True Evil

Evil

by Julia Derek

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU WAS A PSYCHOPATH?

Shane Hanson was set up for a double homicide when he was only 13 years old. His relative did it because she blames him for the death of her one true love. After spending five years in juvie, he's released on parole and determined to reveal the truth about his relative. In the meantime, he meets a girl he develops feelings for. 
Shane's relative is a psychopath so good at manipulating people that she has managed to get everyone to believe Shane killed two people that she's killed. She never expected Shane to get such a soft sentence, but instead that he would remain in jail forever. Now she must start from scratch to get him back behind bars. To get her revenge right finally, she'll use the girl Shane falls in love with, breaking his heart as much as his spirit.

NOTE: No sex or violence, but some bad language.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Suspense

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2018

About the author

Julia Derek is originally from Sweden and is a trainer by day and writer by night. She's the author of several mystery and thriller books.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shane is now able to leave jail even though he has been innocent all along—mom was the real psychopath. Mom is now married to a rich man, living a life she has always wanted except Shane’s existence ruins that. To what lengths will a psychopath go to rid the obstacles in her life?

I liked this book but not as much as the first. The minor characters of Sophie and Steve were not thought out or explained as much as I would have liked them to.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closer to 2.5 than a 3. While this wasn't horrible, it didn't flow as well as the first book. Shane having an imaginary friend baffled me and the several times he fell for the trap his mother set had me wondering how he's supposed to exact revenge on someone who can outwit him more quickly and thoroughly than he can do the reverse. I also wondered why his neighbor believed him and offered help instead of running for the hills or calling the authorities. "You say you're innocent of the double homicide you served time for? Your mother framed you? Okay, let me put on a disguise and check things out inside her house to see if I can find something that'll help you." Yup. That's exactly what I'd do if approached by a stranger and told this story. The ending was a bit predictable and Shane should have expected it. Hoping the 3rd book will tie up all the loose ends and finish this story arc. I like it well enough to want to finish the 3rd book in the bundle I received free from bookbub.

[Jessica Johnsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm now waiting for the third book to be out. This book was also a very quick read (like less than 24 hours) and again my mind is spinning...

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

☺

Second book in the trilogy. Not as suspenseful as the first as we already know who the killer is.
This one follows more on from Shane being released from juvie back into the clutches of his now rich Mother. More so rich because she married an older rich man. Shane now also has a baby sister of three years old. Shane is determined to get revenge on his Mother for his lost years in juvie. In the apartment building she acquired and pays for him to live he meets get attractive Sophie. He instantly believes Sophie is working for his Mother to help out him back behind bars. But who is Sophie really? She seems to just disappear at the drop of a hat for days at a time. When she calls her number seems to disappear from his call.log. Shane decides to confront Sophie and she admits all! Then comes along an unlikely friend who states he has seen Shane on numerous occasions chatting to himself but as if he's been chatting to another person. Can Shane trust this person or is he just another pawn in his mother's game to get him behind bars. And what is this blue book the imaginary Sophie keeps telling him about?
When a plot to have her son kill her wealthy husband goes wrong does Jennifer have to go on the run as they are seen reading her blue book. Her book of murders and their ratings she gives them out of ten. Has time really ran out for Jennifer?

This book like the first was written well Nd kept the pages turning. Knowing the killer and the victim already from book one it was as much on the edge of the seat as the previous but it did have other qualities in Shane's psychosis and figuring his way around his Mother mind games yet again, but as an older, wiser eighteen year old who spent five years in juvie for crimes he didn't commit.

[Aurora Harner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!

I chose a five star rating because I really enjoyed this book. This is the first book I read of this series and even though I fully intend to go back and read the first book, I had no problems understanding what shanes past was and how it shaped his person. I truly enjoyed the insight into Jen's mind. It really helped me understand how truly psychotic her character was. I really hope this is not the last book of the series and look forward to more from this author.

[Wendy Del Toro · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow. what a dud. The first book was pretty good, even though it was predictable. This was dull and boring. Everything is spelled out for the reader, no thinking involved: we already know who the villain is so the intrigue is gone, there is no guessing whom the unreliable narrator is. The mom was supposed to be an evil genius, the master of manipulation but all I read was a game of cat and mouse played by a kitten and a fly. No ingenuity or shrewdness. Shane had nothing to do with the outcome and it wrapped up too quickly. Huge disappointment.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This thriller held my interest. Book one was crazy in a disturbing way. This one starts unfolding things a bit more. Still crazy.

