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The Skull Keeper
Best friends on social media, Allysa and Morgan share a love of three things: thriller novels, true crime, and keeping secrets from each other.
As soon as Allysa asks Morgan to be her plus one at a funeral, Morgan jumps on the first available flight. Burying the dead might unearth the truth about what happened to Allysa’s brother twenty years earlier. She’s never believed he simply left town without saying goodbye.
Once they learn he’s the last known victim of a serial killer, Allysa and Morgan decide to do what the police couldn’t – bring him to justice.
When the hunters become the hunted, only one question remains – Do you know your friend well enough to save her life?
As soon as Allysa asks Morgan to be her plus one at a funeral, Morgan jumps on the first available flight. Burying the dead might unearth the truth about what happened to Allysa’s brother twenty years earlier. She’s never believed he simply left town without saying goodbye.
Once they learn he’s the last known victim of a serial killer, Allysa and Morgan decide to do what the police couldn’t – bring him to justice.
When the hunters become the hunted, only one question remains – Do you know your friend well enough to save her life?
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2023
29 people are currently reading
1596 people want to read
About the author
Mariëtte Whitcomb
11 books111 followersMariëtte Whitcomb studied criminology and psychology at the University of Pretoria. An avid reader of psychological thrillers and true crime books, writing allows her to pursue her childhood dream to hunt criminals, albeit fictional and born in the darkest corners of her imagination.
When Mariëtte isn’t writing, she’s either rock climbing or working on her golf swing.
When Mariëtte isn’t writing, she’s either rock climbing or working on her golf swing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
September 19, 2023
Before writing my review, I want to thank BookSirens and Mariètte Whitcomb for gifting me the ARC of this book! It was such a privilege to read this before publication. And I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!
Wow! What did I just read? This book started out with a huge bang and did not let up for one minute. Very fast-paced, it will have you turning pages as quickly as your fingers will let you. It is such a unique story and is wonderfully written. The alternating and rapidly changing POVs worked well for the book and kept you on your toes. The storyline is an incredibly dark one, taking you into the mind of a twisted and demented serial killer. Certain scenes in the book are not easy to read from the POV of a depraved killer, so be forewarned that this is not a story for the squeamish.
But even though the subject matter is an incredibly dark and serious one, the author writes the two main characters with wit and humor, a stark contrast to the tragedy surrounding them. The author also uses good characterization, mostly apparent in strong female characters who are much more complicated than initially perceived to be.
The plot is rife with dark secrets that slowly unfold as the story progresses. The book will leave you speechless, with shocking twists you won’t see coming. That ending…just wow!
Oh, and I loved the book’s dedication—heartfelt and so lovely! :)
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
Wow! What did I just read? This book started out with a huge bang and did not let up for one minute. Very fast-paced, it will have you turning pages as quickly as your fingers will let you. It is such a unique story and is wonderfully written. The alternating and rapidly changing POVs worked well for the book and kept you on your toes. The storyline is an incredibly dark one, taking you into the mind of a twisted and demented serial killer. Certain scenes in the book are not easy to read from the POV of a depraved killer, so be forewarned that this is not a story for the squeamish.
But even though the subject matter is an incredibly dark and serious one, the author writes the two main characters with wit and humor, a stark contrast to the tragedy surrounding them. The author also uses good characterization, mostly apparent in strong female characters who are much more complicated than initially perceived to be.
The plot is rife with dark secrets that slowly unfold as the story progresses. The book will leave you speechless, with shocking twists you won’t see coming. That ending…just wow!
Oh, and I loved the book’s dedication—heartfelt and so lovely! :)
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
February 22, 2023
HOLY. FREAKING. SMOKES. MAN. WOW. I started this book just a couple days ago. I couldn't put it down and I couldn't stop thinking about it. Shorter chapters, 3 points of view and some twists that hit in most chapters. You will not be bored. 20 years ago the Skull Keeper started taking women and torturing them and disposing of their bodies to be found. The Skull Keeper killed 17 women and a one man possibly Allysa's brother. Present day: Allysa and Morgan are two best friends made through bookstagram and are heading to a funeral. Much to Morgan surprise the funeral is for Allysa's dead stepmother. But she may have already known that. These two best friends share every parts of their lives with each other, except for the secrets that they don't tell anyone. As time ticks on, secrets surface and the two friends realize that they may not know everything about each other. As they step foot back into Morgan's hometown, the past is beginning to catch up with them. And the Skull Keepers next victim is found. the police start looking at Allysa and Morgan while they are trying to find the killer. Will the secrets be too much? Will their friendship be able to survive? Will they catch the Skull Keeper? Will they make it out alive?
February 18, 2023
I always loved how authors, especially this one, can captivate readers with the words they write.
The Prologue had me from the moment I started reading it. Needless to say I finished the book in one sitting and I did not come close to drinking as much coffee as the two FMC's.
This book had all the right stuff: suspense, humour (this being my favorite), excitement, brainteasers and it had some chilling factors. What more could one need?
So yes all this is me saying: READ. THE. BOOK.
The Prologue had me from the moment I started reading it. Needless to say I finished the book in one sitting and I did not come close to drinking as much coffee as the two FMC's.
This book had all the right stuff: suspense, humour (this being my favorite), excitement, brainteasers and it had some chilling factors. What more could one need?
So yes all this is me saying: READ. THE. BOOK.
March 28, 2023
This book will make you think twice about meeting your booksta BFF in real life! They didn’t realize just how close their lives entangled, as an estranged brother/ex-boyfriend, died at the hands of a deeply disturbed serial killer who has never been caught.
Together, they know they can figure out The SKULL Keeper’s true identity.
Thank you Booksirens and Enticing Book Journey for my copy.
Together, they know they can figure out The SKULL Keeper’s true identity.
Thank you Booksirens and Enticing Book Journey for my copy.
April 10, 2023
I struggled greatly to finish this book. While I read many thrillers, I don't read many with this level of grisly depiction of torture, so that was unsettling and not really to my taste.
The chapters are short and change POV regularly between the two main characters - Alysa and Morgan, and the time period frequently changes between present day and "then". For much of the book I was fairly confused and sometimes I just had no idea what they were talking about. Theirs is a curious kind of friendship, or perhaps I should call them frenemies. There seems to be a great deal of mistrust, deception and antagonism between them although they proclaim to be best friends.
Things started to make more sense to me in the second half of the book, although I was left with lingering questions - likely things I just missed or misunderstood. I recognize that this seems to be an unpopular opinion, but this book missed the mark for me.
The chapters are short and change POV regularly between the two main characters - Alysa and Morgan, and the time period frequently changes between present day and "then". For much of the book I was fairly confused and sometimes I just had no idea what they were talking about. Theirs is a curious kind of friendship, or perhaps I should call them frenemies. There seems to be a great deal of mistrust, deception and antagonism between them although they proclaim to be best friends.
Things started to make more sense to me in the second half of the book, although I was left with lingering questions - likely things I just missed or misunderstood. I recognize that this seems to be an unpopular opinion, but this book missed the mark for me.
March 23, 2023
The Skull Keeper by Mariëtte Whitcomb is the author's first standalone thriller and it is such a fantastic one!
This book is told in 3rd person from the POVs of the killer and best friends Morgan and Allysa. The Skull Keeper takes us on a wild ride as we explore the question "How well do you know your social media friends?" and try to solve who is behind a series of gruesome murders. This book is not for the faint of heart, I squirmed a few times myself! But I absolutely loved all the twists and turns!
Written for bookstagram, about bookstagrammers, this book will keep you guessing until the end!
Thank you to Mariëtte Whitcomb & @enticingjourney for an eARC of this book
This book is told in 3rd person from the POVs of the killer and best friends Morgan and Allysa. The Skull Keeper takes us on a wild ride as we explore the question "How well do you know your social media friends?" and try to solve who is behind a series of gruesome murders. This book is not for the faint of heart, I squirmed a few times myself! But I absolutely loved all the twists and turns!
Written for bookstagram, about bookstagrammers, this book will keep you guessing until the end!
Thank you to Mariëtte Whitcomb & @enticingjourney for an eARC of this book
May 9, 2023
This is not a boring book by any means! It’s thrilling and keeps you rooted to the pages and your seat.
I had to know what was going on and stayed up way too late trying to get to the bottom of the secrets!
The plot was dark, the characters intriguing and the killer’s POV so horrifying!!
This was such an awesome story, it should be on everyone’s TBR list!!
Thank you to BookSirens & the author for a copy!
I had to know what was going on and stayed up way too late trying to get to the bottom of the secrets!
The plot was dark, the characters intriguing and the killer’s POV so horrifying!!
This was such an awesome story, it should be on everyone’s TBR list!!
Thank you to BookSirens & the author for a copy!
March 20, 2023
The Skull Keeper by Mariëtte Whitcomb is a standalone psychological thriller book. If you're squeamish or get scared easily, I recommend not reading this book. Check the trigger warnings because there are a lot.
This book is a multiple-POV thriller about a serial killer called The Skull Keeper. The chapters are extremely short, which makes it easy to keep reading. The story is captivating, and the premise is unique.
However, there were multiple times when I was confused about whose POV the chapter was from and had to flip back and check. The POV characters' voices were similar, making it difficult to differentiate.
There is more humor in this book than most thrillers I've read, making a few of the darker moments lighthearted.
The ending made it seem like there could be a sequel because a lot of questions were left unanswered.
Thank you to the author for the free eBook ARC in exchange for leaving an honest review!
This book is a multiple-POV thriller about a serial killer called The Skull Keeper. The chapters are extremely short, which makes it easy to keep reading. The story is captivating, and the premise is unique.
However, there were multiple times when I was confused about whose POV the chapter was from and had to flip back and check. The POV characters' voices were similar, making it difficult to differentiate.
There is more humor in this book than most thrillers I've read, making a few of the darker moments lighthearted.
The ending made it seem like there could be a sequel because a lot of questions were left unanswered.
Thank you to the author for the free eBook ARC in exchange for leaving an honest review!
March 20, 2023
Fans of dark thrillers, twists and turns, and relatable characters… this one’s for you.
This story is told in dual POV, where social media best friends Allysa and Morgan are exactly what you’d expect two women from the thriller book world to be. They’re sarcastic, dark humored, and 1000% supportive of each other. Even to the point where they’d travel across the world to be by each others’ side.
I fully enjoyed the fast paced storytelling, the quick wit, and every bit of the author’s characterization.
This book had me from page one, and even though I thought I knew who the villain was early on, each chapter had me second guessing myself.
Thank you, Mariette, for putting yet another great thriller into this world!
This story is told in dual POV, where social media best friends Allysa and Morgan are exactly what you’d expect two women from the thriller book world to be. They’re sarcastic, dark humored, and 1000% supportive of each other. Even to the point where they’d travel across the world to be by each others’ side.
I fully enjoyed the fast paced storytelling, the quick wit, and every bit of the author’s characterization.
This book had me from page one, and even though I thought I knew who the villain was early on, each chapter had me second guessing myself.
Thank you, Mariette, for putting yet another great thriller into this world!
March 23, 2023
Dark and twisted, The Skull Keeper (TSK) had me hooked right from the beginning! Be warned though it’s not for the faint hearted. They were some gorey moments with TSK where I felt like I needed to shut my eyes from seeing what I was reading but at the same time I couldn’t take my eyes away from the pages!
I loved that the two protagonists were connected through books and the Bookstagram community with one being a crime thriller author and the other a true crime fan. I also enjoyed the dark humour in this one and the short chapters always make for a quick fast-paced read!
This is my first book by Mariette Whitcomb and let me tell you, It certainly won’t be my last! For lovers of dark and twisty thrillers, you need to read this one!
I loved that the two protagonists were connected through books and the Bookstagram community with one being a crime thriller author and the other a true crime fan. I also enjoyed the dark humour in this one and the short chapters always make for a quick fast-paced read!
This is my first book by Mariette Whitcomb and let me tell you, It certainly won’t be my last! For lovers of dark and twisty thrillers, you need to read this one!
March 20, 2023
Firstly thank you to the author, the lovely @mariettewhitcomb for my gifted ARC copy I have ordered the book for my bookcase anyway as it was so good.
For fans of Chris Carter, Tess Gerritsen, this is one hell of a thriller.
I actually think this is the best thriller I’ve read in a long time.
So move over Chris Carter there’s a new gal in town !!
Unique story line which actually involves our beloved Bookstagram community and the friendships we make over books and the types of books (in this case true crime and psychological thriller)
I don’t give 5⭐️ very often. It has to be a wow book that I will rave on about for a good while to get the 5⭐️ and this is definitely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For fans of Chris Carter, Tess Gerritsen, this is one hell of a thriller.
I actually think this is the best thriller I’ve read in a long time.
So move over Chris Carter there’s a new gal in town !!
Unique story line which actually involves our beloved Bookstagram community and the friendships we make over books and the types of books (in this case true crime and psychological thriller)
I don’t give 5⭐️ very often. It has to be a wow book that I will rave on about for a good while to get the 5⭐️ and this is definitely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 28, 2023
This one gets twisty! I haven’t had many 5 star reviews this year, but The Skull Keeper is definitely one of them! A thriller author and a fan become besties and meet up for the first time to attend a funeral which quickly spirals into hunting down TSK. Short chapters dropping little hints and clues and switching POV kept me wanting to read “just one more chapter” and I ended up finishing the book in two sittings.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 1, 2023
Years ago Wild Bay was being tormented by a serial killer, The Skull Keeper. TSK tortured and killed numerous women, leaving their bodies to be found. Local cops couldn't figure out what happened and it became a cold case. Forward to present day when two booksta besties came into town. One trying to figure out what happened to her brother, the other what happened to her first and true love. Once they start their investigation into this case other people start dying. Is it a coincidence or is TSK at it again? Can these two besties figure out what is going on before it's too late?
This is my first book by Mariëtte and it won't be my last. She knows how to hook you from the very beginning. This book was dark and twisted, which is exactly what I needed! One thing that stood out to me was the humor in it. As someone who uses humor when they are sad/happy and all the things in between I loved this. I also loved reading my booksta besties names throughout the book! The bookstagram references were so fun and unique.
If you like all things dark and twisty, I recommend this book! There are some very hard topics so if you need a list of trigger warnings let me know!!
Thank you to the author and book sirens for my copy!
This is my first book by Mariëtte and it won't be my last. She knows how to hook you from the very beginning. This book was dark and twisted, which is exactly what I needed! One thing that stood out to me was the humor in it. As someone who uses humor when they are sad/happy and all the things in between I loved this. I also loved reading my booksta besties names throughout the book! The bookstagram references were so fun and unique.
If you like all things dark and twisty, I recommend this book! There are some very hard topics so if you need a list of trigger warnings let me know!!
Thank you to the author and book sirens for my copy!
March 20, 2023
A dark and gritty psychological thriller that's filled with plenty of twists, tension and dark humour.
While I did guess who the killer was, I still enjoyed this page turner! And can we talk about that cover! 🖤🖤
While I did guess who the killer was, I still enjoyed this page turner! And can we talk about that cover! 🖤🖤
October 28, 2023
A bookstagrammer and an author become besties and decide to meet up for a funeral. Sounds pretty normal right?! 🤣
Allysa asks Morgan to join her for her evil stepmother’s funeral. While she’s back in her hometown, Allysa wants justice for her murdered brother so the two start to hunt a serial killer, while learning little truths about each other.
A fast-paced thriller with secrets spilling from the very beginning. Neither of them can be trusted and I adore an unreliable, unhinged character; and here we have 2. This whole story is so demented. It’s dark, disturbing and so twisty, your head will SPIN!
I loved Morgan’s spunky, badass, cold hearted personality (and humor) so much. Both women were strong, no-nonsense, witty vigilantes.
The subject matter is extremely gruesome and dark but I devoured it. Not sure what that says about me, but 🤷🏽♀️🤣 I LOVED the twist even if I saw it from a mile away; when it’s actually revealed at the very end, it’s worth it.
I really enjoyed this one, especially the short chapters 🙌🏽 BUT my only issue was there were TOO many twists/revelations and excessive amounts of characters thrown into the plots (plural because they are a few subplots.)
Overall, I’m giving it 3.75 stars rounded up.
Allysa asks Morgan to join her for her evil stepmother’s funeral. While she’s back in her hometown, Allysa wants justice for her murdered brother so the two start to hunt a serial killer, while learning little truths about each other.
A fast-paced thriller with secrets spilling from the very beginning. Neither of them can be trusted and I adore an unreliable, unhinged character; and here we have 2. This whole story is so demented. It’s dark, disturbing and so twisty, your head will SPIN!
I loved Morgan’s spunky, badass, cold hearted personality (and humor) so much. Both women were strong, no-nonsense, witty vigilantes.
The subject matter is extremely gruesome and dark but I devoured it. Not sure what that says about me, but 🤷🏽♀️🤣 I LOVED the twist even if I saw it from a mile away; when it’s actually revealed at the very end, it’s worth it.
I really enjoyed this one, especially the short chapters 🙌🏽 BUT my only issue was there were TOO many twists/revelations and excessive amounts of characters thrown into the plots (plural because they are a few subplots.)
Overall, I’m giving it 3.75 stars rounded up.
March 20, 2023
3.5 ⭐ I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book and while I found it wildly entertaining, I spent the majority of the time being a little confused. I wish I had more backstory on the characters because at times it felt like walking in on a conversation that was already half over.
I had my suspicions half way through the book before thinking I had gotten it wrong only to shout I KNEW IT at the end. Even though I was a little confused, I still enjoyed the ride.
I had my suspicions half way through the book before thinking I had gotten it wrong only to shout I KNEW IT at the end. Even though I was a little confused, I still enjoyed the ride.
March 31, 2023
Best friends on social media, Allysa and Morgan share a love of three things: thriller novels, true crime, and keeping secrets from each other. As soon as Allysa asks Morgan to be her plus one at a funeral, Morgan jumps on the first available flight. Burving the dead might unearth the truth about what happened to Allysa's brother twenty years earlier. She's never believed he simply left town without saying goodbye. Once they learn he's the last known victim of a serial killer, Allysa and Morgan decide to do what the police couldn't - bring him to justice. When the hunters become the hunted, only one question remains - Do you know your friend well enough to save her life?
I have been excited for this book since I first found out about it and holy smokes. I binged this in 24 hours, I legit couldn’t put it down.
I was hooked from the prologue and every page after that. I absolutely loved that this book had multiple POV’s & short chapters. I really appreciated the dark humor as I cope the same way LOL & I think the best part overall but that it was written about the bookstagram community for the bookstagram community. If you haven’t read this yet, stop what you’re doing and GET IT!
I want to thank @mariettewhitcomb for the ARC and giving me the opportunity to be a part of the cover reveal and review process.
I have been excited for this book since I first found out about it and holy smokes. I binged this in 24 hours, I legit couldn’t put it down.
I was hooked from the prologue and every page after that. I absolutely loved that this book had multiple POV’s & short chapters. I really appreciated the dark humor as I cope the same way LOL & I think the best part overall but that it was written about the bookstagram community for the bookstagram community. If you haven’t read this yet, stop what you’re doing and GET IT!
I want to thank @mariettewhitcomb for the ARC and giving me the opportunity to be a part of the cover reveal and review process.
May 27, 2023
Wow, eeeeek! This book thoroughly creeped me out!
Once I started reading this I couldn’t stop, even though at times I wanted to, because the description of the things the serial killer did was really intense.
This book is just insane from start to finish, I definitely had an inclination of who the killer might be and was still shocked to find out what really happened. This book had me guessing and then second guessing everything I thought I knew. The story had me completely thrilled and on the edge of my seat dying to figure out what was going to happen.
This was a really solid thriller, horror, mystery read with lots of juicy drama to boot. I would absolutely recommend this and I’m sure the story won’t soon leave my mind!
Thank you Book Sirens for my free copy, I am leaving this review of my own free will.
Once I started reading this I couldn’t stop, even though at times I wanted to, because the description of the things the serial killer did was really intense.
This book is just insane from start to finish, I definitely had an inclination of who the killer might be and was still shocked to find out what really happened. This book had me guessing and then second guessing everything I thought I knew. The story had me completely thrilled and on the edge of my seat dying to figure out what was going to happen.
This was a really solid thriller, horror, mystery read with lots of juicy drama to boot. I would absolutely recommend this and I’m sure the story won’t soon leave my mind!
Thank you Book Sirens for my free copy, I am leaving this review of my own free will.
March 16, 2023
*This book was received as an ARC and the following review is voluntary.*
**This review may contain spoilers.**
TW: childhood neglect/abuse, unwanted pregnancy, cursing, death, mutilation & torture, addiction, drug abuse
This story was so chaotic and it was great for the plot. We find our two contemporary, crime junkie, bookstagram FMC’s in the hunt to reveal who The Skull Keeper killer is in a small ocean side town. Both have secrets and lies they refuse to tell the other for fear of retaliation…or worse - being framed as the killer. This story is very reminiscent of the serial killer shows we all love (think Criminal Minds): vigilante forensic work, putting the MC in peril, plot twists upon plot twists! This tory is written in multiple POV and the storyline is nonlinear. I applaud the author for marking the chapters at the beginning with the character who’s speaking AND which time period. It made it much easier to keep track of the timeline. That’s not the same for the narration it self, which was chaotic at times. To be honest, it aided in building anxiety in the reader and harder to predict what would happen next. With that, the ending was UNEXPECTED. I’m usually fairly good at guessing the ending and this one went over my radar — BRAVO.
My favorite quotes definitely highlight the morbid news of this book. It’s not WTF level horror, but I would definitely accept this into the horror house.
Favorite Quotes:
1. “I need to head out for a few hours, but don't worry about getting bored. The sodium hydroxide eating away at your skin and meat will keep you busy." My laughter drowned out the annoving sound coming from student number ten.
2. The cycle of life is natural and quite beautiful. I controlled the stages of death. Mother nature took care of the stages of decomposition.
3. I picked up the drill and positioned the tip of the concrete bit against the occipital bone, to the right of her spine. I squeezed the speed trigger and counted. Twenty seconds.
4. Memento mori. My death art.
**This review may contain spoilers.**
TW: childhood neglect/abuse, unwanted pregnancy, cursing, death, mutilation & torture, addiction, drug abuse
This story was so chaotic and it was great for the plot. We find our two contemporary, crime junkie, bookstagram FMC’s in the hunt to reveal who The Skull Keeper killer is in a small ocean side town. Both have secrets and lies they refuse to tell the other for fear of retaliation…or worse - being framed as the killer. This story is very reminiscent of the serial killer shows we all love (think Criminal Minds): vigilante forensic work, putting the MC in peril, plot twists upon plot twists! This tory is written in multiple POV and the storyline is nonlinear. I applaud the author for marking the chapters at the beginning with the character who’s speaking AND which time period. It made it much easier to keep track of the timeline. That’s not the same for the narration it self, which was chaotic at times. To be honest, it aided in building anxiety in the reader and harder to predict what would happen next. With that, the ending was UNEXPECTED. I’m usually fairly good at guessing the ending and this one went over my radar — BRAVO.
My favorite quotes definitely highlight the morbid news of this book. It’s not WTF level horror, but I would definitely accept this into the horror house.
Favorite Quotes:
1. “I need to head out for a few hours, but don't worry about getting bored. The sodium hydroxide eating away at your skin and meat will keep you busy." My laughter drowned out the annoving sound coming from student number ten.
2. The cycle of life is natural and quite beautiful. I controlled the stages of death. Mother nature took care of the stages of decomposition.
3. I picked up the drill and positioned the tip of the concrete bit against the occipital bone, to the right of her spine. I squeezed the speed trigger and counted. Twenty seconds.
4. Memento mori. My death art.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2023
How well do you know your bestie?
No, this isn’t another bookstagram challenge. It’s the springboard for a delightfully dark and twisted page turner by thriller-churning stalwart and fellow South African, Mariëtte Whitcomb.
The Skull Keeper is a psychological thriller that follows kindred spirits Alyssa and Morgan as they embark on a sleuthing mission to find a serial killer and solve Alyssa’s brother’s murder. Although they share a love of nearly everything, including coffee, thriller novels, and true crime, it’s the secrets they keep from each other that ultimately pits bestie against bestie.
While it had a slow start, the narrative quickly morphed into a torrential flash flood that steered the direction with no uncertainty. Best I could do was go with the flow and see where I eventually washed up.
For those who enjoy a cold, sadistic and demented villain, this one is a crackerjack. Armed with an extensive knowledge of human biology, this butcher of pretty girls has an arsenal of creative and methodical ways to teach each of his victims a lesson. They have been warned after all.
The Skull Keeper will have you on edge until the very last page. A few times I convinced myself I had the mystery figured out, only to hear the next chapter whisper “You’re getting colder again…”. I also relished Mariëtte’s particular brand of dark humour interspersed throughout the novel, and the witty banter between the two main characters, even in the direst of circumstances. It turns out that fear and mirth really do make perfect polar ends for a super fun seesaw ride.
If you’re looking for your next indie author to support, make sure you check our Mariëtte’s various book titles on Amazon, and settle in for a few gloriously sleepless nights.
No, this isn’t another bookstagram challenge. It’s the springboard for a delightfully dark and twisted page turner by thriller-churning stalwart and fellow South African, Mariëtte Whitcomb.
The Skull Keeper is a psychological thriller that follows kindred spirits Alyssa and Morgan as they embark on a sleuthing mission to find a serial killer and solve Alyssa’s brother’s murder. Although they share a love of nearly everything, including coffee, thriller novels, and true crime, it’s the secrets they keep from each other that ultimately pits bestie against bestie.
While it had a slow start, the narrative quickly morphed into a torrential flash flood that steered the direction with no uncertainty. Best I could do was go with the flow and see where I eventually washed up.
For those who enjoy a cold, sadistic and demented villain, this one is a crackerjack. Armed with an extensive knowledge of human biology, this butcher of pretty girls has an arsenal of creative and methodical ways to teach each of his victims a lesson. They have been warned after all.
The Skull Keeper will have you on edge until the very last page. A few times I convinced myself I had the mystery figured out, only to hear the next chapter whisper “You’re getting colder again…”. I also relished Mariëtte’s particular brand of dark humour interspersed throughout the novel, and the witty banter between the two main characters, even in the direst of circumstances. It turns out that fear and mirth really do make perfect polar ends for a super fun seesaw ride.
If you’re looking for your next indie author to support, make sure you check our Mariëtte’s various book titles on Amazon, and settle in for a few gloriously sleepless nights.
March 22, 2023
Alyssa and Morgan are friends that met on Bookstagram but this meeting at a café before Alyssa‘s stepmom Rachel’s funeral is the first time they supposedly met in real life. The have the kind of friendship that feels ass if they’ve known each other their whole lies but throughout the book you wander do they even know each other at all. Alyssa is angry and thinks her stepmom had something to do with her brother’s death but the truth is way worse. When her stepsister tells her he’s alive it’s sins the newly acquainted best friends on a True Crime mission of their own thanking her brother was the last victim of The SkullKeeper they decide to hunt the hunter The parts of the book with the skull keeper were hard to take especially the one with the syringe and the eyeball… OMG I was not prepared… Either way though I would’ve given this book 5 stars but thought the beginning with the CA green references We’re very confusing and a few other things had me shaking my head but overall this was a truly awesome book because once you get further in you forget about or at least I forgot about the confusing Things in the beginning and by the time the book is over it all makes sense. I love the dark humor between the two BFFs and although I am not in to horror porn I can honestly say I still enjoyed this book. Because The parts with the serial killer were few and far between and didn’t last long and they were very disgusting. Having said that I do recommend this book I received it from Book Sirens but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
March 18, 2023
Allysa and Morgan are best friends through social media and share a love of three things: thriller novels, true crime, and keeping secrets from each other.
When Allysa asks Morgan to be her plus one at her stepmothers funeral, Morgan jumps on the first available flight. Allysa hopes she will unearth the truth about what happened to her brother twenty years earlier: she never believed he simply left town without saying goodbye.
They discover he was the last known victim of a serial killer known as The Skull Keeper, Allysa and Morgan decide to do what the police couldn’t – bring him to justice.
When the hunters become the hunted, only one question remains – Do they know each other well enough to save the others life?
Its an interesting story that alternates between the current time, using current lingo from the “bookstagram” community and a selection of murders that the The Skull Keeper did in the past. It also alternates been the two female characters, with their names for reference at the top of a chapter so you knew whose voice it was. Sometimes I forget to check, driving on with the story as I was enjoying it and then realizing the point of view had changed, which threw me - perhaps rather than first person for both characters I would have preferred to have it in the third person.
Otherwise it was fast paced, took a few twists I did see coming and the reveal was not what I was expecting!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When Allysa asks Morgan to be her plus one at her stepmothers funeral, Morgan jumps on the first available flight. Allysa hopes she will unearth the truth about what happened to her brother twenty years earlier: she never believed he simply left town without saying goodbye.
They discover he was the last known victim of a serial killer known as The Skull Keeper, Allysa and Morgan decide to do what the police couldn’t – bring him to justice.
When the hunters become the hunted, only one question remains – Do they know each other well enough to save the others life?
Its an interesting story that alternates between the current time, using current lingo from the “bookstagram” community and a selection of murders that the The Skull Keeper did in the past. It also alternates been the two female characters, with their names for reference at the top of a chapter so you knew whose voice it was. Sometimes I forget to check, driving on with the story as I was enjoying it and then realizing the point of view had changed, which threw me - perhaps rather than first person for both characters I would have preferred to have it in the third person.
Otherwise it was fast paced, took a few twists I did see coming and the reveal was not what I was expecting!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 7, 2023
You can find this review and all my others over at Read Book. Repeat
I received a copy of this book from the author via Booksirens in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating of 2.5
Alyssa and Morgan are besties. They met through the bookstagram community and share their love of thrillers, true crime and keeping their secrets close to their chest. When Alyssa asks Morgan to be her plus one to a funeral, Morgan jumps at the chance, after all, this is the first time they'll be meeting in real life. Morgan soon learns that Alyssa's true motivation behind attending the funeral is to try and uncover the truth about what happened to her brother twenty years ago. So they work together to do this, after they find out that he was apparently the last known victim of a serial killer that stalked the town all those years ago, they decide it is they who will bring that Killer to justice. As they investigate, the secrets that they keep from each other begin to come to light and they end up turning from hunters to hunted. In the end, how well do you REALLY know your friends...
I was pretty keen to read this one when it popped up on Booksirens, it was a psychological thriller that sounded so different to any others that I've read before. And while it definitely was different, for some reason it just didn't quite hit the mark for me. I was intrigued about the relationship between Alyssa and Morgan, because let's be honest, we all have friends that we've made through online communities, and some of those friends we may talk to almost every day but have never met. So, it was an interesting spin for sure. I enjoyed the fact that Morgan and Alyssa had met through the bookstagram community, of which I, myself am a member, so that was a cute little addition to the story line. I do feel that it was brought up and mentioned quite a lot which at some point became a little bit overkill for me. It felt like one of those little details that was trying really hard to be a quirk of the characters, but it was mentioned so often that it just became a little tedious after a while. I loved that Morgan was also an author who writes under a pen name, that little detail was used just enough for it to become a great part of Morgan's personality as well as a wonderful detail in her and Alyssa's relationship, so I really enjoyed that one.
The story is told through alternating POVs between Alyssa, Morgan and the serial killer known as The Skull Keeper. Given that name because, you guessed it, they keep the skulls of their kills as a souvenir. I always enjoy books like this that do have that mystery killer floating through it, especially when we get to see part of the story through their point of view. It's always nice getting to see the story from different perspectives. The Skull Keeper's point of view chapters do begin 20 years earlier, to the time that Alyssa's brother goes missing, but that timeline does catch up to the present one that we're following Alyssa and Morgan through. The pacing was okay, I did feel that this was more of a slow burn novel, probably a bit slower than I would have liked, but that's neither here nor there really. At times the story line felt pretty convoluted and messy, but it was easy enough to follow, if that makes any sense at all. There just seemed like there were a lot of threads and a lot going on in this book that at times I sort of had to take a minute to wrap my head around where I was in the story and what was happening at that point in time. I don't feel that this could have been written in a different way that would have made the story less convoluted though, I think if it were written any other way, it wouldn't have worked as well.
The characters were incredibly interesting. Both Morgan and Alyssa have such deep pasts that the other doesn't really know about. Pasts that are a lot darker than you'd first expect or assume. I feel like we got more of an insight into Morgan's life and past than we did Alyssa, Alyssa's story, while we did get the rundown on what she had been doing in the dark, so to speak, it felt like it wasn't as deeply delved into as I would have liked. We get the reasoning behind things that she did and that she had done, but I feel like there was an opportunity for this to be explored a bit more. From almost the first meeting of The Skull Keeper, I had an idea on who I believed it was, and though I wasn't a hundred percent correct and at times I wavered a little and wondered whether it could have been a couple of other people we encountered, my initial assumption was correct. So while the reveal of that was well done, I didn't get that "oh wow" factor that I would have liked. I don't believe that my assumption was based on any details that were too obvious throughout the story, or that Whitcomb made it too easy to figure it out, I think I just put it down to having read a lot of books in my time and one thing that I find happens a lot is that my assumption is generally correct in thrillers and the like. Which is incredibly annoying, I wish there was a way that I could turn my investigative brain off and just read the bloody book like a normal person and be wowed at the end how I'm supposed to be hahaha.
All in all, this was definitely a book that stands out for being different which is fantastic in a genre that is incredibly oversaturated to the point that a lot of books read the same as the next. The characters were well written and I do feel that they were very real and I enjoyed them both, probably Morgan moreso than Alyssa. The story itself was interesting though a little messy at times, and I'm sad that it just fell a little short for me. I am so glad that I'm in the minority with my lower rating and I'll definitely be checking out more from this author in the future! Oh! I also want to add, I absolutely loved the little scene with the spider, I had a bit of a giggle and a smile on my face through that whole exchange. If you're looking for a psychological thriller that hits differently and stands apart on it's own for it's unique story, give this one a go, you may just love it!
