Flowers for the Dead

by Barbara Copperthwaite

ADAM WILL DO ANYTHING TO MAKE YOU HAPPY. EVEN IF IT KILLS YOU.
Adam Bourne is a serial killer who thinks he is a saviour. When he murders young women and cuts off their lips, he believes he has done it to make them happy.
How did he become warped from the sensitive four-year-old who adored his gran and the fairy tales she read to him? What turned him into a monster who stalks his victims? And what is he trying to say with the bouquets he sends?
When he meets Laura Weir, Adam weaves a fairy tale romance around them. A tale she has no idea she is part of. As he hatches his twisted plan for their fairy tale ending, can anyone stop him before he creates the ultimate sacrifice to love?

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Serial Killer, Psychological Thriller

353 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 2015

About the author

What people say about Barbara's books:

"Will have you looking over your shoulder and under your bed... Original, gripping, with a deep psychological impact," Sunday Mirror
"Enthralling, tense and moving," Real People magazine
"Totally gripping, and scarily believable," Bella magazine

Barbara is the Amazon and USA Today bestselling author of psychological thrillers INVISIBLE, FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD, THE DARKEST LIES, HER LAST SECRET, and THE PERFECT FRIEND. Her new book, THE GIRL IN THE MISSING POSTER, is out on 23 February but available to pre-order now!

More importantly, she loves cakes, wildlife photography and, last but definitely not least, her two dogs, Scamp and Buddy (who force her to throw tennis balls for them for hours).
​​
Having spent over twenty years as a national newspaper and magazine journalist, Barbara has interviewed the real victims of crime - and also those who have carried those crimes out. She is fascinated by creating realistic, complex characters, and taking them apart before the readers' eyes in order to discover just how much it takes to push a person over a line.

When not writing feverishly, she is often found hiding behind a camera, taking wildlife photographs.

To find out more about Barbara's novels, go to www.facebook.com/AuthorBarbaraCoppert... or follow @BCopperthwait on Twitter. To find out more about Barbara go to www.barbaracopperthwaite.com

Reviews

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The sad fact is his track record with women is very bad so far. They tend to hurt him and let him down badly. No matter what lovely things he does for them they seem unappreciative. Often, they showed a bewildering inability to be happy. When that happens he is always forced to act, to put his own needs aside, and to put the woman out of her misery."

Sighhhhhhhh ... How friggin sweet is that? Move over Kellan Kyle, I think Adam Bourne is my new book boyfriend. *swoon*

And boy does he need a check up from the neck up.

The abuse he suffered as a child involves a topic I've yet to ever read in a book and it makes for a disturbing read. I mean, damn, it's fucked the fuck up.

I liked this book, didn't love it. It dragged on for too long, too many repetitive actions for my liking. That being said, I'd pick up another book by this author. If this book is any indication, she could use a check up herself.

3.5 Stars rounded up ⭐


** this book is available on Kindle Unlimited. Free is affordable, amiright? **

[Angela Marsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. I found myself both frightened of and sympathetic to Adam at the same time. His pursuit of Laura was relentless but given his past his mental state was quite understandable although I'm not sure Laura would agree. The tension built throughout towards the breathtaking and emotional climax. Highly recommended.

[Ink_Drinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read this year!! It had just enough twist, turns and creepiness in it to keep me turning pages way past my bedtime!!

If you want to get into the mind of a serial killer, this one is for you!! Don’t be surprised when you start to feel empathy towards this monster….it was a weird feeling to say the least!!!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC of this book.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another new author to me but an excellent read.

In many ways Adam is the ideal boyfriend. Attentive, aware of all Laura's likes and dislikes, buys her flowers, cooks , cleans but Laura has never met Adam. Laura is in a bad place in life generally and has never gotten over the car crash that killed her family. So is further disturbed when strange occurrences happen leaving her feeling more vulnerable. 
The police won't listen to Laura's concerns so she is forced to fight back on her own. 

This is quite a disturbing novel in someways but an interesting read. Adam Bourne is a serial killer who murders women and cuts off their lips. The story is told by going back and forwards to incidents in Adams life and things become clearer to why he is the way he is. A creepy novel that is probably not best read when alone.


I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Tracy Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flowers for the Dead is a cracking read with some brilliant characters and a great storyline. However I now have a major problem because I actually really liked Adam the serial killer and felt sorry for him so now I think there might be something wrong with me!! Highly recommended for lovers of sick and twisted serial killers! ‪#‎teamAdam‬

[Ink_Drinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read this year!! It had just enough twist, turns and creepiness in it to keep me turning pages way past my bedtime!!

If you want to get into the mind of a serial killer, this one is for you!! Don’t be surprised when you start to feel empathy towards this monster….it was a weird feeling to say the least!!!

Thank you NetGalley, Edelweiss and Bookouture for the eARC of this book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow is all I can say.

I was literally on the edge of my seat reading this, it actually felt like a film.

Meet Adam, abused by his mother and ultimately a loner.

Then meet Laura, her whole family wiped out and trying to rebuild her life.

Laura is Adams girlfriend; however, she doesn’t know that. She does know someone comes into her flat and does her domestic chores. Creepy!

Loved this book, also set in Colchester which I loved.

Five stars.

[Helga · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

“Some people are just born twisted… and some people are made that way.”

Adam is a perfect gentleman. All he has ever wanted is to find his true love, to make her happy, to take care of her and tend to her every need. He longs to find someone he can really be with.
Therefore, he is looking for damsels in distress. They are so unhappy and that is why he chooses them. They need someone to look after them. He just wants to make them happy.
No matter what it takes.

Because sometimes bad things happen even when you have the best of intentions.

They say if you love someone, set them free. That is what Adam does.

Her body has been laid out, eyes closed, with her arms across her chest. She looks so at peace. She should be because she is dead. A bunch of daffodils are placed on her and around her body. Her face is bloody. Her lips are gone.

She is not the first victim and she is not going to be the last.

Thanks to the author, Bookouture and the NetGalley for providing me with a copy.

[Pat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh dear, I'm doing the lone voice thing again. I did not like this book. At all. How cliched is a killer who does what he does because his mummy abused him. Oh but he's such a sensitive soul. Crap - he's a delusional sociopath who thinks his victims should be grateful because he sneaks into their homes and does all this nice stuff for them and then wonders why they freak out when a strange man (the weirdo stalker) appears in their homes instead of saying "oh, finally you're here my love, thank you for all this stuff."

Apart from the silly premise I found it slow and boring. And the ending was sooo predictable. Can we please have more imaginative thrillers instead of revisiting these tired old stereotypes. Look, I can enjoy a story about a serial killer targeting women (although that's getting a bit old too right now) but don't dress him up as some poor misunderstood sensitive guy who just needs a break. Can't get a girlfriend? I know - I'll stalk someone and they'll fall in love with me. Yeah right! Anyway, don't take my word for it, heaps of people really liked this book so you should make up your own mind.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flowers For The Dead is the first book I have read by this author and after reading this one it certainly will not be the last!

Adam Bourne is a serial killer like no other that I have read about. He really is one very sick and twisted individual. Not only does he kill unsuspecting women he also stalks them, watching their every movement.

Laura Weir is still trying to come to terms with the loss of her family after a crash which Laura was the only survivor. Laura starts to notice little things at first going on in her flat and she soon starts to fear that she is losing her mind but what is actually happening is far worse than she can imagine. Even the police think she is crazy when she reports all the odd incidents.

When the strange things started to happen in Laura's flat I could feel through the authors writing the emotion that Laura was going through of disbelief, shock and over all the awful feeling of being scared then terror. It really gives you an insight into how a victim must feel through being terrorised by a crazed stalker.

The story flicks between present day and parts of Adams past, ranging from him being a child to as he gets older and to certain events. Even though there are some incidents that happen in his past I still can not get my head past just how disturbed Adam is. I have to say the relationship between Adam and his grandmother is very endearing and I really enjoyed reading of the time they spent together.

Flowers For The Dead is a very creepy and quite an intense read. Towards the end the story really picks up pace and had me right on the edge of my seat.

Many thanks to the author for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tahera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit it took me a while to finish this book since life got a bit busy around the time I started reading this. Also, I can say one thing for certain... this probably has to be one of the few rare cases where I found myself actually sympathising with the male lead--in this case Adam--even though he is a serial killer. Why? The flashback episodes reveal the trauma he has suffered at the hands of his mother and being constantly ignored by his clueless father. The only person who gives and shows him unconditional love is his grandmother who reads fairy tales to him and teaches him the language of flowers and the meaning behind each flower specimen. The one point that constantly went through my mind while reading this book was if only Adam's grandmother had still been alive in his adult years, things could have been different for Adam and his quest for finding true love because the way he goes about it is 👀🙊😶. I also loved how each chapter was named after a flower and its meaning.... it was something unique and it increased my general knowledge.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and the author Barbara Copperthwaite for the e-Arc of the book and I apologise for sharing my review so late.

This edition of the book was published on 16th September 2020.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

All Adam Bourne wants to do is to find love and he is prepared to do anything to find it. He has endured a childhood of abuse from his mother. The only person who showed him love was his grandma. She taught him all about flowers and read fairytales to him. We follow Adam as he searches for unhappy women, all he wants to do is make them happy.

The story is told in the past and present day format. Each chapter is named after a flower and its meaning. This is a disturbing but cleverly crafted story. I actually felt sorry for Adam and the way he had been treated whilst growing up. There are some great characters in this creepy read. The symbolic connection with the flowers was cleverly done. Its told from the perpetrators (Adam) perspective which is quite unusual. Getting into the mind of a serial killer was fascinating. I was on tender hooks all the way through this tense psychological thriller.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #BarbaraCopperthwaite for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tracy Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flowers for the Dead is a cracking read with some brilliant characters and a great storyline. However I now have a major problem because I actually really liked Adam the serial killer and felt sorry for him so now I think there might be something wrong with me!! Highly recommended for lovers of sick and twisted serial killers! #teamAdam

************************

When I heard that Flowers for the Dead is been republished by Bookouture and they were organising a blogtour, I begged and pleaded the lovely team for a slot on the tour and even re-read the book because I loved the book so much when I read it in 2016, however back then my reviews were “in my opinion” crap.

So, here is my 2020 review for Flowers for the Dead:

Adam Bourne is our narrator, he is also a serial killer which gives the reader an uncomfortable view in the mind of this damaged young man. All he wants is to be loved and love someone back. He grew up believing in fairy tales and that gentlemen should also look after their ladies and it’s these beliefs that escalate Adam from a peeping tom into a full blown stalker/serial killer.

When I read this book back in 2016 it was the first time I had read a story told from the perspective of a serial killer and I actually felt sorry for him and also hoped he would find love and acceptance, however now I’m that much older and wiser – I can safely say Adam Bourne is a sicko – a twisted, depraved, disturbing and very dangerous man whose mental health and troubled upbringing have contributed into creating this monster.

Adam’s latest love interest is Laura Weir, a young women who is still grieving for the loss of her entire family killed in a car crash 4 years previously. Living alone and working in a dead-end job, she is going through the motions of life without actually living it. Adam decides he will save her and sets about to become her ideal boyfriend, sending her flowers, cooking and cleaning her flat, buying her presents and watching over her whilst she sleeps… EXCEPT Laura doesn’t know Adam at all – she has no idea he is stalking her and is beginning to freak out about these strange occurrences which are leaving her more confused and vulnerable. Even the police won’t listen to her so she decides to take matters into her own hands.

If you love sick, twisted serial killer thrillers then you will love Flowers For The Dead. This story does include some very uncomfortable subject matters which may upset readers including child abuse, sexual child abuse and stalking which are integral to the story line, but are very upsetting to read.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A serial killer love story?

So many mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, Copperthwaite is really talented. She does a good job getting into the heads of her characters and building suspense, and her dialogue is tight.

But at its core, this book just didn’t work for me, largely because of its theme and tone. Adam is a serial killer who is in love with his victims and thinks he’s taking care of them when he kills them. Nothing new in this theme...right down to his evil mother, it’s all stuff I’ve read before, and enjoyed on some occasions. The difference here is that everything from Adam’s perspective is written like a romance novel. I understand that’s how he thinks of his victims but the tone of the book, to me, really sought to make you “understand” his perspective as this lovelorn, misunderstood serial killer with the terrible mother and sexual dysfunctions. This was not a character I particularly wanted to empathize with or emote with and there was not too much psychologically interesting about this or him. As the book got closer to the end, we saw more of the victim perspective, but I’d already had too much creepy incel romanticization by that point. I was mostly sticking around to see him hopefully get knocked off by his victim but has developed a lot of frustration with the perspective on him by that point. (And ultimately didn’t find the ending all that satisfying.)

I much prefer books with tone and themes like Catherine Ryan Howard’s Nothing Man to this one. In that book, Howard makes the point about how much our society romanticizes male serial killers when in actuality they are pretty weak, damaged individuals who are primarily seeking power in their own sad lives.

Don’t get me wrong, I think the theme the author used here can work, but it needed a different tone. In this instance I felt the writer was a little too into the romantic perspective of the lonely serial killer who just wanted to be loved, and that turned me way off.

Four stars for the writing quality, two stars for the theme and tone, so three stars overall from me.

Thanks very much to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once in a while a book comes along that is so different to anything else that I've read it kind of takes my breath away! It has taken me a long time to read this book (kindle problem mainly!) but it's one of those that you need to savour and slowly digest to get every last drop of brilliance from it. It's like a fairy tale of old, when they were gruesome and scary, something not allowed in our politically correct world today! And this adult fairy tale certainly didn't have a happy ending!

Adam Bourne is a serial killer. We know that from the start, this is no "whodunit". But Adam is unlike any serial killer you have ever met before. I don't think I have ever developed such an emotional attachment to a fictional baddie before. I just wanted to reverse the clock for him and change his history as Adam was a classic example of "nurture versus nature" which is a huge interest of mine. Without his upbringing would Adam have killed? Was he born with psychopathic tendencies? Barbara Copperthwaite has written a character that you feel tremendous sympathy for, more so than his victims and that takes a very clever author!

I loved the way that the chapters were named after flowers and their meanings, although it took me a while to notice that, so caught up was I in Adams story. It was details like that that made this book such a pleasure for me to read, I also noticed the flower theme continued subtly with Mike's daughter name! Mike, Laura and Adams grandmother were also very interesting characters especially Mike who's emotions and actions of being a widow and single father were perfectly handled throughout.

I had this book on my kindle for a while before reading it waiting for the right time to read as I had heard it was a bit gory in places but after reading it I can say that although gruesome it is absolutely integral to the plot so please don't be put off by anything you have heard before. I had that feeling of loss once I had finished it and even now just have an incredible sympathy for its main character-it's a weird feeling!

Highly recommended by me!

[Vanessa Menezes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam Bourne is a serial killer who thinks he is a saviour. He believes he is the perfect boyfriend. He pays attention, he buys flowers. He knows everything about Laura and looks after her every need. He cooks, he cleans – he even does the dishes without being asked.

But Laura has never met Adam. Still grieving after a devastating car crash that killed her family, she’s forgetful and struggling to pull her life together. She’d be horrified to know the depth of this unsettling fantasy in which she is the star.

After everything she’s been through, Laura’s ready to fight back and stop being the victim in her own life story. But in Adam’s world, there are no happy endings…

I was attracted to this book because of it's cover and the premise and I was not disappointed!

The minute I started reading this I was hooked and I couldn't wait to finish it. The book was written in such an amazing way, alternating between the past and present, so as to describe the abuse that Adam suffered leading him to turn into a psychopath.

The main characters were written so well. While most part of the book I got creeped out by Adam, there were times when I actually felt bad for him and wished that he find the girl of his dreams. Laura and Mike were good too and it was interesting to see them both cope with their losses.

The unique feature in this book was that each chapter was named after different flowers along with the meanings and significance of each of them. This was something interesting and knowledgeable.

Overall, an enjoyable and creepy psychological thriller!

Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review coming soon.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

All Adam Bourne wants to do is to find love and he is prepared to do anything to find it. He has endured a childhood of abuse from his mother. The only person who showed him love was his grandma. She taught him all about flowers and read fairytales to him. We follow Adam as he searches for unhappy women, all he wants to do is make them happy.

The story is told in the past and present day format. Each chapter is named after a flower and its meaning. This is a disturbing but cleverly crafted story. I actually felt sorry for Adam and the way he had been treated whilst growing up. There are some great characters in this creepy read. The symbolic connection with the flowers was cleverly done. Its told from the perpetrators (Adam) perspective which is quite unusual. Getting into the mind of the serial killer was fascinating. I was on tender hooks all the way through this tense psychological thriller.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #BarbaraCopperthwaite for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohh FANTASTIC read!

What a chilling and scary look into the mind of a serial killer. In Flowers for the dead, we are taken deep into the psyche of Adam, he is the main protagonist of this killer thriller. There is never any element of who dunnit, we know he did it, we know who he did it to and we are pretty darn sure we know who he's going to do it to next!

Given that the other part of the storyline focusses on the life of Laura who has had a really tough time of things, it's evident that her and Adams paths are going to cross. Laura has lost her entire family in a tragic accident which has left her struggling to cope, when she begins to feel she is being stalked, by of all things someone unknown who is doing kind but scary things in her home and for her, she wonders if she is just plain going bonkers We as reader know who's doing it, and bit by bit we find out why.

What this cunning and twisted tale does is reveals Adams past bit by bit and I really don't think I'll be alone in saying, I was actually rooting for this guy, despite being appalled at his terrible, dreadful, actions he is such a tragically damaged guy and underneath it all lurks a nice bloke but so deeply hidden his nice side emerges in horrific ways, when he undertook one particular unspeakable act it actually made me want to cheer, I was thinking I don't blame you mate, I don't blame you one little bit. Is that sick? I don't know.

I also thought when we found out more about Laura, even though I knew Adam was the most twisted and sick mass murderer, I did think for a brief time "Oh my she's PERFECT for him" then I realized, by even thinking this I was virtually condemning her to death!

Oh and I cried - near the end - and not for the reason I thought I was going to be mourning - did anyone else cry?

The most perfectly horrific, moving and twisted story one could possibly imagine, done with the most impeccable panache by talented author Barbara Copperthwaite. Bravo!

[Shell Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly I would like to thank the ladies at Mim's Book Club for recommending this to me. I have heard lots of good things about Flowers For The Dead at the last two meetups. And I have to say they wasn't wrong. I am so glad I bumped it up my tbr pile after buying it in December.

This book is one hell of read and totally took my breath away. Seriously I thought I was going to have an heart-attack. My heart was racing that hard I actually had an OMG moment where I found myself covering my mouth saying oh my god. This is one hell of a white knuckle ride I was gripped from the start. I loved the fact that it was so twisted and warped and you never knew what Adam was going to do next.

Adam Bourne is a serial killer who thinks he is a saviour. When he murders his victims and cuts off the women's lips, he believes he has done it to make them happy. The story flicks back to different times of Adam's life where we learn his life has a child with his nan that he adored and how he grows up to be a inhumanly cruel person. Then he meets Laura Weir, Adam weaves a fairy tale romance around them which she has no idea she is part of.

This is very well written and Barbara keeps you on tenterhooks all the way through. I also love the fact and we know who the serial killer is throughout the book, is a very original. And we get an insight to the serial killers dark, twisted mind. So this isn't your normal guess who did it book. I love the fact it is set in an area that I know. I will definitely be looking over my shoulder next time I am in Birmingham.

If you are a fan of tense, creepy, psychological thrillers Flowers For The Dead is a must read. It will literally have you on the edge of your sit holding your breath! I highly recommend it giving it 5 stars.

[The Book Review Café · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flowers For the Dead is very different to most of the crime thrillers I have read, mainly because the reader takes a terrifying and Spine-chilling look into the dark and deviant mind of a serial killer. Through alternating chapters we learn of Adams childhood and the terrible events that have shaped him into the serial killer he is today. I felt a wide spectrum of emotions whilst reading about Adam, he is such a complicated character, in parts I felt over whelming sadness for him and yet at other times I loathed the person he had become. Barbara has managed to capture the essence of a serial killer, which whilst very disturbing kept me gripped to the very last page.

As Flower For the Dead unfolds we meet Laura, Adams next victim. As he stalks her we learn a lot about Laura she is very vulnerable after loosing her whole family in a car crash, the perfect “victim” for Adam. As Laura becomes the victim of Adams affections things take a dark turn and Through Laura’s eyes we can feel her terror as she is stalked by Adam. Laura’s fear is tangible and makes for an uncomfortable read at times, it’s easy to see how the behaviour of a stalker escalates, terrifying their victims and making them feel helpless.

Flowers For the Dead is a very well constructed story, as the reader you are the only one who knows the “real” Adam and that can make for a uncomfortable read,at times I found myself rooting for Adam. How could I feel like this about a monster who also happens to be a serial killer your wondering? Well you are so drawn into Adams story that at times I felt a guilty compassion for him, and all he had been through. The characters are so utterly compelling, as is the story I guarantee you won’t be able to put this book down.

I find it hard to believe this is only Barbara Copperthwaits second book, as it was so well written, it certainly kept me up late into the night as I really didn’t want to put it down, Flowers For The Dead is utterly compelling and original in its content. I found it difficult to believe Barbara hasn’t been signed up by a publisher after writing this book (there loss in my opinion).

First published to my blog http://thebookreviewcafe.com

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Barbara Copperthwaite's chilling thriller FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD.

I first read FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD two years ago and I loved it then. When the new and re-edited edition came up I knew I just had to rad it again. It is the first book I've read by this author (I still haven't read any others yet) and it won't be my last. It's different, it's dark, very twisted, and in some ways quite sad.

Very early on in the book we are introduced to a very young Adam Bourne, beginning in his early childhood some 27 years prior and - in alternating chapters - slowly working up to the present tense where he has become a serial killer. We learn of his horrific childhood at the hands of his mother who sexually abused him, his absent father - both emotionally and often physically - and the constant putdowns from his mother that he is nothing, "a dirty boy". The only person who loved and cared for him was his grandmother Ada, who lived 3 hours away in Birmingham. Ada taught Adam about Floriography - the language of flowers - and together they formed a secret language between them as Adam shared how he was feeling and Ada returned by sending him encouragement - in the form of pressed flowers. He learnt to appreciate every flower and its meaning. It was where he bloomed (sorry, pun intended).

So Adam becomes a hunter, choosing his victims so carefully in the search for true love. He stalks them, watches them, breaking into their homes to watch them as they sleep - comparing the act to that of the more romantic notion of Edward Cullen watching over the sleeping Bella in "Twilight". He sends them flowers, with each one sending a special message that ironically only he can understand - and yet he fails to see that. In his mind, they know he is sending them, that he is watching them, looking after them and protecting them. He even breaks in to make them a freshly cooked meal for when they return from work. He is scarily perverse and somewhat disturbing.

When Adam sees Laura at Covent Garden, he knows she is is the one. In her he believes he has found his soul mate, his one true love - and he sets about the task of "taking care" of her.

Laura is a vulnerable young woman after losing her entire family - mother, father and brother - in a tragic car accident on Guy Fawkes night four years before. Blaming herself entirely as they would not have been there had it not been for her wish to see the fireworks, she is the perfect "victim" for Adam, who sees her as a kindred spirit needing rescuing from her obvious despair. Through Laura's eyes we can feel her terror as she notices things beginning to happen - dishes being done, fridge being restocked, food being bought, money left in her purse, flowers being left - and while at first dismissing them as her unconsciously doing them, she soon realises that there is something more creepy going on. She tries to take her concerns to the local police who simply dismiss her as a bit of a "head case". The stalking makes for an uncomfortable read at times, particularly the things Laura isn't even aware of - like the cameras in her house, spyware on her phone - it is seriously creepy. It is easy to see how such behaviour can escalate, terrifying their victims until they feel completely helpless with nowhere to go and no one to believe them.

Ironically though, Adam doesn't want to scare Laura - or any of his victims. It's the last thing he wants. In his twisted mind, he is trying to look after them, care for them and do all the things a loving boyfriend would do. After all, his gran always told him a woman likes a gentleman who can take care of her and is the strong one to protect her. It is so sad to see that Adam's only reference for love he can call upon is those conversations with his gran and the things she taught him. But sadly, her world was a different one to the one Adam is now an adult in, and times have changed. But even so, Adam's view of love is entwined with aspects of the abuse he received from his mother, resulting in a twisted perspective he genuinely feels is right.

Adam is such a complicated character that I felt such sadness for him and at other times I loathed what he had become. However, having formed no proper attachment in his early years and his only experience with sex was both disgusting and frightening, is it any wonder he grew up into a sick and twisted sociopath? In his mind, his love for these women was such that he was showering them with gifts and love and was looking after them as any man should. He believes he is a saviour.

We also meet Mike Bishop, a detective sergeant with the Colchester Constabulary in Essex, dealing with his own grief of losing his wife to an aneurysm and now having to raise his 7 year old daughter on his own. His friend DCI Simon Phillips has been trying to tempt him to transfer to Reading for a fresh start and whilst visiting, he is drawn into the murder of Julie Clayton found with her lips cut off and surrounded by flowers. Back home in Essex he can't get the image out of his mind and searches for other unsolved murders with the same signature.

When I first read this book two years ago I gave it 5 stars then. And if I could give it more, I would. It is compelling, it is chilling and it is creepy. Told in such a different vein to any other thriller I have come across, FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD gives you a perspective you would never think to consider. The killer's. His backstory, his sad childhood, his pain, his loneliness, his desperation to be loved, his warped sense of love are all on display for the reader to devour. And it gives you pause to consider his role in the bigger picture. I don't know about you, but quite often I found myself silently rooting for Adam that he would evade capture...that is, until Laura. Because we are privy to her world and her pain also. But FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD is a book that is so complex it has you conflicted about how you want it to end.

Told in three separate 'points of view' - Adam's, Laura's and DS Mike Bishop - FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD is an utterly compelling read that will keep you up long into the night.

Perfectly horrific and twisted, if you are a fan of tense, creepy psychological thrillers then this book is a must!

Another solid 5 stars - and counting the first 5 I gave it two years ago, does that now make it 10 stars??

I would like to thank #BarbaraCopperthwaite, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #FlowersForTheDead in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a small number of books that - in my eyes - set the standard for what I expect when I read a thriller. Definitely Into The Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes. Most certainly Nearest Thing To Crazy by Elisabeth Forbes. Her by Harriet Lane and Paula Daly's Just What Kind Of Mother Are You? maybe? But Barbara Copperthwaite's Flowers For The Dead more than deserves to be included in that company - I found it mesmerising, terrifying, intriguing, very unsettling, totally compulsive and a fantastic read.

That blurb tells you the story, but it really doesn't wholly prepare you for Adam. He's a monster - but one of the most attractive and likeable monsters I've ever encountered. You share his thoughts, you know what made him what he is, you know what he plans to do - but you can't help being on his side. There's a real discomfort in that, but it's quite perfectly handled.

You can't help but love Laura too - the latest object of his affection. Her horrific background, her attempts to live her life, her suspicions that something strange is happening, her embarrassing visits to the police station,her adventures with cameras - you identify with her totally, but know far more than she does about what's actually going on. It's a really difficult one - you're strangely rooting for Adam, but that inevitably means the worst outcome for Laura. You find yourself questioning where your sympathies really lie. I never did entirely resolve it, and I loved every uncomfortable moment.

This book is so cleverly constructed - the reader is the only one who knows and understands what made Adam who it is, and the background is woven into the story quite seamlessly, and without any impact on its relentless pace. Barbara Copperthwaite writes quite beautifully - the words flow easily and the pages turn, and she makes the chilling and dark, the absurd and horrific into easy reading. That's quite a skill - and one that really makes me really want to read more. I have Invisible on my Kindle already - and I'll be first in the queue for whatever she writes next. Yes, I'm going to say it - this is, without a moment's hesitation, one of my books of the year.

[Susan Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow! What a brilliant all round novel this is, that is made of grizzly fairy tales, cruelty, tragedy and obsession. I have to say at this point that I could have fallen for physcho Adam's charms myself. He was a real take your breath away romantic sort of guy, in more ways than one.
There is a lot happening in this novel but Barbara Copperthwaite filters the story out a bit at a time, allowing you to connect with every character in the story. The core characters build as they go back and forth into the past and present day, where your heart breaks for a little boy that simply never stood a chance. This story really messed with my head because I got where I really wanted Adam to find that special Princess.
One of the parts of the book that made it very unique were the flowers and their meanings. Very clever, loved this in the story. I won't ever buy flowers again without finding out what the meaning is behind them.
A brilliant book, totally gripping full on entertainment.

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one creepy read where Adam genuinely scared me. He kept obsessing about the girls and thinking them to be in a relationship with him, I kept getting the shivers.
The author was one talented wordsmith, and quite evil too in the way she portrayed Adam, I wanted to shut the book, yet continued to read it. It was hypnotic and scary. I probably shouldn't have started it late at night.
A fantastic scary read. I was genuinely glad of lockdown as then I knew I wouldn't meet any of the creepy guys.

[Tracy Shephard · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW Flowers for the Dead is one of the most terrifying novels you will ever read.

Adam Bourne is a troubled man, as a small boy he was abused by his mother and the image conjured by the writing of Barbara Copperthwaite is uncomfortable and disturbing. I felt some empathy for him and if it wasn’t for his beloved gran he might never have felt love or acceptance his whole life.

As a serial killer Adam is one twisted soul. His knowledge of flowers, a subject he learned from his gran plays a brilliant part in this fascinating read. The language of flowers is something I have heard of, but never really took notice of and Barbara has stirred in me a thirst for learning more.

Adam is a hunter, he chooses his victims with precision and in the name of true love. He is scarily perverse and he stalks them, even to the point of breaking into their homes and watching them while they sleep.

In Laura he hopes he has found a soul mate, but her own tragic life has left her with a strong will to survive and her determination, she hopes, will not let him win.

All the characters in Flowers for the Dead have personality, and Mike especially is a warm and personable man. With his own demons and his love for his daughter I do hope Barbara has more in store for him, and that we have not heard the last of him.

This book is gritty and is a certain chiller for fans of this genre. It is one I highly recommend and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gripping book I couldn't put it down!! Looking forward to reading her next book.

[Tina B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up to 4.5 stars

Adam believes he’s the perfect boyfriend. The romantic secret admirer type in his eyes. The nightmarish stalker type in theirs. He gives flowers and gifts to the woman he loves. He does her shopping and chores. By the time he steps out of the shadows to introduce himself, he expects gratitude and love, but what he gets is betrayal and fear. After the unplanned murder of the first woman who rejects him, Adam realizes the only way they’ll be able to love him forever is if he kills them. But when he sees Laura, he’s convinced she’s unlike the rest. She loves him. She really loves him. This time, it can be different.

Four years ago, Laura lost her mother, brother, and father in a car crash. Since then, she’s spent her life waiting to die instead of moving forward. However, after a difficult conversation with her aunt, she decides to try to change all that. She makes new friends. She starts to enjoy living. When she starts noticing strange things going on inside her flat, such as flowers or shopping she doesn’t recall buying, she chalks it up to forgetfulness and still-buried grief. By the time she realizes she has a stalker, Laura’s ready to do anything to fight to live. But Adam’s watching, and she’s making him angrier than perhaps he’s ever been…

Unsettling, sinister, yet deeply intriguing, “Flowers for the Dead” by Barbara Copperthwaite is a serial killer thriller that, at times, reads like a story ripped straight from the headlines. Not the standard fast-paced thriller by any means, “Flowers for the Dead” moves along at its own steady pace, taking time to develop the story, build up characters, and create an atmosphere of dread. For a good portion of the book, Adam’s and Laura’s paths don’t cross. They are like two trains unknowingly heading toward each other on the same track. You know disaster is becoming more imminent the closer they get, and you’re filled with a sense of foreboding. As a result, the climax can only be described as explosive and the conclusion extremely satisfying.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the author of Flowers for the Dead asked if I would like to read and review her book I said as long as it's not too gruesome! I like crime and psychological thrillers but I don't do gruesome. Well, it is true that the ritual which serial killer Adam performs after he's killed his victims did make me shudder, but this book is really gripping and the dark aspects didn't put me off. Flowers for the Dead tells the story of Adam who, as I mentioned, is a serial killer and his obsession with Laura. Will she be his next victim?


I really enjoyed the way this story unfolded. As the story goes on, we learn of Adam's life from when he was a young boy and as he grows up. Each chapter also has scenes set in the present where we follow his current obsession with Laura. Laura has lost her entire family in a tragic accident and, not surprisingly, is struggling to cope. She is very vulnerable, just the type of woman Adam seeks out. Adam was a very lonely though sensitive young boy, fascinated by fairy tales and is looking for his 'happy ever after'. I wondered how this troubled boy became the obsessive damaged young man of the present and a psychotic serial killer. As I read, the author begins to reveal how this happened. He has had a difficult childhood with only his grandmother really understanding him and showing him love.


The author creates a real sense of unease throughout the book and I felt genuinely worried for Laura. It was shocking and quite scary just how much information stalkers can find out online from the simplest of searches. People often reveal much more than they realise on social media and Adam was even able to find out the layout of Laura's home from when it was previously for sale. Perfect for a stalker and the way Adam uses his knowledge means that when Laura goes to the police, she isn't taken seriously until detective Mike gets involved. In the last few chapters, I could hardly put the book down! Would Mike figure everything out in time to save Laura?


This is an excellent, page-turner of a psychological thriller and that bit different in that you do feel a degree of sympathy for killer. I was completely enthralled by the storyline and couldn't stop thinking about it. It was scary but believable, tense and gripping. A very cleverly constructed and well plotted story. I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Highly recommended. Very creepy!