Harlow feels everything too deeply—and acts on it. Where others hesitate, she moves, driven by emotion, and a relentless need to make things right. Jude sees the world differently. He questions, observes, and tries to hold onto logic in a life that rarely offers clear answers. Together, they balance each other—until the line between impulse and understanding begins to fracture.
But after a devastating turn of events, everything changes.
Presley struggles to navigate a life shaped by what came before—piecing together love, truth, and the weight of choices she never made. Through the pages left behind, she begins to uncover not just who her parents were… but what her mom became.
And the deeper she reads, the harder it is to separate justice from obsession, memories from reality.
The Journal Keepers is an emotional psychological thriller about perspective, consequence, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.
When this was described as an emotional thriller, I didn't expect to feel actual emotions. I almost cried. Twice! JD Setzer went places in this book that I never anticipated. I can honestly say it I was shocked more than once. The pacing in this book picked up, sped up, and never stopped. I loved the first book, but I think this one was even better! Dare I hope for a 3rd?
Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Journal Keepers by J.D Setzer
What the… I feel destroyed. Like what happened? This was brutal. Unnecessary. Completely uncalled for. I would like to speak to management.
I was NOT emotionally prepared for this. Somewhere around the halfway point, I was ready to throw my Kindle out of my bedroom window and let it drown in the pouring rain. Then I remembered I actually paid for the damn thing. I also wanted to slap the author silly.
I literally yelled: “WAIT… WHAT?!”“NOOOOOOO!” “OH, COME ON!” And then just sat there staring at the pages like they had personally betrayed me. O. M. G. I hated this book just as much as I bloody loved every single written word.
And honestly? Perfect timing. I was already emotionally sucker-punched by life, so naturally I thought, You know what would improve my day? A brutal, twisted murder story. Excellent decision, Cheyenne. Absolutely no notes.
This book also gave me the very welcome realization that I am never allowed to say my day sucked balls again. Because apparently there are levels.
My dark and twisted little brain had a completely different story prepared before I even properly got into this one. I had theories. I had ideas. I thought I knew where this was going. Bless my naïve little soul. Setzer basically took all my expectations, put them through a woodchipper, and handed them back to me in pieces. And I loved every bloody second of it.
I can’t say more because NO SPOILERS. If you haven’t read this yet, GO. READ. IT.
Especially if you crave explained murder with a generous side of heartbreak, a dash of history, and carefully chosen words that somehow make everything hurt even more. Just remember: Book 2, so read Book 1 first.
And be prepared, because calling this an emotional rollercoaster is putting it mildly. Rollercoasters have safety harnesses. This book does not give a damn about your emotional wellbeing.
I inhaled this in a little over an hour and my emotions are STILL doing bloody gymnastics. So thank you, JD. Thank you for the trauma. The emotional damage. I think I’ll be sending you an invoice for some extra therapy sessions.
Obviously, FIVE EMOTIONALLY DAMAGED, SLIGHTLY UNHINGED STARS. My sanity may not have survived, but apparently the book did.
A darker, deeper, and more addictive descent into the secrets we keep." 🖋️🔪
After the intensity of the first book, I didn't think JD Setzer could take this story to an even darker place, but Book 2 has officially earned a permanent spot in my heart. This isn't just a sequel; it’s an evolution of everything that made the first installment great, elevated by even more visceral storytelling and complex psychological stakes.
Why this sequel is a masterpiece:
Immersive Atmosphere: The level of detail in every scene is nothing short of incredible. Setzer’s descriptive prowess is so sharp that I felt like a silent observer, completely immersed in the dangerous world of the characters.
Presley and Harlow: The story of Presley and her mother, Harlow, is haunting. Their dynamic is etched into my mind "rent-free." It’s a raw, emotional exploration of heritage, trauma, and the darkness that can run in a family.
The Power of the Journal: This book perfectly illustrates why a journal is more than just paper and ink. In this story, it represents the key to sanity, information, and solace. Setzer brilliantly captures how documentation can be both a weapon and a lifeline when the world feels like it’s falling apart.
Brutally Real: While this is a work of fiction, the commentary on our broken systems feels uncomfortably real and raw. It’s a fascinating, gritty reflection of modern fears that kept me glued to the pages.
The Reading Experience:
I finished this in just two days. It wasn’t because I was rushing; it was because I literally couldn't stop. Setzer has mastered the "Just One More Chapter" hook—you don't realize how deep you are until you’ve reached the final page, completely breathless.
The Plot Twist:
The plot twist in this installment hit hard, but it was incredibly satisfying. It’s the kind of revelation that redefines everything you thought you knew, leaving me questioning: Was this truly the end, or is it only the beginning of a much larger, more sinister storm?
Verdict:
JD Setzer is a phenomenal talent with an uncanny ability to hold a reader captive. I am already desperate for Book 3. If you want a thriller that challenges your mind and stays with you long after the final word, this series is mandatory reading. An easy 5-star recommendation. 🌟📚
I read the first part of My Wife is a Serial Killer and loved it. I love Jude and Harlow! They are a great couple together even though they may not agree on things that Harlow does. She's just doing the right thing in her eyes (I kinda agree with her!) But this but shows us their daughter Presley growing up and what she's learning through the years. It definitely broke my heart quite a few times but I loved this book too! Definitely look forward to more!
The Journal Keepers: My Wife Is a Serial Killer by JD Setzer is the second book in the series.
The story follows Harlow and Jude after welcoming their baby girl, Parsely. As Harlow becomes more impulsive and reckless with her secret, it leads to a series of emotional and heartbreaking events.
As the story unfolds, Parsely discovers the truth about her mother. At first, she struggles to come to terms with it, but before long it becomes a case of “like mother, like daughter.”
This book made me cry, so prepare the tissues. The second instalment is emotional, raw, and deeply focused on survival. I’ve truly become in awe of Setzer’s writing and the universe he has created. If you love psychological thrillers that keep you on edge while taking you on an emotional rollercoaster, then definitely pick this one up.
I thought My Wife Is A Serial Killer was unhinged, this one is even better! Hallows daughter is growing up and deals with tragedy at age 11. You find out why Harlow was what she was and that Jude loved her no matter what. Presley is not going to allow her family to continue with tragedy. This is a must read!!
“The Journal Keepers” by J.D. Setzer (Book 2 in My Wife is a Serial Killer) absolutely wrecked me. This one hits hard on every level, emotionally intense, thought provoking, and impossible to put down. At its core, it’s a story about perspective, the consequences of our actions, and the narratives we create to survive the unthinkable. Setzer does an incredible job peeling back layers of truth and self deception, forcing you to question what’s real and what’s justified. I finished this feeling completely drained in the best way. It’s dark, powerful, and lingers long after the final page.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Book 2 completely wrecked me—in the best way possible. The emotional intensity in this one hits hard, and just when you think you have it figured out, that plot twist comes in and flips everything. I was not ready. J.D. Setzer really knows how to pull you in and keep you hooked from start to finish. The suspense, the pacing, the raw emotion… everything landed perfectly.
This is a fast paced, fun read! I was so anxious to see what happened to Harlow and Jude.
This book is one double take after another. It unravels at a break neck pace as their daughter grows up and faces the world that she was born into. Which parent will she follow?
This is the breathtaking sequel to the love story that you didn't know you needed!!
I received this advanced copy from the author, and I leave my review voluntarily. Expected release 5 June.
Harlow has a deep need to set things right - to punish those who hurt and abuse others - and the enablers. Her husband Jude is the opposite. He's calmer and more pragmatic. Harlow makes an error in judgement and starts to unravel. She questions the choices that she's made as their lives have dramatically changed lately, as have their priorities.
Presley HAS to get to the bottom of it all. A horrific event occurred, and she needs answers!!! She finds journals written by generations before her. Through these, she uncovers some brutally confronting truths.
Can she right the wrongs of the past that she didn't choose???
I'm a wreck. No, really, a WRECK. If you thought My Wife is a Serial Killer was a super twisted story about vigilante justice, then buckle up. This one hits deeper, wayyyy deeper. Harlow and Jude's relationship is beautiful, yet complex. Their family dynamics are strong and seemingly unbreakable - until they do.
An emotionally intense story that peels back truths in layers. Tissues are mandatory and book 1 must be read first.
Thanks J. D, this is my fifth book of yours and I just love your writing. You pull the reader in immediately and enable us to feel - deeply. It's taken me a day to formulate this review because I was not ok after finishing the book.
Harlow and Jude's story is unique, as is Presley's. I've seen the future and it shows a continuing series...👀😂
Listen, I know how hard it is to review a sequel without spoiling any of the books in the series, so I'll keep it simple.
If you read My Wife is a Serial Killer and the ending wrecked you (same), this is the payoff. It is a payoff. Setzer doesn't drag his feet, doesn't tease. He answers the questions and closes the door, in a way only Setzer would.
The characters are the real win here. I loved them in the first book. That love increased in book two. Jude and Harlow are my favorite couple. They are richly developed and complex. Setzer's words bring all the characters to life in a way that feels like they are friends of yours. The new POVs Setzer brings in earn their way onto the page. By the end, I was just as attached (maybe more) to them as I was to the originals. There's a generational weight to this book, and watching it unfold across different voices is what makes the whole thing land.
The writing is perfect. Tight when it needs to be. Room to breathe just a little, but not too long. This book moves fast. I read it at lightning speed.
Read book one first. Obviously. Then read this. Then come find me so we can scream about it.
If you thought things couldn’t get more twisted after My Wife is a Serial Killer, think again. The Journal Keepers by J.D. Setzer picks up where Book 1 left off, diving deeper into the unsettling, addictive dynamic between Jude and Harlow. This sequel doesn’t waste time—it builds on the tension of the first book and pushes it further, blending domestic life with an ever-growing sense of dread.
What makes this installment so gripping is how it slowly peels back layers through the use of journals, revealing truths that are as shocking as they are unsettling. Just when you think you understand what’s happening, the story shifts, forcing you to question everything all over again. The mix of family life—especially with their daughter Presley—and the underlying darkness creates a constant push and pull that keeps the pages turning.
This is a solid continuation rather than a standalone, so you’ll definitely want to read Book 1 first to fully appreciate the stakes and character dynamics. If you enjoy psychological thrillers that lean into manipulation, unreliable perspectives, and slow-burn tension that escalates into full-blown chaos, this one delivers.
Wow, what a wild ride! Run, don't walk, to buy yourself a copy; expected release date is June 5th. The Journal Keepers is the sequel to My Wife is a Serial Killer by my favorite indie author, J.D. Setzer. I was lucky enough to get to read a copy of the ARC before the release date. This book had me hooked from the start and kept me enthralled the until the very end. The characters were so well written and J.D. has such a beautiful way of writing that keeps the storyline tight, but still gives the reader room to interpret and connect with the story and the characters. I don't want to give any details that would be considered spoilers, so let me just say that the twists and turns were incredible and it was an absolute emotional rollercoaster! 10/10 I will be recommending both of these books to anyone who will listen! 😁 Have your tissues ready and please check the trigger warnings before reading.
An emotional rollercoaster I never wanted to get off—every chapter pulled me deeper, and I truly could not put it down. The twists, the tension, the way everything unfolds… absolutely unforgettable. 🥲
From start to finish, I was hooked. Every twist pulled me deeper, and I found myself thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading. I loved every second of this. If you’re looking for a gripping, heart-pounding story that keeps you hooked from start to finish & havin’ you feel all the feels… this is it.
📖 Highly recommend reading this after My Wife is a Serial Killer—it makes the experience even better.
The second installment of this series was amazing, heartbreaking and kept me up at night so I could finish it and find out what happened.
We get to watch Presley grow up into an adult while finding out things about her parents that shocked her. We watch her build a relationship with her aunt Ashley and we also get to witness her heartbreaking over and over again.
Make sure to have your tissues ready because this one will tug at your heart strings, so just be ready.
I can’t wait to see where this series goes. It’s by far my favorite I have read.
I’m still processing the entire story! But here is my review 🤯
I went in expecting one thing and got hit with something so much deeper. This one had way more heart, emotion, and character depth than book one, and honestly? I was not prepared. It keeps you guessing while also making you genuinely feel for these characters on a whole different level.
This wasn’t just a sequel… it was an emotional rollercoaster and such a beautiful conclusion to the series. Different, heartfelt, and absolutely worth the ride. J.D. Setzer really delivered with this one.
The Journal Keepers was such an emotional read. I kept wanting to know what happened next, and the emotional moments hit hard throughout the book.
What I loved most was the depth of the relationships and the way the story balanced mystery with emotion. Not many books actually make me tear up, but this one did a few times. Some scenes were absolutely heartbreaking, and I found myself really feeling for the characters and everything they were going through. Especially Presley.
A great second book to the series. Hoping for a third.
I absolutely loved this one! It was such a great continuation of the story, and I loved seeing everything come together. So many pieces fell into place as the story unfolded, and it made the whole journey even more satisfying.
I was completely invested from beginning to end, and I really enjoyed the way everything developed and ultimately came together. It was gripping, emotional, and full of moments that kept me wanting to know what would happen next.
A fantastic follow-up that made me love the story even more. Definitely a five-star read for me! ❤️
For fans of My Wife Is A Serial Killer, Book 2: The Journal Keepers is an absolute must read. Author, J.D. Setzer pulled out all the stops to give us an intensely raw story that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster right alongside the main characters. Warning: Tissues are recommended. Releasing June 5, 2026
A hauntingly perfect sequel to My Wife is a Serial Killer. I loved Harlow and Jude even more than the first book, and JD Setzer has a way of making every character feel like a member of your own family. I was truly immersed. A well-deserved 5 stars. I highly recommend reading the books back to back.
WOW what an emotional rollercoaster. After reading My Wife is a Serial Killer I had to dive into The Journal Keepers. It kept me second-guessing throughout and I just couldn't put it down. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but if you enjoyed MWIASK then The Journal Keeper's is a MUST.
"The Journal Keepers" was an emotional read for me. Once again, J.D. Setzer hooked me right away. The characters he developed in the first book carried over to this one and they had me all up in my feelings. I laughed some and cried some. This book was THAT GOOD!