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A Lovely Deadly Muse
On June 12th, Nik whispered three words to 'Close your eyes,’ committing an act so unthinkable for a girl who painted and dreamed up poems. That day, Nik shattered the peace of a small California town. Seemingly gone forever from Leo’s life, Nik left behind only a cryptic notebook with names and dark motives.
Eleven years later, Leo, now a New York lawyer seeking redemption for his past failures, stumbles upon Nik at a mysterious art soirée for a renowned, anonymous artist. He believes she is the muse—the catalyst behind the masterpieces, the famed artist drawing inspiration from her tragic past. Their reunion plunges him into a clandestine world of underground art and shadowy characters, where justice and retribution intertwine.
As Leo delves deeper, he uncovers unsettling connections between Nik's circle and his own cases. When a figure from his past turns up dead, Leo must confront a chilling are they artists, vigilantes—or something far more sinister?
Content This book contains themes that some readers may find sensitive or triggering, including discussions of sexual assault (no explicit scenes), thoughts of suicide, domestic violence (no explicit scenes), murder, and some spice. Please be aware of these elements as you consider reading this story.
Eleven years later, Leo, now a New York lawyer seeking redemption for his past failures, stumbles upon Nik at a mysterious art soirée for a renowned, anonymous artist. He believes she is the muse—the catalyst behind the masterpieces, the famed artist drawing inspiration from her tragic past. Their reunion plunges him into a clandestine world of underground art and shadowy characters, where justice and retribution intertwine.
As Leo delves deeper, he uncovers unsettling connections between Nik's circle and his own cases. When a figure from his past turns up dead, Leo must confront a chilling are they artists, vigilantes—or something far more sinister?
Content This book contains themes that some readers may find sensitive or triggering, including discussions of sexual assault (no explicit scenes), thoughts of suicide, domestic violence (no explicit scenes), murder, and some spice. Please be aware of these elements as you consider reading this story.
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Published May 23, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 17, 2024
Thank you so much for allowing me to be an ARC participant! What a fantastic debut novel! A unique look at the dark and light that can live within people.
I just finished this and absolutely loved it! It was filled with mystery and intrigue right up till the end. I loved the characters and how they kept me captivated by their stories and I especially enjoyed how they straddled the line of good and bad. I feel like I can vividly picture each character even down to how they speak and I would LOVE to see this made into a movie.
I enjoyed how the author led me through exploring the concept of what does it really mean to be a good person and what makes you bad and can you be bad but also good. It was also very interesting exploring the concert of trauma and how that impacts peoples future decision making ability. The ending was fast paced and twisty. I went back and reread the last couple chapters just to make sure I was comprehending everything. A very fun ride!
I just finished this and absolutely loved it! It was filled with mystery and intrigue right up till the end. I loved the characters and how they kept me captivated by their stories and I especially enjoyed how they straddled the line of good and bad. I feel like I can vividly picture each character even down to how they speak and I would LOVE to see this made into a movie.
I enjoyed how the author led me through exploring the concept of what does it really mean to be a good person and what makes you bad and can you be bad but also good. It was also very interesting exploring the concert of trauma and how that impacts peoples future decision making ability. The ending was fast paced and twisty. I went back and reread the last couple chapters just to make sure I was comprehending everything. A very fun ride!
May 22, 2024
I received this as an ARC directly from the author. Overall I enjoyed the story line. This is a story about it trauma recovery, finding yourself and about the battles of choosing between being good and bad in life. I enjoyed the suspense of not really knowing where the story was headed. This debut novel had good character development and a solid plot. I enjoyed the plot twist at the end. I also enjoyed the authors writing style. I'm typically not a fan of third person pov, but she did it well.
May 3, 2024
Congratulations to Evelyn Sloane on a fantastic debut novel. I really enjoyed A Lovely Deadly Muse. Such an interesting storyline with great characters. You really feel for Nik and all that she has been through. I loved the connection between her and Leo - I have a thing for childhood sweethearts (maybe cause I’m married to mine) 🥰 and the ending….was perfect!
Overall, this is a very well written mystery…if you like dark and twisty novels with an artist theme, this one’s for you!
Get your copy May 23rd!!!
A huge thank you to Evelyn Sloane for gifting me an Advanced Reader E-Copy of this brand new book for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
🌻IG: holliebarnes.reads
Overall, this is a very well written mystery…if you like dark and twisty novels with an artist theme, this one’s for you!
Get your copy May 23rd!!!
A huge thank you to Evelyn Sloane for gifting me an Advanced Reader E-Copy of this brand new book for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
🌻IG: holliebarnes.reads
May 11, 2024
A Lovely Deadly Muse is an additive, beautifully dark story that explores both the good and dark aspects of human nature that makes the reader wonder: can both coexist?
I can’t believe that this is a debut novel! When I was reading this novel, I was completely immersed into the underground art world that the author created. All of the characters felt human to me — not one dimensional figures that served little purpose. I enjoyed the structure of the novel, especially when we received a glimpse into the past to start piecing together what was going on in the present. As a feminist, the exploration of feminist themes also had me hooked, and they were completely relevant to issues in our own society.
If you’re a thriller fan, I definitely recommend you pick this up. However, make sure you read the trigger warnings before you do so, as some of the themes and content may be confronting to some.
Thank you to Evelyn for inviting me to read your work early. You should be proud of what you’ve written and I look forward to reading your future projects!
I can’t believe that this is a debut novel! When I was reading this novel, I was completely immersed into the underground art world that the author created. All of the characters felt human to me — not one dimensional figures that served little purpose. I enjoyed the structure of the novel, especially when we received a glimpse into the past to start piecing together what was going on in the present. As a feminist, the exploration of feminist themes also had me hooked, and they were completely relevant to issues in our own society.
If you’re a thriller fan, I definitely recommend you pick this up. However, make sure you read the trigger warnings before you do so, as some of the themes and content may be confronting to some.
Thank you to Evelyn for inviting me to read your work early. You should be proud of what you’ve written and I look forward to reading your future projects!
July 2, 2024
I feel so lucky to have been given an ARC copy of this novel by the author. What a fantastic read! This book is truly a journey about what it means to be good or bad. We explore that through the main character Nik who has experienced some awful things at the hands of men she has trusted. This plunges her into a very intense darkness. But where there is dark, there is light and in her case that light is Leo, a childhood friend. Nik finds herself escaping her demons by immersing herself in her art as she works to be good enough to reconnect with Leo and along the way, the darkness is revealed. This book kept me on my toes, wondering who was truly “good”, until the last pages. This was an incredible debut novel & I hope to read more from Evelyn Sloane in the future.
May 15, 2024
Thank you so much for allowing me to read the ARC of her book, which is dropping next week!!!
4.5/5 stars
First off, I can’t believe this is a debut book! It was so beautifully laid out and the characters all felt very well developed. A Lovely Deadly Muse does a great job of showing the light and darkness of human nature.
This book has two POVS - Leo and Nik - which I love in books. Reading Nik’s story is absolutely heartbreaking and gut wrenching but it’s written so beautifully. It really makes you feel everything she’s been through. Also her recovery journey is also so raw and it’s captured well!
I loved the unique setting of the art shows scattered throughout this book. It’s definitely not one I’ve read before!
I highly recommend you pick up this book on 5/23!
*please read the trigger warnings before reading!
4.5/5 stars
First off, I can’t believe this is a debut book! It was so beautifully laid out and the characters all felt very well developed. A Lovely Deadly Muse does a great job of showing the light and darkness of human nature.
This book has two POVS - Leo and Nik - which I love in books. Reading Nik’s story is absolutely heartbreaking and gut wrenching but it’s written so beautifully. It really makes you feel everything she’s been through. Also her recovery journey is also so raw and it’s captured well!
I loved the unique setting of the art shows scattered throughout this book. It’s definitely not one I’ve read before!
I highly recommend you pick up this book on 5/23!
*please read the trigger warnings before reading!
June 6, 2024
"I'm broken because of the sins of others."
It's hard to find just one quote among the pages I highlighted that eloquently represent the beautifully heart aching psychological thriller, A Lovely Deadly Muse, by masterpiece creator, phenom debut indie author, Evelyn Sloane.
The above quote is the simple hard truth for the "pretty silent girl," Nik. Those that should have loved and protected her betrayed her. From her stepfather, counselor, high school boyfriend to her community.
When her Mom dies it's a loss that allows others to steal her innocence from her. The only person who notices the changes in her is her childhood friend Leo. He's always kind, looking out for her but it almost costs him his life. So Nik graduates because that's what her Mom would want; then she does the unthinkable to end the abuse and disappears.
Eleven years later, Leo, now a lawyer, gets invited to a NYC art show. He's shocked by the artwork. There's no doubt Nik, his long gone Nik, is the muse for the artist. But where is she? Who is she?
This writer's descriptive prose consumed me. Her style is brilliantly unique, painting her characters as fully drawn beings. It's what makes Nik's story more heartbreaking to experience. But Leo is our light; a lion that protects. Because as much as this is a psychological thriller on how "abuse
can seriously impact someone's mental health...fracture it from trauma," it's also the ultimate love story.
"How did you find me?"
"I'll always find you."
This moment had me in tears.
There's twists, murder, conflict, lies, betrayal, but there's also sweetness, romance, love and above all hope. I beg you to get this book. It deserves all the accolades, to be a bestseller. It's a lovely deadly debut.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
It's hard to find just one quote among the pages I highlighted that eloquently represent the beautifully heart aching psychological thriller, A Lovely Deadly Muse, by masterpiece creator, phenom debut indie author, Evelyn Sloane.
The above quote is the simple hard truth for the "pretty silent girl," Nik. Those that should have loved and protected her betrayed her. From her stepfather, counselor, high school boyfriend to her community.
When her Mom dies it's a loss that allows others to steal her innocence from her. The only person who notices the changes in her is her childhood friend Leo. He's always kind, looking out for her but it almost costs him his life. So Nik graduates because that's what her Mom would want; then she does the unthinkable to end the abuse and disappears.
Eleven years later, Leo, now a lawyer, gets invited to a NYC art show. He's shocked by the artwork. There's no doubt Nik, his long gone Nik, is the muse for the artist. But where is she? Who is she?
This writer's descriptive prose consumed me. Her style is brilliantly unique, painting her characters as fully drawn beings. It's what makes Nik's story more heartbreaking to experience. But Leo is our light; a lion that protects. Because as much as this is a psychological thriller on how "abuse
can seriously impact someone's mental health...fracture it from trauma," it's also the ultimate love story.
"How did you find me?"
"I'll always find you."
This moment had me in tears.
There's twists, murder, conflict, lies, betrayal, but there's also sweetness, romance, love and above all hope. I beg you to get this book. It deserves all the accolades, to be a bestseller. It's a lovely deadly debut.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 30, 2024
I was VERY excited to get to dive into Evelyn’s DEBUT novel and she did not disappoint at all. The blurb was very enticing and really gave the BEST mystery suspense thriller vibes. I will say that for her debut, Evelyn did an incredible job writing a book with so many layers and depth to her storyline. There was so much more than what met the eye with the storyline itself. This was probably one of my favorite suspense thrillers that I’ve read this year!
Nick was a character that really caught my eye and had a mysterious aura to her. I loved seeing her with Leo, and just loved how she wasn’t a typical female character. I dove head first into Evelyn’s writing. She portrayed plot twists, with emotions and leaves you guessing what’s happening next from start to finish. The world building and suspenseful thrills was a 5/5 for me. This is definitely her niche and she does it extremely well! Still blows my mind that this is her debut novel, I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Nick was a character that really caught my eye and had a mysterious aura to her. I loved seeing her with Leo, and just loved how she wasn’t a typical female character. I dove head first into Evelyn’s writing. She portrayed plot twists, with emotions and leaves you guessing what’s happening next from start to finish. The world building and suspenseful thrills was a 5/5 for me. This is definitely her niche and she does it extremely well! Still blows my mind that this is her debut novel, I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
May 16, 2024
4.5 stars
If you like thrillers with a little bit of romance and a lot of mystery then this book is for you. This story takes you into the world of an artist and muse who have secrets they hold. From the beginning we are entered into a world of young love that is forbidden by many men who try to control our lead woman Nik. This story does touch on the fact that she has been abused without being too graphic while the community she lives in turns a blind eye. Her one friend through all this is Leo. Fast forward to them being adults, Nik is apart of the art world in New York as she always dreamed and Leo is now a lawyer helping woman who have been abused. Secrets and mysteries unfold after they run into each other in an alleyway. We get the POV from both as we the reader try to find the truth in what really happened during the time these two friends were apart. I’m really being vague but to say I was truly into this story from the beginning is an understatement.
“On June 12th, Nik whispered three words to Leo: 'Close your eyes,’ committing an act so unthinkable for a girl who painted and dreamed up poems. That day, Nik shattered the peace of a small California town. Seemingly gone forever from Leo’s life, Nik left behind only a cryptic notebook with names and dark motives.
Eleven years later, Leo, now a New York lawyer seeking redemption for his past failures, stumbles upon Nik at a mysterious art soirée for a renowned, anonymous artist. He believes she is the muse—the catalyst behind the masterpieces, the famed artist drawing inspiration from her tragic past. Their reunion plunges him into a clandestine world of underground art and shadowy characters, where justice and retribution intertwine.
As Leo delves deeper, he uncovers unsettling connections between Nik's circle and his own cases. When a figure from his past turns up dead, Leo must confront a chilling possibility: are they artists, vigilantes—or something far more sinister?”
If you like thrillers with a little bit of romance and a lot of mystery then this book is for you. This story takes you into the world of an artist and muse who have secrets they hold. From the beginning we are entered into a world of young love that is forbidden by many men who try to control our lead woman Nik. This story does touch on the fact that she has been abused without being too graphic while the community she lives in turns a blind eye. Her one friend through all this is Leo. Fast forward to them being adults, Nik is apart of the art world in New York as she always dreamed and Leo is now a lawyer helping woman who have been abused. Secrets and mysteries unfold after they run into each other in an alleyway. We get the POV from both as we the reader try to find the truth in what really happened during the time these two friends were apart. I’m really being vague but to say I was truly into this story from the beginning is an understatement.
“On June 12th, Nik whispered three words to Leo: 'Close your eyes,’ committing an act so unthinkable for a girl who painted and dreamed up poems. That day, Nik shattered the peace of a small California town. Seemingly gone forever from Leo’s life, Nik left behind only a cryptic notebook with names and dark motives.
Eleven years later, Leo, now a New York lawyer seeking redemption for his past failures, stumbles upon Nik at a mysterious art soirée for a renowned, anonymous artist. He believes she is the muse—the catalyst behind the masterpieces, the famed artist drawing inspiration from her tragic past. Their reunion plunges him into a clandestine world of underground art and shadowy characters, where justice and retribution intertwine.
As Leo delves deeper, he uncovers unsettling connections between Nik's circle and his own cases. When a figure from his past turns up dead, Leo must confront a chilling possibility: are they artists, vigilantes—or something far more sinister?”
September 13, 2024
Wow!!! Wow, wow, wow! I don’t even know what else to say! I absolutely loved this book. It is pure poetry. I was pulled in immediately and didn’t want to stop. I abandoned other books to focus on this one because I just couldn’t wait to read “what’s next”! I would encourage everyone who likes poetry, art, mysteries, thrillers and psychological reads to check this out! Please also check your trigger warnings before jumping in! I can’t wait for more by this author!
May 3, 2024
This book made me appreciate the true beauty of art, in all its good and bad aspects. A true work of art!🙌
May 18, 2024
What a lovely book! It was a story of trauma healing, love, and murder. Super amazing writing especially as a first book. Evelyn killed it! No pun intended 🙂 you must read!
June 8, 2024
Where do I begin? This gripping book kept me hooked until the very last page! A must-read.
It's been a while since I felt characters come to life the way this book did. Leo, Nik, JD, Pierre – your journeys will stay with me for a long time. Your struggles and triumphs, light and dark, good and bad, all felt genuine, and I am thankful for taking me along!
For anyone yet to read A Lovely Deadly Muse - enjoy it! I wish I could read it again for the first time.
It's been a while since I felt characters come to life the way this book did. Leo, Nik, JD, Pierre – your journeys will stay with me for a long time. Your struggles and triumphs, light and dark, good and bad, all felt genuine, and I am thankful for taking me along!
For anyone yet to read A Lovely Deadly Muse - enjoy it! I wish I could read it again for the first time.
September 13, 2024
Wow, what a great debut novel for Evelyn Sloane! This is a suspenseful story about pain, love, trauma, the light and darkness within people, and the things we do to heal. The characters were well developed & the plot was very unique. It was unlike anything else I've read, which was refreshing. The atmosphere and descriptions of the art were amazing. It made me wish the pieces were real, so that I could view them in real life. I think that speaks volumes to how talented this author is. I will admit, I had no idea where the ending was headed, but it was wonderfully satisfying!
My only criticism would be that, at times, it began to feel too long, as if the pacing would slow down a lot for certain chapters, but then would pick back up. The only thing I disliked was how many times the words "mused" and "muse" were used. I know this is a me thing, but repetitiveness in books fills me with a mini rage & is one of the most distracting things. Those are small negatives, but worth mentioning. They did not take away from the fact that this was a great book. I look forward to more by Evelyn Sloane!
My only criticism would be that, at times, it began to feel too long, as if the pacing would slow down a lot for certain chapters, but then would pick back up. The only thing I disliked was how many times the words "mused" and "muse" were used. I know this is a me thing, but repetitiveness in books fills me with a mini rage & is one of the most distracting things. Those are small negatives, but worth mentioning. They did not take away from the fact that this was a great book. I look forward to more by Evelyn Sloane!
May 20, 2024
A complex, addictive story about the dark sides of humans. Nik has been through a lot in her life and reconnecting with Leo adds so much depth to their characters and the underground art world. Everyone is looking for something different in this world.
I liked the fact that there are trigger warnings, so this might not be for everyone as there is some graphic content. This story is complex, long as the transparency of the characters is explored.
Thank you to Evelyn Sloane for a gifted copy of your debut.
I liked the fact that there are trigger warnings, so this might not be for everyone as there is some graphic content. This story is complex, long as the transparency of the characters is explored.
Thank you to Evelyn Sloane for a gifted copy of your debut.
May 25, 2024
A Lovely Deadly Muse is intriguing.
This book is a pretty good book. It takes you on the rollercoaster ride that a girl goes through following the death of her mother. She has a very interesting way of dealing with people who have hurt her. It's a very interesting read. I think it's worth giving it a shot if you wanna read something a little different but in a good way.
This book is a pretty good book. It takes you on the rollercoaster ride that a girl goes through following the death of her mother. She has a very interesting way of dealing with people who have hurt her. It's a very interesting read. I think it's worth giving it a shot if you wanna read something a little different but in a good way.
May 22, 2024
Huge shoutout to Evelyn Sloan for allowing me to be apart of her ARC team! I rate this book 4.5/5! This was a beautifully written story between two characters, Nik and Leo. The story tells the tale of their story together and the perspective of each character- which I LOVE!
There are also trigger warnings throughout so be sure to read them!
There are also trigger warnings throughout so be sure to read them!
May 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast paced thriller with added romance. It was written with a dual POV and the character development was awesome. There were many twists and turns and a very unexpected ending. I highly recommend this book.
May 29, 2024
A debut novel about finding yourself and the battle between choosing being good or bad in life. This was a great mystery with a dark and twisty plot. It’s a duel POV with great character building and wonderful art shows and artist life sprinkled throughout.
June 4, 2024
This book is seriously so good. If you love a darker kind of romance, with a twisty thriller aspect to it, then you will definitely love this!
May 20, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for this book and loved it!!
4.5/5 It was so beautifully written and the story was absolutely amazing. Niks story was heartbreaking and beautiful. I really felt like I could see and understand her art.
If you like a thriller, with romance and a great twist don’t hesitate to read this!
4.5/5 It was so beautifully written and the story was absolutely amazing. Niks story was heartbreaking and beautiful. I really felt like I could see and understand her art.
If you like a thriller, with romance and a great twist don’t hesitate to read this!
May 29, 2024
A fun, twisting mystery and story of love. Complex, flawed characters and interwoven timelines come together to create a story of growth and found family.
August 10, 2024
Enthralling! A perfect melding of complicated characters and mystery. So many secrets, perceptions, and interwoven relationships. Smooth storytelling, along with a brilliant writing style, this book is Top Ten for me!
May 25, 2024
I loved it! The twist and turns kept me reading. Finished in 2 days.
May 7, 2024
A Lovely Deadly Muse is a rich and twisted tale exploring the darkness and light of humanity using the frame of the art world. The main character’s trauma is severe, and the author highlights the fractured sense of self that can accompany dehumanizing abuse. It’s the perfect read for those who enjoy deep psychological thrillers, morally gray characters, people healing through artistic expression, and reclaiming their power by any means necessary. The ending tied the story together very well, leaving me feeling satisfied. This was an excellent debut novel from an author I’m sure we’ll see a lot of great books from!
I received an ARC by the author. This is my honest review.
August 7, 2024
*Thank you to Evelyn Sloane for the audiobook copy for review!*
Leo Daniels, a New York City lawyer, has some ghosts in his past. A girl from his high school days, Nik, who up and disappeared after committing an unthinkable act 11 years ago, continues to be on his mind, though he doesn't know where to start looking for her. But when he attends a mystery artist's show one night, he's surprised to see the exact girl he's wanted to find. Upon talking with her, he believes she is the Muse for this mysterious artist's work, drawing from the tragedies of her past. But the world she introduces him to is full of shady people with motives, but Leo is determined to prove to Nik he can redeem their past and reconcile his past failures to keep her close.
This was my first romantic thriller, and I'm glad to say it didn't disappoint! Both genres I highly enjoy colliding together in this story was very entertaining and worked well together. I was very invested in what Nik's past would lead her to in the present of the story and to see if Leo would fit into her world again. I liked all of the little nuances that showed how the past set up events for the present, like Leo's reasoning for becoming the type of lawyer he was, and that Nik was into the arts when she was younger. There was also a good build-up to the meat of the story with little reveals here and there, and the ending was left relatively open, which I think worked for this story.
There were some events in this story that were kind of unbelievable, but it was easy to overlook them and honestly didn't really harm the rest of the outcome of the story. Which, that's all I'm going to say because kind of spoilers.
I really liked the big twist close to the end of the story, as it's one that, to me, came out of left field and wasn't even on my radar. I always like when thrillers can surprise me!
I highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys romantic thrillers or enjoys the two genres separately and is looking for something new!
Leo Daniels, a New York City lawyer, has some ghosts in his past. A girl from his high school days, Nik, who up and disappeared after committing an unthinkable act 11 years ago, continues to be on his mind, though he doesn't know where to start looking for her. But when he attends a mystery artist's show one night, he's surprised to see the exact girl he's wanted to find. Upon talking with her, he believes she is the Muse for this mysterious artist's work, drawing from the tragedies of her past. But the world she introduces him to is full of shady people with motives, but Leo is determined to prove to Nik he can redeem their past and reconcile his past failures to keep her close.
This was my first romantic thriller, and I'm glad to say it didn't disappoint! Both genres I highly enjoy colliding together in this story was very entertaining and worked well together. I was very invested in what Nik's past would lead her to in the present of the story and to see if Leo would fit into her world again. I liked all of the little nuances that showed how the past set up events for the present, like Leo's reasoning for becoming the type of lawyer he was, and that Nik was into the arts when she was younger. There was also a good build-up to the meat of the story with little reveals here and there, and the ending was left relatively open, which I think worked for this story.
There were some events in this story that were kind of unbelievable, but it was easy to overlook them and honestly didn't really harm the rest of the outcome of the story. Which, that's all I'm going to say because kind of spoilers.
I really liked the big twist close to the end of the story, as it's one that, to me, came out of left field and wasn't even on my radar. I always like when thrillers can surprise me!
I highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys romantic thrillers or enjoys the two genres separately and is looking for something new!
July 28, 2025
A Lovely Deadly Muse – Evelyn Sloan
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Crime Thriller
“Sundresses were for when she was happy, hoodies for when was sad, and a yellow dress for when she wanted to commit murder.”
THIS BOOK!!!! Wow! I could not put this book down. If it wasn’t weird, I would absolutely yell from the rooftops that everyone needs to read Evelyn Sloan’s debut novel – A Lovely Deadly Muse.
‘A Lovely Deadly Muse’ is a beautifully written crime thriller that tells the story of Leo Daniels, who works as a lawyer in NYC. We see early on that Leo’s goal in life is to right the wrongs from his past, especially the ones that involve the girl he has been searching for the last 11 years. Nicole ‘Nik’ Thompson did not want anything to do with her past, except for Leo Daniels.
Evelyn Sloane had me engaged from the first page – and the grip did not let up until the very end. One of the things I loved most about this book was how it was written so beautifully while keeping the suspense throughout. Each chapter had me left with more questions and a need to keep reading. The suspense and tension building were amazing, but the world-building was exceptional. As I read, I was fully immersed in the shadowy world of the underground art scene in NYC, all thanks to how descriptive the writing is. The way she wrote the characters was brilliant. One of my favorite things to read about is an antihero that gets a much-deserved redemption arc. The reader gets to see so much evolution within the two MCs and supporting characters. All of the characters served their purpose in the story, and no detail was missed.
A Lovely Deadly Muse is now one of my top reads for 2024! For fans of crime thrillers with a friends-to-lovers romance, found family and a redemption arc, I highly recommend reading this! It was easy to follow and has some immensely loveable characters. Its beautifully written and I just can’t get enough!
Thank you so much to Evelyn Sloane for sending me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I am so lucky I got to read this ahead of time, and I will be patiently waiting your next book.
IG: @melissareadseverything
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Crime Thriller
“Sundresses were for when she was happy, hoodies for when was sad, and a yellow dress for when she wanted to commit murder.”
THIS BOOK!!!! Wow! I could not put this book down. If it wasn’t weird, I would absolutely yell from the rooftops that everyone needs to read Evelyn Sloan’s debut novel – A Lovely Deadly Muse.
‘A Lovely Deadly Muse’ is a beautifully written crime thriller that tells the story of Leo Daniels, who works as a lawyer in NYC. We see early on that Leo’s goal in life is to right the wrongs from his past, especially the ones that involve the girl he has been searching for the last 11 years. Nicole ‘Nik’ Thompson did not want anything to do with her past, except for Leo Daniels.
Evelyn Sloane had me engaged from the first page – and the grip did not let up until the very end. One of the things I loved most about this book was how it was written so beautifully while keeping the suspense throughout. Each chapter had me left with more questions and a need to keep reading. The suspense and tension building were amazing, but the world-building was exceptional. As I read, I was fully immersed in the shadowy world of the underground art scene in NYC, all thanks to how descriptive the writing is. The way she wrote the characters was brilliant. One of my favorite things to read about is an antihero that gets a much-deserved redemption arc. The reader gets to see so much evolution within the two MCs and supporting characters. All of the characters served their purpose in the story, and no detail was missed.
A Lovely Deadly Muse is now one of my top reads for 2024! For fans of crime thrillers with a friends-to-lovers romance, found family and a redemption arc, I highly recommend reading this! It was easy to follow and has some immensely loveable characters. Its beautifully written and I just can’t get enough!
Thank you so much to Evelyn Sloane for sending me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I am so lucky I got to read this ahead of time, and I will be patiently waiting your next book.
IG: @melissareadseverything
July 26, 2024
The author of this book reached out to me asking if I would be interested in receiving an ALC to review, and being firmly in my audiobook era and being intrigued by the gritty underground NY art scene, I agreed. I started off listening at 2x speed, but felt the cadence was still slow, so I bumped it up to 2.4x and hovered around that speed for most of the book. Even still, I enjoyed the narrator, particularly when he slipped into his Brooklyn accent for JD's character.
Leo is a lawyer in NY, who has spent most of his adult life hoping to find Nik, his teenage crush who disappeared without a trace after finally fighting back against the years of abuse she suffered at the hands of older men. At the gallery opening for world renowned anonymous artist JD, Leo finally stumbles across Nik in a back alley, not ok, but real and alive. Quickly realizing her traumatic life has been the muse for JD's collections, Leo is swept up in their world, where Nik is kept in a gilded cage of a mansion in Brooklyn to serve as JD's inspiration. As Nik slowly starts to reveal bits and pieces of her life over the years since she last saw Leo, he realizes that her circle has ties to his current case, and that maybe finding Nik in a back alley after all this time was not a stroke of luck after all. I didn't feel that any of the big reveals in this story were particularly shocking, especially knowing the anecdote of who "Anonymous" was in history, but I think we were supposed to have known this all along. This was a great story for anyone who likes "good for her" vibes and a morally gray FMC.
💜 Thank you to Evelyn Sloane for an ALC of A Lovely Deadly Muse to review.
Leo is a lawyer in NY, who has spent most of his adult life hoping to find Nik, his teenage crush who disappeared without a trace after finally fighting back against the years of abuse she suffered at the hands of older men. At the gallery opening for world renowned anonymous artist JD, Leo finally stumbles across Nik in a back alley, not ok, but real and alive. Quickly realizing her traumatic life has been the muse for JD's collections, Leo is swept up in their world, where Nik is kept in a gilded cage of a mansion in Brooklyn to serve as JD's inspiration. As Nik slowly starts to reveal bits and pieces of her life over the years since she last saw Leo, he realizes that her circle has ties to his current case, and that maybe finding Nik in a back alley after all this time was not a stroke of luck after all. I didn't feel that any of the big reveals in this story were particularly shocking, especially knowing the anecdote of who "Anonymous" was in history, but I think we were supposed to have known this all along. This was a great story for anyone who likes "good for her" vibes and a morally gray FMC.
💜 Thank you to Evelyn Sloane for an ALC of A Lovely Deadly Muse to review.
July 16, 2024
I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.
This book was great. The characters had so much depth, the story had multiple layers so it took time to get all the information. Yes, you were suppose to some figure out some of the twists but there is enough going on that you want to keep reading.
It’s definitely a book you could read multiple times as there are lots of details.
This book was great. The characters had so much depth, the story had multiple layers so it took time to get all the information. Yes, you were suppose to some figure out some of the twists but there is enough going on that you want to keep reading.
It’s definitely a book you could read multiple times as there are lots of details.
September 20, 2024
Gracefully blends creativity, healing, love & redemption with a touch of deadliness!
A huge applause to Evelyn Sloan for her excellent debut! Also thanks so much for the gifted ALC.
The audiobook was highly entertaining with the narration by #ShaunO’Leary. I was surprised with the choice of a male narrator, but all aspects were great - voice adaptation, pacing & overall experience.
Nik’s life revolves around June 12th - the events she got involved in that day were unimaginable. As a small town Californian girl, she loves writing poems & creating artwork. 11 years later, Leo, a reputed laywer at NYC & Nik’s childhood friend, bumps into her at an art galley showing & assumes that she is the artist’s muse - given the darkness & tragedy that surrounds Nik’s past. As he burrows deeper into Nik’s life, he begins connecting the dots between her network & his own clients. What’s going on with Nik? What is she involved in?
What a unique combo of the romance & thriller genre! Also the premise is so original. The book is cleverly divided into several parts & the POVs themselves were unexpected surprises.
My heart went out for Nik - a creatively predisposed, vulnerable teenager who suffered & endured inconceivable trauma during her tender teenage years. I loved how the author brings out her character as she navigates every stage of her life later on, while she tries to heal, seek justice, bring order to the chaos of her broken mind & forges an unlikely family that cares for her & provides the cocoon of safety she was so deprived of.
The thriller & romance elements are well layered & although I guessed one of the big twists, there were several other revelations that were reserved until the very end, that kept me fervently listening.
The book touches upon several difficult themes (check trigger warnings), but Evelyn handles them with the required gentleness & intricacies in her excellent writing.
#ALovelyDeadlyMuse is a dark yet beautiful novel about the co-existence of the benign & evil, light & dark, emphasizing the power of the human mind & creativity.
A huge applause to Evelyn Sloan for her excellent debut! Also thanks so much for the gifted ALC.
The audiobook was highly entertaining with the narration by #ShaunO’Leary. I was surprised with the choice of a male narrator, but all aspects were great - voice adaptation, pacing & overall experience.
Nik’s life revolves around June 12th - the events she got involved in that day were unimaginable. As a small town Californian girl, she loves writing poems & creating artwork. 11 years later, Leo, a reputed laywer at NYC & Nik’s childhood friend, bumps into her at an art galley showing & assumes that she is the artist’s muse - given the darkness & tragedy that surrounds Nik’s past. As he burrows deeper into Nik’s life, he begins connecting the dots between her network & his own clients. What’s going on with Nik? What is she involved in?
What a unique combo of the romance & thriller genre! Also the premise is so original. The book is cleverly divided into several parts & the POVs themselves were unexpected surprises.
My heart went out for Nik - a creatively predisposed, vulnerable teenager who suffered & endured inconceivable trauma during her tender teenage years. I loved how the author brings out her character as she navigates every stage of her life later on, while she tries to heal, seek justice, bring order to the chaos of her broken mind & forges an unlikely family that cares for her & provides the cocoon of safety she was so deprived of.
The thriller & romance elements are well layered & although I guessed one of the big twists, there were several other revelations that were reserved until the very end, that kept me fervently listening.
The book touches upon several difficult themes (check trigger warnings), but Evelyn handles them with the required gentleness & intricacies in her excellent writing.
#ALovelyDeadlyMuse is a dark yet beautiful novel about the co-existence of the benign & evil, light & dark, emphasizing the power of the human mind & creativity.
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