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House of Monsters
Sergeant Jax Moretti and his partner, Detective Juliette Reid, are hunting a sadistic serial killer and rapist who has been stalking the streets of the Polk County area for nearly a decade. With little-to-no evidence, Moretti and Reid are desperate to find this sick and twisted monster as the body count rises. And Jax soon finds himself falling for Ali Knox, the woman who may hold the answers they’ve been searching for.
When Ali Knox submits her DNA to a DNA database, she was merely searching for someone from her past. But when she’s linked to a six-year-old deceased Jane Doe, her world is quickly thrusted into chaos.
As Jax and Juliette dig deeper, they realize the two cases are connected. But the closer he gets to Ali, the more complex this case becomes. And when Ali finds herself in danger, Jax is determined to keep her safe and catch a sadistic killer whose reign of terror is worse than anything found in nightmares.
But nothing can prepare him for what he will find.
Because the worst monsters are the ones you forget. And remembering might be fatal.
When Ali Knox submits her DNA to a DNA database, she was merely searching for someone from her past. But when she’s linked to a six-year-old deceased Jane Doe, her world is quickly thrusted into chaos.
As Jax and Juliette dig deeper, they realize the two cases are connected. But the closer he gets to Ali, the more complex this case becomes. And when Ali finds herself in danger, Jax is determined to keep her safe and catch a sadistic killer whose reign of terror is worse than anything found in nightmares.
But nothing can prepare him for what he will find.
Because the worst monsters are the ones you forget. And remembering might be fatal.
- GenresThriller
Paperback
Published December 1, 2025
26 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
November 15, 2025
The five star read I needed!!! I finished this one in one day because I just could not put it down! It’s no surprise when I absolutely loved Lindsey Acosta’s first book Kept in the Dark. This one was crime fiction at its finest - a chilling and twisted read.
House of Monsters was dark, twisted, shocking - everything you want in a thriller. I am so excited that this is a series because I already feel so connected to these characters that I must know what happens next for them.
It’s a pleasure to be apart of Lindsey Acosta’s arc team and at this point I would read her grocery list because if she’s writing it then it’s gold!!!
“We grow up thinking monsters are scary-looking creatures that hide under our bed, waiting until you fall asleep to get you. But really, the monsters are hiding in plain sight, not scary looking at all, but normal. Even beautiful. And that’s the worst part. You can’t hide from the monsters if you don’t know who the monsters are.”
A sadistic serial killer is being hunted down by sergeant Jax Moretti and his partner detective Juliette Reid. With little to no evidence these partners are desperate to take down this sick individual. While working on the case Jax Moretti finds himself involved with a woman Ali Knox who somehow ties into their ongoing case after she submits her DNA to a DNA database while searching for someone from her past. A diabolical string of events begins to occur teaching us that we are surrounded by monsters.
Fans of Karin Slaughter you need to pick this up as Acosta weaves the web of police procedural and romantic suspense perfectly just as Slaughter does. Add this to your tbr it’s our December 1st!
House of Monsters was dark, twisted, shocking - everything you want in a thriller. I am so excited that this is a series because I already feel so connected to these characters that I must know what happens next for them.
It’s a pleasure to be apart of Lindsey Acosta’s arc team and at this point I would read her grocery list because if she’s writing it then it’s gold!!!
“We grow up thinking monsters are scary-looking creatures that hide under our bed, waiting until you fall asleep to get you. But really, the monsters are hiding in plain sight, not scary looking at all, but normal. Even beautiful. And that’s the worst part. You can’t hide from the monsters if you don’t know who the monsters are.”
A sadistic serial killer is being hunted down by sergeant Jax Moretti and his partner detective Juliette Reid. With little to no evidence these partners are desperate to take down this sick individual. While working on the case Jax Moretti finds himself involved with a woman Ali Knox who somehow ties into their ongoing case after she submits her DNA to a DNA database while searching for someone from her past. A diabolical string of events begins to occur teaching us that we are surrounded by monsters.
Fans of Karin Slaughter you need to pick this up as Acosta weaves the web of police procedural and romantic suspense perfectly just as Slaughter does. Add this to your tbr it’s our December 1st!
November 30, 2025
Book Title: House of Monsters (Moretti and Reid Book 1)
Author: Lindsey Acosta
Publisher: Independent
Publication Date: December 1, 2025
Currently Available on KU? ✅
Audiobook? 🙅🏼♀️
🍿 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: While technically House of Monsters can be considered a follow-up to Kept in the Dark, the real stars of the show are Jax and Juliette along with a family holding plenty of buried secrets. Trinity does make an appearance, but she is all grown up and comes to town to help Jax and Juliette catch a killer.
🧺 𝚁𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚖 𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: Right off the bat you realize this is going to be a very dark read and it is honestly right up there with a Karin Slaughter book. I loved the way Acosta wove various viewpoints into something insatiably readable, and the twists did.not.stop. Despite the numerous POVs, it was very easy to keep track of them all and thanks to the short chapters and exciting plot, I didn’t want to put it down.
💭 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴: I want to keep my review as vague as possible so as not to give away any secrets, but Acosta blew me away with this sophomore novel of hers. She is an indie author, so it is important to spread the word, and if you love dark and gritty books in the vein of Karin Slaughter, this is your sign to read House of Monsters immediately!
T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 💙💐🏚️📀
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Author: Lindsey Acosta
Publisher: Independent
Publication Date: December 1, 2025
Currently Available on KU? ✅
Audiobook? 🙅🏼♀️
🍿 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: While technically House of Monsters can be considered a follow-up to Kept in the Dark, the real stars of the show are Jax and Juliette along with a family holding plenty of buried secrets. Trinity does make an appearance, but she is all grown up and comes to town to help Jax and Juliette catch a killer.
🧺 𝚁𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚖 𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: Right off the bat you realize this is going to be a very dark read and it is honestly right up there with a Karin Slaughter book. I loved the way Acosta wove various viewpoints into something insatiably readable, and the twists did.not.stop. Despite the numerous POVs, it was very easy to keep track of them all and thanks to the short chapters and exciting plot, I didn’t want to put it down.
💭 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴: I want to keep my review as vague as possible so as not to give away any secrets, but Acosta blew me away with this sophomore novel of hers. She is an indie author, so it is important to spread the word, and if you love dark and gritty books in the vein of Karin Slaughter, this is your sign to read House of Monsters immediately!
T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 💙💐🏚️📀
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 25, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up.
House of Monsters was a ride!!!!
I was given a ARC copy of this book and man oh man was I happy. Not only perfect time for “spooky season” but it all in all was an amazing read.
If you enjoy psychological, gruesome thrillers. This book is it. I had so much fun with this read. I wrote little side notes every chapter and had my own theories about it. I love the way the authors brain works. She makes you pay attention to every detail.
House of Monsters was a ride!!!!
I was given a ARC copy of this book and man oh man was I happy. Not only perfect time for “spooky season” but it all in all was an amazing read.
If you enjoy psychological, gruesome thrillers. This book is it. I had so much fun with this read. I wrote little side notes every chapter and had my own theories about it. I love the way the authors brain works. She makes you pay attention to every detail.
November 12, 2025
This is a gritty, fast paced police procedural that gets deep into the psychology of a killer.
Sergeant Jax Moretti and Detective Juliette Reid have been chasing a sadistic killer for a decade with no luck. Their last chance is a hit on a DNA database entry by Ali Knox, a woman looking for her past who accidentally gets linked to a cold case. Soon, Jax realizes Ali might hold the key to everything. The closer Jax gets to Ali, the closer he is to the monster they’re hunting.
This book is a total rush. I love the detective duo with Jax and Juliette and the emotional complications with Ali. It becomes not just catching a killer but protecting the ones you love.
If you love dark and intricate investigations you definitely need to read this one!
Sergeant Jax Moretti and Detective Juliette Reid have been chasing a sadistic killer for a decade with no luck. Their last chance is a hit on a DNA database entry by Ali Knox, a woman looking for her past who accidentally gets linked to a cold case. Soon, Jax realizes Ali might hold the key to everything. The closer Jax gets to Ali, the closer he is to the monster they’re hunting.
This book is a total rush. I love the detective duo with Jax and Juliette and the emotional complications with Ali. It becomes not just catching a killer but protecting the ones you love.
If you love dark and intricate investigations you definitely need to read this one!
November 25, 2025
Thank you to Lindsey Acosta for the ARC and my place on your ARC team!
“We grow up thinking monsters are scary-looking creatures that hide under our bed, waiting until you go to sleep to get you. But really, monsters are hiding in plain sight, not scary looking at all, but normal…”
Having loved this author’s previous book, Kept in the Dark, I was excited to get my hands on this! Sergeant Jax Moretti and Detective Juliette Reid have been chasing a serial killer for a decade. Their most recent clue has them crossing paths with Ali Knox, a woman who just happened to submit her DNA to a database, but may hold the keys to this case. This story was a dark police procedural and kept me on my toes - I wish real life didn’t interrupt reading this one because I didn’t want to put it down! When I thought I knew where this was going, I was happy to know I was wrong - lol! I love when there are twists I didn’t see coming and this author is great at delivering them! If you enjoy thrillers and/or police procedurals, give this one a try!
”House of Monsters” releases December 1, 2025. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
“We grow up thinking monsters are scary-looking creatures that hide under our bed, waiting until you go to sleep to get you. But really, monsters are hiding in plain sight, not scary looking at all, but normal…”
Having loved this author’s previous book, Kept in the Dark, I was excited to get my hands on this! Sergeant Jax Moretti and Detective Juliette Reid have been chasing a serial killer for a decade. Their most recent clue has them crossing paths with Ali Knox, a woman who just happened to submit her DNA to a database, but may hold the keys to this case. This story was a dark police procedural and kept me on my toes - I wish real life didn’t interrupt reading this one because I didn’t want to put it down! When I thought I knew where this was going, I was happy to know I was wrong - lol! I love when there are twists I didn’t see coming and this author is great at delivering them! If you enjoy thrillers and/or police procedurals, give this one a try!
”House of Monsters” releases December 1, 2025. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
November 5, 2025
From the Library of Sarah Ashley: Book #79
I Came for the Drama and Stayed for the Dysfunction
I was honored that Lindsey picked me for her ARC crew for House of Monsters!
This book drops in December 2025, so go on and mark your calendars now. And if you haven’t read her first one, Kept in the Dark, I’d go ahead and knock that out in November so you’re ready to roll.
From page one, I knew Lindsey was up to her usual tricks … and by tricks, I mean chaos. I’m talkin’ eyes poppin’, jaw droppin’, what-in-the-world-is-happening kind of storytelling.
All three of the strong FMCs had me in a chokehold from the get-go. When that crossover happened and Trinity Harbor showed up?! I just about hollered. I was so glad to see where life’s taken her.
There’s so much packed in less than 400 pages, I don’t even know how she did it. Lindsey somehow crammed action, drama, and family-sized dysfunction into one wild ride — and made it look effortless. Every character is a full-blown masterpiece of chaos. If you think your family’s dysfunctional… buckle up buttercup!
Now I’m sittin’ here with my fingers and toes crossed for Book #3, ‘cause I need a Trinity and Thiago spinoff!
5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
#HouseOfMonsters #ARCReview #Winterinflorida #BookLoversUnite #BookChaos #KeptInTheDark #TrinityHarbor #ReadersOfFacebook #BookTok #Bookstagram #FMCGoals #HotMessAndHappyAboutIt #HighlyRecommend #lindseyacosta #libraryofsarahashley
I Came for the Drama and Stayed for the Dysfunction
I was honored that Lindsey picked me for her ARC crew for House of Monsters!
This book drops in December 2025, so go on and mark your calendars now. And if you haven’t read her first one, Kept in the Dark, I’d go ahead and knock that out in November so you’re ready to roll.
From page one, I knew Lindsey was up to her usual tricks … and by tricks, I mean chaos. I’m talkin’ eyes poppin’, jaw droppin’, what-in-the-world-is-happening kind of storytelling.
All three of the strong FMCs had me in a chokehold from the get-go. When that crossover happened and Trinity Harbor showed up?! I just about hollered. I was so glad to see where life’s taken her.
There’s so much packed in less than 400 pages, I don’t even know how she did it. Lindsey somehow crammed action, drama, and family-sized dysfunction into one wild ride — and made it look effortless. Every character is a full-blown masterpiece of chaos. If you think your family’s dysfunctional… buckle up buttercup!
Now I’m sittin’ here with my fingers and toes crossed for Book #3, ‘cause I need a Trinity and Thiago spinoff!
5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
#HouseOfMonsters #ARCReview #Winterinflorida #BookLoversUnite #BookChaos #KeptInTheDark #TrinityHarbor #ReadersOfFacebook #BookTok #Bookstagram #FMCGoals #HotMessAndHappyAboutIt #HighlyRecommend #lindseyacosta #libraryofsarahashley
December 19, 2025
Partners Sargent Jax Moretti and Detective Juliette Reid arrive at the crime scene for the most recent victim of the scarlet letter killer. This sadistic serial killer has been roaming the streets for a decade and they are no closer to finding him than they were ten years ago. They need a break in the case so they can get him off the streets before more women lose their lives. While investigating this case they get another case of the remains of a six year old girl who went missing over two decades ago. They are able to identify her because her relative submitted their DNA to a DNA website. They go visit Ali Knox and inform her that the remains of her half sister have been found. She is shocked by this because she does not have a half sister that she knows of. She starts digging into her family and they shut her down. Her and Jax start seeing each other and they realize the cases are connected. When they start digging they uncover lies that have been buried for decades.
This was a fabulous read! I loved the plot and the characters. The writing really made you feel like you were in the story. The twists and turns were so good and kept me hooked and guessing the entire time! This is the perfect mystery/thriller read!
This was a fabulous read! I loved the plot and the characters. The writing really made you feel like you were in the story. The twists and turns were so good and kept me hooked and guessing the entire time! This is the perfect mystery/thriller read!
November 15, 2025
House Of Monsters takes place several years after her book Kept In The Dark and can be read as a stand alone since it is a new thrilling story and new characters. However some beloved characters from KITD comes along which was very fun.
I really enjoyed this one and thinks it was even better than KITD that I loved. So what did I loved with this one you may wonder and the answer is everything.
I loved how Acosta had me on the edges and believed that I had it all figured out (just like Freida McFadden sometimes makes me feel), the story and the characters.
According to me the story feels well written, following a read thread and also includes everything I'm looking for in a great thriller.
As you can imagine I highly recommend this one to everyone who wants to read a great thriller, especially a psychological thriller.
I'm so thankful that Lindsey Acosta is allowing me to be a part of her ARC-team and I can't wait to see what everyone else will think about this book after it releases (December 1st) and what comes next for this author 😍
I really enjoyed this one and thinks it was even better than KITD that I loved. So what did I loved with this one you may wonder and the answer is everything.
I loved how Acosta had me on the edges and believed that I had it all figured out (just like Freida McFadden sometimes makes me feel), the story and the characters.
According to me the story feels well written, following a read thread and also includes everything I'm looking for in a great thriller.
As you can imagine I highly recommend this one to everyone who wants to read a great thriller, especially a psychological thriller.
I'm so thankful that Lindsey Acosta is allowing me to be a part of her ARC-team and I can't wait to see what everyone else will think about this book after it releases (December 1st) and what comes next for this author 😍
November 6, 2025
Jax and Juliette are hunting a vicious, sadistic killer who has brutally murdered women for years. When they receive a photo of a six-year-old Jane Doe, murdered twenty-six years ago, they realize the two cases are connected. Can they find the killer before he strikes again?
Now this is how you write a book. It gave me emotional whiplash — one minute I was laughing at the humour sprinkled throughout, the next I was glaring at my fiancé for not being Jax, and then I was crying like a baby. Despite being a pretty long read, it never dragged. The pacing was fast, the tension relentless, and there wasn’t a single unnecessary scene. The twists had me gasping every time, even when I’d half-guessed them.
This is only the author’s second book, but if she keeps writing like this, she’s going to become a favourite very quickly. I’ve loved both books, and I really enjoy how they connect. Honestly, I think I’m going to have to go back and reread the first one now.
Now this is how you write a book. It gave me emotional whiplash — one minute I was laughing at the humour sprinkled throughout, the next I was glaring at my fiancé for not being Jax, and then I was crying like a baby. Despite being a pretty long read, it never dragged. The pacing was fast, the tension relentless, and there wasn’t a single unnecessary scene. The twists had me gasping every time, even when I’d half-guessed them.
This is only the author’s second book, but if she keeps writing like this, she’s going to become a favourite very quickly. I’ve loved both books, and I really enjoy how they connect. Honestly, I think I’m going to have to go back and reread the first one now.
October 28, 2025
What a ride!
This book is gripping, fast-paced, tense, and packed with twists that keep you guessing until the very end.
From the very first page, I was completely hooked—it’s one of those reads that’s almost impossible to put down. I devoured it on a long flight and honestly, wow! What an experience.
Lindsey Acosta’s writing is exceptional—flawless, clever, and vividly immersive. You don’t just read her stories; you feel them. I found myself questioning every character and second-guessing every motive, which made the whole journey even more thrilling.
I also loved the subtle inclusion of characters from her previous novel, Kept in the Dark—a wonderful touch for returning readers.
Huge thanks to Lindsey Acosta for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review. I can’t recommend her books enough!
This book is gripping, fast-paced, tense, and packed with twists that keep you guessing until the very end.
From the very first page, I was completely hooked—it’s one of those reads that’s almost impossible to put down. I devoured it on a long flight and honestly, wow! What an experience.
Lindsey Acosta’s writing is exceptional—flawless, clever, and vividly immersive. You don’t just read her stories; you feel them. I found myself questioning every character and second-guessing every motive, which made the whole journey even more thrilling.
I also loved the subtle inclusion of characters from her previous novel, Kept in the Dark—a wonderful touch for returning readers.
Huge thanks to Lindsey Acosta for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review. I can’t recommend her books enough!
November 30, 2025
First, thank you so much to the author Lindsey for including me on your ARC team. This was my first book by you and I was blown away! Not only by the amazing storytelling but the writing style was flawless and I’m literally so impressed this is only your second novel
Now on to the review! Buckle up readers, this is a crime thriller you will think you have figured out but I can guarantee you that you will be in absolute shock by the end. I underestimated the title being House of Monsters, plural, because this story is full of them
Told in multiple POV, but so easy to follow the multitude of the storyline, we first find our two local detectives, Jax and Juliette. A local serial killer has been targeting women for over a decade. With little to no leads, the detectives are more than frustrated until a local woman named Ali Knox submits her own DNA to a database.
Unbeknownst to Ali, she is related to a child Jane Doe from an unsolved murder decades ago. What starts at wanting to understand her family tree and find her dad, turns into the chase of a lifetime. As more women are found tortured, beaten, and deceased, Ali may find that she’s connected to just more than the young Jane Doe
I highly recommend this thriller to fans who love a book you can’t put down, enjoy reading indie authors, and to those who love a story that keeps you guessing til the very end!
Now on to the review! Buckle up readers, this is a crime thriller you will think you have figured out but I can guarantee you that you will be in absolute shock by the end. I underestimated the title being House of Monsters, plural, because this story is full of them
Told in multiple POV, but so easy to follow the multitude of the storyline, we first find our two local detectives, Jax and Juliette. A local serial killer has been targeting women for over a decade. With little to no leads, the detectives are more than frustrated until a local woman named Ali Knox submits her own DNA to a database.
Unbeknownst to Ali, she is related to a child Jane Doe from an unsolved murder decades ago. What starts at wanting to understand her family tree and find her dad, turns into the chase of a lifetime. As more women are found tortured, beaten, and deceased, Ali may find that she’s connected to just more than the young Jane Doe
I highly recommend this thriller to fans who love a book you can’t put down, enjoy reading indie authors, and to those who love a story that keeps you guessing til the very end!
November 14, 2025
Psychological thriller packed with twists throughout. If you enjoy police procedural, dysfunctional families types of books you will enjoy this one. My first by this author but won’t be my last.
November 17, 2025
📚E-ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚
House of Monsters By Lindsey Acosta
Publication Date: December 1, 2025
📚MY RATING: 4.25/5⭐
A huge thank you to Lindsey Acosta for inviting me to be a part of this book tour and for this #gifted copy of the e-arc -- this is my honest review!
📚MY REVIEW:
House of Monsters, the highly-anticipated sequel to Kept in the Dark from indie author Lindsey Acosta, had something for every reader. For thriller fans, you've got a serial killer storyline. For crime fiction fans, you've got police investigations (and even the FBI getting involved). And for fans of romance, you've even got a love story amidst all the dark suspense.
Sergeant Jax Moretti and his partner, Detective Juliette Reid, are hunting a sadistic serial killer and rapist who has been stalking the streets for nearly a decade. With little-to-no evidence, Moretti and Reid are desperate to find this sick and twisted monster as the body count rises. And Jax soon finds himself falling for Ali Knox, the woman who may hold the answers they’ve been searching for.
Ali submitted her DNA to a DNA database to find someone from her past. But when she’s linked to a six-year-old deceased Jane Doe, her world is quickly upended. As Jax and Juliette dig deeper, they realize the two cases are connected. But the closer Jax gets to Ali, the more complex this case becomes. When Ali finds herself in danger, Jax is determined to keep her safe and catch the killer whose reign of terror is worse than anything found in nightmares. But nothing can prepare him for what he will find.
Acosta delivered a character-driven, twisty, and dark mystery which kept me guessing till the end. I really enjoyed the way she created tension and fear with deep secrets and family drama. If you're a fan of fast-paced thrillers with dark themes and serial killer storylines, you're going to love House of Monsters.
**Trigger Warning: this book includes themes of rape throughout, and while they're not very detailed, it's good to know before you pick this one up.**
#HouseOfMonsters #LindseyAcosta #indieauthors #booktour #ARCTeam #thrillerreads #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #bookreviews #bookrecs
House of Monsters By Lindsey Acosta
Publication Date: December 1, 2025
📚MY RATING: 4.25/5⭐
A huge thank you to Lindsey Acosta for inviting me to be a part of this book tour and for this #gifted copy of the e-arc -- this is my honest review!
📚MY REVIEW:
House of Monsters, the highly-anticipated sequel to Kept in the Dark from indie author Lindsey Acosta, had something for every reader. For thriller fans, you've got a serial killer storyline. For crime fiction fans, you've got police investigations (and even the FBI getting involved). And for fans of romance, you've even got a love story amidst all the dark suspense.
Sergeant Jax Moretti and his partner, Detective Juliette Reid, are hunting a sadistic serial killer and rapist who has been stalking the streets for nearly a decade. With little-to-no evidence, Moretti and Reid are desperate to find this sick and twisted monster as the body count rises. And Jax soon finds himself falling for Ali Knox, the woman who may hold the answers they’ve been searching for.
Ali submitted her DNA to a DNA database to find someone from her past. But when she’s linked to a six-year-old deceased Jane Doe, her world is quickly upended. As Jax and Juliette dig deeper, they realize the two cases are connected. But the closer Jax gets to Ali, the more complex this case becomes. When Ali finds herself in danger, Jax is determined to keep her safe and catch the killer whose reign of terror is worse than anything found in nightmares. But nothing can prepare him for what he will find.
Acosta delivered a character-driven, twisty, and dark mystery which kept me guessing till the end. I really enjoyed the way she created tension and fear with deep secrets and family drama. If you're a fan of fast-paced thrillers with dark themes and serial killer storylines, you're going to love House of Monsters.
**Trigger Warning: this book includes themes of rape throughout, and while they're not very detailed, it's good to know before you pick this one up.**
#HouseOfMonsters #LindseyAcosta #indieauthors #booktour #ARCTeam #thrillerreads #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #bookreviews #bookrecs
November 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
“From the monster we were born, into monsters we were forged, and as monsters we will fall.”
A twisty thriller perfect for fans who like a dose of romance mixed with a good murder mystery.
House of Monsters follows Detectives Juliette Reid and Jax Moretti as they work to track down a sadistic serial killer and rapist. Their investigation hits a wall until a DNA match made from a potential victim cracks the case wide open. Ali Knox’s simple search for family connection pulls her into a tangled web of secrets, obsession, and danger. As the killer grows more unpredictable, no one is safe.
This book was a tough one to pin down for me — there was a lot I enjoyed, but a few things didn’t quite land. The plot itself was gripping; I love a good detective thriller full of twists and turns, and this one delivered plenty of those. Every time I thought I had something figured out, another mystery unfolded. The action scenes, especially the opening and finale, completely pulled me in.
However, a few elements didn’t work as well for me. There were quite a few side characters introduced throughout the story, which made things a bit confusing and sometimes pulled focus from the main characters. By the end, I felt like some of the leads had faded into the background. I also struggled with the instant love between Ali and Jax — that’s just a personal preference, as I tend to enjoy a slower burn. Lastly, I felt a bit disconnected from the characters emotionally. One in particular acted in ways that felt unprofessional given their role, which took me out of the story a little (though that could be because of my own background in a similar field).
Overall, I still think House of Monsters will appeal to readers who enjoy romantic thrillers packed with twists and turns, especially fans of Freida McFadden’s style.
“From the monster we were born, into monsters we were forged, and as monsters we will fall.”
A twisty thriller perfect for fans who like a dose of romance mixed with a good murder mystery.
House of Monsters follows Detectives Juliette Reid and Jax Moretti as they work to track down a sadistic serial killer and rapist. Their investigation hits a wall until a DNA match made from a potential victim cracks the case wide open. Ali Knox’s simple search for family connection pulls her into a tangled web of secrets, obsession, and danger. As the killer grows more unpredictable, no one is safe.
This book was a tough one to pin down for me — there was a lot I enjoyed, but a few things didn’t quite land. The plot itself was gripping; I love a good detective thriller full of twists and turns, and this one delivered plenty of those. Every time I thought I had something figured out, another mystery unfolded. The action scenes, especially the opening and finale, completely pulled me in.
However, a few elements didn’t work as well for me. There were quite a few side characters introduced throughout the story, which made things a bit confusing and sometimes pulled focus from the main characters. By the end, I felt like some of the leads had faded into the background. I also struggled with the instant love between Ali and Jax — that’s just a personal preference, as I tend to enjoy a slower burn. Lastly, I felt a bit disconnected from the characters emotionally. One in particular acted in ways that felt unprofessional given their role, which took me out of the story a little (though that could be because of my own background in a similar field).
Overall, I still think House of Monsters will appeal to readers who enjoy romantic thrillers packed with twists and turns, especially fans of Freida McFadden’s style.
November 7, 2025
“But the worst monsters are the ones you forget. And remembering might be fatal”.
Sergeant Jax Moretti and his partner, Detective Juliette Reid, are hunting a sadistic serial killer and rapist who has been stalking the streets of the Polk County area for nearly a decade. With little-to-no evidence, Moretti and Reid are desperate to find this sick and twisted monster as the body count rises. Jax soon finds himself falling for Ali Knox, the woman who may hold the answers they’ve been searching for. When Ali Knox submits her DNA to a DNA database, she was merely searching for someone from. her past. But when she’s linked to a six-year-old deceased Jane Doe, her world is quickly thrusted into chaos. As Jax and Juliette dig deeper, they realize the two cases are connected. But the closer he gets to Ali, the more complex this case becomes. And when Ali finds herself in danger, Jax is determined to keep her safe and catch a sadistic killer whose reign of terror is worse than anything found in nightmares.
But nothing can prepare him for what he will find.
This was an amazing book! This grabbed me right from the beginning, it was well written, full of twists and turns and when you think you have it figured out a new surprising twist comes out of nowhere. I did not want to put this down. This is the authors second book and it is written so well. I was emotionally attached to each character while reading this book either rooting against them or for them.
I definitely recommend this author and book. I can wait to see what she will have next!
Themes in this book:
Multiple POV,
Victim POV
Cold case,
Small town vibes,
Winter read,
Sadistic serial killer,
New romance,
Family secrets,
Repressed memories
Sergeant Jax Moretti and his partner, Detective Juliette Reid, are hunting a sadistic serial killer and rapist who has been stalking the streets of the Polk County area for nearly a decade. With little-to-no evidence, Moretti and Reid are desperate to find this sick and twisted monster as the body count rises. Jax soon finds himself falling for Ali Knox, the woman who may hold the answers they’ve been searching for. When Ali Knox submits her DNA to a DNA database, she was merely searching for someone from. her past. But when she’s linked to a six-year-old deceased Jane Doe, her world is quickly thrusted into chaos. As Jax and Juliette dig deeper, they realize the two cases are connected. But the closer he gets to Ali, the more complex this case becomes. And when Ali finds herself in danger, Jax is determined to keep her safe and catch a sadistic killer whose reign of terror is worse than anything found in nightmares.
But nothing can prepare him for what he will find.
This was an amazing book! This grabbed me right from the beginning, it was well written, full of twists and turns and when you think you have it figured out a new surprising twist comes out of nowhere. I did not want to put this down. This is the authors second book and it is written so well. I was emotionally attached to each character while reading this book either rooting against them or for them.
I definitely recommend this author and book. I can wait to see what she will have next!
Themes in this book:
Multiple POV,
Victim POV
Cold case,
Small town vibes,
Winter read,
Sadistic serial killer,
New romance,
Family secrets,
Repressed memories
November 10, 2025
This is Ms. Acosta’s sophomore book, her first being Kept in the Dark, which I have not read. It will appeal to those that like police procedurals and psychological thrillers. The pacing of the book and details were strong. I was engaged with the novel throughout. The dialogue was natural and appropriate.
This story focuses on two detectives, Moretti and Reid who are trying to find a killer/rapist who enjoys targeting “working girls” or those that the killer deems to be “unworthy.” One woman who comes up during the investigation is Ali Knox, who had sent in her samples to a DNA data base. In uncovering her past, she discovers a genetic link to a six year old girl that was murdered. The detectives find that this case is connected to the others.
While I enjoyed and was engaged in the book, the opening of the novel was a little off putting and made me think it was going to be a very different novel. I do not want to give it away to those who will read the book in the future, but honestly, it felt like I was going to be reading a novel based on sadomasochism and I almost did not read on. However, I did continue reading and found that the rest of the book was a police procedural/psychological thriller. I am guessing that the author wanted to grab the reader, however, I would have preferred a different opening.
That being said, the characters in the book were well developed and I enjoyed the family dysfunction that emerged later on. I think that truly good books of this kind provide the reader with reasons why events are happening in the text and this one does. The ending, again, without giving too much away, had twists that I did not expect. Although it might have been a tad far fetched, it worked and provided surprises for the reader.
I received this advanced readers copy directly from the author and all of the opinions in this review are my own. I look forward to seeing what else the author has for us in the future.
This story focuses on two detectives, Moretti and Reid who are trying to find a killer/rapist who enjoys targeting “working girls” or those that the killer deems to be “unworthy.” One woman who comes up during the investigation is Ali Knox, who had sent in her samples to a DNA data base. In uncovering her past, she discovers a genetic link to a six year old girl that was murdered. The detectives find that this case is connected to the others.
While I enjoyed and was engaged in the book, the opening of the novel was a little off putting and made me think it was going to be a very different novel. I do not want to give it away to those who will read the book in the future, but honestly, it felt like I was going to be reading a novel based on sadomasochism and I almost did not read on. However, I did continue reading and found that the rest of the book was a police procedural/psychological thriller. I am guessing that the author wanted to grab the reader, however, I would have preferred a different opening.
That being said, the characters in the book were well developed and I enjoyed the family dysfunction that emerged later on. I think that truly good books of this kind provide the reader with reasons why events are happening in the text and this one does. The ending, again, without giving too much away, had twists that I did not expect. Although it might have been a tad far fetched, it worked and provided surprises for the reader.
I received this advanced readers copy directly from the author and all of the opinions in this review are my own. I look forward to seeing what else the author has for us in the future.
November 16, 2025
A Dark, Gripping Thriller That Hooks You From the First Page
The House of Monsters is a chilling, emotionally charged thriller that blends criminal investigation, psychological suspense, and unexpected romance with impressive skill. From the moment Sergeant Jax Moretti and Detective Juliette Reid step onto the scene, the story plunges you into a decade-long hunt for a sadistic killer who has managed to evade capture far too long. The tension never lets up, and the sense of danger is palpable on every page.
What really elevates the book is how personal the case becomes. Ali Knox enters the story simply looking for a missing piece of her past, but a shocking DNA link turns her world upside down and thrusts her into the center of the investigation. Her connection to Jax adds an extra layer of complexity—both tender and tense—as their relationship grows amid life-threatening stakes. Their chemistry feels organic, and it heightens the urgency of the case rather than distracting from it.
As the investigation deepens, the narrative tightens in all the right ways. The twists are cleverly placed, the revelations genuinely surprising, and the pacing relentless without ever feeling rushed. The book explores the idea of memory—what we choose to forget, what we can’t outrun, and how trauma hides in shadows until the truth claws its way out. The line “the worst monsters are the ones you forget” lingers long after the final chapter.
If you enjoy gritty crime thrillers with well-drawn characters, high tension, and a touch of romance woven into the darkness, The House of Monsters is absolutely worth the read. It’s haunting, emotionally resonant, and packed with the kind of twists that make you sit up straighter as you turn the pages.
The House of Monsters is a chilling, emotionally charged thriller that blends criminal investigation, psychological suspense, and unexpected romance with impressive skill. From the moment Sergeant Jax Moretti and Detective Juliette Reid step onto the scene, the story plunges you into a decade-long hunt for a sadistic killer who has managed to evade capture far too long. The tension never lets up, and the sense of danger is palpable on every page.
What really elevates the book is how personal the case becomes. Ali Knox enters the story simply looking for a missing piece of her past, but a shocking DNA link turns her world upside down and thrusts her into the center of the investigation. Her connection to Jax adds an extra layer of complexity—both tender and tense—as their relationship grows amid life-threatening stakes. Their chemistry feels organic, and it heightens the urgency of the case rather than distracting from it.
As the investigation deepens, the narrative tightens in all the right ways. The twists are cleverly placed, the revelations genuinely surprising, and the pacing relentless without ever feeling rushed. The book explores the idea of memory—what we choose to forget, what we can’t outrun, and how trauma hides in shadows until the truth claws its way out. The line “the worst monsters are the ones you forget” lingers long after the final chapter.
If you enjoy gritty crime thrillers with well-drawn characters, high tension, and a touch of romance woven into the darkness, The House of Monsters is absolutely worth the read. It’s haunting, emotionally resonant, and packed with the kind of twists that make you sit up straighter as you turn the pages.
November 22, 2025
Jax Moretti is the Sergeant of Polk County Police and is accompanied by his partner Juliette (Jules) Reid. For just about the past decade, a serial killer and rapist has been taunting the town, keeping Polk County PD on their toes. Enter Alabama (Ali) Knox, who quickly has Jax falling in love and ends up being the key they needed to unlock the mystery as the body count rises. A simple DNA test led to a world of haunting secrets, twisted family history, and pain like no other.
A gripping, disturbing, psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the end.
This was the first book I read by Lindsey, and has me absolutely HOOKED on her story telling and the world she’s building with these characters. Jax was strong, determined, and a true leader. Jules was independent, eager, and a light in the dark. Ali was sweet, curious, and empathetic. Every detail of the plot and subplot was so well thought out. This is a great crime fiction/police procedural thriller, and is definitely a gruesome and chilling read. You’ll think you have all the answers and that you’ve cracked the case: until the author introduces yet another plot twist and you find yourself second guessing every theory you’ve conjured. My only gripe with the story is how fast the romances progressed as I’m a fan of a slow-burn and the last thing I’d be thinking about in this particular situation is love or the bedroom.
Being part of the ARC team for this book was a wonderful experience and I loved being able to connect with the other readers once we finished so we can all discuss with Lindsey herself as well!
Thank you to BookFunnel & the author for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest review — this one was definitely one for the books! 💫
TW: This book does explore themes of sexual assault and rape, kidnapping, captivity, and abuse. Please be advised that while the scenes are not very graphic in detail, they are mentioned and are consistent themes throughout.
A gripping, disturbing, psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the end.
This was the first book I read by Lindsey, and has me absolutely HOOKED on her story telling and the world she’s building with these characters. Jax was strong, determined, and a true leader. Jules was independent, eager, and a light in the dark. Ali was sweet, curious, and empathetic. Every detail of the plot and subplot was so well thought out. This is a great crime fiction/police procedural thriller, and is definitely a gruesome and chilling read. You’ll think you have all the answers and that you’ve cracked the case: until the author introduces yet another plot twist and you find yourself second guessing every theory you’ve conjured. My only gripe with the story is how fast the romances progressed as I’m a fan of a slow-burn and the last thing I’d be thinking about in this particular situation is love or the bedroom.
Being part of the ARC team for this book was a wonderful experience and I loved being able to connect with the other readers once we finished so we can all discuss with Lindsey herself as well!
Thank you to BookFunnel & the author for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest review — this one was definitely one for the books! 💫
TW: This book does explore themes of sexual assault and rape, kidnapping, captivity, and abuse. Please be advised that while the scenes are not very graphic in detail, they are mentioned and are consistent themes throughout.
November 12, 2025
I happily received an ARC of this book, and the premise was right up my alley: a decades-old murder mystery, generational evil, and a serial killer on the loose.
I enjoy a good serial killer thriller, so that was my favorite part about this book. Detectives chasing leads while grappling with their own personal demons is something I enjoy reading about, and there's a lot of that in this book. I also loved that the main character owned a bookstore, my dream job! I also felt the twists were done well and not entirely predictable.
The hardest part for me in this book was keeping track of who was related to who. There are a lot of family members, and understanding how these characters relate to each other is crucial for understanding the plot, but I kept losing track of who each one was and their relationships. I always had to pause and think, "Who is this guy's dad again?" I think fleshing out the characters a bit more would have helped me keep them straight.
I also felt the romance between the main character, Alabama, and Jax, the detective, happened a little too perfectly and it wasn't as believable. It's possible it's just personal preference, but I found myself not really interested in their relationship.
Still, I appreciate the story, and I think readers who like dark crime thrillers with good twists might find plenty to enjoy here. I very much appreciate the advanced copy, and I'd definitely check out more by this author!
I enjoy a good serial killer thriller, so that was my favorite part about this book. Detectives chasing leads while grappling with their own personal demons is something I enjoy reading about, and there's a lot of that in this book. I also loved that the main character owned a bookstore, my dream job! I also felt the twists were done well and not entirely predictable.
The hardest part for me in this book was keeping track of who was related to who. There are a lot of family members, and understanding how these characters relate to each other is crucial for understanding the plot, but I kept losing track of who each one was and their relationships. I always had to pause and think, "Who is this guy's dad again?" I think fleshing out the characters a bit more would have helped me keep them straight.
I also felt the romance between the main character, Alabama, and Jax, the detective, happened a little too perfectly and it wasn't as believable. It's possible it's just personal preference, but I found myself not really interested in their relationship.
Still, I appreciate the story, and I think readers who like dark crime thrillers with good twists might find plenty to enjoy here. I very much appreciate the advanced copy, and I'd definitely check out more by this author!
November 21, 2025
Thank you Lindsey Acosta for the gifted copy!
House of Monsters
Lindsey Acosta
Publishing Date: December 1, 2025
This is the second book I’ve gotten to ARC read for Lindsey. It’s honestly a pleasure to be part of her team and her books just keep me wanting to stick around for more!
This book was definitely darker and more intense than her first novel. The vibes of this one very much reminded me of the darkness and grit you expect to find in a Karin Slaughter novel. All that to say… check your trigger warnings before you dive in.
This novel centers on the reappearance of a serial killer and the quest to put him to a stop. But between all that we get some seriously twisty family drama. How does it all tie together? You’ll have to read to find out.
This novel hooked me in fast and didn’t let go. The family drama had me trying to piece together what happened there and the serial killer on the loose contributed a feeling of urgency, tension, and dread. There were several twists at the end that had me shook. I loved the relationships in this one (both romantic and platonic). The sense of urgency to protect the ones they love made these characters so easy to root for.
If Lindsey writes it, I’ll read it. I look forward to seeing her continue to grow and thrive as a writer and can’t wait to see what she does next!
House of Monsters
Lindsey Acosta
Publishing Date: December 1, 2025
This is the second book I’ve gotten to ARC read for Lindsey. It’s honestly a pleasure to be part of her team and her books just keep me wanting to stick around for more!
This book was definitely darker and more intense than her first novel. The vibes of this one very much reminded me of the darkness and grit you expect to find in a Karin Slaughter novel. All that to say… check your trigger warnings before you dive in.
This novel centers on the reappearance of a serial killer and the quest to put him to a stop. But between all that we get some seriously twisty family drama. How does it all tie together? You’ll have to read to find out.
This novel hooked me in fast and didn’t let go. The family drama had me trying to piece together what happened there and the serial killer on the loose contributed a feeling of urgency, tension, and dread. There were several twists at the end that had me shook. I loved the relationships in this one (both romantic and platonic). The sense of urgency to protect the ones they love made these characters so easy to root for.
If Lindsey writes it, I’ll read it. I look forward to seeing her continue to grow and thrive as a writer and can’t wait to see what she does next!
November 20, 2025
𝘏𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘦𝘺 𝘈𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊. 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.
Okay, so I picked this up for the creepy serial killer plot and somehow ended up fully invested in these people. The overlap with Kept In The Dark had me so FERAL and it was the best unexpected reunion. You definitely don’t need to read that one first, but it’s just as twisty and worth it.
This book had that Karin Slaughter level of darkness and I was eating it up. I’ll admit it creeped me out so much I could only read during the day, but that’s on me and my nervous system. I had suspicions about the twist and actually figured it out early BUT I love that about thrillers. Nothing makes me feel more powerful than when a twisty book lets me have my little detective moment. Even knowing I was right, the ride there was wild in the best way. Lindsey had so many twists that even some caught me off guard and that is always a nice little slap in the face. Her characters always feel real, and the found family vibe hits so well here. The romance sprinkled through the chaos is exactly why I love her writing.
I am already waiting with baited breath for her next book.
Okay, so I picked this up for the creepy serial killer plot and somehow ended up fully invested in these people. The overlap with Kept In The Dark had me so FERAL and it was the best unexpected reunion. You definitely don’t need to read that one first, but it’s just as twisty and worth it.
This book had that Karin Slaughter level of darkness and I was eating it up. I’ll admit it creeped me out so much I could only read during the day, but that’s on me and my nervous system. I had suspicions about the twist and actually figured it out early BUT I love that about thrillers. Nothing makes me feel more powerful than when a twisty book lets me have my little detective moment. Even knowing I was right, the ride there was wild in the best way. Lindsey had so many twists that even some caught me off guard and that is always a nice little slap in the face. Her characters always feel real, and the found family vibe hits so well here. The romance sprinkled through the chaos is exactly why I love her writing.
I am already waiting with baited breath for her next book.
November 10, 2025
“Unnerving, emotional, and impossible to forget.”
House of Monsters by Lindsey Acosta is a hauntingly brilliant psychological thriller that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go. The atmosphere is thick with mystery and dread, but beneath the darkness is a powerful emotional core that explores memory, trauma, and the monsters that live within us all.
Acosta’s writing is mesmerizing — vivid, lyrical, and filled with tension. Every chapter draws you deeper into the shadows of the story, where nothing is as it seems. The twists are sharp, the pacing flawless, and the characters feel achingly real. You can’t help but hold your breath as secrets begin to unravel.
The tagline says it perfectly: “Because the worst monsters are the ones you forget. And remembering might be fatal.” This book captures that chilling truth in every line.
If you love stories that blend psychological suspense with emotional depth and stunning prose, House of Monsters is a must-read. Lindsey Acosta has created something unforgettable — a dark, beautifully written descent into the human mind and the monsters that hide there.
House of Monsters by Lindsey Acosta is a hauntingly brilliant psychological thriller that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go. The atmosphere is thick with mystery and dread, but beneath the darkness is a powerful emotional core that explores memory, trauma, and the monsters that live within us all.
Acosta’s writing is mesmerizing — vivid, lyrical, and filled with tension. Every chapter draws you deeper into the shadows of the story, where nothing is as it seems. The twists are sharp, the pacing flawless, and the characters feel achingly real. You can’t help but hold your breath as secrets begin to unravel.
The tagline says it perfectly: “Because the worst monsters are the ones you forget. And remembering might be fatal.” This book captures that chilling truth in every line.
If you love stories that blend psychological suspense with emotional depth and stunning prose, House of Monsters is a must-read. Lindsey Acosta has created something unforgettable — a dark, beautifully written descent into the human mind and the monsters that hide there.
November 25, 2025
Holy absolute CR@P ON A CRACKER! I knew after reading Kept in the Dark by Lindsey that this would be a good one...expectations were completely blown out of the water!
The various POV we get throughout this book...the many times I thought I knew what the big twists were gonna be...Lindsey humbled the detective in myself by delivering twist after twist. The Easter eggs from her previous book was such a fun little extra bit of enjoyment and made you feel like you were included in some little inside joke.
If you love a good cold case being cracked wide open in unexpected ways then I can not recommend House of Monsters enough. Serial Killers, cold cases, some FBI dabbling ....I dont want to ruin anything with spoilers. let's just say Generational fukd up-ness and how much this felt like an honest to god real cold case you'd hear about on a true crime podcast had me gripped right tight from the beginning. dont trust a soul in this book because you're just looking for hurt feelings when you realize how wrong your gut feelings are about people.
The various POV we get throughout this book...the many times I thought I knew what the big twists were gonna be...Lindsey humbled the detective in myself by delivering twist after twist. The Easter eggs from her previous book was such a fun little extra bit of enjoyment and made you feel like you were included in some little inside joke.
If you love a good cold case being cracked wide open in unexpected ways then I can not recommend House of Monsters enough. Serial Killers, cold cases, some FBI dabbling ....I dont want to ruin anything with spoilers. let's just say Generational fukd up-ness and how much this felt like an honest to god real cold case you'd hear about on a true crime podcast had me gripped right tight from the beginning. dont trust a soul in this book because you're just looking for hurt feelings when you realize how wrong your gut feelings are about people.
November 26, 2025
Thank you, Lindsey Acosta, for a digital copy of this book. The opinions are my own and freely given.
Where to even start? Women's bodies are being found murdered beaten and brutalized and the only thing that seems to connect them are Forget Me Not flowers. A body of a young girl was found years ago, but she was never identified until Ali submitted her DNA in hopes of finding her father. That opened up a whole lot of questions for her and her family wanted to stay silent.
I can't even say more without giving it all away, but this was good old small town tight knit family thriller with romance on the side. I felt for characters in the book: whether routing for them, loving them, wanting a happy ending for them, but this book made me angry at some, change my opinion on others.
The very first chapter had me squirming, and of course that was done to suck you in. If you can get past the first chapter, you will love this book! (The rest isn't that bad) The author did a great job on this book. And I highly recommend it!
Where to even start? Women's bodies are being found murdered beaten and brutalized and the only thing that seems to connect them are Forget Me Not flowers. A body of a young girl was found years ago, but she was never identified until Ali submitted her DNA in hopes of finding her father. That opened up a whole lot of questions for her and her family wanted to stay silent.
I can't even say more without giving it all away, but this was good old small town tight knit family thriller with romance on the side. I felt for characters in the book: whether routing for them, loving them, wanting a happy ending for them, but this book made me angry at some, change my opinion on others.
The very first chapter had me squirming, and of course that was done to suck you in. If you can get past the first chapter, you will love this book! (The rest isn't that bad) The author did a great job on this book. And I highly recommend it!
November 3, 2025
I couldn’t put this book down! From the very first page, the twists, lies, and secrets kept me hooked, and the plot moved at a relentless pace. Sergeant Jax Moretti and Detective Juliette Reid are compelling, well-drawn characters, and their hunt for a sadistic serial killer is gripping, intense, and full of suspense.
The introduction of Ali Knox adds another layer of intrigue—her personal quest colliding with a chilling criminal case keeps you on the edge of your seat. Every revelation made me rethink what I thought I knew, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the story threw me another curveball.
This book masterfully blends suspense, danger, and emotional depth. Jax’s determination to protect Ali while facing unimaginable darkness adds a pulse-pounding emotional core. If you love thrillers full of secrets, shocking twists, and a story that keeps you turning pages late into the night, this is an absolute must-read.
The introduction of Ali Knox adds another layer of intrigue—her personal quest colliding with a chilling criminal case keeps you on the edge of your seat. Every revelation made me rethink what I thought I knew, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the story threw me another curveball.
This book masterfully blends suspense, danger, and emotional depth. Jax’s determination to protect Ali while facing unimaginable darkness adds a pulse-pounding emotional core. If you love thrillers full of secrets, shocking twists, and a story that keeps you turning pages late into the night, this is an absolute must-read.
November 25, 2025
A Gripping, Dark, and Unputdownable Thriller
House of Monsters is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat from page one and doesn’t let go. I absolutely flew through it—every chapter pulled me deeper into the chilling hunt for a sadistic killer, and the tension never let up.
The pacing is razor-sharp, the twists are relentless, and the atmosphere is haunting. Just when you think you’ve pieced things together, the author throws in another revelation that leaves you reeling. The tagline—“the worst monsters are the ones you forget”—perfectly encapsulates the unsettling theme that lingers long after the final page.
If you love gritty crime thrillers with emotional depth, complex characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing, this book is a must-read. I can’t wait to dive into more from this author.
House of Monsters is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat from page one and doesn’t let go. I absolutely flew through it—every chapter pulled me deeper into the chilling hunt for a sadistic killer, and the tension never let up.
The pacing is razor-sharp, the twists are relentless, and the atmosphere is haunting. Just when you think you’ve pieced things together, the author throws in another revelation that leaves you reeling. The tagline—“the worst monsters are the ones you forget”—perfectly encapsulates the unsettling theme that lingers long after the final page.
If you love gritty crime thrillers with emotional depth, complex characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing, this book is a must-read. I can’t wait to dive into more from this author.
November 10, 2025
I was privileged to have an ARC of this and boy am I glad I did! The entire way through the book I was convinced I knew what was happening. I felt so disappointed that I’d guessed the twist, or so I thought. Right up until the last few chapters I was utterly convinced I knew what had happened and who was involved, and although I guessed some of it correctly…the very end had twist after twist after twist and I’m surprised I don’t have whiplash from the direction this book went at the end. There were a lot of characters in this, which made it hard for me to sometimes remember who was who but I still really enjoyed it. I’m not usually a fan of detective books but this has definitely opened my mind to trying more!
November 11, 2025
Sergeant Jax Moretti and his partner, Detective Juliette Reid, are hunting a sadistic serial killer who has been killing women and leaving flowers at the scene. When Ali Knox discovers she is connected to a cold case, her life may be in danger and Jax will stop at nothing to protect her.
Wow! This second installment in the Trinity Harbor series after Kept in the Dark is just as thrilling and packed full of twists that had my jaw dropping! It can be read as a standalone but it’s helpful to know the history of feisty FBI Agent Trinity Harbor and her family. I was on the edge of my seat as this shocking case unfolded. This is definitely one to check out for thriller lovers! Please check trigger warnings.
Rating 4.5⭐️
Wow! This second installment in the Trinity Harbor series after Kept in the Dark is just as thrilling and packed full of twists that had my jaw dropping! It can be read as a standalone but it’s helpful to know the history of feisty FBI Agent Trinity Harbor and her family. I was on the edge of my seat as this shocking case unfolded. This is definitely one to check out for thriller lovers! Please check trigger warnings.
Rating 4.5⭐️
December 3, 2025
This is the second book I've read by Lindsey Acosta, and I must say, I liked this one way better than her first, and I really loved Kept in the Dark!
I've come to realize that I love Lindsey's storytelling abilities. While her stories have a lot going on with the plot and the characters, I know that this is exactly what I loved about Kept in the Dark, too. There are so many twists and turns, and when you think you have something figured out, you don't. Her pacing is spot on, which makes all her revelations well-timed and makes you absolutely NOT want to put the book down.
This is a DARK psychological crime thriller, but I highly recommend it if you have no triggers and enjoy reading true crime (especially with messed-up serial killers) with a touch of romance!
I've come to realize that I love Lindsey's storytelling abilities. While her stories have a lot going on with the plot and the characters, I know that this is exactly what I loved about Kept in the Dark, too. There are so many twists and turns, and when you think you have something figured out, you don't. Her pacing is spot on, which makes all her revelations well-timed and makes you absolutely NOT want to put the book down.
This is a DARK psychological crime thriller, but I highly recommend it if you have no triggers and enjoy reading true crime (especially with messed-up serial killers) with a touch of romance!
December 12, 2025
Absolutely amazing! I loved this book so much through the roller coaster of emotions I felt. The depth of these characters, the twists and turns, the “oh I know who did it” back to “wait no it’s this person,” the reveal explanation, everything is good!
One thing I really enjoyed that helped me connect to all characters, good or bad, was how many multiple points of view while still maintaining a 3rd person persona. This was fabulous and kept me interested in every chapter.
There definitely are some triggers that I will list below, so if you do not like to read triggers, read no further:
TRIGGER “SPOILERS” BELOW
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Triggers: rape, abuse/torture, child death (no child abuse, etc. listed)
One thing I really enjoyed that helped me connect to all characters, good or bad, was how many multiple points of view while still maintaining a 3rd person persona. This was fabulous and kept me interested in every chapter.
There definitely are some triggers that I will list below, so if you do not like to read triggers, read no further:
TRIGGER “SPOILERS” BELOW
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Triggers: rape, abuse/torture, child death (no child abuse, etc. listed)
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