Review: Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey @jesslourey @amazonpub
Unspeakable Things
by Jess Lourey
Thank you to Amazon Publishing / Thomas & Mercer for this engaging and harrowing story.
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Publish Date: January 1, 2020
Paperback
300 Pages
Standalone
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Inspired by a terrifying true story from the author’s hometown, a heart-pounding novel of suspense about a small Minnesota community where nothing is as quiet—or as safe—as it seems.
Cassie McDowell’s life in 1980s Minnesota seems perfectly wholesome. She lives on a farm, loves school, and has a crush on the nicest boy in class. Yes, there are her parents’ strange parties and their parade of deviant guests, but she’s grown accustomed to them.
All that changes when someone comes hunting in Lilydale.
One by one, local boys go missing. One by one, they return changed—violent, moody, and withdrawn. What happened to them becomes the stuff of shocking rumors. The accusations of who’s responsible grow just as wild, and dangerous town secrets start to surface. Then Cassie’s own sister undergoes the dark change. If she is to survive, Cassie must find her way in an adult world where every sin is justified, and only the truth is unforgivable.
My Review:
For some reason, I glanced at this book yesterday and almost set it aside as one I'd get to later, if I had time. But then something kept drawing me to it and after picking it up and putting it down a few times, something about it just called to me and I decided to pick this up.... and once I did, I didn't put it down until I was done reading. So if you have this on your shelf anywhere, I recommend you don't pass this one up and READ IT ASAP.
I love novels based on true stories. As this one is told through Cassie's eyes, a 12-turning-13 year old girl in the 80s, I understood every single reference and remember all the stories of Chester the Molester and when letting your kids roam the streets on their bikes was still safe.. until it wasn't. I also remember being that age where everything frightened you and yet you were also fearless. Cassie was this girl. Innocent and yet aware of all the weird things going on around her - whether within her own family or around her otherwise. She becomes her own Nancy Drew and wants to figure out what's going on with these kidnapped boys... especially when the one that doesn't come back is the one in her romantic mind she was destined to marry.
I absolutely adore that the entire novel is straight through Cassie. You instantly feel a connection with her. And all the little clues keep you wondering, with her, as to who the suspects are and what possible motives there might be. You see her grow (faster than she needs to be at that age).
I will say, I understand why the ending was the way that it was.... but I was left feeling a little want... luckily, I saw @novelgossip's review and she mentioned you could get the epilogue so AFTER you've read the book, if you need some answers like I did, google Unspeakable Things Epilogue. Even with the slight abrupt ending, I can't give this book less than the five stars I think it deserves. I'll be thinking about this one for a while.
★★★★★
This sounds AWESOME!!
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