I received a copy of this book from the author via Booksirens in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating of 2.5
Alyssa and Morgan are besties. They met through the bookstagram community and share their love of thrillers, true crime and keeping their secrets close to their chest. When Alyssa asks Morgan to be her plus one to a funeral, Morgan jumps at the chance, after all, this is the first time they'll be meeting in real life. Morgan soon learns that Alyssa's true motivation behind attending the funeral is to try and uncover the truth about what happened to her brother twenty years ago. So they work together to do this, after they find out that he was apparently the last known victim of a serial killer that stalked the town all those years ago, they decide it is they who will bring that Killer to justice. As they investigate, the secrets that they keep from each other begin to come to light and they end up turning from hunters to hunted. In the end, how well do you REALLY know your friends...
I was pretty keen to read this one when it popped up on Booksirens, it was a psychological thriller that sounded so different to any others that I've read before. And while it definitely was different, for some reason it just didn't quite hit the mark for me. I was intrigued about the relationship between Alyssa and Morgan, because let's be honest, we all have friends that we've made through online communities, and some of those friends we may talk to almost every day but have never met. So, it was an interesting spin for sure. I enjoyed the fact that Morgan and Alyssa had met through the bookstagram community, of which I, myself am a member, so that was a cute little addition to the story line. I do feel that it was brought up and mentioned quite a lot which at some point became a little bit overkill for me. It felt like one of those little details that was trying really hard to be a quirk of the characters, but it was mentioned so often that it just became a little tedious after a while. I loved that Morgan was also an author who writes under a pen name, that little detail was used just enough for it to become a great part of Morgan's personality as well as a wonderful detail in her and Alyssa's relationship, so I really enjoyed that one.
The story is told through alternating POVs between Alyssa, Morgan and the serial killer known as The Skull Keeper. Given that name because, you guessed it, they keep the skulls of their kills as a souvenir. I always enjoy books like this that do have that mystery killer floating through it, especially when we get to see part of the story through their point of view. It's always nice getting to see the story from different perspectives. The Skull Keeper's point of view chapters do begin 20 years earlier, to the time that Alyssa's brother goes missing, but that timeline does catch up to the present one that we're following Alyssa and Morgan through. The pacing was okay, I did feel that this was more of a slow burn novel, probably a bit slower than I would have liked, but that's neither here nor there really. At times the story line felt pretty convoluted and messy, but it was easy enough to follow, if that makes any sense at all. There just seemed like there were a lot of threads and a lot going on in this book that at times I sort of had to take a minute to wrap my head around where I was in the story and what was happening at that point in time. I don't feel that this could have been written in a different way that would have made the story less convoluted though, I think if it were written any other way, it wouldn't have worked as well.
The characters were incredibly interesting. Both Morgan and Alyssa have such deep pasts that the other doesn't really know about. Pasts that are a lot darker than you'd first expect or assume. I feel like we got more of an insight into Morgan's life and past than we did Alyssa, Alyssa's story, while we did get the rundown on what she had been doing in the dark, so to speak, it felt like it wasn't as deeply delved into as I would have liked. We get the reasoning behind things that she did and that she had done, but I feel like there was an opportunity for this to be explored a bit more. From almost the first meeting of The Skull Keeper, I had an idea on who I believed it was, and though I wasn't a hundred percent correct and at times I wavered a little and wondered whether it could have been a couple of other people we encountered, my initial assumption was correct. So while the reveal of that was well done, I didn't get that "oh wow" factor that I would have liked. I don't believe that my assumption was based on any details that were too obvious throughout the story, or that Whitcomb made it too easy to figure it out, I think I just put it down to having read a lot of books in my time and one thing that I find happens a lot is that my assumption is generally correct in thrillers and the like. Which is incredibly annoying, I wish there was a way that I could turn my investigative brain off and just read the bloody book like a normal person and be wowed at the end how I'm supposed to be hahaha.
All in all, this was definitely a book that stands out for being different which is fantastic in a genre that is incredibly oversaturated to the point that a lot of books read the same as the next. The characters were well written and I do feel that they were very real and I enjoyed them both, probably Morgan moreso than Alyssa. The story itself was interesting though a little messy at times, and I'm sad that it just fell a little short for me. I am so glad that I'm in the minority with my lower rating and I'll definitely be checking out more from this author in the future! Oh! I also want to add, I absolutely loved the little scene with the spider, I had a bit of a giggle and a smile on my face through that whole exchange. If you're looking for a psychological thriller that hits differently and stands apart on it's own for it's unique story, give this one a go, you may just love it!
September 28, 2023
"I need to head out for a few hours, but don't worry about getting bored. The sodium hydroxide eating away at your skin and meat will keep you busy."
TW: childhood neglect/abuse, unwanted pregnancy, cursing, death, mutilation & torture, addiction, drug abuse
Years ago Wild Bay was being tormented by a serial killer, The Skull Keeper. TSK tortured and killed numerous women, leaving their bodies to be found. Local cops couldn't solve it, so it became a cold case. Forward to present day when two booksta besties came into town. One trying to figure out what happened to her brother, the other what happened to her first and true love. Once they start their investigation into this case other people start dying. Is it a coincidence or is TSK at it again? Can these two besties figure out what is going on before it's too late?
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Well she did it again! Mariette Whitcomb knows how to write a thriller. It's told in multiple POVs. The twists and turns just kept coming all the way to the end of the book even tho I flew threw it in 2 hours. 🙈 And the ending will leaving you wondering WTF just happened 10/10 recommend
TW: childhood neglect/abuse, unwanted pregnancy, cursing, death, mutilation & torture, addiction, drug abuse
Years ago Wild Bay was being tormented by a serial killer, The Skull Keeper. TSK tortured and killed numerous women, leaving their bodies to be found. Local cops couldn't solve it, so it became a cold case. Forward to present day when two booksta besties came into town. One trying to figure out what happened to her brother, the other what happened to her first and true love. Once they start their investigation into this case other people start dying. Is it a coincidence or is TSK at it again? Can these two besties figure out what is going on before it's too late?
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Well she did it again! Mariette Whitcomb knows how to write a thriller. It's told in multiple POVs. The twists and turns just kept coming all the way to the end of the book even tho I flew threw it in 2 hours. 🙈 And the ending will leaving you wondering WTF just happened 10/10 recommend
April 5, 2023
Woah. What a ride this was!
If you enjoy thrillers, I think you will love this. Especially as it's about two friends from Bookstagram meeting up. But there is alot more to their relationship than just the online book world....tis a bit scary!!
We have a few different POVs here. Both the main characters and then the flashbacks to the murderer doing their business. This was pretty brutal.....don't read before bed 👀
Did I know who the murderer was? Yes! But this didn't make it any less fun. Although I felt as if I knew, there were moments I judged myself, judged all the characters and their complex histories and personalities. There is pretty much no one who you can trust in this book!!
As I say, it's pretty detailed and complex so you gotta pay attention but the story is very gripping and there is plot twist after plot twist. Each chapter provides something new and exciting, they are also quite short chapters which I find super engaging and therefore I'm able to devour lots in one go.
This would make a great movie / TV show.
If you enjoy thrillers, I think you will love this. Especially as it's about two friends from Bookstagram meeting up. But there is alot more to their relationship than just the online book world....tis a bit scary!!
We have a few different POVs here. Both the main characters and then the flashbacks to the murderer doing their business. This was pretty brutal.....don't read before bed 👀
Did I know who the murderer was? Yes! But this didn't make it any less fun. Although I felt as if I knew, there were moments I judged myself, judged all the characters and their complex histories and personalities. There is pretty much no one who you can trust in this book!!
As I say, it's pretty detailed and complex so you gotta pay attention but the story is very gripping and there is plot twist after plot twist. Each chapter provides something new and exciting, they are also quite short chapters which I find super engaging and therefore I'm able to devour lots in one go.
This would make a great movie / TV show.
March 22, 2023
Wow! I'm not even sure where to start.
Allysa and Morgan meet online and strike up a friendship. Through their shared love of true crime and thrillers, they become best friends. When Allysa needs Morgan, she is there for her. However, both are holding some deep secrets that will test this friendship.
This book is how a thriller should be written. Dark, a little depraved and engrossing. There are so many pieces to this puzzle that when it finally comes together, it's not what you thought it would be.
Mariette Whitcomb knows how to write a thriller. She writes a story that's engaging, characters that are relatable, interesting, and deep down make you think, who are our online friends.
Allysa and Morgan meet online and strike up a friendship. Through their shared love of true crime and thrillers, they become best friends. When Allysa needs Morgan, she is there for her. However, both are holding some deep secrets that will test this friendship.
This book is how a thriller should be written. Dark, a little depraved and engrossing. There are so many pieces to this puzzle that when it finally comes together, it's not what you thought it would be.
Mariette Whitcomb knows how to write a thriller. She writes a story that's engaging, characters that are relatable, interesting, and deep down make you think, who are our online friends.
March 23, 2023
This was a multi POV book. Lots of twisty suspenseful psychological thriller!! It had me guessing who was the killer the entire time I was reading it. The chapters through The Skull Keeper (TSK) were creepy, graphic, and intense!
CAWPILE: 7.71
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!
Happy Reading!
Melissa
CAWPILE: 7.71
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!
Happy Reading!
Melissa
February 17, 2023
This is my first time reading anything by this author. I loved idea of the connection of a crime/thriller author and a fan becoming friends and working together to solve a crime.
There were twists and turns and revelations throughout the book that kept me reading and wanting to know what happened next. I did guess the identity of the killer early on, but as a fellow crime/thriller author I recognize the tells.
I enjoyed this book and received a complimentary copy via Book Sirens in exchange for an unbiased review.
There were twists and turns and revelations throughout the book that kept me reading and wanting to know what happened next. I did guess the identity of the killer early on, but as a fellow crime/thriller author I recognize the tells.
I enjoyed this book and received a complimentary copy via Book Sirens in exchange for an unbiased review.
July 26, 2023
This was a solid thriller with lots of twists and a grisly, dark humor to the whole thing. The two main characters were both very interesting as people and I enjoyed unraveling them as characters. I will say that it quickly seemed obvious who the killer must be based off the pitching of this story, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. One thing that did take me out of the story a little was that so many of the characters were references to Brooklyn 99, but past that, a good story, enigmatic characters and a good premise!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2024
what a wild ride
Damn.. where to even start without giving away too much..
we all meet people online especially through book community where it be instagram or tiktok, and these people become book besties, but how well do you really know them.. this book is an unhinged (in the best way possible) testament of that.. as you get to see two book besties with skeletons in their closet try to solve a cold case while trying to keep those skeletons hidden, although this is a thriller and it is dark, there were some humour.. if you enjoyed series like Mind Hunter you will enjoy this book.
On to the next book by this brilliant author who intertwines fiction and facts in a masterful way.
Damn.. where to even start without giving away too much..
we all meet people online especially through book community where it be instagram or tiktok, and these people become book besties, but how well do you really know them.. this book is an unhinged (in the best way possible) testament of that.. as you get to see two book besties with skeletons in their closet try to solve a cold case while trying to keep those skeletons hidden, although this is a thriller and it is dark, there were some humour.. if you enjoyed series like Mind Hunter you will enjoy this book.
On to the next book by this brilliant author who intertwines fiction and facts in a masterful way.
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