What do you think?
Rate this book
Where Ladybugs Go to Die
“The rhyme was his signature, a message carved in blood—for me.”
Alexis never imagined nursery rhymes could be deadly—until the day her mother was murdered. The killer leaves chilling verses at every crime scene, each one more chilling than the last.
Desperate for answers, she delves into her mother’s past, uncovering dark secrets that tie their family to the killer’s twisted obsession. With each rhyme bringing him closer, Alexis must decipher the clues before she becomes the final stanza in his deadly poem.
The killer is telling a story. And Alexis is about to discover she’s been a part of it all along.
Alexis never imagined nursery rhymes could be deadly—until the day her mother was murdered. The killer leaves chilling verses at every crime scene, each one more chilling than the last.
Desperate for answers, she delves into her mother’s past, uncovering dark secrets that tie their family to the killer’s twisted obsession. With each rhyme bringing him closer, Alexis must decipher the clues before she becomes the final stanza in his deadly poem.
The killer is telling a story. And Alexis is about to discover she’s been a part of it all along.
314 pages, Paperback
Published July 7, 2025
53 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Kirsten Gale
7 books36 followersKirsten Gale is a thriller author who loves crafting dark, twisted stories that keep readers hooked until the last page. Fascinated by the eerie and unexplained, she spends her free time researching folklore and uncovering the secrets behind ancient legends. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and finding inspiration in the world’s hidden mysteries.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 1, 2025
Where Ladybugs 🐞 Go to die by Kirsten Gale
Ladybug 🐞 Ladybug 🐞 She of her mother’s womb, tainted with her mother’s 🩸 blood.
That which the past plays upon like a piano, every key-stroke a whimsical cord as a killer sings nursery rhymes, little notes to tease & torture.
Lovers of her Mother gone & left forgotten, abuse and neglect falling upon her Ladybug daughter.
So many questions unanswered, as much as the dirty, corrosive lies leaving a trail of death and deception.
The wings cannot fly until truth is told as the bold brutality of torment and terror reign upon a town buried beneath secrets, singing of pride and the taunts of rhymes to break her, defile her, creeps along her spine!
A family, this one here, that one there, where trust lies dormant like dust on a bottle.
Intriguing read, emotionally raw, bittersweet as the characters find themselves caught up in a deadly battle of right and wrong.
Ones left broken, bleeding 🩸 scarred for rest of their lives trying to help this pretty girl as her mind holds fleeting thoughts of the abuse of not just her mother but the Lovers in and out of her childhood.
A circle ⭕️ of guilty ones lead the flock, explosions lighting up the sky, grand schemes and plans choking the air as she runs seeking answers.
What her and her friends face is utter horror, as the fight to live surges forth.
This book keeps you guessing, turns that clench your own emotions tight,
The traps are set as the nursery rhymes play over and over, hit repeat.
The ending will catch you unaware and spiraling in disbelief.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the plot twist, deep mess it invokes, the descriptive words and characters you become enthralled with.
This book is not child’s play, it’s a tragic journey through a child’s eyes seeping with revenge, as a killer’s lust and a rhyme leads straight to her soul.
Ladybug 🐞 Ladybug 🐞 She of her mother’s womb, tainted with her mother’s 🩸 blood.
That which the past plays upon like a piano, every key-stroke a whimsical cord as a killer sings nursery rhymes, little notes to tease & torture.
Lovers of her Mother gone & left forgotten, abuse and neglect falling upon her Ladybug daughter.
So many questions unanswered, as much as the dirty, corrosive lies leaving a trail of death and deception.
The wings cannot fly until truth is told as the bold brutality of torment and terror reign upon a town buried beneath secrets, singing of pride and the taunts of rhymes to break her, defile her, creeps along her spine!
A family, this one here, that one there, where trust lies dormant like dust on a bottle.
Intriguing read, emotionally raw, bittersweet as the characters find themselves caught up in a deadly battle of right and wrong.
Ones left broken, bleeding 🩸 scarred for rest of their lives trying to help this pretty girl as her mind holds fleeting thoughts of the abuse of not just her mother but the Lovers in and out of her childhood.
A circle ⭕️ of guilty ones lead the flock, explosions lighting up the sky, grand schemes and plans choking the air as she runs seeking answers.
What her and her friends face is utter horror, as the fight to live surges forth.
This book keeps you guessing, turns that clench your own emotions tight,
The traps are set as the nursery rhymes play over and over, hit repeat.
The ending will catch you unaware and spiraling in disbelief.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the plot twist, deep mess it invokes, the descriptive words and characters you become enthralled with.
This book is not child’s play, it’s a tragic journey through a child’s eyes seeping with revenge, as a killer’s lust and a rhyme leads straight to her soul.
May 7, 2026
Update: May 2026
5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to give credit where it's due. The author went back and did the work. The issues I mentioned in my original review have been addressed and the difference is noticeable. The potential I saw in this story is now much easier to experience. Happily updating to 5 stars.
-------
The premise here is genuinely original. A killer using nursery rhymes, ladybug carvings as calling cards, a grieving daughter thrust into the middle of it – there's a lot to love in the concept, and Kirsten clearly has a creative mind. The story kept me reading, and that counts for something.
Where it stumbles is in execution. There are pacing issues that pulled me out of the story – scenes that escalate out of nowhere without enough build-up to earn the tension (a sudden storm at a wedding that goes from zero to chaos in a matter of lines, for example). A few scenes also had characters appear or dialogue shift in ways that left me re-reading to figure out who was talking and whether they'd been there all along.
The editing needs another pass. It's not a deal breaker if you love the genre and can overlook rough spots, but readers who need polished prose will struggle.
I'm genuinely rooting for this author – the bones of a great thriller are here. With a developmental edit and a thorough line edit, this could be a standout. As it stands, it's a 3-star read with 5-star potential.
5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to give credit where it's due. The author went back and did the work. The issues I mentioned in my original review have been addressed and the difference is noticeable. The potential I saw in this story is now much easier to experience. Happily updating to 5 stars.
-------
The premise here is genuinely original. A killer using nursery rhymes, ladybug carvings as calling cards, a grieving daughter thrust into the middle of it – there's a lot to love in the concept, and Kirsten clearly has a creative mind. The story kept me reading, and that counts for something.
Where it stumbles is in execution. There are pacing issues that pulled me out of the story – scenes that escalate out of nowhere without enough build-up to earn the tension (a sudden storm at a wedding that goes from zero to chaos in a matter of lines, for example). A few scenes also had characters appear or dialogue shift in ways that left me re-reading to figure out who was talking and whether they'd been there all along.
The editing needs another pass. It's not a deal breaker if you love the genre and can overlook rough spots, but readers who need polished prose will struggle.
I'm genuinely rooting for this author – the bones of a great thriller are here. With a developmental edit and a thorough line edit, this could be a standout. As it stands, it's a 3-star read with 5-star potential.
February 1, 2026
I liked this book. a story about a girl being followed with nursery rhymes after her mother's disappearance. This was a well written story. I never saw that twist at the end. There was a few different things I never expected. My only recommendations for readers is check for trigger warnings.
May 1, 2026
4.5 Stars
The writing in this novel is very beautiful at times. You can tell the author possesses this skill in spades. I had to drop half a star for animal abuse/death. It's just so awful to read and better in my opinion, to be alluded to but not necessarily described. I loved the idea of the Rhyme Reaper and how the kids nursery rhymes were twisted to fill the killers purpose, this strategy makes the book very memorable. The twists were pretty good. I will definitely be checking out more by this author.
Great dark read.
The writing in this novel is very beautiful at times. You can tell the author possesses this skill in spades. I had to drop half a star for animal abuse/death. It's just so awful to read and better in my opinion, to be alluded to but not necessarily described. I loved the idea of the Rhyme Reaper and how the kids nursery rhymes were twisted to fill the killers purpose, this strategy makes the book very memorable. The twists were pretty good. I will definitely be checking out more by this author.
Great dark read.
April 8, 2026
Dark, twisted, and quietly unsettling, Where Ladybugs Go to Die by Kirsten Gale pulls you into a chilling web where memory, trauma, and truth refuse to stay buried. The eerie symbolism and creeping tension build into a psychological unraveling that keeps you questioning everything—especially the narrator. Disturbing in the best way, this is a thriller that lingers long after the final page.
September 19, 2025
Suspenseful thriller
Where Ladybugs Go to Die is one of the most suspenseful and, at times, blood-chilling thrillers I’ve read. From the very first chapter, the book creates an atmosphere of dread and unease, with gruesome murders tied to eerie nursery rhymes and a killer who leaves ladybugs as their calling card. It’s a chilling concept that lingers long after you put the book down.
The heart of the story is Alexis Harper, a strong and defiant protagonist. Despite everything she’s endured — the trauma of her past, the dark secrets about her own family, and the relentless threat of a maniac stalker — Alexis never lets these discoveries break her. Instead, she becomes sharper, more determined, and ultimately someone readers can root for. Her resilience adds depth to a story already filled with menace and mystery.
The pacing is taut, with tension rising steadily until the final chapters. And the ending delivers: the final plot twist was quite unexpected and caught me completely off guard. It’s the kind of revelation that forces you to rethink earlier events and makes the conclusion hit even harder.
This is definitely a scary story, the kind that makes chills run down your spine. It’s gritty, unsettling, and at times cruel — not for sensitive readers. But for those who enjoy dark psychological thrillers with shocking turns and a memorable heroine, Where Ladybugs Go to Die is a gripping start to The Crimson Wings Files series and leaves you eager to see where the story goes next.
Where Ladybugs Go to Die is one of the most suspenseful and, at times, blood-chilling thrillers I’ve read. From the very first chapter, the book creates an atmosphere of dread and unease, with gruesome murders tied to eerie nursery rhymes and a killer who leaves ladybugs as their calling card. It’s a chilling concept that lingers long after you put the book down.
The heart of the story is Alexis Harper, a strong and defiant protagonist. Despite everything she’s endured — the trauma of her past, the dark secrets about her own family, and the relentless threat of a maniac stalker — Alexis never lets these discoveries break her. Instead, she becomes sharper, more determined, and ultimately someone readers can root for. Her resilience adds depth to a story already filled with menace and mystery.
The pacing is taut, with tension rising steadily until the final chapters. And the ending delivers: the final plot twist was quite unexpected and caught me completely off guard. It’s the kind of revelation that forces you to rethink earlier events and makes the conclusion hit even harder.
This is definitely a scary story, the kind that makes chills run down your spine. It’s gritty, unsettling, and at times cruel — not for sensitive readers. But for those who enjoy dark psychological thrillers with shocking turns and a memorable heroine, Where Ladybugs Go to Die is a gripping start to The Crimson Wings Files series and leaves you eager to see where the story goes next.
October 28, 2025
The author grabs the reader from the first page and weaves a tale so frightening, you can’t believe it is happening. Kirsten Gale writes from the point of view of Alexis, the girl who has suffered the terrible tragedy of a violent and gruesome murder of her mother, while she was in the house. The reader immediately connects with Alexis and wants justice for her. As a story, there are lots of twists and turns, and just when you think you know what will happen, a new wrench gets thrown into the mess. I really enjoyed the overarching story and couldn’t put it down; however, there were times I struggled keeping the male characters straight. I don’t know if there was enough character development to fully distinguish all of the young males in the book. While the ending was extremely suspenseful, I also struggled with how realistic the entire book had been and then boom - complete chaos. Overall, mystery and thriller readers alike will enjoy Where the Ladybugs Go to Die, and it seems there may be more stories to come.
May 9, 2026
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
EDIT: I waited a almost a week, downloaded this book again, and reread it. I do not know if the first download I had completely messed up the layout of the book, hence my original review below, but this time around I didn't notice any of the issues I did the first time. The story flowed smoothly, and really is a 5 star. So, I am updating my review to reflect that. I do love the nursery rhyme theme and will never hear "Peter Peter pumpkin eater" the same way again. I truly enjoyed it, and wanted to give the author a review that reflected a wonderful book, like I said I would. I am not sure if edits were made, or the book just downloaded correctly this time, but it really is an awesome 5 star read!
This one’s tough, because Where Ladybugs Go to Die really had all the ingredients to be a five-star read for me.
The premise is honestly great. A killer using nursery rhymes to taunt victims? That’s creepy in a way that sticks. It takes something innocent and twists it just enough to make it unsettling, and that part absolutely works.
But… it ended up being a harder read than it should’ve been.
First, this book really needed trigger warnings. There’s animal abuse and death, references to child molestation, sexual assault, murder, and corpse desecration. That’s heavy, and while I don’t personally need trigger warnings, a lot of readers do—especially when it comes to animals.
The biggest issue for me, though, was the editing and overall flow. There are quite a few grammar and punctuation mistakes, tense shifts, and some metaphors that just don’t land. On top of that, scenes sometimes jump without any real break—even mid-paragraph—which made parts of the story confusing to follow.
I found myself stopping to reread more than I wanted to, or mentally correcting sentences, and that pulled me out of the story.
Character development is also a bit uneven. Some characters, like Nicole and Alexis, feel more fleshed out, but others just kind of show up, disappear, and then come back later without much buildup. It makes everything feel a little disconnected.
And that’s what’s frustrating, because the potential here is so obvious. The psychological angle works. The revenge aspect works. The way it plays with childhood imagery works.
It just needed tighter editing and a smoother structure to really pull it all together.
I’m landing at 3 stars because I can see what the author was going for, and parts of it did work for me. With more polish and stronger character follow-through, this easily could’ve been a five-star read.
EDIT: I waited a almost a week, downloaded this book again, and reread it. I do not know if the first download I had completely messed up the layout of the book, hence my original review below, but this time around I didn't notice any of the issues I did the first time. The story flowed smoothly, and really is a 5 star. So, I am updating my review to reflect that. I do love the nursery rhyme theme and will never hear "Peter Peter pumpkin eater" the same way again. I truly enjoyed it, and wanted to give the author a review that reflected a wonderful book, like I said I would. I am not sure if edits were made, or the book just downloaded correctly this time, but it really is an awesome 5 star read!
This one’s tough, because Where Ladybugs Go to Die really had all the ingredients to be a five-star read for me.
The premise is honestly great. A killer using nursery rhymes to taunt victims? That’s creepy in a way that sticks. It takes something innocent and twists it just enough to make it unsettling, and that part absolutely works.
But… it ended up being a harder read than it should’ve been.
First, this book really needed trigger warnings. There’s animal abuse and death, references to child molestation, sexual assault, murder, and corpse desecration. That’s heavy, and while I don’t personally need trigger warnings, a lot of readers do—especially when it comes to animals.
The biggest issue for me, though, was the editing and overall flow. There are quite a few grammar and punctuation mistakes, tense shifts, and some metaphors that just don’t land. On top of that, scenes sometimes jump without any real break—even mid-paragraph—which made parts of the story confusing to follow.
I found myself stopping to reread more than I wanted to, or mentally correcting sentences, and that pulled me out of the story.
Character development is also a bit uneven. Some characters, like Nicole and Alexis, feel more fleshed out, but others just kind of show up, disappear, and then come back later without much buildup. It makes everything feel a little disconnected.
And that’s what’s frustrating, because the potential here is so obvious. The psychological angle works. The revenge aspect works. The way it plays with childhood imagery works.
It just needed tighter editing and a smoother structure to really pull it all together.
I’m landing at 3 stars because I can see what the author was going for, and parts of it did work for me. With more polish and stronger character follow-through, this easily could’ve been a five-star read.
May 4, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 Stars Rounded Up!!
This one seriously creeped me out in the best way!
Where Ladybugs Go to Die takes something as innocent as childhood nursery rhymes and transforms them into something dark, eerie, and unforgettable. I loved how brilliantly they were woven into the story. I found myself pausing more than once just to appreciate how cleverly those rhymes were reimagined. It didn’t feel gimmicky: it felt intentional, layered, and honestly a little haunting. There’s something deeply unsettling about taking something so innocent and familiar from childhood and reshaping it into something dark and menacing, and the author executed that flawlessly. It even had me wondering what other rhymes from my childhood could be twisted into something equally terrifying.
The slow-burn tension and unsettling atmosphere really shine here. It leans heavily into psychological suspense, which made it hard to put down, and I know I’m not alone in that. I loved the eerie tone, the creeping dread, and the way the story gets inside your head rather than relying on cheap scares.
That said, this is definitely a dark read. Like most psychological thrillers or stories involving serial killers, it explores disturbing themes. Like many serial killers, humans aren’t the first victims. There are moments that are meant to make you uncomfortable, and they succeed. If you’re someone who needs trigger warnings or prefers to avoid content involving violence or murder, this might not be the book for you, or genre, for that matter.
For me, though, that edge is what made it so immersive. Overall, this is a haunting, creative, and memorable read that takes something nostalgic and turns it into something you won’t look at the same way again. Definitely recommended if you enjoy psychological thrillers that blur the line between innocence and terror.
This one seriously creeped me out in the best way!
Where Ladybugs Go to Die takes something as innocent as childhood nursery rhymes and transforms them into something dark, eerie, and unforgettable. I loved how brilliantly they were woven into the story. I found myself pausing more than once just to appreciate how cleverly those rhymes were reimagined. It didn’t feel gimmicky: it felt intentional, layered, and honestly a little haunting. There’s something deeply unsettling about taking something so innocent and familiar from childhood and reshaping it into something dark and menacing, and the author executed that flawlessly. It even had me wondering what other rhymes from my childhood could be twisted into something equally terrifying.
The slow-burn tension and unsettling atmosphere really shine here. It leans heavily into psychological suspense, which made it hard to put down, and I know I’m not alone in that. I loved the eerie tone, the creeping dread, and the way the story gets inside your head rather than relying on cheap scares.
That said, this is definitely a dark read. Like most psychological thrillers or stories involving serial killers, it explores disturbing themes. Like many serial killers, humans aren’t the first victims. There are moments that are meant to make you uncomfortable, and they succeed. If you’re someone who needs trigger warnings or prefers to avoid content involving violence or murder, this might not be the book for you, or genre, for that matter.
For me, though, that edge is what made it so immersive. Overall, this is a haunting, creative, and memorable read that takes something nostalgic and turns it into something you won’t look at the same way again. Definitely recommended if you enjoy psychological thrillers that blur the line between innocence and terror.
May 6, 2026
This was one of those thrillers that hooks you early and doesn’t really let go. The concept alone—a killer leaving nursery rhymes written in blood as his signature—is chilling in the best way, and it sets the tone for a dark, unsettling ride from the start.
Alexis is a solid lead, driven by grief but sharp enough to keep the story moving without feeling reckless or naive. As she digs into her mother’s past, the layers start peeling back in a way that keeps the tension building steadily. The connection between the murders and her family history adds an emotional weight that elevates it beyond a standard cat-and-mouse thriller.
The pacing is strong overall, especially in the middle where the clues and revelations start coming faster. Some twists are predictable if you read a lot in this genre, but the execution still makes them satisfying. And the rhymes? Genuinely creepy. They add a unique, almost haunting atmosphere that lingers even between chapters.
If I had one critique, it’s that a few moments could have been pushed even further—either darker or more emotionally intense—to really hit that next level. But even with that, it’s an engaging, eerie read that delivers on both suspense and story.
Definitely worth picking up if you love psychological thrillers with a personal edge.
Alexis is a solid lead, driven by grief but sharp enough to keep the story moving without feeling reckless or naive. As she digs into her mother’s past, the layers start peeling back in a way that keeps the tension building steadily. The connection between the murders and her family history adds an emotional weight that elevates it beyond a standard cat-and-mouse thriller.
The pacing is strong overall, especially in the middle where the clues and revelations start coming faster. Some twists are predictable if you read a lot in this genre, but the execution still makes them satisfying. And the rhymes? Genuinely creepy. They add a unique, almost haunting atmosphere that lingers even between chapters.
If I had one critique, it’s that a few moments could have been pushed even further—either darker or more emotionally intense—to really hit that next level. But even with that, it’s an engaging, eerie read that delivers on both suspense and story.
Definitely worth picking up if you love psychological thrillers with a personal edge.
December 30, 2025
Wow! That’s what I have to say about this book. I was not expecting all of that. Check trigger warnings before reading. I don’t have any, but someone might.
The book was amazing! Alexis is struggling with the loss of her mom, her mom wasn’t really a mom and had me in and out of her life, making them a priority. She has a lot of trauma.
Something happens to her mom, Nicole, she comes home and finds blood everywhere and a finger inside a pumping. Peter Peter pumpkin water and the nursery rhymes follow the story through out.
Though I was suspicious of a few of the characters, I wasn’t sure, but I was surprised when I found out who was behind all of these deaths and destruction. Kirsten is a new author and deserves the acknowledgment for such an amazing read! Can’t wait for the next one!
The book was amazing! Alexis is struggling with the loss of her mom, her mom wasn’t really a mom and had me in and out of her life, making them a priority. She has a lot of trauma.
Something happens to her mom, Nicole, she comes home and finds blood everywhere and a finger inside a pumping. Peter Peter pumpkin water and the nursery rhymes follow the story through out.
Though I was suspicious of a few of the characters, I wasn’t sure, but I was surprised when I found out who was behind all of these deaths and destruction. Kirsten is a new author and deserves the acknowledgment for such an amazing read! Can’t wait for the next one!
November 22, 2025
Y’all. 😳
Nursery rhymes? Ruined. Forever.
Kirsten Gale spins a chilling, lyrical web where every verse cuts deeper. Alexis wants answers about her mother’s murder—but instead finds dark secrets, poetic taunts, and one seriously twisted storyteller who’s been writing her fate all along. 🩸
The writing? Sharp as a scalpel. Gale’s prose hums with dread, wrapping you in a deliciously creepy atmosphere. Alexis is fierce, flawed, and fighting like hell—you feel every heartbeat.
Twisty, tense, and beautifully written—Where Ladybugs Go to Die will make you side-eye every innocent little rhyme. 🎶
Nursery rhymes? Ruined. Forever.
Kirsten Gale spins a chilling, lyrical web where every verse cuts deeper. Alexis wants answers about her mother’s murder—but instead finds dark secrets, poetic taunts, and one seriously twisted storyteller who’s been writing her fate all along. 🩸
The writing? Sharp as a scalpel. Gale’s prose hums with dread, wrapping you in a deliciously creepy atmosphere. Alexis is fierce, flawed, and fighting like hell—you feel every heartbeat.
Twisty, tense, and beautifully written—Where Ladybugs Go to Die will make you side-eye every innocent little rhyme. 🎶
October 4, 2025
An eerie and captivating psychological thriller!
A gripping psychological thriller unveiling a sinister tale of a missing mother, a twisted killer, and a brave teenager caught in a deadly game. The palpable fear, relentless intrigue, and unwavering determination will keep you hooked till the final page, your emotions entangled in a web of suspense and terror that lingers long after the story ends. Don't miss this riveting ride through fear and mystery.
A gripping psychological thriller unveiling a sinister tale of a missing mother, a twisted killer, and a brave teenager caught in a deadly game. The palpable fear, relentless intrigue, and unwavering determination will keep you hooked till the final page, your emotions entangled in a web of suspense and terror that lingers long after the story ends. Don't miss this riveting ride through fear and mystery.
March 25, 2026
🐞 Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home...
Kirsten grabs you from the start and makes you look at nursery rhymes in a completely different manner.
Follow along as Alexis trys to solver her mother's murder while learning that everything she thought she knew as truth, isn't the truth at all. This psychological thriller will keep you turning those pages just as quick as you can trying to piece it all together.
Kirsten grabs you from the start and makes you look at nursery rhymes in a completely different manner.
Follow along as Alexis trys to solver her mother's murder while learning that everything she thought she knew as truth, isn't the truth at all. This psychological thriller will keep you turning those pages just as quick as you can trying to piece it all together.
July 25, 2025
This has been an amazing read! Can't wait to finish! Descriptions of the locations and the character development is great. So far about halfway through and hooked from the first chapter! Love the concept of the killers calling card and how its used throughout tying things together in such a fantastic way! Excited to know there are more books as a series
March 6, 2026
Alexis awakes to find her mother's room splattered with gore and her mother missing. Her father comes to take her to his home. Things quickly escalate as more people are being murdered, with a nursery rhyme note left behind. All meant to taunt Alexis. Where The Ladybugs Go To Die is a nonstop thriller, full of secrets and lies, leaving Alexis not knowing who she can trust.
August 24, 2025
The fact I stayed until the end says a lot. I will say that the ending kind of disappointed me a little bit. I don’t know why but I just wasn’t satisfied with it. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it though!! 🫶🏼 This and verity got me out of a reading slump!
October 25, 2025
What a rollercoaster!! So much craziness going on, I was biting my nails with anticipation!! I had my suspicions about who the killer was but BOY WAS I WRONG!! The ending left me shook! Hoping for a book 2 because ummm what?!
January 2, 2026
"Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home..."
Their twisted rhymes haunt Alexis after the murder of her mom. Left at every scene of the murders, the serial killer is building up slowly to what they consider his best chase.... Alexis. Alexis is unsettled by the family secrets that she slowly uncovers while trying to hunt the serial killer who is hunting her. The twist in this book keep you on the edge of your seat.
I do wish that the male characters storylines were developed more because it was hard to distinguish who was who and there were times where they were just randomly introduced to the story with no context.
But overall I loved the book and the ending will shake you!
Their twisted rhymes haunt Alexis after the murder of her mom. Left at every scene of the murders, the serial killer is building up slowly to what they consider his best chase.... Alexis. Alexis is unsettled by the family secrets that she slowly uncovers while trying to hunt the serial killer who is hunting her. The twist in this book keep you on the edge of your seat.
I do wish that the male characters storylines were developed more because it was hard to distinguish who was who and there were times where they were just randomly introduced to the story with no context.
But overall I loved the book and the ending will shake you!
March 26, 2026
I did not know what to expect from this one. I was very pleasantly surprised! What a ride!
I kept trying to figure this one out and it got me! I sat up half the night reading this because I just couldn't stop! An easy 5 stars!
I kept trying to figure this one out and it got me! I sat up half the night reading this because I just couldn't stop! An easy 5 stars!
September 19, 2025
Had me on the edge of my seat. Enthralling, suspenseful, and horrifying.
February 28, 2026
One of thee best books I've read
I love a book when I can't predict what's going to happen, and I'm pretty good at guessing who and how and why, but this book it had me at every turn when I thought I figured it out bam I was wrong and the ending chefs kiss
I love a book when I can't predict what's going to happen, and I'm pretty good at guessing who and how and why, but this book it had me at every turn when I thought I figured it out bam I was wrong and the ending chefs kiss
April 27, 2026
An Absolute Mind-Bender!!
If you love dark, twisted, and deeply unsettling psychological thrillers, stop what you’re doing and read this book.
The story follows Alexis, a young girl whose life is shattered when her mother comes up missing and the only two haunting clues: her mother’s severed finger and a cryptic nursery rhyme. Forced to move in with her Dad, Alexis begins a relentless search for the truth, only to uncover a web of secrets about her life and the people she thought she knew.
The tension is relentless. While Alexis hunts for answers, she is being stalked by an unhinged psychopath who leaves a trail of horrendous crime scenes from where she use to live, to her new home town. These scenes are marked by cryptic nursery rhymes and eerie ladybug carvings. From the very first page, the atmosphere is heavy with dread and unease. The pacing is perfect, masterfully building tension with every chapter.
As for the ending? It is an epic twist that I never saw coming. It was a complete mind-bender that left me with actual chills running down my spine.
This is a must-read for fans of gritty thrillers with shocking twists that keep you guess until the very end.
