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Unthinkable
They wanted a safe home. What they got was something unthinkable…
Twenty years after her family was slaughtered in a run-down mountain holiday park, Erin Carver is pulled back to the place that destroyed her life when her younger brother, who also survived, is found wandering near the scene of the crime, dazed and terrified.
The murders were never solved. The story became legend. Now a hit true-crime podcast is dragging it all back into the spotlight.
But when Erin starts asking questions, she discovers that the danger may never have come from where everyone thought.
And as old memories surface and the truth edges closer, Erin is forced to confront the one possibility more frightening than the nightmare she has lived with for twenty years... the killer was never a stranger.
But when push comes to shove, will Erin confront the past, or should she run for the hills?
Dark, immersive, devastating, and inspired by true events, Unthinkable is a gripping psychological thriller novel about survival, memory, and the terrible cost of truths left buried. Perfect for fans of The Last House on Needless Street, The Push, and Sharp Objects.
Twenty years after her family was slaughtered in a run-down mountain holiday park, Erin Carver is pulled back to the place that destroyed her life when her younger brother, who also survived, is found wandering near the scene of the crime, dazed and terrified.
The murders were never solved. The story became legend. Now a hit true-crime podcast is dragging it all back into the spotlight.
But when Erin starts asking questions, she discovers that the danger may never have come from where everyone thought.
And as old memories surface and the truth edges closer, Erin is forced to confront the one possibility more frightening than the nightmare she has lived with for twenty years... the killer was never a stranger.
But when push comes to shove, will Erin confront the past, or should she run for the hills?
Dark, immersive, devastating, and inspired by true events, Unthinkable is a gripping psychological thriller novel about survival, memory, and the terrible cost of truths left buried. Perfect for fans of The Last House on Needless Street, The Push, and Sharp Objects.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 21, 2026
3☆
Unthinkable is based on a true family massacre. I think I watched a true crime episode about a similar incident, but Jordan's fictional embellishments in the novel make it more gut wrenching.
The murders of a frightened woman, two of her four children and a neighbor boy are at the center of this book. Twenty years later, on the anniversary of the Catskill Carver Murders, the surviving children, Erin and Logan, are thrust back into the nightmare they survived because of the morbid curiosity of the masses.
The crassness of a true crime podcaster pushes Logan to mental collapse and Erin into a hunt for the truth. The siblings are utterly ruined in the end, but a nihilistic mike jockey gets the story because, "Nothing stayed buried when other people decided there was an audience for it."
Jordan could have shortened the novel by a third if she had quit reiterating the teenage angst of a fourteen year old Erin and the teenage anger of Tyler, Erin's older brother. The same scenarios kept repeating ad nauseum. Expanding on media exploitation of a families demise, and how abhorrent that is, was impactful but too short. Digging into, and airing, a families worst day is a crime in itself.
Favorite Words:
"It was to the ethic of the place, where women learned the difference between what frightened them and what they were allowed to call frightening, and where community depended as much on silence as on shared life."
Unthinkable is based on a true family massacre. I think I watched a true crime episode about a similar incident, but Jordan's fictional embellishments in the novel make it more gut wrenching.
The murders of a frightened woman, two of her four children and a neighbor boy are at the center of this book. Twenty years later, on the anniversary of the Catskill Carver Murders, the surviving children, Erin and Logan, are thrust back into the nightmare they survived because of the morbid curiosity of the masses.
The crassness of a true crime podcaster pushes Logan to mental collapse and Erin into a hunt for the truth. The siblings are utterly ruined in the end, but a nihilistic mike jockey gets the story because, "Nothing stayed buried when other people decided there was an audience for it."
Jordan could have shortened the novel by a third if she had quit reiterating the teenage angst of a fourteen year old Erin and the teenage anger of Tyler, Erin's older brother. The same scenarios kept repeating ad nauseum. Expanding on media exploitation of a families demise, and how abhorrent that is, was impactful but too short. Digging into, and airing, a families worst day is a crime in itself.
Favorite Words:
"It was to the ethic of the place, where women learned the difference between what frightened them and what they were allowed to call frightening, and where community depended as much on silence as on shared life."
June 22, 2026
Y’all, Unthinkable by Jenna Jordan absolutely got its hooks in me and refused to let go. 🏕️🔪😱
Twenty years after a brutal massacre at a rundown mountain holiday park claimed her family, Erin Carver is dragged back into the nightmare when her surviving brother is found near the scene, terrified and unable to explain what happened. Add a true-crime podcast stirring up old ghosts, and suddenly long-buried secrets start clawing their way to the surface.
Erin is a fantastic protagonist—scarred, determined, and impossible not to root for. The mystery unfolds like peeling back rotten wallpaper: every layer reveals something darker underneath. Jenna Jordan’s writing is atmospheric and immersive, wrapping the reader in a fog of dread while expertly weaving together memory, trauma, and suspense.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dark, haunting, and packed with twists, Unthinkable proves that sometimes the most terrifying monsters aren’t strangers lurking in the woods—they’re the ones hiding in plain sight. This one gave me chills and a serious case of “just one more chapter.” 💀📖🔥
Twenty years after a brutal massacre at a rundown mountain holiday park claimed her family, Erin Carver is dragged back into the nightmare when her surviving brother is found near the scene, terrified and unable to explain what happened. Add a true-crime podcast stirring up old ghosts, and suddenly long-buried secrets start clawing their way to the surface.
Erin is a fantastic protagonist—scarred, determined, and impossible not to root for. The mystery unfolds like peeling back rotten wallpaper: every layer reveals something darker underneath. Jenna Jordan’s writing is atmospheric and immersive, wrapping the reader in a fog of dread while expertly weaving together memory, trauma, and suspense.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dark, haunting, and packed with twists, Unthinkable proves that sometimes the most terrifying monsters aren’t strangers lurking in the woods—they’re the ones hiding in plain sight. This one gave me chills and a serious case of “just one more chapter.” 💀📖🔥
July 15, 2026
This was a fast paced read with a great mystery storyline behind it. There is no twist or huge reveals but the book flows smoothly.
Erin carver returns to the rundown mountain park that her family were brutally murdered in twenty years ago. She lost her mum, brother and sister and the only other survivor was her 6 year old brother Logan. With a true crime podcast raking up the past for the anniversary and her brother Logan spinning into a further spiral, Erin sets to dig up the past to find out the truth of what happened.
Erin carver returns to the rundown mountain park that her family were brutally murdered in twenty years ago. She lost her mum, brother and sister and the only other survivor was her 6 year old brother Logan. With a true crime podcast raking up the past for the anniversary and her brother Logan spinning into a further spiral, Erin sets to dig up the past to find out the truth of what happened.
July 25, 2026
Unfortunately, I was not a fan of this book. The villain was not very "hidden" with the other potential villain. There was way too much description about every environment the main character was in. A character being mentioned here and there and at the end with no resolution is annoying. It could have been saved if it happened to of been working with the villain and the villain killed that character as well. This would have been a one star, but there was one thing that happened that I didnt see coming, so, two it is.
July 30, 2026
I Was Waiting for the Floor to Drop… It Never Did
ARC Review: Thank you to the author/publisher for the advance copy. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I spent this entire book waiting for the moment it would completely wreck me.
It never quite got there—but it kept me invested enough that I wanted to see how the truth unraveled.
The premise immediately hooked me, and the central mystery never stopped asking compelling questions. A decades-old tragedy, fractured memories, buried family secrets, and the unsettling possibility that everyone has believed the wrong version of events made for a strong foundation. I enjoyed my time with Unthinkable, but I also found myself wishing the execution had matched the ambition of its premise. This wasn't a disappointing read—it simply settled into "good" territory when I kept hoping it would become unforgettable. For me, that's less about personal taste and more about a story that never fully capitalized on its strongest ideas.
The atmosphere is easily one of the novel's greatest strengths. The isolated mountain setting carries a lingering sense of unease, and the story builds quiet psychological tension without relying on nonstop action or graphic horror. Erin is an easy protagonist to invest in because her determination feels rooted in genuine emotional pain rather than plot convenience. I also appreciated that the mystery trusted readers to piece things together alongside the characters instead of overexplaining every reveal. The themes of trauma, memory, and grief add meaningful emotional weight to the investigation, giving the story more depth than a standard whodunit.
Where the novel lost some momentum for me was in its emotional payoff. While I stayed interested in the mystery, I was never completely consumed by it. Some character moments felt underdeveloped, which kept the emotional beats from landing as hard as they could have. The suspense consistently simmered, but it rarely escalated into the kind of pulse-raising tension I expected from the premise. The twists fit the story and made sense in hindsight, but they felt more satisfying than shocking. I admired how the mystery came together, but I never reached that moment where I had to stop reading to process what I'd learned. The ingredients for a standout psychological thriller were all there—I just wanted the execution to push them further.
The writing is atmospheric, easy to read, and does a good job maintaining a steady sense of unease. The shifts between past and present are handled clearly, and the short chapters keep the story moving at a consistent pace. My biggest issue was that the emotional intensity stayed fairly even throughout the novel. The tension steadily built, but it rarely shifted into something truly urgent, making the final payoff feel satisfying rather than unforgettable. The structure is solid, but I finished the book feeling like it never quite reached the emotional heights it was aiming for.
I'd recommend Unthinkable to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers driven by atmosphere, trauma, family secrets, and cold case mysteries more than constant action or explosive twists. If you enjoy slowly unraveling mysteries where the psychological journey matters just as much as solving the crime, there's a good chance this will work better for you than it did for me. Readers looking for relentless suspense or jaw-dropping twists may come away wanting a little more.
Overall, Unthinkable delivers a compelling mystery wrapped in a haunting atmosphere, even if it never fully reached the emotional intensity I was hoping for. I enjoyed the journey, appreciated what the novel was trying to accomplish, and think the right readers will connect with it more deeply than I did. It has strong ideas and memorable moments—I just wish the execution had hit with the same force as its premise.
Unthinkable is a solid psychological thriller with a memorable premise, and while it didn't completely deliver on its potential for me, I think readers who favor slow-burning, character-driven suspense will find plenty to appreciate.
⭐️Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🫠Emotional Damage Level: 🫠🫠 .5— I was intrigued, but I Wanted More
🔥Chaos Level: 🔥🔥🔥 — Controlled Chaos
🔪Tension: 🟡 — Something’s Off
🌀Twist Impact: 🌀🌀 — Okay, Fine
‼️Content Intensity: 🟡 — Mildly Heavy/ Light Shadows
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
ARC Review: Thank you to the author/publisher for the advance copy. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I spent this entire book waiting for the moment it would completely wreck me.
It never quite got there—but it kept me invested enough that I wanted to see how the truth unraveled.
The premise immediately hooked me, and the central mystery never stopped asking compelling questions. A decades-old tragedy, fractured memories, buried family secrets, and the unsettling possibility that everyone has believed the wrong version of events made for a strong foundation. I enjoyed my time with Unthinkable, but I also found myself wishing the execution had matched the ambition of its premise. This wasn't a disappointing read—it simply settled into "good" territory when I kept hoping it would become unforgettable. For me, that's less about personal taste and more about a story that never fully capitalized on its strongest ideas.
The atmosphere is easily one of the novel's greatest strengths. The isolated mountain setting carries a lingering sense of unease, and the story builds quiet psychological tension without relying on nonstop action or graphic horror. Erin is an easy protagonist to invest in because her determination feels rooted in genuine emotional pain rather than plot convenience. I also appreciated that the mystery trusted readers to piece things together alongside the characters instead of overexplaining every reveal. The themes of trauma, memory, and grief add meaningful emotional weight to the investigation, giving the story more depth than a standard whodunit.
Where the novel lost some momentum for me was in its emotional payoff. While I stayed interested in the mystery, I was never completely consumed by it. Some character moments felt underdeveloped, which kept the emotional beats from landing as hard as they could have. The suspense consistently simmered, but it rarely escalated into the kind of pulse-raising tension I expected from the premise. The twists fit the story and made sense in hindsight, but they felt more satisfying than shocking. I admired how the mystery came together, but I never reached that moment where I had to stop reading to process what I'd learned. The ingredients for a standout psychological thriller were all there—I just wanted the execution to push them further.
The writing is atmospheric, easy to read, and does a good job maintaining a steady sense of unease. The shifts between past and present are handled clearly, and the short chapters keep the story moving at a consistent pace. My biggest issue was that the emotional intensity stayed fairly even throughout the novel. The tension steadily built, but it rarely shifted into something truly urgent, making the final payoff feel satisfying rather than unforgettable. The structure is solid, but I finished the book feeling like it never quite reached the emotional heights it was aiming for.
I'd recommend Unthinkable to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers driven by atmosphere, trauma, family secrets, and cold case mysteries more than constant action or explosive twists. If you enjoy slowly unraveling mysteries where the psychological journey matters just as much as solving the crime, there's a good chance this will work better for you than it did for me. Readers looking for relentless suspense or jaw-dropping twists may come away wanting a little more.
Overall, Unthinkable delivers a compelling mystery wrapped in a haunting atmosphere, even if it never fully reached the emotional intensity I was hoping for. I enjoyed the journey, appreciated what the novel was trying to accomplish, and think the right readers will connect with it more deeply than I did. It has strong ideas and memorable moments—I just wish the execution had hit with the same force as its premise.
Unthinkable is a solid psychological thriller with a memorable premise, and while it didn't completely deliver on its potential for me, I think readers who favor slow-burning, character-driven suspense will find plenty to appreciate.
⭐️Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🫠Emotional Damage Level: 🫠🫠 .5— I was intrigued, but I Wanted More
🔥Chaos Level: 🔥🔥🔥 — Controlled Chaos
🔪Tension: 🟡 — Something’s Off
🌀Twist Impact: 🌀🌀 — Okay, Fine
‼️Content Intensity: 🟡 — Mildly Heavy/ Light Shadows
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was my first book by Jenna Jordan, and it definitely won't be my last! This was one of those books that grabbed me right away and refused to let go. The pacing was fast, the chapters flew by, and every time I thought about putting it down, I needed "just one more chapter." I'll admit that I figured out the twist before the reveal, but honestly, that didn't hurt my enjoyment at all. Sometimes the fun isn't in *who* did it, it's in watching all the pieces come together and learning the why and how. Once my suspicions started forming, I couldn't wait to see everything unravel. I also appreciated how clearly the timelines were presented. The chapters were well organized and clearly marked, making it easy to follow the past and present storylines without confusion. Given how much I read, I can tell you that isn't always the case! The true-crime podcast angle, the unsolved family massacre, and the possibility that the danger came from somewhere much closer than anyone realized kept me completely invested. Erin was easy to root for, and I found myself desperate for answers right alongside her.
This was a fast-paced, engaging thriller that kept me turning pages late into the night. Even when I suspected where things were heading, I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know how it all fit together.
This was a fast-paced, engaging thriller that kept me turning pages late into the night. Even when I suspected where things were heading, I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know how it all fit together.
June 23, 2026
This was an absolutely mind blowing psychological thriller. Erin had lost her parents in a massacre years ago. The murderers were never found. A podcast decides they’re going to pick this story up. And then Erin finds her brother at the scene just wandering like he was scared. Right from the beginning I was drawn in. I couldn’t put this one down. I was so invested in finding out what happened and who did it. I loved the twists and turns. They kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Absolutely loved the depth and the description this story was written with. It was like standing right there with Erin trying to figure out what happened. This is the first time I’ve read this author and it definitely won’t be the last.
July 15, 2026
Gripping story
This is a gripping story and page turner. Even though it's kind of obvious where it's headed, the author draws the suspense out really well. There are also unexpected twists wrapping up the story.
Some editing and punctuation fixes would have improved it overall.
Also, some of the words and phrases are British although the story takes place in upstate NY. One slip was a child saying Mum instead of Mom and the overuse of the word "properly" which isn't that common in the US.
Besides those minor distractions, it's a great read.
This is a gripping story and page turner. Even though it's kind of obvious where it's headed, the author draws the suspense out really well. There are also unexpected twists wrapping up the story.
Some editing and punctuation fixes would have improved it overall.
Also, some of the words and phrases are British although the story takes place in upstate NY. One slip was a child saying Mum instead of Mom and the overuse of the word "properly" which isn't that common in the US.
Besides those minor distractions, it's a great read.
August 21, 2026
Hmmmmmmmmm. This one has me feeling some type of way. I thought it was really well written. I cared about the characters. It was a great plot. The execution was just a tiny bit lacking for me. It was different because we knew pretty much right away who the killer was. Part of me wishes there had been some crazy twist, but I also understand why there wasn’t. I am honestly gutted that Erin was killed in the exact same way as her mom. It certainly wasn’t a satisfying ending and that was the point. Sometimes bad things happen. And then happen again. And again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2026
It was a good suspense story. I must admit I did not like the main character at all, Erin. I tried to feel sympathy or empathy or concern for this character but I could not find anything about her character that elicited those feelings. She seemed cold and rigid. She treated her partner, who only wanted to care and show concern for her wellbeing, like crap. There were several grammatical errors though so I think a proof reader should have been used.
July 12, 2026
Author said it all!
Lazy police work. Those were the words that went through my head from the time I realized who was to blame and the final blow. Plus you will see an under current of "people really don't listen" when women throw out signals. Sorry this was nearly a 5* until the end.
Lazy police work. Those were the words that went through my head from the time I realized who was to blame and the final blow. Plus you will see an under current of "people really don't listen" when women throw out signals. Sorry this was nearly a 5* until the end.
July 25, 2026
So, I was really enjoying this book. I was thinking 4, maybe 5 stars. But the reveal was really flat, then the twist came. While I almost applaud the author in a way for her originality, I was too horrified. It just ruined my enjoyment of why I read books. Hence the 2 stars. I’m afraid to read any more by this author even though I enjoyed reading a prior book.
July 7, 2026
Unexpected
Really well done. The twist at the end had me shouting no, no, nooooo!!!! It's not a cheery story but a great read or listen.
Really well done. The twist at the end had me shouting no, no, nooooo!!!! It's not a cheery story but a great read or listen.
July 10, 2026
Horrible. Most anticlimactic book I’ve ever read.
July 12, 2026
great book!
I really enjoyed this book. It was intriguing and hard to put down. Then the ending ........ !!! Well done! Now I'm going to read your next book./1
I really enjoyed this book. It was intriguing and hard to put down. Then the ending ........ !!! Well done! Now I'm going to read your next book./1
July 23, 2026
Pretty good book. I liked the premise and the way the story developed, even if the “mystery” was pretty obvious. Well written.
July 25, 2026
It was decent read but being based on true events it's sad to think what all happens in this world.
August 14, 2026
brilliant
This is an amazing read, twists & turns & an ending you didn't think about.
Highly recommend you read this book
This is an amazing read, twists & turns & an ending you didn't think about.
Highly recommend you read this book
August 21, 2026
3 1/2 stars
August 22, 2026
Based on a real life case.
The story dragged and the reveal was predictable and underwhelming.
2.5 🌟
The story dragged and the reveal was predictable and underwhelming.
2.5 🌟
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews