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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
20 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Kirsten Gale
2 books14 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
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 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!
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 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
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.
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 - 15 of 15 reviews