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Serenity Falls
Welcome to Serenity Falls – the most idyllic town in the US and the safest place for families to grow up together, where crime is non-existent. It seems the perfect relocation option for Dan and his daughter Sadie as they move from the UK. A fresh start, thousands of miles from their troubled past.
But their new idyll is shattered when they find a dead body in their swimming pool.
And it turns out that’s just the start of a series of odd discoveries. Abandoned houses where people have seemingly just upped and left. The strange woman Sadie keeps seeing around town putting up ‘missing’ posters for a child who drowned twenty-five years ago. An ice cream van that drives around at night making sure residents are asleep...
As plans gear up to celebrate Serenity Falls’ fiftieth anniversary, something is stirring beneath the surface of the idyllic façade. Is Serenity Falls really the perfect town or is it founded on something far darker? And is someone so desperate to keep its secrets that they’d resort to anything to preserve them?
Welcome to Serenity Falls – the perfect town. For murder.
But their new idyll is shattered when they find a dead body in their swimming pool.
And it turns out that’s just the start of a series of odd discoveries. Abandoned houses where people have seemingly just upped and left. The strange woman Sadie keeps seeing around town putting up ‘missing’ posters for a child who drowned twenty-five years ago. An ice cream van that drives around at night making sure residents are asleep...
As plans gear up to celebrate Serenity Falls’ fiftieth anniversary, something is stirring beneath the surface of the idyllic façade. Is Serenity Falls really the perfect town or is it founded on something far darker? And is someone so desperate to keep its secrets that they’d resort to anything to preserve them?
Welcome to Serenity Falls – the perfect town. For murder.
512 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2026
About the author
C.J. Tudor
18 books9,102 followersC. J. Tudor was born in Salisbury and grew up in Nottingham, where she still lives with her partner and young daughter.
She left school at sixteen and has had a variety of jobs over the years, including trainee reporter, radio scriptwriter, shop assistant, ad agency copywriter and voiceover.
In the early nineties, she fell into a job as a television presenter for a show on Channel 4 called Moviewatch. Although a terrible presenter, she got to interview acting legends such as Sigourney Weaver, Michael Douglas, Emma Thompson and Robin Williams. She also annoyed Tim Robbins by asking a question about Susan Sarandon’s breasts and was extremely flattered when Robert Downey Junior showed her his chest.
While writing the Chalk Man she ran a dog-walking business, walking over twenty dogs a week as well as looking after her little girl.
She’s been writing since she was a child but only knuckled down to it properly in her thirties. Her English teacher once told her that if she ‘did not become Prime Minister or a best-selling author’ he would be ‘very disappointed.’
The Chalk Man was inspired by a tub of chalks a friend bought for her daughter’s second birthday. One afternoon they drew chalk figures all over the driveway. Later that night she opened the back door to be confronted by weird stick men everywhere. In the dark, they looked incredibly sinister. She called to her partner: ‘These chalk men look really creepy in the dark . . .’
She is never knowingly over-dressed. She has never owned a handbag and the last time she wore heels (twelve years ago) she broke a tooth.
She loves The Killers, Foo Fighters and Frank Turner. Her favourite venue is Rock City.
Her favourite films are Ghostbusters and The Lost Boys. Her favourite authors are Stephen King, Michael Marshall and Harlan Coben.
She is SO glad she was a teenager in the eighties.
She firmly believes that there are no finer meals than takeaway pizza and champagne, or chips with curry sauce after a night out.
Everyone calls her Caz.
She left school at sixteen and has had a variety of jobs over the years, including trainee reporter, radio scriptwriter, shop assistant, ad agency copywriter and voiceover.
In the early nineties, she fell into a job as a television presenter for a show on Channel 4 called Moviewatch. Although a terrible presenter, she got to interview acting legends such as Sigourney Weaver, Michael Douglas, Emma Thompson and Robin Williams. She also annoyed Tim Robbins by asking a question about Susan Sarandon’s breasts and was extremely flattered when Robert Downey Junior showed her his chest.
While writing the Chalk Man she ran a dog-walking business, walking over twenty dogs a week as well as looking after her little girl.
She’s been writing since she was a child but only knuckled down to it properly in her thirties. Her English teacher once told her that if she ‘did not become Prime Minister or a best-selling author’ he would be ‘very disappointed.’
The Chalk Man was inspired by a tub of chalks a friend bought for her daughter’s second birthday. One afternoon they drew chalk figures all over the driveway. Later that night she opened the back door to be confronted by weird stick men everywhere. In the dark, they looked incredibly sinister. She called to her partner: ‘These chalk men look really creepy in the dark . . .’
She is never knowingly over-dressed. She has never owned a handbag and the last time she wore heels (twelve years ago) she broke a tooth.
She loves The Killers, Foo Fighters and Frank Turner. Her favourite venue is Rock City.
Her favourite films are Ghostbusters and The Lost Boys. Her favourite authors are Stephen King, Michael Marshall and Harlan Coben.
She is SO glad she was a teenager in the eighties.
She firmly believes that there are no finer meals than takeaway pizza and champagne, or chips with curry sauce after a night out.
Everyone calls her Caz.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
June 11, 2026
Welcome to Serenity Falls – the perfect town. For murder
Serenity Falls is about a father and daughter who move to an idyllic, seemingly crime-free American planned community called Serenity Falls that is hiding dark and sinister activities.
I am new to this author but let me tell you I am here to stay. Wow this was a fantastic read! The tension was apparent throughout and for someone who loathes a slow burn in thrillers, I can’t believe how much I ate this up!
This author’s writing style is right up my street, and the book held my attention for the most part! It is a long book, and some bits did feel a bit long winded but I’m happy to excuse this because I had such a good time.
The characters were great and the chapter from past Serenity Falls residents had me rattled. This suburban thriller is atmospheric, eerie and will have you flipping the pages trying to get to the bottom of this perfect town that is not all this its pictured to be.
I listened to the audiobook and I highly recommend it. The narrators were clear and really brought the story to life.
I cant wait to read more of this authors backlist!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Have i read this author before?...NO!
Do i want to read this book solely based on the gorgeous cover... YES!
Let’s goooo!!
🤍🩷🩷🤍
Serenity Falls is about a father and daughter who move to an idyllic, seemingly crime-free American planned community called Serenity Falls that is hiding dark and sinister activities.
I am new to this author but let me tell you I am here to stay. Wow this was a fantastic read! The tension was apparent throughout and for someone who loathes a slow burn in thrillers, I can’t believe how much I ate this up!
This author’s writing style is right up my street, and the book held my attention for the most part! It is a long book, and some bits did feel a bit long winded but I’m happy to excuse this because I had such a good time.
The characters were great and the chapter from past Serenity Falls residents had me rattled. This suburban thriller is atmospheric, eerie and will have you flipping the pages trying to get to the bottom of this perfect town that is not all this its pictured to be.
I listened to the audiobook and I highly recommend it. The narrators were clear and really brought the story to life.
I cant wait to read more of this authors backlist!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Have i read this author before?...NO!
Do i want to read this book solely based on the gorgeous cover... YES!
Let’s goooo!!
🤍🩷🩷🤍
September 12, 2026
This cover had me before I even knew what the book was about. Something about that quiet suburban street, the pink sky and the lone ice-cream van sitting in the middle of the road made me think, yep, I’m reading that. It looks pleasant at first glance, but there’s also something slightly off about it. Then I read the blurb and saw “the perfect town. For murder.” Sold. C.J. Tudor is a new-to-me author, so I was excited to see what I’d make of this one.
After the death of his mother, Dan discovers that she secretly owned a house in Serenity Falls, Florida, an exclusive gated community founded by Harold Winsom almost fifty years ago. The property can’t simply be sold, leaving Dan and his teenage daughter Sadie with the option of moving from the UK and treating it as a much-needed fresh start.
The town is basically its own Pleasantville, with pastel houses, pristine lawns, white picket fences, a quaint Main Street, a fairground and a 1950s-style diner making the whole place almost ridiculously picturesque. But the more Dan and Sadie settle in, the stranger it becomes. Residents have chipped bracelets that act as keys and payment cards, there’s a nightly curfew, phones are banned in public spaces, and the Conservators are responsible for keeping everything running smoothly and making sure the rules are followed. Then there are the so-called ghost houses, properties that have been empty for years but are maintained to look as though someone still lives there. Add some very strange nighttime activity and a growing number of questions about the town’s past, and I was keen to find out what was really going on.
Dan and Sadie’s relationship worked well for me, especially because there was more going on between them than Sadie simply being an unhappy teenager dragged across the world by her dad. She definitely has a mouth on her, but underneath all the anger, you can see how much she loves Dan and worries about him after everything they’ve already been through together.
Harold Winsom’s vision was based on creating a safe, harmonious community modelled on an idealised version of 1950s America, where people could grow up, raise their families and grow old together. The idea sounds appealing, but with all the rules and control involved, I couldn’t help wondering what his idea of a “perfect” town actually meant and just how much of its spotless history could be believed.
The story also switches between Dan and Sadie and several other characters, including Serena, Cash, Frankie and Ellen. I enjoyed following their chapters and gradually figuring out who they were and how their stories fitted into everything happening in the present. Dan and Sadie were still the standouts for me, but the other perspectives gave me more insight into the town and its history.
The further things went, the more unsettling it became, and I liked how the reveals gradually confirmed that there was good reason for that feeling that something wasn’t quite right. I wasn’t expecting everything behind the town to go quite as far as it did, but I was invested enough to go with it, and most of my questions were answered by the end. There’s still a bit of ambiguity in the epilogue though, leaving me wondering what might happen next, even if we’re ultimately left to imagine that for ourselves.
In the end, the setting was the most memorable part for me, and this was a really enjoyable first read from C.J. Tudor. The mystery kept me interested, I liked Dan and Sadie, and the slightly off-kilter atmosphere was right up my street. Serenity Falls might look like the perfect place to live, but after everything I learned about it, I think I’ll stick to admiring those pastel houses from afar.
After the death of his mother, Dan discovers that she secretly owned a house in Serenity Falls, Florida, an exclusive gated community founded by Harold Winsom almost fifty years ago. The property can’t simply be sold, leaving Dan and his teenage daughter Sadie with the option of moving from the UK and treating it as a much-needed fresh start.
The town is basically its own Pleasantville, with pastel houses, pristine lawns, white picket fences, a quaint Main Street, a fairground and a 1950s-style diner making the whole place almost ridiculously picturesque. But the more Dan and Sadie settle in, the stranger it becomes. Residents have chipped bracelets that act as keys and payment cards, there’s a nightly curfew, phones are banned in public spaces, and the Conservators are responsible for keeping everything running smoothly and making sure the rules are followed. Then there are the so-called ghost houses, properties that have been empty for years but are maintained to look as though someone still lives there. Add some very strange nighttime activity and a growing number of questions about the town’s past, and I was keen to find out what was really going on.
Dan and Sadie’s relationship worked well for me, especially because there was more going on between them than Sadie simply being an unhappy teenager dragged across the world by her dad. She definitely has a mouth on her, but underneath all the anger, you can see how much she loves Dan and worries about him after everything they’ve already been through together.
Harold Winsom’s vision was based on creating a safe, harmonious community modelled on an idealised version of 1950s America, where people could grow up, raise their families and grow old together. The idea sounds appealing, but with all the rules and control involved, I couldn’t help wondering what his idea of a “perfect” town actually meant and just how much of its spotless history could be believed.
The story also switches between Dan and Sadie and several other characters, including Serena, Cash, Frankie and Ellen. I enjoyed following their chapters and gradually figuring out who they were and how their stories fitted into everything happening in the present. Dan and Sadie were still the standouts for me, but the other perspectives gave me more insight into the town and its history.
The further things went, the more unsettling it became, and I liked how the reveals gradually confirmed that there was good reason for that feeling that something wasn’t quite right. I wasn’t expecting everything behind the town to go quite as far as it did, but I was invested enough to go with it, and most of my questions were answered by the end. There’s still a bit of ambiguity in the epilogue though, leaving me wondering what might happen next, even if we’re ultimately left to imagine that for ourselves.
In the end, the setting was the most memorable part for me, and this was a really enjoyable first read from C.J. Tudor. The mystery kept me interested, I liked Dan and Sadie, and the slightly off-kilter atmosphere was right up my street. Serenity Falls might look like the perfect place to live, but after everything I learned about it, I think I’ll stick to admiring those pastel houses from afar.
June 23, 2026
4 - 5 stars
Serenity Falls, Florida…..
….is the perfect American town, founded and built by the Winsome Group in the 1970s. Perfect people, perfect houses, nothing bad ever happens in.Serenity Falls as there’s no crime – well, that’s a lie for a start. It’s where Dan and his daughter Sadie relocate to after the death of his mother, when they discover she has left him a property in the Floridian development. A fresh start for both of them, far away from their issues in Manchester. However, a number of offkilter, disturbing experiences rattle both of them. As Serenity Falls heads towards its 50th anniversary, it becomes increasingly obvious something very dark lies beneath the glossy surface. How far will some residents go to preserve their image and their secrets?? When you know, you can’t unknow.
I always have a deep suspicion of anything that seems too perfect, I want to rumple it up a bit and that sure applies to Serenity Falls, if you dare, with its appearance belying the reality. At times the plot enters the territory of the surreal, with some of the images being absolutely memorable as well as chilling. It’s very atmospheric, the author perfectly depicts the place and the vibes it exudes and at times it’s very creepy. There’s a bucket load of weird stuff that keeps happening, retaining the suspense my attention is riveted. The vibes are a great mix of Stephen King. + Stepford Wives + CJ Tudor.
The pace is not especially fast but that suits the story the author is telling but my goodness, there are some good twists, one or two are jaw droppers.
The story is told via several points of view and I have no difficulty in distinguishing each of them. I like this approach as it builds the mystique and has me asking a load of questions about the place and what it’s all about. Some aspects seem positively biblical and that all slots into place towards the end and makes me wonder……
The characters are well depicted, the standouts are obviously Dan and Sadie, the latter is fabulous. I love their relationship which is a very close one and there’s plenty of punchy, witty dialogue with some well executed dry humour.
The ending maybe comes a bit thick and fast, but it’s not out of keeping with what’s going on and it is good. The epilogue several years on is very thought-provoking on several fronts. I feel the desire to throw away an item I wear 24/7!!
Overall, in my opinion this is another winner from this very talented author who is an MUST read for me. As for the cover, that certainly captures some of the best moments from the book!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Michael Joseph for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Serenity Falls, Florida…..
….is the perfect American town, founded and built by the Winsome Group in the 1970s. Perfect people, perfect houses, nothing bad ever happens in.Serenity Falls as there’s no crime – well, that’s a lie for a start. It’s where Dan and his daughter Sadie relocate to after the death of his mother, when they discover she has left him a property in the Floridian development. A fresh start for both of them, far away from their issues in Manchester. However, a number of offkilter, disturbing experiences rattle both of them. As Serenity Falls heads towards its 50th anniversary, it becomes increasingly obvious something very dark lies beneath the glossy surface. How far will some residents go to preserve their image and their secrets?? When you know, you can’t unknow.
I always have a deep suspicion of anything that seems too perfect, I want to rumple it up a bit and that sure applies to Serenity Falls, if you dare, with its appearance belying the reality. At times the plot enters the territory of the surreal, with some of the images being absolutely memorable as well as chilling. It’s very atmospheric, the author perfectly depicts the place and the vibes it exudes and at times it’s very creepy. There’s a bucket load of weird stuff that keeps happening, retaining the suspense my attention is riveted. The vibes are a great mix of Stephen King. + Stepford Wives + CJ Tudor.
The pace is not especially fast but that suits the story the author is telling but my goodness, there are some good twists, one or two are jaw droppers.
The story is told via several points of view and I have no difficulty in distinguishing each of them. I like this approach as it builds the mystique and has me asking a load of questions about the place and what it’s all about. Some aspects seem positively biblical and that all slots into place towards the end and makes me wonder……
The characters are well depicted, the standouts are obviously Dan and Sadie, the latter is fabulous. I love their relationship which is a very close one and there’s plenty of punchy, witty dialogue with some well executed dry humour.
The ending maybe comes a bit thick and fast, but it’s not out of keeping with what’s going on and it is good. The epilogue several years on is very thought-provoking on several fronts. I feel the desire to throw away an item I wear 24/7!!
Overall, in my opinion this is another winner from this very talented author who is an MUST read for me. As for the cover, that certainly captures some of the best moments from the book!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Michael Joseph for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
September 4, 2026
All is far from idyllic in the “perfect” town of Serenity Falls, where crime doesn’t exist, and all residents are walking around with smiles plastered on their faces, but look closer, and it’s all a facade. People disappear without a trace, or die tragically from an “accident”. Curfew is at 10.30pm for everyone, and there is an ice cream van with guards patrolling, to ensure that everyone is tucked up in bed and asleep by 11pm.
Dan and his 15 year old daughter Sadie, leave England for Florida’s Serenity Falls, after inheriting a mansion which unbeknown to them, was purchased by Dan’s mother, who recently passed away. Neither of them want to up sticks and move to an entirely different country, but life hasn’t been too good lately, and they feel they have no choice…and of course they can always sell it, and return to the UK, right…wrong!! Not long after they arrive, they notice that Serenity Falls has a lot of secrets…and why is there a body, floating in their pool?!!
This was a very good read, which had me quickly turning the pages. Serenity Falls is an awful place, despite what it promises, and man, there seems to be a lot of skullduggery going on. Nothing is as it seems, and I was stumped as to what was going on…my armchair detective head was having a vacation! This is a great psychological, mystery thriller which had me awake until the early hours…thankfully, there was no guarded ice cream van, to check I was asleep!!
4 ⭐️
Thanks to the author, Penguin, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
Available: 10 September 2026
Dan and his 15 year old daughter Sadie, leave England for Florida’s Serenity Falls, after inheriting a mansion which unbeknown to them, was purchased by Dan’s mother, who recently passed away. Neither of them want to up sticks and move to an entirely different country, but life hasn’t been too good lately, and they feel they have no choice…and of course they can always sell it, and return to the UK, right…wrong!! Not long after they arrive, they notice that Serenity Falls has a lot of secrets…and why is there a body, floating in their pool?!!
This was a very good read, which had me quickly turning the pages. Serenity Falls is an awful place, despite what it promises, and man, there seems to be a lot of skullduggery going on. Nothing is as it seems, and I was stumped as to what was going on…my armchair detective head was having a vacation! This is a great psychological, mystery thriller which had me awake until the early hours…thankfully, there was no guarded ice cream van, to check I was asleep!!
4 ⭐️
Thanks to the author, Penguin, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
Available: 10 September 2026
Want to Read
April 30, 2026New C.J. Tudor AND nostalgic eighties font?
Say. No. More.
😍
Say. No. More.
😍
September 15, 2026
’Enjoy the hour. It’s later than you think’
Serenity Falls is Tudor’s latest mystery thriller, this time with sci-fi elements. We follow dad-and daughter-duo Dan and Sadie after they move to the luxurious town of Serenity Falls, built by Harold Winsom - this world’s version of Walt Disney. What seems like the ideal place to start afresh quickly turns sour when the pair start to notice strange happenings in the town, including an odd woman handing out flyers for a long dead child, the empty house opposite where lights turn on in the dead of night, and the drowning of one of the towns mascots in their own back-garden pool.
This is certainly one of Tudor’s most unique premises, and I think she did a brilliant job at showing her creativity when it comes to science-fiction. I absolutely adored the ‘conspiracy theory’ elements to the story, and the uncanny valley atmosphere of the town was incredibly engaging. The best part about reading this story is that you are able to theorise and make your own guesses as to what is happening alongside the main characters, and that nothing is revealed too early. Tudor did an excellent job at building suspense and fleshing out Dan and Sadie as equally likeable characters. I was also a big fan of the selection of chapters from the perspective of dead townies, particularly Cash and Serena, who added much needed depth to the history of the town itself.
My biggest gripe with the book is its ending. It, unfortunately, felt very rushed and abrupt to me, concluding what I thought would be a drawn-out tense final third into a measly few short chapters. I also felt that the reveal behind why Serenity Falls was built was so nonsensical it bordered on silly, and came completely out of nowhere. It almost seemed like the conclusion was written for a separate novel entirely, and while I still enjoyed the book I was slightly disappointed by how it ended.
Overall, Serenity Falls gets 4/5 stars.
thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review! <3
Serenity Falls is Tudor’s latest mystery thriller, this time with sci-fi elements. We follow dad-and daughter-duo Dan and Sadie after they move to the luxurious town of Serenity Falls, built by Harold Winsom - this world’s version of Walt Disney. What seems like the ideal place to start afresh quickly turns sour when the pair start to notice strange happenings in the town, including an odd woman handing out flyers for a long dead child, the empty house opposite where lights turn on in the dead of night, and the drowning of one of the towns mascots in their own back-garden pool.
This is certainly one of Tudor’s most unique premises, and I think she did a brilliant job at showing her creativity when it comes to science-fiction. I absolutely adored the ‘conspiracy theory’ elements to the story, and the uncanny valley atmosphere of the town was incredibly engaging. The best part about reading this story is that you are able to theorise and make your own guesses as to what is happening alongside the main characters, and that nothing is revealed too early. Tudor did an excellent job at building suspense and fleshing out Dan and Sadie as equally likeable characters. I was also a big fan of the selection of chapters from the perspective of dead townies, particularly Cash and Serena, who added much needed depth to the history of the town itself.
My biggest gripe with the book is its ending. It, unfortunately, felt very rushed and abrupt to me, concluding what I thought would be a drawn-out tense final third into a measly few short chapters. I also felt that the reveal behind why Serenity Falls was built was so nonsensical it bordered on silly, and came completely out of nowhere. It almost seemed like the conclusion was written for a separate novel entirely, and while I still enjoyed the book I was slightly disappointed by how it ended.
Overall, Serenity Falls gets 4/5 stars.
thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review! <3
Want to Read
August 19, 2026One of my favorite authors!! I'm holding my breath waiting for a U.S. Release date!!
September 16, 2026
Absolutely loved this horror suburban mystery thriller of a novel. Dan and Sadies fortunes turn sour in England and soon find themselves inheriting a beautiful house in Serenity Falls. An idyllic town which looks perfect but they soon find out that looks can be deceiving. Something sinister is going on there and as multiple Povs and stories coalesce the tragic and evil side of paradise reveals itself in bizarre incidents. This book was scary and captivating, a must read for all horror enthusiasts. Highly recommended a full 5 stars 🌟
June 22, 2026
I really wish I hadn’t picked this book up when I had so many plans because MAN, I just wanted to be reading this all the time. It took me 10 days to get through which is unheard of for me, and though I managed a good chunk of pages every night, I wish I had been able to dedicate a day or so to it fully with no distractions!!!!!
It has absolutely everything you need for a slow burn, suburban horror and I already know this will be on everyone’s October TBR this year. It’s unsettling in the best way, you immediately sense something’s not right about this town where everyone just seems a little too perfect and of course, as soon as our main characters go to see their *inherited* new home for the first time - there’s a dead body floating in the pool.
What follows next is a series of disturbing discoveries and soon that fresh start turns into a terrifying nightmare. I don’t think I’ll ever look at an ice cream van the same way again LOL. I enjoyed this book thoroughly but just feel like something was missing from the ending. It felt a little rushed compared to the pace overall but if you enjoy creeping dread and heavy, atmospheric suspense - definitely check this one out!
It has absolutely everything you need for a slow burn, suburban horror and I already know this will be on everyone’s October TBR this year. It’s unsettling in the best way, you immediately sense something’s not right about this town where everyone just seems a little too perfect and of course, as soon as our main characters go to see their *inherited* new home for the first time - there’s a dead body floating in the pool.
What follows next is a series of disturbing discoveries and soon that fresh start turns into a terrifying nightmare. I don’t think I’ll ever look at an ice cream van the same way again LOL. I enjoyed this book thoroughly but just feel like something was missing from the ending. It felt a little rushed compared to the pace overall but if you enjoy creeping dread and heavy, atmospheric suspense - definitely check this one out!
September 18, 2026
It would seem that C.J. Tudor sees my ridiculously high expectations, nods to herself and says: okay you're on! Delicious small town creepiness, I gobbled it up. Read it!
July 12, 2026
Serenity Falls, is the latest novel by C.J. Tudor. A slow-burn psychological thriller that takes a sledgehammer to the myth of suburban paradise. A dream town where everything appears perfect and the streets are entirely crime-free, and the secrets are buried alive.
Dan and his teenage daughter, Sadie, are eager to move as far away as possible from their troubled past in the UK. Serenity Falls in the United States appears to be the perfect answer. Promising non-existent crime rates and a blissful environment where families can grow old together, it seems like the ultimate sanctuary. But the American Dream quickly morphs into a lucid nightmare. Their pristine new beginning is instantly shattered when Dan and Sadie discover a bloated, dead body floating in their own backyard swimming pool. The corpse in the pool is merely the opening act. As Dan and Sadie attempt to process the horror, they realise that Serenity Falls is operating under a bizarre, deeply Orwellian set of rules. Tudor masterfully layers the town with a series of skin-crawling anomalies: There are areas of perfectly preserved, abandoned houses where entire families have seemingly packed up and vanished into thin air overnight. A frantic, ghostly woman stalking the streets to plaster “missing” posters for a local child who allegedly drowned twenty-five years ago. A deeply eerie ice cream van that slow-cruises through the suburban neighbourhoods late at night, not to sell sweets, but to sinisterly monitor the houses and ensure all residents are sound asleep.
The community is preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Serenity Falls but an ancient, toxic truth begins to stir beneath the town’s blissful façade. The celebratory atmosphere only heightens the paranoia. Dan is forced to confront the reality that this town wasn’t a random choice, it is a trap founded on historical rot, and the community’s elite are entirely willing to commit fresh atrocities to preserve their clean record.
This is an atmospheric charged novel full of suspense. The extremes of a family-friendly, crime free world with a chilling, midnight surveillance creates an eerie setting.
As the countdown to the town’s anniversary celebrations ticks away, the tension escalates from a traditional cozy mystery into a high-octane survival horror. “Serenity Falls promised Dan and Sadie a place where crime didn’t exist, but nobody warned them that murder is a well kept secret. I have had mixed views of CJ Tudors previous novels, I loved ‘The Chalk Man’ and ‘The Burning Girls’ while other books left me less satisfied. In my opinion Serenity Falls is back up there with CJ Tudors best novels and possibly the best to date.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Michael Joseph for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Dan and his teenage daughter, Sadie, are eager to move as far away as possible from their troubled past in the UK. Serenity Falls in the United States appears to be the perfect answer. Promising non-existent crime rates and a blissful environment where families can grow old together, it seems like the ultimate sanctuary. But the American Dream quickly morphs into a lucid nightmare. Their pristine new beginning is instantly shattered when Dan and Sadie discover a bloated, dead body floating in their own backyard swimming pool. The corpse in the pool is merely the opening act. As Dan and Sadie attempt to process the horror, they realise that Serenity Falls is operating under a bizarre, deeply Orwellian set of rules. Tudor masterfully layers the town with a series of skin-crawling anomalies: There are areas of perfectly preserved, abandoned houses where entire families have seemingly packed up and vanished into thin air overnight. A frantic, ghostly woman stalking the streets to plaster “missing” posters for a local child who allegedly drowned twenty-five years ago. A deeply eerie ice cream van that slow-cruises through the suburban neighbourhoods late at night, not to sell sweets, but to sinisterly monitor the houses and ensure all residents are sound asleep.
The community is preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Serenity Falls but an ancient, toxic truth begins to stir beneath the town’s blissful façade. The celebratory atmosphere only heightens the paranoia. Dan is forced to confront the reality that this town wasn’t a random choice, it is a trap founded on historical rot, and the community’s elite are entirely willing to commit fresh atrocities to preserve their clean record.
This is an atmospheric charged novel full of suspense. The extremes of a family-friendly, crime free world with a chilling, midnight surveillance creates an eerie setting.
As the countdown to the town’s anniversary celebrations ticks away, the tension escalates from a traditional cozy mystery into a high-octane survival horror. “Serenity Falls promised Dan and Sadie a place where crime didn’t exist, but nobody warned them that murder is a well kept secret. I have had mixed views of CJ Tudors previous novels, I loved ‘The Chalk Man’ and ‘The Burning Girls’ while other books left me less satisfied. In my opinion Serenity Falls is back up there with CJ Tudors best novels and possibly the best to date.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Michael Joseph for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2026
Serenity Falls is a paradise, praised for its safety and crime free status. A perfect place with everything you need, you’ll never want to leave. When Dan and his daughter Sadie move from the UK to the US it seems like a fresh start, but the dead body in their pool the day they arrive hints at dark secrets in this idyllic town. As the strange events mount up maybe Serenity Falls is not all it seems.
One of my most anticipated reads of the year and as usual CJ does not disappoint. The characters are wonderful, a mix of ordinary, quirky and creepy. The atmosphere is unsettling and weird. The dialogue is fantastic especially Dan and Sadie. The perfection feels unnerving, we know nothing is perfect and the facade here is full of flaws no matter how the residents try to ignore it.
Told from several points of view, including deceased residents, the story comes together and paints a black hearted picture of this perfect town. Encouraged to never leave the gated community, supplied with everything they could ever need, it feels claustrophobic and suffocating. It is soaked in paranoia and an underlying terror of not following the rules.
It is such a compelling read, I devoured it in an afternoon, the story unwinds and you are desperate to know what happened, what comes next, spectacular!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy, views are my own.
One of my most anticipated reads of the year and as usual CJ does not disappoint. The characters are wonderful, a mix of ordinary, quirky and creepy. The atmosphere is unsettling and weird. The dialogue is fantastic especially Dan and Sadie. The perfection feels unnerving, we know nothing is perfect and the facade here is full of flaws no matter how the residents try to ignore it.
Told from several points of view, including deceased residents, the story comes together and paints a black hearted picture of this perfect town. Encouraged to never leave the gated community, supplied with everything they could ever need, it feels claustrophobic and suffocating. It is soaked in paranoia and an underlying terror of not following the rules.
It is such a compelling read, I devoured it in an afternoon, the story unwinds and you are desperate to know what happened, what comes next, spectacular!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy, views are my own.
Did Not Finish
September 19, 2026DNF at 35%
Daniel and his daughter relocate from Manchester to Serenity Falls after learning that his late mother owned a property there which he is legally unable to sell for five years. However, after discovering a dead body in their pool, they start to uncover the town's dark secrets.
I was initially intrigued by the story, but it soon slowed down to a point where I felt like nothing was happening, and I became incredibly bored.
There was also frequent mention of something bad which happened to a little boy and I was apprehensive that if I carried on, I would find something distressing as a newish Mum.
This is the third book I have read by this author and the third one I haven't enjoyed, so I think her writing style simply isn't for me.
Daniel and his daughter relocate from Manchester to Serenity Falls after learning that his late mother owned a property there which he is legally unable to sell for five years. However, after discovering a dead body in their pool, they start to uncover the town's dark secrets.
I was initially intrigued by the story, but it soon slowed down to a point where I felt like nothing was happening, and I became incredibly bored.
There was also frequent mention of something bad which happened to a little boy and I was apprehensive that if I carried on, I would find something distressing as a newish Mum.
This is the third book I have read by this author and the third one I haven't enjoyed, so I think her writing style simply isn't for me.
September 13, 2026
i don’t know if i built this book up way too much in my head because it was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026 but honestly.. it was a bit blah 🫣
the writing style was gripping & definitely kept me turning the pages but unfortunately that was about where my excitement ended. the storyline felt dull, i didn’t particularly care about any of the characters & even the big reveals left me feeling a bit meh 🤷🏻♀️ i kept waiting for that moment where everything would click & i’d understand why everyone was raving about it but it never really came. the twists were also pretty predictable so there wasn’t much of a shock factor for me either.
such a shame ‘Cause i really, REALLY wanted to love this one. instead, i finished it & thought.. was that it? 😂
✨ 2.5 stars rounded up
the writing style was gripping & definitely kept me turning the pages but unfortunately that was about where my excitement ended. the storyline felt dull, i didn’t particularly care about any of the characters & even the big reveals left me feeling a bit meh 🤷🏻♀️ i kept waiting for that moment where everything would click & i’d understand why everyone was raving about it but it never really came. the twists were also pretty predictable so there wasn’t much of a shock factor for me either.
such a shame ‘Cause i really, REALLY wanted to love this one. instead, i finished it & thought.. was that it? 😂
✨ 2.5 stars rounded up
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Out 13th September 2026
"Once you're here, you're here to stay"
So says Serenity Fall's motto which Dan and daughter Sadie discover after moving to the seemingly perfect, idyllic town of Serenity Falls after Dan inherits a house there after his mum's death. Their new start doesn't go according to plan as on arrival they discover a dead body of a welcome mascot in their pool, weird activity in the streets after dark and a strange ice cream van that appears to be following them. More curious still lots of the houses in Serenity Falls are empty with lots of families mysteriously disappearing overnight.
I absolutely loved this book and raced through it in a couple of days which is no easy feat when you have kids on summer holiday. I quickly found that I couldn't put the book down and had to keep reading as I needed to find out what on earth was going on. The story is told from the point of view of both Sadie and her dad with flashbacks to some of the residents who have disappeared under strange circumstances. There is a sinister sense of unease in this book which slowly increases as the story goes along and the reader discovers exactly what has been going on in the town. The strangeness is cut through with some fantastic humour, mainly from observations from Sadie and her dad which helped break the tension before it becomes too much. The ending was brilliant and I liked the realistic way everything was brought out into the open. Despite the author being described as the female Stephen King I don't think this story had many horror elements to it and I thought it was more a thriller than anything else, though Sadie's friends investigating the disappearance did remind me of the loser gang from It.
If you like unsettling, gripping thrillers then you need to read this book.
"Once you're here, you're here to stay"
So says Serenity Fall's motto which Dan and daughter Sadie discover after moving to the seemingly perfect, idyllic town of Serenity Falls after Dan inherits a house there after his mum's death. Their new start doesn't go according to plan as on arrival they discover a dead body of a welcome mascot in their pool, weird activity in the streets after dark and a strange ice cream van that appears to be following them. More curious still lots of the houses in Serenity Falls are empty with lots of families mysteriously disappearing overnight.
I absolutely loved this book and raced through it in a couple of days which is no easy feat when you have kids on summer holiday. I quickly found that I couldn't put the book down and had to keep reading as I needed to find out what on earth was going on. The story is told from the point of view of both Sadie and her dad with flashbacks to some of the residents who have disappeared under strange circumstances. There is a sinister sense of unease in this book which slowly increases as the story goes along and the reader discovers exactly what has been going on in the town. The strangeness is cut through with some fantastic humour, mainly from observations from Sadie and her dad which helped break the tension before it becomes too much. The ending was brilliant and I liked the realistic way everything was brought out into the open. Despite the author being described as the female Stephen King I don't think this story had many horror elements to it and I thought it was more a thriller than anything else, though Sadie's friends investigating the disappearance did remind me of the loser gang from It.
If you like unsettling, gripping thrillers then you need to read this book.
September 15, 2026
C.J. Tudor absolutely understood the assignment with this one. Serenity Falls was creepy, unsettling, atmospheric, and completely addictive. I went into this expecting a thriller, but what I got was this deliciously weird blend of mystery, horror, psychological suspense, and small-town secrets—and I was HERE FOR IT.
Dan and Sadie were such a fantastic father-daughter duo, and I loved experiencing Serenity Falls through their eyes. The town itself felt like a character, and the whole “perfect, crime-free community” facade had me suspicious from the very beginning. Because let’s be honest… when everything looks THAT perfect, you KNOW something is seriously wrong. 😂
The multiple POVs and timelines worked so well for me. Every chapter seemed to give me another piece of the puzzle while simultaneously making me question EVERYTHING I thought I knew. The tension slowly builds, the weirdness keeps escalating, and the further you get into the story, the more you realize that Serenity Falls is anything but serene.
And those twists?! They absolutely caught me off guard. Mind blown!
Tudor does such a great job creating that lingering sense of dread where you know something is wrong—you just have no idea how wrong it actually is.
And let's just say… I may never look at an ice cream truck the same way again. 👀🍦
If you love creepy communities, dark secrets, unreliable situations, mysterious disappearances, and books that slowly make you question what the hell is actually going on—add this one to your TBR.
I wish this were available in the US for readers, but it’s not….. so if you don’t want to wait until April 2027, go order it from Blackwells or Waterstone in the UK (I believe Blackwells has free shipping)
Dan and Sadie were such a fantastic father-daughter duo, and I loved experiencing Serenity Falls through their eyes. The town itself felt like a character, and the whole “perfect, crime-free community” facade had me suspicious from the very beginning. Because let’s be honest… when everything looks THAT perfect, you KNOW something is seriously wrong. 😂
The multiple POVs and timelines worked so well for me. Every chapter seemed to give me another piece of the puzzle while simultaneously making me question EVERYTHING I thought I knew. The tension slowly builds, the weirdness keeps escalating, and the further you get into the story, the more you realize that Serenity Falls is anything but serene.
And those twists?! They absolutely caught me off guard. Mind blown!
Tudor does such a great job creating that lingering sense of dread where you know something is wrong—you just have no idea how wrong it actually is.
And let's just say… I may never look at an ice cream truck the same way again. 👀🍦
If you love creepy communities, dark secrets, unreliable situations, mysterious disappearances, and books that slowly make you question what the hell is actually going on—add this one to your TBR.
I wish this were available in the US for readers, but it’s not….. so if you don’t want to wait until April 2027, go order it from Blackwells or Waterstone in the UK (I believe Blackwells has free shipping)
August 31, 2026
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026 and it didn’t fail to deliver. Immediate 5 stars.
We meet Dan and his daughter Sadie who inherit a house in what appears to be the most idyllic town in the US, Serenity Falls. They’re promised a life of peace and happiness in a town where crime doesn’t exist and the community is underpinned by their town rules to keep it this way.
The illusion doesn’t last long when they find a dead body in their swimming pool on moving day and the down right bizarre discoveries they make in the days and weeks after can only lead them to question Serenity Falls more and more. Dan and Sadie then start their own investigations and quickly find that absolutely nothing is as it seems and this town is hiding some very dark sinister truths, and there are no limits to the lengths the town will go to, to try and cover it up.
C.J. Tudor is one of the only authors I’ll see a book above 350 pages and commit to reading cover to cover. You know right from the get go you will dive into atmospheric writing, dark mysteries and some of the best psychological thriller / horror you’ve read. It’s no wonder she’s dubbed the female Stephen King. I could picture this so vividly it was as if I was plugged into the perfect movie in my head. This book will absolutely give you the creeps whilst keeping you in a fairly constant state of panic for both Sadie and Dan. The side characters back stories in this will also make you both love and despise them as you find out more about their lives and losses.
The idyllic town life reminded me of Walt Disneys dream for Epcot, and if I could sprinkle horror over that I truly believe Serenity Falls would be the end result. There was also a little nod to one of my favourite bands and I do enjoy that.
QOTD: What’s your favourite C.J Tudor book or other horror books?
A huge thank you to the Michael J Books team for sending me this ARC & if you’re in Leeds, get yourself along to her talk on 8th Sept Waterstones, I’ll see you in the signing queue!
We meet Dan and his daughter Sadie who inherit a house in what appears to be the most idyllic town in the US, Serenity Falls. They’re promised a life of peace and happiness in a town where crime doesn’t exist and the community is underpinned by their town rules to keep it this way.
The illusion doesn’t last long when they find a dead body in their swimming pool on moving day and the down right bizarre discoveries they make in the days and weeks after can only lead them to question Serenity Falls more and more. Dan and Sadie then start their own investigations and quickly find that absolutely nothing is as it seems and this town is hiding some very dark sinister truths, and there are no limits to the lengths the town will go to, to try and cover it up.
C.J. Tudor is one of the only authors I’ll see a book above 350 pages and commit to reading cover to cover. You know right from the get go you will dive into atmospheric writing, dark mysteries and some of the best psychological thriller / horror you’ve read. It’s no wonder she’s dubbed the female Stephen King. I could picture this so vividly it was as if I was plugged into the perfect movie in my head. This book will absolutely give you the creeps whilst keeping you in a fairly constant state of panic for both Sadie and Dan. The side characters back stories in this will also make you both love and despise them as you find out more about their lives and losses.
The idyllic town life reminded me of Walt Disneys dream for Epcot, and if I could sprinkle horror over that I truly believe Serenity Falls would be the end result. There was also a little nod to one of my favourite bands and I do enjoy that.
QOTD: What’s your favourite C.J Tudor book or other horror books?
A huge thank you to the Michael J Books team for sending me this ARC & if you’re in Leeds, get yourself along to her talk on 8th Sept Waterstones, I’ll see you in the signing queue!
September 17, 2026
First off, the book cover for Serenity Falls is absolute perfection and fits the story flawlessly. I love a relocation trope at the best of times, but when you add an idyllic, seemingly perfect gated town mixed with deep mystery, unexpected death, and absolute chaos, I am completely obsessed. Once I started reading about Dan and Sadie's eerie new start, I couldn't put this book down because it is unsettling in the absolute best way possible. The unfolding plot managed to be wonderfully wacky, incredibly creepy, and endlessly entertaining all in one brilliantly paced package, making it a thoroughly worthy read for anyone who loves a dark thriller with a bit of a sinister edge. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
September 10, 2026
4.5 ✨
It gave the perfection of Wisteria Lane in desperate housewives, but make it dark, mysterious and corrupt
An absolute must read, I’ve been saying for so long I want a thriller that gives an eerie vibe and this is everything I wanted and more!
Cannot recommend enough to add this to your spooky TBR 👻
It gave the perfection of Wisteria Lane in desperate housewives, but make it dark, mysterious and corrupt
An absolute must read, I’ve been saying for so long I want a thriller that gives an eerie vibe and this is everything I wanted and more!
Cannot recommend enough to add this to your spooky TBR 👻
June 7, 2026
This is by far my favourite read from this author. What an absolute fab read this was. I was immediately hooked in and I could t put this one down. I loved every second of it. Also can we appreciate how stunning the cover is 🤩
July 18, 2026
3.5⭐️ A perfect small town in Florida welcomes Dan and Sadie from the uk after they inherited a property. Spooky events start to happen and not knowing who to trust makes things even harder. Enjoyable book which I read really quickly. Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc
September 19, 2026
4.5 stars
July 25, 2026
*3.5 rounded down*
I was so bloody excited when I seen j got accepted for this on netgalley as I’ve read quite of few of Tudors books and have loved them!!
Although I loved the vibes of what this book is I don’t know there could have been so much more than what it is.
I enjoyed the twists & the different POVS and thought the characters were greatly written
But for the overall story I was a little disappointed 🥲
I was so bloody excited when I seen j got accepted for this on netgalley as I’ve read quite of few of Tudors books and have loved them!!
Although I loved the vibes of what this book is I don’t know there could have been so much more than what it is.
I enjoyed the twists & the different POVS and thought the characters were greatly written
But for the overall story I was a little disappointed 🥲
September 12, 2026
I thank Penguin UK (Michael Joseph) and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book, which I freely chose to review.
I was lucky to discover C. J. Tudor when she was about to publish her first book, almost nine years ago, and she has become a favourite of mine. She writes stories that combine horror and thriller elements, and she has been compared to Stephen King, who is a strong influence on her, for good reason. I haven’t been disappointed by any of her books yet, and her newest novel is no different.
Imagine you are a single father, a teacher who has lost his job for defending his teenage daughter, and who has no idea what to do now. And, out of nowhere, you get a surprise inheritance from your mother, who always lived modestly and never talked about making any purchases abroad. But, she has left you a house in the USA. A luxury property, with a swimming pool and all. The house is in Serenity Falls, a unique place born from the mind of a man who created some of the most beloved children's animation movies, cartoon characters, and amusement parks in the world. His vision was to create a series of towns all over the USA, where families would feel safe and happy; nothing dangerous or bad would ever happen, and life would be perfect. It sounds too good to be true, and you soon discover that there is a catch, or several. You cannot sell the property, and you have to move there (Dan and Sadie, the protagonists, live in the UK at the beginning of the story) and live there for several years before you can think of selling the property. But, you don’t have any better options, so you move there. And you soon discover that 'nothing ever happens in Serenity Falls’ is open to interpretation, to say the least.
The novel is narrated by a variety of characters —readers need not worry about getting confused, as the narrator is clearly indicated in each chapter— although the main protagonists are Dan and Sadie, his daughter. Sadie’s point of view is told in the third person, and all the rest are narrated in the first person. Although in the beginning we don’t know who everybody is, as the story progresses we get used to the characters, and we learn a lot of what has happened in Serenity Falls, things that Dan and Sadie do not know of- so we might feel we are in a privileged position, but, as is expected of the genre, not everything is revealed, and there are clues and red herrings galore.
From what I am saying, you will probably get the idea that strange things are happening in the town, and that would be an understatement. The nasty surprises and the menacing characters and events keep coming, fast and thick, and the protagonists have no time to adapt and settle to their new life in between all the incidents they experience. On the surface, everything seems quiet and peaceful in the dream town, but as happens with the lake on the outskirts, there might be things hiding in the deep that are more dangerous than anybody would care to admit.
As is the case with all of the author’s novels, there is plenty going on to keep readers turning the pages and wondering what might be happening. The characters are interesting and recognisable (I particularly like Sadie, who understands and knows much more than she lets on and is not afraid to push the boundaries and explore), and although sometimes we might wish Dan was a bit more determined and forceful, his love for his daughter and his determination to do the best for her comes across clearly. There is a full cast of secondary characters, who are fascinating as well, and some that we only hear about but never meet in person, at least. And then, there is the town, which is a character in its own right, perhaps the most important.
The writing flows well, and it helps us understand and know the characters through their dialogue and internal monologues. There are scary moments (although I would not class the novel as pure horror), and there is plenty of dark humour, which eases the tension. I’ve highlighted many quotable paragraphs, and the ending is more than satisfying. Happy? Well, like my favourite horror movies and books, let’s say the ending leaves you with a feeling of uneasiness.
To those of you who like to play detective and guess who and what is behind the events and discover all the secrets, you’d do well to reserve some time to read it without too many interruptions, so you don’t miss any clues. (I guessed some of the main secrets, but the beauty is in how they fit in the larger scheme of things. And I won’t say anything else).
I recommend this book to readers of C. J. Tudor’s novels, Stephen King’s followers, and anybody who likes the sound of the story, even if they aren’t habitual readers of horror novels. There are plenty of bad things that take place in the book, of course, but anybody who enjoys reading thrillers won’t be scared or find it excessive. And readers who haven’t met this author before, check them all out and start wherever you like. They are all great!
I was lucky to discover C. J. Tudor when she was about to publish her first book, almost nine years ago, and she has become a favourite of mine. She writes stories that combine horror and thriller elements, and she has been compared to Stephen King, who is a strong influence on her, for good reason. I haven’t been disappointed by any of her books yet, and her newest novel is no different.
Imagine you are a single father, a teacher who has lost his job for defending his teenage daughter, and who has no idea what to do now. And, out of nowhere, you get a surprise inheritance from your mother, who always lived modestly and never talked about making any purchases abroad. But, she has left you a house in the USA. A luxury property, with a swimming pool and all. The house is in Serenity Falls, a unique place born from the mind of a man who created some of the most beloved children's animation movies, cartoon characters, and amusement parks in the world. His vision was to create a series of towns all over the USA, where families would feel safe and happy; nothing dangerous or bad would ever happen, and life would be perfect. It sounds too good to be true, and you soon discover that there is a catch, or several. You cannot sell the property, and you have to move there (Dan and Sadie, the protagonists, live in the UK at the beginning of the story) and live there for several years before you can think of selling the property. But, you don’t have any better options, so you move there. And you soon discover that 'nothing ever happens in Serenity Falls’ is open to interpretation, to say the least.
The novel is narrated by a variety of characters —readers need not worry about getting confused, as the narrator is clearly indicated in each chapter— although the main protagonists are Dan and Sadie, his daughter. Sadie’s point of view is told in the third person, and all the rest are narrated in the first person. Although in the beginning we don’t know who everybody is, as the story progresses we get used to the characters, and we learn a lot of what has happened in Serenity Falls, things that Dan and Sadie do not know of- so we might feel we are in a privileged position, but, as is expected of the genre, not everything is revealed, and there are clues and red herrings galore.
From what I am saying, you will probably get the idea that strange things are happening in the town, and that would be an understatement. The nasty surprises and the menacing characters and events keep coming, fast and thick, and the protagonists have no time to adapt and settle to their new life in between all the incidents they experience. On the surface, everything seems quiet and peaceful in the dream town, but as happens with the lake on the outskirts, there might be things hiding in the deep that are more dangerous than anybody would care to admit.
As is the case with all of the author’s novels, there is plenty going on to keep readers turning the pages and wondering what might be happening. The characters are interesting and recognisable (I particularly like Sadie, who understands and knows much more than she lets on and is not afraid to push the boundaries and explore), and although sometimes we might wish Dan was a bit more determined and forceful, his love for his daughter and his determination to do the best for her comes across clearly. There is a full cast of secondary characters, who are fascinating as well, and some that we only hear about but never meet in person, at least. And then, there is the town, which is a character in its own right, perhaps the most important.
The writing flows well, and it helps us understand and know the characters through their dialogue and internal monologues. There are scary moments (although I would not class the novel as pure horror), and there is plenty of dark humour, which eases the tension. I’ve highlighted many quotable paragraphs, and the ending is more than satisfying. Happy? Well, like my favourite horror movies and books, let’s say the ending leaves you with a feeling of uneasiness.
To those of you who like to play detective and guess who and what is behind the events and discover all the secrets, you’d do well to reserve some time to read it without too many interruptions, so you don’t miss any clues. (I guessed some of the main secrets, but the beauty is in how they fit in the larger scheme of things. And I won’t say anything else).
I recommend this book to readers of C. J. Tudor’s novels, Stephen King’s followers, and anybody who likes the sound of the story, even if they aren’t habitual readers of horror novels. There are plenty of bad things that take place in the book, of course, but anybody who enjoys reading thrillers won’t be scared or find it excessive. And readers who haven’t met this author before, check them all out and start wherever you like. They are all great!
June 22, 2026
3.75⭐️
First of all, I would just like to thank C.J. Tudor, Michael Joseph & Netgalley for an ARC of ‘Serenity Falls’ in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVE C.J. Tudor’s books, so as you can imagine, I was unbelievably excited to be approved for this one and started it pretty much as soon as it arrived on my kindle.
Serenity Falls definitely did not disappoint. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t my favourite of hers, I would have liked some more horror elements, but I still really enjoyed it.
The pacing was steady and the constant cliffhangers at the end of every chapter had me hooked. I loved Dan and Sadie’s relationship, and the cynical British humour they brought with them to America.
The actual town of Serenity Falls was crafted really well, in my opinion. It was a character in itself. You get a sense of the place almost immediately and I think that’s down to a mixture of brilliant description and imagery, but also the wonderful eeriness that follows you throughout every page.
I LOVED the fact that we have multiple perspectives told from *past* (cough cough) Serenity Falls residents to help build the foundation and gradually unveil the mystery. I’ve never come across anything like that in a book before, and I think it worked excellently.
This is one of those books where, despite the somewhat predictable twists and the rather unrealistic ending, it doesn’t take away from your enjoyment of the book in the slightest.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and definitely recommend! I can’t wait to see what C.J. Tudor brings us next!
First of all, I would just like to thank C.J. Tudor, Michael Joseph & Netgalley for an ARC of ‘Serenity Falls’ in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVE C.J. Tudor’s books, so as you can imagine, I was unbelievably excited to be approved for this one and started it pretty much as soon as it arrived on my kindle.
Serenity Falls definitely did not disappoint. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t my favourite of hers, I would have liked some more horror elements, but I still really enjoyed it.
The pacing was steady and the constant cliffhangers at the end of every chapter had me hooked. I loved Dan and Sadie’s relationship, and the cynical British humour they brought with them to America.
The actual town of Serenity Falls was crafted really well, in my opinion. It was a character in itself. You get a sense of the place almost immediately and I think that’s down to a mixture of brilliant description and imagery, but also the wonderful eeriness that follows you throughout every page.
I LOVED the fact that we have multiple perspectives told from *past* (cough cough) Serenity Falls residents to help build the foundation and gradually unveil the mystery. I’ve never come across anything like that in a book before, and I think it worked excellently.
This is one of those books where, despite the somewhat predictable twists and the rather unrealistic ending, it doesn’t take away from your enjoyment of the book in the slightest.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and definitely recommend! I can’t wait to see what C.J. Tudor brings us next!
September 13, 2026
Rating: 4.3/5
I have been an admirer of C.J.Tudor's work ever since she debuted with "The Chalk Man" in 2018. With the possible exception of her previous novel, "The Gathering", which, although good, felt a little below par by her high standards, she has consistently produced top quality engaging and entertaining reads. I am pleased to say that "Serenity Falls" is yet another book that warrants that description.
C.J.Tudor has been described as a female, British version of Stephen King. That comparison is understandable. The author has acknowledged her admiration of Stephen King and, in turn, he has voiced positive opinions about her work. It is not unusual for C.J. to drop references to King's stories into her books and "Serenity Falls" is no exception. There seem to be even more references to King's work than usual in this particular story and, I would venture to say that "Serenity Falls" is the most King-like novel she has produced thus far. That said, C.J.Tudor is far more than merely a British facsimile of Stephen King.
I have seen "Serenity Falls" described as 'Stephen King collides with The Stepford Wives' and whilst I can appreciate that description, I feel that "Hot Fuzz" mixed with "The Truman Show" and perhaps a dash of "Desperate Housewives" would be more apt. Either way, if you appreciate well-written mystery thrillers with nicely portrayed characters and hints of the supernatural then you could do far worse than to give this one a try.
I have been an admirer of C.J.Tudor's work ever since she debuted with "The Chalk Man" in 2018. With the possible exception of her previous novel, "The Gathering", which, although good, felt a little below par by her high standards, she has consistently produced top quality engaging and entertaining reads. I am pleased to say that "Serenity Falls" is yet another book that warrants that description.
C.J.Tudor has been described as a female, British version of Stephen King. That comparison is understandable. The author has acknowledged her admiration of Stephen King and, in turn, he has voiced positive opinions about her work. It is not unusual for C.J. to drop references to King's stories into her books and "Serenity Falls" is no exception. There seem to be even more references to King's work than usual in this particular story and, I would venture to say that "Serenity Falls" is the most King-like novel she has produced thus far. That said, C.J.Tudor is far more than merely a British facsimile of Stephen King.
I have seen "Serenity Falls" described as 'Stephen King collides with The Stepford Wives' and whilst I can appreciate that description, I feel that "Hot Fuzz" mixed with "The Truman Show" and perhaps a dash of "Desperate Housewives" would be more apt. Either way, if you appreciate well-written mystery thrillers with nicely portrayed characters and hints of the supernatural then you could do far worse than to give this one a try.
September 17, 2026
After an unexpected inheritance, Dan and his teenage daughter Sadie relocate to Serenity Falls in Florida. Leaving Manchester and everything they have previously known is no easy feat and once arrived at Serenity Falls they both soon realise that all is not well in this seemingly idyllic town. Mysterious events soon start to happen and a dark and brooding atmosphere helps to make Serenity Falls into one of those stories that you stay up long and late to finish.
I enjoyed way the story unfolded, the slow build up, observing how Dan and Sadie are pulled into a very different lifestyle and there’s a definite undercurrent of unease with a few surprise twists and turns along the way. The arrival of the decidedly creepy ice cream van which is featured on the front cover made the hair on the back of my neck stand up and I’ll never hear ice cream musical chimes in the same way again.
Reminiscent of Stephen King, and with Serenity Falls as its lead character, this is a thriller / horror story which ticks all the right boxes and has all the necessary elements of fear, surprise and nail biting edginess.
June 8, 2026
‘𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙧. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠’ ☠️
Sadie and her father move to Serenity Falls after inheriting a house from her grandmother. Everything seems too good to be true; that is, until they find a dead body in their pool. The ‘perfect’ town soon turns out to be anything but..
This book really is perfect for Stephen King fans (I absolutely love that CJ had lots of nods to his books in this novel). ‘Serenity Falls’ gave me an insane combination of vibes from ‘Pleasantville’ to ‘The Stepford Wives’. Think Uncanny Valley as an entire town.
The plot definitely leaves a feeling of dread in the reader, and it’s safe to say I never want to see or hear an ice cream van ever again after reading this; it gives me the creeps just to think about it. I sometimes struggle with multi POV books, however this read so seamlessly that I didn’t find I was confused at any point.
Definitely a book to pick up if you love horrors/thrillers that leave you feeling uneasy!
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗝 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.
Sadie and her father move to Serenity Falls after inheriting a house from her grandmother. Everything seems too good to be true; that is, until they find a dead body in their pool. The ‘perfect’ town soon turns out to be anything but..
This book really is perfect for Stephen King fans (I absolutely love that CJ had lots of nods to his books in this novel). ‘Serenity Falls’ gave me an insane combination of vibes from ‘Pleasantville’ to ‘The Stepford Wives’. Think Uncanny Valley as an entire town.
The plot definitely leaves a feeling of dread in the reader, and it’s safe to say I never want to see or hear an ice cream van ever again after reading this; it gives me the creeps just to think about it. I sometimes struggle with multi POV books, however this read so seamlessly that I didn’t find I was confused at any point.
Definitely a book to pick up if you love horrors/thrillers that leave you feeling uneasy!
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗝 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.
June 29, 2026
This was my first C.J. Tudor book and omg it did not disappoint!
Serenity falls follows Dan and his daughter Sadie who have just found out after dans mother’s passing that she owned a house in serenity falls, a gated community in the US that boosts the perfect place to raise your family with no crime. The only catch Dan can’t sell without living there for 5 years it comes at a time were Dan doesn’t have any many other options and so off they go to live out the dream in America. Only just in the door and things start to take a slight disturbing turn.
I absolutely loved serenity falls it was fast paced, tense creepy at times and a wild ride in terms of not knowing what was going on. Sadie and Dan were fantastic characters that I instantly connected to and I felt like C.J Tudor really knew her characters well and fleshed them out so good I was routing for them the whole book.
I loved all the chapters from the other residents as well as it added more tension to the mix. Serena being a favourite, you’ll route for her too just as much as I did.
And then there’s serenity falls which felt like its own character along with all the residents. It just all feels slightly sinister like stepford wives meets the hush episode from buffy there’s definitely a moment in here that gave me the creeps and had me holding my breath.
If you like fast paced books with weird residents and unsettling towns with gator swamps and fairground vibes then serenity falls is definitely one to put on your radar.
Thank you so much to the publisher via netgally for a review copy.
Serenity falls follows Dan and his daughter Sadie who have just found out after dans mother’s passing that she owned a house in serenity falls, a gated community in the US that boosts the perfect place to raise your family with no crime. The only catch Dan can’t sell without living there for 5 years it comes at a time were Dan doesn’t have any many other options and so off they go to live out the dream in America. Only just in the door and things start to take a slight disturbing turn.
I absolutely loved serenity falls it was fast paced, tense creepy at times and a wild ride in terms of not knowing what was going on. Sadie and Dan were fantastic characters that I instantly connected to and I felt like C.J Tudor really knew her characters well and fleshed them out so good I was routing for them the whole book.
I loved all the chapters from the other residents as well as it added more tension to the mix. Serena being a favourite, you’ll route for her too just as much as I did.
And then there’s serenity falls which felt like its own character along with all the residents. It just all feels slightly sinister like stepford wives meets the hush episode from buffy there’s definitely a moment in here that gave me the creeps and had me holding my breath.
If you like fast paced books with weird residents and unsettling towns with gator swamps and fairground vibes then serenity falls is definitely one to put on your radar.
Thank you so much to the publisher via netgally for a review copy.
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