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Memory Scents
She looked even more beautiful now than she had when she'd been alive. her green eyes were still sparkling, but now glazed they held a snapshot of the fear she had endured only moments previously. Death fascinated Tim. The way a person's eyes altered, showing no emotion, becoming empty, coloured oval shaped glass. He loved that part, when he could reflect on the stillness of his victim like a photo in an album.
It's been ten years since the disappearance of Alice and her mother, Eve can't process the information she may have been murdered by a serial killer. She finds solace in writing Alice love letters, believing this will bring her daughter home, but years of denial, pain and isolation have left behind an inability to accept the truth.
A series of unsolved child murders is the shocking news that greets Chrissie shortly after moving to a picturesque North Norfolk coastal village. Sinister paranormal activity in her idyllic cottage causes her to wonder if she is receiving a message from one of the victims, or if her memory is playing tricks on her and she is recalling a past life. Many eerie coincidences begin to reveal the truth.
Grace is married to a serial killer, something she has been aware of for over a year. Her decision to keep it a secret comes from her desire for revenge, but she may have left her carefully thought out plans too late.
All three women are linked by their connection to the same nightmare, as they try to unravel the catastrophic chain of events caused by a child killer.
It's been ten years since the disappearance of Alice and her mother, Eve can't process the information she may have been murdered by a serial killer. She finds solace in writing Alice love letters, believing this will bring her daughter home, but years of denial, pain and isolation have left behind an inability to accept the truth.
A series of unsolved child murders is the shocking news that greets Chrissie shortly after moving to a picturesque North Norfolk coastal village. Sinister paranormal activity in her idyllic cottage causes her to wonder if she is receiving a message from one of the victims, or if her memory is playing tricks on her and she is recalling a past life. Many eerie coincidences begin to reveal the truth.
Grace is married to a serial killer, something she has been aware of for over a year. Her decision to keep it a secret comes from her desire for revenge, but she may have left her carefully thought out plans too late.
All three women are linked by their connection to the same nightmare, as they try to unravel the catastrophic chain of events caused by a child killer.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2012
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574 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 20, 2015
From cover to cover this book kept me turning the pages. We never realize how what we do and say affects the people we deal with. Tim grew up in a house not wanted by his mother and therefore made the choice in his life to become a serial killer. One girl escaped only to later on be confronted by her tormentor. Lives intertwined and secrets came out. You will not want to put this thriller down.
June 9, 2012
I was pleasantly surprised by this murder thriller. It had the feel of a creepy psychopath storyline mixed with the guilt of the enabler and the pain of the victims/victims family.
I thought the concept of giving the three females such a distinct voice, who in turn were connected via the crimes, was what made it such a good read. The reader feels the mother hoping for a sign of life, despite the reality of her situation. Knowing that the enabler waits and watches, yet does nothing. Finally the young woman who is drawn to a place that jolts memories of past events. Instead of having to guess who the culprit is the reader takes a walk along memory lane with the serial killer, whilst he is planning his next crime. So in fact there are four strong subplots leading to one core and and unexpected end.
Some of the dialogue between the characters was a little stinted and didn't flow well. I also thought that the scene with the revenge plot would have been a very strong ending, but it seemed as if the author perhaps changed her mind and added on an extra scene or two. Great read.
I thought the concept of giving the three females such a distinct voice, who in turn were connected via the crimes, was what made it such a good read. The reader feels the mother hoping for a sign of life, despite the reality of her situation. Knowing that the enabler waits and watches, yet does nothing. Finally the young woman who is drawn to a place that jolts memories of past events. Instead of having to guess who the culprit is the reader takes a walk along memory lane with the serial killer, whilst he is planning his next crime. So in fact there are four strong subplots leading to one core and and unexpected end.
Some of the dialogue between the characters was a little stinted and didn't flow well. I also thought that the scene with the revenge plot would have been a very strong ending, but it seemed as if the author perhaps changed her mind and added on an extra scene or two. Great read.
December 1, 2013
This was a psychological thriller by an author who is new to me. Knowing that it was about a child murderer who also was in law enforcement I was apprehensive about reading the book. Fortunately it was not detailed about the actual murders. The characters of the book were well depicted and the story was well told. In the beginning the author was vacillating from year to year which confused me some. It did not take away from the story at all and the book was a true page-turner. Gayle Curtis certainly puts herself in the ranks of the excellent authors with this book--it was superb.
June 17, 2012
Good story, good characters, but this book lost a star because I started out believing in them, and their actions, only to become a bit disappointed. If you found out your husband was a serial child killer, would you really not do anything about it? Would you leave it a whole year, trying to plan an accident for him? Would the fact that your very own Daughter had died in a freak "accident" not ring any alarm bells with you?.
Still it was a good read, just a bit unbelievable.
Still it was a good read, just a bit unbelievable.
August 29, 2012
I downloaded a sample of this book initially to test the waters and found that the concept of the book was both attractive and so abhorrent, that I wanted to read the rest. I agree with another review that the ending was lacking-as though the author just wanted to hurry up and get it finished-but all in all-I really enjoyed it. Just a little far fetched-but hey, that's fiction!
May 23, 2014
An excellent book.
An excellent book.
This book was very well written. I love how the author gave us individual characters before she started connecting them. Even though I knew who the serial killer was early it was interwoven to see his mental flaws causing his desire to murder. I will be looking for other books by Gayle Curtis.
An excellent book.
This book was very well written. I love how the author gave us individual characters before she started connecting them. Even though I knew who the serial killer was early it was interwoven to see his mental flaws causing his desire to murder. I will be looking for other books by Gayle Curtis.
February 8, 2016
Chrissie has moved to a small village to start over after a divorce. She ends up discovering that she vacationed here as a child and was taken but escaped from a serial killer who was after children. Years later, she is able to recall suppressed memories. She befriends Grace, who realizes the killer is her husband. How to do they put an end to it?
August 21, 2014
Thriller to the end
Thriller to the end
this book was absolutely amazing! from start to finish gripping my attention. it wasn't subtle but felt very real and relatable.
Thriller to the end
this book was absolutely amazing! from start to finish gripping my attention. it wasn't subtle but felt very real and relatable.
March 3, 2015
I downloaded this when it was free on Amazon. With it being free I wasn't expecting it to be anything special, but boy was I wrong. Had me gripped from start to finish. Brilliant storyline and would highly recommend it. Will definitely be reading more by this author.
May 28, 2012
Another gripping page turner...warning: has a very graphic disturbing piece about a victim - but very well written!
June 16, 2013
Amazing book I downloaded for free from Amazon. Very heavy and deep but I struggled to put it down!
November 25, 2013
great story, fantastic characters. ..a real page turner ...so not what I thought it was gonna be. so much better! a must read for everyone! !!!
December 12, 2014
Kept me on the edge
So many twists and turns. Although you know who the killer is from the beginning, I promise you won't know what happens next!
So many twists and turns. Although you know who the killer is from the beginning, I promise you won't know what happens next!
August 19, 2014
Great book. The various stories are interwoven and keep you glued. I didn't want to put it down. Wonderful thriller with a great ending.
October 31, 2014
Loved the writing style, kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. This book was a quick read, some may find the content disturbing so beware not for the faint of heart.
May 3, 2015
This was a great read ,because once I started I could put it down,
August 2, 2015
psychological thriller, this book held me captive...
looking forward to reading more from this author.
looking forward to reading more from this author.
June 2, 2015
totally loved this book could not put it down
August 19, 2018
Ok thriller
Not a bad thriller,but has a period of you trying to keep up with who's who.Chrissie who comes back and starts having memories of something ghostly.Sarah her friend trying to help.Grace and Eve tw o sisters with killed daughters .And Grace knows who the killer is.Tim the retired cop who knows more than he let's on.Not a bad story but made me angry that Grace let this killer loose without telling.Where he could have started killing again.Not the best ending for the storyline but ok.
Not a bad thriller,but has a period of you trying to keep up with who's who.Chrissie who comes back and starts having memories of something ghostly.Sarah her friend trying to help.Grace and Eve tw o sisters with killed daughters .And Grace knows who the killer is.Tim the retired cop who knows more than he let's on.Not a bad story but made me angry that Grace let this killer loose without telling.Where he could have started killing again.Not the best ending for the storyline but ok.
January 6, 2022
Nope
Trigger warning. I enjoyed this author’s previous novel, which did involve the murder of two children, but without any of the disgusting perseverations and inner thoughts of a child predator, as this book did. I stopped reading when the serial child killer mused over the “scents” of the children he murdered. Yuck. Stay away.
Trigger warning. I enjoyed this author’s previous novel, which did involve the murder of two children, but without any of the disgusting perseverations and inner thoughts of a child predator, as this book did. I stopped reading when the serial child killer mused over the “scents” of the children he murdered. Yuck. Stay away.
June 11, 2017
Two and 1/2 stars
I those this book because its synopsis intrigued me. However, after reading over half the book, it seemed to stall and I slowly lost interest and focus. It's disappointing because the book began well and has/had the potential to be much better.
I those this book because its synopsis intrigued me. However, after reading over half the book, it seemed to stall and I slowly lost interest and focus. It's disappointing because the book began well and has/had the potential to be much better.
December 1, 2017
Good storyline
I enjoyed the novel with its twists and turns and was a page turned at times How children are raised can make a difference in most cases They all seem to blame the mother ! I would recommend this novel
I enjoyed the novel with its twists and turns and was a page turned at times How children are raised can make a difference in most cases They all seem to blame the mother ! I would recommend this novel
July 4, 2018
A good read
This book was a good way to pass a couple of summer days. Kept me changing my mind on how I thought it would end. Worth a look if you're looking for a good way to pass the time..
This book was a good way to pass a couple of summer days. Kept me changing my mind on how I thought it would end. Worth a look if you're looking for a good way to pass the time..
June 11, 2020
Excellent!!
The author has such insight! I've read 3 of her books and loved each one. I'll certainly read them all and any that come along. She captures the human mind's twists and turns perfectly.
The author has such insight! I've read 3 of her books and loved each one. I'll certainly read them all and any that come along. She captures the human mind's twists and turns perfectly.
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September 29, 2020Riveting Psychological Thriller
A well written psychological thriller. A fantastic story that will keep you turning the pages. Interesting characters who are unknowingly connected by their paths. A great read.
A well written psychological thriller. A fantastic story that will keep you turning the pages. Interesting characters who are unknowingly connected by their paths. A great read.
January 28, 2018
Didn't enjoy this book at all. It kept flash back and forwards through the years but wasn't done very good and I found it hard to keep up with what was what.
September 2, 2020
The best
Fantastic read, I loved it, the best book I’ve read in a long time, couldn’t put it down for long
Fantastic read, I loved it, the best book I’ve read in a long time, couldn’t put it down for long
December 3, 2020
A psychological thriller written from several points of view. A clever plot but some slightly clumsy language.
January 30, 2021
3.5 stars
While I did find this a fascinatingly disturbing novel I was a bit disappointed by the ending.
While I did find this a fascinatingly disturbing novel I was a bit disappointed by the ending.
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September 19, 2022Memory Scents
Read it in two day's. A dark thriller but really kept my interest. I couldn't put it down.. Back with house work its Sunday.
Read it in two day's. A dark thriller but really kept my interest. I couldn't put it down.. Back with house work its Sunday.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews