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The Strangler's Daughter
Ten years ago, Lisa Ashford's father did a terrible thing... and he got away with it. He promised Lisa that he wouldn't kill again, and for the past decade they've both lived happily in their little cottage in an English village. But can the past ever truly stay buried?Last time her father killed, Lisa was an impressionable girl who struggled to understand society. Now she's a young woman, and ignoring the truth isn't so easy. Can she still stand by while her father commits terrible crimes? Or will she take a stand and try to stop him? And if she disobeys his instructions, how far will her father go in order to keep his deadly secrets?The Strangler's Daughter is the story of a man driven by demons, and about a woman who has to face the truth about her father.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2019
168 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Amy Cross
664 books1,685 followersAmy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 8, 2025
3.5 stars. I greatly struggled with the constant back and forth between present day and a decade earlier. It was literally every chapter alternating, sometimes even only after a paragraph or two, and it took more focus to stay oriented, as opposed to actually sitting with the plot. Now the lead, Lisa, is a really complex character. We experience her through some really powerful situations kver the course of her young life, almost all involving her parent’s troubled marriage and, of course, above all else, her murderous father. Now he really did need some additional depth, and just being a random psychopath did not suffice. The ending was a really fitting and satisfying conclusion, but after all the difficulties getting to that point, it took away from the desired effect. Good premise and really dynamic characters, but not the best execution. Perhaps if the author had part of the book take place in the past and then the other in the present, it would have made this a much better experience.
November 4, 2019
Reading this now! But I had to rate it already. This is one author who has never disappointed me. I love her work.
December 13, 2019
It was a difficult read for a couple of reasons. It's the story of a teenage girl finding out her father is a serial killer, and the relationship between them as he keeps killing.
The chapters alternate between ten years ago and the present day throughout the book which is intriguing at first but becomes irritating as the story progresses.
Minor characters are introduced seemingly just to be bumped off shortly afterwards. The father has no real motivation for killing beyond an urge he can't explain. The daughter is a strong character until her father tells her to go home and then she folds like a pack of cards.
She doesn't contact the police with her knowledge, making her a tacit accomplice to his crimes. There's no real satisfying conclusion nor is justice served (no spoilers). The father is a horrible character but not in an intriguing way, just unpleasant.
It was a hard book to finish and not one I recommend unless you have KU or are a big fan of serial killer stories.
The chapters alternate between ten years ago and the present day throughout the book which is intriguing at first but becomes irritating as the story progresses.
Minor characters are introduced seemingly just to be bumped off shortly afterwards. The father has no real motivation for killing beyond an urge he can't explain. The daughter is a strong character until her father tells her to go home and then she folds like a pack of cards.
She doesn't contact the police with her knowledge, making her a tacit accomplice to his crimes. There's no real satisfying conclusion nor is justice served (no spoilers). The father is a horrible character but not in an intriguing way, just unpleasant.
It was a hard book to finish and not one I recommend unless you have KU or are a big fan of serial killer stories.
December 18, 2019
It was a difficult read for a couple of reasons. It's the story of a teenage girl finding out her father is a serial killer, and the relationship between them as he keeps killing.
The chapters alternate between ten years ago and the present day throughout the book which is intriguing at first but becomes irritating as the story progresses.
Minor characters are introduced seemingly just to be bumped off shortly afterwards. The father has no real motivation for killing beyond an urge he can't explain. The daughter is a strong character until her father tells her to go home and then she folds like a pack of cards.
She doesn't contact the police with her knowledge, making her a tacit accomplice to his crimes. There's no real satisfying conclusion nor is justice served (no spoilers). The father is a horrible character but not in an intriguing way, just unpleasant.
It was a hard book to finish and not one I recommend unless you have KU or are a big fan of serial killer stories.
The chapters alternate between ten years ago and the present day throughout the book which is intriguing at first but becomes irritating as the story progresses.
Minor characters are introduced seemingly just to be bumped off shortly afterwards. The father has no real motivation for killing beyond an urge he can't explain. The daughter is a strong character until her father tells her to go home and then she folds like a pack of cards.
She doesn't contact the police with her knowledge, making her a tacit accomplice to his crimes. There's no real satisfying conclusion nor is justice served (no spoilers). The father is a horrible character but not in an intriguing way, just unpleasant.
It was a hard book to finish and not one I recommend unless you have KU or are a big fan of serial killer stories.
June 26, 2024
What is "Normal" Anyway?
Normalcy seems to be the theme in this book by Amy Cross. Lisa is the protagonist in this dark thriller/horror story. Her father, as the title suggests, is a serial killer and she has known for awhile. However, she is torn by her loyalty and love for her father, and what the right thing to do would be.
Constantly shifting in time, we unravel the mystery of who Lisa is and why her father commits the crimes that he does.
The story is tense. The father/daughter relationship is a complex one of love, protection and betrayal.
The constant shifting in time was quite annoying, but the tension was strong and it was a quick read.
Normalcy seems to be the theme in this book by Amy Cross. Lisa is the protagonist in this dark thriller/horror story. Her father, as the title suggests, is a serial killer and she has known for awhile. However, she is torn by her loyalty and love for her father, and what the right thing to do would be.
Constantly shifting in time, we unravel the mystery of who Lisa is and why her father commits the crimes that he does.
The story is tense. The father/daughter relationship is a complex one of love, protection and betrayal.
The constant shifting in time was quite annoying, but the tension was strong and it was a quick read.
December 7, 2019
A quick read, a good book I will think about for days.
I liked Lisa's character so much, I would like to see how she develops in a sequel. It would be interesting to see where she goes on from here. I did enjoy the book however, I think it could have been longer and more detailed to become a full length novel as some situations lacked depth. Although I can understand that the author was writing a short story.
I liked Lisa's character so much, I would like to see how she develops in a sequel. It would be interesting to see where she goes on from here. I did enjoy the book however, I think it could have been longer and more detailed to become a full length novel as some situations lacked depth. Although I can understand that the author was writing a short story.
December 23, 2019
Don't waste your time
I love this author normally but this one is a dud. Story is sluggish and the way it switches back and forth between time frames just feels like the author was trying something new instead of really writing to make the story more interesting. Do yourself a favor and skip this one. This avid reader barely made it halfway through before moving on to another book.
I love this author normally but this one is a dud. Story is sluggish and the way it switches back and forth between time frames just feels like the author was trying something new instead of really writing to make the story more interesting. Do yourself a favor and skip this one. This avid reader barely made it halfway through before moving on to another book.
November 30, 2019
Blood is thicker than water.
Having to keep 'normal' family secrets is a terrible burden. But, if a family member is a serial killer, keeping secrets is deadly.
Poor Lisa isn't certain what her father has been hiding all these years, but as the facts begin to point in one disturbing direction, she needs to find answers before it's too late.
Having to keep 'normal' family secrets is a terrible burden. But, if a family member is a serial killer, keeping secrets is deadly.
Poor Lisa isn't certain what her father has been hiding all these years, but as the facts begin to point in one disturbing direction, she needs to find answers before it's too late.
November 18, 2019
A gripping of a young woman struggling with her own issues while dealing with a growing recognition of even bigger problems in her own household. This book grows on you quickly and is tough to put down.
February 13, 2020
Told From A Different Perspective
Lisa suspects that her father is a serial killer. She is devastated when she discovers her suspicions were correct. This was a very good book. Amy Cross never disappoints
Lisa suspects that her father is a serial killer. She is devastated when she discovers her suspicions were correct. This was a very good book. Amy Cross never disappoints
November 16, 2019
Very good
I really enjoyed this book. Not many twists and turns as your usual books but I still enjoyed it a lot.
I really enjoyed this book. Not many twists and turns as your usual books but I still enjoyed it a lot.
November 30, 2019
Real good
Great story and hard to put down. Lot of loss sleep but fortunately I am retired and could sleep in the morning.
Great story and hard to put down. Lot of loss sleep but fortunately I am retired and could sleep in the morning.
December 29, 2019
Great story!
Loved how the chapters switched back & forth from past & present. It kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next!
Loved how the chapters switched back & forth from past & present. It kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next!
May 1, 2020
The first half was very repetitive backstory and character setup, almost DNFed because of this. The second half has better flow.
July 31, 2022
Good quick read that kept me page turning
January 6, 2020
Good story!
Most often in books the view is from the serial killers eyes. This however is different , from the eyes of the stranglers daughter.
Very interesting story.
Most often in books the view is from the serial killers eyes. This however is different , from the eyes of the stranglers daughter.
Very interesting story.
October 10, 2022
Daddy's Little Girl
When you have a father who looks out for you, takes care of you. Yet makes you feel damaged due to no fault of your own. How do you let go of those negative comments? Do you embrace who he said you were and don't rise above the low expectations? Or do you act on your instincts and let your hidden intelligence emerge to challenge what horrors had happened?
How do you protect yourself and others when you are aware of an active serial killer? This is a tense pulse pounding novel whose slow steady pace gradually reveal unbelievable horrors. If you enjoy serial killer novels that involve their family member grab this one quickly.
When you have a father who looks out for you, takes care of you. Yet makes you feel damaged due to no fault of your own. How do you let go of those negative comments? Do you embrace who he said you were and don't rise above the low expectations? Or do you act on your instincts and let your hidden intelligence emerge to challenge what horrors had happened?
How do you protect yourself and others when you are aware of an active serial killer? This is a tense pulse pounding novel whose slow steady pace gradually reveal unbelievable horrors. If you enjoy serial killer novels that involve their family member grab this one quickly.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews