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Dead Petals
A murdered little girl whispers in the dark.
What does she want?
And what does she know?
Gary and Fiona are thrust into a nightmare when their twelve-year-old daughter, Charley, disappears from the park one day. Is she another victim of the one they call the Goldilocks Killer?
Lost in drink and self-pity, Gary blames himself, while Fiona desperately tries to hold together the fragments of their shattered lives.
But when Gary finally reaches a turning point, his world is once again thrown into turmoil by the death of another little girl. A little girl who will change everything.
And then the haunting begins.
What does she want?
And what does she know?
Gary and Fiona are thrust into a nightmare when their twelve-year-old daughter, Charley, disappears from the park one day. Is she another victim of the one they call the Goldilocks Killer?
Lost in drink and self-pity, Gary blames himself, while Fiona desperately tries to hold together the fragments of their shattered lives.
But when Gary finally reaches a turning point, his world is once again thrown into turmoil by the death of another little girl. A little girl who will change everything.
And then the haunting begins.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2019
4 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 8, 2019
3.75
This author came to my attention from a book buddy. I agreed to read it as the blurb sounded like something I’d enjoy reading.
I was right.
The Goldilocks killer is abducting children. So when a couples child goes missing suddenly they’re first thoughts are Goodilocks Killer.
It started out really well, dipped a little but then sped up again which totally kept me invested in the story and what will happen next.
This is a new author that is definitely worth a second look.
I can’t help but think he’s got a lot more to deliver for us readers enjoyment.
This author came to my attention from a book buddy. I agreed to read it as the blurb sounded like something I’d enjoy reading.
I was right.
The Goldilocks killer is abducting children. So when a couples child goes missing suddenly they’re first thoughts are Goodilocks Killer.
It started out really well, dipped a little but then sped up again which totally kept me invested in the story and what will happen next.
This is a new author that is definitely worth a second look.
I can’t help but think he’s got a lot more to deliver for us readers enjoyment.
March 12, 2019
I was given this book as an ARC, but I would have bought it anyway after reading that first chapter.
Because this book invites you in, into the home of a beautiful and amusing family that could be your own, or your neighbors. Or that nice family down the street. The one that had something very bad happen to them. It shouldn't happen to anyone, but it could.
When Gary finds out for himself what its like to live in a world of chaos and despair in the wake of his daughter's disappearance you grieve with him, because the author has let you love the family by then, you can't help but feel the powerless frustration with Gary.
His downwards spiral and subsequent drunken apathy in a world that isn't his own anymore tears your heart out. But then something changes, it is the smallest thing, the kindest gesture, and just when you think Gary might be able to recover his whole world is turned upside down once more.
Unlike Alice following the rabbit though, this one chases him home, and haunts him in his own house. The strangeness does not stop until the subtle nuances of a desperate father's dreams to find that he might, finally, have an answer.
This book is subtle, it is slow, and every single sentence was worth it.
Because this book invites you in, into the home of a beautiful and amusing family that could be your own, or your neighbors. Or that nice family down the street. The one that had something very bad happen to them. It shouldn't happen to anyone, but it could.
When Gary finds out for himself what its like to live in a world of chaos and despair in the wake of his daughter's disappearance you grieve with him, because the author has let you love the family by then, you can't help but feel the powerless frustration with Gary.
His downwards spiral and subsequent drunken apathy in a world that isn't his own anymore tears your heart out. But then something changes, it is the smallest thing, the kindest gesture, and just when you think Gary might be able to recover his whole world is turned upside down once more.
Unlike Alice following the rabbit though, this one chases him home, and haunts him in his own house. The strangeness does not stop until the subtle nuances of a desperate father's dreams to find that he might, finally, have an answer.
This book is subtle, it is slow, and every single sentence was worth it.
April 8, 2019
This is a new to me author that I came across on social media. When I saw the cover and blurb I was intrigued and looked forward to reading it.
The Goldilocks Killer is abducting young girls. When Gary and Fiona’s daughter disappears their worst nightmares come through. Unable to move forward Gary turns to alcohol and risks losing everything.
Usually I dont read a story with a supernatural feel to it but this totally worked. I found myself glued to my kindle wondering what was going to happen next.
I found this story slow to start off with. If you feel the same stick with it...it’ll be well worth it. I’m really looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
The Goldilocks Killer is abducting young girls. When Gary and Fiona’s daughter disappears their worst nightmares come through. Unable to move forward Gary turns to alcohol and risks losing everything.
Usually I dont read a story with a supernatural feel to it but this totally worked. I found myself glued to my kindle wondering what was going to happen next.
I found this story slow to start off with. If you feel the same stick with it...it’ll be well worth it. I’m really looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
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May 27, 2020Starred review to come on www.scifiandscary.com
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
April 8, 2019
Gary and Fiona live a seemingly perfect life. Happy marriage, great home, wonderful jobs, they have it all, topped off with their perfect little daughter Charlotte, or Charley for short. With the only downside being that work is sometimes stressful, their lives are pretty great, and their biggest worry is Charley’s upcoming twelfth birthday. Everything is perfect.
Until the day Charley disappears from the park, possibly taken by a serial kidnapper and becoming the next in line of a string of missing girls. Gary and Fiona’s lives fall apart without their little girl, their social lives crumbling and their marriage rocked to the core with how their struggling to cope. No body is discovered as time moves on, and Gary’s life becomes reduced to sleepless nights and drunken days. But weird things start happening at the house, weird things that Gary can’t explain. Are they somehow related to Charley’s disappearance, and can they help Gary and Fiona to figure out what has happened?
First things first, absolutely excellent book. The cover is fantastic and I was hooked by that and the blurb from the beginning. I’m very happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed, and that this is one of the best thrillers/mysteries I’ve read in ages.
I’Anson writing is beautiful, strong, and captivating, if at sometimes a bit slow-paced and long-winded for my taste. But it has that slow burn, that delicately placed hint of something more that constantly strings you along, not giving you time to breathe. The setting and characters are elegantly crafted and I became so invested in these people’s lives that I couldn’t keep myself from wanting to figure out what the hell was going on.
It’s a family drama, gripping thriller, a tiny hint of romance, and a haunting mystery all at the same time. And it delivers, not pulling any punches.
Until the day Charley disappears from the park, possibly taken by a serial kidnapper and becoming the next in line of a string of missing girls. Gary and Fiona’s lives fall apart without their little girl, their social lives crumbling and their marriage rocked to the core with how their struggling to cope. No body is discovered as time moves on, and Gary’s life becomes reduced to sleepless nights and drunken days. But weird things start happening at the house, weird things that Gary can’t explain. Are they somehow related to Charley’s disappearance, and can they help Gary and Fiona to figure out what has happened?
First things first, absolutely excellent book. The cover is fantastic and I was hooked by that and the blurb from the beginning. I’m very happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed, and that this is one of the best thrillers/mysteries I’ve read in ages.
I’Anson writing is beautiful, strong, and captivating, if at sometimes a bit slow-paced and long-winded for my taste. But it has that slow burn, that delicately placed hint of something more that constantly strings you along, not giving you time to breathe. The setting and characters are elegantly crafted and I became so invested in these people’s lives that I couldn’t keep myself from wanting to figure out what the hell was going on.
It’s a family drama, gripping thriller, a tiny hint of romance, and a haunting mystery all at the same time. And it delivers, not pulling any punches.
May 15, 2019
"Dead Petals" held a lot of unexpected turn of events.
When I read these kind of stories , I love making my own guesses, and a few times my guesses were wrong, which I loved.
Unpredictable plot twists are always the best, am I right or am I right?
The splash of supernatural intertwined with the mystery was a fun addition.
Alan wrote this beautifully and showed what isn't shown in media during such a tragedy.
The conflict, the pain, the blaming but most importantly the normalcy prior to Charlies disappearance.
If the novel sounds like it would be up your ally, I highly recommend reading it. (I recommended it to a few friends already lol)
I couldn't (more like didn't) want to put it down.
That ending had me shook.
When I read these kind of stories , I love making my own guesses, and a few times my guesses were wrong, which I loved.
Unpredictable plot twists are always the best, am I right or am I right?
The splash of supernatural intertwined with the mystery was a fun addition.
Alan wrote this beautifully and showed what isn't shown in media during such a tragedy.
The conflict, the pain, the blaming but most importantly the normalcy prior to Charlies disappearance.
If the novel sounds like it would be up your ally, I highly recommend reading it. (I recommended it to a few friends already lol)
I couldn't (more like didn't) want to put it down.
That ending had me shook.
June 8, 2020
Dead Petals is one helluva rollercoaster ride. I’ve had this book for over a year and waited until I was emotionally ready for such a story, one in which a child goes missing and the devastating impact it has on the parents and their marriage. And then after all the emotions and anticipation in the first half, the second half of the book takes an otherworldly turn, which I always love. If a book can make me teary-eyed then it’s a superb story. I highly recommend it.
September 9, 2021
Great book
Some great twists that I didn't see coming. I really enjoyed this book, a real page turner. I highly recommend it.
Some great twists that I didn't see coming. I really enjoyed this book, a real page turner. I highly recommend it.
October 1, 2021
Definitely an emotional one, full review coming soon.
November 13, 2019
Disclaimer: I was an early reader of Alan's novel, commenting and proofing for him. I found it rather uncomfortable reading because this novel managed to press on one of my fears, the fear of a child -- of my child -- being hurt. Most of my horror reading tends toward a supernatural, paranormal or s.f entity that I can readily discount as fictitious. That buffer between life and fiction is not available in this novel, and the actions of the Goldilocks Killer were all the more unnerving because the motivation behind them as well as the actions themselves are plausible, as are the relationships between the main characters and the devolution of those relationships in the aftermath of their child being taken.
Alan is a good writer not just on a sentence by sentence level but at the level of organizing and deploying his materials. The events of the novel, from a birthday party to the tortured father's fumbling as he tries to find his daughter, all ring true, and the suspense of what will happen by the end of the novel is earned through his depiction of his characters.
Alan is a good writer not just on a sentence by sentence level but at the level of organizing and deploying his materials. The events of the novel, from a birthday party to the tortured father's fumbling as he tries to find his daughter, all ring true, and the suspense of what will happen by the end of the novel is earned through his depiction of his characters.
February 28, 2019
A fellow book mate excitedly told me about "Dead Petals". She knows me so well and knew I'd love this book too!
The cover drew me in straight away, it makes me think of a creepy fairytale with the hopes of a happy ending....
"Dead Petals" sucked me right in from the start. There were red herrings scattered throughout to put the reader off its true scent. I thought I knew what was occurring, only to be surprised with another outcome.
There is an element of supernatural events happening in the book, which really added depth and meaning to the story.
The characters are really well formed and as the reader, I shared their anguish and happiness till the very end.
A superb book and I'm really looking forward to reading more from this author.
The cover drew me in straight away, it makes me think of a creepy fairytale with the hopes of a happy ending....
"Dead Petals" sucked me right in from the start. There were red herrings scattered throughout to put the reader off its true scent. I thought I knew what was occurring, only to be surprised with another outcome.
There is an element of supernatural events happening in the book, which really added depth and meaning to the story.
The characters are really well formed and as the reader, I shared their anguish and happiness till the very end.
A superb book and I'm really looking forward to reading more from this author.
November 16, 2020
I thought this book was fantastic. It was a dark story with amazing twists, pulling on the strings of your emotions. Gut wrenching at times, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
April 8, 2019
This book was awesome! I highly recommend Dead Petals to anyone who loves crime fiction, paranormal fiction, thrillers, or dramas.
The story follows the lives of a family before and after their world is shattered. I’Anson does an amazing job at letting you get to know and fall in love with these characters before he completely rips your heart out. The cast is so well developed, it was like reading about real people, seeing such a traumatic part of their lives, and feeling all of it with them.
Gary finds himself being haunted by a little girl after another traumatic experience he’ll never forget. To say it’s scary is an understatement. It’s sad and horrific and so beautifully written. I still have nightmares about this haunting. The author was so clever in how he incorporated it.
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions. It had several cute, funny family moments before Charley disappears. Then after, every single page made me cry. Until the hauntings begin. Then I was properly scared. It’s amazing how much emotion could be put into one novel.
I don’t normally read books like this because most authors go into the gory details of what the kidnapper does with his victims. This is NOT one of those books. I got the idea of what was going on but didn’t have to read any specifics.
Dead Petals is at the very top of my list of favorite books. I can’t wait to read it again.
The story follows the lives of a family before and after their world is shattered. I’Anson does an amazing job at letting you get to know and fall in love with these characters before he completely rips your heart out. The cast is so well developed, it was like reading about real people, seeing such a traumatic part of their lives, and feeling all of it with them.
Gary finds himself being haunted by a little girl after another traumatic experience he’ll never forget. To say it’s scary is an understatement. It’s sad and horrific and so beautifully written. I still have nightmares about this haunting. The author was so clever in how he incorporated it.
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions. It had several cute, funny family moments before Charley disappears. Then after, every single page made me cry. Until the hauntings begin. Then I was properly scared. It’s amazing how much emotion could be put into one novel.
I don’t normally read books like this because most authors go into the gory details of what the kidnapper does with his victims. This is NOT one of those books. I got the idea of what was going on but didn’t have to read any specifics.
Dead Petals is at the very top of my list of favorite books. I can’t wait to read it again.
June 17, 2019
Very interesting read with various concepts involved. The story takes an unexpected turn and events pick up quickly.
June 7, 2021
I read this on honeymoon a couple of years ago and it was brilliant! I couldn’t put it down!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews