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Rory Moore/Lane Phillips #2
La casa de los suicidios
El internado Westmont es un prestigioso instituto en el que las expectativas son altas y las reglas estrictas. Pero en el extremo más alejado del bosque que rodea el edificio principal se encuentra una residencia abandonada conocida entre los estudiantes como punto de encuentro nocturno. Aquí solo hay una no dejes que tu vela se apague, a menos que quieras que el Hombre en el Espejo te encuentre. Hace un año, dos estudiantes fueron asesinados de una manera escalofriante. Desde entonces, el caso se ha convertido en el foco de un exitoso pódcast, La casa de los suicidios. Aunque un profesor de química del instituto fue declarado culpable de los asesinatos, quedan muchos misterios y preguntas por resolver. ¿Por qué algunos estudiantes que sobrevivieron a esa noche han regresado al lugar para suicidarse? Rory es una experta investigadora especializada en reconstruir casos sin resolver, y está colaborando en el mencionado pódcast con el doctor Lane Phillips, psicólogo forense, con el que le une algo más que su profesión. Ambos están recreando la noche de los asesinatos para encontrar las respuestas que no han encontrado ni el instituto, ni el pueblo y, ni siquiera, la policía. Pero cuanto más aprenden, más se convencen de que algo siniestro todavía persiste. Dentro del instituto Westmont el juego no ha terminado. El secreto y el silencio se mantienen entre sus jugadores, puede que no haya forma de vencer o de sobrevivir…
448 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2020
4004 people are currently reading
42515 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Donlea
29 books13.3k followersCharlie Donlea is the USA TODAY, IndieBound, and #1 Internationally bestselling author of critically acclaimed, propulsive thrillers including THE GIRL WHO WAS TAKEN, DON'T BELIEVE IT, TWENTY YEARS LATER, and THOSE EMPTY EYES. His ninth thriller, GUESS AGAIN, is out now.
Published in 40 countries and translated into twenty-five languages, his books have sold nearly 3 million copies in the U.S. alone.
He spends a part of each year fishing with his father in the far reaches of Canada, where the roads end and lakes are accessible only by floatplane. These majestic trips to “God’s Country” inspired the settings for his novels Summit Lake and GUESS AGAIN, coming in August 2025.
He resides in Chicago with his wife and two children.
Published in 40 countries and translated into twenty-five languages, his books have sold nearly 3 million copies in the U.S. alone.
He spends a part of each year fishing with his father in the far reaches of Canada, where the roads end and lakes are accessible only by floatplane. These majestic trips to “God’s Country” inspired the settings for his novels Summit Lake and GUESS AGAIN, coming in August 2025.
He resides in Chicago with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,956 reviews
December 12, 2020
When I find out Some Choose Darkness’ sequel finally arrived and I will have another chance to read about the coolest and smartest forensics reconstructionist (let’s say: she is the expert of heating cold cases) Rory Moore and his psychologist partner Lane Philips, I screamed “Hurray” as soon as I saw the book at my virtual NG bookshelf!
And the plot was really intriguing. I always love to read about claustrophobic whodunit prep school stories about secret societies, looking in the mirror throughout their ritual, instead of calling Bloody Mary’s name, they expect to see “man in the mirror”. So spooky and dazzling, right?
Westmont Preparatory High School’s great reputation tainted with two brutal murders occurred and scandalized the entire place. After two students’ murders, a teacher is prime suspect, commits suicide but he cannot achieve to kill himself and is hospitalized, in vegetative state.
A famous crime blogger Ryder Hillier starts writing about conspiracy theories and a popular podcast host Mark Carter already stole her story and hits ratings hit the roof. And one of the students who was at the crime scene of his other viciously victimized friends decides to end his silence and he wants to confess something important to Mark, sending him coded meeting place. Of course Ryder solves the coded meeting place message faster than him. Both of them arrive at the place and find the boy committed suicide at the train tracks just like the other students and his teacher did.
When you read the long plot above, you ask the question yourself: Okay, when is going to our duo get involved with the case? This is the main problem with the book. Because in my opinion, there are too many POVS and too many characters instead of Rory and Lane in this book.
We’re going back and forth between timelines and learning more about Westmont’s six students who were together at the eerie murder night. And slowly we find out more about Gwen and Gavin, two students left behind and still alive. Both of them look suspicious and act like they got involved something shady including their friends’ deaths because they’re keeping something secret and they know their teacher wasn’t the killer.
We also read Marc McEvoy’s story who was former student of Westmont and he never recovered from getting rejected by the secret society and he knows the ritual times ( shortest and longest days of the year and June 21th is coming up!) He is obsessed to find out the secrets about Man in the mirror, at the cost of lying to his wife, acting like going to business trip and now he is missing.
And we’re also reintroduced and welcomed Gus Morelli’s cameo from “Don’t Believe It” novel’s hotshot detective ( now he’s retired, enduring the humid of Florida)
And of course we have some flashbacks about Rory’s childhood and the importance of porcelain dolls help her function more normally and adapt in normal life.
I felt like I read three different books at the same time. Maybe if it would be a book about the campus murders and podcast host’s killing case solved by crime blogger Ryder Hillier, it would be easier for me to concentrate. But there is also Gus’s cold case story connects with the murders and another missing person’s case. There are so many questions to answer, so many POVS to read and too many characters to connect! Rory Moore hasn’t been involved in the case till the second half of the book. So many times I missed her and Lane because the other characters’ POVS and stories made me question if this was sequel of my favorite characters or if they turned into supportive characters of the story, make cameos like Gus.
I think the author’s intention was preparing us to the next books and introducing the new characters. And she wants to connect her main characters from the other books to bring out new cases and new stories.
Overall: At the end we got all the answers. There is no plot hole and even though murderer’s identity was predictable, it was great to read his background story and connections between the cases Gus and our favorite duo investigates. But I wish to read easier story with less characters. I still enjoyed and I’m charmed by my favorite duo’s returning back and I’d like to read their upcoming stories as well. But I’m cutting some points and giving 3.5 stars as always rounded up 4! (If it wasn’t for Rory and Lane, it could be three stars because this was exhausting reading!)
But I’m so hopeful about conclusion and excited about those sealed boxes!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing this ARC with me in exchange my honest review.
And the plot was really intriguing. I always love to read about claustrophobic whodunit prep school stories about secret societies, looking in the mirror throughout their ritual, instead of calling Bloody Mary’s name, they expect to see “man in the mirror”. So spooky and dazzling, right?
Westmont Preparatory High School’s great reputation tainted with two brutal murders occurred and scandalized the entire place. After two students’ murders, a teacher is prime suspect, commits suicide but he cannot achieve to kill himself and is hospitalized, in vegetative state.
A famous crime blogger Ryder Hillier starts writing about conspiracy theories and a popular podcast host Mark Carter already stole her story and hits ratings hit the roof. And one of the students who was at the crime scene of his other viciously victimized friends decides to end his silence and he wants to confess something important to Mark, sending him coded meeting place. Of course Ryder solves the coded meeting place message faster than him. Both of them arrive at the place and find the boy committed suicide at the train tracks just like the other students and his teacher did.
When you read the long plot above, you ask the question yourself: Okay, when is going to our duo get involved with the case? This is the main problem with the book. Because in my opinion, there are too many POVS and too many characters instead of Rory and Lane in this book.
We’re going back and forth between timelines and learning more about Westmont’s six students who were together at the eerie murder night. And slowly we find out more about Gwen and Gavin, two students left behind and still alive. Both of them look suspicious and act like they got involved something shady including their friends’ deaths because they’re keeping something secret and they know their teacher wasn’t the killer.
We also read Marc McEvoy’s story who was former student of Westmont and he never recovered from getting rejected by the secret society and he knows the ritual times ( shortest and longest days of the year and June 21th is coming up!) He is obsessed to find out the secrets about Man in the mirror, at the cost of lying to his wife, acting like going to business trip and now he is missing.
And we’re also reintroduced and welcomed Gus Morelli’s cameo from “Don’t Believe It” novel’s hotshot detective ( now he’s retired, enduring the humid of Florida)
And of course we have some flashbacks about Rory’s childhood and the importance of porcelain dolls help her function more normally and adapt in normal life.
I felt like I read three different books at the same time. Maybe if it would be a book about the campus murders and podcast host’s killing case solved by crime blogger Ryder Hillier, it would be easier for me to concentrate. But there is also Gus’s cold case story connects with the murders and another missing person’s case. There are so many questions to answer, so many POVS to read and too many characters to connect! Rory Moore hasn’t been involved in the case till the second half of the book. So many times I missed her and Lane because the other characters’ POVS and stories made me question if this was sequel of my favorite characters or if they turned into supportive characters of the story, make cameos like Gus.
I think the author’s intention was preparing us to the next books and introducing the new characters. And she wants to connect her main characters from the other books to bring out new cases and new stories.
Overall: At the end we got all the answers. There is no plot hole and even though murderer’s identity was predictable, it was great to read his background story and connections between the cases Gus and our favorite duo investigates. But I wish to read easier story with less characters. I still enjoyed and I’m charmed by my favorite duo’s returning back and I’d like to read their upcoming stories as well. But I’m cutting some points and giving 3.5 stars as always rounded up 4! (If it wasn’t for Rory and Lane, it could be three stars because this was exhausting reading!)
But I’m so hopeful about conclusion and excited about those sealed boxes!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing this ARC with me in exchange my honest review.
September 30, 2022
Right before I read Suicide House, I read Some Choose Darkness, which centers around Rory Moore's past and present. She is a very unique character and I'm so glad I had her background from the first book, before I read Suicide House. The author says that he writes the books as stand alones and you can enjoy Suicide House without reading Some Choose Darkness but still, I'd suggest reading Some Choose Darkness, at some point, if you want to know more about Rory Moore and what makes her tick. In Suicide House, Rory's partner lures her (in the nicest of ways) to an out of the way location, that was the scene of the grisly murders of two teenagers, followed by suicides that may be related to the death of the teenagers. Rory is a forensic reconstructionist and her skills are needed to determine what really happened when the two students were killed and whether later suicides were really suicides. The local law enforcement closed the case quickly since they had evidence that a teacher murdered the students and then later, tried to kill himself. He's now unable to speak or live unassisted, due to his injuries from the suicide attempt.
Prepared to be confused, in a very good way. Suicide House starts with someone reading from his journal, confessing people he has killed and the method he used for each murder. Throughout the book, various timelines are introduced but, often, we don't really know when some parts of the book take place. We also don't always know who one or more people are in some of the timelines or how they might relate to the present day reconstructions that Rory is performing. The atmosphere is very dark and foreboding at both the school and at the old boarding house, behind the school, where the murders took place. I was hooked on the story, from the very beginning and then it just got better and better for me. I look forward to more about Rory and Lane, in future books.
Pub July 28, 2020
Thank you to Kensington/Random House and Edelweiss for this ARC.
Prepared to be confused, in a very good way. Suicide House starts with someone reading from his journal, confessing people he has killed and the method he used for each murder. Throughout the book, various timelines are introduced but, often, we don't really know when some parts of the book take place. We also don't always know who one or more people are in some of the timelines or how they might relate to the present day reconstructions that Rory is performing. The atmosphere is very dark and foreboding at both the school and at the old boarding house, behind the school, where the murders took place. I was hooked on the story, from the very beginning and then it just got better and better for me. I look forward to more about Rory and Lane, in future books.
Pub July 28, 2020
Thank you to Kensington/Random House and Edelweiss for this ARC.
April 20, 2020
3.5 stars
While a popular podcast focuses on “The Suicide House” at an elite boarding school, a journalist, a forensic reconstructionist, and a profiler, are brought together to piece together a tale of murder, suicide, and a secret society.
The Suicide House brings back Rory Moore and Lane Phillips, who were featured in Some Choose Darkness, which I loved! Rory, a forensic reconstructionist, uses her autistic abilities to see what others can’t. Lane analyzes serial killers. Together they solve the unsolvable. While they play a critical role in this book, they are not featured nearly enough.
A lot is going on in this book: there are several mysteries and storylines to keep track of. The mystery of what’s going on at this elite prep school is compelling but gets bogged down by featuring too many characters and POV’s. For this reason, I wasn’t sure quite what I was supposed to be focusing on. I was confused in the beginning, but eventually, all the pieces came together. The pacing is slow, but with having so many characters and storylines to keep track of, I appreciated this aspect. Some parts are also repetitive. With that being said, I still love Rory and Lane. I also enjoyed reading the killer’s journal. I was left with some questions about the killer's motivation in the present and felt that this individual came across a little cartoonish, especially in their final scene.
Overall, Charlie Donlea can write. While this book is crammed with too many storylines, characters, and voices, I still felt that this is a well-written thriller. I only wish it capitalized on featuring Rory Moore and Lane Phillips. However, it looks like there is a strong chance we will be seeing them again in the future!
While a popular podcast focuses on “The Suicide House” at an elite boarding school, a journalist, a forensic reconstructionist, and a profiler, are brought together to piece together a tale of murder, suicide, and a secret society.
The Suicide House brings back Rory Moore and Lane Phillips, who were featured in Some Choose Darkness, which I loved! Rory, a forensic reconstructionist, uses her autistic abilities to see what others can’t. Lane analyzes serial killers. Together they solve the unsolvable. While they play a critical role in this book, they are not featured nearly enough.
A lot is going on in this book: there are several mysteries and storylines to keep track of. The mystery of what’s going on at this elite prep school is compelling but gets bogged down by featuring too many characters and POV’s. For this reason, I wasn’t sure quite what I was supposed to be focusing on. I was confused in the beginning, but eventually, all the pieces came together. The pacing is slow, but with having so many characters and storylines to keep track of, I appreciated this aspect. Some parts are also repetitive. With that being said, I still love Rory and Lane. I also enjoyed reading the killer’s journal. I was left with some questions about the killer's motivation in the present and felt that this individual came across a little cartoonish, especially in their final scene.
Overall, Charlie Donlea can write. While this book is crammed with too many storylines, characters, and voices, I still felt that this is a well-written thriller. I only wish it capitalized on featuring Rory Moore and Lane Phillips. However, it looks like there is a strong chance we will be seeing them again in the future!
May 28, 2020
3.5 stars
“The Suicide House" is a hit podcast that focuses on the grisly murders of two students at an elite school. Westmont Preparatory School is an elite boarding school where the "secret" society is a known secret. It is tradition. Stunts hope to be chosen to be initiated into the secret society, to go to the hidden cottage in the woods, and survive the Man in the Mirror. A year later the tradition becomes a nightmare as students are dead, a teacher has been blamed and the horrors continue.
"Something was going on with those kids last year, and it's carried over to today."
Pod casts, diary entries, a killer, and Rory Moore and Lane Phillips all rolled up in this book about murder, secrets, mysteries, questions, fear, and suspense. There is a lot going on in this book. There are many characters, several mysteries and subplots going on. I almost took out pen and paper to help me keep track of everything. Sometimes less is more.
But at the end of the day (or the end of the book, depending on how you want to look at it), I enjoyed this book. I really enjoy Rory and how she looks at the world and picks up on things that others miss. She is an intriguing character and I was happy to become reacquainted with her. But I wanted more of her and Lane. They are a great pair and an interesting duo; this is where more would have been better.
Donlea had a lot going on in this book and I believe that he is using this book as a stepping stone to his next book in this series (I am making an assumption/hoping/wishing/ putting it out into the universe that there will be another book).
I am always extremely excited when I see that Donlea has a new book out. I love his writing and how he brings his story-lines full circle. This one took a little bit of work. I would recommend that those who have not read Some Choose Darkness to read that book first. Because (a) It is Awesome (b) it introduces you to Rory and Lane and (c) it showcases Donlea's masterful storytelling and how he builds suspense (d) it's the perfect segue into this book! Plus, Some Choose Darkness is mentioned several times in this book!.
In this book, I felt there was too much going on but still enjoyed it and the resolution.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
“The Suicide House" is a hit podcast that focuses on the grisly murders of two students at an elite school. Westmont Preparatory School is an elite boarding school where the "secret" society is a known secret. It is tradition. Stunts hope to be chosen to be initiated into the secret society, to go to the hidden cottage in the woods, and survive the Man in the Mirror. A year later the tradition becomes a nightmare as students are dead, a teacher has been blamed and the horrors continue.
"Something was going on with those kids last year, and it's carried over to today."
Pod casts, diary entries, a killer, and Rory Moore and Lane Phillips all rolled up in this book about murder, secrets, mysteries, questions, fear, and suspense. There is a lot going on in this book. There are many characters, several mysteries and subplots going on. I almost took out pen and paper to help me keep track of everything. Sometimes less is more.
But at the end of the day (or the end of the book, depending on how you want to look at it), I enjoyed this book. I really enjoy Rory and how she looks at the world and picks up on things that others miss. She is an intriguing character and I was happy to become reacquainted with her. But I wanted more of her and Lane. They are a great pair and an interesting duo; this is where more would have been better.
Donlea had a lot going on in this book and I believe that he is using this book as a stepping stone to his next book in this series (I am making an assumption/hoping/wishing/ putting it out into the universe that there will be another book).
I am always extremely excited when I see that Donlea has a new book out. I love his writing and how he brings his story-lines full circle. This one took a little bit of work. I would recommend that those who have not read Some Choose Darkness to read that book first. Because (a) It is Awesome (b) it introduces you to Rory and Lane and (c) it showcases Donlea's masterful storytelling and how he builds suspense (d) it's the perfect segue into this book! Plus, Some Choose Darkness is mentioned several times in this book!.
In this book, I felt there was too much going on but still enjoyed it and the resolution.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 14, 2020
This is the fourth book I've read by Charlie Donlea. And sadly it was my least favorite of all his books. What makes it so disappointing is I loved his previous releases. Unfortunately, this one just didn't grab me.
Everyone wants to be part of the secret club at the exclusive boarding school. It’s up to the current senior members to approve or deny the Juniors’ acceptance. Once voted in, the initiation process begins. But at what cost? What lengths and sacrifices would you be willing to make to belong to this club? How far will you take their secrets?
Rory and Lane are two characters that I've become quite fond of. I watched them develop through the previous books and looking forward to seeing how their characters would blossom in this latest. But the same magic from this duo fell rather flat.
I will continue to be a huge fan of this author and will definitely be reading more of his future work in the future. Just not a match for me this time.
A buddy read with Susanne that left us both a bit underwhelmed.🙁
Thank you to NetGalley Kensington Books for an ARC to read and review.
Everyone wants to be part of the secret club at the exclusive boarding school. It’s up to the current senior members to approve or deny the Juniors’ acceptance. Once voted in, the initiation process begins. But at what cost? What lengths and sacrifices would you be willing to make to belong to this club? How far will you take their secrets?
Rory and Lane are two characters that I've become quite fond of. I watched them develop through the previous books and looking forward to seeing how their characters would blossom in this latest. But the same magic from this duo fell rather flat.
I will continue to be a huge fan of this author and will definitely be reading more of his future work in the future. Just not a match for me this time.
A buddy read with Susanne that left us both a bit underwhelmed.🙁
Thank you to NetGalley Kensington Books for an ARC to read and review.
June 4, 2020
4.5 stars!
A thrilling continuation of the series!
Rory Moore is a forensic reconstructionalist who suffers from extreme social anxiety. She has a proven track record of cracking unsolved police case files and finds herself entangled in helping her psychologist partner, Lane Phillips, on a chilling and mysterious prep school double murder. The two travel to the prestigious Westmont Preparatory High School to investigate and immerse themselves in the year old murder case of two students.
I’ve read and loved every single book Charlie Donlea has created and this was no exception. I jumped right back into these characters lives and felt myself grow even more attached to them. The thick, foreboding atmosphere of the elite boarding school grounds had me engrossed from start to finish. There is something about boarding school settings that always appeals to me. This was a fast paced thrilling mystery that had my mind flip flopping over who was guilty. The chillingly gruesome murders kept me on edge and curiously intrigued throughout. With the timelines being only one year apart, I found myself confused a few times at the start but as I worked deeper into the storyline, the flow became much easier to follow.
If you haven’t read a Charlie Donlea book, you need to drop everything and pick one up! I suggesting picking up book 1 in this series before reading this as it will give you a better understanding of the characters’ backstories and personalities. All of his other novels are standalones, however, he brilliantly incorporates his well-loved characters within more than one book which I love.
Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy! Expected date of publication is July 28th.
A thrilling continuation of the series!
Rory Moore is a forensic reconstructionalist who suffers from extreme social anxiety. She has a proven track record of cracking unsolved police case files and finds herself entangled in helping her psychologist partner, Lane Phillips, on a chilling and mysterious prep school double murder. The two travel to the prestigious Westmont Preparatory High School to investigate and immerse themselves in the year old murder case of two students.
I’ve read and loved every single book Charlie Donlea has created and this was no exception. I jumped right back into these characters lives and felt myself grow even more attached to them. The thick, foreboding atmosphere of the elite boarding school grounds had me engrossed from start to finish. There is something about boarding school settings that always appeals to me. This was a fast paced thrilling mystery that had my mind flip flopping over who was guilty. The chillingly gruesome murders kept me on edge and curiously intrigued throughout. With the timelines being only one year apart, I found myself confused a few times at the start but as I worked deeper into the storyline, the flow became much easier to follow.
If you haven’t read a Charlie Donlea book, you need to drop everything and pick one up! I suggesting picking up book 1 in this series before reading this as it will give you a better understanding of the characters’ backstories and personalities. All of his other novels are standalones, however, he brilliantly incorporates his well-loved characters within more than one book which I love.
Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy! Expected date of publication is July 28th.
April 20, 2020
I have a confession to make....This is my first Charlie Donlea novel. *Gasps*
When two teenage boys are found on the grounds of a prestigious boarding school murdered in horrific fashion it is believed their chemistry teacher that they were tormenting finally enacted his revenge. When the remaining survivors of that night are drawn back to the same spot to commit suicide it attracts the attention of a podcast host, a reporter, and also Rory Moore, a forensic reconstructionist, along with her partner Lane Phillips, a psychological profiler, from Donlea's last novel and first book of this series, Some Choose Darkness.
"This wasn't a couple of kids screwing around. This was a goddamn slaughter."
That line is all Donlea needed to say to get my attention and my attention he had until the very end. My only one complaint is that I struggled to keep all of the characters straight. I had to flip back and forth on more than one occasion. Of course with such a large cast of characters I had made so many assumptions as to whodunnit and I was wrong every time. Well played, indeed! 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When two teenage boys are found on the grounds of a prestigious boarding school murdered in horrific fashion it is believed their chemistry teacher that they were tormenting finally enacted his revenge. When the remaining survivors of that night are drawn back to the same spot to commit suicide it attracts the attention of a podcast host, a reporter, and also Rory Moore, a forensic reconstructionist, along with her partner Lane Phillips, a psychological profiler, from Donlea's last novel and first book of this series, Some Choose Darkness.
"This wasn't a couple of kids screwing around. This was a goddamn slaughter."
That line is all Donlea needed to say to get my attention and my attention he had until the very end. My only one complaint is that I struggled to keep all of the characters straight. I had to flip back and forth on more than one occasion. Of course with such a large cast of characters I had made so many assumptions as to whodunnit and I was wrong every time. Well played, indeed! 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2020
Yipee! Charlie Donlea has joined us for a Q & A in the Behind the Pages Group
To see what he has to say about his books. You can find the thread here to the Q & A
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Every time Charlie Donlea has a new book out The Traveling Sisters are cheering and we are excited to drive right into it. We were very excited to see beloved characters Rory and Lane from Some Choose Darkness return in The Suicide House
With a title like The Suicide House, I have to say I was a bit nervous about reading it but it's Charlie Donlea so how could I go wrong. Well, I am happy to say Charlie delivers another gripping original and exciting twisty thrill of a read!
Charlie Donlea nails it here with this chilling and thrilling setting that sets a dark eerie mood to the story! I loved the settings here that connected the characters and added nail-biting tension to the story. The Elite school and boarding house in the woods sets an eerier feel to the story with its horrifying secrets. A year ago two students were murder and the case is now the focus of the podcast The Suicide House. Rory is back to find out those horrifying secrets the night the students were slaughter. The danger is still lurking and haunting the students who were there that night.
For me, the strength of the story is our interesting, brilliant well developed diverse character Rory who exhibits mannerism that puts her on the autism spectrum. The dynamics between her and Lane are heartwarming and entertaining. We don’t see much of both of them together as I would of like however I loved what we did get.
There is a large cast of characters here with multiple intertwining storylines that keep things interesting. At times I did become a bit confused with keeping everyone and everything straight. The tension and suspense rise with each chapter right up to those exciting final twists and reveals.
I highly recommend starting with Some Choose Darkness before this one to get to know Rory and Lane however I do think The Suicide House works as a standalone as well
I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley!
To see what he has to say about his books. You can find the thread here to the Q & A
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Every time Charlie Donlea has a new book out The Traveling Sisters are cheering and we are excited to drive right into it. We were very excited to see beloved characters Rory and Lane from Some Choose Darkness return in The Suicide House
With a title like The Suicide House, I have to say I was a bit nervous about reading it but it's Charlie Donlea so how could I go wrong. Well, I am happy to say Charlie delivers another gripping original and exciting twisty thrill of a read!
Charlie Donlea nails it here with this chilling and thrilling setting that sets a dark eerie mood to the story! I loved the settings here that connected the characters and added nail-biting tension to the story. The Elite school and boarding house in the woods sets an eerier feel to the story with its horrifying secrets. A year ago two students were murder and the case is now the focus of the podcast The Suicide House. Rory is back to find out those horrifying secrets the night the students were slaughter. The danger is still lurking and haunting the students who were there that night.
For me, the strength of the story is our interesting, brilliant well developed diverse character Rory who exhibits mannerism that puts her on the autism spectrum. The dynamics between her and Lane are heartwarming and entertaining. We don’t see much of both of them together as I would of like however I loved what we did get.
There is a large cast of characters here with multiple intertwining storylines that keep things interesting. At times I did become a bit confused with keeping everyone and everything straight. The tension and suspense rise with each chapter right up to those exciting final twists and reveals.
I highly recommend starting with Some Choose Darkness before this one to get to know Rory and Lane however I do think The Suicide House works as a standalone as well
I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley!
July 28, 2020
3.75 Twisty stars
This is a favorite author of mine, Charlie Donlea, and I’m slowly making my way through all of his books. This one follows the same characters as “Some Choose Darkness” – Rory and Lane. They are both crime experts and a couple. While it’s been a while since I read “Some Choose Darkness” there were plenty of explanatory pieces to bring me up to speed (maybe a bit much!) and refresh my memory. I really like the character of Rory and I wish we got more background and details to flesh out her character in this one.
This story is set at a prestigious prep high school in Indiana, modeled after similar schools on the east coast. One interesting point is that no one is ever kicked out of this school. Everyone sees a counselor and issues are dealt with by the school. There are problems at Westmont though as a year ago two students were murdered, and now other students have returned to the scene to kill themselves. What on earth is going on?
There’s a fascinating first portion of the story with a true crime podcast built in and I really liked this piece and I was wishing for more of this storyline! Rory and Lane dig into the school and rumors of a secret society. The story features flashbacks to the summer one year ago when the tragic events took place. I’m used to a much longer gap between storylines! Can the duo get to the bottom of things before there’s another tragedy?
I had a few gasp-worthy moments when a twist was revealed, and I did not see the ending at all! There’s a tense conclusion and a lot of pieces to figure out along the way. Overall, I enjoyed this one and looking forward to more from this author. While this wasn’t my favorite read of his, it still was a good distraction! I do recommend reading “Some Choose Darkness” if you want to start this series.
Thank you to the publisher Kensington and Charlie Donlea for an early copy of the book to read through NetGalley. Get your copy of this one today.
This is a favorite author of mine, Charlie Donlea, and I’m slowly making my way through all of his books. This one follows the same characters as “Some Choose Darkness” – Rory and Lane. They are both crime experts and a couple. While it’s been a while since I read “Some Choose Darkness” there were plenty of explanatory pieces to bring me up to speed (maybe a bit much!) and refresh my memory. I really like the character of Rory and I wish we got more background and details to flesh out her character in this one.
This story is set at a prestigious prep high school in Indiana, modeled after similar schools on the east coast. One interesting point is that no one is ever kicked out of this school. Everyone sees a counselor and issues are dealt with by the school. There are problems at Westmont though as a year ago two students were murdered, and now other students have returned to the scene to kill themselves. What on earth is going on?
There’s a fascinating first portion of the story with a true crime podcast built in and I really liked this piece and I was wishing for more of this storyline! Rory and Lane dig into the school and rumors of a secret society. The story features flashbacks to the summer one year ago when the tragic events took place. I’m used to a much longer gap between storylines! Can the duo get to the bottom of things before there’s another tragedy?
I had a few gasp-worthy moments when a twist was revealed, and I did not see the ending at all! There’s a tense conclusion and a lot of pieces to figure out along the way. Overall, I enjoyed this one and looking forward to more from this author. While this wasn’t my favorite read of his, it still was a good distraction! I do recommend reading “Some Choose Darkness” if you want to start this series.
Thank you to the publisher Kensington and Charlie Donlea for an early copy of the book to read through NetGalley. Get your copy of this one today.
January 7, 2022
3.5 stars
In this 2nd book in the 'Rory Moore/Lane Phillips' series, the criminalists look into deaths at a private school. The book works fine as a standalone.
*****
Classy 'Westmont Preparatory High School' in Peppermill, Indiana used to pride itself on graduating ALL its students and sending them on to good colleges.
Then starting on June 21, 2019, a string of tragedies ruined the school's statistics. Two students were murdered on that summer solstice night, and - in the subsequent year - two more students committed suicide.
The institute's losses were the media's gain. Crime blogger Ryder Hillier has a blog devoted to the Westmont deaths.....
….. and television newsmagazine host Mack Carter has a podcast, called The Suicide House, about the incidents.
Mack Carter leases a house near Westmont Prep, and in the summer of 2020 hires Chicago forensic psychologist/criminal profiler Lane Phillips to contribute to future episodes of the podcast.
Lane rents a cottage in Peppermill and cajoles his girlfriend, forensic reconstructionist Rory Moore, to follow him a couple of days later.
Lane specializes in psychotic killers and Rory is a cold case expert, so they're good 'gets' for The Suicide House podcast.
Up to this point the blog and podcast covered the following: Two students named Andrew Gross and Tanner Landing were brutally killed in an abandoned house on the edge of the Westmont campus on June 21, 2019. A few days later the prime suspect, a chemistry teacher called Charles Gorman, threw himself in front of a train near the abandoned house, and is now a vegetable.
In the following months, two friends of the dead boys, Bridget Matthews and Danielle Landry, also threw themselves in front of trains, and died.
It turns out that Westmont Prep has a secret club, called 'The Man in the Mirror', that meets at the abandoned house.
Each year the club extends invitations to a few juniors, who must perform harrowing challenges to become members. All the dead students were associated with The Man in the Mirror, and - as the story unfolds - more deaths follow.
Lane and Rory make it their mission to unravel all the mysteries at Westmont Prep, and endanger themselves in the process.
The book is very complex, with several subplots. Moreover, the story skips back and forth between the summer of 2019 and the summer of 2020. Thus there's a lot to follow, but once I got into the rhythm I was able to keep up.
A strong point of the book is the wide array of characters, including students; faculty; administrators; parents; journalists; police; and more. The best character is forensic reconstructionist Rory Moore, a woman on the autism spectrum whose favorite beverage is Dark Lord beer.
Rory has trouble making eye contact and is most comfortable wearing a beanie hat; big glasses; and Madden Girl Eloisee combat boots.
Rory also has OCD, which she controls by restoring damaged antique dolls. In this book Rory reconstructs an Armand Marseille Kiddiejoy German baby doll, and the scenes of Rory working on the doll are instructive and interesting.
I won't give away plot secrets but I will say that Charlie Donlea is a master of misdirection and twists. For me the plot is a bit overly contrived, but I enjoyed the book and recommend it to fans of suspense novels.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Charlie Donlea), and the publisher (Kensington Publishing) for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
August 22, 2020
EXCERPT: I killed my brother with a penny. Simple, benign and perfectly believable.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Inside the walls of Indiana's elite Westmont Preparatory High School, expectations run high and rules are strictly enforced. But in the woods beyond the manicured campus and playing fields sits an abandoned boarding house that is infamous among Westmont's students as a late-night hangout. Here, only one rule applies: don't let your candle go out--unless you want the Man in the Mirror to find you. . . .
One year ago, two students were killed there in a grisly slaughter. The case has since become the focus of a hit podcast, The Suicide House. Though a teacher was convicted of the murders, mysteries and questions remain. The most urgent among them is why so many students who survived that horrific night have returned to the boarding house--to kill themselves.
Rory, an expert in reconstructing cold cases, is working on The Suicide House podcast with Lane, recreating the night of the killings in order to find answers that have eluded the school, the town, and the police. But the more they learn about the troubled students, the chillingly stoic culprit, and a dangerous game gone tragically wrong, the more convinced they become that something sinister is still happening. Inside Westmont Prep, the game hasn't ended. It thrives on secrecy and silence. And for its players, there may be no way to win--or to survive. . . .
MY THOUGHTS: I haven't read 'Some Choose Darkness' #1 in the Rory Moore/Lane Phillips series. If you haven't either, it's not a problem. Both books are written as stand-alones although they feature the same main characters. But, first thing Monday I am off to the library to get a copy of Some Choose Darkness. I want to read it and am annoyed with myself that I missed it when it came out.
There's a lot that goes on in this book and it takes a little while for it to start to tie in together. One thing is for sure - I never wanted to go away to school, and The Suicide House has reinforced that decision! Secret societies, dangerous pranks, dares and hazing form the background for this story of death and a dangerous obsession.
The two characters around whom this book is centred don't actually feature as prominently as I expected they would. The Suicide house begins with a rather enigmatic journal entry by a boy who has killed his brother, and gotten away with it. These journal entries continue sporadically throughout the novel.
The timelines are split between Summer 2019 when the murders occur and August 2020, at which time we meet broadcaster Mack Carter and journalist Ryder Hillier, who are both independently working on the Westmont Prep School Murders.
August 2020 is also when we meet Dr Lane Phillips, forensic psychologist and criminal profiler. I found it quite hard to get a handle on his character, another reason I want to read the preceding book. His partner, Rory Moore, is a forensic reconstructionist specializing in cold-case homicides, with a passion for the reconstruction of antique dolls. I found it quite disappointing that more use was not made of their skills.
While I really enjoyed this read, there are a few things that don't make much sense to me. There seems to be a point to most secret societies, but with the one at the centre of The Suicide House, there doesn't seem to be any point other than to participate in game of 'The Man in The Mirror'. Missing man, Marc McEvoy, was an unnecessary distraction and overcomplicated the storyline.
A new character, Gus Morelli, is introduced towards the end of The Suicide House, and I hope that we see more of him in the future.
The Suicide House certainly held my interest from start to finish. There's a few relationships between characters that didn't quite sit right for me and left me with a few questions about the resolution, therefore only a 4 star rating rather than 5 stars.
Definitely a series I want to read more of. I have enjoyed everything I have ever read by this author, and The Suicide House is no exception.
😲😲😲😲.1
THE AUTHOR: Charlie Donlea resides in Chicago with his wife and two young children.
He spends a part of each year fishing with his father in the far reaches of Canada, where the roads end and lakes are accessible only by floatplane. These majestic trips to “God’s Country” inspired the setting for his first novel, Summit Lake.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Kensington Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Suicide House by Charlie Donlea for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Inside the walls of Indiana's elite Westmont Preparatory High School, expectations run high and rules are strictly enforced. But in the woods beyond the manicured campus and playing fields sits an abandoned boarding house that is infamous among Westmont's students as a late-night hangout. Here, only one rule applies: don't let your candle go out--unless you want the Man in the Mirror to find you. . . .
One year ago, two students were killed there in a grisly slaughter. The case has since become the focus of a hit podcast, The Suicide House. Though a teacher was convicted of the murders, mysteries and questions remain. The most urgent among them is why so many students who survived that horrific night have returned to the boarding house--to kill themselves.
Rory, an expert in reconstructing cold cases, is working on The Suicide House podcast with Lane, recreating the night of the killings in order to find answers that have eluded the school, the town, and the police. But the more they learn about the troubled students, the chillingly stoic culprit, and a dangerous game gone tragically wrong, the more convinced they become that something sinister is still happening. Inside Westmont Prep, the game hasn't ended. It thrives on secrecy and silence. And for its players, there may be no way to win--or to survive. . . .
MY THOUGHTS: I haven't read 'Some Choose Darkness' #1 in the Rory Moore/Lane Phillips series. If you haven't either, it's not a problem. Both books are written as stand-alones although they feature the same main characters. But, first thing Monday I am off to the library to get a copy of Some Choose Darkness. I want to read it and am annoyed with myself that I missed it when it came out.
There's a lot that goes on in this book and it takes a little while for it to start to tie in together. One thing is for sure - I never wanted to go away to school, and The Suicide House has reinforced that decision! Secret societies, dangerous pranks, dares and hazing form the background for this story of death and a dangerous obsession.
The two characters around whom this book is centred don't actually feature as prominently as I expected they would. The Suicide house begins with a rather enigmatic journal entry by a boy who has killed his brother, and gotten away with it. These journal entries continue sporadically throughout the novel.
The timelines are split between Summer 2019 when the murders occur and August 2020, at which time we meet broadcaster Mack Carter and journalist Ryder Hillier, who are both independently working on the Westmont Prep School Murders.
August 2020 is also when we meet Dr Lane Phillips, forensic psychologist and criminal profiler. I found it quite hard to get a handle on his character, another reason I want to read the preceding book. His partner, Rory Moore, is a forensic reconstructionist specializing in cold-case homicides, with a passion for the reconstruction of antique dolls. I found it quite disappointing that more use was not made of their skills.
While I really enjoyed this read, there are a few things that don't make much sense to me. There seems to be a point to most secret societies, but with the one at the centre of The Suicide House, there doesn't seem to be any point other than to participate in game of 'The Man in The Mirror'. Missing man, Marc McEvoy, was an unnecessary distraction and overcomplicated the storyline.
A new character, Gus Morelli, is introduced towards the end of The Suicide House, and I hope that we see more of him in the future.
The Suicide House certainly held my interest from start to finish. There's a few relationships between characters that didn't quite sit right for me and left me with a few questions about the resolution, therefore only a 4 star rating rather than 5 stars.
Definitely a series I want to read more of. I have enjoyed everything I have ever read by this author, and The Suicide House is no exception.
😲😲😲😲.1
THE AUTHOR: Charlie Donlea resides in Chicago with his wife and two young children.
He spends a part of each year fishing with his father in the far reaches of Canada, where the roads end and lakes are accessible only by floatplane. These majestic trips to “God’s Country” inspired the setting for his first novel, Summit Lake.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Kensington Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Suicide House by Charlie Donlea for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage
July 27, 2020
3.5 stars rounded down.
Rory and Lane are back!
But, maybe they shouldn’t be...🤔
I was ALL IN, when this book began!
Intrigued by the mysterious journal entries being read aloud by “somebody” to ????
Enjoying the podcasts hosted by the famous Mack Carter.
Loving the moxy of Ryder Hillier, a “true crime column” writer and blogger, who has more knowledge of the Westmont Prep Murders and Suicides than Mack Carter does- but lacks his name recognition.
I wanted to know what 13:3:5 meant!!
And, to see if Mack and Ryder would compete or cooperate, to solve the mysteries surrounding “The Suicide House”.
And, just as things were getting good, Mack and Ryder, become a sub plot as the focus shifts to Rory and Lane.
The pace slowed considerably as we are reintroduced to these characters (from book one, “Some Choose Darkness”.)
The author’s note at the conclusion of the book shares that Charlie Donlea, wants each of his books to be able to be read as a standalone and that he will often have characters from past books make an appearance in a new one.
I am all for cameos, but feel that I would have preferred learning what happened at the “Suicide House” through the eyes of Mack and Ryder.
Rory and Lane making a cameo appearance to share their expertise, would have been welcomed, but would not have required these characters to be “fleshed out” for a second time. There was too much repetition from book one.
I hope that Charlie Donlea moves in a new direction with his next novel, and that it is not a Rory/Lane book 3...and I say that with lots of love and admiration for the author’s work! ❤️
I would like to thank Kensington Publishing for the digital ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for a candid review!
You can pick up a copy of this on July, 28, 2020!
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!!
Rory and Lane are back!
But, maybe they shouldn’t be...🤔
I was ALL IN, when this book began!
Intrigued by the mysterious journal entries being read aloud by “somebody” to ????
Enjoying the podcasts hosted by the famous Mack Carter.
Loving the moxy of Ryder Hillier, a “true crime column” writer and blogger, who has more knowledge of the Westmont Prep Murders and Suicides than Mack Carter does- but lacks his name recognition.
I wanted to know what 13:3:5 meant!!
And, to see if Mack and Ryder would compete or cooperate, to solve the mysteries surrounding “The Suicide House”.
And, just as things were getting good, Mack and Ryder, become a sub plot as the focus shifts to Rory and Lane.
The pace slowed considerably as we are reintroduced to these characters (from book one, “Some Choose Darkness”.)
The author’s note at the conclusion of the book shares that Charlie Donlea, wants each of his books to be able to be read as a standalone and that he will often have characters from past books make an appearance in a new one.
I am all for cameos, but feel that I would have preferred learning what happened at the “Suicide House” through the eyes of Mack and Ryder.
Rory and Lane making a cameo appearance to share their expertise, would have been welcomed, but would not have required these characters to be “fleshed out” for a second time. There was too much repetition from book one.
I hope that Charlie Donlea moves in a new direction with his next novel, and that it is not a Rory/Lane book 3...and I say that with lots of love and admiration for the author’s work! ❤️
I would like to thank Kensington Publishing for the digital ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for a candid review!
You can pick up a copy of this on July, 28, 2020!
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!!
May 14, 2020
4.5 stars
Many years ago there was a commercial on TV which told people a product called Calgon would take you away. Looking for the same take me away focus, I was ever so pleased when I was approved for Charlie Donlea's newest book The Suicide House. I am pretty much of a neophyte when it comes to his books, but the one I did read Don't Believe It, provided me with many great reading hours. I am happy to report that this new book also took me on a journey where I was able to forget the Pandemic nightmare and instead focus on a nightmare being portrayed at an elite boarding school.
Rory Moore and Lane Philips enter into a world where young people have died tragically by throwing themselves in the path of an oncoming train after an initiation ritual at their prestigious high school goes disastrously awry. These two characters, first introduced in his book Some Choose Darkness form the background of ferreting out what exactly is occurring as certain students are chosen to join a secret club if they pass the man in the mirror test. The initiation takes place in an old abandoned house on both the winter and summer solstice, that once was home to the teachers in the school, but is now deserted. It lay next to railroad tracks and these tracks become the place where students have thrown their lives away.
As in most initiations, there is hazing and cruelty, and the gauntlet being thrown down as to how one can gain entrance to this most sought out secretive club. Teachers are usually the butt of pranks and one teacher in particular has been designated as the patsy for the kids initiation rites.
Things go disturbingly wrong and the students who were privy to a night where two students were massacred, hold a secret, a terrible conspiracy that threatens their very lives. As the deaths mount, Rory and Lane try to ferret out what exactly is happening. These two are wonderfully developed characters, Rory, being not only a forensic reconstructionist, but also autistic. Somehow she is the pivotal character equipped to see what other don't. Lane, is the ying to her yang and he analyzes serial killers. As we follow all the characters, there emerges the idea that one among them is a cold blooded killer and it's probably not the man who was convicted of the crime.
Fast paced, engrossing and compelling, this story will keep the reader fully engaged in the tragedy that unfolds. It's certainly was for me, a fascinating and riveting story. Definitely recommend this one and now onto more Donlea books for this reader!
Thank you to Charlie Donlea, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for a copy of this gripping book due out June 28, 2020.
Many years ago there was a commercial on TV which told people a product called Calgon would take you away. Looking for the same take me away focus, I was ever so pleased when I was approved for Charlie Donlea's newest book The Suicide House. I am pretty much of a neophyte when it comes to his books, but the one I did read Don't Believe It, provided me with many great reading hours. I am happy to report that this new book also took me on a journey where I was able to forget the Pandemic nightmare and instead focus on a nightmare being portrayed at an elite boarding school.
Rory Moore and Lane Philips enter into a world where young people have died tragically by throwing themselves in the path of an oncoming train after an initiation ritual at their prestigious high school goes disastrously awry. These two characters, first introduced in his book Some Choose Darkness form the background of ferreting out what exactly is occurring as certain students are chosen to join a secret club if they pass the man in the mirror test. The initiation takes place in an old abandoned house on both the winter and summer solstice, that once was home to the teachers in the school, but is now deserted. It lay next to railroad tracks and these tracks become the place where students have thrown their lives away.
As in most initiations, there is hazing and cruelty, and the gauntlet being thrown down as to how one can gain entrance to this most sought out secretive club. Teachers are usually the butt of pranks and one teacher in particular has been designated as the patsy for the kids initiation rites.
Things go disturbingly wrong and the students who were privy to a night where two students were massacred, hold a secret, a terrible conspiracy that threatens their very lives. As the deaths mount, Rory and Lane try to ferret out what exactly is happening. These two are wonderfully developed characters, Rory, being not only a forensic reconstructionist, but also autistic. Somehow she is the pivotal character equipped to see what other don't. Lane, is the ying to her yang and he analyzes serial killers. As we follow all the characters, there emerges the idea that one among them is a cold blooded killer and it's probably not the man who was convicted of the crime.
Fast paced, engrossing and compelling, this story will keep the reader fully engaged in the tragedy that unfolds. It's certainly was for me, a fascinating and riveting story. Definitely recommend this one and now onto more Donlea books for this reader!
Thank you to Charlie Donlea, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for a copy of this gripping book due out June 28, 2020.
April 28, 2020
3 Stars
Be Very Very Scared!
Westmont Preparatory School. An Elite School and Campus. An initiation game where select Juniors are invited to play “The Man in the Mirror.”
Much to the horror of the participants and the school, the game does not go as planned.
Podcasts detail the atrocity of the events.
An investigation involving the Police and Forensic Reconstructionist Rory Moore and Psychologist Lane Phillips take place.
The issue of course is that no one, and I mean, no one is safe.
“The Suicide House” is the third book that I’ve read by Charles Donlea. Unfortunately, it left something to be desired. It started out slow and felt more like a YA horror novel than an adult mystery suspense. It also involved a few different themes, which I personally don’t feel meshed well. It took until the middle of the book for me to be interested in the storyline (as that featured more of Rory and Lane) but unlike Mr. Donlea’s other novels, I didn’t care about the characters in the same way, which is surprising given the fact that Rory Moore and Lane Phillips both appeared in Donlea’s prior novel “Some Choose Darkness” and that was a favorite of mine.
All in all, this ended up being an enjoyable, fast paced read even though it didn’t rate as high as the other Charles Donlea novels that I’ve read. I still have a few of his books to read and plan to move them up on my tbr asap and look forward to this author’s next release.
This was another book read with Kaceey!
Thank you to NeGalley, Kensington Books and Charles Donlea for the arc.
Published on Goodreads on 4.26.20.
Be Very Very Scared!
Westmont Preparatory School. An Elite School and Campus. An initiation game where select Juniors are invited to play “The Man in the Mirror.”
Much to the horror of the participants and the school, the game does not go as planned.
Podcasts detail the atrocity of the events.
An investigation involving the Police and Forensic Reconstructionist Rory Moore and Psychologist Lane Phillips take place.
The issue of course is that no one, and I mean, no one is safe.
“The Suicide House” is the third book that I’ve read by Charles Donlea. Unfortunately, it left something to be desired. It started out slow and felt more like a YA horror novel than an adult mystery suspense. It also involved a few different themes, which I personally don’t feel meshed well. It took until the middle of the book for me to be interested in the storyline (as that featured more of Rory and Lane) but unlike Mr. Donlea’s other novels, I didn’t care about the characters in the same way, which is surprising given the fact that Rory Moore and Lane Phillips both appeared in Donlea’s prior novel “Some Choose Darkness” and that was a favorite of mine.
All in all, this ended up being an enjoyable, fast paced read even though it didn’t rate as high as the other Charles Donlea novels that I’ve read. I still have a few of his books to read and plan to move them up on my tbr asap and look forward to this author’s next release.
This was another book read with Kaceey!
Thank you to NeGalley, Kensington Books and Charles Donlea for the arc.
Published on Goodreads on 4.26.20.
July 30, 2020
3.5 stars, rounded up
The Suicide House brings back the team of Rory Moore and Lane Phillips. Rory is a forensic reconstructionist and Lane is a psychological profiler. For this plot, they undertake an investigation into the gruesome murders of two students at a prestigious boarding school which leads to the subsequent suicides of four others.
The school seemed odd from the get go. It requires therapy for all their students, not just the ones with serious issues. Part of that therapy is journal writing, which figures into the plot.
The book goes back and forth between current day and one year earlier, in the time leading up to the murder. Short choppy chapters keep the reader off balance. It started off slower than his other books and it took longer to draw me in. Donlea throws lots of red herrings into the mix to keep us confused. I was definitely up in the air as to who was behind the murders. But I also felt that the story was forced, that there were too many red herrings.
Rory, who is on the spectrum, is an interesting, complex character. She continues to remind me of Genevieve Lenard, Estelle Ryan’s MC. I recommend her books to those who enjoy Donlea and vice versa.
The Suicide House brings back the team of Rory Moore and Lane Phillips. Rory is a forensic reconstructionist and Lane is a psychological profiler. For this plot, they undertake an investigation into the gruesome murders of two students at a prestigious boarding school which leads to the subsequent suicides of four others.
The school seemed odd from the get go. It requires therapy for all their students, not just the ones with serious issues. Part of that therapy is journal writing, which figures into the plot.
The book goes back and forth between current day and one year earlier, in the time leading up to the murder. Short choppy chapters keep the reader off balance. It started off slower than his other books and it took longer to draw me in. Donlea throws lots of red herrings into the mix to keep us confused. I was definitely up in the air as to who was behind the murders. But I also felt that the story was forced, that there were too many red herrings.
Rory, who is on the spectrum, is an interesting, complex character. She continues to remind me of Genevieve Lenard, Estelle Ryan’s MC. I recommend her books to those who enjoy Donlea and vice versa.
June 11, 2020
Heart-chilling abandoned places need no words.
Charlie Donlea is venturing into the deep and the dark in this one. The Suicide House is far more than the usual "Who dun it?" that Donlea has showcased in the past. This one drifts off into minds filled with scurrying head spiders. Gave me a web-infested feeling throughout.
The stately Westmont Prep School juts out from behind tall trees. It's been renowned for almost 80 years for turning out the best in its students here in Peppermill, Indiana. But a shadow will be eclipsing this fine school this semester. Not from an over-zealous moon. More like tragedy and death.
Mack Carter has heard all the buzz about Westmont Prep. The horrific events have been like pouring gasoline while setting his podcast on fire. His fan base keeps growing and growing as they can't get enough chatter about what happened but with no "why" in sight. But there's some resentment from Ryder Hillier, researcher/journalist, who has a true crime blog on just this topic. It seems like Mack is grabbing Ryder's info for his own podcast.
With three deaths surrounding the abandoned teachers' boarding house in the overgrown acreage of Westmont Prep, highly professional help is needed. Lane Phillips, forensic psychologist, and Rory Moore have been sent in from Chicago. Rory is a forensic reconstructionist. Bordering on the autistic spectrum, Rory has an uncanny talent for seeing what others never will. She is an ace when it comes to cold cases. But will this be a chase down a dark rabbit hole for even these two?
The Suicide House has earmarkings of the stellar writing talent of Charlie Donlea. I've read every novel of his and clamor for more. But this one ranked at a 3.5 kicked up to 4 stars. It is evident that there is an abundance of research, time, and effort into this one. But The Suicide House bogged down at times with the weight of too many characters to keep track of and too many flips between time passages. I think a more linear storyline with Lane and Rory at the helm would have been the way to go. Donlea shows that he can set up a bucketful of horror with a Stephen King vibe. Next time, I'd like to see more of those Madden Girl boots from our fav, Rory.
I received a copy of The Suicide House through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Kensington Books and to the talented Charlie Donlea for the opportunity.
Charlie Donlea is venturing into the deep and the dark in this one. The Suicide House is far more than the usual "Who dun it?" that Donlea has showcased in the past. This one drifts off into minds filled with scurrying head spiders. Gave me a web-infested feeling throughout.
The stately Westmont Prep School juts out from behind tall trees. It's been renowned for almost 80 years for turning out the best in its students here in Peppermill, Indiana. But a shadow will be eclipsing this fine school this semester. Not from an over-zealous moon. More like tragedy and death.
Mack Carter has heard all the buzz about Westmont Prep. The horrific events have been like pouring gasoline while setting his podcast on fire. His fan base keeps growing and growing as they can't get enough chatter about what happened but with no "why" in sight. But there's some resentment from Ryder Hillier, researcher/journalist, who has a true crime blog on just this topic. It seems like Mack is grabbing Ryder's info for his own podcast.
With three deaths surrounding the abandoned teachers' boarding house in the overgrown acreage of Westmont Prep, highly professional help is needed. Lane Phillips, forensic psychologist, and Rory Moore have been sent in from Chicago. Rory is a forensic reconstructionist. Bordering on the autistic spectrum, Rory has an uncanny talent for seeing what others never will. She is an ace when it comes to cold cases. But will this be a chase down a dark rabbit hole for even these two?
The Suicide House has earmarkings of the stellar writing talent of Charlie Donlea. I've read every novel of his and clamor for more. But this one ranked at a 3.5 kicked up to 4 stars. It is evident that there is an abundance of research, time, and effort into this one. But The Suicide House bogged down at times with the weight of too many characters to keep track of and too many flips between time passages. I think a more linear storyline with Lane and Rory at the helm would have been the way to go. Donlea shows that he can set up a bucketful of horror with a Stephen King vibe. Next time, I'd like to see more of those Madden Girl boots from our fav, Rory.
I received a copy of The Suicide House through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Kensington Books and to the talented Charlie Donlea for the opportunity.
July 28, 2020
**AVAILABLE TODAY**
"This wasn't a couple of kids screwing around. This was a goddamn slaughter."
I didn't realize when I requested this novel that it was the sequel to Some Choose Darkness, which I have never read. Thankfully, The Suicide House can be read as a standalone, but there is a very stark sense of missing a great deal of character history and background.
The story was interesting enough--murder and mayhem at an elite boarding school in small-town Indiana. Unfortunately, there was so much going on, it diluted the mystery. While the conclusion was eventually tied neatly with a big, red bow, the sheer number of characters and story lines decreased my enthusiasm and diverted my attention to other chores and errands.
Very early in the story, I suspected two characters...I wasn't sure which it was, but I narrowed in on them almost immediately. When it was all said and done...I was proven correct. So, yea. That was a bummer.
I may choose to read the first book in this series...I haven't decided yet. I did love Rory and the way her mind was explained. Having a son on the spectrum, I could relate to her genius and her quirks. Thankfully, her spectrum traits weren't portrayed in a derogatory manner either, which I appreciated.
Bottom line: This had the potential to be an amazing story, but it just tried to do too much. 3.5 stars.
TRIGGER WARNING: Gratuitous violence and gore.
Available July 28th.
My sincere thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for my review copy.
"This wasn't a couple of kids screwing around. This was a goddamn slaughter."
I didn't realize when I requested this novel that it was the sequel to Some Choose Darkness, which I have never read. Thankfully, The Suicide House can be read as a standalone, but there is a very stark sense of missing a great deal of character history and background.
The story was interesting enough--murder and mayhem at an elite boarding school in small-town Indiana. Unfortunately, there was so much going on, it diluted the mystery. While the conclusion was eventually tied neatly with a big, red bow, the sheer number of characters and story lines decreased my enthusiasm and diverted my attention to other chores and errands.
Very early in the story, I suspected two characters...I wasn't sure which it was, but I narrowed in on them almost immediately. When it was all said and done...I was proven correct. So, yea. That was a bummer.
I may choose to read the first book in this series...I haven't decided yet. I did love Rory and the way her mind was explained. Having a son on the spectrum, I could relate to her genius and her quirks. Thankfully, her spectrum traits weren't portrayed in a derogatory manner either, which I appreciated.
Bottom line: This had the potential to be an amazing story, but it just tried to do too much. 3.5 stars.
TRIGGER WARNING: Gratuitous violence and gore.
Available July 28th.
My sincere thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for my review copy.
August 18, 2020
A new favorite author! After shamefully offering a two star rating on an excerpt, I need to walk or perhaps run back my dismal rating and "eat crow."
The Suicide House is a chilling tale of murders at a prestigious preparatory school and the people who are tasked to solve the case that has since gone cold. Rory Moore, a forensic reconstructionist, together with her partner Lane Phillips, are brought on the case to reconstruct clues and evidence in the hopes that the case can finally be solved and closed.
A gripping mystery-thriller. You won't be disappointed if you enjoy this genre. You will be captured by the intensity of the narrative until the end. Five stars which is a drastic change from my initial assessment. I thoroughly enjoyed The Suicide House and look forward to reading more from the author, Charlie Donlea.
The Suicide House is a chilling tale of murders at a prestigious preparatory school and the people who are tasked to solve the case that has since gone cold. Rory Moore, a forensic reconstructionist, together with her partner Lane Phillips, are brought on the case to reconstruct clues and evidence in the hopes that the case can finally be solved and closed.
A gripping mystery-thriller. You won't be disappointed if you enjoy this genre. You will be captured by the intensity of the narrative until the end. Five stars which is a drastic change from my initial assessment. I thoroughly enjoyed The Suicide House and look forward to reading more from the author, Charlie Donlea.
September 24, 2023
Nos volvemos a encontrar con Rory y Lane en un nuevo caso que les lleva a investigar las muertes que han ocurrido en el internado Westmont.
Charlie Donlea sabe jugar con los tiempos creando una trama muy dinámica donde se intercalan dos escenarios temporales: pasado y presente, junto a un diario escrito hace un tiempo.
Verano 2019, dos alumnos del internado son asesinados. Pero no queda ahí la cosa, del grupo de 6 alumnos "elegidos" a participar en ese evento especial, dos más han fallecido en el transcurso de un año ¿Suicidio? ¿Culpa? ...
Conoceremos un poco cómo funciona este internado, cuyo lema es: Vendrán solos, se marcharán juntos -¡Qué mal rollo me dan estos internados!-, el perfil de alguno de sus alumnos, profesores y miembros del claustro.
Agosto 2020, le piden a Lane que colabore como experto en un podcast de éxito que ha retomado el caso del instituto y al aceptar, arrastra con él a Rory, nuestra investigadora forense -con sus peculiaridades autistas, obsesivas- que no podrá descansar hasta que resuelva el caso.
Tenemos una periodista local que tiene un blog sobre el caso del internado y que además investiga varios casos para el periódico donde trabaja -¿Estará algún otro caso relacionado?-
Y no podemos olvidar la lectura del diario de un adolescente al que no le tiembla la mano para relatar un asesinato. Alguien que no tolera a los frágiles ni a los maltratadores -¿¡A los pobres maltratados, tampoco!?-
Con todos estos ingredientes el autor va intercalando capítulos muy cortos, que te dejan con ganas de seguir leyendo aunque solo sea un capítulo más. Los tiempos están muy bien manejados, la intriga se mantiene, los personajes correctos, bien perfilados aunque un poco estereotipados. Vuelve a utilizar el recurso de ocultar algún nombre hasta última hora, por ello, aunque sospeches o adivines algunas cosas es difícil adivinar quién es el autor del diario y de los hechos. Al final el caso se resuelve y todas las piezas encajan. No me ha gustado o más bien me ha sobrado que se repitan a lo largo del libro algunas peculiaridades y actos que realiza Rory.
He disfrutado con su lectura, me ha tenido atrapada. No es una lectura maestra que vaya a recordar con el tiempo, aún así es probable que siga con la serie -¡Rory ha descubierto una colección de casos que reclaman su atención!-
Valoración: 8/10
Lectura: septiembre 2023
Charlie Donlea sabe jugar con los tiempos creando una trama muy dinámica donde se intercalan dos escenarios temporales: pasado y presente, junto a un diario escrito hace un tiempo.
Verano 2019, dos alumnos del internado son asesinados. Pero no queda ahí la cosa, del grupo de 6 alumnos "elegidos" a participar en ese evento especial, dos más han fallecido en el transcurso de un año ¿Suicidio? ¿Culpa? ...
Conoceremos un poco cómo funciona este internado, cuyo lema es: Vendrán solos, se marcharán juntos -¡Qué mal rollo me dan estos internados!-, el perfil de alguno de sus alumnos, profesores y miembros del claustro.
Agosto 2020, le piden a Lane que colabore como experto en un podcast de éxito que ha retomado el caso del instituto y al aceptar, arrastra con él a Rory, nuestra investigadora forense -con sus peculiaridades autistas, obsesivas- que no podrá descansar hasta que resuelva el caso.
Tenemos una periodista local que tiene un blog sobre el caso del internado y que además investiga varios casos para el periódico donde trabaja -¿Estará algún otro caso relacionado?-
Y no podemos olvidar la lectura del diario de un adolescente al que no le tiembla la mano para relatar un asesinato. Alguien que no tolera a los frágiles ni a los maltratadores -¿¡A los pobres maltratados, tampoco!?-
Con todos estos ingredientes el autor va intercalando capítulos muy cortos, que te dejan con ganas de seguir leyendo aunque solo sea un capítulo más. Los tiempos están muy bien manejados, la intriga se mantiene, los personajes correctos, bien perfilados aunque un poco estereotipados. Vuelve a utilizar el recurso de ocultar algún nombre hasta última hora, por ello, aunque sospeches o adivines algunas cosas es difícil adivinar quién es el autor del diario y de los hechos. Al final el caso se resuelve y todas las piezas encajan. No me ha gustado o más bien me ha sobrado que se repitan a lo largo del libro algunas peculiaridades y actos que realiza Rory.
He disfrutado con su lectura, me ha tenido atrapada. No es una lectura maestra que vaya a recordar con el tiempo, aún así es probable que siga con la serie -¡Rory ha descubierto una colección de casos que reclaman su atención!-
Valoración: 8/10
Lectura: septiembre 2023
May 13, 2020
Two students enter an abandoned old house on a dare.
A disturbing history is revealed in a private journal.
Police are called to a grisly scene near a prestigious prep school.
Holy Moly…and we’re off! Three distinct & creepy threads make up a prologue that immediately grabs your attention & fills your head with 100 questions. Who are these people, are the events related, what the hell just happened…..there, I got you started.
We soon realize everything revolves around an horrific event in Peppermill, Indiana during the summer of 2019. That’s where you’ll find Westmont Preparatory H. S., a prestigious academy that takes in teens & spits them out 4 years later, polished & ready for uni. On the summer solstice, a group of students made their way to an old house on school grounds. Most returned home. Two did not.
Detective Henry Ott was called to the scene & although a local man was eventually convicted of murder, he’s never been able to let go of what he saw that night. One year later & several students have returned to the area & committed suicide, one by one. Despite the school’s efforts to hush up the whole mess, the cases are currently the topic of a hugely popular podcast & true crime website.
And that’s when criminal profiler Dr. Lane Phillips & his partner Rory Moore get involved. We were introduced to them in Some Choose Darkness & they’re an interesting pair. Rory usually consults with the Chicago P.D. She has a unique ability to recreate a crime scene & “see” what others missed. Rory falls somewhere on the autism spectrum & although she lacks social skills, her eidetic memory & obsessive need for detail mean she’s a rock star in the world of cold case solves.
The book has an interesting format that serves the multiple story lines very well. Rory & Lane are key characters but they share narrating duties with several others in alternating chapters. This means you gradually get the low down on what happened in 2019 as events in current day unfold. It effectively builds tension as what you learn about the original case begins to inform Rory & Lane’s investigation. And it’s obvious pretty damn quick that someone would rather they stop digging & put Peppermill in their rearview mirror.
After reading the previous book, I knew this was a series I’d follow. One of the reasons is the intriguing MC’s & their relationship. Lane is a smart & driven man who accepts Rory & all her personal tics as is. As for Rory, I enjoy watching how her brain picks away at a puzzle. The author portrays her as completely self aware, someone who has learned how to channel the “gift” she’s been given in order to function. Her hobby of restoring antique dolls is particularly poignant as the meticulous care she puts into fixing their broken bodies mirrors the effort it takes for her to manage her life.
But the other reason I knew I’d be back is the author’s ability to spin a compelling story that keeps you reading. As each thread progresses, connections are made & the reader begins the game of name-that-killer. I was keeping my eye on a couple of candidates but it wasn’t ’til the final pages that i knew their identity. At some points we know more than Rory & this adds nicely to the tension that culminates in a creepy finale. A bonus for faithful fans are cameos by several characters from previous books. If Moore/Phillips #3 is on the way, I’m all in.
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
A disturbing history is revealed in a private journal.
Police are called to a grisly scene near a prestigious prep school.
Holy Moly…and we’re off! Three distinct & creepy threads make up a prologue that immediately grabs your attention & fills your head with 100 questions. Who are these people, are the events related, what the hell just happened…..there, I got you started.
We soon realize everything revolves around an horrific event in Peppermill, Indiana during the summer of 2019. That’s where you’ll find Westmont Preparatory H. S., a prestigious academy that takes in teens & spits them out 4 years later, polished & ready for uni. On the summer solstice, a group of students made their way to an old house on school grounds. Most returned home. Two did not.
Detective Henry Ott was called to the scene & although a local man was eventually convicted of murder, he’s never been able to let go of what he saw that night. One year later & several students have returned to the area & committed suicide, one by one. Despite the school’s efforts to hush up the whole mess, the cases are currently the topic of a hugely popular podcast & true crime website.
And that’s when criminal profiler Dr. Lane Phillips & his partner Rory Moore get involved. We were introduced to them in Some Choose Darkness & they’re an interesting pair. Rory usually consults with the Chicago P.D. She has a unique ability to recreate a crime scene & “see” what others missed. Rory falls somewhere on the autism spectrum & although she lacks social skills, her eidetic memory & obsessive need for detail mean she’s a rock star in the world of cold case solves.
The book has an interesting format that serves the multiple story lines very well. Rory & Lane are key characters but they share narrating duties with several others in alternating chapters. This means you gradually get the low down on what happened in 2019 as events in current day unfold. It effectively builds tension as what you learn about the original case begins to inform Rory & Lane’s investigation. And it’s obvious pretty damn quick that someone would rather they stop digging & put Peppermill in their rearview mirror.
After reading the previous book, I knew this was a series I’d follow. One of the reasons is the intriguing MC’s & their relationship. Lane is a smart & driven man who accepts Rory & all her personal tics as is. As for Rory, I enjoy watching how her brain picks away at a puzzle. The author portrays her as completely self aware, someone who has learned how to channel the “gift” she’s been given in order to function. Her hobby of restoring antique dolls is particularly poignant as the meticulous care she puts into fixing their broken bodies mirrors the effort it takes for her to manage her life.
But the other reason I knew I’d be back is the author’s ability to spin a compelling story that keeps you reading. As each thread progresses, connections are made & the reader begins the game of name-that-killer. I was keeping my eye on a couple of candidates but it wasn’t ’til the final pages that i knew their identity. At some points we know more than Rory & this adds nicely to the tension that culminates in a creepy finale. A bonus for faithful fans are cameos by several characters from previous books. If Moore/Phillips #3 is on the way, I’m all in.
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
March 5, 2021
4 stars
This had all of the best tropes: journal entries, podcasts, multiple timelines, boarding schools, and secrets. Y'all excited after that list? Me too.
Plot/Pacing: ★★★★★
Villain(s)/Reveal(s): ★★★★
Writing: ★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★
Hidden within Indiana's Westmont Prep boarding school lies a world of secrets. At the core of those secrets is The Man in the Mirror—a secret society club run by the seniors. It involves a brutal hazing period for junior initiates and a dark night spent in the woods and in the abandoned boarding house at the edge of the property.
But when the night ends in two murders, things will never be the same.
And then several more students commit suicide at the scene of the crime.
Forensic reconstructionist Rory Moore and her psychologist partner, Lane Phillips, are used to the weird cases. Armed with enough knowledge to puzzle out the coldest of cold cases, Moore and Phillips come to Indiana with the intent of solving the weird case. They're faced with the murders, the suicides, a YouTube journalist with an agenda of her own, a hit-series crime podcast stirring up trouble, and a detective willing to bend the rules to get to the bottom of his case.
Drawn deeper and deeper into a web, they don't realize that the murderer is very aware of their progress. And the murderer is ready.
Things I loved:
Rory Moore - fantastic character, and compelling enough to make me pick up Charlie Donlea's backlist to read more of her. (You don't need to read the previous book to read this one, it's essentially a standalone.) I also loved that there were enough shocks, red herrings, and curious plot points to keep me continually guessing throughout the book. While I did guess the murderer before I was supposed to, I did NOT see several of the side plot surprises coming...which is really impressive and means it was a good one for me.
Things I didn't love:
Right off the bat, I want to address the elephant in the room: the title. I think it was a bit much, if I'm honest, and we could have easily called this "Murder House" or something of the like as the suicides....weren't actually the core of the novel....so it was clearly a shock value thing. And as a shock value thing, I think its trivializing the triggering subject matter. I don't think anyone who is triggered will pick this book up given its title - a positive? - but still, wanted to put my uncomfortable feelings out there.
This is a personal taste thing, but I really struggled with the actual structure and writing of this novel. I'm clearly in the minority as several of my friends love his books, but something about the writing just never jelled with me. That, plus the fact that this is a 300 page book with over 100 chapters in it.... the average chapter length was 3 pages! I get antsy with those types of chapters, because I feel like I never sink my teeth into the moment. So for that reason, I had a bit of a harder time with this book than I would have liked. But it was still a fantastic read, so take that as you will!
Looking forward to more Charlie Donlea in the future.
Thank you to Kensington Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Instagram
This had all of the best tropes: journal entries, podcasts, multiple timelines, boarding schools, and secrets. Y'all excited after that list? Me too.
Plot/Pacing: ★★★★★
Villain(s)/Reveal(s): ★★★★
Writing: ★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★
Hidden within Indiana's Westmont Prep boarding school lies a world of secrets. At the core of those secrets is The Man in the Mirror—a secret society club run by the seniors. It involves a brutal hazing period for junior initiates and a dark night spent in the woods and in the abandoned boarding house at the edge of the property.
But when the night ends in two murders, things will never be the same.
And then several more students commit suicide at the scene of the crime.
Forensic reconstructionist Rory Moore and her psychologist partner, Lane Phillips, are used to the weird cases. Armed with enough knowledge to puzzle out the coldest of cold cases, Moore and Phillips come to Indiana with the intent of solving the weird case. They're faced with the murders, the suicides, a YouTube journalist with an agenda of her own, a hit-series crime podcast stirring up trouble, and a detective willing to bend the rules to get to the bottom of his case.
Drawn deeper and deeper into a web, they don't realize that the murderer is very aware of their progress. And the murderer is ready.
Things I loved:
Rory Moore - fantastic character, and compelling enough to make me pick up Charlie Donlea's backlist to read more of her. (You don't need to read the previous book to read this one, it's essentially a standalone.) I also loved that there were enough shocks, red herrings, and curious plot points to keep me continually guessing throughout the book. While I did guess the murderer before I was supposed to, I did NOT see several of the side plot surprises coming...which is really impressive and means it was a good one for me.
Things I didn't love:
Right off the bat, I want to address the elephant in the room: the title. I think it was a bit much, if I'm honest, and we could have easily called this "Murder House" or something of the like as the suicides....weren't actually the core of the novel....so it was clearly a shock value thing. And as a shock value thing, I think its trivializing the triggering subject matter. I don't think anyone who is triggered will pick this book up given its title - a positive? - but still, wanted to put my uncomfortable feelings out there.
This is a personal taste thing, but I really struggled with the actual structure and writing of this novel. I'm clearly in the minority as several of my friends love his books, but something about the writing just never jelled with me. That, plus the fact that this is a 300 page book with over 100 chapters in it.... the average chapter length was 3 pages! I get antsy with those types of chapters, because I feel like I never sink my teeth into the moment. So for that reason, I had a bit of a harder time with this book than I would have liked. But it was still a fantastic read, so take that as you will!
Looking forward to more Charlie Donlea in the future.
Thank you to Kensington Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Instagram
May 24, 2020
If you have always thought exclusive boarding schools featured Robin Williams inspiring generations of young scholars like in Dead Poet's Society, you are in for a bit of surprise. Cause here that prep school is more like a scene from The Shining or perhaps the Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Westmont Prep School is exclusive. It's gated. It's a special place with counseling even for the troubled and wayward youth and it's motto is that, you enter the gates alone, but leave together. Except for one fateful night on the Summer Solstice when two young prodigies never leave at all. They are butchered. One in a bloody mess in a drawing room and one impaled on a gate. And, in succeeding years, other students involved have killed themselves. Luckily, the suspicion quickly turned to a tormented faculty member who also tried suicide and ended up in a vegetative state. There were rumors for years of a secret society and secret initiation rituals, rumors of dark secrets that perhaps never should be unearthed.
Donlea approaches this murder mystery from a number of angles, which is an approach at once enlightening and confusing. Intermixed with narratives about what happened are competing podcasts because this has now become a true crime fascination for thousands across the internet. And, a most interesting pair of forensic reconstructionists get involved. Lane is a famed ex FBI psychiatrist profiler. Rory is an intuitive genius who can look at a crime scene and see things in cold case evidence no one else can see. She is also a sufferer of obsessive compulsiveness and is forever walled off from people. This is he second novel involving this pair who are romantically entwined.
An appealing thriller that is filled where the tension inexorably builds as the crime unfolds and things are slowly but surely revealed with typical thriller misdirection. Certainly a surprisingly worthwhile read.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
Donlea approaches this murder mystery from a number of angles, which is an approach at once enlightening and confusing. Intermixed with narratives about what happened are competing podcasts because this has now become a true crime fascination for thousands across the internet. And, a most interesting pair of forensic reconstructionists get involved. Lane is a famed ex FBI psychiatrist profiler. Rory is an intuitive genius who can look at a crime scene and see things in cold case evidence no one else can see. She is also a sufferer of obsessive compulsiveness and is forever walled off from people. This is he second novel involving this pair who are romantically entwined.
An appealing thriller that is filled where the tension inexorably builds as the crime unfolds and things are slowly but surely revealed with typical thriller misdirection. Certainly a surprisingly worthwhile read.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
dnf-lost-interest
July 13, 2020*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
July 29, 2020
I received an advanced copy of this book from Net Galley and the publisher in return for an honest review. The release date for this book was 28 July 2020
This book was incredible, amazing, enthralling - a marvelous thriller you won’t regret reading!! The characters are unique and intriguing and the plot twists just keep on coming. This isn’t a book for the faint of heart but anyone who loves a great thriller must read this book! I just couldn’t put it down and look forward to reading more from this author.
October 6, 2023
Thriller algo irregular en su desarrollo. Un comienzo muy bueno y una intriga potente pero a lo largo de la lectura el avance es lento y algo repetitivo.
La protagonista es una mujer con altas capacidades y con algún trastorno del tipo autista. Junto a su pareja se dedica a revisar casos criminales sin resolver de forma extraordinariamente eficiente.
No es mal libro, engancha, pero más agilidad en los acontecimientos hubiera sido estupendo.
La protagonista es una mujer con altas capacidades y con algún trastorno del tipo autista. Junto a su pareja se dedica a revisar casos criminales sin resolver de forma extraordinariamente eficiente.
No es mal libro, engancha, pero más agilidad en los acontecimientos hubiera sido estupendo.
July 19, 2020
Some Choose Darkness was the first Charlie Donlea book that I read. So I was pleasantly surprised when I found that The Suicide House brings back 2 characters from that book. But you do not need to have read it to enjoy Suicide House. Again Donlea has given us a book full of twists and drama. I read this in 2 sittings and couldn’t get enough.
Suicide House is a podcast that has true crime fans excited. Just over a year ago 2 students were brutally murdered on the grounds of Westmont Prep School. A teacher was charged with the murders but why are other students who were involved on the night returning to the scene and killing themselves? And there are some that do not believe that the teacher was the murderer. Forensic Reconstructionist Rory Moore and her partner Lane Phillips get involved and early on it is clear that someone doesn’t want the case to be investigated.
Another fantastic book from Charlie Donlea. Thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.
Suicide House is a podcast that has true crime fans excited. Just over a year ago 2 students were brutally murdered on the grounds of Westmont Prep School. A teacher was charged with the murders but why are other students who were involved on the night returning to the scene and killing themselves? And there are some that do not believe that the teacher was the murderer. Forensic Reconstructionist Rory Moore and her partner Lane Phillips get involved and early on it is clear that someone doesn’t want the case to be investigated.
Another fantastic book from Charlie Donlea. Thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.
April 30, 2020
I, unfortunately, didn’t like this. It was repetitive, too many characters, unnecessary information (doll restoration), and one character ruined a lot of the story for me. Then the ending just came and went leaving me wondering, “that’s it?”. I mostly enjoyed the killers journal entries, that was the best part. Some parts interesting and other parts boring. Not his best work.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2020
Westmont Prep High School - an elite boarding school in Indiana harboring some big secrets. When a group of selected students join the initiation for a top-secret cult led by upperclassmen, those secrets unleash horrifying murders and suicides. The murderer was caught, supposedly. But why the suicides?
Popular podcasts have kept the murders in the news, especially since the spate of suicides involving students have occurred. Rory Moore, forensic re-constructionist along with her work colleague and life partner, serial profiler Lane Phillips, are called to assist with research on the podcast. And the fun begins.
The Suicide House is a wonderful, suspenseful whodunit which kept me wondering throughout. There were so many possibilities and red herrings tossed out by the author, Charlie Donlea. To be fair, the red herrings all contributed to the conclusion, but never in the way I thought they would. There's nothing better than a book that surprises you throughout, all the way to the end. This one definitely did that!
The book is a stand-alone, but its predecessor, Some Choose Darkness, which I can't wait to read, apparently introduces the character of Rory, and gives some background as to her unique character, including her obsessive-compulsive disorder and possible placement on the autism spectrum. I found her character fascinating, especially her obsession with restoring antique dolls. Although some might wonder why this element is even part of the story, I found a parallel between her restoration and reconstruction of broken dolls from the past, and her reconstruction of cold cases, fitting pieces together to make sense of them again.
This was my first Charlie Donlea book, but it won't be my last.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
5 creepy stars!
Popular podcasts have kept the murders in the news, especially since the spate of suicides involving students have occurred. Rory Moore, forensic re-constructionist along with her work colleague and life partner, serial profiler Lane Phillips, are called to assist with research on the podcast. And the fun begins.
The Suicide House is a wonderful, suspenseful whodunit which kept me wondering throughout. There were so many possibilities and red herrings tossed out by the author, Charlie Donlea. To be fair, the red herrings all contributed to the conclusion, but never in the way I thought they would. There's nothing better than a book that surprises you throughout, all the way to the end. This one definitely did that!
The book is a stand-alone, but its predecessor, Some Choose Darkness, which I can't wait to read, apparently introduces the character of Rory, and gives some background as to her unique character, including her obsessive-compulsive disorder and possible placement on the autism spectrum. I found her character fascinating, especially her obsession with restoring antique dolls. Although some might wonder why this element is even part of the story, I found a parallel between her restoration and reconstruction of broken dolls from the past, and her reconstruction of cold cases, fitting pieces together to make sense of them again.
This was my first Charlie Donlea book, but it won't be my last.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
5 creepy stars!
August 7, 2020
Murder in a prestigious prep school - count me in! I knew I would love this one pretty much based on the back cover blurb, as I am a complete sucker for prep school thrillers, but this one exceeded my expectations in every way.
First of all, I'm not sure what rock I've been hiding under, but this was my first Charlie Donlea book (so I obviously had no clue going into this book that it was #2 in the series). It hit me fairly early on that this had to be a series, as the characters of Lane and Rory were so familiar, if that makes sense. As a rule, I don't read many series books, but I loved the back stories and chemistry between Lane and Rory, so book one is a must read for me. That being said, this one also works well as a standalone.
The premise is everything. One year ago, two students were killed at elite Westmont Prepatory High School in a grisly slaughter. The case has since become the focus of a hit podcast, The Suicide House. Though a teacher was convicted of the murders, mysteries and questions remain. The most urgent among them is why so many students who survived that horrific night have returned to the boarding house–just to kill themselves. Enter Rory, an expert in reconstructing cold cases, who is working on The Suicide House podcast with her boyfriend Lane, to recreate the night of the killings. The more they learn about the troubled students, the accused, and a dangerous game gone tragically wrong, the more convinced they become that something much more sinister is going on, and someone will stop at nothing to be sure that the silence and secrecy continues.
There is a lot going on with the plot and there are a few characters to keep track of, so it did take me a little bit of time to really get into the story, but once I did, I was all in! I really like how Donlea gives the reader glimpses of the killer through their journal entries and combined with the blogging and podcasts, it gave the book a real feeling of being on a campus in which these things could really be taking place. My favorite chapters were the flashbacks to a year ago at the school - they had a very sinister feel to them, as you know many of the kids will be dead within a year. There are definitely enough hints along the way to figure out the "whodunnit," but even though I had a good idea, there were still parts that surprised me and really made all of the pieces fall into place, as I had continuously second guessed my conclusions.
Overall, it's a complex, slow-burn thriller that is worth the somewhat laborious start. I highly recommend to keep reading because when the climax hits, it hits hard and fast and then you won't want to put it down. 4 chilling stars!
First of all, I'm not sure what rock I've been hiding under, but this was my first Charlie Donlea book (so I obviously had no clue going into this book that it was #2 in the series). It hit me fairly early on that this had to be a series, as the characters of Lane and Rory were so familiar, if that makes sense. As a rule, I don't read many series books, but I loved the back stories and chemistry between Lane and Rory, so book one is a must read for me. That being said, this one also works well as a standalone.
The premise is everything. One year ago, two students were killed at elite Westmont Prepatory High School in a grisly slaughter. The case has since become the focus of a hit podcast, The Suicide House. Though a teacher was convicted of the murders, mysteries and questions remain. The most urgent among them is why so many students who survived that horrific night have returned to the boarding house–just to kill themselves. Enter Rory, an expert in reconstructing cold cases, who is working on The Suicide House podcast with her boyfriend Lane, to recreate the night of the killings. The more they learn about the troubled students, the accused, and a dangerous game gone tragically wrong, the more convinced they become that something much more sinister is going on, and someone will stop at nothing to be sure that the silence and secrecy continues.
There is a lot going on with the plot and there are a few characters to keep track of, so it did take me a little bit of time to really get into the story, but once I did, I was all in! I really like how Donlea gives the reader glimpses of the killer through their journal entries and combined with the blogging and podcasts, it gave the book a real feeling of being on a campus in which these things could really be taking place. My favorite chapters were the flashbacks to a year ago at the school - they had a very sinister feel to them, as you know many of the kids will be dead within a year. There are definitely enough hints along the way to figure out the "whodunnit," but even though I had a good idea, there were still parts that surprised me and really made all of the pieces fall into place, as I had continuously second guessed my conclusions.
Overall, it's a complex, slow-burn thriller that is worth the somewhat laborious start. I highly recommend to keep reading because when the climax hits, it hits hard and fast and then you won't want to put it down. 4 chilling stars!
December 31, 2020
I am addicted to podcasts, especially ones that delve into creepy or unsolved mysteries and true crime. This book grabbed my attention not just because I'm always up for a "What evil lurks at the fancy prep school'' suspense story, but also because a podcast is central to the plot. If The Suicide House were a true story, I guarantee I would be a huge fan of Rory Moore and Lane Phillips! Rory and Lane have talents that make them notice details that others might miss. Rory is autistic and puts her senses to work as a forensic reconstructionist and Lane has a knack for analyzing serial killers. Together they are true crime podcast dynamos!
I discovered when I started reading The Suicide House that there is a prior book featuring Rory and Lane -- Some Choose Darkness. I read this novel for review without having read the first book...but I'm going to backtrack and read Some Choose Darkness and then revisit this novel.
There is a lot going on in this book -- different story lines, the past case of students murdered at an abandoned boarding house near the grounds of Westmont Prep, and other students committing suicide, and more. There are also POV changes, lots of characters and events happening all at once. It's a bit chaotic -- but in reality wouldn't a case like this have about a million rabbit holes to make investigation a nightmare? I think the plot busy-ness added to the psychological feel of this story.....so much going on, so much hidden, so many things playing off each other.
Great book! I already have the first book checked out from my local library's digital site. I think I might understand Rory and Lane a bit better if I read the first book and then revisit The Suicide House.
This book definitely kept my attention from start to finish. I loved the podcast angle. The pacing is slow enough to build tension but not too slow, and there are definitely plenty of twists and turns.
Loved it! I hope there is more Rory & Lane to come!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Additional read:
I love listening to thrillers on audio. I decided to listen to this story for a second reading. Narrated by Vivienne Leheny, the audio is just shy of 10.5 hours. I listened to the book while doing yardwork.
Even though I knew the plot already, I enjoyed my second read of this book. Laheny has a nice voice and reads at a steady pace. She gives a skilled voice acting performance. I find that listening to mysteries and thrillers on audio heightens the suspense for me. It makes it seem more real.
I have the first book in this series -- Some Choose Darkness -- checked out on audio from my local library. Listening to it next!
I discovered when I started reading The Suicide House that there is a prior book featuring Rory and Lane -- Some Choose Darkness. I read this novel for review without having read the first book...but I'm going to backtrack and read Some Choose Darkness and then revisit this novel.
There is a lot going on in this book -- different story lines, the past case of students murdered at an abandoned boarding house near the grounds of Westmont Prep, and other students committing suicide, and more. There are also POV changes, lots of characters and events happening all at once. It's a bit chaotic -- but in reality wouldn't a case like this have about a million rabbit holes to make investigation a nightmare? I think the plot busy-ness added to the psychological feel of this story.....so much going on, so much hidden, so many things playing off each other.
Great book! I already have the first book checked out from my local library's digital site. I think I might understand Rory and Lane a bit better if I read the first book and then revisit The Suicide House.
This book definitely kept my attention from start to finish. I loved the podcast angle. The pacing is slow enough to build tension but not too slow, and there are definitely plenty of twists and turns.
Loved it! I hope there is more Rory & Lane to come!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Additional read:
I love listening to thrillers on audio. I decided to listen to this story for a second reading. Narrated by Vivienne Leheny, the audio is just shy of 10.5 hours. I listened to the book while doing yardwork.
Even though I knew the plot already, I enjoyed my second read of this book. Laheny has a nice voice and reads at a steady pace. She gives a skilled voice acting performance. I find that listening to mysteries and thrillers on audio heightens the suspense for me. It makes it seem more real.
I have the first book in this series -- Some Choose Darkness -- checked out on audio from my local library. Listening to it next!
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