician (he was born in Mississippi & did most of his recording in Memphis, thank you very much) & I was pretty underwhelmed from the very beginning.
I persevered to completion, thinking it might get better, but it did not. I won't look for this author again.
The plot was thin & had loose ends hanging about all over the place that never really got resolved or that got resolved in unbelievable ways. I hated the main character for being such an incompetent whiner. I mean, really, you're the Chief Detective in your town & a murdered family has been discovered in the middle of the night, but rather than see the investigation through you go home to sleep until the morning & don't supervise the crime scene. Add to that the very minor (but irksome) misidentification of BB King as a New Orleans musician (he was born in Mississippi & did most of his recording in Memphis, thank you very much) & I was pretty underwhelmed from the very beginning.
I persevered to completion, thinking it might get better, but it did not. I won't look for this author again.
August 20, 2012
This is a cop drama revolving around a small town female detective who is dealing with the disappearance of her daughter after the brutal slaying of a local family.
There is a token serial killer, a mean ex-husband, a dirty lawyer and a messed up teenager – all the fun necessary for a good book - the story was decent. At times the author really pissed me off, (the mother walks into the kitchen and is shocked by red splatter everywhere – on the counter, dripping from a huge knife, etc… then realizes her daughter was making spaghetti sauce – Baaa!) thinking he's clever at times, but it came off a little juvenile.
I would read another book by this author, but without great expectations and if there was nothing else readily available.
There is a token serial killer, a mean ex-husband, a dirty lawyer and a messed up teenager – all the fun necessary for a good book - the story was decent. At times the author really pissed me off, (the mother walks into the kitchen and is shocked by red splatter everywhere – on the counter, dripping from a huge knife, etc… then realizes her daughter was making spaghetti sauce – Baaa!) thinking he's clever at times, but it came off a little juvenile.
I would read another book by this author, but without great expectations and if there was nothing else readily available.
January 26, 2009
This was my first Greg Olsen book and now I'm hooked. It was a fast read and a suspenseful one. I didn't want to put the book down. Emily is in no way perfect in any of her roles, ex-wife, mother, detective, which makes her a believable character. The reader is left with no doubt how she feels about her daughter and to what length she will go to save her. I did have a little difficult at times following the flashbacks. they are done in bits and pieces and don't always make sense. As I got deeper into the story I did go back and review some of the past moments. and then they made more sense. I will certainly read more Greg Olsen and hope they keep me as involved as this page-turner.
February 15, 2010
Wow, this was really really good!! I'm so glad that there is a sequel featuring the same main character, Emily Kenyon (Heart of Ice). I only wish that I had it in my possession right now so that I could start reading it immediately. One teeny-tiny complaint - there were a boatload of typos in this book for some reason; someone must have been awfully lazy with the editing. Still, that barely even bothered me since the story was so good. I loved it.
October 7, 2008
It's just okay. I liked that the lead character was less than perfect and questioned her decisions and actions. As a thriller story, though, the ending seemed disconnected and anticlimatic. A page turner, passes the time, but if you like this type of story, there are many others that could be read.
February 23, 2013
Too choppy and scattered. There were too many changes in location, time, and point of view. I didn't like the lead character. I thought the retired female detective was more interesting. I didn't think the characters were very well developed. I think this author has potential, but needs to reign the story in a bit.
April 30, 2017
I'm not sure if this was meant to be a YA book or what, but it was far too boring and immaturely written to keep my interest. I tried to finish it but there are too many great books out there waiting to be read to struggle through mediocre ones. 😕
January 1, 2015
I like the overall story, but found Emily a weak character, especially as the female lead and a cop.
February 20, 2022
Hmmm, I was super excited to read a Gregg Olsen book and so far I am not impressed. This is the first book in the series and I am not sure if I will continue it. I will pick up later books by this author but this one was a little slow. I didn't care about any of the characters until the VERY END. I considered DNFing this one since I didn't have any investment but overall, I am glad I finished it.
May 2, 2025
This author is a literary jack-of-all-trades. I’ve already read a true crime by him, something like a mini young adult series, and of course the amazing Megan Carpenter series. When I came across this book, which originally appeared in 2007 but is now being reissued, I was extremely curious.
Getting to know a new main character in a series, in all her facets both professionally and personally, is always a fun bonus. I immediately consider whether I would want this person as a friend or rather as someone who doesn’t quite click with me. Naturally, you feel more connected to the protagonist if you find her likable, and that makes you more sympathetic toward the story as well. Someone you like less tends to bring the overall experience down a bit for me. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good story, but it’s a personal feeling and certainly doesn’t detract from the writer’s talent.
In this case, I didn’t find Emily to be a very pleasant person. She talks condescendingly about one of her colleagues who still has a lot to learn, and she seems to have forgotten what it was like to be a rookie herself. I also get the impression that she doesn’t get along well with many people.
I had a bit of trouble getting into it at first, but as the story progressed, I was drawn in.
Emily doesn’t always make the right choices. She has seen firsthand how cold-blooded the killer is, and still she chooses that path. Not the wisest decision…
I thought the concept the book is based on was particularly good, and there are some great revelations. Along the way, I thought I knew where it was going—and yet, not really. :) 4 stars
Thank you
Getting to know a new main character in a series, in all her facets both professionally and personally, is always a fun bonus. I immediately consider whether I would want this person as a friend or rather as someone who doesn’t quite click with me. Naturally, you feel more connected to the protagonist if you find her likable, and that makes you more sympathetic toward the story as well. Someone you like less tends to bring the overall experience down a bit for me. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good story, but it’s a personal feeling and certainly doesn’t detract from the writer’s talent.
In this case, I didn’t find Emily to be a very pleasant person. She talks condescendingly about one of her colleagues who still has a lot to learn, and she seems to have forgotten what it was like to be a rookie herself. I also get the impression that she doesn’t get along well with many people.
I had a bit of trouble getting into it at first, but as the story progressed, I was drawn in.
Emily doesn’t always make the right choices. She has seen firsthand how cold-blooded the killer is, and still she chooses that path. Not the wisest decision…
I thought the concept the book is based on was particularly good, and there are some great revelations. Along the way, I thought I knew where it was going—and yet, not really. :) 4 stars
Thank you
July 3, 2008
Wicked! A terrific ‘what the h-e-double-hockey-sticks!’
A terrific thriller with lots of suspense. A page turner right to the end. I found the ending a little too fast, but it didn’t take anything from the book.
I did have a hard time with Emily. I didn’t get the feel I should have, her being Jenna’s mother, an ex-wife, and a detective. She almost seemed robotic to me, like the author wrote her that way because that was what - I felt no personality at all. I could understand the animosity between her and her ex-husband, David (I’d have liked to give the man a kick in the rear myself), and there should have been more background on what ‘went on’ between Emily and Christopher. I felt the latter a little out of place.
I truly believed Nick when he ‘told’ Jenna what happened, and totally didn’t see what was coming - not in a hundred miles did I see that coming. A definite side-swipe that keeps you turning to page so you can find out the answer to the ’what the hell’s going on?’ question that pops into your head.
I really liked the mix between the old and new cases - it gave the story more character. A true page-turner with lots of suspense. An excellent read!
A terrific thriller with lots of suspense. A page turner right to the end. I found the ending a little too fast, but it didn’t take anything from the book.
I did have a hard time with Emily. I didn’t get the feel I should have, her being Jenna’s mother, an ex-wife, and a detective. She almost seemed robotic to me, like the author wrote her that way because that was what - I felt no personality at all. I could understand the animosity between her and her ex-husband, David (I’d have liked to give the man a kick in the rear myself), and there should have been more background on what ‘went on’ between Emily and Christopher. I felt the latter a little out of place.
I truly believed Nick when he ‘told’ Jenna what happened, and totally didn’t see what was coming - not in a hundred miles did I see that coming. A definite side-swipe that keeps you turning to page so you can find out the answer to the ’what the hell’s going on?’ question that pops into your head.
I really liked the mix between the old and new cases - it gave the story more character. A true page-turner with lots of suspense. An excellent read!
October 8, 2009
This was a page turner. It was hard to put down and kept me on my toes. I found myself almost wanting to make notes as I was reading because it was really jumpy. Olsen started each section with a time and location, but it bounced around. From present time to past events and back again. It was a little tough at first to follow, but I eventually was following how everything was coming together.
There are some really unsolved pieces of this book for me. I'd have liked to know more about what happened with Cary. I'd have also liked to know more about a certain family that was killed. A mother, father and daughter were all murdered, but I'm still not sure how it fit into this story.
Overall, it was a great book and totally worth reading. I just wish I didn't have so many unanswered questions about this one. I'm still planning to read a couple more by this author!
There are some really unsolved pieces of this book for me. I'd have liked to know more about what happened with Cary. I'd have also liked to know more about a certain family that was killed. A mother, father and daughter were all murdered, but I'm still not sure how it fit into this story.
Overall, it was a great book and totally worth reading. I just wish I didn't have so many unanswered questions about this one. I'm still planning to read a couple more by this author!
July 30, 2014
It would seem that author Olsen mapped out a loose plot outline with characters, locations, and crime scenes. Too bad he didn't really flesh out the finalized version with any likable characters, an interesting storyline, or offer more than juvenile conversations and behaviors. The locations were believable of course... but since they are in (basically) my neck of woods, I shudder to think there could be such an incompetent, gun-totin' Detective running amuck amongst us. As the main character, she certainly left a lot to be desired. Even for fiction, simply too many loose ends and ludicrous events; this writer knows about reality, having also written true crime, and should have applied more of that knowledge.. Blah!
March 13, 2024
I found this to be quite terrible. I almost dnf after about 3 or 4 hours, not sure I could stand it. A couple of days later, I finished another better book, and wondered if the kidnapped girl was going to get out. So I pulled it back into rotation. I should not have bothered. The main character detective mom is just so awful. I was looking forward to reading a non fiction book by this author, but now I'm not. It's going to have to be great to counteract this maddening, eye rolling drivel that even at 1.5 speed it dragged on. It was hard to follow too- jumping from scene to scene, time frame to time frame. The characters were annoying, the plot was weak and convoluted. Just ughh!
March 1, 2020
This book was written in 2008 and the one I really enjoyed, Snow Creek, was written in 2019. I did not like this book. There wasn't one character that was likable. The main character, Emily, was a wreck. Since it was written years ago, I will try another of Mr Olsen's newer books.
March 22, 2016
It was good book. Easy to read, but I needed more thrilling scenes.
I wanted read more details and background of adoption and murders.
I wanted read more details and background of adoption and murders.
March 20, 2020
A story within a story with in a story! A little confusing and unrealistic at times.
May 19, 2025
Gregg Olsen’s A Cold Dark Place kicks off with an intriguing setup: a series of gruesome crimes in a quiet town, a determined detective named Emily Kenyon, and a teenager caught in the crossfire of a long-buried secret. The story spans multiple timelines, weaving past and present as secrets unravel and identities come into question.
There’s no doubt that Olsen knows how to create an eerie atmosphere. The pacing in some sections is brisk, and there are flashes of tension that work well. The premise has all the right ingredients for a chilling thriller, with murder, hidden truths, and a killer who manipulates from the shadows. For readers new to crime fiction, there’s an accessible quality to the writing that makes it easy to dive into.
That said, this one didn’t quite land for me.
The story jumps between timelines and characters so often that it starts to feel disjointed, and unfortunately, the threads only come together in a very loose way at the end. I found it hard to connect with the characters, especially since many felt underdeveloped. Emily, who’s supposed to be the anchor of the story, often makes choices that strain believability. A police officer heading solo to an abduction scene, for example, pulled me out of the story more than once. These types of plot decisions matter to readers who appreciate thrillers that respect logic and procedure.
There’s also a disturbing subplot involving women who idolize the killer in very unsettling ways. Without giving too much away, I’ll just say it crossed into cringey territory and didn’t add much to the emotional depth or suspense of the book. It just felt off.
Thriller readers tend to be sharp and enjoy picking up on layered clues and smart twists. This book didn’t offer that kind of payoff. While the idea behind the story had promise, it lacked the clarity and cohesion that could have made it truly gripping.
Still, every book finds its readers, and Olsen has a solid fanbase for a reason. This one just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
There’s no doubt that Olsen knows how to create an eerie atmosphere. The pacing in some sections is brisk, and there are flashes of tension that work well. The premise has all the right ingredients for a chilling thriller, with murder, hidden truths, and a killer who manipulates from the shadows. For readers new to crime fiction, there’s an accessible quality to the writing that makes it easy to dive into.
That said, this one didn’t quite land for me.
The story jumps between timelines and characters so often that it starts to feel disjointed, and unfortunately, the threads only come together in a very loose way at the end. I found it hard to connect with the characters, especially since many felt underdeveloped. Emily, who’s supposed to be the anchor of the story, often makes choices that strain believability. A police officer heading solo to an abduction scene, for example, pulled me out of the story more than once. These types of plot decisions matter to readers who appreciate thrillers that respect logic and procedure.
There’s also a disturbing subplot involving women who idolize the killer in very unsettling ways. Without giving too much away, I’ll just say it crossed into cringey territory and didn’t add much to the emotional depth or suspense of the book. It just felt off.
Thriller readers tend to be sharp and enjoy picking up on layered clues and smart twists. This book didn’t offer that kind of payoff. While the idea behind the story had promise, it lacked the clarity and cohesion that could have made it truly gripping.
Still, every book finds its readers, and Olsen has a solid fanbase for a reason. This one just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2025
I would like to thank the Storm Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to access an e-read ARC of this book.
3.5 stars
We meet Emily Kenyon, detective and divorced mother of Jenna, who lives in Cherrystone, Washington. After a recent tornado Emily is called to an address, where three members of a family are found dead among the ruins of a house, a fourth member missing. However, its not the recent tornado that killed them, each have gunshot wounds. Their oldest son, Nick, is missing, unseen since he was called home from school days before.
Then Jenna also goes missing, believed to be with Nick. Is Nick the killer, or is he running from the horror he's witnessed.
While searching for answers, it appears that there have been other similar murders. Emily needs to find out the link is in the hopes of finding Jenna.
This story is broken into three 'book' sections. The story itself goes between the present day and the previous twenty years, involving other murders and police departments. All of which start to come together in the second part of the 'books'.
I thought the description of the book was really interesting, and I really enjoyed seeing how it played out. I enjoyed the investigation side of it and felt the ending tied everything up really well. Although I had an idea what might have happened, I still hadn't been prepared for the ending, and their were plenty of twists along the way.
The only thing stopping me from rating the book higher was that I didn't fully feel the motherly connection between Emily and Jenna. Mainly in the way Emily spent hours sitting around the hospital with a injurd police officer right at a crucial point, and managing to have a meal and some drinks with this same officer leading to her waking and forgetting the night before. I just felt that as a parent myself, Emily didn't seem to be acting as a parent would if their child was somewhere with a potential killer!
I would still be interested in reading the next book, as missing daughter aside, I'd really quite enjoyed reading this one.
3.5 stars
We meet Emily Kenyon, detective and divorced mother of Jenna, who lives in Cherrystone, Washington. After a recent tornado Emily is called to an address, where three members of a family are found dead among the ruins of a house, a fourth member missing. However, its not the recent tornado that killed them, each have gunshot wounds. Their oldest son, Nick, is missing, unseen since he was called home from school days before.
Then Jenna also goes missing, believed to be with Nick. Is Nick the killer, or is he running from the horror he's witnessed.
While searching for answers, it appears that there have been other similar murders. Emily needs to find out the link is in the hopes of finding Jenna.
This story is broken into three 'book' sections. The story itself goes between the present day and the previous twenty years, involving other murders and police departments. All of which start to come together in the second part of the 'books'.
I thought the description of the book was really interesting, and I really enjoyed seeing how it played out. I enjoyed the investigation side of it and felt the ending tied everything up really well. Although I had an idea what might have happened, I still hadn't been prepared for the ending, and their were plenty of twists along the way.
The only thing stopping me from rating the book higher was that I didn't fully feel the motherly connection between Emily and Jenna. Mainly in the way Emily spent hours sitting around the hospital with a injurd police officer right at a crucial point, and managing to have a meal and some drinks with this same officer leading to her waking and forgetting the night before. I just felt that as a parent myself, Emily didn't seem to be acting as a parent would if their child was somewhere with a potential killer!
I would still be interested in reading the next book, as missing daughter aside, I'd really quite enjoyed reading this one.
November 24, 2020
This book was more like a trampoline than a roller coaster - more ups and downs than twists and turns! Ending definitely hit rock bottom.
The entire story was pretty far fetched - since when can you visit a serial killer in prison and kiss and hug hello and goodbye? What happened to plexiglass and telephones? I’ll never be able to looks at a take out ketchup packet again without gagging!!
The protananista was the usual single mother cop, with a teenage daughter, a lousy ex who has a new young girlfriend - boring. Emily was a total wench, no wonder he left her. Jenna was just another bratty kid who needed a good smack! The book could have been 100 pages shorter.
Gregg Olsen mentioned that Charles Manson fathered twins via a student nurse while in prison - Google had no such information. I usually like this author, but not this time around.
I would like to think an editor would know that you don’t use a preposition at the end of a sentence - I guess not. “Where are they at?” - at is both poor grammar and superfluous!
The entire story was pretty far fetched - since when can you visit a serial killer in prison and kiss and hug hello and goodbye? What happened to plexiglass and telephones? I’ll never be able to looks at a take out ketchup packet again without gagging!!
The protananista was the usual single mother cop, with a teenage daughter, a lousy ex who has a new young girlfriend - boring. Emily was a total wench, no wonder he left her. Jenna was just another bratty kid who needed a good smack! The book could have been 100 pages shorter.
Gregg Olsen mentioned that Charles Manson fathered twins via a student nurse while in prison - Google had no such information. I usually like this author, but not this time around.
I would like to think an editor would know that you don’t use a preposition at the end of a sentence - I guess not. “Where are they at?” - at is both poor grammar and superfluous!
May 13, 2025
An Unflinching Decent into the Mind of a Killer.
In a remote Pacific Northwest farmhouse, a family is brutally murdered—and their teenage son vanishes. Detective Emily Kenyon is on the case, but her daughter Jenna may be one step ahead… and in danger.
As more families are slaughtered across the country, a chilling pattern emerges—pointing to a killer shaped by a dark, twisted past. Emily must uncover the truth before Jenna becomes the next victim.
Gregg Olsen book is a gripping psychological thriller about buried secrets, fragile trust, and the terrifying line between good and evil. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In a remote Pacific Northwest farmhouse, a family is brutally murdered—and their teenage son vanishes. Detective Emily Kenyon is on the case, but her daughter Jenna may be one step ahead… and in danger.
As more families are slaughtered across the country, a chilling pattern emerges—pointing to a killer shaped by a dark, twisted past. Emily must uncover the truth before Jenna becomes the next victim.
Gregg Olsen book is a gripping psychological thriller about buried secrets, fragile trust, and the terrifying line between good and evil. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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