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The Crying Killer
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Expected 18 Aug 26Win a free kindle copy of this book!
11 days and 22:38:58
100 copies available
U.S. only
A woman’s secret. A small town with a dark past. A serial killer bent on revenge. Lies kill in a shocking true crime–inspired thriller by the Edgar-nominated author of The Quarry Girls.
Tuesday Hendrickson has spent eight years running from memories of that night. Her sister’s screams. Blood on the walls. And Arsen Bauer, a monster known as the Crying Killer, shot down in a barrage of bullets as he fled. Case closed.
Intending to build a safe new identity out of the ashes, Tuesday changed her last name and moved away. She’s now a private investigator who guards herself and her daughter, Julia, like their lives depend on it. And maybe they do. Because unless she’s imagining things, Tuesday has seen Arsen on the streets of Saint Paul. She’d know her sister’s killer anywhere.
When bodies begin surfacing bearing the Crying Killer’s brutal and unmistakable signature, Tuesday is certain he’s coming for them. Except no one believes that but her. As her paranoia intensifies, she is left with a terrible unearth the shocking secret she buried with her sister, or become the Crying Killer’s next victim.
Tuesday Hendrickson has spent eight years running from memories of that night. Her sister’s screams. Blood on the walls. And Arsen Bauer, a monster known as the Crying Killer, shot down in a barrage of bullets as he fled. Case closed.
Intending to build a safe new identity out of the ashes, Tuesday changed her last name and moved away. She’s now a private investigator who guards herself and her daughter, Julia, like their lives depend on it. And maybe they do. Because unless she’s imagining things, Tuesday has seen Arsen on the streets of Saint Paul. She’d know her sister’s killer anywhere.
When bodies begin surfacing bearing the Crying Killer’s brutal and unmistakable signature, Tuesday is certain he’s coming for them. Except no one believes that but her. As her paranoia intensifies, she is left with a terrible unearth the shocking secret she buried with her sister, or become the Crying Killer’s next victim.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 18, 2026
About the author
Jess Lourey
49 books4,892 followersMy name is Jess Lourey, and I write about secrets.
The story of my first published novel is both devastating and transformative, something I speak about in my TEDx Talk (https://youtu.be/a5vSLh3oPXI). I've come a long way since then. I'm proud to call myself a bestselling, twice Edgar-nominated, and twice Goodreads Readers Choice Awards shortlisted author who has won the ITW Thriller, Minnesota Book, and Anthony Awards. I write crime fiction, young adult, nonfiction, children's books, and book club fiction.
I've reached over a million readers since 2020. I'm also a former writing and sociology professor who still loves to teach transformative creative writing workshops built around my Rewrite Your Life method.
I live in Minneapolis with a rotating batch of foster kittens (and occasional foster puppies, but man those goobers are a lot of work). Pop on over to Lourey's Literati, my VIP Reader group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/38538...) and/or sign up for my molasses newsletter (https://jessicalourey.com/newsletter) for the latest news, giveaways, and insider information.
p.s. You can find the Unspeakable Things epilogue here: https://jessicalourey.com/survey-two.
The story of my first published novel is both devastating and transformative, something I speak about in my TEDx Talk (https://youtu.be/a5vSLh3oPXI). I've come a long way since then. I'm proud to call myself a bestselling, twice Edgar-nominated, and twice Goodreads Readers Choice Awards shortlisted author who has won the ITW Thriller, Minnesota Book, and Anthony Awards. I write crime fiction, young adult, nonfiction, children's books, and book club fiction.
I've reached over a million readers since 2020. I'm also a former writing and sociology professor who still loves to teach transformative creative writing workshops built around my Rewrite Your Life method.
I live in Minneapolis with a rotating batch of foster kittens (and occasional foster puppies, but man those goobers are a lot of work). Pop on over to Lourey's Literati, my VIP Reader group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/38538...) and/or sign up for my molasses newsletter (https://jessicalourey.com/newsletter) for the latest news, giveaways, and insider information.
p.s. You can find the Unspeakable Things epilogue here: https://jessicalourey.com/survey-two.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book kept me on my toes the entire time.
We get murder, stalking, dangerous situations, paranoia (or not?) and that constant “am I losing my mind right now?” feeling ...
As the blurb says, eight years earlier Tuesday Hendrickson survived an attack from the serial killer known as the Crying Killer, while her sister unfortunately did not. The killer supposedly died that same night after being shot by police while fleeing the scene. They knew the killer very well though, it was their friend and her sister's on and off bf, Arsen.
Case closed… oooor maybe not.
Because Tuesday never fully believed the police killed the real Arsen Bauer. The man shot that night was wearing his clothes, yes, but his face was completely destroyed, making identification impossible. Everyone else accepted it and moved on. Tuesday didn’t.
So for years she’s lived with paranoia and fear that one day he would come back.
And tbh, after bodies start appearing again with the exact same signature, I started questioning my own sanity alongside her.
At some point I was basically like:
“Okay but ARE we imagining seeing Arsen across the street or not??”
The suspense in this book worked really well for me. Tuesday’s uncertainty and fear felt believable, especially because no one around her truly trusted her instincts anymore.
I also liked that the story constantly kept me guessing. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another twist showed up, especially toward the end.
And huhhh, some of those reveals genuinely surprised me.
This was one of those perfect late-night thrillers where you keep saying “one more chapter” until suddenly it’s 3am or 7am...
I genuinely don’t think I have major complaints here.
⭐ 5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.
We get murder, stalking, dangerous situations, paranoia (or not?) and that constant “am I losing my mind right now?” feeling ...
As the blurb says, eight years earlier Tuesday Hendrickson survived an attack from the serial killer known as the Crying Killer, while her sister unfortunately did not. The killer supposedly died that same night after being shot by police while fleeing the scene. They knew the killer very well though, it was their friend and her sister's on and off bf, Arsen.
Case closed… oooor maybe not.
Because Tuesday never fully believed the police killed the real Arsen Bauer. The man shot that night was wearing his clothes, yes, but his face was completely destroyed, making identification impossible. Everyone else accepted it and moved on. Tuesday didn’t.
So for years she’s lived with paranoia and fear that one day he would come back.
And tbh, after bodies start appearing again with the exact same signature, I started questioning my own sanity alongside her.
At some point I was basically like:
“Okay but ARE we imagining seeing Arsen across the street or not??”
The suspense in this book worked really well for me. Tuesday’s uncertainty and fear felt believable, especially because no one around her truly trusted her instincts anymore.
I also liked that the story constantly kept me guessing. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another twist showed up, especially toward the end.
And huhhh, some of those reveals genuinely surprised me.
This was one of those perfect late-night thrillers where you keep saying “one more chapter” until suddenly it’s 3am or 7am...
I genuinely don’t think I have major complaints here.
⭐ 5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⤷ 3/5 stars ── .✦
as someone who loses interest quickly if a chapter spans over dozens of pages, i loved how short the ones in this book were. the writing style was nice, and the characters were fairly solid. i personally loved julia, she was such a sweet little girl. bonus points for the diversity rep too.
that being said, for a thriller, this wasn't all that thrilling. i could see about 90% of the plot twists, with only one leaving me briefly surprised- and mostly confused, though maybe that's just a me problem. there were also multiple moments throughout the book where the main character frustrated me to no ends with her decisions, but then again, maybe that's just a me problem again.
a solid read, maybe even something i'll pick up for a second re-read like a decade later.
as someone who loses interest quickly if a chapter spans over dozens of pages, i loved how short the ones in this book were. the writing style was nice, and the characters were fairly solid. i personally loved julia, she was such a sweet little girl. bonus points for the diversity rep too.
that being said, for a thriller, this wasn't all that thrilling. i could see about 90% of the plot twists, with only one leaving me briefly surprised- and mostly confused, though maybe that's just a me problem. there were also multiple moments throughout the book where the main character frustrated me to no ends with her decisions, but then again, maybe that's just a me problem again.
a solid read, maybe even something i'll pick up for a second re-read like a decade later.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What an incredible read this was, this author is pretty new to me but came highly recommended from a good friend of mine. I was immediately drawn into this one from the synopsis and let me tell you this one didn’t disappoint. I thought I knew what was happening but nope I was way off 😅
Want to Read
June 13, 2026Note to self: Pub has confirmed no animal death/cruelty triggers.
August 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own!
4.5⭐️. Review to come!
4.5⭐️. Review to come!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you for this ARC copy! 4.5 stars
Let’s start by saying that I am a big Jess Lourey fan. As a ready who reads a lot of thrillers and mostly listens to audiobooks… sometimes it takes a lot for a physical book to hold my attention. This read did not disappoint! I read the final 60% of this book in one day! The way Lourey writes is easy to understand while not being juvenile. She really brings you into the Minnesota life and has you on the edge of your seat waiting to unravel the mystery.
The Crying Killer is such an interesting concept set in the late 1980s-1990s. Not only is this story based on true Minnesota crime, it also brings in aspects of PTSD and other mental health conditions and help shape the main female characters family and personal life.
4.5 stars as I was not 100% into the ending. I love a good twist, but this one was not my favorite.
If you are a true crime and thriller lover then you will love this book! Great for those who love a last minute twist as well.
Let’s start by saying that I am a big Jess Lourey fan. As a ready who reads a lot of thrillers and mostly listens to audiobooks… sometimes it takes a lot for a physical book to hold my attention. This read did not disappoint! I read the final 60% of this book in one day! The way Lourey writes is easy to understand while not being juvenile. She really brings you into the Minnesota life and has you on the edge of your seat waiting to unravel the mystery.
The Crying Killer is such an interesting concept set in the late 1980s-1990s. Not only is this story based on true Minnesota crime, it also brings in aspects of PTSD and other mental health conditions and help shape the main female characters family and personal life.
4.5 stars as I was not 100% into the ending. I love a good twist, but this one was not my favorite.
If you are a true crime and thriller lover then you will love this book! Great for those who love a last minute twist as well.
June 10, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advance copy!
Tuesday has spent the last 8 years being told the man who murdered her sister is dead, but she’s never fully believed it was true. She was told that she was just being paranoid, but now murders with the same MO are happening again.
I was in a constant yo-yo of is the main character losing her mind to her paranoia or is what she’s saying true. This definitely added to the dark vibes of the book. I thought I had it figured out, but my initial suspicion was way off! Pretty steady pace for majority of the story and I flew through the last 20%. Perfect for someone who likes dark thrillers that blend trauma with past secrets, and stories that keep you second-guessing every theory.
Tuesday has spent the last 8 years being told the man who murdered her sister is dead, but she’s never fully believed it was true. She was told that she was just being paranoid, but now murders with the same MO are happening again.
I was in a constant yo-yo of is the main character losing her mind to her paranoia or is what she’s saying true. This definitely added to the dark vibes of the book. I thought I had it figured out, but my initial suspicion was way off! Pretty steady pace for majority of the story and I flew through the last 20%. Perfect for someone who likes dark thrillers that blend trauma with past secrets, and stories that keep you second-guessing every theory.
May 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the gifted ARC!
I’ve loved every Jess Lourey book I’ve read so far and this one was no exception. Jess is genuinely such a mastermind because HOW does she come up with these twists?? I did not see them coming at all. This was one of those thrillers where I kept thinking I had things figured out and then immediately realized I absolutely did not 🤣 The suspense and paranoia throughout the story were so well done and I flew through this.
I also really liked that the story followed both a survivor and the family member of a victim. I have a degree in criminal justice, so I’ve done a lot of research and written way too many papers on serial killers over the years, and I thought that aspect of the story was especially interesting.
The flashbacks worked really well for me too. They added so much to understanding Tuesday and everything she was carrying from her past. Overall, this was twisty, intense, and impossible to predict. Definitely another great thriller from Jess Lourey for me.
I’ve loved every Jess Lourey book I’ve read so far and this one was no exception. Jess is genuinely such a mastermind because HOW does she come up with these twists?? I did not see them coming at all. This was one of those thrillers where I kept thinking I had things figured out and then immediately realized I absolutely did not 🤣 The suspense and paranoia throughout the story were so well done and I flew through this.
I also really liked that the story followed both a survivor and the family member of a victim. I have a degree in criminal justice, so I’ve done a lot of research and written way too many papers on serial killers over the years, and I thought that aspect of the story was especially interesting.
The flashbacks worked really well for me too. They added so much to understanding Tuesday and everything she was carrying from her past. Overall, this was twisty, intense, and impossible to predict. Definitely another great thriller from Jess Lourey for me.
July 13, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy through Netgalley! Jess Lourey is an instant must read for me and this one is no different.
The story follows Tuesday 8 years after her sister’s murder. Tuesday, now a PI is convinced that her sister’s killer didn’t really die the night she was murdered and now someone is killing women in the same way as the man who killed her sister.
Although not very thrilling (maybe I’m desensitized), the twist at the end of this one isn’t something I saw coming. There isn’t a lot of character growth but it takes place over a short period, so not surprising. There is a lot of great backstory with a before and after timeline though.
I can’t wait to read my next Jess Lourey book.
The story follows Tuesday 8 years after her sister’s murder. Tuesday, now a PI is convinced that her sister’s killer didn’t really die the night she was murdered and now someone is killing women in the same way as the man who killed her sister.
Although not very thrilling (maybe I’m desensitized), the twist at the end of this one isn’t something I saw coming. There isn’t a lot of character growth but it takes place over a short period, so not surprising. There is a lot of great backstory with a before and after timeline though.
I can’t wait to read my next Jess Lourey book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this one with pretty high expectations because I’ve really enjoyed Jess Lourey’s previous books, and I’m always looking for a thriller that keeps me guessing with shocking twists and an unreliable narrator. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t quite work for me.
The premise was strong, and I could definitely see where the story was trying to go, but I found myself predicting most of the twists well before they happened. Instead of racing to find out what happened next, I was getting distracted and didn’t have that “just one more chapter” feeling that I love in a thriller.
That said, I still enjoyed the overall story and think it had a lot of potential. It just didn’t have the level of suspense or surprise that I’ve come to expect from Jess Lourey’s books. While this one wasn’t a favorite for me, I’ll absolutely keep picking up her future releases.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I went into this one with pretty high expectations because I’ve really enjoyed Jess Lourey’s previous books, and I’m always looking for a thriller that keeps me guessing with shocking twists and an unreliable narrator. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t quite work for me.
The premise was strong, and I could definitely see where the story was trying to go, but I found myself predicting most of the twists well before they happened. Instead of racing to find out what happened next, I was getting distracted and didn’t have that “just one more chapter” feeling that I love in a thriller.
That said, I still enjoyed the overall story and think it had a lot of potential. It just didn’t have the level of suspense or surprise that I’ve come to expect from Jess Lourey’s books. While this one wasn’t a favorite for me, I’ll absolutely keep picking up her future releases.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
June 11, 2026
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher (Thomas and Mercer) for an advanced copy of this book!
The premise of this book really intrigued me because it referenced real cases !!!
This book was very exciting and engaging. There were so many plot twists that made it super exciting.
I did get very confused near the end and was gobsmacked (I felt like using this word) by some of the main character's choices. I kept making notes on my ARC, like, "omg" "no way" "be so fr" !!! I just wanted more of an explanation on the ending/how it made sense.
I'm now interested in reading more books by this author.
The premise of this book really intrigued me because it referenced real cases !!!
This book was very exciting and engaging. There were so many plot twists that made it super exciting.
I did get very confused near the end and was gobsmacked (I felt like using this word) by some of the main character's choices. I kept making notes on my ARC, like, "omg" "no way" "be so fr" !!! I just wanted more of an explanation on the ending/how it made sense.
I'm now interested in reading more books by this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jess Lourey has become one of my favorite crime writers because she understands something many thrillers forget: the crime is only the beginning. The real story belongs to the people left to live with what happened.
The Crying Killer is an expertly constructed thriller, but what lingered with me wasn’t the mystery. It was Tuesday.
As a mother who lives with anxiety, I found Tuesday’s inner monologue achingly authentic. The constant scanning of her surroundings, the mental contingency planning, the fierce instinct to protect her child, and the exhausting weight of carrying trauma all felt painfully real. Lourey captures PTSD with remarkable compassion, never reducing it to a plot device or sensationalizing mental illness. Instead, she allows readers to sit with what survival actually looks like years after the violence has ended.
I also deeply appreciated how thoughtfully the novel handles recovery. Therapy, medication, alcoholism, sobriety, grief, and the daily work of healing are treated with honesty and dignity. There are no easy answers, only people doing their best to choose tomorrow over yesterday. That humanity is woven into every page.
Another highlight for me was the effortless inclusivity. LGBTQ+ characters are written with warmth and respect, existing as fully realized people rather than symbols or plot devices. One brief exchange in particular made me smile because it was so simple, so affirming, and so perfectly placed. The novel normalizes acceptance instead of announcing it, and I appreciated that tremendously.
Of course, this is still a Jess Lourey thriller. The pacing is relentless, the red herrings are plentiful, and more than once I found myself completely convinced I’d solved the mystery, only to discover I’d been looking in the wrong direction. The twists feel earned because they’re built on character rather than shock value, rewarding careful readers without ever feeling manipulative.
When I finished the final chapter, I immediately wanted to start again. Not because anything felt unfair, but because Lourey had quietly been building the truth from the very beginning. Looking back, the clues were there all along.
If you’re looking for a thriller that’s as emotionally intelligent as it is suspenseful, The Crying Killer deserves a place at the top of your August reading list.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
Jess Lourey has become one of my favorite crime writers because she understands something many thrillers forget: the crime is only the beginning. The real story belongs to the people left to live with what happened.
The Crying Killer is an expertly constructed thriller, but what lingered with me wasn’t the mystery. It was Tuesday.
As a mother who lives with anxiety, I found Tuesday’s inner monologue achingly authentic. The constant scanning of her surroundings, the mental contingency planning, the fierce instinct to protect her child, and the exhausting weight of carrying trauma all felt painfully real. Lourey captures PTSD with remarkable compassion, never reducing it to a plot device or sensationalizing mental illness. Instead, she allows readers to sit with what survival actually looks like years after the violence has ended.
I also deeply appreciated how thoughtfully the novel handles recovery. Therapy, medication, alcoholism, sobriety, grief, and the daily work of healing are treated with honesty and dignity. There are no easy answers, only people doing their best to choose tomorrow over yesterday. That humanity is woven into every page.
Another highlight for me was the effortless inclusivity. LGBTQ+ characters are written with warmth and respect, existing as fully realized people rather than symbols or plot devices. One brief exchange in particular made me smile because it was so simple, so affirming, and so perfectly placed. The novel normalizes acceptance instead of announcing it, and I appreciated that tremendously.
Of course, this is still a Jess Lourey thriller. The pacing is relentless, the red herrings are plentiful, and more than once I found myself completely convinced I’d solved the mystery, only to discover I’d been looking in the wrong direction. The twists feel earned because they’re built on character rather than shock value, rewarding careful readers without ever feeling manipulative.
When I finished the final chapter, I immediately wanted to start again. Not because anything felt unfair, but because Lourey had quietly been building the truth from the very beginning. Looking back, the clues were there all along.
If you’re looking for a thriller that’s as emotionally intelligent as it is suspenseful, The Crying Killer deserves a place at the top of your August reading list.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
The Crying Killer is an expertly constructed thriller, but what lingered with me wasn’t the mystery. It was Tuesday.
As a mother who lives with anxiety, I found Tuesday’s inner monologue achingly authentic. The constant scanning of her surroundings, the mental contingency planning, the fierce instinct to protect her child, and the exhausting weight of carrying trauma all felt painfully real. Lourey captures PTSD with remarkable compassion, never reducing it to a plot device or sensationalizing mental illness. Instead, she allows readers to sit with what survival actually looks like years after the violence has ended.
I also deeply appreciated how thoughtfully the novel handles recovery. Therapy, medication, alcoholism, sobriety, grief, and the daily work of healing are treated with honesty and dignity. There are no easy answers, only people doing their best to choose tomorrow over yesterday. That humanity is woven into every page.
Another highlight for me was the effortless inclusivity. LGBTQ+ characters are written with warmth and respect, existing as fully realized people rather than symbols or plot devices. One brief exchange in particular made me smile because it was so simple, so affirming, and so perfectly placed. The novel normalizes acceptance instead of announcing it, and I appreciated that tremendously.
Of course, this is still a Jess Lourey thriller. The pacing is relentless, the red herrings are plentiful, and more than once I found myself completely convinced I’d solved the mystery, only to discover I’d been looking in the wrong direction. The twists feel earned because they’re built on character rather than shock value, rewarding careful readers without ever feeling manipulative.
When I finished the final chapter, I immediately wanted to start again. Not because anything felt unfair, but because Lourey had quietly been building the truth from the very beginning. Looking back, the clues were there all along.
If you’re looking for a thriller that’s as emotionally intelligent as it is suspenseful, The Crying Killer deserves a place at the top of your August reading list.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
Jess Lourey has become one of my favorite crime writers because she understands something many thrillers forget: the crime is only the beginning. The real story belongs to the people left to live with what happened.
The Crying Killer is an expertly constructed thriller, but what lingered with me wasn’t the mystery. It was Tuesday.
As a mother who lives with anxiety, I found Tuesday’s inner monologue achingly authentic. The constant scanning of her surroundings, the mental contingency planning, the fierce instinct to protect her child, and the exhausting weight of carrying trauma all felt painfully real. Lourey captures PTSD with remarkable compassion, never reducing it to a plot device or sensationalizing mental illness. Instead, she allows readers to sit with what survival actually looks like years after the violence has ended.
I also deeply appreciated how thoughtfully the novel handles recovery. Therapy, medication, alcoholism, sobriety, grief, and the daily work of healing are treated with honesty and dignity. There are no easy answers, only people doing their best to choose tomorrow over yesterday. That humanity is woven into every page.
Another highlight for me was the effortless inclusivity. LGBTQ+ characters are written with warmth and respect, existing as fully realized people rather than symbols or plot devices. One brief exchange in particular made me smile because it was so simple, so affirming, and so perfectly placed. The novel normalizes acceptance instead of announcing it, and I appreciated that tremendously.
Of course, this is still a Jess Lourey thriller. The pacing is relentless, the red herrings are plentiful, and more than once I found myself completely convinced I’d solved the mystery, only to discover I’d been looking in the wrong direction. The twists feel earned because they’re built on character rather than shock value, rewarding careful readers without ever feeling manipulative.
When I finished the final chapter, I immediately wanted to start again. Not because anything felt unfair, but because Lourey had quietly been building the truth from the very beginning. Looking back, the clues were there all along.
If you’re looking for a thriller that’s as emotionally intelligent as it is suspenseful, The Crying Killer deserves a place at the top of your August reading list.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In the past, as children and teenagers, Tuesday, sister Trixie, and best friend Nicolas were inseparable until tragedy struck and Tuesday was left alone to raise Trixie's newborn baby girl. Trixie's ex boyfriend and father of the child was abusive, and arrogant. Tuesday and Trixie's mother suffered from mental health. All three were abused by Tuesday and Trixie's father, their mother took the most severe beatings. The girls were left to defend and raise themselves. It did not phase them when they heard on the news that multiple women were murdered in their area and the killer left a trademark behind. A serial killer was the least of their worries at the time.
Following the tragedy, Tuesday moved away with the baby, and lost contact with everyone except for her mother. Tuesday made a life for herself and her niece, who she raised as her own daughter. She worked as a police officer for awhile, then went to work as a private investigator. She thought they would be safe in their new life until women started being murdered near her town in the same fashion as in the past. Now Tuesday is being stalked. She believes she may know who the killer is, and has to face her past to face the present to protect herself and her niece. She meets Officer Smith, another strong female, who together, attempt to solve the murders and keep Tuesday and her new family safe.
Set in the past and present, the story builds by providing history a little at a time. It is the kind of story that has you thinking and trying to solve the case along side of Tuesday and Officer Smith. Jess Lourey provides a forethought and afterword regarding serial killers and PTSD, which is wonderful for anyone who has experienced traumatic events in their life, in addition, the book thoughtfully puts the victim and their families in the light. I am so grateful to be chosen and approved by Netgalley and In the past, as children and teenagers, Tuesday, sister Trixie, and best friend Nicolas were inseparable until tragedy struck and Tuesday was left alone to raise Trixie's newborn baby girl. Trixie's ex boyfriend and father of the child was abusive, and arrogant. Tuesday and Trixie's mother suffered from mental health. All three were abused by Tuesday and Trixie's father, their mother took the most severe beatings. The girls were left to defend and raise themselves. It did not phase them when they heard on the news that multiple women were murdered in their area and the killer left a trademark behind. A serial killer was the least of their worries at the time.
Following the tragedy, Tuesday moved away with the baby, and lost contact with everyone except for her mother. Tuesday made a life for herself and her niece, who she raised as her own daughter. She worked as a police officer for awhile, then went to work as a private investigator. She thought they would be safe in their new life until women started being murdered near her town in the same fashion as in the past. Now Tuesday is being stalked. She believes she may know who the killer is, and has to face her past to face the present to protect herself and her niece. She meets Officer Smith, another strong female, who together, attempt to solve the murders and keep Tuesday and her new family safe.
Set in the past and present, the story builds by providing history a little at a time. It is the kind of story that has you thinking and trying to solve the case along side of Tuesday and Officer Smith. Jess Lourey provides a forethought and afterword regarding serial killers and PTSD, which is wonderful for anyone who has experienced traumatic events in their life, in addition, the book thoughtfully puts the victim and their families in the light. I am grateful to be chosen to read an ARC of this book! Thank you Netgalley, Jess Lourey and Thomas and Mercer!
Following the tragedy, Tuesday moved away with the baby, and lost contact with everyone except for her mother. Tuesday made a life for herself and her niece, who she raised as her own daughter. She worked as a police officer for awhile, then went to work as a private investigator. She thought they would be safe in their new life until women started being murdered near her town in the same fashion as in the past. Now Tuesday is being stalked. She believes she may know who the killer is, and has to face her past to face the present to protect herself and her niece. She meets Officer Smith, another strong female, who together, attempt to solve the murders and keep Tuesday and her new family safe.
Set in the past and present, the story builds by providing history a little at a time. It is the kind of story that has you thinking and trying to solve the case along side of Tuesday and Officer Smith. Jess Lourey provides a forethought and afterword regarding serial killers and PTSD, which is wonderful for anyone who has experienced traumatic events in their life, in addition, the book thoughtfully puts the victim and their families in the light. I am so grateful to be chosen and approved by Netgalley and In the past, as children and teenagers, Tuesday, sister Trixie, and best friend Nicolas were inseparable until tragedy struck and Tuesday was left alone to raise Trixie's newborn baby girl. Trixie's ex boyfriend and father of the child was abusive, and arrogant. Tuesday and Trixie's mother suffered from mental health. All three were abused by Tuesday and Trixie's father, their mother took the most severe beatings. The girls were left to defend and raise themselves. It did not phase them when they heard on the news that multiple women were murdered in their area and the killer left a trademark behind. A serial killer was the least of their worries at the time.
Following the tragedy, Tuesday moved away with the baby, and lost contact with everyone except for her mother. Tuesday made a life for herself and her niece, who she raised as her own daughter. She worked as a police officer for awhile, then went to work as a private investigator. She thought they would be safe in their new life until women started being murdered near her town in the same fashion as in the past. Now Tuesday is being stalked. She believes she may know who the killer is, and has to face her past to face the present to protect herself and her niece. She meets Officer Smith, another strong female, who together, attempt to solve the murders and keep Tuesday and her new family safe.
Set in the past and present, the story builds by providing history a little at a time. It is the kind of story that has you thinking and trying to solve the case along side of Tuesday and Officer Smith. Jess Lourey provides a forethought and afterword regarding serial killers and PTSD, which is wonderful for anyone who has experienced traumatic events in their life, in addition, the book thoughtfully puts the victim and their families in the light. I am grateful to be chosen to read an ARC of this book! Thank you Netgalley, Jess Lourey and Thomas and Mercer!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Before I even get into the review itself, I have one complaint that's slightly off-topic, although I suspect it's more of a publisher issue than an author one.
Please stop putting pages upon pages of glowing praise for an author's previous books at the beginning of a novel. It's not helpful. If anything, it's annoying. Most readers simply don't care. Either we've already read those books and formed our own opinions about them, or this is our first experience with the author and we'd like to do exactly that with the book we're holding in our hands.
The same goes for the lengthy author introduction that appeared before the story even began. I don't need an entire chapter explaining the fascination with serial killers before I start reading a fictional thriller. I picked up the book because I wanted to read the novel, not the author's rationale for writing it.
By the time I'd skipped what felt like an endless number of pages just to reach the prologue, I was already starting this book on the wrong foot.
Thankfully, things improved from there.... for a minute.
In fact, I think this may be the first book I've read by this author that landed above the one or two star range for me. That's not to say it didn't have problems, it absolutely did, but this time those problems were a little less... irritating than usual.
One thing I genuinely appreciated was that, although the story takes place in the same small town as several of the author's previous novels, you don't need to have read any of them to understand what's happening here. The references to earlier books are mostly treated as local legends or cautionary tales, making them fun little callbacks for longtime readers without alienating newcomers.
What I didn't enjoy, however, was seeing the author once again fall back on a pattern I've noticed in several of their books, where many of the male characters are portrayed in an overwhelmingly negative light. Here, that tendency felt even more pronounced because one character who initially appears to be Tuesday's unwavering best friend later returns after transitioning and the story takes their arc in a direction that completely changed how I viewed that relationship. I'll leave the specifics for readers to discover themselves, but it was a storytelling choice that didn't entirely work for me.
One area where I do think the book succeeded was Tuesday herself. Watching her slowly unravel while desperately trying to keep herself together gave the story an emotional weight that many of the author's previous novels have lacked. Even when I didn't fully understand some of her choices or the things she said, I could at least understand the emotional state that led her there. That made her far more compelling to follow than I expected.
As for the twists... they were a mixed bag.
One worked well enough, but another I saw coming from a mile away.
And the third?
The third made me question the entire purpose of another major plotline because... wow. And not in a good way. I genuinely didn't realize someone apparently had to die in order to "find themselves," but that seems to be the conclusion the story wanted me to reach.
Overall, this is another one of those books that I can easily see working better for other readers than it did for me. While it didn't completely win me over, I enjoyed it more than I expected to, and if the synopsis catches your attention, or you're already a fan of this author's work, I think it's worth giving this one a chance.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Please stop putting pages upon pages of glowing praise for an author's previous books at the beginning of a novel. It's not helpful. If anything, it's annoying. Most readers simply don't care. Either we've already read those books and formed our own opinions about them, or this is our first experience with the author and we'd like to do exactly that with the book we're holding in our hands.
The same goes for the lengthy author introduction that appeared before the story even began. I don't need an entire chapter explaining the fascination with serial killers before I start reading a fictional thriller. I picked up the book because I wanted to read the novel, not the author's rationale for writing it.
By the time I'd skipped what felt like an endless number of pages just to reach the prologue, I was already starting this book on the wrong foot.
Thankfully, things improved from there.... for a minute.
In fact, I think this may be the first book I've read by this author that landed above the one or two star range for me. That's not to say it didn't have problems, it absolutely did, but this time those problems were a little less... irritating than usual.
One thing I genuinely appreciated was that, although the story takes place in the same small town as several of the author's previous novels, you don't need to have read any of them to understand what's happening here. The references to earlier books are mostly treated as local legends or cautionary tales, making them fun little callbacks for longtime readers without alienating newcomers.
What I didn't enjoy, however, was seeing the author once again fall back on a pattern I've noticed in several of their books, where many of the male characters are portrayed in an overwhelmingly negative light. Here, that tendency felt even more pronounced because one character who initially appears to be Tuesday's unwavering best friend later returns after transitioning and the story takes their arc in a direction that completely changed how I viewed that relationship. I'll leave the specifics for readers to discover themselves, but it was a storytelling choice that didn't entirely work for me.
One area where I do think the book succeeded was Tuesday herself. Watching her slowly unravel while desperately trying to keep herself together gave the story an emotional weight that many of the author's previous novels have lacked. Even when I didn't fully understand some of her choices or the things she said, I could at least understand the emotional state that led her there. That made her far more compelling to follow than I expected.
As for the twists... they were a mixed bag.
One worked well enough, but another I saw coming from a mile away.
And the third?
The third made me question the entire purpose of another major plotline because... wow. And not in a good way. I genuinely didn't realize someone apparently had to die in order to "find themselves," but that seems to be the conclusion the story wanted me to reach.
Overall, this is another one of those books that I can easily see working better for other readers than it did for me. While it didn't completely win me over, I enjoyed it more than I expected to, and if the synopsis catches your attention, or you're already a fan of this author's work, I think it's worth giving this one a chance.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I devoured The Crying Killer by Jess Lourey. Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and, of course Jess Lourey for the advanced copy. I always feel a sense of wonder and excitement when I get an ARC. Whatever it is I’m doing on my small corner of the internet might actually be helping my favorite authors and that is something I treasure.
If you’ve been around for a while you know I LOVE Jess Lourey. Love her. I have a small obsession with a character she imagined (Mira James—if she wasn’t fiction, I’d be convinced we were destined to be best friends). So, rightfully, I have to consume all of Jess’ books (there’s 12 million, it’s going to take a while). She does a wonderful job of mixing mystery, thriller, crime/detective, and humor. She lightens the heavy with fun quips but sucks you straight back into the drama and leaves you guessing. The Crying Killer was no different—I was hooked from the beginning.
Here’s a little recipe for this *hot dish*:
❌ Serial killer
🥊 Found family
❌ Short, speedy chapters
🥊 Methodical unraveling of secrets
Tuesday Kenn is a woman desperate to hide. She doesn’t want to be a star. She doesn’t want to be known. She keeps her community small. Don’t look at her. When her boss publishes photo of her in a national magazine, her carefully constructed walls start to crumble. She will do anything to keep Julia, her daughter, safe. Anything—even if that means hunting down the dead man who killed her sister. When Tuesday’s mental health starts to deteriorate, she desperately clings to those around her—her boss, her neighbor and landlord, and her roommate/childhood friend. Not knowing who to trust, she knows she can rely on them. Her people. Her family. Family is the most important thing after all, especially when you’re trying to track down a dead serial killer before he can kill you too.
The premise of this novel was interesting. Instead of focusing on the killer, she focused on the people left behind. The survivors and how their lives are touched and forever marred by these prolific crimes. I appreciate that. We, as a society, are gross and often spend more time highlighting the perpetrators than the people left behind. I know more names of serial killers than I do their victims. This angle was an appreciated angle—a dark one, but appreciated.
Get your eyeballs on this August 18, 2026!
TW: domestic violence, poverty, gross men preying on teenagers, serial murder, stalking, LGBTQ characters (continually hate that I have to put this, but don’t read a book with an LGBTQ character and then rate it poorly because it made you *uncomfortable*), substance abuse, mental health issues, death of sister.
If you’ve been around for a while you know I LOVE Jess Lourey. Love her. I have a small obsession with a character she imagined (Mira James—if she wasn’t fiction, I’d be convinced we were destined to be best friends). So, rightfully, I have to consume all of Jess’ books (there’s 12 million, it’s going to take a while). She does a wonderful job of mixing mystery, thriller, crime/detective, and humor. She lightens the heavy with fun quips but sucks you straight back into the drama and leaves you guessing. The Crying Killer was no different—I was hooked from the beginning.
Here’s a little recipe for this *hot dish*:
❌ Serial killer
🥊 Found family
❌ Short, speedy chapters
🥊 Methodical unraveling of secrets
Tuesday Kenn is a woman desperate to hide. She doesn’t want to be a star. She doesn’t want to be known. She keeps her community small. Don’t look at her. When her boss publishes photo of her in a national magazine, her carefully constructed walls start to crumble. She will do anything to keep Julia, her daughter, safe. Anything—even if that means hunting down the dead man who killed her sister. When Tuesday’s mental health starts to deteriorate, she desperately clings to those around her—her boss, her neighbor and landlord, and her roommate/childhood friend. Not knowing who to trust, she knows she can rely on them. Her people. Her family. Family is the most important thing after all, especially when you’re trying to track down a dead serial killer before he can kill you too.
The premise of this novel was interesting. Instead of focusing on the killer, she focused on the people left behind. The survivors and how their lives are touched and forever marred by these prolific crimes. I appreciate that. We, as a society, are gross and often spend more time highlighting the perpetrators than the people left behind. I know more names of serial killers than I do their victims. This angle was an appreciated angle—a dark one, but appreciated.
Get your eyeballs on this August 18, 2026!
TW: domestic violence, poverty, gross men preying on teenagers, serial murder, stalking, LGBTQ characters (continually hate that I have to put this, but don’t read a book with an LGBTQ character and then rate it poorly because it made you *uncomfortable*), substance abuse, mental health issues, death of sister.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own!
5.00 / 5.00
When Tuesday Kenn loses her sister to her serial killer ex-boyfriend, she skips town and takes a new identity to protect what’s left of herself and her niece-turned-daughter. A string of copy-cat murders leaves Tuesday questioning when she can finally put the past behind her and when she’ll finally be safe. But the answer is darker than anyone could have ever predicted.
I have to admit, I was nervous this book wasn’t going to hit as hard as some of Lourey’s other works I’ve read. It was more of a slow burn than anything else I’ve read by her, which made for a moody story that lit up like a bonfire when the tapestry started unraveling. I should have trusted that Lourey would never let me down!
The first 3/4 of the book are slower than I’m used to, but built an incredible backstory where every detail becomes essential to the overall plot. I could not put the book down for the last quarter of the book, and cursed myself for not being able to read faster. It became more than a popcorn thriller - it was an obsession that ran as deep as Tuesday’s own obsession with The Crying Killer.
This book had me singing "Fractured" by Billy Idol. The song is a modern-day rock anthem about the negative impacts of the pressure society puts on us. The Crying Killer has more than one "fractured" individual. Tuesday speaks early and often of the "fracture" in her own life, and obviously there are fractures in the lives or minds of all serial killers, or why else would they do it? "I was with you when you saw the signs / In the back of your mind / In the back of your mind." Even though Tuesday may not be in her right mind anymore, she sees the signs all around her that The Crying Killer is back. "Help me, I'm falling / Cuz you got me crawling / Cuz inside I'm fractured again." Tuesday lets herself succumb to her obsession with protecting herself and her family, to the point where most would say it's detrimental to her health. "We broke apart, and we crossed the line / But nobody wins / Nobody wins." In this case, somebody has to win. But will it be Tuesday, or will it be The Crying Killer? Find out for yourself when you pick up this book in August!
5.00 / 5.00
When Tuesday Kenn loses her sister to her serial killer ex-boyfriend, she skips town and takes a new identity to protect what’s left of herself and her niece-turned-daughter. A string of copy-cat murders leaves Tuesday questioning when she can finally put the past behind her and when she’ll finally be safe. But the answer is darker than anyone could have ever predicted.
I have to admit, I was nervous this book wasn’t going to hit as hard as some of Lourey’s other works I’ve read. It was more of a slow burn than anything else I’ve read by her, which made for a moody story that lit up like a bonfire when the tapestry started unraveling. I should have trusted that Lourey would never let me down!
The first 3/4 of the book are slower than I’m used to, but built an incredible backstory where every detail becomes essential to the overall plot. I could not put the book down for the last quarter of the book, and cursed myself for not being able to read faster. It became more than a popcorn thriller - it was an obsession that ran as deep as Tuesday’s own obsession with The Crying Killer.
This book had me singing "Fractured" by Billy Idol. The song is a modern-day rock anthem about the negative impacts of the pressure society puts on us. The Crying Killer has more than one "fractured" individual. Tuesday speaks early and often of the "fracture" in her own life, and obviously there are fractures in the lives or minds of all serial killers, or why else would they do it? "I was with you when you saw the signs / In the back of your mind / In the back of your mind." Even though Tuesday may not be in her right mind anymore, she sees the signs all around her that The Crying Killer is back. "Help me, I'm falling / Cuz you got me crawling / Cuz inside I'm fractured again." Tuesday lets herself succumb to her obsession with protecting herself and her family, to the point where most would say it's detrimental to her health. "We broke apart, and we crossed the line / But nobody wins / Nobody wins." In this case, somebody has to win. But will it be Tuesday, or will it be The Crying Killer? Find out for yourself when you pick up this book in August!
August 4, 2026
Jess Lourey is a master of many genres, but she especially excels in thrillers, usually based in Minnesota. “The Crying Killer” has a historical aspect this time, it’s influenced by the real life “Weepy-Voiced Killer” who terrorized the Minneapolis- Saint Paul area in the 80’s. He would murder or viciously attack and then call 911 to confess in a creepy, crying voice. He was eventually captured after an unsuccessful violent struggle with his last surviving victim, eventually dying of cancer in prison.
In Lourey’s story, the serial killer was supposedly shot to death by police (his face mangled) after killing the sixteen year old sister (and also a new mother, Trixie) of our main protagonist, Tuesday. Tuesday is now a P.I. after doing a stint as a St.Paul cop. She changed her last name as she fled her small hometown, taking Trixie’s days old baby, Julia, and raising Julia as her own. It’s eight years later when Tuesday thinks she sees Arsen, the supposed dead perpetrator, very much alive on the street, after which a copycat (or not?) murder occurs.
The story flips back and forth between present day and the time before Trixie’s death, when Tuesday, Trixie, and friend Nick/Nic had called themselves “The Three Musketeers” before their trio became an uneasy quartet as Trixie took up with bad boy Arsen.
The central mystery (did Arsen survive and is he killing again) is a lesser story against the backdrop of how victims continue to be victims even after the cases are closed. Tuesday has suffered from PTSD for a long time — it ruined her job performance on the police force and what’s happening now (either a resurrected Arsen or a copycat) is forever burned in her psyche. You realize that however this plot is solved, the past and current trauma still will always haunt our narrator. There’s much more to this retelling of a true story — one that’s emotional and empathetic to the survivors of such heinous crimes. 4.5 stars!
Thank you to the author, Thomas & Mercer/Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
In Lourey’s story, the serial killer was supposedly shot to death by police (his face mangled) after killing the sixteen year old sister (and also a new mother, Trixie) of our main protagonist, Tuesday. Tuesday is now a P.I. after doing a stint as a St.Paul cop. She changed her last name as she fled her small hometown, taking Trixie’s days old baby, Julia, and raising Julia as her own. It’s eight years later when Tuesday thinks she sees Arsen, the supposed dead perpetrator, very much alive on the street, after which a copycat (or not?) murder occurs.
The story flips back and forth between present day and the time before Trixie’s death, when Tuesday, Trixie, and friend Nick/Nic had called themselves “The Three Musketeers” before their trio became an uneasy quartet as Trixie took up with bad boy Arsen.
The central mystery (did Arsen survive and is he killing again) is a lesser story against the backdrop of how victims continue to be victims even after the cases are closed. Tuesday has suffered from PTSD for a long time — it ruined her job performance on the police force and what’s happening now (either a resurrected Arsen or a copycat) is forever burned in her psyche. You realize that however this plot is solved, the past and current trauma still will always haunt our narrator. There’s much more to this retelling of a true story — one that’s emotional and empathetic to the survivors of such heinous crimes. 4.5 stars!
Thank you to the author, Thomas & Mercer/Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If Jess Lourey writes it, I’m reading it.
Once again, she pulled me straight into a world of mystery, darkness, and the kind of evil that lurks just beneath the surface of everyday life. One of the things I love most about her books is how she takes inspiration from true crimes and creates stories that feel unsettlingly real.
Lourey has a gift for creating eerie small-town settings where secrets fester and danger hides in plain sight. Her descriptions are vivid and atmospheric, painting scenes and towns so clearly that it makes your own skin crawl.
This was a fast past read for me and with all her thriller crime books had me quickly swiping pages at each twist and turn and every time I thought I’d had it figured out (or when I was hoping I was wrong) wanting another piece of the mystery being woven knowing it would come. I love a dual time line especially when it’s done well, and this one wove between the two seamlessly and the 90’s came alive!
I struggled to connect with Tuesday’s character at times. She often felt guarded and difficult to fully understand, which left me questioning her motives and wondering what she was truly hiding, and from whom. While that uncertainty certainly added to the mystery, it also made it harder for me to become emotionally invested in her.
My one other minor critique was the frequent emphasis on the name changes of Tuesday and Julia. Since both women remained in the general area and only changed their last names, I found myself questioning how effective those new identities would be.
Even so, The Crying Killer is another solid crime thriller. Dark, atmospheric, and full of twists, that kept me guessing right up until the end.
Jess Lourey continues to prove why she’s one of my favorite thriller authors. Blending true-crime inspiration with compelling fiction, she creates stories that are as unsettling as they are impossible to put down.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.
Once again, she pulled me straight into a world of mystery, darkness, and the kind of evil that lurks just beneath the surface of everyday life. One of the things I love most about her books is how she takes inspiration from true crimes and creates stories that feel unsettlingly real.
Lourey has a gift for creating eerie small-town settings where secrets fester and danger hides in plain sight. Her descriptions are vivid and atmospheric, painting scenes and towns so clearly that it makes your own skin crawl.
This was a fast past read for me and with all her thriller crime books had me quickly swiping pages at each twist and turn and every time I thought I’d had it figured out (or when I was hoping I was wrong) wanting another piece of the mystery being woven knowing it would come. I love a dual time line especially when it’s done well, and this one wove between the two seamlessly and the 90’s came alive!
I struggled to connect with Tuesday’s character at times. She often felt guarded and difficult to fully understand, which left me questioning her motives and wondering what she was truly hiding, and from whom. While that uncertainty certainly added to the mystery, it also made it harder for me to become emotionally invested in her.
My one other minor critique was the frequent emphasis on the name changes of Tuesday and Julia. Since both women remained in the general area and only changed their last names, I found myself questioning how effective those new identities would be.
Even so, The Crying Killer is another solid crime thriller. Dark, atmospheric, and full of twists, that kept me guessing right up until the end.
Jess Lourey continues to prove why she’s one of my favorite thriller authors. Blending true-crime inspiration with compelling fiction, she creates stories that are as unsettling as they are impossible to put down.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.
June 28, 2026
I know I sound like a broken record, but I also know I'm not alone:. If Jess Lourey has a new book coming out, I am first in line to read it. She is one of my all-time favorite authors, and her genre range is simply astonishing. While true crime is one of my personal favorites—and she has already provided so much incredible reading material there—her latest, *The Crying Killer*, is no exception. I was thrilled to secure an early copy from NetGalley for review.
The story introduces us to Tuesday Hendrickson, a private investigator who has spent eight years trying to protect herself and her daughter, Julie, from her sister Trixie's murderer: Arsen Bauer, aka 'The Crying Killer.' But lately, even though she witnessed Arsen's death, Tuesday feels like she's catching glimpses of him. Is she slipping into the same mental health struggles as her mother, or is he actually back?
This thriller is inspired by Paul Michael Stephani, an American serial killer active in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area during the early 1980s. Dubbed the 'Weepy-Voiced Killer,' he famously made anonymous, sobbing phone calls to the police after his crimes, begging them to catch him. Rather than focusing on the killer himself,, Lourey beautifully chooses to focus the communities and families affected by his actions, which feels incredibly respectful and appropriate.
Each twist and turn made me pause and wonder what was coming next. I thought I had it all figured out—and while I did have a few pieces pegged—I was completely drawn into the narrative and couldn't flip the pages fast enough to uncover the whole story. By the end, I was sad to leave it behind and am already looking forward to whatever comes next on this author's journey.
It is a true gift to find a writer who can pull you so deeply into a genre, and Jess Lourey has absolutely done that for me. I know I'm definitely not alone in that feeling.
The story introduces us to Tuesday Hendrickson, a private investigator who has spent eight years trying to protect herself and her daughter, Julie, from her sister Trixie's murderer: Arsen Bauer, aka 'The Crying Killer.' But lately, even though she witnessed Arsen's death, Tuesday feels like she's catching glimpses of him. Is she slipping into the same mental health struggles as her mother, or is he actually back?
This thriller is inspired by Paul Michael Stephani, an American serial killer active in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area during the early 1980s. Dubbed the 'Weepy-Voiced Killer,' he famously made anonymous, sobbing phone calls to the police after his crimes, begging them to catch him. Rather than focusing on the killer himself,, Lourey beautifully chooses to focus the communities and families affected by his actions, which feels incredibly respectful and appropriate.
Each twist and turn made me pause and wonder what was coming next. I thought I had it all figured out—and while I did have a few pieces pegged—I was completely drawn into the narrative and couldn't flip the pages fast enough to uncover the whole story. By the end, I was sad to leave it behind and am already looking forward to whatever comes next on this author's journey.
It is a true gift to find a writer who can pull you so deeply into a genre, and Jess Lourey has absolutely done that for me. I know I'm definitely not alone in that feeling.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is an emotionally tragic story that carved an X deep in my soul. The family dynamics, secrets, lies, friendship, mental health, abuse, all come together to weave a tale that left me dumbstruck. The twists and turns came fast and landed true. That ending nailed me right between the eyes. Jess Lourey is a master of creating an atmosphere that had me at the edge of my seat, my nails chewed down to the quick, my mind racing, my breathing quick and rapid. The characters made this book. Tuesday is one mama bear you do not want to mess with. Constantly looking over her shoulder, always on the lookout for anything that can harm her little family. She has close friends that keep her sane and keep an eye on her. Is The Crying Killer back or did he die that night in their trailer?
For eight years, Tuesday Hendrickson has been keeping her niece safe. She changed their last name, found an amazing landlady that will do anything for them. A job and a boss who is like a father figure. But Tuesday is haunted by the night her sister was murdered by her good for nothing boyfriend. Her sister, Trixie, saved her newborn baby from death and from that night on Tuesday has been on the run with her niece. The love of her life she calls her daughter. When women begin showing up murdered with an X carved into their back. Tuesday knows that Arsen Bauer was not killed that night. Something else happened in that trailer, allowing him to escape. Now Arsen is hunting them down looking for his daughter. This is a game of cat and mouse. I could not put this book down no matter how hard I tried.
This story is still swirling through my brain. I wanted to hug Tuesday so bad throughout the entire book. Scarred from a young age. First by her abusive father, next watching her sister die, and being on the run has left her on the brink of spinning out. This is one you cannot miss. Thank you to Jess Lourey and Thomas & Mercer for a book that will spin nightmares for days to come.
For eight years, Tuesday Hendrickson has been keeping her niece safe. She changed their last name, found an amazing landlady that will do anything for them. A job and a boss who is like a father figure. But Tuesday is haunted by the night her sister was murdered by her good for nothing boyfriend. Her sister, Trixie, saved her newborn baby from death and from that night on Tuesday has been on the run with her niece. The love of her life she calls her daughter. When women begin showing up murdered with an X carved into their back. Tuesday knows that Arsen Bauer was not killed that night. Something else happened in that trailer, allowing him to escape. Now Arsen is hunting them down looking for his daughter. This is a game of cat and mouse. I could not put this book down no matter how hard I tried.
This story is still swirling through my brain. I wanted to hug Tuesday so bad throughout the entire book. Scarred from a young age. First by her abusive father, next watching her sister die, and being on the run has left her on the brink of spinning out. This is one you cannot miss. Thank you to Jess Lourey and Thomas & Mercer for a book that will spin nightmares for days to come.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of The Crying Killer, by Jess Lourey, from Thomas & Mercer/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
⭐ 3 ⭐
A solid one-off with a twist or two I didn’t see coming.
PS
I really, really enjoyed this author’s Steinbeck and Reed books, and do so wish there were more in that series to read!
DESCRIPTION
A woman’s secret. A small town with a dark past. A serial killer bent on revenge. Lies kill in a shocking true crime–inspired thriller by the Edgar-nominated author of The Quarry Girls.
Tuesday Hendrickson has spent eight years running from memories of that night. Her sister’s screams. Blood on the walls. And Arsen Bauer, a monster known as the Crying Killer, shot down in a barrage of bullets as he fled. Case closed.
Intending to build a safe new identity out of the ashes, Tuesday changed her last name and moved away. She’s now a private investigator who guards herself and her daughter, Julia, like their lives depend on it. And maybe they do. Because unless she’s imagining things, Tuesday has seen Arsen on the streets of Saint Paul. She’d know her sister’s killer anywhere.
When bodies begin surfacing bearing the Crying Killer’s brutal and unmistakable signature, Tuesday is certain he’s coming for them. Except no one believes that but her. As her paranoia intensifies, she is left with a terrible choice: unearth the shocking secret she buried with her sister, or become the Crying Killer’s next victim.
Received a complimentary copy of The Crying Killer, by Jess Lourey, from Thomas & Mercer/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
⭐ 3 ⭐
A solid one-off with a twist or two I didn’t see coming.
PS
I really, really enjoyed this author’s Steinbeck and Reed books, and do so wish there were more in that series to read!
DESCRIPTION
A woman’s secret. A small town with a dark past. A serial killer bent on revenge. Lies kill in a shocking true crime–inspired thriller by the Edgar-nominated author of The Quarry Girls.
Tuesday Hendrickson has spent eight years running from memories of that night. Her sister’s screams. Blood on the walls. And Arsen Bauer, a monster known as the Crying Killer, shot down in a barrage of bullets as he fled. Case closed.
Intending to build a safe new identity out of the ashes, Tuesday changed her last name and moved away. She’s now a private investigator who guards herself and her daughter, Julia, like their lives depend on it. And maybe they do. Because unless she’s imagining things, Tuesday has seen Arsen on the streets of Saint Paul. She’d know her sister’s killer anywhere.
When bodies begin surfacing bearing the Crying Killer’s brutal and unmistakable signature, Tuesday is certain he’s coming for them. Except no one believes that but her. As her paranoia intensifies, she is left with a terrible choice: unearth the shocking secret she buried with her sister, or become the Crying Killer’s next victim.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Crying Killer is the kind of thriller that sinks its hooks in early and refuses to let go. Jess Lourey blends true‑crime inspiration with razor‑sharp suspense, creating a story that feels both terrifyingly intimate and relentlessly propulsive.
Tuesday Hendrickson is a fantastic protagonist — tough, traumatised, and fiercely protective of the life she’s built from the ashes of her past. Her fear is palpable from the moment she thinks she spots Arsen Bauer on the streets of Saint Paul, and Lourey does a brilliant job blurring the line between paranoia and possibility. You can feel Tuesday’s world tightening around her, and it’s impossible not to root for her as she tries to stay one step ahead of a nightmare she thought was long buried.
The pacing is superb. Each new body, each echo of the Crying Killer’s signature brutality, adds another layer of dread. And the fact that no one believes Tuesday — not fully — makes the tension even sharper. The emotional stakes are high, especially with her daughter caught in the crosshairs of a past she never asked for.
What I loved most is how the book balances psychological depth with full‑throttle suspense. The secrets Tuesday has been carrying, the trauma she’s tried to outrun, and the question of what really happened that night all collide in a way that feels both shocking and inevitable.
Fans of dark, character‑driven thrillers and true‑crime‑tinged mysteries will devour this one. It’s haunting, twisty, and impossible to put down.
A gripping, nerve‑shredding read that proves the past never stays dead for long.
With thanks to Jess Lourey, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Tuesday Hendrickson is a fantastic protagonist — tough, traumatised, and fiercely protective of the life she’s built from the ashes of her past. Her fear is palpable from the moment she thinks she spots Arsen Bauer on the streets of Saint Paul, and Lourey does a brilliant job blurring the line between paranoia and possibility. You can feel Tuesday’s world tightening around her, and it’s impossible not to root for her as she tries to stay one step ahead of a nightmare she thought was long buried.
The pacing is superb. Each new body, each echo of the Crying Killer’s signature brutality, adds another layer of dread. And the fact that no one believes Tuesday — not fully — makes the tension even sharper. The emotional stakes are high, especially with her daughter caught in the crosshairs of a past she never asked for.
What I loved most is how the book balances psychological depth with full‑throttle suspense. The secrets Tuesday has been carrying, the trauma she’s tried to outrun, and the question of what really happened that night all collide in a way that feels both shocking and inevitable.
Fans of dark, character‑driven thrillers and true‑crime‑tinged mysteries will devour this one. It’s haunting, twisty, and impossible to put down.
A gripping, nerve‑shredding read that proves the past never stays dead for long.
With thanks to Jess Lourey, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you're looking for a thriller that will completely consume your life for a day, The Crying Killer by Jess Lourey is it.
I picked this book up thinking I'd read a few chapters... and suddenly it was 24 hours later. Every responsibility I had went straight out the window because I had to know what happened next. Jess Lourey has a way of writing that makes "just one more chapter" completely impossible.
What I loved most was how incredibly layered the characters were. Every single person felt like they had a real history, and their backstories weren't just thrown in for the sake of the plot, they genuinely shaped who they were. I especially appreciated getting to know each character and understanding the experiences that influenced their choices. It made everyone feel authentic and emotionally complex rather than just suspects in a mystery.
And the suspense? Absolutely top tier.
I changed my mind so many times about what I thought was happening. Every time I became convinced I had figured it out, Jess Lourey masterfully planted another clue or revelation that sent me right back to square one. I was constantly second-guessing myself, and I loved every second of it.
The ending completely blindsided me. I genuinely did not see it coming, which is becoming harder and harder to find in thrillers. Looking back, all the pieces were there, but they were woven together so skillfully that the final reveal hit me like a freight train.
If you love psychological thrillers with unforgettable characters, relentless pacing, and twists that actually surprise you, The Crying Killer deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.
I picked this book up thinking I'd read a few chapters... and suddenly it was 24 hours later. Every responsibility I had went straight out the window because I had to know what happened next. Jess Lourey has a way of writing that makes "just one more chapter" completely impossible.
What I loved most was how incredibly layered the characters were. Every single person felt like they had a real history, and their backstories weren't just thrown in for the sake of the plot, they genuinely shaped who they were. I especially appreciated getting to know each character and understanding the experiences that influenced their choices. It made everyone feel authentic and emotionally complex rather than just suspects in a mystery.
And the suspense? Absolutely top tier.
I changed my mind so many times about what I thought was happening. Every time I became convinced I had figured it out, Jess Lourey masterfully planted another clue or revelation that sent me right back to square one. I was constantly second-guessing myself, and I loved every second of it.
The ending completely blindsided me. I genuinely did not see it coming, which is becoming harder and harder to find in thrillers. Looking back, all the pieces were there, but they were woven together so skillfully that the final reveal hit me like a freight train.
If you love psychological thrillers with unforgettable characters, relentless pacing, and twists that actually surprise you, The Crying Killer deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Crying Killer instantly caught my eye with its wintery cover, featuring an isolated Victorian house buried in snow that really captures the book’s cold, eerie atmosphere. Inspired by the real-life crimes of the Weepy-Voiced Killer, this psychological thriller sets a dark tone right from the start and had me hooked immediately.
That feeling of unease runs through the novel, with the Victorian house setting adding to a constant sense of paranoia and isolation. Alongside the serial killer storyline, Lourey also explores themes like childhood trauma, survival, resilience, and the darker side of seemingly ordinary communities, giving the story a heavier emotional edge.
There are quite a few characters and names to keep track of at times, but I still found the cast really compelling, mostly because they’re all flawed, morally messy, and constantly making you second-guess their motives. The pacing leans more slow-burn in places, but it steadily builds and becomes darker and more tense as the story goes on.
I did clock a couple of the twists before they landed, but there were still some genuinely surprising moments that made me go back and rethink earlier chapters and notice the clues I’d missed the first time round.
Overall, I think this will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and true-crime-inspired serial killer stories, particularly readers who enjoyed The Butcher or The Nothing Man.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
That feeling of unease runs through the novel, with the Victorian house setting adding to a constant sense of paranoia and isolation. Alongside the serial killer storyline, Lourey also explores themes like childhood trauma, survival, resilience, and the darker side of seemingly ordinary communities, giving the story a heavier emotional edge.
There are quite a few characters and names to keep track of at times, but I still found the cast really compelling, mostly because they’re all flawed, morally messy, and constantly making you second-guess their motives. The pacing leans more slow-burn in places, but it steadily builds and becomes darker and more tense as the story goes on.
I did clock a couple of the twists before they landed, but there were still some genuinely surprising moments that made me go back and rethink earlier chapters and notice the clues I’d missed the first time round.
Overall, I think this will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and true-crime-inspired serial killer stories, particularly readers who enjoyed The Butcher or The Nothing Man.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2026
This was one of those thrillers where I kept thinking I knew what was happening and then immediately changed my mind.
The premise hooked me right away. Tuesday has spent years believing the man who murdered her sister isn't actually dead, even though everyone else thinks the case was solved long ago. When new murders start happening with the same signature, I was right there with her questioning everything.
I flew through this one. The suspense kept me turning pages, and I found myself constantly trying to figure out who could be trusted and what was really going on. Every time I came up with a theory, something would happen that made me rethink it.
I especially liked the paranoia running throughout the story. There were multiple times I was asking myself if Tuesday was actually seeing the truth or if her trauma was making her see things that weren't there. That uncertainty kept me invested.
The twists were definitely the highlight for me. I guessed a couple of things, but there were several reveals that caught me completely off guard. I love when a thriller can still surprise me, and this one managed to do that.
My only small complaint is that I never felt fully connected to Tuesday. I understood why she was the way she was, but I didn't feel as emotionally invested in her as I wanted to be.
Overall, this was a dark, fast-paced thriller with plenty of twists, secrets, and suspense. If you enjoy serial killer thrillers that keep you guessing and make you question everything, I think you'll have a lot of fun with this one.
The premise hooked me right away. Tuesday has spent years believing the man who murdered her sister isn't actually dead, even though everyone else thinks the case was solved long ago. When new murders start happening with the same signature, I was right there with her questioning everything.
I flew through this one. The suspense kept me turning pages, and I found myself constantly trying to figure out who could be trusted and what was really going on. Every time I came up with a theory, something would happen that made me rethink it.
I especially liked the paranoia running throughout the story. There were multiple times I was asking myself if Tuesday was actually seeing the truth or if her trauma was making her see things that weren't there. That uncertainty kept me invested.
The twists were definitely the highlight for me. I guessed a couple of things, but there were several reveals that caught me completely off guard. I love when a thriller can still surprise me, and this one managed to do that.
My only small complaint is that I never felt fully connected to Tuesday. I understood why she was the way she was, but I didn't feel as emotionally invested in her as I wanted to be.
Overall, this was a dark, fast-paced thriller with plenty of twists, secrets, and suspense. If you enjoy serial killer thrillers that keep you guessing and make you question everything, I think you'll have a lot of fun with this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Crime-inspired thriller about the possibility of a serial killer’s return.
Tuesday Kenn believes a serial killer who murdered her sister eight years ago is back. However, he’s been officially declared dead. Tuesday is now a private detective after serving on the local police force and she believes Arsen Bauer AKA “The Crying Killer” and her sister’s boyfriend is behind a series of recent murders even though she’s witnessed his death in 1986 after he killed her sister. The killing style is the same, so Tuesday is convinced Arsen is alive and out for revenge.
Told in alternating times - before and after her sister’s murder - family dynamics, secrets and lies emerge as well as a focus on mental health issues (The Afterword focuses on PTSD). Tuesday is one tough resilient woman who won’t give up. Her friends keep her grounded though. The twists and turns keep on giving as the story progresses until an ending I didn’t see coming - it was too busy worrying about Tuesday LOL.
The book we learn in the Author’s Note at the beginning the book is based on a real serial killer, Paul Michael Stephani, known as “the Weepy-Voiced Killer,” for his “whining, anonymous phone calls to police after all but one of his gruesome crimes.” As the author also notes, serial killers only represent 1% of homicides. Yet they retain an oversized interest in our culture but it reduced from their “fabricated mystique” they are typically unremarkable people. I think the author showed that in this book.
This is a perfect book for lovers of factionalized true crime and absorbing thrillers.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me access to this ARC.
Tuesday Kenn believes a serial killer who murdered her sister eight years ago is back. However, he’s been officially declared dead. Tuesday is now a private detective after serving on the local police force and she believes Arsen Bauer AKA “The Crying Killer” and her sister’s boyfriend is behind a series of recent murders even though she’s witnessed his death in 1986 after he killed her sister. The killing style is the same, so Tuesday is convinced Arsen is alive and out for revenge.
Told in alternating times - before and after her sister’s murder - family dynamics, secrets and lies emerge as well as a focus on mental health issues (The Afterword focuses on PTSD). Tuesday is one tough resilient woman who won’t give up. Her friends keep her grounded though. The twists and turns keep on giving as the story progresses until an ending I didn’t see coming - it was too busy worrying about Tuesday LOL.
The book we learn in the Author’s Note at the beginning the book is based on a real serial killer, Paul Michael Stephani, known as “the Weepy-Voiced Killer,” for his “whining, anonymous phone calls to police after all but one of his gruesome crimes.” As the author also notes, serial killers only represent 1% of homicides. Yet they retain an oversized interest in our culture but it reduced from their “fabricated mystique” they are typically unremarkable people. I think the author showed that in this book.
This is a perfect book for lovers of factionalized true crime and absorbing thrillers.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the first book I picked up in 3 months, and I was so immediately hooked that I finished it in one sitting!
One of my favorite things about @jesslourey is that a lot of her books are loosely based on true crime cases. If you’ve read any of her true crime books, you know that apparently the Twin Cities was going through some shit in the 80’s 😅
I loved the beginning author’s note detailing how even though the story was fiction, that there was a real serial killer called The Weepy Voiced Killer in Minnesota in the 80’s. Another part that I really enjoyed was her mentioning that so often these cases sensationalize the killer, while the victims are seen as a foot note in the story. As a huge true crime fan, I make a point to watch documentaries that are survivor/family led, vs reenactments or retellings.
This book did a great job at hooking you in from the beginning, and in my opinion, did a really great job at going between past and present without it being hard to follow. I also love the pages that are from the killer’s POV, because it made it more immersive and more of a mystery of who they were.
The story kept me on my toes throughout the entire book, as I was constantly trying to figure out who the murderer was. The plot twists were INSANE and even after I thought I had figured something out, I was right back to second guessing things.
I absolutely loved this book, and hope everyone else does too! Make sure you preorder it so you don’t miss out!
#jesslourey #thecryingkiller #truecrime #thrillerbooks #murdermystery
One of my favorite things about @jesslourey is that a lot of her books are loosely based on true crime cases. If you’ve read any of her true crime books, you know that apparently the Twin Cities was going through some shit in the 80’s 😅
I loved the beginning author’s note detailing how even though the story was fiction, that there was a real serial killer called The Weepy Voiced Killer in Minnesota in the 80’s. Another part that I really enjoyed was her mentioning that so often these cases sensationalize the killer, while the victims are seen as a foot note in the story. As a huge true crime fan, I make a point to watch documentaries that are survivor/family led, vs reenactments or retellings.
This book did a great job at hooking you in from the beginning, and in my opinion, did a really great job at going between past and present without it being hard to follow. I also love the pages that are from the killer’s POV, because it made it more immersive and more of a mystery of who they were.
The story kept me on my toes throughout the entire book, as I was constantly trying to figure out who the murderer was. The plot twists were INSANE and even after I thought I had figured something out, I was right back to second guessing things.
I absolutely loved this book, and hope everyone else does too! Make sure you preorder it so you don’t miss out!
#jesslourey #thecryingkiller #truecrime #thrillerbooks #murdermystery
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🎧 Audio Review: The narration was enjoyable to listen to.
📝 Story Review: I enjoyed that this was based off of true events, also it was an intriguing story. It gave those vibes of being watched and feeling as if you need to look over your shoulder. I had put some of it together as the story went along, but the ending still surprised me a bit.
The FMC and her daughter were part of a bloody shootout years before when the daughter was just a newborn. A sister was lost that night and a serial killer died. Yet this FMC never thought he was really dead, she felt that the body belonged to someone else in his clothing. Now copycat murders are popping up, but she doesn’t think it’s a copycat… she thinks the crying killer is back and coming after her and her daughter…
Sometimes I found the POV’s from the past a bit confusing as to how they pertained to the overall story and sometimes I felt as if the story was lagging a bit in places, but overall enjoyed it. Would def recommend the audiobook.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Tropes 👇
- Dual Timelines
- Based off True Crime
- Past that threatens the present
- Unreliable narrator
- Someone’s watching
- Secrets from the past
- Serial Killer
CW’s 👇
- Stalking
- PTSD
- Domestic Abuse
- Mutilation/Multiple Murders
Audio Release Date: August 18, 2026
Audio Run Time: 9 hrs, 12 mins
Narrated By: Megan Tusing
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
POV: First Person (present time) Third Person (past)
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC in return for my honest review.
📝 Story Review: I enjoyed that this was based off of true events, also it was an intriguing story. It gave those vibes of being watched and feeling as if you need to look over your shoulder. I had put some of it together as the story went along, but the ending still surprised me a bit.
The FMC and her daughter were part of a bloody shootout years before when the daughter was just a newborn. A sister was lost that night and a serial killer died. Yet this FMC never thought he was really dead, she felt that the body belonged to someone else in his clothing. Now copycat murders are popping up, but she doesn’t think it’s a copycat… she thinks the crying killer is back and coming after her and her daughter…
Sometimes I found the POV’s from the past a bit confusing as to how they pertained to the overall story and sometimes I felt as if the story was lagging a bit in places, but overall enjoyed it. Would def recommend the audiobook.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Tropes 👇
- Dual Timelines
- Based off True Crime
- Past that threatens the present
- Unreliable narrator
- Someone’s watching
- Secrets from the past
- Serial Killer
CW’s 👇
- Stalking
- PTSD
- Domestic Abuse
- Mutilation/Multiple Murders
Audio Release Date: August 18, 2026
Audio Run Time: 9 hrs, 12 mins
Narrated By: Megan Tusing
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
POV: First Person (present time) Third Person (past)
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC in return for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I liked this book and felt truly surprised by some of the twists but for some reason was not fully invested in the characters. The story centers on Tuesday, who is trying to get on with her life and protect her daughter about a decade after her sister was brutally murdered. Tuesday believes the killer is still on the loose and coming for her even though he was pronounced dead at the scene. The story is told in before and after timelines so you get the backstory as well as the current situation.
Tuesday’s paranoia made sense but for some reason ot didn’t really connect with me (though her dynamics with those around her did). I struggled with the fact that the book said multiple times that she changed her last name in order to stay safe but she was only an hour from where she grew up and she kept her first name of TUESDAY?!?? I thought that was weird. I was legitimately surprised by the twists at the end and most of them made me like the overall book better. There was one twist that I didn’t like but I was still surprised by it.
Overall, the story was good, as was the mystery- it’s hard to trick me! I can’t put my finger on why I wasn’t more invested in the characters but I enjoyed the read. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Tuesday’s paranoia made sense but for some reason ot didn’t really connect with me (though her dynamics with those around her did). I struggled with the fact that the book said multiple times that she changed her last name in order to stay safe but she was only an hour from where she grew up and she kept her first name of TUESDAY?!?? I thought that was weird. I was legitimately surprised by the twists at the end and most of them made me like the overall book better. There was one twist that I didn’t like but I was still surprised by it.
Overall, the story was good, as was the mystery- it’s hard to trick me! I can’t put my finger on why I wasn’t more invested in the characters but I enjoyed the read. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 ⭐️
Tuesday Kenn is the mom to her niece Julia after Tuesday’s sister/Julia’s mother Trixie died in a shooting. Her ex-boyfriend Arsen was a serial killer with Trixie as his last victim 10 years prior. He was The Crying Killer, known to call the police crying after each murder. Now, as her day job of a private investigator, Tuesday can’t get over the fact that she thinks Arsen faked his death ten years prior and is out there lurking…wanting her dead.
🩷 Incredible Minnesota winter setting (read in winter if possible!)
🩷 I went into this going along for the ride, and I felt like I understood Tuesday and her suspicions and paranoia.
🩷 Trans diversity representation
⚠️ Mental illness - There is some “Is this really happening or is she crazy?” I was in a mode where it didn’t bug me. In some novels it doesn’t work for me, and I’m not sure if it’s my mood and/or how the author handles it. It did feel like the author handled it well.
With a fantastic winter setting and a nuanced main character, I was absorbed by this suspense novel. There are some tropes in this one that I have seen in other novels, but the author handles them really well. This feels like a more elevated suspense.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an Advance Reader Copy. My review is completely my own.
It publishes August 18, 2026.
Tuesday Kenn is the mom to her niece Julia after Tuesday’s sister/Julia’s mother Trixie died in a shooting. Her ex-boyfriend Arsen was a serial killer with Trixie as his last victim 10 years prior. He was The Crying Killer, known to call the police crying after each murder. Now, as her day job of a private investigator, Tuesday can’t get over the fact that she thinks Arsen faked his death ten years prior and is out there lurking…wanting her dead.
🩷 Incredible Minnesota winter setting (read in winter if possible!)
🩷 I went into this going along for the ride, and I felt like I understood Tuesday and her suspicions and paranoia.
🩷 Trans diversity representation
⚠️ Mental illness - There is some “Is this really happening or is she crazy?” I was in a mode where it didn’t bug me. In some novels it doesn’t work for me, and I’m not sure if it’s my mood and/or how the author handles it. It did feel like the author handled it well.
With a fantastic winter setting and a nuanced main character, I was absorbed by this suspense novel. There are some tropes in this one that I have seen in other novels, but the author handles them really well. This feels like a more elevated suspense.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an Advance Reader Copy. My review is completely my own.
It publishes August 18, 2026.
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