Speak of the Devil

by Rose Wilding

All of us knew him. One of us killed him...

Seven women stand in shock in a seedy hotel room; a man's severed head sits in the centre of the floor. Each of the women — the wife, the teenager, the ex, the journalist, the colleague, the friend, and the woman who raised him — has a very good reason to have done it, yet each swears she did not. In order to protect each other, they must figure out who is responsible, all while staying one step ahead of the police.

Against the ticking clock of a murder investigation, each woman's secret is brought to light as the connections between them converge to reveal a killer.

A dark and nuanced portrait of love, loyalty, and manipulation, Speak of the Devil explores the roles in which women are cast in the lives of terrible men...and the fallout when they refuse to stay silent for one moment longer.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Contemporary, Crime

384 pages, Hardcover

First published June 13, 2023

Reviews

[Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins on New Year’s Eve,1999 with seven women in a hotel room sitting in a semicircle with a severed head in their midst. The head belongs to Jamie Spellman a man who is no stranger to any of them. Each of these women has been wronged by him in some way and they have been plotting to get their revenge but decapitating him wasn’t quite what they had planned. None of them is aware of who amongst them is responsible for the same but each of them harbors suspicions of who it might be. However, they are not interested in outing the culprit and focus on covering up the crime and protecting one another.

As the narrative progresses we get to know more about each of these women, how their stories intersect with the deceased, the events that led to their being in the hotel room with Jamie’s decapitated head, and what transpires in the two weeks following that fateful night as the women try to maintain their innocence. Complicating matters further is the fact that the investigator in charge of the case has a history with one of the women in question.

Narrated from multiple perspectives (in the third-person), Speak of the Devil by Rose Wilding is a well-crafted, immersive read. The narrative moves fast and at no point did I lose interest in the narrative. I enjoyed trying to figure out who the culprit could be (It’s not too hard, but I thoroughly enjoyed the build-up to the end!). What makes this story interesting is that Jamie was truly a despicable character and not only at no point do you feel sorry for what happened to him, you also can’t fault these women for wanting him dead. The novel does venture into dark territory, touching upon themes of rape, police negligence in investigating crimes against women, gaslighting, manipulation, abuse, gender politics and transphobia among others. Not all the characters are explored in equal depth but I did like the diverse cast of characters and how skillfully the author weaves their distinct backstories into the narrative. The ending was a tad abrupt but overall, I enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the DRC of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I paired my reading with audio narration by Colleen Prendergast which certainly elevated my experience with this novel. The narrator does an impressive job of voicing the characters, setting the mood and bringing the story to life. Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC. I would not hesitate to recommend the novel, the audiobook or pairing both for an intense immersion reading experience.

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo)]

*OUTLIER ALERT*

DNF at 32%-no rating!
Perhaps something was lost in translation? I believe this book was translated from German.

It’s New Year’s Eve-1999

Earlier in the evening, seven women received a message from an unknown number asking them to gather in the “usual place” at 7 PM for an emergency meeting.

They took their usual seats around a makeshift alter in the center of the room, where under a pillowcase was the severed head of a man they all knew.

Each of the women - the wife, the teenager, the ex, the journalist, the colleague, the friend, and the woman who raised him - has a very good reason to have killed Jamie Spellman, but each one denies doing it.

Who is guilty?

Although this wasn’t a book I was planning on requesting, I received an electronic copy with an invitation from the Publisher to read it, and the PREMISE definitely intrigued me!

And, the opening TWO chapters which set up this concept, DID draw me in…

BUT at 32% I still didn’t have a CLEAR understanding of WHO everyone was-and it was frustrating!

The narrative keeps alternating between the seven women, and in addition to their name being listed at the start of a chapter-it would have been VERY HELPFUL to list their connection to Jamie as well. Examples: Kaysha, the journalist, Ana, the colleague, etc.

NOT ONLY did I not understand WHO is WHO, or WHERE this story was taking place, but I also didn’t have an understanding of HOW each woman knew the victim or WHY each had a reason to kill him.

More time was spent on their sex lives, than their connection to Jamie Spellman, at 1/3 way in.

No book is for every reader.

I vowed to DNF books that weren’t a fit for me, as a New Year’s resolution, even ARCs-and this will be one of them. I want to get lost in a story-and I shouldn’t have to take notes, or start a flow chart to try to make sense of things!! You shouldn’t have to PUSH THROUGH a book-you should be excited to pick it up!

There are plenty of positive reviews so it must ALL become clear eventually-but I don’t have the patience to persevere! Be sure to read a few opinions before deciding if it might be a better fit for you.

Now available

Thank You to Minotaur for the gifted copy.

[Bel Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

o diabo tem medo de mulheres movidas pelo ódio da vingança e eu estou aqui pra falar que livros com essa temática sempre serão famosos

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:

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This book was better than I thought it would be after reading some of the reviews. It is a really dark book with plenty of subjects discussed; we have a murder (beheading) rape, transphobia, spousal abuse, gaslighting, suicide and marital affairs. This isn't light reading, to say the least. It has a lot of strong female characters and if feminist revenge is your thing this is the book for you. I love a good book about a bunch of women who have had enough and aren't gonna take it anymore.

Some reviewers have mentioned that there are a lot of characters to keep track of and it is hard to keep them all straight. I had this problem at first but once I got into the swing of things it became easier. The individual voices eventually become clearly defined as it is told from each character's point of view and they get their own chapters so the reader gets to know them and learns of their backstory because the timeline goes back and forth as well.

As the story weaves on, we eventually learn that the women are all connected in some way through the male character these women all have in common. His name is Jamie and he is a douche canoe. I did figure out the ending before it was revealed but not much before so I still got my aha moment. This was a pretty strong debut and I look forward to reading what this author comes up with next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

[Lit with Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press (that's right folks) and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are ALWAYS honest.

3.5 rounded down

TW: stalking, abuse, infertility

Writing: 3.5/5 | Plot: 3.5/5 | Ending: woah nelly/5

SYNOPSIS

What events could possibly bring seven woman to one hotel room to check out a decapitated man's head? Find tf out!

MY OPINION

STOP THE PRESSES!!!!! I actually LIKED at book from St. Martin's Press. Ok, ok, it's from Minotaur Books, but close enough 😂 I didn't check the ratings before I accepted the widget, so when I did I was like oh ffs here we go again but now I actually have to read it. I'm glad I did. This was an interesting lil mystery.

Seven women PLUS a detective can be a lot of POVs to juggle, but somehow this worked. It's written all third person POV, which I personally enjoy. It's come to my attention that people really don't fk with 3rd person? Tbh I can't stand first person most of the time because inner monologues oftentimes make me hate the characters when you're clearly not supposed to. Judgemental? Me?? Pffshawww!!!

Anyways... this is a short one so you can blitz through it quite quickly. It delves into the stories of each women and their less than pleasant run-ins with our decapitated baddie, Jamie. Plus you got a lil lesbian romance on the side too. I liked the diversity of the cast and their backstories were interesting, although some were more fleshed out than others.

I didn't really understand WHAT Jamie did to Maureen that was so bad... seemed like she resented his existence and treated him like garbagio from the jump? Also, like another review mentioned, there was no explanation as to why Jamie shacked up with all this different women who had nothing in common. Usually an abuser goes after a specific type, but Jamie said, nah but narcissistic manipulation is rated E for everyone... teens, old ladies... anyone can get it! I was also confused about his actions toward Ana... like dude you already stole her research did you really have to kick her while she's down?

My other question is why did the author choose to set this between 1964-2000? Other than briefly alluding to Magdalene Laundries and the use of landlines there were no important events of this time period mentioned in the book, soooo ??? This could've been a modern day mystery tbh. I would've liked more historical significance given the time period.

The ending will give you whiplash and is a lil abrupt. There were also no breadcrumbs so thumbs down to that. I like my twists foreshadowed, but at least this wasn't totally implausible. All in all, an entertaining lil read but if you skip it, you won't be missing out on much.

PROS AND CONS

Pros: interesting concept, diverse cast, easy read

Cons: some character backstories were more flushed out than others, didn't understand why the book was set during this time period – no historical significance whatsoever, ending was very abrupt

_____________________________

For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.

[Rachel Hanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected, but that’s okay because I still enjoyed it. The first chapter of this story starts off with seven women sitting around a severed head. I thought this was going to be a gory, gross book- but it didn’t turn out to be anything like that at all. Yes, a head without a body is definitely stomach turning, but what we try to find out through this story is which woman would behead that of Jamie Spellman (the deceased)?

Jamie Spellman is the man at the center of ‘Speak of the Devil’. Jamie was not a nice man, and all seven women that met up in the hotel room in the first chapter to witness his severed head on a table, all had reason to want him dead. As the book progresses, we meet each of the women and learn how each of them knew Jamie. We also learn how Jamie treated each of these women. One of the concepts that comes into play in Jamie’s behavior is nature vs. nurture. Was Jamie born evil, or did a lack of love and upbringing make him turn out the way he did? Regardless, in the end, all of his evil doings finally caught up with him.

I will say that this book started off a bit slow, but once the pace started picking up, I grew more and more invested in this story. I started to connect and really feel for each of the women. I think I ended up liking the character of Sarah the best. I feel that Sarah was wronged so much throughout her life, and she had the hardest time coping.

We do find out at the end of this story who actually killed Jamie. It wasn’t that much of a shocker. Then the book seems to kind of end a little abruptly. I guess I was wanting further updates on all of the women.

I do recommend reading this book, as it held my interest and was very interesting. I could relate to that of Jamie Spellman (because unfortunately we all know some nasty people). I could also relate to each of the women as their stories felt so real and emotional. To all my GR friends that are worried that this book might be too much for them, it is labeled as General Fiction- and rightfully so (maybe with a hint of suspense).

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and the author for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. Publication date: June 13, 2023.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you liked the series Bad Sisters (Apple TV+ ), stick with this book and you'll probably be satisfied in the end.

Seven women are in a small hotel room where they have been summoned via a mysterious phone number. On the table, covered up, is the decapitated head of a man that they know all too well--Jamie. In fact, he is the reason that all of these women know each other in the first place, he's done wrong by all of them in myriad ways. But who ultimately killed him? No one is confessing.

There are a lot of characters in this book, for sure. Yet it ultimately wasn't too difficult for me to tell them apart. As everything is being unraveled and backstories presented and Jamie's exploits are being revealed, the puzzle pieces do come together, albeit slowly.

I like a good revenge story, but this one's revenge comes about a little too late for my liking. The ending is fairly decent though, so I won't fault the author in that regard, because she doesn't drag it on and on and on.

I listened to the audiobook and it was well done. The narrator does a good job of distinguishing between the characters. I nearly threw in the towel up until about 50% into the book because it was quite a slog to care about who offed the slimeball, but once I started getting into the story the second half seemed to flow more easily.

Like I said, if you've watched Bad Sisters, this is a similar premise, but without as much humor and heart. The series is infinitely better, so if you haven't watched it you're missing out.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[megs_bookrack · Rating 4 out of 5]

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Speak of the Devil is a creative work of Crime Fiction told in a bit of an unconventional way.

I'll admit, the first couple sentences of the synopsis are what sold me on picking this one up. I needed nothing further. Yes, please. You had me at 'severed head'...



In fact, this story does begin with a severed head in a dingy hotel room. Seven women, all very different, but all somehow connected to the man to whom the head once belonged, are gathered around it.

They all had their own reasons for wanting him dead, yet none of them own up to the crime.



Can they figure out who is guilty before the authorities decide for them?

First off, I found this extremely interesting, the content and topics explored. However, I also found the construction of the story to be a bit jarring. There are a lot of characters and you get all of their perspectives. The narrative jumps around a lot, not only via perspective, but also in time.

With this being said, I found the individual perspectives compelling. As you read how each of the women are connected to the murdered man, Jamie, and you come to understand the different experiences that they each had with him, the true portrait of who Jamie was becomes clear.



The way he treated these women. His narcissism, abusive, violent and derogatory behaviors landed him in the spot he ultimately found himself in, headless.

But we can't just go around decapitating men who use, abuse, gaslight and disregard us, can we?



While I did have some moments where I had to really search my brain to remember some previous connection, or fact, overall, I did enjoy this one.

There was a lot of great social commentary of the treatment of women who have been victimized; whether they are believed, or painted as somehow responsible for the evil things that have happened to them.

As a revenge story, I feel quite satisfied with this one and am definitely interested in picking up future work from this author. This got dark and I appreciate Wilding's commitment to taking it there.



I would recommend this one to Readers who enjoy a lot of deep character work and social commentary in their Crime Fiction. Additionally, I would recommend the audiobook. I enjoyed the narration style quite a bit.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. This has left me with quite a bit to think about!

[Carolyn Walsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish to thank NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advance electronic copy of this book. The story began with a shocking setup, and I thought it would be an intriguing read. I regret I was never fully invested in the story.

A diverse group of women of various ages and backgrounds had been mysteriously invited to a room in a rundown hotel. They were of different ages and different situations in life. There were seven of them in the group. A man's severed head was revealed in the room's centre, and each of the women had been wronged, manipulated, cheated, or deceived by the dead man in the past. All had some connection with the murder victim, and some of the women had a connection with each other. It was apparent that none were sorry he was dead. The majority opinion was to cover up the crime to protect the unknown perpetrator rather than calling the police. The female detective had reasons to avoid a thorough investigation.

I regret the book didn't work for me, but some found it fascinating. Prospective readers should not be deterred by my review. I failed to care for any of the characters and their past unpleasant connections with the dead man. The story lacked tension, being all tell and no show. When I realized I was taking a copious amount of notes to avoid confusing the characters' names, I knew I didn't care who committed the murder. I ended up skimming through the pages. I thought the ending was anticlimactic, and very little was resolved with the solution. 2.5 stars. Speak of the Devil is due for release on June 13.

[Mª Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entre 3,5 y 4⭐️. Thriller psicológico con una premisa diferente.

Dice la sinopsis:

Es Nochevieja, los relojes han comenzado la cuenta atrás y siete mujeres se reúnen en una habitación de hotel en cuyo centro descansa la cabeza del que ha sido su peor pesadilla: Jamie Spellman. Todas ellas lo conocían, y todas se reafirman en su inocencia, pero cada una tenía una razón de peso para asesinarlo


Mis impresiones.

Thriller psicológico en el que lo de menos son el quién y sus motivos (muy predecibles desde bastante pronto), sino que pone el acento en la figura de cada una de las siete mujeres, sus roles, su psicología y en el cómo se nos revela lo acaecido.

En su nota final, Rose Wilding nos dice "Las siete trata sobre un grupo de mujeres, con todas sus virtudes y todos sus defectos. Y sobre la dificultad de obtener justicia en una sociedad que a menudo no nos presta atención cuando hablamos de lo que nos ocurre". Ese es exactamente el meollo de la cuestión en esta novela.

La trama gira en torno a cada una de ellas. Siete figuras distintas bien trazadas, que tuvieron la mala fortuna de cruzarse con Jamie, manipulador, narcisista y sociópata de manual. Siete mujeres, siete psicologías, siete roles y el cómo se rebelan ante ellos. Con algunas es fácil empatizar con otras no tanto en parte por lo interiorizados que tenemos determinados roles en nuestra sociedad. Uno de los puntos fuertes de la novela es la manera en que la autora nos pone frente a cada una y nos obliga a mirarlas como personas reales e imperfectas más allá de que nos caigan bien o mal o del estereotipo que se espera de ellas.

Cronológicamente se sitúa en los años ochenta y noventa del pasado siglo. Una época en la que las mujeres que se atrevían a denunciar abusos o violaciones eran cuestionadas, culpabilizadas e incluso consideradas peligrosas. Tremendo el caso de Kaysha y lo que tiene que escuchar por parte de todos de principio a fin.

Me han gustado el estilo narrativo y la estructura. El ritmo es pausado y sostenido. Cada capítulo pone la mirada en una de las mujeres y en Nova, la inspectora que investiga el caso. Las siete son narradoras poco fiables, la autora juega con eso y coloca cada revelación en el momento oportuno.

El desenlace, el esperado, quizá un poco abrupto, pero correcto.

En conclusión. Un thriller psicológico, que pone el acento no en el quién ni en la investigación, sino en cada una de las víctimas y su dificultad para ser escuchadas y obtener justicia. Recomendable.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seven women, one head, a head of a man all are familiar with. Most wished they had never met him. A murderer, however, must be found, as well as the rest of his body. So, who of these seven killed him? If I could have jumped in the book, I would have, He had few if any redeeming qualities. So, we learn each of these women's stories, and their interactions willingly or not, with this horrid man.

Seven women, took a while to sort them out in my minds eye. Not an easy to read story, some seriously awful things. Women are so often victims, but one decided not to be. But which woman?

Narration by Colleen Prendergast was awesome.

[John (LHBC) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prepare to be captivated and disturbed by the uncomfortable truths we often shy away from……

Book Information

"Speak of the Devil," a gripping novel by Rose Wilding is slated for release on June 13, 2023. The audio version of the book, skillfully narrated by Colleen Prendergast, spans 10 hours and 15 minutes, while the print version encompasses 304 pages. This remarkable work marks Wilding's debut as a novelist. Thanks to MacMillan Audio for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review.

Summary

Seven women gather in a hotel room to find a man's severed head. Each of them had a reason to want him dead, but they all deny involvement.

The women include an ex with secrets, a seemingly happy wife, a skeptical widow, a trapped teenager, a guilt-ridden mother figure, a conflicted friend, and a journalist who unknowingly connects them. As time passes, their secrets come to light, revealing a shocking killer.

My Thoughts

With its gritty atmosphere and unflinching examination of taboo topics, “Speak of the Devil” pushes boundaries and challenges readers to confront the uncomfortable realities that plague our society. The story revolves around multiple points of view, presenting the perspectives of a detective and seven women who were each terrorized by the same man. While this multitude of perspectives adds complexity, it also poses a challenge in keeping track of the numerous characters.

The book provides glimpses into the lives of each woman, offering insights into their reasons for despising Jamie, the central figure of the story. Throughout the narrative, the reader and the detective embark on a journey to unravel the truth behind Jamie’s death and the events in each woman’s past that may have led to it. Wilding fearlessly confronts a range of intense and somber subjects. The narrative delves into the depths of human experiences, exploring themes of brutal violence (including beheading), sexual assault, discrimination against transgender individuals, domestic violence, psychological manipulation, self-inflicted harm, and infidelity within marriages. At the outset of the book, the author thoughtfully provides a warning regarding the explicit content. This upfront acknowledgment serves as a precautionary note, ensuring that readers are well-informed about the nature of the content they will encounter as they delve into the story.

One drawback of the book is the difficulty in maintaining a clear understanding of all the characters. With so many individuals to keep track of, it can be challenging to distinguish one from another. However, the author and the narrator, Colleen Prendergast, enrich the listening experience by incorporating accents and slang into the characters' conversations, adding depth to their portrayal.

"Speak of the Devil" exudes female pain and anger, exploring the struggles women face in abusive situations, while society often fails to support them. The book's atmosphere is gritty, dark, and at times, challenging to read, yet it remains profoundly compelling and addictive. It is a mystery--but one that simultaneously deals with genuine issues.

In the end, this is a powerful book that deals with uncomfortable but critical topics. “Speak of the Devil” serves as a potent reminder that behind closed doors, women battle unimaginable horrors, and it's high time we listen, learn, and take action.

Recommendation

Overall, "Speak of the Devil" is a thought-provoking and disturbing novel that sheds light on the hardships endured by women. Despite some minor issues with character clarity, the book captivates readers with its raw storytelling and unflinching exploration of dark themes. Recommended.

Rating

4 Dark Stars

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the last night of 1999, seven women are gathered together in a rundown hotel. Once assembled in a forgotten suite, the women come face to face with the cold, decapitated head of Jamie Spellman. Each of them have reasons to want him dead—but which one of them actually went through with with the deed?

Was it the ex, Sarah? A woman who is falling further and further into her bottles of wine, just praying her current love doesn’t leave her for another?

Or, perhaps, Sadia? A brand-spanking-new widow who had a picture perfect marriage. At least, that is, from the outside looking in.

What about Olive? A still grieving widow who has been running from her past, she had long thought she knew exactly what occurred all those years ago, but what if she’s been wrong all along?

Or what about the youngest? Still just a child, Josie finds herself in an unrecognizable reality after following her teenage hormones towards a forbidden crush. Could she possibly be behind this gruesome crime?

How about the oldest? After all, Maureen’s known Jamie the longest as she quite literally raised him from his very first breath. Was it their shared past that sent them hurtling down this road?

Or was it Jamie’s friend, the dutiful Ana? Both work colleague and bosom buddy, she has stuck by his side no matter the charge. Is it possible, however, that she’s been duped all along?

Finally, there’s Kaysha, the journalist who brought this group together from day one. But what is her place in the fold? Was she merely trying to root out a truly bad man? Or is her involvement actually much deeper than that?

As the police investigation inches closer, they must rely upon each other as never before. Do they, however, know the others as well as they think? Or are there secrets kept hidden from even one another? One by one, the detective in charge of the case reveals all that they hide. Who will succeed in keeping the upper hand? The woman hoping to catch the killer? Or the group determined to protect each other no matter the cost?

Hmmm… Going in, I was incredibly intrigued by the premise of Speak of the Devil . A story of women taking revenge against a vile man? Count me in. Unfortunately, the reality just didn’t match the idea, and it ultimately left me wanting and unimpressed by this promising debut.

But let’s start where the pluses, shall we? Right off the bat, the characters were well-rounded and complex. With deep backstories, each POV drew a horrifying reality that had me cheering on whoever actually committed the murder. If only we had been given a POV here or there of Jamie as well? It would’ve been oh so enticing to this thriller lover for sure. After all, who doesn’t like villain narrators who then get their due?

Next up were easily the powerful topics central to the book. Between questioning religion, the impact of impossible childhoods, and LGBTQ+ bias/bigotry, the depth of the plot was truly startling. I could easily see how such a manipulative man was able to harm these seven women so profoundly. Described in a way to both elucidate this fact but also draw out my empathy, the writing perfectly walked a line between the two.

At the same time, however, this was anything but a mystery/thriller and more along the lines of women’s lit or general fiction. After all, there was nary a twist and very little suspense. I mean, I surmised the perpetrator nearly from the get-go and not a single red herring even made me second guess that for a second. And, while there was something that possibly could have been considered a climax, it was anything but pulse pounding or steeped in tension, instead offering more of a “here’s what happened” vibe.

Then there was the first third of the book. A confusing tally of what the women may have gone through, I was lost almost from the start. Struggling to decipher who was who and how they were each linked to Jamie, it was hard to become absorbed by this one initially. Adding to that was the fact that there was little to no organization when it came to the unraveling of the plot. Details didn’t build until a final blinding reveal, but instead just wound around and around with timelines thrown in willy nilly. In fact, both of these points brought me rather close to DNFing this one and while I’m mostly happy to have read to the last page, it was underwhelming to be sure.

If I could throw in my own suggestion, I would have much preferred for the book to start not on New Year’s Eve, but gone further back instead. Had the plot begun with Kaysha approaching each woman and the horrible realities they’d endured at Jamie’s hand, I think the suspense would’ve built much more naturally, providing a much clearer and cleaner plot.

Ultimately, I’m rather surprised Speak of the Devil got such stunning reviews. Don’t get me wrong, after the first 100 pages, I did (mostly) enjoy the ride, but I still struggled through much of this book. Nevertheless, the gritty topics and hard truths made for an uncomfortable face-to-face with the some people’s realities in this world. In the end, it gave me pause and had me questioning what some women must endure. Do I recommend this book? That I don’t know. If you aren’t looking for a thriller or even suspense novel, maybe give it a go. Just don’t expect some mind-blowing twist or great big mystery. In my opinion, they just didn’t exist in Speak of the Devil. Rating of 2.5 stars.

Trigger warning: alcoholism, transphobia, infidelity, infertility, rape, pedophilia, gaslighting, suicide, mention of: teenage pregnancy, death during childbirth, animal cruelty, domestic abuse

[Tonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hell have no fury like a woman scorned times seven. Picture it, seven women and a severed head. Intriguing and mysterious sum up this original thriller. The pacing kept me interested, although I still wanted more answers even after the abrupt conclusion. The premise sparked my interest and the mystery kept me engaged. Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my copy.

[Kristina Dauksiene · Rating 3 out of 5]

3* su didele uodega
+ Stipriai supinta istorija apie moteris, su moterimis ir dėl moterų.
- daugoka dalyvių ir šiek tiek neįtikinama vieno brūdelio tokia neaprėpiamai masinė veikla...

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: June 13, 2023

Seven women stand in a hotel room, the severed head of a man they all knew (and hated) lies between them. Every one of the women had a reason to kill him- his wife, the teenager he had an affair with, the journalist he raped, the woman who raised him, his best friend and business partner who got screwed over and his ex-lover, and until the truth comes out, the women must band together to protect the unknown murderer.

“Speak of the Devil” by Rose Wilding is a modern, haunting, revenge story where every character is a suspect and the twists don’t stop until the final page. Wilding’s debut novel will captivate audiences from the get-go, leaving readers speculating about, and cheering for, the scorned women.

Each character narrates a portion of the story, and although most of it is told in the modern day, there are some snippets of the past told by the women who knew Jamie Spellman the longest. Of course, there is a police officer investigating, who has her own personal connections to one of the women involved, and she narrates her own segments as well.

Although there is a plethora of characters, Wilding manages to make each woman easy to differentiate, developing their own personalities so that they are distinct from their counterparts and it is not difficult to tell each one from the other.

Jamie (the murder victim) is an absolute monster with no redeeming qualities at all. This makes it exceptionally easy to cheer for the woman who killed him, even when we don’t yet know who it is. I loved how Wilding adds accents and slang to the conversations, bringing the Scottish brogues out in the supporting characters without making the language hard to understand.

The ending itself, how the murderer is revealed, was a little weak but I did enjoy that, for the most part, all the questions were answered. Wilding writes a feminist revenge story that will empower, enrage and enthrall readers, and I have no doubt we will be seeing more from this novelist in the future!

[OutlawPoet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, part of this has to be me managing my expectations. When I read the description, I thought they were trapped in a room with a severed head and that they wouldn’t get out until secrets are revealed. Note: it doesn’t SAY that, but it was my expectation.

It’s absolutely nothing like that at all. Yes, severed head. Yes, they’re all in a room with that head. But then they all go their separate ways and tell us all about dead dude in various points of view, flashbacks, etc.

I thought that severed head dude really did deserve to be severed head dude.

I really did NOT care about WHO turned him into severed head dude.

And when we find out who did it and why, it’s this weirdly rushed reveal ending that left me realizing that I really did not care.

This one simply didn’t work for me.

• ARC via Publisher

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

I’m on the fence about this one. With so many point of views, it sometimes felt choppy and I had a hard time connecting to any character. Jamie was obviously a horrible man who had wronged many people (these women in particular), and the mystery of who killed him when they all had motive was intriguing. I wish however that we didn’t have quite so many POVs. Overall, I didn’t love it or hate it, and I don’t know that I’ll remember it by the end of this year.

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[Jo_Scho_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Year’s Eve, 1999. Seven women stand in a hotel room in Newcastle. They gaze in horror at the centrepiece of the room - a man’s severed head sits on the table. Each woman knew this man and each had a reason to do this, although no one is admitting it. As the murder investigation begins, the story goes back to reveal the connections between each woman and the victim. Who killed him? And why?

This was a really dark and gritty read, it started with such a bang, I don’t read many first scenes involving a decapitated head! And the story flowed effortlessly from there. Detective Inspector Nova Stokoe is heading the murder investigation but she has connections of her own with some of these women, all of which are gradually revealed. The victim, Jamie Spellman, is a hideous person. It’s impossible to feel one shred of sympathy for him, his acts are all despicable. But while I didn’t care that he was dead, I was intrigued as to who had actually murdered him and done so in such a dramatic way.

There are a lot of female characters, eight to keep track of. I understand why they were all female but it did take me a little while to get to know them all. Thankfully the descriptions and style of each character helped differentiate them. And with so many characters this is very much a character driven book and I really loved hearing each woman’s voice, they were all were riveting and relevant.

Speak of the Devil is a powerful and vengeful tale of women taking back power. I loved it.

[Aitziber · Rating 4 out of 5]

El punto central es Jamie, que acaba asesinado. 7 mujeres reunidas y posiblemente involucradas.

En cada capitulo conocemos la vida de las protagonistas, en ella aparece siempre Jamie. Siempre con alguna problematica grave y vidas rotas.
La sociedad no lees cree, policias que las ningunean…lo que le da impunidad a Jamie.

Historias bastante reales. Me ha gustado

[Karen Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars ⭐️!! Seven woman damaged by one man, all of them out for revenge but only one them takes the ultimately revenge and ends his life. The story starts on New Years Eve in 1999, seven women gathered in group discover the severed head of the man who has ruined their lives.

The book is reasonable faced paced, told from POV with varying timelines. Although for the first few chapters that can be a little hard to follow, each character has a strong voice and it doesn’t take long to get a hold of the characters and their own stories. A lot of chapters especially early on are l short and punchy, that works well at keeping the story moving.

The book features a lot of dark issues, sexual and physical abuse, controlled and coercive behaviour and gaslighting to name just a few. The author does well in portraying these women’s stories, highlighting police failings at the time for woman brave enough to speak out.

However the method of murder, beheading, feels almost too violent. I guessed the killer about 40% in because the death was so violent, in my opinion only one of his crimes could have brought on such a reaction. However at no point did I feel sorry for Jamie, the man got what he deserved! But it didn’t feel right why the killer would implicate the other 6 women knowing how much Jamie had hurt and damaged them already.

Finally as many reviews have said the end feels a bit too abrupt but it is a good book and I would recommend it.

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/

I thought that this was really good! I enjoyed getting to know each of the seven women at the core of this book and it was quite clear that each of them had the motive to kill Jamie. Jamie was not a good man. In fact, he was pretty terrible, and the things that he did to each of these women left me feeling a lot of sympathy for them. I loved that the book kept me guessing until the very end.

The story opens with the discovery of the decapitated head of Jamie by a group of seven women with ties to the victim on New Year’s Eve 1999. We learn about Jamie’s connection to each of the women and the history that they share throughout the book. We do also see the police detective’s perspective as we work our way through the story. It was quite a few characters to juggle but each of them had such unique personalities that I had no trouble keeping things straight. It was obvious that all of the women had the motive but I wasn’t sure who the murderer was until it was revealed in the story.

I listened to the audiobook and thought that Colleen Prendergast did a fantastic job with the story. I thought that she had a very pleasant voice and I had no problem listening to this book for hours at a stretch. I thought that the dialog between the characters flowed nicely and I liked that she was able to add just the right amount of emotion to her reading. I thought her narration added to my enjoyment of this book.

I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a well-done mystery that was nearly impossible to set aside. I thought that this was a great debut novel and look forward to reading more of this author’s work in the future.

I received a review copy of this book from Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

PUBLICATION DAY: June 13, 2023

A decapitated head, a diverse group of women, an odious man - it’s a mystery who killed him, but there’s no doubt that someone did. But who? Seven women had more than enough reason to commit murder, but who finally caved? And who brought them all together? Nova is a detective who, despite knowing more than a couple of the suspects, is determined to put past failures behind her and solve this murder - but is she willing to do it at any cost?

PROS and CONS:
Very localized writing - as a Canadian I was a bit confused with some of the lingo, but I enjoyed trying to figure it out! Lots of characters to keep you interested and I was determined to figure out who the killer was - but nope! I always have time for a whodunit, and I also love the cover so much - the gorgeous blue with the seven birds - love it. This is Wilding’s debut novel, and I’ll be watching for her in the future!

READ IT?
If you’re looking for…a satisfying whodunit with lots of back story and great character building - then this one’s for you!

4.5 Stars

[Dona's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this, despite some technical quibbles.

Full Review:
I found an audiobook copy of SPEAK OF THE DEVIL by Rose Wilding on Libby. Read by Colleen Prendergast. All views are mine.

"I am always, under the skin, under the polite smile, absolutely furious."

Though this book has a very complicated form, and I had to go back for a few things, I was honestly hooked on this story. I couldn't wait to see how Wilding wrapped things up! For some readers, the morally gray ending in store will tickle your shadowy little hearts 🩶

I don't think this book needs to have such a complex form. It might do better without all the POVs and multiple timelines and instead use a straightforward third person omniscient POV. I had to go back for things several times, because the form often convolutes the plot. But the story and narrative are excellent the whole way through, so this time I felt justified in taking the time to organize what I was reading as I went.

Be patient, and this book pays off. I recommend this for fans of thrillers, experimental form, and large casts of unlikable leads.

...She closes the door and locks it, her mouth still closed– alone, again.

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. I love how Wilding uses the uncanny valley in the opening scene. Everyone is freaking out, but everything looks fine...until the narrative shows the reader everything is very much not fine.

2. The story is excellent fare, the sort that makes you wonder if you ever really know someone. The sort that might shed new light on the readers' own experiences. Trigger warning for child SA.

3. And now we've got a new brilliant element. I love how Wilding introduces these huge changes that affect the plot as though she were just dropping a pebble in a stream.

4. Their breath hung in front of them like a confession. Stars spattered the ink-black sky and the moon was slung low against the horizon. Descriptive writing is really beautiful.

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. It took me three tries to get into this novel. I kept finding myself buried deep in the opening with no real idea how I got there. The third time I started, things finally started to stick. But I did almost give this one up.

2. This book starts with scene work that contains quite a few protagonists who aren't very distinctive. For me, this led to clarity issues in the subsequent scenes about the characters– who they were, independently and relative to the narrative.

3. Discovering one is infertile is rarely so dramatic, or one off. It often takes a lifetime.

4. I'm at about the 35 percent mark and the narrative turns abruptly. The tone, story, even topic completely changes. I thought to myself, was I even reading the same book? TW rohipnol, loss of consciousness, SA

5. This book contains multiple POVs as well as multiple timelines. It was very confusing as a result, and I spent a lot of time back-tracking. But I was invested enough that I was willing. Didn't mind, even.

6. The story, having a complex shape with multiple perspectives and multiple timelines, necessarily tortures the plot, which affects (everything, but also) the pacing. Tension doesn't build steadily or predictably here, and while they don't have to, the tension should fluctuate notably throughout the story.

Rating: 👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻.5 / 5 who's baby this?
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Aug 9 '24
Format: Audiobook, Libby
Read this book if you like:
🔪 murder thrillers
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 family stories, family drama
👭🏽 women's friendships
💔 toxic romance
🪔 gaslighting

[Jeanie ~ MyFairytaleLibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie Spellman did a lot of bad things to the seven women who sit around his severed head on New Years Eve 1999. Each of these women had a motive to murder this monster. Nova is the detective on the murder case and has to unravel each woman’s story to find who is responsible. One complication is that one of the women is her ex girlfriend.

This is a strong debut with some snarky, dark humor thrown in which I always appreciate. I listened to the audio and had to take notes at the beginning to keep everyone straight. I nearly had to build my own evidence board (which would be a great bookclub activity)! The narration is so good on this audio that I recommend reading it that way. Once I got the characters sorted out, I really enjoyed this novel and how the stories all intertwined. I also like the time period it was set in because people often forget how much has improved in a mere 20 years for women. Particularly with an increasing acceptance of LBGQTIA, women being believed and improved treatment of sexual assault victims. We have a long way to go, but looking back 20 years is disturbing and the author portrayed it accurately in my opinion. Read this if you like a great feminist revenge story. The novel is ambitious, but it delivered on all counts for me.

Thank you to @netgalley @macmillan.audio @rose_wldng for an early audiobook copy. @colleen_prendergast was a perfect narrator for the story and did a brilliant job performing such a large cast of characters.

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars rounded up.

On December 31, 1999, seven women are summoned to an emergency meeting in the top floor suite of a cheap hotel in Newcastle. There, they are in for the shock of their lives: the decapitated head of the man they all hated. They clean up any evidence of their having been in the room and steal away, leaving the grisly head to be discovered by a hotel employee. Detective Inspector Nova Stokoe is called in to lead the murder investigation but almost immediately realizes that her on again-off again lover is somehow involved.

Rose Wilding weaves an interesting mystery around these women and their involvement with the victim, Jamie Spellman, in her character-driven debut novel. She keeps the reader guessing right to the end. Who hated Jamie THAT much? Wilding is a talented new mystery writer and I'll look forward to reading more of her work.

I received an arc from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review however is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this one just wasn't for me.

There were way too many POVs to keep straight and at times I found the story hard to follow.

My thanks to St. Martins Press & Minotaur Books for this gifted copy!

[Frank Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Revenge is a dish best served cold!

7 scorned women. One evil, manipulative man who happens to be missing his head. Which one of these women could have done it? And why?!

I really enjoyed the premise of this one and was really looking forward to reading this, but while primarily listening to this via audiobook format I struggled to keep the numerous characters straight and found myself confused throughout, which was unfortunate because this one had a lot of potential. I felt like something was lost in the execution that could have brought this together a bit more and made it less confusing, but overall it was a good read, especially for a debut. The individual stories were each entertaining so I was fairly intrigued throughout, especially when I get to figure out who was who. Had this one had about three less characters I feel like it could have been so much better, but it is what is is!

All things considered, I do think this author has great potential so I will keep my eye on her and any forthcoming releases!

[♥ Sandi ❣ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars Thank you to St Martins Publishing Group Influencer Program and Minotaur Books for the free gifted book. This ARC publishes June 13, 2023.

For a debut this book is pretty good. It is a puzzle that needs to be solved. Heavy on female characters, you are searching for the culprit of a gruesome murder. The story starts with a decapitated head - can't get more gruesome than that. Seven women connected to the murdered victim have come together to decide the fate of this man - but it looks like one of them has already made a decision.

We delve into the lives of each woman - with and without the association of the dead man. Each has reason to want him dead. The puzzle is deciding who killed him and when - the how is already known. The time frame wonders back and forth with each woman's story until we finally hook back up to the beginning chapter and reveal the grisly death.

This novel is written so that you understand each character and in knowing them they move the plot along. Although there are a lot of female characters it is not hard to keep them apart or to know how they fit into the plot. For me this was not a thriller, but I could see how some would believe so due to the gruesome murder. For me, it was just a good mystery, done well for a debut book.

[Nora|KnyguDama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Labai daug čia visko vyksta. Makabriška žmogžudystė - niūriam viešbučio kambaryje, vyro galva padėta an atverstos Biblijos ir septynios moterys aplink ją. Nuo žmonos iki įsimylėjusios paauglės. Nuo jį užauginusios moters iki meilužių. Visos jo nekentė, bet nužudė tik viena. Tokia knygos esmė, bet išties čia visko daug daugiau.

Persipynę santykiai, psichologinės problemos, vykstantis žmogžudystės tyrimas ir tyrėjos asmeninis gyvenimas. Kiekvienos moters atskira istorija ir visų bandymas neišsiduoti, jog matė tą nupjautą galvą. Per visas tas istorijas susipažįstame ir su nužudytuoju, kuriam tikrai jokios simpatijos jaust neįmanoma. Tačiau visoje šitų siužetinių linijų maišalynėje, svarbiausia yra moters padėties visuomenėje parodymas. Nelygybė, vyriškos manipuliacijos, nerimtas požiūris į priekabiavimą ar net išprievartavimą, jei esi graži ir su sijonu ir daug daug panašių dalykų.

Minėtos feministinės temos buvo ir įdomu ir neblogai, supainiotai per visas moteris pateiktos. Deja, žmogžudystę pavyko įminti dar autorei neatskleidus paslapties, tad kulminacija nebuvo įspūdinga. Taip pat nežinau ar tikrai reikėjo tiek dėmesio skirti tyrėjai ir jos reikalams. Iš esmės, neblogas trileris, nešantis svarbių žinučių, tačiau nebuvo tas, kurį minėsiu vardydama geriausius.