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Sanford Crow

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2022 Watty Award Winner

At ten years old, Sanford Crow uncovered the darkest truth a child could face: his father was a serial killer. It was 1969, and Sanford dreamed of becoming a detective. Following instincts he didn’t yet understand, he investigated his own home, and what he discovered shattered his world. Twenty-five years later, Sanford is a divorced, recovering alcoholic raising his eight-year-old daughter and working as a crime scene cleaner, while trying to outrun his past. When a new string of murders begins to mirror his father’s crimes, Sanford is dragged back into the nightmare he’s spent decades trying to forget—one that forces him to question his memories, his past, and even his own mind.

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2026

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About the author

Mike Lemieux

1 book2 followers
Mike Lemieux is an award-winning writer of mystery, thriller, and horror fiction. His work explores the darker edges of family, purpose, and identity, blending psychological suspense with emotional depth. His novel Sanford Crow won the 2022 Watty Award and earned recognition from readers worldwide. His work has appeared in Mystery Tribune and other online literary magazines. He lives in New York with his family and serves as an editor for SHARE, an online literary journal.

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5 stars
6 (26%)
4 stars
9 (39%)
3 stars
7 (30%)
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Jessica.
13 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2026
I would like to thank Book Sirens for sharing this ARC with me. This is my first from them and this author.

I was hooked and requested this book from the description alone so I was thrilled that it lived up to my hopes. The pacing was great. I was intrigued throughout and even stayed up late to finish.

The man character Stanford had depth and was likable to the reader. You are really rooting for him from the start and hoping life and the ending will be kind. The daughter Sadie was a bit unrealistic as an eight year old, maybe more realistic or relatable to make her a little older?

I did call the ending but still really enjoyed the way the author unveiled the ending. The ending was wrapped up with a neat little bow and leaves the reader feeling finished.

If you are a thriller reader who doesn’t like it too dark, this one is for you!
152 reviews
June 1, 2026
I received an advance review copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.

There’s a lot in this book. Trauma, suicide, addiction, bloodlust, and lots and lots of bloodshed.

On the whole, I didn’t enjoy this read but I was compelled to learn the story, if that makes sense? The primary perspective is from Sanford, a man whose past defines his entire life, and for good reason. He is a recovering alcoholic, cleans up crime scenes for a living, hates himself thoroughly, and only lives for his daughter, who he gets custody of every other weekend. He’s depressed and depressing, and doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for levity in the book.

Sadie, his daughter, knows her dad is strange, but he’s still hers. She loves him and knows that he does his best, even when his best has a lot to desire.

Echoes of Stanford’s past come barreling toward him after he begins therapy sessions with Diane, a clinical and cold practitioner who has unresolved trauma of her own. Do her methods stir up Sanford’s family heritage of blood, murder, and mayhem? What happens while Sanford blacks out and awakens in different locations than he last remembered? And what other ghosts from his past seek to find him?

Here’s what I loved: the characters have (mostly) clear motivations. The multiple viewpoints really adds to the story, giving hints both for the truth and misdirections. This also gives an opportunity to explain those motivations without it feeling like exposition. And while I would love to say I figured out the twist at the end, it’s just not really true - I waffled between the two clear threads until murderer is unmasked.

What I didn’t love: as I mentioned earlier, there’s no letting up in this story. Once you’re in it, you’re in it. The constant heaviness makes this a bit of a slog to read, despite it being well-written and compelling. I also found the characters to be pretty 2D. They had motivations, yes, but there was little depth to them. The main character’s primary internal conflict occurs as a blackout, without conscious thought or justification, making him flat even while he stays sympathetic. I also don’t really understand why it takes 25 years for the murdering to begin - the reasoning seems forced.

All in all, I liked this book, though there’s very little character development, no real clear trigger for the murders, and not much clarity on why each victim is chosen other than Sanford’s total (self?) destruction… which again, is unclear why it began when it did.
Profile Image for Christina.
77 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 6, 2026
Title -> Sanford Crow
Author -> Mike Lemieux
Rating⭐️ -> 4/5
Genre 🎃 -> Dark Horror / phycological/ Horror
spice 🌶 ->
Main Character 🎎 -> Sanford
Book Type 📒 -> Book 1
Main Trigger Warnings ⚠️ -> suicide/violence/ swears
Pages -> 346

This is a ark read
Wow this book is a great book. It has all the things as a movie should. This little boy he grew up in a home that his dad is a serial killer. sanford use to play games and one game he loved was playing detective so he useto go around the house and search clues and play how kids play. One day he stumbled onto some stuff that yes probably ruined his childhood by seeing what he saw... what was it?? As he went through life he tried to push those memories back and usually people with trauma it comes down to drinking so he became a alcoholic. Bit he still managed to watch and be a dad to a 8 year old girl. As he is at work (a crime scene cleaner) he is noticing something that seems familiar a string of murders that is the same way his dad would do. Is it his dad? Who is the serial killer? Mabey it is sanford doing it of of memories of his father.. who is killing?? All the memories flooding in of his child hood and now he is set thinking what is happening why are they all so similar. Is sanford going to stop drinking? Is he going to start doing detective work?? Is he going to find the killer?? Read to find out

I like how this book had action n Horror all the things you need. It was written in a way that makes you want to keep reading. Very interesting and fun loved this
Profile Image for Prantik Roy.
27 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 12, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

First of all, I would like to sincerely thank Mike Lemieux and the BookSirens team for providing me with an advance copy of The Sanford Crow. It was a privilege to be given the opportunity to read and review this novel ahead of its release.

This was a gripping psychological horror novel that kept me emotionally invested from beginning to end. What stood out to me the most was the way the story explores themes of trauma, memory, and the long shadows that the past can cast over a person’s life. The atmosphere throughout the book felt dark and tense, and the psychological elements made the narrative particularly engaging.

I also appreciated how the emotional stakes were handled. The characters carry deep scars from their past, and that emotional weight adds a strong human dimension to the horror elements of the story. At several moments, the narrative felt genuinely heartbreaking, which made the reading experience all the more impactful.

The pacing was generally effective, though there were a few moments where the narrative felt slightly uneven. However, the overall tension and emotional depth of the story kept me turning the pages.

Overall, The Sanford Crow was a compelling and emotionally powerful read. Readers who enjoy psychological horror and dark thrillers will likely find a lot to appreciate in this story.
Profile Image for Bama  Girl.
131 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy
March 17, 2026
This book was a total page-turner! I received a copy of Sandford Crow as an ARC and absolutely devoured it. From the prologue to the epilogue, I was hooked.

As a child, Sandford loved true crime comics and dreamed of becoming a detective. With a loving family and a younger brother who adored him, everything seemed perfect… until he began noticing his father’s disturbing behavior. His curiosity turns into horror when he discovers the truth: his father is a serial killer. When confronted, his father commits an unthinkable act that shatters Sandford’s life forever.

Fast forward twenty years—Sandford now owns a crime clean-up company, using his sharp instincts to dabble in amateur detective work. But when a string of family annihilation murders begins to mirror his father’s crimes, things take a chilling turn. His father is dead… so why does all the evidence point to Sandford himself? As he begins losing time, he’s forced to question what he might be capable of.

Even though I guessed the twist, it didn’t take away from the suspense at all. This was a gripping thriller that kept me fully invested the whole way through.

Thriller fans—this one’s for you!
111 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy
March 18, 2026
While the premise of Sanford Crow offers a gripping, high-stakes hook, the execution often feels like it’s pulling in two different directions, resulting in a middle-of-the-road reading experience. Mike Lemieux excels at atmospheric world-building—the transition from the eerie innocence of 1969 to the gritty, somber reality of Sanford’s life twenty-five years later is evocative and well-paced. However, the narrative struggles with predictable thriller tropes; the "sins of the father" motif and the protagonist’s battle with alcoholism feel a bit well-worn, making Sanford's personal journey feel more like a checklist of noir cliches than a fresh character study. Additionally, while the mystery starts strong, the final act relies on several convenient plot twists that undermine the grounded investigative tone established in the beginning. It’s a solid, atmospheric "Watty Winner" that fans of the genre will enjoy for a quick fix, but it lacks the narrative innovation needed to truly stand out in a crowded field of psychological thrillers.
Profile Image for JessReads24.
40 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 3, 2026
ARC from BookSirens

This is one of those stories that creeps up on you. It’s quiet at first, then steadily tightens its grip until you realize you’ve been holding your breath. Mike Lemieux builds a world that feels both familiar, and yet, deeply unsettling. The kind of space where every shadow seems to have a secret, every character carries more than they’re willing to speak of.

This story follows a man returning to a town that never really let go of him. As he reconnects with old memories, buried truths, and the prior town, the surroundings grow heavier, stranger, and more claustrophobic. This book leans into psychological rather than outright horror, creating dread of knowing something is wrong, before you can say what that something is.

It was vivid, moody, and layered with emotions. The blend of mystery, grief, and darkness brings you in, in a way that feels grounded, yet haunting. This story brings you in to the suspense slowly, letting the tension rise. If you enjoy that eerie feeling like somethings there…this one is for you! I enjoyed the read, and appreciate that the author had me looking over my shoulder in my own home to make sure nothing was there.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Jules_withtheaxe.
109 reviews8 followers
May 27, 2026
Sanford Crow has spent the last twenty-five years trying to outrun the fact that his father was a serial killer. Now divorced and struggling with alcoholism, he’s determined to get sober for the sake of his young daughter and not let his past define him. But when someone begins murdering entire families, the past he’s worked so hard to bury comes clawing back.

I appreciated that this was a character-driven novel, but unfortunately I found it difficult to connect with most of the adult characters. Many of their choices felt predictable, and parts of the story dragged for me. By the time the big reveal happened, I had already guessed it, so it didn’t have the impact it was clearly aiming for.

I think this book would have worked better for me if it had been tighter and less drawn out.

I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy psychological dramas with a strong focus on character over action.

I received a free Epub from Book Sirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Cricket1327_Zmob King.
221 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 26, 2026
First I want to say that this is an extremely good book!

There's amazingly well written characters within a storyline that has you holding your breath and on pins and needles to find out what's going to happen next.

Truly had me unsure about what was what, but in a good way, until the last couple of chapters.

The only downside to the book for me was it gets a little confusing sometimes because of the changes in the timeline and the characters inner conversations.

I definitely recommend reading it and I can't wait to find out what other great reads Mike Lemieux has out!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Mary Urban.
Author 3 books9 followers
Review of advance copy
April 10, 2026
I really liked the story and thoroughly enjoyed it right up until the final chapters… which I wish hadn't been written, as they resorted to the most unexpected and undesirable cliché. Had it not recourse to that, this book would be on my list of books that I've enjoyed so much that I'd plan to reread. Truth is, the story flows, keeping you on the edge of your seat. A real page-turner. It had a few minor plot holes and the occasional character inconsistency (the psychiatrist), but nothing irreparable. But those last chapters… A great disappointment.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Tessa Kinsela.
Author 2 books5 followers
Review of advance copy
March 25, 2026
This was a fast-paced and engaging read that kept me hooked from start to finish. There was always something evolving in the story which made me want to keep reading, and the characters were interesting enough to stay invested in their journeys. However, the multiple points of view sometimes felt excessive and made the narrative a little harder to follow. At times, the characters were also frustrating, particularly when their indecisiveness or delays in taking action which at times slowed the momentum. Overall, an entertaining and dynamic story, even if it occasionally tested my patience.
Profile Image for Pheadra.
1,142 reviews64 followers
April 29, 2026
I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
We are the sum of our experiences. In this instance, Sanford Crow is a troubled, alcoholic working as a crime scene cleaner. Not exactly his childhood dream job of becoming a detective, but close enough to keep the reader intrigued, particularly as a set of crime scenes mimics the crimes his own father committed years earlier. Is Sanford's memory, however, accurate or clouded by trauma and emotion, especially as he is the father to a precocious 8-year-old daughter? 4 stars
Profile Image for Jamie Rincker.
177 reviews10 followers
May 25, 2026
Sanford Crow is a lovable, kind character and you can't help but want to take him under your wing when you find out what his childhood was like. As an adult, he's handling a divorce and sharing his 8 year old daughter Sadie. Absolutely nobody seems to be on his side and are just out to hurt him in their own way. He's a super resilient character when it matters most though, even with his depression and self doubt. I give this a 4 though because the ending was predictable, although no other ending would have made sense. I'd say this was a pretty easy read.
Profile Image for Mary.
364 reviews13 followers
April 16, 2026
Based on the blurb, this book sounded really good. However, it did not live up to my expectation, and it was very predictable.

I struggled to actually finish it, maybe it was a me thing, rather than the book.

I will say it started off really strong, and had potential, but then it just seemed to merge a whole lot of cliche elements and it lost the plot, and the momentum.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
436 reviews
April 28, 2026
Phenomenal book!

I was captivated from the very first word..Mike Lemieux is an exceptional writer with a talent for keeping his readers entertained until the very last word! The storyline was just the right amount of intrigue/mystery for me…couldn’t wait to come back to it each time I had to put it down. I highly recommend this book ..it had just the right amount of everything! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
9 reviews
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May 25, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved the premise of this book. Sounded super interesting and it was in parts. Sanford finding out that his dad was a serial killer and then having his dad know that he does… blew my mind. Held my breath a couple times throughout. The one thing I found was that it jumped around too quick and I wasn't sure if it was Sanford or looking back at his dad or someone else sometimes. An interesting read for sure!
Profile Image for Laura Frey.
131 reviews
May 18, 2026
The Sanford Crow — A twisty, turny suspense story that powerfully shows how trauma affects not only one individual, but everyone who comes into contact with them. Dark, emotional, and layered with tension, this book keeps you questioning everything until the very end.
44 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 9, 2026
A woven story of a tragic childhood trauma that leads to love, understanding, redemption and a selfless act to protect the people Sanford loves the most in this world.
Profile Image for Marie-Ann Byrne.
11 reviews
April 28, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved this book. It ticked all the right boxes; suspenseful, creepy, edgy and full of twists and turns. The blurb alone had me hooked, I had to request it!

Sanford is a well written and deep character. While hitting the thriller nail on the head, this book also allows the reader to form a bond with Sanford. He’s instantly likeable; from caring for his little brother, to risking it all for his daughter, Sanford is character that you will be rooting for from start to finish.

Each character, whether you liked them or loathed them, is important to this story. The perfectly intertwined duo-timeline showing the world of Sanford then and Sanford now is layered with love and kindness, manipulation and deceit, and everything in between.
Profile Image for Iain Batten.
71 reviews3 followers
June 24, 2026
This marks my first experience with a work by this author, and it has been a pleasure. My literary preferences generally gravitate toward renowned authors such as Harlan Coben, Stephen King, Lee Child, Tom Clancy, Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson, Karin Slaughter, Tess Gerritsen, Clive Cussler, Preston W. Child, C.L. Sutton, KB Fisher, Joe Talon, and Judah Lamb—many of whom I have recently discovered. I am particularly drawn to narratives that swiftly capture my interest and tend to avoid those with slow beginnings.

I was immediately captivated by this book solely based on its description while searching for my next great read, and I was pleased to find that it exceeded my expectations. The pacing was exceptional, keeping me engaged throughout; I even found myself staying up late to finish it. The story encompasses all the elements of a compelling cinematic experience, featuring exceptionally well-developed characters and a plot that leaves readers breathless with anticipation.

Although I was able to predict the twist, this did not detract from the overall suspense. It was a gripping thriller that maintained my attention from start to finish.

The only drawback for me was the occasional confusion caused by shifts in the timeline and the characters’ internal dialogues.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mike Lemieux and the BookSirens team for providing me with an advance copy of The Sanford Crow. It was a privilege to read and review this novel.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews