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The Red Knot
Gripping, atmospheric, and off-putting, The Red Knot is the perfect blend of occult mystery and small-town horror.
On a tiny, isolated island off the southern Alaskan coast, three girls have vanished without a trace, and Audra’s close friend—the island’s therapist—has been found murdered. A recent storm has severed all communication with the outside world, leaving Audra, the town's lead detective, trapped and at the head of a very personal case.
Her lead suspect, Valorie, the daughter of a notorious cult leader and the town's outcast, was discovered blood-covered and dazed at the crime scene. Valorie’s memory is a gaping void, a dark well hiding traumatic secrets, including the truth about the teenage kidnappings that haunt the island.
As Audra digs deeper into the town's twisted history, it becomes clear other murders on the island, dating back decades, might be connected. The clock is ticking for the missing girls, and every clue leads Audra to question even those she's known her whole life.
Valorie must confront the horrors of her past while Audra’s investigation becomes a descent into madness. On this cursed island, the line between neighbor and nightmare blurs, revealing that true horror often wears a familiar face.
On a tiny, isolated island off the southern Alaskan coast, three girls have vanished without a trace, and Audra’s close friend—the island’s therapist—has been found murdered. A recent storm has severed all communication with the outside world, leaving Audra, the town's lead detective, trapped and at the head of a very personal case.
Her lead suspect, Valorie, the daughter of a notorious cult leader and the town's outcast, was discovered blood-covered and dazed at the crime scene. Valorie’s memory is a gaping void, a dark well hiding traumatic secrets, including the truth about the teenage kidnappings that haunt the island.
As Audra digs deeper into the town's twisted history, it becomes clear other murders on the island, dating back decades, might be connected. The clock is ticking for the missing girls, and every clue leads Audra to question even those she's known her whole life.
Valorie must confront the horrors of her past while Audra’s investigation becomes a descent into madness. On this cursed island, the line between neighbor and nightmare blurs, revealing that true horror often wears a familiar face.
416 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
April 18, 2025
♥ My Overall Thoughts ♥
♥ Quick Synopsis ♥
♥ Content Warnings ♥
♥ Thank You ♥
♥ Release Date ♥
September 10, 2025
A big thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced copy of this book!
I really enjoyed this and I usually don't pick up detective reads but this was on a different level. This has a lot of "what the f#$kkkkk" moments, in the best possible way! If you liked the movie Hereditary I think you will absolutely EAT THIS UP!
This is 100% worth reading if you like,
Small town settings
Deactivate stories
Crazy Cults
Non stop twists and turns
Eerie atmospheres
The audio is also great. The narrator really helped add to the atmosphere!!
I really enjoyed this and I usually don't pick up detective reads but this was on a different level. This has a lot of "what the f#$kkkkk" moments, in the best possible way! If you liked the movie Hereditary I think you will absolutely EAT THIS UP!
This is 100% worth reading if you like,
Small town settings
Deactivate stories
Crazy Cults
Non stop twists and turns
Eerie atmospheres
The audio is also great. The narrator really helped add to the atmosphere!!
August 27, 2025
What is the red knot?
On a small island off the Alaskan coast, three girls have disappeared and the town therapist has been murdered. Audra is the lead detective in charge of the case, and it soon turns very personal.
Valorie is the daughter of a notorious cult leader and town outcast. She soon becomes the lead suspect in the murder, but she can’t remember what happened.
Audra must look into the town’s history and discover its hidden secrets to figure out who murdered the therapist and kidnapped the teenage girls. She has to work fast before someone close to her gets hurt.
When I requested this ARC I didn’t realize Monique Asher also wrote Don’t Eat the Pie, which I enjoyed, but felt leaned more toward the YA genre. Thankfully, The Red Knot reads more like an adult horror novel!
The book is well written and engrossing, dealing with cults, DID, and all kinds of abuse. While there is a clever twist, I guessed correctly the majority of what was going on. A supernatural element comes into play at the end, which gave me some pause. I’m not fully sold on the direction this plot took, but it was mostly satisfying.
I listened to the audiobook which is expertly narrated by Jennifer Pickens. I really enjoyed this format and highly recommend it.
4/5 stars
Trigger warning: sexual assault
Publication date: 8/26/25
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of The Red Knot in exchange for an honest review.
On a small island off the Alaskan coast, three girls have disappeared and the town therapist has been murdered. Audra is the lead detective in charge of the case, and it soon turns very personal.
Valorie is the daughter of a notorious cult leader and town outcast. She soon becomes the lead suspect in the murder, but she can’t remember what happened.
Audra must look into the town’s history and discover its hidden secrets to figure out who murdered the therapist and kidnapped the teenage girls. She has to work fast before someone close to her gets hurt.
When I requested this ARC I didn’t realize Monique Asher also wrote Don’t Eat the Pie, which I enjoyed, but felt leaned more toward the YA genre. Thankfully, The Red Knot reads more like an adult horror novel!
The book is well written and engrossing, dealing with cults, DID, and all kinds of abuse. While there is a clever twist, I guessed correctly the majority of what was going on. A supernatural element comes into play at the end, which gave me some pause. I’m not fully sold on the direction this plot took, but it was mostly satisfying.
I listened to the audiobook which is expertly narrated by Jennifer Pickens. I really enjoyed this format and highly recommend it.
4/5 stars
Trigger warning: sexual assault
Publication date: 8/26/25
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of The Red Knot in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2025
3.5 Stars
A creepy atmospheric blend of genres that will keep you asking yourself what is going on.
Quick synopsis: Audra has been investigating the case of two missing girls when a murder and new abduction takes center stage. This isn’t the first time girls have gone missing on Typhon Island. The island itself has a story all of its own. There have been rumors that a cult once occupied the island. Could that explain the missing girls?
This novel is a blend of many things. You have a mystery/thriller aspect with the missing girls, the cult itself, an unreliable narrator who has DID and the possibility of a supernatural element. Overall, the combination of it all worked for me and for once I have no complaints about the ending except for it being a little icky. The main issue I had with the novel was keeping my focus. The chapters are short, which is usually a good thing, but they kept alternating between Audra and Valorie. Obviously, both characters have their own distinct personalities, which made it tough to stay in focus with it constantly flipping back-and-forth. It also felt a bit long in the middle.
All in all, I did really like this novel it just had a few things that kept me from being fully engaged with it to round up that extra half star .
A creepy atmospheric blend of genres that will keep you asking yourself what is going on.
Quick synopsis: Audra has been investigating the case of two missing girls when a murder and new abduction takes center stage. This isn’t the first time girls have gone missing on Typhon Island. The island itself has a story all of its own. There have been rumors that a cult once occupied the island. Could that explain the missing girls?
This novel is a blend of many things. You have a mystery/thriller aspect with the missing girls, the cult itself, an unreliable narrator who has DID and the possibility of a supernatural element. Overall, the combination of it all worked for me and for once I have no complaints about the ending except for it being a little icky. The main issue I had with the novel was keeping my focus. The chapters are short, which is usually a good thing, but they kept alternating between Audra and Valorie. Obviously, both characters have their own distinct personalities, which made it tough to stay in focus with it constantly flipping back-and-forth. It also felt a bit long in the middle.
All in all, I did really like this novel it just had a few things that kept me from being fully engaged with it to round up that extra half star .
April 28, 2025
3.75/5 stars.
This was such an ominous and dark read! Set on an Alaskan island, a woman is found murdered, and other girls have gone missing. It becomes a race for Detective Audra to try to find out what happened to the murdered island therapist and to save the missing girls. She soon discovers that these present-day crimes might be connected to some gruesome past murders.
Audra starts looking into Valorie, who suffers from memory loss and is also the daughter of the town's infamous cult leader. As Audra dives into her investigation, she starts to uncover dark secrets and doesn't know who she can trust.
The book maintains an eerie, dark tone throughout the whole story. I really enjoyed the writing in this and the character development. One character in particular is incredibly fascinating. Valorie, at the beginning of the book, is immediately revealed to suffer from multiple personality disorder (clinically known as dissociative identity disorder). Her mind has split from her childhood traumas and has caused her memory to have chunks missing. Valorie will occasionally wake up without any recollection of past days. All she has is a deep feeling of dread that something awful has happened in her absence. I've read only a handful of books about DID but never fail to be amazed by them.
The crimes within this book are disturbing and gruesome. There is some sensitive content within this book dealing with rape, but it wasn't overly detailed. Sometimes authors will place too much emphasis on these scenes and describing the actual act to the point where it feels like a fantasy. I didn't think that was the case here. While still uncomfortable, it didn't feel drawn out. The mystery and sleuthing in this book was attention-grabbing. I loved seeing the investigation unfold and all of the pieces start to come together.
Most of the book was gripping: the story, the mystery, the characters. But I also felt as though it dragged on at certain points. I lost a bit of steam about midway through the book, where I felt like not much progress was being made, but the feeling didn't last too long, and it quickly picked back up. This was mostly what knocked my rating down.
I struggled a bit with the shifting perspectives as well. The story unfolds under the POV of Audra (lead detective) and Valorie. But Valorie, we also would follow under her split personalities. The story would also jump between present day and the past. While it did work and it did add to the story, it didn't always feel as seamless to me as I think it could've.
As someone who is generally incredibly intrigued by DID and cults, this book was a fun ride. There were parts that were a bit predictable and others that weren't. There were some revenge scenes towards the end which felt incredibly gratifying to read. Definitely worth the read, but be sure to check the content warnings before picking this one up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing for the arc. All opinions are my own.
TW: Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis, Injury/Injury detail
StoryGraph Review
Fable Review
This was such an ominous and dark read! Set on an Alaskan island, a woman is found murdered, and other girls have gone missing. It becomes a race for Detective Audra to try to find out what happened to the murdered island therapist and to save the missing girls. She soon discovers that these present-day crimes might be connected to some gruesome past murders.
Audra starts looking into Valorie, who suffers from memory loss and is also the daughter of the town's infamous cult leader. As Audra dives into her investigation, she starts to uncover dark secrets and doesn't know who she can trust.
The book maintains an eerie, dark tone throughout the whole story. I really enjoyed the writing in this and the character development. One character in particular is incredibly fascinating. Valorie, at the beginning of the book, is immediately revealed to suffer from multiple personality disorder (clinically known as dissociative identity disorder). Her mind has split from her childhood traumas and has caused her memory to have chunks missing. Valorie will occasionally wake up without any recollection of past days. All she has is a deep feeling of dread that something awful has happened in her absence. I've read only a handful of books about DID but never fail to be amazed by them.
The crimes within this book are disturbing and gruesome. There is some sensitive content within this book dealing with rape, but it wasn't overly detailed. Sometimes authors will place too much emphasis on these scenes and describing the actual act to the point where it feels like a fantasy. I didn't think that was the case here. While still uncomfortable, it didn't feel drawn out. The mystery and sleuthing in this book was attention-grabbing. I loved seeing the investigation unfold and all of the pieces start to come together.
Most of the book was gripping: the story, the mystery, the characters. But I also felt as though it dragged on at certain points. I lost a bit of steam about midway through the book, where I felt like not much progress was being made, but the feeling didn't last too long, and it quickly picked back up. This was mostly what knocked my rating down.
I struggled a bit with the shifting perspectives as well. The story unfolds under the POV of Audra (lead detective) and Valorie. But Valorie, we also would follow under her split personalities. The story would also jump between present day and the past. While it did work and it did add to the story, it didn't always feel as seamless to me as I think it could've.
As someone who is generally incredibly intrigued by DID and cults, this book was a fun ride. There were parts that were a bit predictable and others that weren't. There were some revenge scenes towards the end which felt incredibly gratifying to read. Definitely worth the read, but be sure to check the content warnings before picking this one up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing for the arc. All opinions are my own.
TW: Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis, Injury/Injury detail
StoryGraph Review
Fable Review
June 4, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing for allowing me to read and review the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
This was a wild ride! An isolated island, missing girls, a murdered therapist, and a whole lot of secrets. The daughter of a cult leader, Valorie, has been accused of murdering her therapist Allie for digging into her past. She has a lot of missing memories from her past they were just trying to bring to the surface. Allie’s daughter has joined the list of missing girls and Audra is on the case. She has to find out who killed her friend and took her daughter’s best friend. But what she finds will change everything. 4.5 stars rounded up!
This was a wild ride! An isolated island, missing girls, a murdered therapist, and a whole lot of secrets. The daughter of a cult leader, Valorie, has been accused of murdering her therapist Allie for digging into her past. She has a lot of missing memories from her past they were just trying to bring to the surface. Allie’s daughter has joined the list of missing girls and Audra is on the case. She has to find out who killed her friend and took her daughter’s best friend. But what she finds will change everything. 4.5 stars rounded up!
August 10, 2025
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review. Trigger warning: You hear about rape and at least two scenes show someone who is a kid and a teen about to be raped.
"The Red Knot" centers on an isolated town on an island in Alaska. The town has been through some devastating times and it appears they are back. A recent storm has caused some fisherman to be killed. And a local girl has gone missing. When the local detective Audra finds out that her best friend has been killed and her daughter taken, she is determined to figure out what is going on. She thinks that one of her best friend's clients, is the murderer which leads her back to a woman named Valorie who seems to be going in and out of fugue states and has terror of a red knot and a noise that only she can hear.
I don't really know what to say here. I think that if the last 20 percent of the book had been the majority of the book I would have loved this more. Instead, this one was all over the place. We had way too many POVs and then we were in so many different timelines it was hard to track. And even though the last 20 percent finally got the book moving, the ending wasn't that great.
The character of Audra was aggravating. I loved that her main thing is that she didn't feel like her mother loved her, but isn't showing up great in the mom department with regards to her daughter Wren. I also thought we got way too many things spewed at us about her, her marriage, her current relationship. I don't know what was going on after a while. It felt like she was attracted to everyone and no one at the same time. I just wanted to read this mystery/horror novel and not feel like Audra was the world's dumbest detective who kept lashing out at everyone.
Valorie. Sigh. There was too much happening with this character. I had a hard time keeping track of what was real and not real and then of course after you get to the reveals you can go back and see what was real now based on what is known to you as a reader, but I honestly didn't have the energy. I think the constant timelines following her where just too much after a while.
In addition, I have to say the ending left me feeling unsatisfied. Not everything that went on in the past and even in the present was fully addressed. For example, there were gaping holes on what happened to certain people. I also want to know what happened to the town, how is everyone going on about life? Etc.
I read this for CBR17bingo, I am going to use the "Free" square and swap it in for the citizen square.
"The Red Knot" centers on an isolated town on an island in Alaska. The town has been through some devastating times and it appears they are back. A recent storm has caused some fisherman to be killed. And a local girl has gone missing. When the local detective Audra finds out that her best friend has been killed and her daughter taken, she is determined to figure out what is going on. She thinks that one of her best friend's clients, is the murderer which leads her back to a woman named Valorie who seems to be going in and out of fugue states and has terror of a red knot and a noise that only she can hear.
I don't really know what to say here. I think that if the last 20 percent of the book had been the majority of the book I would have loved this more. Instead, this one was all over the place. We had way too many POVs and then we were in so many different timelines it was hard to track. And even though the last 20 percent finally got the book moving, the ending wasn't that great.
The character of Audra was aggravating. I loved that her main thing is that she didn't feel like her mother loved her, but isn't showing up great in the mom department with regards to her daughter Wren. I also thought we got way too many things spewed at us about her, her marriage, her current relationship. I don't know what was going on after a while. It felt like she was attracted to everyone and no one at the same time. I just wanted to read this mystery/horror novel and not feel like Audra was the world's dumbest detective who kept lashing out at everyone.
Valorie. Sigh. There was too much happening with this character. I had a hard time keeping track of what was real and not real and then of course after you get to the reveals you can go back and see what was real now based on what is known to you as a reader, but I honestly didn't have the energy. I think the constant timelines following her where just too much after a while.
In addition, I have to say the ending left me feeling unsatisfied. Not everything that went on in the past and even in the present was fully addressed. For example, there were gaping holes on what happened to certain people. I also want to know what happened to the town, how is everyone going on about life? Etc.
I read this for CBR17bingo, I am going to use the "Free" square and swap it in for the citizen square.
August 15, 2025
id say this book leans more towards a 3.5 for me !! i was very entranced by the creepiness and how well done the imagery of this book was, it was very atmospheric and made me feel like i was almost there. i grew up in alaska which is what really led me into requesting this book, my friends and i as kids LOVED making up creepy stories at sleepovers so i thought that this book would be really fun and a bit nostalgic for me.
over all i had a great time with listening to this book, there were times where it felt a little dragged on and i often found myself getting confused by who was who as there were quite a lot of characters to keep track of but other than that i was hooked. i often found myself audibly going “what the fuck” over something insane lol. the plot twist at the end was good, its one of those that feels a bit obvious after the fact but when it’s revealed your jaw drops a bit lol.
over all i had a great time with listening to this book, there were times where it felt a little dragged on and i often found myself getting confused by who was who as there were quite a lot of characters to keep track of but other than that i was hooked. i often found myself audibly going “what the fuck” over something insane lol. the plot twist at the end was good, its one of those that feels a bit obvious after the fact but when it’s revealed your jaw drops a bit lol.
Read
April 15, 2025ARC for review. To be published August 26, 2025.
No rating - DNF at 20%
Audra is the town detective on a small island off the Alaskan coast. Her good friend, therapist Allie has been murdered and Allie’s daughter Hayley is missing. Two other teenage girls in town were already missing and tensions are high.
Valorie is the primary suspect. She was found near the crime scene covered in blood. She is the daughter of a cult leader and has significant mental issues and large gaps in her memory.
Who has the girls and are there more secrets about the history of the island?
The POV goes back and forth between Audra and Valorie, and when it is with Valorie, considering her mental illness, it is difficult to read. Her thought aren’t really linear and she speaks of things that, perhaps, will be made clear later in the novel but are just confusing now and the story isn’t grabbing me such that I want to work that hard at it. So I’m letting this one go.
No rating - DNF at 20%
Audra is the town detective on a small island off the Alaskan coast. Her good friend, therapist Allie has been murdered and Allie’s daughter Hayley is missing. Two other teenage girls in town were already missing and tensions are high.
Valorie is the primary suspect. She was found near the crime scene covered in blood. She is the daughter of a cult leader and has significant mental issues and large gaps in her memory.
Who has the girls and are there more secrets about the history of the island?
The POV goes back and forth between Audra and Valorie, and when it is with Valorie, considering her mental illness, it is difficult to read. Her thought aren’t really linear and she speaks of things that, perhaps, will be made clear later in the novel but are just confusing now and the story isn’t grabbing me such that I want to work that hard at it. So I’m letting this one go.
August 17, 2025
The Red Knot is kinda like stepping onto a rickety Alaskan ferry headed straight for Creepsville, population: you and your goosebumps. This book’s got all the ingredients for a late night binge read: a tiny island that is essentially cut off from the world, a detective with baggage heavier than a Costco haul, and a cult so shady it makes Scientology look like a book club.
The setup is eerie. We’re on a remote Alaskan island where three girls have vanished into thin air, and Audra, the town’s lead detective, is dealing with the murder of her best friend, the island’s therapist. A storm’s knocked out all communication, so Audra’s stuck playing Nancy Drew in a parka. Then there’s Valorie, the prime suspect, who’s got a past murkier than a dive bar’s bathroom floor. She’s the daughter of a cult leader, found blood-soaked and dazed at the crime scene, with a memory spottier than a Dalmatian.
The cult stuff is reminiscent of Midsommar but with more flannel and fewer flower crowns. Valorie’s fractured memories are a highlight, painting a picture of trauma thats so real.
Butttttt then the boat starts leaking. The pacing is like my uncle’s driving: full speed ahead, then a sudden stop to check the map. The first half builds tension like a pro, but by the time we hit the final act, it’s like Asher decided to throw every horror trope into a blender: cults, supernatural spooks, body horror, you name it. It’s a lot, and not in a “wow, what a feast” way, more like “did I order this?” I love a good twist, but some of these felt like plot acrobatics for the sake of shock.
Audra’s personal drama of grieving her husband, juggling mom duties, and navigating her relationship with her girlfriend adds heart, but it also bogs things down. I get it, she’s complex, but sometimes I wanted less “feelings” and more “find the missing girls before I lose my mind.” And don’t get me started on the police procedural bits. Audra staying on a case where she’s basically besties with the victim? That’s about as realistic as me enjoying wearing a full piece suit on the hottest day of the year.
By the ending, it's like the book couldn’t decide if it wanted to be a gritty thriller or a full-on monster mash. I was left squinting at the pages, wondering if I’d missed a chapter. Still, I couldn’t put it down for the last 100 pages, even if I was muttering, “What the frick is happening?” to my goldfish.
It's gripping, creepy, and twisty, but a bit overstuffed and occasionally wobbly. If you’re into occult mysteries with a side of “trust no one,” grab this for a stormy night. Just don’t expect to sleep soundly.
Perfect for fans of The Wicker Man or True Detective season one, but bring a flashlight and a healthy suspension of disbelief.
The setup is eerie. We’re on a remote Alaskan island where three girls have vanished into thin air, and Audra, the town’s lead detective, is dealing with the murder of her best friend, the island’s therapist. A storm’s knocked out all communication, so Audra’s stuck playing Nancy Drew in a parka. Then there’s Valorie, the prime suspect, who’s got a past murkier than a dive bar’s bathroom floor. She’s the daughter of a cult leader, found blood-soaked and dazed at the crime scene, with a memory spottier than a Dalmatian.
The cult stuff is reminiscent of Midsommar but with more flannel and fewer flower crowns. Valorie’s fractured memories are a highlight, painting a picture of trauma thats so real.
Butttttt then the boat starts leaking. The pacing is like my uncle’s driving: full speed ahead, then a sudden stop to check the map. The first half builds tension like a pro, but by the time we hit the final act, it’s like Asher decided to throw every horror trope into a blender: cults, supernatural spooks, body horror, you name it. It’s a lot, and not in a “wow, what a feast” way, more like “did I order this?” I love a good twist, but some of these felt like plot acrobatics for the sake of shock.
Audra’s personal drama of grieving her husband, juggling mom duties, and navigating her relationship with her girlfriend adds heart, but it also bogs things down. I get it, she’s complex, but sometimes I wanted less “feelings” and more “find the missing girls before I lose my mind.” And don’t get me started on the police procedural bits. Audra staying on a case where she’s basically besties with the victim? That’s about as realistic as me enjoying wearing a full piece suit on the hottest day of the year.
By the ending, it's like the book couldn’t decide if it wanted to be a gritty thriller or a full-on monster mash. I was left squinting at the pages, wondering if I’d missed a chapter. Still, I couldn’t put it down for the last 100 pages, even if I was muttering, “What the frick is happening?” to my goldfish.
It's gripping, creepy, and twisty, but a bit overstuffed and occasionally wobbly. If you’re into occult mysteries with a side of “trust no one,” grab this for a stormy night. Just don’t expect to sleep soundly.
Perfect for fans of The Wicker Man or True Detective season one, but bring a flashlight and a healthy suspension of disbelief.
May 23, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
3.75
This was an interesting ride of murder, missing girls, a cult, all set on an Alaskan island. The characters were interesting, and learning about the history of some of the people in town leading into the cult was really interesting. Valorie was such an interesting character because she was so complex and has been through so much that you really feel for her. The plot drags a little at times, but it is still engaging enough to keep you turning the pages, and when you get towards the end, it does get crazy. Overall, it's a decent read!
3.75
This was an interesting ride of murder, missing girls, a cult, all set on an Alaskan island. The characters were interesting, and learning about the history of some of the people in town leading into the cult was really interesting. Valorie was such an interesting character because she was so complex and has been through so much that you really feel for her. The plot drags a little at times, but it is still engaging enough to keep you turning the pages, and when you get towards the end, it does get crazy. Overall, it's a decent read!
September 23, 2025
An eerie and atmospheric small-town mystery thriller/horror.
What I loved: the ✨vibes✨ were everything I wanted! The creepy island town with more secrets than inhabitants was expertly done. From page one there was a feeling of unease that kept increasing throughout the story.
The mystery itself was gripping and I was intrigued. I enjoyed that not all pieces of the puzzle surface from the beginning, so the story takes a couple of unexpected turns as it progresses.
One thing I didn’t enjoy so much was the multiple personality trope, I find it a bit convenient and overused in the mystery genre in general.
My main criticism is that the character’s internal monologue too often circled back to the same train of thought without adding anything useful to the story, except maybe to illustrate the mental or emotional state of the character. This felt repetitive and maybe could’ve been edited a bit, it felt like unnecessary filler words at some points.
Although some parts of the story were a bit predictable, the ending surprised me and wasn’t at all what I expected.
Overall I'd definitely recommend this if you’re in the mood for a dark and gory mystery horror.
Thanks to Rising Action via NetGalley for providing an eARC
What I loved: the ✨vibes✨ were everything I wanted! The creepy island town with more secrets than inhabitants was expertly done. From page one there was a feeling of unease that kept increasing throughout the story.
The mystery itself was gripping and I was intrigued. I enjoyed that not all pieces of the puzzle surface from the beginning, so the story takes a couple of unexpected turns as it progresses.
One thing I didn’t enjoy so much was the multiple personality trope, I find it a bit convenient and overused in the mystery genre in general.
My main criticism is that the character’s internal monologue too often circled back to the same train of thought without adding anything useful to the story, except maybe to illustrate the mental or emotional state of the character. This felt repetitive and maybe could’ve been edited a bit, it felt like unnecessary filler words at some points.
Although some parts of the story were a bit predictable, the ending surprised me and wasn’t at all what I expected.
Overall I'd definitely recommend this if you’re in the mood for a dark and gory mystery horror.
Thanks to Rising Action via NetGalley for providing an eARC
August 22, 2025
Audra is a detective on a rugged, remote island off the coast of Alaska. A string of disappearances involving young girls in the area takes Audra on a journey she never could have expected. The deeper she digs, the more corruption, dark secrets, and betrayal she uncovers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It has the perfect amount of horror, suspense, and intrigue. The middle of the book started to get a little slow but it picked back up pretty quickly and I flew through the rest. I will say, I was a little thrown off with the sci-fi/paranormal twist at the end. It seemed a little out of place to me. But all in all, it was still a great story. I didn't want to put it down. I needed to know what would happen next. Perfect for the upcoming "ber" months!
I listened to the audiobook version and overall the narrator did very well. It got confusing at times with all the jumping around to different characters (especially with Valerie - without giving too much away) but she did as well as she could!
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the chance to listen to and review this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It has the perfect amount of horror, suspense, and intrigue. The middle of the book started to get a little slow but it picked back up pretty quickly and I flew through the rest. I will say, I was a little thrown off with the sci-fi/paranormal twist at the end. It seemed a little out of place to me. But all in all, it was still a great story. I didn't want to put it down. I needed to know what would happen next. Perfect for the upcoming "ber" months!
I listened to the audiobook version and overall the narrator did very well. It got confusing at times with all the jumping around to different characters (especially with Valerie - without giving too much away) but she did as well as she could!
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the chance to listen to and review this book.
October 3, 2025
Nottttttttt a fan of DID as a plot device.
September 16, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing for providing and ARC of The Red Knot by Monique Asher in exchange for honest feedback.
This was a perfectly eerie cult horror story that hooked me in from the start. The atmosphere was giving creepy small town vibes and the unraveling of the cult secrets gave me everything I crave in this sub-genre - the perfect balance of dread and intrigue.
Still processing the ending - it wasn’t bad like so many horror stories, but unsure how I feel about the tentacles? IYKYK. Definitely added a unique (and bizarre) twist that I did NOT see coming. Overall a solid, creepy cult story done right with characters that were easy to connect with. Also loved the dissociative disorder component that was intertwined.
This was a perfectly eerie cult horror story that hooked me in from the start. The atmosphere was giving creepy small town vibes and the unraveling of the cult secrets gave me everything I crave in this sub-genre - the perfect balance of dread and intrigue.
Still processing the ending - it wasn’t bad like so many horror stories, but unsure how I feel about the tentacles? IYKYK. Definitely added a unique (and bizarre) twist that I did NOT see coming. Overall a solid, creepy cult story done right with characters that were easy to connect with. Also loved the dissociative disorder component that was intertwined.
September 14, 2025
In this town, teenage girls go missing and no one seems to care. Audra is back in her hometown, raising her daughter, trying to keep her current relationship going, working hard as a detective. But she knows the history of missing girls - those missing so long ago, and now another is gone.
But now a woman has been murdered - a beloved psychiatrist. And of those girls missing long ago, only one girl came back and now she is an adult. But this returned girl, she's relapsing, having huge missing gaps of times, disassociating when the bad memories try to creep in. These two POV round out our story and give us so many different pieces of the story that keep it moving so quick.
This was a great mystery and a truly eerie plot. Valerie, our survivor from before and now unreliable narrator, was such an unknown that her whole mystery kept me wanting to know more. As the mystery got bigger, more people went missing, the tapes were found - all of it made the plot tense. Audra's own mother just pushed the mystery even bigger. The ultimate reveal was a twist I didn't seen coming and it was all so terrible and shocking and I needed to know more. A dark mystery that kept me hooked and was the perfect amount of weird and gross in the end.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
But now a woman has been murdered - a beloved psychiatrist. And of those girls missing long ago, only one girl came back and now she is an adult. But this returned girl, she's relapsing, having huge missing gaps of times, disassociating when the bad memories try to creep in. These two POV round out our story and give us so many different pieces of the story that keep it moving so quick.
This was a great mystery and a truly eerie plot. Valerie, our survivor from before and now unreliable narrator, was such an unknown that her whole mystery kept me wanting to know more. As the mystery got bigger, more people went missing, the tapes were found - all of it made the plot tense. Audra's own mother just pushed the mystery even bigger. The ultimate reveal was a twist I didn't seen coming and it was all so terrible and shocking and I needed to know more. A dark mystery that kept me hooked and was the perfect amount of weird and gross in the end.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
August 26, 2025
Unreliable narrators, frequent time jumps, and an overly drawn out and unnecessarily convoluted plot make this story hard to enjoy.
It just seemed a piecemeal and didn’t flow smoothly at all. Plot holes aren’t closed by the end, and there’s a few continuity errors as well.
Unfortunately, by the last page this had felt like a waste of time. I had pushed through because I was super curious about what would be revealed as things progressed, but the history and details of The Red Knot and their beliefs were still super vague. The characters felt a bit flat, and Valerie’s condition just had me eye rolling. DID seems to be the mental health plot device of the year.
Grab this one if you really want a rambling small town murder mystery with some twists and turns. Just be forewarned it may leave you not feeling totally satisfied.
Thank you anyways to the author, NetGalley, and Rising Action Publishing for a copy.
It just seemed a piecemeal and didn’t flow smoothly at all. Plot holes aren’t closed by the end, and there’s a few continuity errors as well.
Unfortunately, by the last page this had felt like a waste of time. I had pushed through because I was super curious about what would be revealed as things progressed, but the history and details of The Red Knot and their beliefs were still super vague. The characters felt a bit flat, and Valerie’s condition just had me eye rolling. DID seems to be the mental health plot device of the year.
Grab this one if you really want a rambling small town murder mystery with some twists and turns. Just be forewarned it may leave you not feeling totally satisfied.
Thank you anyways to the author, NetGalley, and Rising Action Publishing for a copy.
May 4, 2025
This book has such a creative and interesting premise. It is a fun combination of suspense with a dash of the supernatural. I enjoyed the diversity of the characters and their flaws. I also loved the unreliable witness and the cages of identity she constructed to deal with unbelievable horror she experienced. The islanders each had their own distinguishing characteristics to identify who was who in the zoo. The small town vibe of the island felt believable. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 2, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Idk what is it about an unreliable narrative but I’ve really being enjoying them. You think you know but then you don’t. This was a great mix of mystery, thriller, and horror. The story felt original and kept you on your toes. I couldn’t put it down the last 100 pages, I needed to know what happened next. I’m fascinated with cults so this was right up my alley was hooked from the start. Highly recommend!
Idk what is it about an unreliable narrative but I’ve really being enjoying them. You think you know but then you don’t. This was a great mix of mystery, thriller, and horror. The story felt original and kept you on your toes. I couldn’t put it down the last 100 pages, I needed to know what happened next. I’m fascinated with cults so this was right up my alley was hooked from the start. Highly recommend!
August 16, 2025
I just really couldn’t get into this one. It was so boring for me and I ended up just skimming to the end of the book. This book from the beginning suffered from major pacing issues, I tried so hard to push through but even at 65% the plot still hadn’t picked up. The ending was absolutely awful and absurd. I skimmed over the end but genuinely this was a terrible plot that they some random Hail Marys at the end to try to make the plot interesting? I hate when books that have a non supernatural plot just suddenly become supernatural, it’s annoying and poorly executed.
Thank you Netgalley and Rising Action Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. “The Red Knot” will be published August 26, 2025.
Thank you Netgalley and Rising Action Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. “The Red Knot” will be published August 26, 2025.
August 25, 2025
Were you looking for something dark, disturbing, complex, and twisted to read? The Red Knot is going to tick off all of those boxes and more.
If The Red Knot had a recipe, it would be a protein made of procedural crime thriller, a starch made of psychological thriller, vegetables made of women’s fiction and cult horror, and seasoning made from LGBTQ fiction…with maybe a splash of feminist rage thrown in. This isn’t meant to convey a sense of levity or fun when it comes to this book, because believe me, this book is dark, sad, tragic, and angry. It’s only meant to convey a sense of this book being well-rounded and complete–the type of story you can really sink your teeth into and immerse yourself in.
Monique Asher’s writing is effortlessly atmospheric as she writes about a small and rather isolated island in the Alaskan wilderness, filled with the type of small-town people who know each other both a little too well and not at all. Knowing everyone’s past secrets only means knowing how to keep new ones safe, after all. It’s clear the ones who need to keep secrets most on this island are the ones who don’t want people to think too hard about how they came into possession of islands that didn’t belong to them in the first place: white men. White men who stole the land and constantly fear not maintaining control of it. On this small, claustrophobic island, it’s the women who are expected to sacrifice. It’s a tale we all know too well by now and a narrative the women in this novel fight against with all of their might. 4⭐️
I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Crime Fiction/Cult Horror/LGBTQ Fiction/Psychological Thriller/Women’s Fiction
If The Red Knot had a recipe, it would be a protein made of procedural crime thriller, a starch made of psychological thriller, vegetables made of women’s fiction and cult horror, and seasoning made from LGBTQ fiction…with maybe a splash of feminist rage thrown in. This isn’t meant to convey a sense of levity or fun when it comes to this book, because believe me, this book is dark, sad, tragic, and angry. It’s only meant to convey a sense of this book being well-rounded and complete–the type of story you can really sink your teeth into and immerse yourself in.
Monique Asher’s writing is effortlessly atmospheric as she writes about a small and rather isolated island in the Alaskan wilderness, filled with the type of small-town people who know each other both a little too well and not at all. Knowing everyone’s past secrets only means knowing how to keep new ones safe, after all. It’s clear the ones who need to keep secrets most on this island are the ones who don’t want people to think too hard about how they came into possession of islands that didn’t belong to them in the first place: white men. White men who stole the land and constantly fear not maintaining control of it. On this small, claustrophobic island, it’s the women who are expected to sacrifice. It’s a tale we all know too well by now and a narrative the women in this novel fight against with all of their might. 4⭐️
I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Crime Fiction/Cult Horror/LGBTQ Fiction/Psychological Thriller/Women’s Fiction
May 26, 2025
Monique Asher DID. NOT. MISS. with The Red Knot. Setting the pacing of this book aside, this book was perfect. I was bought in to each character and how their story would end and I especially loved the POV from Valorie/Veronica, I feel like it added to the overall chaos of the book. I was expecting the cult aspect to play more of an apparent role in the entirety of the book, not just the end, which I feel like made the book drag in some places. It could’ve been 100 pages shorter and more exciting in some places, but I still would 100% recommend because of the characters, atmosphere, and the shocking ending! If you liked The Last Session by Julia Bartz, you NEED to pick this one up!
thank you to Monique Asher and Netgalley for sending me an early copy of this book!!
thank you to Monique Asher and Netgalley for sending me an early copy of this book!!
September 22, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing for this ARC. The Red Knot is the type of story that immediately pulls you into its atmosphere of dread. From the opening pages, the tension is thick: young women are going missing, and Detective Audra finds herself caught between unraveling present-day horrors and digging into the shadows of the town’s past. What makes this book stand out is how well it balances mystery with psychological suspense the cult elements don’t feel sensationalized, but instead rooted in believable, unsettling dynamics that echo real-world manipulations.
Audra is a strong lead, carrying both determination and vulnerability as she pushes against the resistance of a community that would rather keep its secrets buried. Her investigation forces the town’s history into the light, exposing the generational scars and whispered rumors that have been festering for years. I really appreciated how the twists were carefully laid none of them felt cheap or thrown in for shock value. Instead, they built naturally, tightening the knot of suspense until the final revelations came together.
Monique Asher’s writing is sharp and immersive, giving the story a constant hum of unease without sacrificing clarity. The pacing kept me engaged throughout, and the way the book explores cult psychology control, fear, blind devotion was both disturbing and fascinating. It’s the kind of read that lingers after you’ve turned the last page, leaving you thinking about how easy it can be for darkness to hide in plain sight. For readers who enjoy thrillers centered on cults, missing girls, and the dangers of small-to
Audra is a strong lead, carrying both determination and vulnerability as she pushes against the resistance of a community that would rather keep its secrets buried. Her investigation forces the town’s history into the light, exposing the generational scars and whispered rumors that have been festering for years. I really appreciated how the twists were carefully laid none of them felt cheap or thrown in for shock value. Instead, they built naturally, tightening the knot of suspense until the final revelations came together.
Monique Asher’s writing is sharp and immersive, giving the story a constant hum of unease without sacrificing clarity. The pacing kept me engaged throughout, and the way the book explores cult psychology control, fear, blind devotion was both disturbing and fascinating. It’s the kind of read that lingers after you’ve turned the last page, leaving you thinking about how easy it can be for darkness to hide in plain sight. For readers who enjoy thrillers centered on cults, missing girls, and the dangers of small-to
August 23, 2025
#ad much love for my advance copy @risingactionpublishingco #partner
& @macmillan.audio #partner for the ALC
🆃🅷🅴 🆁🅴🅳 🅺🅽🅾🆃
< @moasherwrites >
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇꜱ: ꜱᴇᴘᴛᴇᴍʙᴇʀ 𝟤𝟥, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟧
(review song: Crimson and Clover
𝒢𝒾𝓇𝓁𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝓈𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝑜𝓌𝓃 - 𝓃𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝒶𝑔𝒶𝒾𝓃. 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓉𝑜𝓌𝓃’𝓈 𝒽𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎 𝒾𝓈 𝒹𝒶𝓇𝓀, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝓈𝑜 𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝓉𝓈 𝒻𝓊𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒.
This story is told from the dual perspectives of Audra and Valorie. Valorie is struggling with something that happened in the past and is seeing a therapist for it. Audra is a local detective trying to keep her daughter and her daughter’s friends safe, while also looking for the other missing girls. And then the worst happens.
🎧: Also listened to the audio while following along and def recommend it. The narrator does a fabulous job bringing this story to life. Her voice is soothing and was perfect for the vibes of this book.
I loved this one. The mystery - Valorie waking up with no memory of what happened the night before added another layer of mystery to the story. Not only did we have a murder but we had a possible suspect, because her therapist has been murdered.
The writing was perfect - the vibes even better. This town and how it’s described, with all the characters, just made it seem all that much more real. I loved how the women’s lives intersected.
ALL THE STARS ✨
& @macmillan.audio #partner for the ALC
🆃🅷🅴 🆁🅴🅳 🅺🅽🅾🆃
< @moasherwrites >
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇꜱ: ꜱᴇᴘᴛᴇᴍʙᴇʀ 𝟤𝟥, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟧
(review song: Crimson and Clover
𝒢𝒾𝓇𝓁𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝓈𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝑜𝓌𝓃 - 𝓃𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝒶𝑔𝒶𝒾𝓃. 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓉𝑜𝓌𝓃’𝓈 𝒽𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎 𝒾𝓈 𝒹𝒶𝓇𝓀, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝓈𝑜 𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝓉𝓈 𝒻𝓊𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒.
This story is told from the dual perspectives of Audra and Valorie. Valorie is struggling with something that happened in the past and is seeing a therapist for it. Audra is a local detective trying to keep her daughter and her daughter’s friends safe, while also looking for the other missing girls. And then the worst happens.
🎧: Also listened to the audio while following along and def recommend it. The narrator does a fabulous job bringing this story to life. Her voice is soothing and was perfect for the vibes of this book.
I loved this one. The mystery - Valorie waking up with no memory of what happened the night before added another layer of mystery to the story. Not only did we have a murder but we had a possible suspect, because her therapist has been murdered.
The writing was perfect - the vibes even better. This town and how it’s described, with all the characters, just made it seem all that much more real. I loved how the women’s lives intersected.
ALL THE STARS ✨
August 21, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Fabulous read, what a rollercoaster. This book had me hooked a few chapters in, anything cult focused is an immediate yes from me.
Detective Audra returns to the remote secluded Alaskan island she grew up on and girls start to go missing and show up brutally mutilated and murder. The same as when she was a child…. All fingers point to Valerie as she’s the cult leaders daughter and her therapist has just been murdered. But did she really do it, can she even trust herself? This girl has got some personal issues and a terrible history.
This story follows these two women as they try to get to the bottom of what is happening, how does it tie into the past and how do they put a stop to it.
The twists are twisting and you will not see them coming!
Fabulous read, what a rollercoaster. This book had me hooked a few chapters in, anything cult focused is an immediate yes from me.
Detective Audra returns to the remote secluded Alaskan island she grew up on and girls start to go missing and show up brutally mutilated and murder. The same as when she was a child…. All fingers point to Valerie as she’s the cult leaders daughter and her therapist has just been murdered. But did she really do it, can she even trust herself? This girl has got some personal issues and a terrible history.
This story follows these two women as they try to get to the bottom of what is happening, how does it tie into the past and how do they put a stop to it.
The twists are twisting and you will not see them coming!
August 20, 2025
This one grabbed me from the start and didn’t let go. Dark, eerie, and twisty it’s the kind of book I love. The isolated Alaskan island setting made the tension even sharper, and I loved how the storm, the silence, and all the secrets worked together to keep the atmosphere unsettling.
Audra was such a relatable lead, and her personal connection to the case gave the story extra weight. Valorie’s fractured memory had me constantly second guessing everyone, and the way the missing girls, cult history, and old murders tied together was so well done.
The narration was fantastic and brought the whole story to life. It felt like I was right there on that island. Dark, chilling, and impossible to stop listening to.
Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for the gifted ALC.
Audra was such a relatable lead, and her personal connection to the case gave the story extra weight. Valorie’s fractured memory had me constantly second guessing everyone, and the way the missing girls, cult history, and old murders tied together was so well done.
The narration was fantastic and brought the whole story to life. It felt like I was right there on that island. Dark, chilling, and impossible to stop listening to.
Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for the gifted ALC.
May 30, 2025
First off I want to start of by saying, thank you to Monique Asher, for letting me be part of the ARC team to pre read this book.
This book had me a bit confused at first. Without giving details I’ll leave it at that. But once I got the confusion in check ( no fault to the author she did amazing) I was like oh F*** this is wild! I was reading this book inbetween my Bookclub’s book pics. So it took me a while to get through. Again no fault to the author. I look forward to when this book launches to the masses in a bookstore near you. I can’t wait to purchase. I will keep it on my shelf’s where the great god will hide among the rest of my books. Maybe I’ll give him some pie , he might enjoy it. If you don’t get that reference I HIGHLY recommend getting Monique’s debut book “Don’t eat the pie”
This book had me a bit confused at first. Without giving details I’ll leave it at that. But once I got the confusion in check ( no fault to the author she did amazing) I was like oh F*** this is wild! I was reading this book inbetween my Bookclub’s book pics. So it took me a while to get through. Again no fault to the author. I look forward to when this book launches to the masses in a bookstore near you. I can’t wait to purchase. I will keep it on my shelf’s where the great god will hide among the rest of my books. Maybe I’ll give him some pie , he might enjoy it. If you don’t get that reference I HIGHLY recommend getting Monique’s debut book “Don’t eat the pie”
October 17, 2025
4.5 stars - WOW... review coming soon
May 16, 2025
Compellingly written, beautifully paced. Loved the dark history and the way it was woven into the plot with folklore and character memories. Takes a twist I was not expecting, but it definitely worked.
August 21, 2025
This was a genre mash up of thriller, horror, police procedural, family drama, cults? It felt like it was too much and not enough at times. I didn’t love the main FMC, I actually found her quite frustrating and confusing most of the time. I wanted more backstory, I feel like a lot of the “romance” could’ve been left out and replaced with backstory and context.
I was a bit underwhelmed with the ending as well.
I was a bit underwhelmed with the ending as well.
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