Shane is now 18 and out of juvie, after serving for five years. After being roughed up and more for crimes he didn’t commit. He quickly learned that he needed to cooperate in order to get out. Once out, he would do everything possible to expose the real criminal. The real murderer -his mother.

[Page Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice follow up to the first installment, although some of the hallucination sequences didn't make as much sense to me as maybe they were intended to. Jen was more treacherous than initially insinuated in this book, which I guess I liked. I'll get the last installment whenever it comes out as well. Good read.

[Phyllis H. Pajka · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting book. Lots of twists and turns and at times, you weren't sure which way it would go. It was so interesting you couldn't put it down and I personally, enjoyed every minute of it. I think you should give this book a try. It's so fascinating and you really can't tell what will happen next. If you choose to read it, Enjoy!!!

[Amy Troiano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first book that threw me for a loop at the end (which I loved). I started True Evil (2nd in series) yesterday morning and finished easily in one day. This one was not quite as good as the first one, but it did keep me guessing. Started the 3rd one late last night. Easy read and very enjoyable.

[Alita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got ‘Born Evil’ for free. Paid for ‘True Evil’. Not sure I will buy ‘Hunt Evil’ the last of this trilogy. Not sure I am curious enough to find out what happens next. This is not badly written, an easy read but missing something...more of an episode of ‘Criminal Minds’ (but shallow) than a novel and I don’t really care much what happens next. I can always check Goodreads reviews to find out.

[Regina Lively · Rating 5 out of 5]

A SERIES WORTH READING

Great read! Even better than the first book. Looking forward to when book three comes out. This series is spellbinding and exciting to read! I really hate that rotten b***h Jennifer!

[Bridget Torkington · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first book, I was really pleased that the second book was available. An exciting flowing read. I finished first in trilogy and did something I never do.... started the second immediately. Can’t wait for the n cut one.

[paula b · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG !

This book is Disturbing ! Crazy ! Jennifer the " mom " is a cold hearted psycho bitch... And that's being nice.
I'm amazed at the Great talent of the author to even come up with this crazy intense story. Book 3 here I come...

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. No doubted I enjoyed the first book a lot since I didn't knew who was the bad guy then. But this book was also quite interesting lol. Loved how Shane's mind was all screwed up which made it so hard for him to differentiate between reality and imagination.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine being child of serial killers. How do you survive? Shane must deal with manipulation, fear, and gaslighting as he struggles to break free from a childhood that could destroy any hope for a normal life.

[Ellen White]

By reading all of them, you will have an unusual twist on murder and suspense. The audio was different with each, and gave one the added emotion and fear. Given ARC audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good sequel to a good story. There was one major twist I didn’t see coming. However, I do hope the ending to this book is explained in the final book. I don’t see how Jennifer was able to break out of prison so quickly, even if Jordan was a CO there.

[Eileen Vander Loop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story that keeps a reader coming back for more.

This is another excellent read. Again, I thought that I had figured out the plot twist to this story to be surprised by the written plot twist. Well written and a great way to keep a reader coming back for more.

[Sarah Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Literally as the 44 year old female character is thinking to herself, she says lol in her head. Also, the way she described the female love interest/hallucination was terrible. Not as bad as 'she breasted boobily,' but close.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evil plot

Other than a few editorial bloopers, I had a hard time putting it down.
Shane had spent 5 years in juvy, punishment for two murders.

[CindyP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read

Loved the story! Best book I have read for awhile! Can’t wait to read another one of her books, great!

[Karen Uhlich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book

Quite well written story of how a person wanting revenge can ruin another person's life. It was worth the time.

[sharon marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't leave a comment on the first book...I should have...you can't stop once you start reading..it is going to be t tough to wait for the 3rd book in this series!

[Natasha McRitchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy, fun read

The authors style of writing is very clear. It’s an easy exciting read. I can’t wait for the next book.

[Matthew Murray Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than one!

Shorter than the first but just as twisted. Looking forward to the next one. I think I have a new favorite Author.
Great Stuff

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - again i couldn’t put this book down, needed to know what happened! On to book 3!

[Zee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost as good as the first one

Often sequels disappoint, but this one was good. There are twists that I didn't see coming and if an author can do that, they get my Kudos.

[AXJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a good stand alone book but for #2 of 3 in the series, it moved the story along and I’ll be reading #3 next.

[Leca Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this series. I read it quickly!