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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.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2025
28 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Kirsten Gale
3 books19 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.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 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.
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.
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.
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
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?!
September 19, 2025
Had me on the edge of my seat. Enthralling, suspenseful, and horrifying.
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.
October 6, 2025
Reasons why I give this book A SINGLE STAR:
1. THE DOG DIES, and violently might I add
2. Also, what the hell does this killer have against cats - also horrifying
3. Did this book have an editor? It couldn't have. Punctuation was incorrect throughout, the paragraphs were poorly structured, making dialogue confusing and choppy, and there were multiple occasions were a paragraph, or section of one, would appear again a few lines away from the first time it was written. This book clearly lacked an editing process and it made it incredibly difficult to read.
4. Too many characters with poor character development, so by the end you can't remember who is who in a sea of generic boy names (Connor, Asher, Tanner, Trevor, Zane, Nathan.... like come on)
Overall, I would have given up on this book at 30% if it weren't for it being a book club pick and wanting to know if the murders were justified... which they weren't, by the way, so not really worth finishing, in my opinion. And super confused by the handful of 5 star reviews who genuinely enjoyed it.
1. THE DOG DIES, and violently might I add
2. Also, what the hell does this killer have against cats - also horrifying
3. Did this book have an editor? It couldn't have. Punctuation was incorrect throughout, the paragraphs were poorly structured, making dialogue confusing and choppy, and there were multiple occasions were a paragraph, or section of one, would appear again a few lines away from the first time it was written. This book clearly lacked an editing process and it made it incredibly difficult to read.
4. Too many characters with poor character development, so by the end you can't remember who is who in a sea of generic boy names (Connor, Asher, Tanner, Trevor, Zane, Nathan.... like come on)
Overall, I would have given up on this book at 30% if it weren't for it being a book club pick and wanting to know if the murders were justified... which they weren't, by the way, so not really worth finishing, in my opinion. And super confused by the handful of 5 star reviews who genuinely enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2025
Kirsten Gale delivers a tightly plotted, emotionally rich story that blends the eerie tension of a supernatural thriller with the gritty procedural style of classic detective fiction. From the first page, the mood is electric—shadowy crime scenes, cryptic clues, and a protagonist who walks the razor’s edge between our world and something darker.
The lead character is not your average investigator. Gale has created someone layered, haunted, and completely compelling. The pacing is sharp, with twists I didn’t see coming and lore that unfolds just enough to keep me hooked without overwhelming the story.
This isn’t just a paranormal mystery—it’s a grounded, character-driven story that happens to have wings. Crimson ones. And if you know, you know.
Highly recommend for fans of urban fantasy, noir thrillers, or anyone who likes their mysteries with a bite and a heart.
Bring on Book 2.
The lead character is not your average investigator. Gale has created someone layered, haunted, and completely compelling. The pacing is sharp, with twists I didn’t see coming and lore that unfolds just enough to keep me hooked without overwhelming the story.
This isn’t just a paranormal mystery—it’s a grounded, character-driven story that happens to have wings. Crimson ones. And if you know, you know.
Highly recommend for fans of urban fantasy, noir thrillers, or anyone who likes their mysteries with a bite and a heart.
Bring on Book 2.
October 28, 2025
This story is highly addictive from the first page. Diving right into chaotic family dynamics. Alexis is then left in the world alone, unable to trust anyone. She has a frantic sensations of someone always watching her with no sense of ease. You can feel the pulsating worry throughout the book. The Rhyme Reaper has many tales up his sleeve that even she is not ready for.
Kirsten using nursery rhymes adds a creepiness that I didn't know I needed. The way she takes each one and weaves them into her storyline is brilliant. It contributes to the story and the mechanics of the killers mind.
I didn't want to set this book down. I was drawn in and needing to know. There wasn't a dull moment, always something keeping you to turn the page.
Kirsten using nursery rhymes adds a creepiness that I didn't know I needed. The way she takes each one and weaves them into her storyline is brilliant. It contributes to the story and the mechanics of the killers mind.
I didn't want to set this book down. I was drawn in and needing to know. There wasn't a dull moment, always something keeping you to turn the page.
October 5, 2025
Creepy, clever, and relentlessly suspenseful. This story hooks you from the first chilling rhyme and never lets up. The blend of childhood innocence with brutal intent creates an atmosphere that’s both eerie and addictive. Every reveal tightens the noose, and the family secrets uncovered along the way add depth and dread in equal measure. The pacing is sharp, the twists land, and the tension builds with every clue. If you love dark psychological thrillers with a poetic edge, this one delivers in spades.
July 12, 2025
The author did a great job describing characters, places, and events. I was never bored with the storyline! I really enjoyed following the main character as she traversed through the challenges in her relationships and the mysteries she was met with. The author created suspense throughout the book, again, beautifully described. I felt very involved and invested in the main character’s life and was somewhat disappointed when I finished the book! I wanted more! Can’t wait to read the next book!
October 5, 2025
I’m absolutely obsessed with this book. The concept hooked me instantly—murder wrapped in nursery rhymes and a killer who speaks in verses? Brilliant and haunting. I’ve always loved ladybugs, which made the eerie twist hit even harder in the best possible way. The atmosphere is dark and clever, the mystery unfolds with perfect tension, and every rhyme feels like a warning you can’t ignore. It’s chilling, creative, and completely unforgettable
November 19, 2025
Where Ladybugs Go to Die is a sharp, unsettling thriller with a premise that hooked me instantly, nursery rhymes turned into murder notes is creepy in the best way. Alexis’s search through her mother’s secrets adds emotional depth, and the story moves fast without losing its darker, poetic edge. A bit intense at times, but the twists land, and the final reveal is worth the ride. Dark, clever, and memorably eerie.
September 6, 2025
I have never read another story even remotely similar to this one, it's very unique.
From the get go it had me hooked, trying to guess what was going to happen next.
Couldn't put this book down, it's a real page turner.
I highly recommend this book to all of the thriller lovers out there, so long as you don't mind a story more on the gory side.
From the get go it had me hooked, trying to guess what was going to happen next.
Couldn't put this book down, it's a real page turner.
I highly recommend this book to all of the thriller lovers out there, so long as you don't mind a story more on the gory side.
August 27, 2025
This was such a fun read! I love things that are a little twisted and it definitely had that element to it. The creepier the better! The plot and characters had me enthralled. I definitely recommend this book for anyone to read!
September 20, 2025
Where Ladybugs Go to Die is a chilling, beautifully crafted thriller that hooked me from the very first line. The concept of a killer leaving cryptic nursery rhymes at each crime scene is both unique and deeply unsettling, making the story impossible to put down.
November 10, 2025
This is a suspenseful psychological thriller that keeps you guessing till the end. A killer who leaves nursery rhymes at the scenes of his murders. A family's secrets from the past and one last twist to top it off. I highly recommend this book!
August 2, 2025
A chilling and brilliantly crafted thriller, this story weaves murder, mystery, and twisted rhymes into a haunting tale that keeps you guessing until the final verse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews