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In Her Bones
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Fifteen years ago, Lilith Wade was arrested for the brutal murder of six women. After a death row conviction, media frenzy, and the release of an unauthorized biography, her thirty-year-old daughter Edie Beckett is just trying to survive out of the spotlight. She’s a recovering alcoholic with a dead-end city job and an unhealthy codependent relationship with her brother.
Edie also has a disturbing secret: a growing obsession with the families of Lilith’s victims. She’s desperate to see how they’ve managed—or failed—to move on. While her escalating fixation is a problem, she’s careful to keep her distance. That is, until she crosses a line and a man is found murdered.
Edie quickly becomes the prime suspect—and while she can’t remember everything that happened the night of the murder, she’d surely remember killing someone. With the detective who arrested her mother hot on her trail, Edie goes into hiding. She’s must get to the truth of what happened that night before the police—or the real killer—find her.
Unless, of course, she has more in common with her mother than she’s willing to admit…
Fifteen years ago, Lilith Wade was arrested for the brutal murder of six women. After a death row conviction, media frenzy, and the release of an unauthorized biography, her thirty-year-old daughter Edie Beckett is just trying to survive out of the spotlight. She’s a recovering alcoholic with a dead-end city job and an unhealthy codependent relationship with her brother.
Edie also has a disturbing secret: a growing obsession with the families of Lilith’s victims. She’s desperate to see how they’ve managed—or failed—to move on. While her escalating fixation is a problem, she’s careful to keep her distance. That is, until she crosses a line and a man is found murdered.
Edie quickly becomes the prime suspect—and while she can’t remember everything that happened the night of the murder, she’d surely remember killing someone. With the detective who arrested her mother hot on her trail, Edie goes into hiding. She’s must get to the truth of what happened that night before the police—or the real killer—find her.
Unless, of course, she has more in common with her mother than she’s willing to admit…
308 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2018
293 people are currently reading
7856 people want to read
About the author
Kate Moretti
12 books1,626 followersKate Moretti lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids, and a dog. She’s worked in the pharmaceutical industry for ten years as a scientist, and has been an avid fiction reader her entire life.
She enjoys traveling and cooking, although with two kids, a day job, and writing, she doesn’t get to do those things as much as she’d like.
Her lifelong dream is to buy an old house with a secret passageway.
She enjoys traveling and cooking, although with two kids, a day job, and writing, she doesn’t get to do those things as much as she’d like.
Her lifelong dream is to buy an old house with a secret passageway.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 438 reviews
August 31, 2018
This is my third Kate Moretti novel and I am a big fan of her writing style. This one has a dark and twisted theme. I reads just like a true crime story . I recently (today actually) saw a Dr. Phil episode where he interviewed a woman whose father is a notorious serial killer. In the novel, Edie is the daughter of a woman who is a convicted serial killer. Well, it gets even more twisted when Edie gets too close to someone connected to one of her mother's victims. Say what?!!
It definitely gets interesting and Edie finds herself wanted for murder. She is on the run while professing her innocence. Can she find the real killer before the police catch up with her? Detective Brandt has some history with Edie and knows how she operates.
A great crime mystery with more than a few twists. Suspense minus the gore (thank you very much)!
Looking forward to more from the talented Kate Moretti.
Thanks to Atria Pub/ NG for my ARC. September 4th 2018 pub. date.
It definitely gets interesting and Edie finds herself wanted for murder. She is on the run while professing her innocence. Can she find the real killer before the police catch up with her? Detective Brandt has some history with Edie and knows how she operates.
A great crime mystery with more than a few twists. Suspense minus the gore (thank you very much)!
Looking forward to more from the talented Kate Moretti.
Thanks to Atria Pub/ NG for my ARC. September 4th 2018 pub. date.
May 15, 2022
Book outlet read #8 was not so great 😩
2.5 stars rounded down
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 2/5 | Ending: 2/5
THE PLOT
Edie's mother, Lilith, was convicted and sentenced to death row for the brutal stabbings of six women. Years later, Edie is obsessively tracking the family members of her mother's victims. When one of them is murdered, Edie is the main suspect, and realizes she must use her blood hound tracking skills to find the real killer before she ends up on death row with mother dearest.
MY OPINION
YES the writing is good. Very good. I think Moretti is a talented writer. However, there were so many inconsistencies, discrepancies, and contradictions throughout the book, I can't bring myself to give this 3 stars despite the writing quality.
I can't go into the plot holes without revealing spoilers, but it felt like Moretti got lost in her own maze if that makes sense. You needed an excel spreadsheet to navigate this book and keep everything straight. I usually love a nonlinear timeline, but since the flashbacks were submersed in the present-day narrative, I couldn't get a grasp on the time of events. And since this was like 50% thriller, 50% character study, knowing Edie's age during her flashbacks was important. Plus one of the "themes" was supposedly "why didn't Lillith's family do anything to stop her?" but yet throughout Edie's flashbacks its unclear if these pivotal life moments with her mom happened before, during, or after the killing. So yeah. Not great.
There were also a ton of unanswered questions. Why did Lillith kill those women? Out of jealousy? Why did she speak with a Southern accent when she grew up in Pennsylvania? Why did she speak like "trailer trash" but yet was out here seducing high finance men and apparently was extremely charismatic and outgoing? Why didn't (redacted) kill Brandt if he was determined to kill the men in Edie's life?
Also it felt like the author made Edie an alcoholic just because. After mentioning her nearly 4 months recovery, she binge drinks at a bar, and then... That's it. You never hear about her "lifelong battle with alcoholism" for the rest of the book. She's basically running for her life and she never once reaches for the bottle to calm her nerves? Ok. That's why it felt like a prop... Like the author wanted the reader to know she was "troubled" so she said ok you'll be an alcoholic with no alcohol dependency. Lol.
This could've been better with some heavy-handed editing. The writing was there, but the plot was MIA.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: great writing, interesting premise
Cons: plot craters the size of the Grand Canyon, I didn't like any of the characters nor feel sympathetic toward Edie, I didn't understand the incest twist... seemed like it was chucked in there for a shocker, timeline was a hot mess, tons of unanswered questions
2.5 stars rounded down
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 2/5 | Ending: 2/5
THE PLOT
Edie's mother, Lilith, was convicted and sentenced to death row for the brutal stabbings of six women. Years later, Edie is obsessively tracking the family members of her mother's victims. When one of them is murdered, Edie is the main suspect, and realizes she must use her blood hound tracking skills to find the real killer before she ends up on death row with mother dearest.
MY OPINION
YES the writing is good. Very good. I think Moretti is a talented writer. However, there were so many inconsistencies, discrepancies, and contradictions throughout the book, I can't bring myself to give this 3 stars despite the writing quality.
I can't go into the plot holes without revealing spoilers, but it felt like Moretti got lost in her own maze if that makes sense. You needed an excel spreadsheet to navigate this book and keep everything straight. I usually love a nonlinear timeline, but since the flashbacks were submersed in the present-day narrative, I couldn't get a grasp on the time of events. And since this was like 50% thriller, 50% character study, knowing Edie's age during her flashbacks was important. Plus one of the "themes" was supposedly "why didn't Lillith's family do anything to stop her?" but yet throughout Edie's flashbacks its unclear if these pivotal life moments with her mom happened before, during, or after the killing. So yeah. Not great.
There were also a ton of unanswered questions. Why did Lillith kill those women? Out of jealousy? Why did she speak with a Southern accent when she grew up in Pennsylvania? Why did she speak like "trailer trash" but yet was out here seducing high finance men and apparently was extremely charismatic and outgoing? Why didn't (redacted) kill Brandt if he was determined to kill the men in Edie's life?
Also it felt like the author made Edie an alcoholic just because. After mentioning her nearly 4 months recovery, she binge drinks at a bar, and then... That's it. You never hear about her "lifelong battle with alcoholism" for the rest of the book. She's basically running for her life and she never once reaches for the bottle to calm her nerves? Ok. That's why it felt like a prop... Like the author wanted the reader to know she was "troubled" so she said ok you'll be an alcoholic with no alcohol dependency. Lol.
This could've been better with some heavy-handed editing. The writing was there, but the plot was MIA.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: great writing, interesting premise
Cons: plot craters the size of the Grand Canyon, I didn't like any of the characters nor feel sympathetic toward Edie, I didn't understand the incest twist... seemed like it was chucked in there for a shocker, timeline was a hot mess, tons of unanswered questions
September 4, 2018
In Her Bones by Kate Moretti is a thriller that tackles the question of just what might happen with the families that a killer has left behind. Family and friends often are quoted with saying they had no idea as the suspect can live a perfectly normal life around their crimes.
Fifteen years ago Lilith Wade was arrested and tried for the brutal murders of six women and sent to a maximum security prison. The families of the victims were not the only ones left behind after Lilith's conviction, Lilith was a mother herself and her children have done their best to hide from the media attention.
Now at thirty Edie Beckett has developed an obsession with finding out more about the families of her mother's victims. Edie can't help but wonder how or if they've moved one with their lives being in a dead end job and a recovering addict herself. Edie gets a little to close to one family member though and then finds herself the suspect in his murder investigation.
Well, as one may guess when they see that I've rated this one at 2.5 stars I wasn't a huge fan of this one from Kate Moretti. The problem didn't lie in the writing style as this wasn't my first book by the author but more in the overall story. I wasn't a huge fan of Edie from early on and questioned her motives and moves and along with that I also guessed the conclusion way too early in the story so needless to say this one just wasn't for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Fifteen years ago Lilith Wade was arrested and tried for the brutal murders of six women and sent to a maximum security prison. The families of the victims were not the only ones left behind after Lilith's conviction, Lilith was a mother herself and her children have done their best to hide from the media attention.
Now at thirty Edie Beckett has developed an obsession with finding out more about the families of her mother's victims. Edie can't help but wonder how or if they've moved one with their lives being in a dead end job and a recovering addict herself. Edie gets a little to close to one family member though and then finds herself the suspect in his murder investigation.
Well, as one may guess when they see that I've rated this one at 2.5 stars I wasn't a huge fan of this one from Kate Moretti. The problem didn't lie in the writing style as this wasn't my first book by the author but more in the overall story. I wasn't a huge fan of Edie from early on and questioned her motives and moves and along with that I also guessed the conclusion way too early in the story so needless to say this one just wasn't for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
October 26, 2018
3.5*
What’s it like to grow up the daughter of a serial killer? Would it be at all possible to lead a normal life? A husband? Children? A regular 9-5 job?
Edie was 15 when her mother Lilith was arrested, and has remained obsessed with the case ever since.
Over the years Edie has silently and stealthily kept tabs on the loved ones of Lilith’s deadly rampage.
When the husband of one of Lilith’s victims is found dead, Edie suddenly becomes the prime suspect! Is she following in her mother’s footsteps? Let’s hope not! Or maybe someone’s setting her up? It’s up to Edie to clear her name once and for all, and with any luck, just maybe get her life back!
This was my first book by Kate Moretti. I enjoyed her writing style and the pace of the book. There was just enough tension to keep me flipping the pages! I’ll be looking for her next release! I would recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Kate Moretti for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review
What’s it like to grow up the daughter of a serial killer? Would it be at all possible to lead a normal life? A husband? Children? A regular 9-5 job?
Edie was 15 when her mother Lilith was arrested, and has remained obsessed with the case ever since.
Over the years Edie has silently and stealthily kept tabs on the loved ones of Lilith’s deadly rampage.
When the husband of one of Lilith’s victims is found dead, Edie suddenly becomes the prime suspect! Is she following in her mother’s footsteps? Let’s hope not! Or maybe someone’s setting her up? It’s up to Edie to clear her name once and for all, and with any luck, just maybe get her life back!
This was my first book by Kate Moretti. I enjoyed her writing style and the pace of the book. There was just enough tension to keep me flipping the pages! I’ll be looking for her next release! I would recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Kate Moretti for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review
September 11, 2018
I haven't read any books by bestselling author Kate Moretti before but thanks to a friend I do own "The Vanishing Year" which I'm looking forward to reading too. Her latest book "In Her Bones" is a superb thriller following the daughter of a convicted serial killer who finds herself at the centre of a murder investigation.
I was very impressed with Kate's writing, it was easy to follow and wasn't complicated or complex and with a eye catching storyline that I was attracted to straight away.
Although it didn't blow me away this book did keep me highly entertained and I was certainly intrigued enough to keep turning the pages rapidly to see how it all panned out. Sometimes less is more and since there was very little violence and featured more on the children left behind and their lives in the following years, this character driven book was still chilling and absorbing.
I liked how the 'Non fiction' relating to Lilith's criminal history mixed into the fiction, so it was almost like reading a true crime book at times and since I was particularly interested in Lilith prior to her convictions to see if it was the old nature v nurture scenario that made her a serial killer, this made for enjoyable reading.
I particularly love reading flashbacks in stories and as Edie recounted her youth living with her troubled mother and loving and protective brother it was easy to see a picture build of the family that would later become so infamous. Page by page I enjoyed following Edie in her scam private investigator role, trying to solve not just one murder but two and although obviously tormented by her mother's actions I did feel sorry for her and quite liked her. I was rooting for her constantly and hoped that she would succeed with her dubious motives in proving her innocence.
Detective Brandt was also a curious character, a dedicated policeman but who recognised something in Edie that he knew to be genuine and I very much liked his role in the story.
It's evident a lot of psychiatry research has been carried out to give the story's it's authenticity and the author's love and devotion of fiction reading has certainly transferred to her writing.
Overall, yes I enjoyed it and would recommend, it's not the fast paced, adrenaline inducing thriller some books are but it is definitely worth the time to read it, it draws you in and captivates you until the end and I will without doubt read more by this author in the future.
4.5 stars
I was very impressed with Kate's writing, it was easy to follow and wasn't complicated or complex and with a eye catching storyline that I was attracted to straight away.
Although it didn't blow me away this book did keep me highly entertained and I was certainly intrigued enough to keep turning the pages rapidly to see how it all panned out. Sometimes less is more and since there was very little violence and featured more on the children left behind and their lives in the following years, this character driven book was still chilling and absorbing.
I liked how the 'Non fiction' relating to Lilith's criminal history mixed into the fiction, so it was almost like reading a true crime book at times and since I was particularly interested in Lilith prior to her convictions to see if it was the old nature v nurture scenario that made her a serial killer, this made for enjoyable reading.
I particularly love reading flashbacks in stories and as Edie recounted her youth living with her troubled mother and loving and protective brother it was easy to see a picture build of the family that would later become so infamous. Page by page I enjoyed following Edie in her scam private investigator role, trying to solve not just one murder but two and although obviously tormented by her mother's actions I did feel sorry for her and quite liked her. I was rooting for her constantly and hoped that she would succeed with her dubious motives in proving her innocence.
Detective Brandt was also a curious character, a dedicated policeman but who recognised something in Edie that he knew to be genuine and I very much liked his role in the story.
It's evident a lot of psychiatry research has been carried out to give the story's it's authenticity and the author's love and devotion of fiction reading has certainly transferred to her writing.
Overall, yes I enjoyed it and would recommend, it's not the fast paced, adrenaline inducing thriller some books are but it is definitely worth the time to read it, it draws you in and captivates you until the end and I will without doubt read more by this author in the future.
4.5 stars
July 10, 2018
I really enjoyed “The Vanishing Year” by this author and was anxious to read her newest book, I was a bit disappointed.
30 year old Edie Beckett is trying to get her life together. Fifteen years previously her mother, Lilith, was arrested for the deaths of six women. She was obviously very traumatized by this event and the media frenzy. Now there is an unauthorized biography of her mother and she is just trying to stay out of the limelight. She is a recovering alcoholic and has an unhealthy co-dependence on her brother. She has a city job that is unfulfilling but allows her to continue with her obsession, which is trying to discover how the families of her mother’s victims have survived and continued on with their lives. She uses the computer and resources at her job to follow these family members.
For the most part she stays away from them physically until she meets someone. Then there is a murder and Edie is the prime suspect, she can’t remember much of the night in question. The police officer who arrested her mother is hot on her trail and the book revolves a lot around what happens after this.
This book had so much promise but I have to be honest in saying that I didn’t really feel that “tense, taut” feeling that a psychological thriller should have. I felt that it slowed down in the middle and I felt myself skimming pages to get to the ending. I also had already figured out the plot by then and so for me the ending was a little predictable. I would also have liked some of the other characters, her brother, the police officer, more well defined and “fleshed out”.
There are many 5 star reviews for this book so it might just be that I expect a lot out of a book. I will still watch for further books by this talented author. A three star from me means that it is a good book, just not great for me.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
lost-interested
September 6, 2018DNF @ 35%
It took me the whole day to read just 30%!!! It was a real struggle!
It took me the whole day to read just 30%!!! It was a real struggle!
September 5, 2018
I'm a definite huge fan of Kate Moretti and love her writing style. In Her Bones has a very dark and creepy theme to it which I loved.
The plot of this story is genius... Edie our main character is the daughter of a famous serial killer who happens to be her mother. This ALONE would make anyone's ears perk up for interest! Let me just add this tad bit of spice to the plot... Edie has a bit of an obsession with the family member's that are associated with her mother's killings. NOW that is intriguing!!
Edie soon finds herself in a bit of challenging situation where she is convicted of killing someone herself. She is on the run and trying to tell the police that she is innocent. But is she really?!
This story definitely had potential but in my opinion was a tad slow and dragged quite a bit in the middle. It had some minor twists and a decent mystery to this story.
3.5 bone stars.
I am looking forward to seeing what Kate Moretti has up her sleeve next!
Thank you so much to Atria for the physical arc in exchange for my honest review.
Published to GR/Amazon: 9/4/18
Publication date: 9/4/18.
The plot of this story is genius... Edie our main character is the daughter of a famous serial killer who happens to be her mother. This ALONE would make anyone's ears perk up for interest! Let me just add this tad bit of spice to the plot... Edie has a bit of an obsession with the family member's that are associated with her mother's killings. NOW that is intriguing!!
Edie soon finds herself in a bit of challenging situation where she is convicted of killing someone herself. She is on the run and trying to tell the police that she is innocent. But is she really?!
This story definitely had potential but in my opinion was a tad slow and dragged quite a bit in the middle. It had some minor twists and a decent mystery to this story.
3.5 bone stars.
I am looking forward to seeing what Kate Moretti has up her sleeve next!
Thank you so much to Atria for the physical arc in exchange for my honest review.
Published to GR/Amazon: 9/4/18
Publication date: 9/4/18.
September 3, 2018
When Edie Beckett was in her teens, her mother, Lilith Wade, murdered six women. Lilith went to prison for life and Edie's life irrevocably changed. Now she's nearly thirty, trying to stay sober, working a city clerk job, and living a lonely life. Her only family is her brother Dylan, and she has no friends, no real life. At night, Edie secretly obsesses over the families of Lilith's victims, watching them online--and in real life. Then she actually meets one in person, and a man ends up murdered. Edie is immediately the police's one and only suspect. The investigating detective, Gil Brandt, is the same one who arrested her mother. He knows Edie better than anyone. She goes on the run, with Gil on her trail. Will Edie discover the truth in time?
This book just kept getting better with every page. I absolutely loved Kate Moretti's THE BLACKBIRD SEASON and was worried this one might not live up to it. I shouldn't have worried. This is just an excellent, fascinating novel.
The book is told from the point of view of Edie and Gil, with excerpts included from a tell-all book written about Lilith and her family. It all combines to make a very intriguing read. The way the novel explores looking at serial killers from the perspective of their family is just amazing and interesting. As Edie says, "Sometimes, Lilith was just my mother."
You get this really in-depth look at how Lilith was both an awful mother, a regular mother, and influenced by mental illness. The book does a great job of providing a portrait of mental illness as well. I thought its look at Lilith as a serial killer was just so well-done. Lilith isn't necessarily the main focus--that's Edie--but she's had such an influence on forming Edie that we learn so much about her.
As for Edie, I was worried at first that I wouldn't like her or enjoy her character, because sometimes I have a hard time with characters who make nothing but bad decisions. But I quickly grew attached to her and to really, really like her. One of the best things about this book is that despite its serious and sometimes even gruesome subject matter, it can be funny sometimes. It's definitely heartbreaking and real. It's powerfully written, and Edie becomes this wonderfully great main character. She's so very smart and so very real. Moretti gives such a personality to everyone through her excellent detail; you're just able to visualize each character so well. I really love how you can get lost in her books. The bond between Brandt and Edie is interesting--different in many ways, but I liked how they were tied together in some way, and the how they each described that thread.
What's so great about this book is that you get to explore the serial killer aspect--how Edie is affected by her mom, some of the elements that formed Lilith into what she is, and more, but you also get a really well-done mystery too, after a character dies and Edie goes on the run. These two storylines run expertly in parallel and keep you riveted throughout the entire novel. There are some awesome twists and turns, and the whole book is just so well-done. I really loved these characters and truly just felt changed by the end of this one.
Overall, this is just a wonderful book. The characters are amazing and detailed, the plot is excellent, and I was just drawn in from the beginning. This goes deeper than your usual mystery or thriller, and I was so impressed and touched by this novel. I highly recommend this one! 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 09/04/2018.
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This book just kept getting better with every page. I absolutely loved Kate Moretti's THE BLACKBIRD SEASON and was worried this one might not live up to it. I shouldn't have worried. This is just an excellent, fascinating novel.
The book is told from the point of view of Edie and Gil, with excerpts included from a tell-all book written about Lilith and her family. It all combines to make a very intriguing read. The way the novel explores looking at serial killers from the perspective of their family is just amazing and interesting. As Edie says, "Sometimes, Lilith was just my mother."
You get this really in-depth look at how Lilith was both an awful mother, a regular mother, and influenced by mental illness. The book does a great job of providing a portrait of mental illness as well. I thought its look at Lilith as a serial killer was just so well-done. Lilith isn't necessarily the main focus--that's Edie--but she's had such an influence on forming Edie that we learn so much about her.
As for Edie, I was worried at first that I wouldn't like her or enjoy her character, because sometimes I have a hard time with characters who make nothing but bad decisions. But I quickly grew attached to her and to really, really like her. One of the best things about this book is that despite its serious and sometimes even gruesome subject matter, it can be funny sometimes. It's definitely heartbreaking and real. It's powerfully written, and Edie becomes this wonderfully great main character. She's so very smart and so very real. Moretti gives such a personality to everyone through her excellent detail; you're just able to visualize each character so well. I really love how you can get lost in her books. The bond between Brandt and Edie is interesting--different in many ways, but I liked how they were tied together in some way, and the how they each described that thread.
What's so great about this book is that you get to explore the serial killer aspect--how Edie is affected by her mom, some of the elements that formed Lilith into what she is, and more, but you also get a really well-done mystery too, after a character dies and Edie goes on the run. These two storylines run expertly in parallel and keep you riveted throughout the entire novel. There are some awesome twists and turns, and the whole book is just so well-done. I really loved these characters and truly just felt changed by the end of this one.
Overall, this is just a wonderful book. The characters are amazing and detailed, the plot is excellent, and I was just drawn in from the beginning. This goes deeper than your usual mystery or thriller, and I was so impressed and touched by this novel. I highly recommend this one! 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 09/04/2018.
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September 28, 2018
What a corker of a book! I read it in one day. It's just unputdownable!
Engaging, suspensful, well-paced, Kate Moretti wrote a fantastic book. It's a compelling and gripping story.
I loved how well the main character, Edie, is written. Her story, everything that's happening around and to her, pulled me in and held my attention throughout. It's really interesting to read a story told mainly from her point of view, a child of a convicted serial killer, how much actions of her mother impacted on her life, and that of her brother and families of the victims.
In Her Bones is an excellent read and I'm happy to recommend it.
Engaging, suspensful, well-paced, Kate Moretti wrote a fantastic book. It's a compelling and gripping story.
I loved how well the main character, Edie, is written. Her story, everything that's happening around and to her, pulled me in and held my attention throughout. It's really interesting to read a story told mainly from her point of view, a child of a convicted serial killer, how much actions of her mother impacted on her life, and that of her brother and families of the victims.
In Her Bones is an excellent read and I'm happy to recommend it.
October 15, 2018
I love the way Kate Moretti writes – so absorbing and now familiar, always a great read and In Her Bones was no exception.
Edie is a fascinating character – a serial killer mother and an obsession with the victims, trying to live a normal life but getting sucked into the abnormal every day. When she falls under suspicion, having involved herself more than she should, she gets on the trail of another killer, this one hidden from view.
It was a clever and involving narrative, with a great atmospheric sense to it. Not only is Edie fascinating, but her Mother is also, seen through her eyes and memories. An underlying theme about mental health hits home, Kate Moretti exploring nature versus nurture and fleshing out her characters with a realistic tone that really involves the reader in their lives, their motivations and their challenges. I especially liked the relationship between Edie and Brandt, the officer who she first met when her Mother was caught and how that evolved over the course of the tale, a relationship forged in trauma and changing over time.
Add to that a really good mystery element- unpredictable and edgy, with a twisty sense of menace and you have a really intriguing and addictive read. I genuinely look forward to more from this author who is firmly on my must read list.
Recommended.
Edie is a fascinating character – a serial killer mother and an obsession with the victims, trying to live a normal life but getting sucked into the abnormal every day. When she falls under suspicion, having involved herself more than she should, she gets on the trail of another killer, this one hidden from view.
It was a clever and involving narrative, with a great atmospheric sense to it. Not only is Edie fascinating, but her Mother is also, seen through her eyes and memories. An underlying theme about mental health hits home, Kate Moretti exploring nature versus nurture and fleshing out her characters with a realistic tone that really involves the reader in their lives, their motivations and their challenges. I especially liked the relationship between Edie and Brandt, the officer who she first met when her Mother was caught and how that evolved over the course of the tale, a relationship forged in trauma and changing over time.
Add to that a really good mystery element- unpredictable and edgy, with a twisty sense of menace and you have a really intriguing and addictive read. I genuinely look forward to more from this author who is firmly on my must read list.
Recommended.
April 29, 2018
Kate Moretti's IN HER BONES is a suspenseful, whirling spiral of mysteries within mysteries, plot twists you won't see coming, and characters linked by deadly fates that stretch across the years. Moretti's prose is crisp and masterful, her people rich and real. Don't miss this haunting, wild thrill ride.
March 12, 2019
On starting this book, it appeared I already had read this one, but continuing on, I realized it is on a similar premise of the book, “Good Me, Bad Me.” They are alike in that they both center on the daughter of a convicted serial killer.
Lilith is a wife, mother of two; Dylan and Edie. This is a sad portrait of a family, torn by mental health issues. Lilith not managing well, with or without her medications. Growing up, their father tried to protect and care for his wife and children, but it read as an abusive, feral type of life, with him working to support the family, the kids loose and free, on their own, no supervision, their mother either doing crazy things or lying in bed, depressed, for days on end. She presents herself as someone who had a bad, dysfunctional childhood. The makings of her mental illness were already taking a deep hold. The murders she committed and was convicted for, had been written about in a book. The anniversaries of her incarceration are publicly aired on radio, TV and internet. This plays poorly on the family survivors. How can they not be damaged from all the trauma? Do they carry their mothers killer/mental health tendencies? Will they turn into serial killers themselves? There is no doubt, both Dylan and Edie have some obsession issues, depressive tendencies, anxiety, unhealthy relationships and lack of regard for boundaries. Is this genetic or is this the outcome of their life with a serial killer in the making? Will anyone recognize them as “the children of Lilith Wade, convicted serial killer?” Shivers...
Edie has an obsession with following/keeping track of the victims families. It is an odd obsession; sick in a way as to why would you do that? It consumes her life, it consumes her time. She is also a recovering alcoholic, and that also adds to her dysfunction when she stupidly (she knows so) succumbs to it “stalking” the spouse of one of her mothers murder victims at a tavern. He ends up dead. Who did it and why? She was the last to see him alive (in bed), but she was blackout drunk, so...?
The story literally takes us into Edie’s head of crazy thoughts and actions and then, trying to save her own life and reveal the truth, her focused, sane, persistent and cunning ways come through with surprising results. She basically turns into a “private investigator” to get answers and avoid incrimination of herself and in the end, accomplishes a total transformation of herself and her life. Her mother, meanwhile, basically rots away in prison (physically and mentally), refusing to talk, see, or acknowledge Edie. And Edie is now in a safe, healthy place and she is finally (!) ok with that.
This was an interesting and well written twisted, psychological story. It was entwined with the serial killers’ crime biography, “The Serrated Edge.”
Lilith is a wife, mother of two; Dylan and Edie. This is a sad portrait of a family, torn by mental health issues. Lilith not managing well, with or without her medications. Growing up, their father tried to protect and care for his wife and children, but it read as an abusive, feral type of life, with him working to support the family, the kids loose and free, on their own, no supervision, their mother either doing crazy things or lying in bed, depressed, for days on end. She presents herself as someone who had a bad, dysfunctional childhood. The makings of her mental illness were already taking a deep hold. The murders she committed and was convicted for, had been written about in a book. The anniversaries of her incarceration are publicly aired on radio, TV and internet. This plays poorly on the family survivors. How can they not be damaged from all the trauma? Do they carry their mothers killer/mental health tendencies? Will they turn into serial killers themselves? There is no doubt, both Dylan and Edie have some obsession issues, depressive tendencies, anxiety, unhealthy relationships and lack of regard for boundaries. Is this genetic or is this the outcome of their life with a serial killer in the making? Will anyone recognize them as “the children of Lilith Wade, convicted serial killer?” Shivers...
Edie has an obsession with following/keeping track of the victims families. It is an odd obsession; sick in a way as to why would you do that? It consumes her life, it consumes her time. She is also a recovering alcoholic, and that also adds to her dysfunction when she stupidly (she knows so) succumbs to it “stalking” the spouse of one of her mothers murder victims at a tavern. He ends up dead. Who did it and why? She was the last to see him alive (in bed), but she was blackout drunk, so...?
The story literally takes us into Edie’s head of crazy thoughts and actions and then, trying to save her own life and reveal the truth, her focused, sane, persistent and cunning ways come through with surprising results. She basically turns into a “private investigator” to get answers and avoid incrimination of herself and in the end, accomplishes a total transformation of herself and her life. Her mother, meanwhile, basically rots away in prison (physically and mentally), refusing to talk, see, or acknowledge Edie. And Edie is now in a safe, healthy place and she is finally (!) ok with that.
This was an interesting and well written twisted, psychological story. It was entwined with the serial killers’ crime biography, “The Serrated Edge.”
September 7, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Full blog tour post: https://readingbetweenwinessite.wordp...
In Her Bones is the very first Kate Moretti book I have ever read, but man does it make me want to read more from her.
"Murder is a mostly stupid act committed by mostly stupid people in their most desperate moment"
- Gil Brandt
What it's about: Edie Beckett is the daughter of a serial killer, but not just any serial killer. She is the daughter of Lilith Wade who was sentenced to death row for the horrific murder of 6 women when Edie was just a young girl. Edie is now 30 years old; a recovering alcoholic who has a weird relationship with her brother, and a job that's definitely not her dream job. She also has an odd secret pastime, tracking and watching the families of Lilith's victims. When a man is found murdered and she becomes the prime suspect, Edie goes into hiding and races to find out what really happened the night of his murder... before the police or anyone else catch up to her.
The book is told mostly from Edie's perspective with snippets from a book that was published about her mother's murders, and the occasional chapter from the detective that caught Lilith - Gil Brandt. I loved this style, and I thought it kept the book flowing very quickly making it a fast read. The only gripe I really have with this book is that I don't think it should be classified as a thriller; suspense and mystery sure, but not thriller. I didn't find it to be particularly chilling or overly suspenseful like the cover touts in the author quotes either. There is definitely some suspense, but this comes in spurts and isn't the overall vibe of the book.
I know there were a few people that either didn't like Edie at first, or didn't like her at all, but I never really had that problem. I don't know why, but not once did I really question anything she was doing. Sure, she doesn't make the best choices, but from the way Moretti wrote this book I didn't want to murder Edie for every stupid mistake she made. Now maybe that has something to do with not connecting with her, but either way I was fine reading from her perspective and trying to figure out what the h-e-double hockey sticks she was going to do next.
Another complaint I have seen is that some people figured out the ending, but as usual I did not. I really didn't have anything in the book figured out. And although I wasn't necessarily super surprised at anything, I still enjoyed the journey of reading this book and learning everything as it was revealed.
Final Thought: I think this is going to be another one of those books that some people are going to really enjoy, but will annoy others. I guess it could also be seen as a bit predictable if you are really concentrating on figuring out what is going on. The idea was similar to Good Me, Bad Me, at least as far as reading a book about the daughter of a female serial killer, but overall I enjoyed this book a lot more than that one. Just make sure you are not expecting a fast-paced thriller because that is not what this book is. At all. Personally I really enjoyed it though and recommend!
Full blog tour post: https://readingbetweenwinessite.wordp...
In Her Bones is the very first Kate Moretti book I have ever read, but man does it make me want to read more from her.
"Murder is a mostly stupid act committed by mostly stupid people in their most desperate moment"
- Gil Brandt
What it's about: Edie Beckett is the daughter of a serial killer, but not just any serial killer. She is the daughter of Lilith Wade who was sentenced to death row for the horrific murder of 6 women when Edie was just a young girl. Edie is now 30 years old; a recovering alcoholic who has a weird relationship with her brother, and a job that's definitely not her dream job. She also has an odd secret pastime, tracking and watching the families of Lilith's victims. When a man is found murdered and she becomes the prime suspect, Edie goes into hiding and races to find out what really happened the night of his murder... before the police or anyone else catch up to her.
The book is told mostly from Edie's perspective with snippets from a book that was published about her mother's murders, and the occasional chapter from the detective that caught Lilith - Gil Brandt. I loved this style, and I thought it kept the book flowing very quickly making it a fast read. The only gripe I really have with this book is that I don't think it should be classified as a thriller; suspense and mystery sure, but not thriller. I didn't find it to be particularly chilling or overly suspenseful like the cover touts in the author quotes either. There is definitely some suspense, but this comes in spurts and isn't the overall vibe of the book.
I know there were a few people that either didn't like Edie at first, or didn't like her at all, but I never really had that problem. I don't know why, but not once did I really question anything she was doing. Sure, she doesn't make the best choices, but from the way Moretti wrote this book I didn't want to murder Edie for every stupid mistake she made. Now maybe that has something to do with not connecting with her, but either way I was fine reading from her perspective and trying to figure out what the h-e-double hockey sticks she was going to do next.
Another complaint I have seen is that some people figured out the ending, but as usual I did not. I really didn't have anything in the book figured out. And although I wasn't necessarily super surprised at anything, I still enjoyed the journey of reading this book and learning everything as it was revealed.
Final Thought: I think this is going to be another one of those books that some people are going to really enjoy, but will annoy others. I guess it could also be seen as a bit predictable if you are really concentrating on figuring out what is going on. The idea was similar to Good Me, Bad Me, at least as far as reading a book about the daughter of a female serial killer, but overall I enjoyed this book a lot more than that one. Just make sure you are not expecting a fast-paced thriller because that is not what this book is. At all. Personally I really enjoyed it though and recommend!
May 22, 2018
Since The Vanishing Year, I have had to get my hands on all of Moretti's books as soon as I can and I have found them to get better and better with each one I read! In Her Bones has an incredibly interesting premise (you can read it yourself in the description, I'm not big on summarizing in my reviews, which you all know) and asks some thought provoking questions around family and nature vs. nurture - all throughout understanding a serial killer mother (who kills the wives of the men she has affairs with!!!!) and a daughter who has found herself caught up in a murder investigation of her own (which is also connected to her mother's crimes)! Moretti is such a talented writer and I dare say this is her best yet!
Thank you to Atria for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Atria for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
July 23, 2020
This was the first book I read by this author and my gosh I enjoyed this book. This is one of them faced paced thrillers that I could not put down. It kept me guessing all the way through I just had to know how it was going to end. It's always the ones most close to you that are related to you that you do not expect at all. It was twisted in its own way. It read like a true crime story. In the novel, Edie is the daughter of a woman who is a convicted serial killer. Well, it gets even more twisted when Edie gets too close to someone connected to one of her mother's victims. You read that right. The ending is what took me all the way out. I did not expect the ending at all. I love a book with an eye catching story line.
August 29, 2018
4.5 Stars
Lilith Wade is sitting on death row. She brutally murdered six women ... all of them wives of the men she had affairs with.
Edie Beckett is her daughter. She flies low hoping no one will determine who she really is. An anonymously written book detailing their lives has made her and her brother infamous.
Gil Brandt is the detective who caught and arrested Lilith Wade. He's also made Edie a 'cause'. For some reason, he has taken an interest in her life and wants nothing more than for her to live out a normal life.
But Edie has an obsession ... she charts all the husbands, friends, and families of the surviving husbands. But when she meets one in person and then spend the night with him .. her life suddenly becomes a real nightmare.
The man is murdered, much like the killings of years ago. Is Edie truly her mother's daughter? Is she capable of such a crime? Or is she being framed by someone else? Who can she trust?
This is a unique story told in 3 parts ... one is Edie's voice, another is the detective's take and the third is taken from the book. Although Edie hasn't seen her mother since she was a teenager, she has lots of memories. And sometimes she tortures herself with the thought that no one saw her mother for what she was and the things she had done.
The characters are well-drawn and credible. I couldn't help but feel for Edie ... and the way she was brought up. She has/had issues that she's trying to come to terms with. I liked the Detective because he could see what Edie could become ... but does he also have a personal agenda?
This is the first I've read of this author ... but it definitely won't be the last.
Many thanks to the author and TBC Reviewer Request Group (Facebook) for the digital copy of this compelling novel. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Lilith Wade is sitting on death row. She brutally murdered six women ... all of them wives of the men she had affairs with.
Edie Beckett is her daughter. She flies low hoping no one will determine who she really is. An anonymously written book detailing their lives has made her and her brother infamous.
Gil Brandt is the detective who caught and arrested Lilith Wade. He's also made Edie a 'cause'. For some reason, he has taken an interest in her life and wants nothing more than for her to live out a normal life.
But Edie has an obsession ... she charts all the husbands, friends, and families of the surviving husbands. But when she meets one in person and then spend the night with him .. her life suddenly becomes a real nightmare.
The man is murdered, much like the killings of years ago. Is Edie truly her mother's daughter? Is she capable of such a crime? Or is she being framed by someone else? Who can she trust?
This is a unique story told in 3 parts ... one is Edie's voice, another is the detective's take and the third is taken from the book. Although Edie hasn't seen her mother since she was a teenager, she has lots of memories. And sometimes she tortures herself with the thought that no one saw her mother for what she was and the things she had done.
The characters are well-drawn and credible. I couldn't help but feel for Edie ... and the way she was brought up. She has/had issues that she's trying to come to terms with. I liked the Detective because he could see what Edie could become ... but does he also have a personal agenda?
This is the first I've read of this author ... but it definitely won't be the last.
Many thanks to the author and TBC Reviewer Request Group (Facebook) for the digital copy of this compelling novel. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
September 17, 2018
In Her Bones
Kate Moretti
IN HER BONES is the first book I've ever read by Kate Moretti. The twists and turns keep coming and I had to know how it was going to end! Every time I thought I knew where this story was going, a few pages later, Kate Moretti threw me for a loop and I knew I was wrong! Murderers don't just destroy the families of their victims they also destroy their own.
Edie Beckett is the daughter of Lilith Wade who, fifteen years ago, murdered six women. They were the wives of the men Lilith had affairs with. Edie has become obsessed with her mother's victims families. She gets very close to one of the family members, spends the night with him and then he turns up murdered. The killing is very much like the killings her mother committed. What a crazy premise right? IN HER BONES is a crazy and wild roller coaster ride that turns your thinking upside down!
Edie is a hot mess! She is trying to stay sober, but falls off the wagon and now finds herself wondering if she killed this man in a drunken haze......is she her mother's daughter in more ways than one? IN HER BONES is very easy to follow and I really enjoyed Kate's writing. The story does drag just a bit, but overall, I really enjoyed it. The plot of IN HER BONES is excellent but also crazy. I was instantly pulled in to the story and couldn't wait to see how it ended.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Atria Books through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Kate Moretti
IN HER BONES is the first book I've ever read by Kate Moretti. The twists and turns keep coming and I had to know how it was going to end! Every time I thought I knew where this story was going, a few pages later, Kate Moretti threw me for a loop and I knew I was wrong! Murderers don't just destroy the families of their victims they also destroy their own.
Edie Beckett is the daughter of Lilith Wade who, fifteen years ago, murdered six women. They were the wives of the men Lilith had affairs with. Edie has become obsessed with her mother's victims families. She gets very close to one of the family members, spends the night with him and then he turns up murdered. The killing is very much like the killings her mother committed. What a crazy premise right? IN HER BONES is a crazy and wild roller coaster ride that turns your thinking upside down!
Edie is a hot mess! She is trying to stay sober, but falls off the wagon and now finds herself wondering if she killed this man in a drunken haze......is she her mother's daughter in more ways than one? IN HER BONES is very easy to follow and I really enjoyed Kate's writing. The story does drag just a bit, but overall, I really enjoyed it. The plot of IN HER BONES is excellent but also crazy. I was instantly pulled in to the story and couldn't wait to see how it ended.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Atria Books through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Read
August 22, 2018RTC on blog tour 🙂
September 12, 2018
After reading The Vanishing Year and enjoying it, I knew I had to read In Her Bones. I can't say that it wooed me. On the contrary, I think it was just ok.
What was the book about?
Edie Beckett is a 30-year-old female. She has a 9 to 5 job that she doesn't care much for. She's a recovering alcoholic and her past has marked her. Edie is the daughter of the famous serial killer Lilith Wade. Usually, serial killers are men, but Lilith is one of the exceptions. She murdered six women while Edie was still a kid.
Now as an adult, Edie is using her job to track the family members of the victims. She gets to close to Peter, one of the husbands. Next thing she knows, Peter is dead and she's the main suspect. The same cop who took her mother in is after her and she's running out of time to find the truth and save herself from going to prison.
Why didn't it work for me?
The pace for one. It was too slow.
I felt we were missing pieces of information about Edie and her family.
The resolution the author used to close the plot. I knew who the baddie was from early on. It was too predictable.
Or maybe it was the high expectations I had for this author's work.
What did I like?
The theme. I was intrigued about having the serial killer's daughter's POV narrate the book. In real life, it has to be horrible to know you're related to someone so evil. I can't even imagine it. I'm sure that the families are seen as guilty too for not recognizing that the people they live with can be responsible for such heinous acts.
I like Edie. She was resourceful and smart. She was one step ahead of the police. I respected her desire to learn what really happened to Peter.
A complimentary copy was provided by the Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3/5 Fangs
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September 24, 2018
"There's a ripple effect to violence, you know."
I've always wondered what it was like for the family and friends of killers in the aftermath. They are constantly associated with an act they didn't even commit and sometimes even ostracized for it. How do you move on from this association? Especially if you're the daughter of a most notable female serial killer? Does the apple fall far from the tree?
I was pulled in straight from the prologue and was committed to the story. I will say that it did run a bit slower as the book chugged along. However, I've come to think of Moretti's writing style as suspenseful thriller rather than edge-of-your-seat and in that vein, she is absolutely fantastic. Also, with this subject matter (which I find thoroughly fascinating), I couldn't help but enjoy this story from beginning to end. Some things were predictable, while others were not. As proven in The Blackbird Season, we get another suspensefully nuanced psychological thriller. I did enjoy that this story was told mostly through Edie's eyes. Her obsession, her protectiveness of herself, her family, her strife... and the one person who has been consistent in her life, Gil, the detective who arrested her mother and helped find Edie a place to thrive in life.
I did enjoy the excerpts from the tell-all book about Lilith (Edie's mother) - I wish I could have the entire story to read. The humanness Moretti brings to the other side of the serial killer - they're not always so bad - sometimes they're just normal people, trying to be normal but something in their chemistry just doesn't allow them to be. Give them children and while the horrors may take front court in memories, those of her just being a mother are also in there. How do you reconcile the two?
Perfect for those who like that slower suspense with a dash of mystery.
3 1/2 stars rounded to 4 for Goodreads - thank you to Atria for this copy and stop on the blog tour.
I've always wondered what it was like for the family and friends of killers in the aftermath. They are constantly associated with an act they didn't even commit and sometimes even ostracized for it. How do you move on from this association? Especially if you're the daughter of a most notable female serial killer? Does the apple fall far from the tree?
I was pulled in straight from the prologue and was committed to the story. I will say that it did run a bit slower as the book chugged along. However, I've come to think of Moretti's writing style as suspenseful thriller rather than edge-of-your-seat and in that vein, she is absolutely fantastic. Also, with this subject matter (which I find thoroughly fascinating), I couldn't help but enjoy this story from beginning to end. Some things were predictable, while others were not. As proven in The Blackbird Season, we get another suspensefully nuanced psychological thriller. I did enjoy that this story was told mostly through Edie's eyes. Her obsession, her protectiveness of herself, her family, her strife... and the one person who has been consistent in her life, Gil, the detective who arrested her mother and helped find Edie a place to thrive in life.
I did enjoy the excerpts from the tell-all book about Lilith (Edie's mother) - I wish I could have the entire story to read. The humanness Moretti brings to the other side of the serial killer - they're not always so bad - sometimes they're just normal people, trying to be normal but something in their chemistry just doesn't allow them to be. Give them children and while the horrors may take front court in memories, those of her just being a mother are also in there. How do you reconcile the two?
Perfect for those who like that slower suspense with a dash of mystery.
3 1/2 stars rounded to 4 for Goodreads - thank you to Atria for this copy and stop on the blog tour.
September 18, 2018
Wow. Just wow. This book is riveting and unpredictable, a wild ride of a read that left me breathless and wanting more. Kate Moretti is a brilliant author at the peak of her talent in this unputdownable story filled with betrayal and heart-pounding action.
September 23, 2018
Moretti’s mysteries are addictive, and when I found this galley in my email, I jumped it to the front of the queue. Big thanks go to Net Galley and Atria for letting me read it free and early. You can buy it now.
Edie is an outcast, spurned by her friends when her mother Lilith is arrested as a serial killer. Since it is so rare for a serial murderer to be female, the press is everywhere; meanwhile, all Edie has left is her brother Dylan and later, his young family. Otherwise, the people to whom she feels most closely bonded don’t know Edie, don’t realize that she is watching them, obsessing over them in person and in cyberspace; they are the bereaved family members of Lilith’s victims. It gives me chills.
One day Edie takes her voyeuristic tendencies to the next level; when the man she’s been stalking is found dead, police immediately suspect Edie of being his killer. And as we read Edie’s narrative, which tells us some things but not everything, we wonder too: is Edie a lonely, isolated young woman searching for connection to another human being; or is she a chip off the old block, a stone cold killer just like her mama?
The first person narrative alternates with a third person study of Lilith, and so the voice switches from Edie’s very personal story to a clinical, dry report regarding her aberrant mother. (Let me tell you, whatever issues you may have with your own mother—she’s going to seem like the mother of the year once you’ve read this.)
I’ve read a few unhappy reviews by online friends. but I like this book. It helps if you approach it as a mystery rather than a thriller; those in search of a grab-you-by-the-hair page-turner may not get what you’re looking for, but I wanted an interesting story with an original premise and a credible ending, and this is that. In addition, the third person case notes written by social workers and their ilk ring true to me. In fact, I made a wry note to myself, wondering whether Edie or Dylan might have been in one of my classes; I have never taught the children of a serial killer to my knowledge, yet the wanton neglect and lack of nurturance, even a simple effort to provide the basics eludes Lilith in a way that seems familiar. You think I am exaggerating? Not so much. There are terrific parents; there are indifferent parents; and there are, I am sad to say, more than a few Lilith Wades out there in the parent pool.
This is my third galley by this writer. Whereas I liked The Blackbird Season a little more than this one, mostly because of its amazing word smithery, I find this story more original and memorable than The Vanishing Year, which has the sort of denouement that makes me roll my eyes. Here Moretti pulls the ending together in a way that keeps me thinking about the characters rather than the author, and I sigh with appreciation when it’s done.
All told, it’s a solid mystery with a satisfying conclusion. Recommended to all that enjoy the genre.
Edie is an outcast, spurned by her friends when her mother Lilith is arrested as a serial killer. Since it is so rare for a serial murderer to be female, the press is everywhere; meanwhile, all Edie has left is her brother Dylan and later, his young family. Otherwise, the people to whom she feels most closely bonded don’t know Edie, don’t realize that she is watching them, obsessing over them in person and in cyberspace; they are the bereaved family members of Lilith’s victims. It gives me chills.
One day Edie takes her voyeuristic tendencies to the next level; when the man she’s been stalking is found dead, police immediately suspect Edie of being his killer. And as we read Edie’s narrative, which tells us some things but not everything, we wonder too: is Edie a lonely, isolated young woman searching for connection to another human being; or is she a chip off the old block, a stone cold killer just like her mama?
The first person narrative alternates with a third person study of Lilith, and so the voice switches from Edie’s very personal story to a clinical, dry report regarding her aberrant mother. (Let me tell you, whatever issues you may have with your own mother—she’s going to seem like the mother of the year once you’ve read this.)
I’ve read a few unhappy reviews by online friends. but I like this book. It helps if you approach it as a mystery rather than a thriller; those in search of a grab-you-by-the-hair page-turner may not get what you’re looking for, but I wanted an interesting story with an original premise and a credible ending, and this is that. In addition, the third person case notes written by social workers and their ilk ring true to me. In fact, I made a wry note to myself, wondering whether Edie or Dylan might have been in one of my classes; I have never taught the children of a serial killer to my knowledge, yet the wanton neglect and lack of nurturance, even a simple effort to provide the basics eludes Lilith in a way that seems familiar. You think I am exaggerating? Not so much. There are terrific parents; there are indifferent parents; and there are, I am sad to say, more than a few Lilith Wades out there in the parent pool.
This is my third galley by this writer. Whereas I liked The Blackbird Season a little more than this one, mostly because of its amazing word smithery, I find this story more original and memorable than The Vanishing Year, which has the sort of denouement that makes me roll my eyes. Here Moretti pulls the ending together in a way that keeps me thinking about the characters rather than the author, and I sigh with appreciation when it’s done.
All told, it’s a solid mystery with a satisfying conclusion. Recommended to all that enjoy the genre.
November 11, 2018
3.5 star to be precise. But I have to round it up for the fact that you truly know Edie Beckett by the end of this book.
This is a genre in which I seldom give 4 stars. And I actually do want to take one back for the length and the intense numbers of redundant Edie thought marathons. And I disagree that Moretti's writing is good to above average. It could be immensely better with a slant to brevity and exact phrase that I don't think she has at all. Plot/ psychology insights were much better than the writing was, IMHO- in this book.
But somehow in the losing herself in Philadelphia "hide out" form- she did get an intriguing plot together. With too many characters and very few of them good intent cored or what I would group as "norm" folks. The dysfunction is high all around the block and then some. But still, it seemed far from impossible. Maybe even probable for the market in true crime books/ tv programs etc.
Having a mother as a serial killer has got to be a karma too long-worded to explain or face. I get that. But honestly, at times I felt that Edie's thought/plans mind explosions of "maybe this, maybe that" went on for 10 or 15 pages at a throw. She sounded and thought in mania and angst more like a 20 year old than a 30 year old. And I hate the hook up aspect of these stories. There comes a point when you can't even keep the guys' names straight.
BUT- it was complex. And although almost a one trick pony to the "reveal" of who did what? Well- with all that verbiage- it did work. It was much better than Vanishing Year.
She knows people but she needs to get her thoughts for them expressed in paragraphs and not 5 or 10 pages at a crack tangents "about them" (which also are repeated 3 chapters later and then again 10 chapters later). Moretti has a bad habit of doing a rather what I would call a "formula" style of description on top of it. For instance, after any random meeting/ conversation/ appearance there is a sequence that goes on about how it smells at the end of the physical description. Each person and each place and each bus and each alley and each guy's neck? The same order too. Odors all around.
YET, it kept my interest to what the heck she was going to do about her situation. Would love that answered in a form that cuts. One done 50 to 100 pages shorter than this book was with all this repeating crosscut scenario "remembering".
But it gets 4 stars because in this genre- this one is far better than the "norm". And I only guessed who was probably worse than Lilith within the last 75 pages. And that doesn't happen with these mean girls' books very often. Hardly can remember the last one I gave a 4 star rating.
Philadelphia as a locale was above average. Liked the placement- and it's fairly rare.
This is a genre in which I seldom give 4 stars. And I actually do want to take one back for the length and the intense numbers of redundant Edie thought marathons. And I disagree that Moretti's writing is good to above average. It could be immensely better with a slant to brevity and exact phrase that I don't think she has at all. Plot/ psychology insights were much better than the writing was, IMHO- in this book.
But somehow in the losing herself in Philadelphia "hide out" form- she did get an intriguing plot together. With too many characters and very few of them good intent cored or what I would group as "norm" folks. The dysfunction is high all around the block and then some. But still, it seemed far from impossible. Maybe even probable for the market in true crime books/ tv programs etc.
Having a mother as a serial killer has got to be a karma too long-worded to explain or face. I get that. But honestly, at times I felt that Edie's thought/plans mind explosions of "maybe this, maybe that" went on for 10 or 15 pages at a throw. She sounded and thought in mania and angst more like a 20 year old than a 30 year old. And I hate the hook up aspect of these stories. There comes a point when you can't even keep the guys' names straight.
BUT- it was complex. And although almost a one trick pony to the "reveal" of who did what? Well- with all that verbiage- it did work. It was much better than Vanishing Year.
She knows people but she needs to get her thoughts for them expressed in paragraphs and not 5 or 10 pages at a crack tangents "about them" (which also are repeated 3 chapters later and then again 10 chapters later). Moretti has a bad habit of doing a rather what I would call a "formula" style of description on top of it. For instance, after any random meeting/ conversation/ appearance there is a sequence that goes on about how it smells at the end of the physical description. Each person and each place and each bus and each alley and each guy's neck? The same order too. Odors all around.
YET, it kept my interest to what the heck she was going to do about her situation. Would love that answered in a form that cuts. One done 50 to 100 pages shorter than this book was with all this repeating crosscut scenario "remembering".
But it gets 4 stars because in this genre- this one is far better than the "norm". And I only guessed who was probably worse than Lilith within the last 75 pages. And that doesn't happen with these mean girls' books very often. Hardly can remember the last one I gave a 4 star rating.
Philadelphia as a locale was above average. Liked the placement- and it's fairly rare.
October 16, 2018
What an interesting and exciting read! I read this in one sitting on a rainy Sunday.
In this story, we follow Edie whose mother is a convicted serial killer. That, right there, is surely enough to mess with her mind and affect her in ways that those of us with non-serial killer mothers would not be able to understand but the way this story is written it me, as a reader, right there in Edie's place trying to understand who she is and what she is up to. Her way of coping is to keep and eye on and follow the families of her mother's victims, keeping journals of their movements. A bit disturbing but at least, compared to what her mother had done, this was all she had done.
By far the best part of the story for me was Edie's investigative mission and how she manages to find out all that she does. I was really surprised by that twist and thoroughly enjoyed following Edie as she tried to figure out what really went on.
Even though I was a little disappointed by the ending of this book and had wished there was a bit more of a conclusion, this was a thoroughy enjoyable read and would highly recommend it.
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Debs :-)
May 8, 2018
When Edie, the daughter of a serial killer, becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation, she abandons her carefully constructed life and becomes a fugitive. Edie is constantly looking for cracks in her veneer which might allow the legacy of her mother to leak through, so her internal torment amplifies the very real dangers surrounding her. Edie is a fascinating heroine and as her history and that of her mother unfolded, I flipped the pages faster and faster, slowing only for the hairpin plot twists and bullseye insights. Driven by Moretti’s signature pulsating prose, IN HER BONES is emotionally nuanced and wickedly clever. I dare you to guess the ending.
November 30, 2018
This was a really good audio book - I didn't want to stop listening!
September 13, 2018
A clever twist on the serial killer story mixed with a murder and Moretti's trademark masterful prose = a haunting, can't-put-it-down story. Kate Moretti never disappoints!
October 9, 2018
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
The daughter of a female serial killer is stalking the families of her mother's victims. Is she on her way to becoming a killer herself? Creepy.
The daughter of a female serial killer is stalking the families of her mother's victims. Is she on her way to becoming a killer herself? Creepy.
June 6, 2021
I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get round to reading In Her Bones. I loved Kate Moretti’s The Blackbird Season, but I think this book is even better. I’ve read a few books where the story is told from the perspective of the daughter of a serial killer, but this book had a really interesting hook that grabbed my attention. Edith, the main character in this book, is the daughter of a serial killer, Lilith, who is currently serving time in prison for the murders she committed. In recent years, Edith, now thirty, has been looking into the families of her mother’s victims. And soon, she is about to become embroiled in a murder investigation, and she’s the prime suspect.
I thought Edith was such a fascinating character. I wanted to understand her obsession with the families of her mother’s victims more and why she wanted to get to know them. It made me think about what I would do if I was in her position. I loved how Kate Moretti delved into her psychology, and you can see that she is a writer who really understands her characters and their motivations.
When things take a more sinister turn for Edith, I couldn’t understand why she didn’t just want to go to the police and tell them the information she knew. Edith sets out to find out who is responsible for the murder of one of the family members of her mother’s victims. I wanted to know if she was potentially being set up because of who her mother was. But also, I felt I couldn’t entirely trust Edith as I was reading. I kept wondering if perhaps there was something that she wasn’t telling us.
We also get to read extracts from a book written about Edith’s mother, and I thought this was really fascinating as well. It allowed us a glimpse into Edith’s childhood.
The tension in this book continued to heat up, and I was desperate to know who was behind the murder. In Her Bones is very well plotted and I was kept hooked right the way through. Now I need to catch up on Kate Moretti’s other books, which I’ve missed.
I thought Edith was such a fascinating character. I wanted to understand her obsession with the families of her mother’s victims more and why she wanted to get to know them. It made me think about what I would do if I was in her position. I loved how Kate Moretti delved into her psychology, and you can see that she is a writer who really understands her characters and their motivations.
When things take a more sinister turn for Edith, I couldn’t understand why she didn’t just want to go to the police and tell them the information she knew. Edith sets out to find out who is responsible for the murder of one of the family members of her mother’s victims. I wanted to know if she was potentially being set up because of who her mother was. But also, I felt I couldn’t entirely trust Edith as I was reading. I kept wondering if perhaps there was something that she wasn’t telling us.
We also get to read extracts from a book written about Edith’s mother, and I thought this was really fascinating as well. It allowed us a glimpse into Edith’s childhood.
The tension in this book continued to heat up, and I was desperate to know who was behind the murder. In Her Bones is very well plotted and I was kept hooked right the way through. Now I need to catch up on Kate Moretti’s other books, which I’ve missed.
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