If you love dark, twisted, and deeply unsettling psychological thrillers, stop what you’re doing and read this book.
The story follows Alexis, a young girl whose life is shattered when her mother comes up missing and the only two haunting clues: her mother’s severed finger and a cryptic nursery rhyme. Forced to move in with her Dad, Alexis begins a relentless search for the truth, only to uncover a web of secrets about her life and the people she thought she knew.
The tension is relentless. While Alexis hunts for answers, she is being stalked by an unhinged psychopath who leaves a trail of horrendous crime scenes from where she use to live, to her new home town. These scenes are marked by cryptic nursery rhymes and eerie ladybug carvings. From the very first page, the atmosphere is heavy with dread and unease. The pacing is perfect, masterfully building tension with every chapter.
As for the ending? It is an epic twist that I never saw coming. It was a complete mind-bender that left me with actual chills running down my spine.
This is a must-read for fans of gritty thrillers with shocking twists that keep you guess until the very end.
July 11, 2025
"I absolutely loved this book! The characters were believable and the plot intriguing with many unexpected twists. I was kept in suspense until the very end and highly recommend this book to everyone who loves a good mystery-thriller. I look forward to more from author Kirsten Gale.
April 16, 2026
very dark and twisty nature. Takes you on a psychological thriller ride where trauma and repressed memories and lies all come into play. Some content could have been explored a little more but it was a slow burn that led to a very satisfied ending.
December 9, 2025
Alexis has always lived under the shadow of her mother’s disappearance. As Alexis digs into her mother’s past to find answers, she uncovers dark family secrets and realizes her mother’s fate might be tied to a serial killer. The killer is twisted: he stages murders based on nursery rhymes, leaving behind cryptic verses at each crime scene. This “rhyme murder” motif becomes his signature. At every crime scene, he leaves behind symbolic “calling cards” in the form of ladybugs creepy and unsettling imagery that haunts Alexis. As the body count rises, Alexis begins to doubt her own memories. She must piece together clues from nursery rhymes to symbolic imagery to stop the killer before she becomes the next victim
March 1, 2026
Alexis, 17 years old, finds herself uncovering a serial killer after her mothers disappearance. Staging murders as twisted nursery rhymes and leaving behind ladybugs seems to be the killers calling card. Can she solve the puzzle before she becomes the next victim?
Wow, wow, wow..I was absolutely captivated from the first page. I could not get enough of this book and can’t wait to read more of the series.
Wow, wow, wow..I was absolutely captivated from the first page. I could not get enough of this book and can’t wait to read more of the series.
February 5, 2026
Beautifully Terrifying- Alexis reminded me a lot of myself. The trauma she went through because of family secrets hit home for me. The killer was sick and twisted. It did remind me of criminal minds which I absolutely love. The nursery rhymes made me ask “Why do we read these to children?” Super creepy. Can’t wait to read book 2.
January 3, 2026
rounding up from 4.5 stars
I just read this cover to cover this evening. While there were some implausible moments, the pacing had me glued to the pages. Then the climax! I anticipated all sorts of outcomes, but this wasn't one of them! I can't wait for the sequel to be released.
I just read this cover to cover this evening. While there were some implausible moments, the pacing had me glued to the pages. Then the climax! I anticipated all sorts of outcomes, but this wasn't one of them! I can't wait for the sequel to be released.
February 17, 2026
Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Where Ladybugs Go to Die by Kirsten Gale
This book didn’t just pull me in. It grabbed me by the collar and said, “You’re coming with her.” And suddenly I wasn’t reading about Alexis. I was standing next to her. Breathing what she breathed. Flinching when she flinched.
It’s fast-paced, but not chaotic. The kind of pacing where you keep telling yourself “one more chapter” and then realize it’s 2AM and your emotional stability has quietly packed its bags.
Alexis is a kid. A minor. And yet the amount of trauma dumped on her shoulders could crush a grown adult with a fully developed frontal lobe and a therapist on speed dial. I wanted to reach through the pages and hug her. Shake her gently. Tell her she’s worth loving — if only she would stop bracing for impact long enough to let someone try.
She’s been living with her mother, who carries her own buried scars like heirlooms nobody asked for. Secrets don’t disappear just because you hide them well. They rot. And they drip. And they pass down quietly like inheritance.
Then comes the night.
Alexis wakes up covered in blood. Her mother is gone. No explanation. Just absence. And a small, haunting “souvenir” left behind like the universe decided subtlety was overrated.
She moves in with her father. New town. New people. The triplets were a breath of air I didn’t realize I needed — friendship that doesn’t feel forced, connection that feels almost normal. There’s even the fragile possibility of love blooming in the middle of chaos.
But of course, peace doesn’t last long here.
There’s a killer on the loose.
He leaves rhymes.
He carves messages.
He calls her “ladybug.”
And she knows.
She knows she’s being hunted.
Imagine being a kid and realizing you are the center of someone’s twisted narrative. Imagine piecing together clues meant specifically for you while adults exist somewhere in the background apparently doing absolutely nothing useful. (Seriously. Where were the grownups? On vacation? Emotionally unavailable? Both?)
Alexis tries to solve it herself. Because who else will?
The themes hit hard: abandonment. Trust issues. The fear that you’re destined to become the worst parts of your parents. The question of whether you have a choice in who you become — or if your path was decided the moment you were born into someone else’s damage.
This book is about survival. Not the glamorous kind. The ugly, shaking, barely-holding-it-together kind.
And trauma stacks up on Alexis like she’s collecting it for a loyalty program. “Ten breakdowns and the next one is free.” A few casualties along the way? Inevitable. Comfortable? Absolutely not.
My trust issues grew alongside hers. Every new character felt like a potential betrayal waiting to happen. I didn’t know who to believe. And honestly? I’m still not sure if that’s a flaw or exactly the point.
The ending?
Wow.
A little too much for me personally — but not in a bad way. In a “I need to stare at a wall and reconsider my emotional resilience” way. It didn’t wrap things up neatly. It twisted the knife just enough to make sure you felt it.
I suffered. Deeply. Gratefully.
Four and a half stars for the emotional damage, the relentless tension, and for making me question whether fate is inherited or fought against.
If you enjoy stories where kids are forced to grow up too fast, where grief is heavy, trust is fragile, and survival is messy — welcome to the hunt.
Pick it up.
Come collect trauma with me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Where Ladybugs Go to Die by Kirsten Gale
This book didn’t just pull me in. It grabbed me by the collar and said, “You’re coming with her.” And suddenly I wasn’t reading about Alexis. I was standing next to her. Breathing what she breathed. Flinching when she flinched.
It’s fast-paced, but not chaotic. The kind of pacing where you keep telling yourself “one more chapter” and then realize it’s 2AM and your emotional stability has quietly packed its bags.
Alexis is a kid. A minor. And yet the amount of trauma dumped on her shoulders could crush a grown adult with a fully developed frontal lobe and a therapist on speed dial. I wanted to reach through the pages and hug her. Shake her gently. Tell her she’s worth loving — if only she would stop bracing for impact long enough to let someone try.
She’s been living with her mother, who carries her own buried scars like heirlooms nobody asked for. Secrets don’t disappear just because you hide them well. They rot. And they drip. And they pass down quietly like inheritance.
Then comes the night.
Alexis wakes up covered in blood. Her mother is gone. No explanation. Just absence. And a small, haunting “souvenir” left behind like the universe decided subtlety was overrated.
She moves in with her father. New town. New people. The triplets were a breath of air I didn’t realize I needed — friendship that doesn’t feel forced, connection that feels almost normal. There’s even the fragile possibility of love blooming in the middle of chaos.
But of course, peace doesn’t last long here.
There’s a killer on the loose.
He leaves rhymes.
He carves messages.
He calls her “ladybug.”
And she knows.
She knows she’s being hunted.
Imagine being a kid and realizing you are the center of someone’s twisted narrative. Imagine piecing together clues meant specifically for you while adults exist somewhere in the background apparently doing absolutely nothing useful. (Seriously. Where were the grownups? On vacation? Emotionally unavailable? Both?)
Alexis tries to solve it herself. Because who else will?
The themes hit hard: abandonment. Trust issues. The fear that you’re destined to become the worst parts of your parents. The question of whether you have a choice in who you become — or if your path was decided the moment you were born into someone else’s damage.
This book is about survival. Not the glamorous kind. The ugly, shaking, barely-holding-it-together kind.
And trauma stacks up on Alexis like she’s collecting it for a loyalty program. “Ten breakdowns and the next one is free.” A few casualties along the way? Inevitable. Comfortable? Absolutely not.
My trust issues grew alongside hers. Every new character felt like a potential betrayal waiting to happen. I didn’t know who to believe. And honestly? I’m still not sure if that’s a flaw or exactly the point.
The ending?
Wow.
A little too much for me personally — but not in a bad way. In a “I need to stare at a wall and reconsider my emotional resilience” way. It didn’t wrap things up neatly. It twisted the knife just enough to make sure you felt it.
I suffered. Deeply. Gratefully.
Four and a half stars for the emotional damage, the relentless tension, and for making me question whether fate is inherited or fought against.
If you enjoy stories where kids are forced to grow up too fast, where grief is heavy, trust is fragile, and survival is messy — welcome to the hunt.
Pick it up.
Come collect trauma with me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews