What do you think?
Rate this book
Northampton County #3
Spring Girls
She’s the only one who survived…and the only one who can help find the killer.
Another spring, another dead girl pulled from a lake in the Appalachian foothills: the latest victim in a series of murders with few leads. But Detective Geena Brassard and her partner, Parker Reed, finally land a break when they receive a tip about a previously unknown survivor of the so-called Spring Strangler.
The survivor’s reluctant to help with the case for reasons that aren’t all clear. Even so, Geena uncovers a connective thread between the victims, and recently discovered DNA brings her closer to the killer’s identity. But Geena knows the survivor has the most to offer the investigation—if also the most to lose.
Geena is torn between securing the surviving victim’s help and protecting her from further danger. One thing is certain: Geena and Parker must find answers before the killer claims another life—or returns to finish off the one who got away.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2020
575 people are currently reading
6644 people want to read
About the author
Karen Katchur
7 books583 followersKaren Katchur is the Amazon Charts bestselling author of RIVER BODIES and the Northampton County series. She holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice and a master's in education. She lives in eastern Pennsylvania with her husband and two daughters. For more information visit: www.karenkatchur.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
June 29, 2020
Karen Katchur joined us in our Behind the Pages group for a spoiler-free Q & A. to see what she had to say about Spring Girls and the Northampton County Series You can find the thread here
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
My review
Spring Girls makes for a great page-turning summer read. It's more on the lighter side than this dark and twisted reader is used to, and I enjoyed the more comfortable pace to the story. The story is well-paced with reveals that come at just the right time, and the writing flows smoothly, making it a fast one that doesn't require much from the readers or distraction with drama to the story.
My attention was caught right from the start with the captivating writing, and I was turning those pages late into the night. This is usual for me because I fall asleep early with a book in my hand.
Spring Girls is book three of Northampton County series. I didn't realize it was till I was about 3/4 the way in, and Lindsay mentioned she wanted to read the other ones. We definitely will! It was working really well as a standalone for me, and I didn't feel like I was missing anything here to connect with the characters Detective Geena Brassard and her partner, Parker Reed.
The characters are engaging with something a little different to them that had me intrigued by them. I enjoyed the mystery to one character that created some great suspense and tension to the story for me. I had a few questions that kept me entertained, and I was anxious to find the answers too.
Lindsay and I felt quite clever and proud of ourselves with our suspicions and were quite excited we were heading in the right direction for a change. Gotta have that once in a while, right? The ending wrapped up well, and while I had my suspicions of who, it's all in the why, and that exciting reveal left me thinking Hot Dang that was a good one! I highly recommend it!
I received a copy from Karen Katchur
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
My review
Spring Girls makes for a great page-turning summer read. It's more on the lighter side than this dark and twisted reader is used to, and I enjoyed the more comfortable pace to the story. The story is well-paced with reveals that come at just the right time, and the writing flows smoothly, making it a fast one that doesn't require much from the readers or distraction with drama to the story.
My attention was caught right from the start with the captivating writing, and I was turning those pages late into the night. This is usual for me because I fall asleep early with a book in my hand.
Spring Girls is book three of Northampton County series. I didn't realize it was till I was about 3/4 the way in, and Lindsay mentioned she wanted to read the other ones. We definitely will! It was working really well as a standalone for me, and I didn't feel like I was missing anything here to connect with the characters Detective Geena Brassard and her partner, Parker Reed.
The characters are engaging with something a little different to them that had me intrigued by them. I enjoyed the mystery to one character that created some great suspense and tension to the story for me. I had a few questions that kept me entertained, and I was anxious to find the answers too.
Lindsay and I felt quite clever and proud of ourselves with our suspicions and were quite excited we were heading in the right direction for a change. Gotta have that once in a while, right? The ending wrapped up well, and while I had my suspicions of who, it's all in the why, and that exciting reveal left me thinking Hot Dang that was a good one! I highly recommend it!
I received a copy from Karen Katchur
March 13, 2020
Another Spring. Another Dead Girl...
Detective Geena Brassard and her partner Parker Reed (who readers will remember from the first two books in this series) are investigating the murder of a young woman who was recently found. She is just one of many victims found murdered each Spring and left in a body of water. The killer has become known as the Spring Strangler. But there is one woman who lived. She has a lot to lose if her identity is known.
This is the third installment in the Northampton County series. Parker is back but I will admit, I did miss Becca. She is mentioned here and there but I was hoping to see more of her and Parker together. But (fingers crossed) she will be back more in future installments. Although this is the third book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.
I enjoy this series and the characters. As I stated I missed Becca but did enjoy Geena and Parker. The case itself is pretty cut and dry. There isn't too much suspense but there is some tension at the end as things come down to the wire. I especially enjoyed the parts with Janey and her son. I thought the author did a good job of showing stress, conflicted feelings and the struggles she encountered as a result of the investigation. There is a twist in this one which I didn’t see coming toward the end.
I found this to be another solid installment in the series and look forward to more books in the future.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Detective Geena Brassard and her partner Parker Reed (who readers will remember from the first two books in this series) are investigating the murder of a young woman who was recently found. She is just one of many victims found murdered each Spring and left in a body of water. The killer has become known as the Spring Strangler. But there is one woman who lived. She has a lot to lose if her identity is known.
This is the third installment in the Northampton County series. Parker is back but I will admit, I did miss Becca. She is mentioned here and there but I was hoping to see more of her and Parker together. But (fingers crossed) she will be back more in future installments. Although this is the third book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.
I enjoy this series and the characters. As I stated I missed Becca but did enjoy Geena and Parker. The case itself is pretty cut and dry. There isn't too much suspense but there is some tension at the end as things come down to the wire. I especially enjoyed the parts with Janey and her son. I thought the author did a good job of showing stress, conflicted feelings and the struggles she encountered as a result of the investigation. There is a twist in this one which I didn’t see coming toward the end.
I found this to be another solid installment in the series and look forward to more books in the future.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 23, 2020
Spring Girls is the third suspense novel in the Northampton County series written by Karen Katchur in 2020. I previously read the first two books, excited to learn they took place in the area where I went to college, and when this one showed up on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. I read the book last weekend, and now it's time to share my thoughts with everyone. How about you? Have you read any of the books yet in this series?
The novel takes place in current times and revolves around a few different police detectives. Each book is connected through similar characters, but they are separate and distinct stories, so you can probably read them in any order... unless you have that control-freak mechanism like me and must read them in chronological order! In this book, Geena and Parker are the two focal points, and they're tracking the victims of a serial killer named The Strangler. The murderer attacks his female victims, strangles them, and then tosses them in various lakes and rivers in the local area.
The original detective whom Geena worked with has since retired. He reveals that there may have been an earlier victim that wasn't identified properly. When Geena tracks her down, everything changes... the biggest DNA clue possible lands at her feet, but now she has to figure out why her old partner kept it a secret and whether her new partner will trust her to figure it out. Between these plots are viewpoints from different characters, including supportive family, therapists, a child, and other cops. What we learn should be taken with a grain of salt, as someone is clearly creating machinations behind the scenes. But who?
This was a great story. It is complex but logical. I easily followed all the investigative angles, and it moves quickly. We're not bogged down with the personal lives of either main detective. Sometimes I like the side stories, sometimes I like the suspenseful action. In this case, I was fine not knowing much personal, though we do get a few interesting tidbits. The clues are there, but we have to figure them out. The ending is a shocker... I clearly knew one person was involved, but the killer comes out at 70%, and then it's learning the history of the reason for the killings, so it's a slightly different plot line. It worked really well.
I recommend this series, and this might be my favorite of the books. I'd give it 4.5 stars, and I really hope there are more. The author is talented, and it's a fine balance of writing, plot, character, and theme... nothing overshadows anything, and I hardly put it down except when I was too sleepy and didn't want to miss anything. Great job!
The novel takes place in current times and revolves around a few different police detectives. Each book is connected through similar characters, but they are separate and distinct stories, so you can probably read them in any order... unless you have that control-freak mechanism like me and must read them in chronological order! In this book, Geena and Parker are the two focal points, and they're tracking the victims of a serial killer named The Strangler. The murderer attacks his female victims, strangles them, and then tosses them in various lakes and rivers in the local area.
The original detective whom Geena worked with has since retired. He reveals that there may have been an earlier victim that wasn't identified properly. When Geena tracks her down, everything changes... the biggest DNA clue possible lands at her feet, but now she has to figure out why her old partner kept it a secret and whether her new partner will trust her to figure it out. Between these plots are viewpoints from different characters, including supportive family, therapists, a child, and other cops. What we learn should be taken with a grain of salt, as someone is clearly creating machinations behind the scenes. But who?
This was a great story. It is complex but logical. I easily followed all the investigative angles, and it moves quickly. We're not bogged down with the personal lives of either main detective. Sometimes I like the side stories, sometimes I like the suspenseful action. In this case, I was fine not knowing much personal, though we do get a few interesting tidbits. The clues are there, but we have to figure them out. The ending is a shocker... I clearly knew one person was involved, but the killer comes out at 70%, and then it's learning the history of the reason for the killings, so it's a slightly different plot line. It worked really well.
I recommend this series, and this might be my favorite of the books. I'd give it 4.5 stars, and I really hope there are more. The author is talented, and it's a fine balance of writing, plot, character, and theme... nothing overshadows anything, and I hardly put it down except when I was too sleepy and didn't want to miss anything. Great job!
June 16, 2020
4.5 stars!
An engrossing and suspenseful mystery from start to finish!
This is Book 3 in the Northampton County series but reads extremely well as a standalone. I haven’t read Book 1 and 2 and didn’t feel like the storyline lacked background in any way. Although, now that I’ve finished this, I would LOVE to read Book 1 and 2 because I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, the writing and the characters. This kept me fully engaged. The pace and flow were consistent in keeping my curiosity piqued. The shorter chapters made it easy to breeze through and keep fitting in just “one more chapter”.
This is my first experience with this author and I loved it! I look forward to reading more form her in the future. Thank you to Karen Katchur for sending me this review copy!
An engrossing and suspenseful mystery from start to finish!
This is Book 3 in the Northampton County series but reads extremely well as a standalone. I haven’t read Book 1 and 2 and didn’t feel like the storyline lacked background in any way. Although, now that I’ve finished this, I would LOVE to read Book 1 and 2 because I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, the writing and the characters. This kept me fully engaged. The pace and flow were consistent in keeping my curiosity piqued. The shorter chapters made it easy to breeze through and keep fitting in just “one more chapter”.
This is my first experience with this author and I loved it! I look forward to reading more form her in the future. Thank you to Karen Katchur for sending me this review copy!
March 1, 2020
This is a competent mystery novel featuring detective Geena Brassard. I didn’t realize when I requested this from NetGalley that this is the third book in the series. I was able to follow along fine without the first two books, but I do prefer to read a series in order.
When a girl’s body is pulled out from a lake near other bodies of water where other college-aged girls’ bodies have been found after being murdered in the springtime Geena and her partner Parker Reid discover a tip about the one woman who survived the Spring Strangler’s attack.
I liked that there were two mysteries happening. Obviously, one of them is “who keeps killing these young women,” but, once they find the survivor and DNA evidence, who is leaking to the media the identity of this woman who is of course instantly harassed by the media and the residents of her small town.
I didn’t feel passionate about this novel. Once they get a good lead on the killer, things unravel a little too easily for my taste. It wasn’t the kind of heart-stopping suspense that I love.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel, which RELEASES JUNE 16, 2020.
When a girl’s body is pulled out from a lake near other bodies of water where other college-aged girls’ bodies have been found after being murdered in the springtime Geena and her partner Parker Reid discover a tip about the one woman who survived the Spring Strangler’s attack.
I liked that there were two mysteries happening. Obviously, one of them is “who keeps killing these young women,” but, once they find the survivor and DNA evidence, who is leaking to the media the identity of this woman who is of course instantly harassed by the media and the residents of her small town.
I didn’t feel passionate about this novel. Once they get a good lead on the killer, things unravel a little too easily for my taste. It wasn’t the kind of heart-stopping suspense that I love.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel, which RELEASES JUNE 16, 2020.
June 24, 2020
This is a well-conceived and tightly plotted story that I would describe as 2/3 classic mystery, 1/3 psychological thriller. The book follows a female detective tracking a serial killer in a small town who leaves women strangled in a spring. It also follows the recovery of a survivor as she reconstructs what happened and faces some surprising developments in her life resulting from the attack.
Karen Katchur does a great job here of intertwining both stories and the writing is tighter and better than many of the psychological thrillers out there of late. It also has plenty of detective and procedural elements that are very well-done. I was not surprised to learn Katchur had a degree in criminal justice, as all the police work description and plotting is very well written and feels authentic. Though this book is third in a series, it works well as a stand-alone and there were no parts where I felt lost or at a disadvantage for not having read the others. This book was a little gem I might not have found without NetGalley, and I thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Karen Katchur for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review!
Karen Katchur does a great job here of intertwining both stories and the writing is tighter and better than many of the psychological thrillers out there of late. It also has plenty of detective and procedural elements that are very well-done. I was not surprised to learn Katchur had a degree in criminal justice, as all the police work description and plotting is very well written and feels authentic. Though this book is third in a series, it works well as a stand-alone and there were no parts where I felt lost or at a disadvantage for not having read the others. This book was a little gem I might not have found without NetGalley, and I thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Karen Katchur for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review!
June 13, 2020
A Riveting Race to Find a Seasonal Serial Killer.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SUMMARY
Another spring, and another dead girl is pulled from a lake in the Appalachian foothills. She is the latest victim in a series of murders with very few leads. But Detective Geena Brassard and her partner, Parker Reed, finally land a break when they receive a tip about a previously unknown survivor of the so-called Spring Strangler.
The survivor is fearful and very reluctant to help with the case. Geena uncovers a small connection between the victims, and recently discovered DNA that brings her closer to the killer’s identity. But Geena knows the survivor has the most to offer the investigation, but also the most to lose...
REVIEW
SPRING GIRL is a riveting race to find a serial killer who only kills in the Spring. Take a deep breath before you start reading, because this one will leave you breathless. I loved Geena Brassard’s character and appreciated her memory quirky as well as her perseverance.
Author KAREN KATCHUR’s writing put you in the midst of the story. You will feel Geena’s frustration from the lack of leads as well as the immense fear of the previous victim. It’s an entertaining and chilling build to a satisfying conclusion.
Katchur’s previous novels include River Bodies (2018) The Sisters of Blue Mountain (2017) and The Secrets of Lake Road (2015). Geena’s partner in Spring Girls, Parker Reed, is also a character in the River Bodies novel. Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher Thomas and Mercer
Published June 16, 2020
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SUMMARY
Another spring, and another dead girl is pulled from a lake in the Appalachian foothills. She is the latest victim in a series of murders with very few leads. But Detective Geena Brassard and her partner, Parker Reed, finally land a break when they receive a tip about a previously unknown survivor of the so-called Spring Strangler.
The survivor is fearful and very reluctant to help with the case. Geena uncovers a small connection between the victims, and recently discovered DNA that brings her closer to the killer’s identity. But Geena knows the survivor has the most to offer the investigation, but also the most to lose...
REVIEW
SPRING GIRL is a riveting race to find a serial killer who only kills in the Spring. Take a deep breath before you start reading, because this one will leave you breathless. I loved Geena Brassard’s character and appreciated her memory quirky as well as her perseverance.
Author KAREN KATCHUR’s writing put you in the midst of the story. You will feel Geena’s frustration from the lack of leads as well as the immense fear of the previous victim. It’s an entertaining and chilling build to a satisfying conclusion.
Katchur’s previous novels include River Bodies (2018) The Sisters of Blue Mountain (2017) and The Secrets of Lake Road (2015). Geena’s partner in Spring Girls, Parker Reed, is also a character in the River Bodies novel. Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher Thomas and Mercer
Published June 16, 2020
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
May 23, 2024
Spring Girls is the 3rd book in the Northampton County series and even though I haven't read the first two books in the series, I was able to keep pace without any difficulty. Having said that I will definitely check out the first two books to see how the hunt for the serial killer, who rapes and kills young women by drowning every spring, started. I liked everything about this book -- the plot, the quick pace of the story, the writing and the well drawn out characters. The characters that really stood out for me were Janey and her young son Christian. Janey's struggle to come to terms with her past, her not so smooth relationship with her son and her fears for and about him gave a human touch to the story.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publishers Thomas and Mercer and the author for the e-Arc of the book.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publishers Thomas and Mercer and the author for the e-Arc of the book.
January 31, 2023
"Katchur is at the TOP of her game! "
"Her Northampton County trilogy (3 of 3) is a dynamite must-read riveting crime series for thriller fans of Karin Slaughter and Lisa Gardner. Fiction doesn’t get any better than this. Do not miss the masterful grand finale, SPRING GIRLS.” — @JudithDCollins #JDCMustReadBooks
In Book #1, RIVER BODIES, we met Becca, a veterinarian and faithful German Shepherd, Romy. We also are introduced to Detective Parker Reed, a Pennsylvania homicide detective tackling a cold case.
In Book #2, COLD WOODS, Detective Reed returns on another cold case called The Slate Sisters and an intro of new partner Detective Genna Brassard.
In Book #3, SPRING GIRLS, Detective Genna Brassard of the Pennsylvania State Police takes the lead as the partner of Detective Parker Reed in another serial killer series. Each spring, girls are drowned and pulled from the lake in the Appalachian foothills.
Set in Bangor, Pennsylvania, as the book opens, there is a tragic drowning of another young woman and college student, Valerie Brown, the third victim. Albert, the retired detective, had suspected there was a fourth victim, the real first victim, who had survived.
Soon after that, there are more. The fifth strangling victim in seven years, with her hair neatly braided as if wearing a crown.
Why springtime, and why the hair braided? They were also all college students. What else connects them?
Detective Geena Brassard has been working on the case, now dubbed as the “Spring Strangler” for two years. The victims were called the Spring Girls. In her mind, serial killers weren’t human, and maybe that was what had broken her former partner.
She was working with Albert, her now-retired partner. Presently, she has a new partner, Detective Parker Reed. The jury is still out is she can trust her new partner.
Things seem to be at a standstill on the case until a clue comes to the surface. There was a survivor. Janet Montgomery. She was the first victim. The retired detective kept her name out of the press due to her privacy, among other reasons. (you will need to read the book to find out all the juicy details). 😎 Janey is an interesting character.
She works at a local craft store in town, as an assistant manager. The store is family-owned, operated, and closed on Sunday to honor God. She comes from a strict God-fearing family. She was a good girl. However, Janey didn’t know what that meant anymore.
Now she deals with her six-year-old son Christian who is quite the handful. He has behavior problems and causing problems at school and home. He is currently seeing a psychologist. She is concerned about him. She purchased a small house and desperately trying to find a safe place to raise her son as a single parent.
She could feel it deep inside her bones—the serenity of the lake, the rolling green mountains, the promise of another victim.
Detective Genna Brassard is determined to solve this case. Another girl’s body found in Minsi Lake. Another spring girl. Right on time. Who was the madman behind the crimes? Rape and murder.
The word leaks out, and now Janey’s life is front and center. Is she the key to solving this case?
Janey wants to put the past behind her, and now, she has to try and recall it all again. She had been living with the ghosts every day, and now they were here circling her. She is not only worried about her safety but her son’s. She has to find a way to help other women.
Will Genna, Janet, and Parker be able to connect the victims? The wrong place at the wrong time, or something much more sinister at play? Will they be able to connect the dots before someone else is the next target?
Another edgy thriller series from one of my favorite authors!
The sinister factor starts early and builds quickly. What a fantastic book! The Northampton Series has been a favorite of mine since the first book, but I believe SPRING GIRLS is my favorite.
I enjoyed the way the author broke out the “Drowned” and the “Undrowned”, diving into the thoughts of the different victims. It was fun getting to know Genna on a more personal level and her complex relationship with Jonathan, as well as catching up with the relationship between Reed and Becca.
The two women (Genna and Janey) and Christian are well-developed character studies. The patient/psychologist (Janey/Helen) added intrigue and fear. As they investigate, the mysterious past points to the dangerous and chilling present-day crime. Learning the meaning behind the SPRING GIRLS was chilling and fascinating.
Unpredictable and full of surprises. You will be on the edge of your seat as the identity is revealed. The writing is superb and if you enjoy crime and psychological suspense thrillers, look no further. My fingers are crossed for a TV series 🎬 as this is prime for the small or big screen.
Packed with twists and turns, brimming with emotion and heart, fast-paced and gripping. Fans of kick-ass female investigators will be well satisfied.
SPRING GIRLS can be read as a standalone; however, I highly recommend reading all the books in the series! I cannot wait to see what comes next from this extraordinary author!
#JDCMustReadBooks
Top Books of 2020
A special thank you to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy!
***
In the meantime, while you are waiting for publication date, take a moment to view my fascinating Q&A with Karen in 2018 with the first in the series: River Bodies.
My Reviews:
River Bodies #1 Top Books of 2018
Cold Woods #2 Top Books of 2019
Spring Girls #3 Top Books of 2020
The Sisters of Blue Mountain
The Secrets of Lake Road
"Her Northampton County trilogy (3 of 3) is a dynamite must-read riveting crime series for thriller fans of Karin Slaughter and Lisa Gardner. Fiction doesn’t get any better than this. Do not miss the masterful grand finale, SPRING GIRLS.” — @JudithDCollins #JDCMustReadBooks
In Book #1, RIVER BODIES, we met Becca, a veterinarian and faithful German Shepherd, Romy. We also are introduced to Detective Parker Reed, a Pennsylvania homicide detective tackling a cold case.
In Book #2, COLD WOODS, Detective Reed returns on another cold case called The Slate Sisters and an intro of new partner Detective Genna Brassard.
In Book #3, SPRING GIRLS, Detective Genna Brassard of the Pennsylvania State Police takes the lead as the partner of Detective Parker Reed in another serial killer series. Each spring, girls are drowned and pulled from the lake in the Appalachian foothills.
Set in Bangor, Pennsylvania, as the book opens, there is a tragic drowning of another young woman and college student, Valerie Brown, the third victim. Albert, the retired detective, had suspected there was a fourth victim, the real first victim, who had survived.
Soon after that, there are more. The fifth strangling victim in seven years, with her hair neatly braided as if wearing a crown.
Why springtime, and why the hair braided? They were also all college students. What else connects them?
Detective Geena Brassard has been working on the case, now dubbed as the “Spring Strangler” for two years. The victims were called the Spring Girls. In her mind, serial killers weren’t human, and maybe that was what had broken her former partner.
She was working with Albert, her now-retired partner. Presently, she has a new partner, Detective Parker Reed. The jury is still out is she can trust her new partner.
Things seem to be at a standstill on the case until a clue comes to the surface. There was a survivor. Janet Montgomery. She was the first victim. The retired detective kept her name out of the press due to her privacy, among other reasons. (you will need to read the book to find out all the juicy details). 😎 Janey is an interesting character.
She works at a local craft store in town, as an assistant manager. The store is family-owned, operated, and closed on Sunday to honor God. She comes from a strict God-fearing family. She was a good girl. However, Janey didn’t know what that meant anymore.
Now she deals with her six-year-old son Christian who is quite the handful. He has behavior problems and causing problems at school and home. He is currently seeing a psychologist. She is concerned about him. She purchased a small house and desperately trying to find a safe place to raise her son as a single parent.
She could feel it deep inside her bones—the serenity of the lake, the rolling green mountains, the promise of another victim.
Detective Genna Brassard is determined to solve this case. Another girl’s body found in Minsi Lake. Another spring girl. Right on time. Who was the madman behind the crimes? Rape and murder.
The word leaks out, and now Janey’s life is front and center. Is she the key to solving this case?
Janey wants to put the past behind her, and now, she has to try and recall it all again. She had been living with the ghosts every day, and now they were here circling her. She is not only worried about her safety but her son’s. She has to find a way to help other women.
Will Genna, Janet, and Parker be able to connect the victims? The wrong place at the wrong time, or something much more sinister at play? Will they be able to connect the dots before someone else is the next target?
Another edgy thriller series from one of my favorite authors!
The sinister factor starts early and builds quickly. What a fantastic book! The Northampton Series has been a favorite of mine since the first book, but I believe SPRING GIRLS is my favorite.
I enjoyed the way the author broke out the “Drowned” and the “Undrowned”, diving into the thoughts of the different victims. It was fun getting to know Genna on a more personal level and her complex relationship with Jonathan, as well as catching up with the relationship between Reed and Becca.
The two women (Genna and Janey) and Christian are well-developed character studies. The patient/psychologist (Janey/Helen) added intrigue and fear. As they investigate, the mysterious past points to the dangerous and chilling present-day crime. Learning the meaning behind the SPRING GIRLS was chilling and fascinating.
Unpredictable and full of surprises. You will be on the edge of your seat as the identity is revealed. The writing is superb and if you enjoy crime and psychological suspense thrillers, look no further. My fingers are crossed for a TV series 🎬 as this is prime for the small or big screen.
Packed with twists and turns, brimming with emotion and heart, fast-paced and gripping. Fans of kick-ass female investigators will be well satisfied.
SPRING GIRLS can be read as a standalone; however, I highly recommend reading all the books in the series! I cannot wait to see what comes next from this extraordinary author!
#JDCMustReadBooks
Top Books of 2020
A special thank you to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy!
***
In the meantime, while you are waiting for publication date, take a moment to view my fascinating Q&A with Karen in 2018 with the first in the series: River Bodies.
My Reviews:
River Bodies #1 Top Books of 2018
Cold Woods #2 Top Books of 2019
Spring Girls #3 Top Books of 2020
The Sisters of Blue Mountain
The Secrets of Lake Road
March 22, 2020
4.5 Stars Rounded Up
With Spring comes more than flowers and sunshine in this small town!
You can count on the month of April for girls disappearing and girls being found - dead.
I was really taken by this smoothly written police procedural. In addition to likable characters, there are several more layers to the story than first meets the eye.
Besides to the central plot, the relationship between one of the protagonists and her young son increased the foreboding the deeper into the book you read.
The story moved along without extra fillers, fluff, or the small snags that can bog me down while reading. I’m a particular reader that way so this hit the right spot for me.
In other words, I really liked this!
Thank you to Karen Katchur, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley, for my electronic copy
With Spring comes more than flowers and sunshine in this small town!
You can count on the month of April for girls disappearing and girls being found - dead.
I was really taken by this smoothly written police procedural. In addition to likable characters, there are several more layers to the story than first meets the eye.
Besides to the central plot, the relationship between one of the protagonists and her young son increased the foreboding the deeper into the book you read.
The story moved along without extra fillers, fluff, or the small snags that can bog me down while reading. I’m a particular reader that way so this hit the right spot for me.
In other words, I really liked this!
Thank you to Karen Katchur, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley, for my electronic copy
June 17, 2020
Seven years later a third victim, and again it happened in the Spring.
Janey was the only survivor of a serial killer who always struck in the Spring.
Wonder what the significance of Spring is?
Why can’t Janey remember anything, or is it better she doesn’t?
Since the third murder happened a few days ago, she is worried she is still in danger since she is sure the killer knows she’s alive.
Janey was beside herself since all of this surfaced and the investigation was once again focused on this person named, The Strangler, who preyed on young women in the Spring.
We follow Geena and Parker, the lead investigators, as they use the clues from the current murder and clues from the surviving victim which wasn’t much, but someone knew something - who could it be?
The tension fills the air as clues slowly become unraveled, secrets surface about the first case, and as Geena wonders why her retired partner left some of these clues out of the investigation. Could this investigation be the reason he retired?
Ms. Katcher masterfully knows how to keep you turning the pages and to keep you guessing. Her descriptions have you sharing the feelings and fears of the characters.
Thriller fans will not be able to put down Ms. Katchur’s new chilling, pulsating read.
SPRING GIRLS is filled with secrets, lies, and a crime no one wants to even imagine happening. 5/5
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Janey was the only survivor of a serial killer who always struck in the Spring.
Wonder what the significance of Spring is?
Why can’t Janey remember anything, or is it better she doesn’t?
Since the third murder happened a few days ago, she is worried she is still in danger since she is sure the killer knows she’s alive.
Janey was beside herself since all of this surfaced and the investigation was once again focused on this person named, The Strangler, who preyed on young women in the Spring.
We follow Geena and Parker, the lead investigators, as they use the clues from the current murder and clues from the surviving victim which wasn’t much, but someone knew something - who could it be?
The tension fills the air as clues slowly become unraveled, secrets surface about the first case, and as Geena wonders why her retired partner left some of these clues out of the investigation. Could this investigation be the reason he retired?
Ms. Katcher masterfully knows how to keep you turning the pages and to keep you guessing. Her descriptions have you sharing the feelings and fears of the characters.
Thriller fans will not be able to put down Ms. Katchur’s new chilling, pulsating read.
SPRING GIRLS is filled with secrets, lies, and a crime no one wants to even imagine happening. 5/5
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2020
When I request this book I didn't know it was the third in the Northampton County series.
In Spring Girls, detective Geena Brassard and her partner Parker Reed investigate the murder of Valerie, a 23-year-old girl who is found dead in a river. The Spring Strangler has killed other girls in similar circumstances in the past couple of years and has never been caught.
Without going into too much detail the book was very entertaining and it grab me from the first page.
If you are interested in reading this mistery book its not necessary to read the previous ones, but it is definitely worth checking the others in this series.
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this Arc in exchange for an honest review
In Spring Girls, detective Geena Brassard and her partner Parker Reed investigate the murder of Valerie, a 23-year-old girl who is found dead in a river. The Spring Strangler has killed other girls in similar circumstances in the past couple of years and has never been caught.
Without going into too much detail the book was very entertaining and it grab me from the first page.
If you are interested in reading this mistery book its not necessary to read the previous ones, but it is definitely worth checking the others in this series.
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this Arc in exchange for an honest review
October 19, 2020
I enjoyed this one! I haven't read the previous books, but this one held up as a standalone well. Not quite as "dark and twisted" as I am used to reading, but still made for a quick and engaging story.
*ARC provided by NetGalley*
*ARC provided by NetGalley*
February 3, 2020
Having read and enjoyed the previous 2 Northampton County books i was looking forward to this the 3rd and was not disappointed
A serial killer who strikes in the springtime and so far has evaded the attention of the police but when a survivor is located and along with DNA and other evidence they are on the trail
There are some disturbing acts that are written into the novel for which i did feel very unsettles with but once these are past the story again grips
A serial killer who strikes in the springtime and so far has evaded the attention of the police but when a survivor is located and along with DNA and other evidence they are on the trail
There are some disturbing acts that are written into the novel for which i did feel very unsettles with but once these are past the story again grips
June 23, 2020
The Northampton County series features a strong female detective and a clever, twisted killer and Spring Girls can be read as a standalone. Each book in the series is connected through various characters, but they are separate and distinct stories, so you could read them in any order.
In this third novel, set in Bangor, Pennsylvania, Detective Geena Brassard and her partner, Parker Reed, are faced with a complex case. They're searching for a serial killer named The Spring Strangler. The murderer attacks his female, college student victims, strangles them, and then discards them in the lakes and rivers in the local area.
The plot is cunningly constructed, and the frequent changes of viewpoint kept the story effortlessly flowing at a comfortable pace, keeping my curiosity piqued. The concise chapters made it easy to cruise through as I kept squeezing in one more chapter. With buckets of suspense, the compelling and sinister story concludes with some unnerving action and a twist. Now that I've had a glimpse into Geena Brassard's and Parker Reed's lives, I want to revisit! 😊
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
In this third novel, set in Bangor, Pennsylvania, Detective Geena Brassard and her partner, Parker Reed, are faced with a complex case. They're searching for a serial killer named The Spring Strangler. The murderer attacks his female, college student victims, strangles them, and then discards them in the lakes and rivers in the local area.
The plot is cunningly constructed, and the frequent changes of viewpoint kept the story effortlessly flowing at a comfortable pace, keeping my curiosity piqued. The concise chapters made it easy to cruise through as I kept squeezing in one more chapter. With buckets of suspense, the compelling and sinister story concludes with some unnerving action and a twist. Now that I've had a glimpse into Geena Brassard's and Parker Reed's lives, I want to revisit! 😊
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
June 16, 2020
Okay. Let me start out by saying that this was the very first book I ever requested on NetGalley and I did not do any research beforehand. Therefore, I didn't realize this book is the third in a series. Not that it really matters, this book loves to tell you (in very obvious Nancy Drew style) about the other books in the series.
Let me also say that it is VERY rare that I give a book only one star. I tend to be a very ~optimistic reader and can usually find at least SOMETHING to like.
Well, uh, not this time.
There were several times when I almost didn't finish this book. I honestly didn't like it from the very first chapter. This is written with a very poor, juvenile writing style (almost like you are reading a Nancy Drew book but with less interesting characters and subjects that are clearly meant for adults) and at first it felt more like I'd picked up a fifth grader's creative writing project. This doesn't feel like a book written by a semi experienced novelist (and from reading reviews of the first two books, that seems to be the norm for this series; but since this is the third book, how did the writing not get any better....?).
So because of the very poor writing, I had a hard time getting into this book. That and the extremely flat, underdeveloped characters. One of the two main characters, Geena, constantly tells us two things: one, that she is a woman and, therefore, has had to fight to be respected as a detective (in a man's world) and two, that she has an eidetic memory. The latter never truly seems to be important (except for a truly cringey scene where her partner asks her how an eidetic memory work and she ladysplains). And the former, well, it just felt like she was complaining about being a woman and never really showed us how she excelled above her male counterparts. Because, as far as I could tell, she wasn't really a great detective???? But then again, "show, don't tell" is a writing device that this book really could've utilized...
I am honestly baffled that this is the third book in a series. This book definitely could've used some editing (or at least some rigorous constructive criticism). When you can read entire paragraphs where ever single sentence starts with "she," I think it's time to take a creative writing class. (Isn't that literally Creative Writing Don't #1? Don't start EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE with the same word???????) .... I'm sorry I just can't get over this being the THIRD book and the writing style still being this poor. I shudder to think of the writing in the first two...
Anyway, as for the actual plot, well, the "twists" could literally be spotted miles away but, yet, it took the characters SEVERAL HUNDRED pages to figure out. (I seriously rolled my eyes so hard at the discovery of the first big "twist," about a hundred pages in, because it was obvious from the second chapter????) So even as a thriller, this just didn't keep my attention. Nothing shocking happened here.
So I don't know. Do I wish I had skipped this one? Yes. I truly had the hardest time making it through this book. I didn't like any of the characters (or I guess I never had the chance to connect with them since they were all so flat). For being a ~thriller, nothing shocking happened. This never once kept me on my toes and the writing style was just the icing on the cake. So I can't, in good conscious, recommend this one, especially if you tend to read a lot of thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review. Next time I'll be far more careful about what I request and definitely do my research ahead of time.
Let me also say that it is VERY rare that I give a book only one star. I tend to be a very ~optimistic reader and can usually find at least SOMETHING to like.
Well, uh, not this time.
There were several times when I almost didn't finish this book. I honestly didn't like it from the very first chapter. This is written with a very poor, juvenile writing style (almost like you are reading a Nancy Drew book but with less interesting characters and subjects that are clearly meant for adults) and at first it felt more like I'd picked up a fifth grader's creative writing project. This doesn't feel like a book written by a semi experienced novelist (and from reading reviews of the first two books, that seems to be the norm for this series; but since this is the third book, how did the writing not get any better....?).
So because of the very poor writing, I had a hard time getting into this book. That and the extremely flat, underdeveloped characters. One of the two main characters, Geena, constantly tells us two things: one, that she is a woman and, therefore, has had to fight to be respected as a detective (in a man's world) and two, that she has an eidetic memory. The latter never truly seems to be important (except for a truly cringey scene where her partner asks her how an eidetic memory work and she ladysplains). And the former, well, it just felt like she was complaining about being a woman and never really showed us how she excelled above her male counterparts. Because, as far as I could tell, she wasn't really a great detective???? But then again, "show, don't tell" is a writing device that this book really could've utilized...
I am honestly baffled that this is the third book in a series. This book definitely could've used some editing (or at least some rigorous constructive criticism). When you can read entire paragraphs where ever single sentence starts with "she," I think it's time to take a creative writing class. (Isn't that literally Creative Writing Don't #1? Don't start EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE with the same word???????) .... I'm sorry I just can't get over this being the THIRD book and the writing style still being this poor. I shudder to think of the writing in the first two...
Anyway, as for the actual plot, well, the "twists" could literally be spotted miles away but, yet, it took the characters SEVERAL HUNDRED pages to figure out. (I seriously rolled my eyes so hard at the discovery of the first big "twist," about a hundred pages in, because it was obvious from the second chapter????) So even as a thriller, this just didn't keep my attention. Nothing shocking happened here.
So I don't know. Do I wish I had skipped this one? Yes. I truly had the hardest time making it through this book. I didn't like any of the characters (or I guess I never had the chance to connect with them since they were all so flat). For being a ~thriller, nothing shocking happened. This never once kept me on my toes and the writing style was just the icing on the cake. So I can't, in good conscious, recommend this one, especially if you tend to read a lot of thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review. Next time I'll be far more careful about what I request and definitely do my research ahead of time.
April 26, 2022
The third in the Northampton County series, "Spring Girls" is a police procedural with themes of nature vs. nurture and the cyclic course of abusive relationships. The pacing was steady, and the descriptions well rendered.
Detective Parker Reed took a backseat this time to his partner Geena Brassard. We got to know her more and discover her increasing regard for her new partner, Parker.
Janey was an interesting character. She had very low self-esteem, and loved her young son very much despite his behavior. I got bad vibes from Janey's therapist, Helen, from the start but couldn't imagine the reason... We learn the identity of the Spring Strangler at about the 70% mark of the book, with the rest of the novel explaining the motivation and back story.
Karen Katchur knows how to perfectly balance her plot with her characters and it is evident here. The books in this series are interconnected, but each highlights a different character so they could be read just fine as stand-alones.
All in all, another fine addition to this series and I'll look forward to future cases of Brassard and Parker. Recommended!
Detective Parker Reed took a backseat this time to his partner Geena Brassard. We got to know her more and discover her increasing regard for her new partner, Parker.
Janey was an interesting character. She had very low self-esteem, and loved her young son very much despite his behavior. I got bad vibes from Janey's therapist, Helen, from the start but couldn't imagine the reason... We learn the identity of the Spring Strangler at about the 70% mark of the book, with the rest of the novel explaining the motivation and back story.
Karen Katchur knows how to perfectly balance her plot with her characters and it is evident here. The books in this series are interconnected, but each highlights a different character so they could be read just fine as stand-alones.
All in all, another fine addition to this series and I'll look forward to future cases of Brassard and Parker. Recommended!
February 15, 2020
This is part of a series but it can easily be read as a standalone. Everything about this was great. The characters were multidimensional and realistic. The mystery had me enthralled from start to finish.
June 27, 2020
Interesting premise. A woman who survived an attack and rape by a yet uncaught serial killer results in a pregnancy and ultimately the birth of her son. While police continue to try to find the killer as new victims continue to come up, the mother of the serial killer's child begins to wonder if there might really be something to the "serial killer gene" theory when a string of questionable behaviors begin to happen in her now kindergarten-age son.
What I liked about this book, aside from the multiple POV between investigators looking for justice and the surviving victim, was that it wasn't clear until later on in the book, who the bad guy was, not glaringly predictable. There was a point where I started wondering what the deal was with a couple of characters, but I kept thinking the clues were trying to throw me off. It was also interesting that a simple, seemingly innocent, minute suggestion could plant the seed of an idea that would grow into something all-consuming as was the case in this story and how the things that happened after, all seemed to point to one thing that wasn't necessarily true.
Overall, good book and I would recommend.
What I liked about this book, aside from the multiple POV between investigators looking for justice and the surviving victim, was that it wasn't clear until later on in the book, who the bad guy was, not glaringly predictable. There was a point where I started wondering what the deal was with a couple of characters, but I kept thinking the clues were trying to throw me off. It was also interesting that a simple, seemingly innocent, minute suggestion could plant the seed of an idea that would grow into something all-consuming as was the case in this story and how the things that happened after, all seemed to point to one thing that wasn't necessarily true.
Overall, good book and I would recommend.
February 10, 2020
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
'Spring Girls' by Karen Katchur is a gripping page-turner about survival, murder, and justice. When a fifth girl is found dead in the Appalachian foothills, Detective Geena Brassard and her new partner Parker Reed will go above and beyond to unmask the killer and put an end to this tragedy once and for all. Through a series of new-found clues and the discovery of a sole survivor, Geena and Parker are closer to solving the case than ever before. However, time is running out, and they will need to do all that it takes to find the Springtime Killer.
For someone with a wild imagination, 'Spring Girls' had the perfect amount of mystery and thriller to keep me on the edge of my seat but not leave me terrified. The characters held my attention and kept me enthralled - I wanted to know more, especially when it came to Janey and her feelings towards her son. The plot-twist at the end was beautifully executed and one of my favourite parts of the book. While I felt there was something suspicious about the character, I would never have imagined their connection to the story - and that is what made it great.
I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who loves mystery thriller, including those (like me) who are usually too scared to read them!
'Spring Girls' by Karen Katchur is a gripping page-turner about survival, murder, and justice. When a fifth girl is found dead in the Appalachian foothills, Detective Geena Brassard and her new partner Parker Reed will go above and beyond to unmask the killer and put an end to this tragedy once and for all. Through a series of new-found clues and the discovery of a sole survivor, Geena and Parker are closer to solving the case than ever before. However, time is running out, and they will need to do all that it takes to find the Springtime Killer.
For someone with a wild imagination, 'Spring Girls' had the perfect amount of mystery and thriller to keep me on the edge of my seat but not leave me terrified. The characters held my attention and kept me enthralled - I wanted to know more, especially when it came to Janey and her feelings towards her son. The plot-twist at the end was beautifully executed and one of my favourite parts of the book. While I felt there was something suspicious about the character, I would never have imagined their connection to the story - and that is what made it great.
I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who loves mystery thriller, including those (like me) who are usually too scared to read them!
September 12, 2020
Every few years , a new “Spring Girl” is found. A young college aged woman who has been raped, murdered, and thrown into a river to later be found.
They can never seem to catch or get any evidence from the low life who is doing this.
But when Detective Brassard and Detective Reed get a tip that there is a survivor, they jump on it. She just so happens to be the very FIRST victim and the only survivor there is. Maybe she has information that can help them solve this case once and for all.
This book definitely has a bunch of twists and turns that keep you guessing. I enjoyed it but I only gave it 3 stars because the biggest “plot twist” in this book was one I figured out about half way through. All in all I enjoyed this book though.
They can never seem to catch or get any evidence from the low life who is doing this.
But when Detective Brassard and Detective Reed get a tip that there is a survivor, they jump on it. She just so happens to be the very FIRST victim and the only survivor there is. Maybe she has information that can help them solve this case once and for all.
This book definitely has a bunch of twists and turns that keep you guessing. I enjoyed it but I only gave it 3 stars because the biggest “plot twist” in this book was one I figured out about half way through. All in all I enjoyed this book though.
May 19, 2024
4.5. Read twice. First read in 2020.
Transformation, lake, connective threads…
Spring should “be a time of new beginnings and fresh starts.” But not necessarily - three victims of the Spring Strangler have been found always in the spring, spanning the years of 2014-2018.
A great opportunity arises for Detectives Brassard and Reed when they receive a tip about a previously unknown victim, Janey, who survived. Her assault/ordeal happened seven years ago and she has remained silent all this time. Will she be willing / able to aid their investigation of these horrific crimes?
*I first read this in 2020 (not reviewed). I remembered NOTHING from that reading! I reread for tomorrow’s book club.
*Although this was Book #3 in a series, I read it as a standalone. I was able to follow the plot and characters.
*A tale of moving on, coping, relationships, fear, tensions, and secrets.
*A captivating police procedural/thriller/whodunit. It held my attention & it was a quick read for me.
*Descriptive writing.
*Lots of twists! The twists were revealed in a frenzy, especially the last 80pp.
Transformation, lake, connective threads…
Spring should “be a time of new beginnings and fresh starts.” But not necessarily - three victims of the Spring Strangler have been found always in the spring, spanning the years of 2014-2018.
A great opportunity arises for Detectives Brassard and Reed when they receive a tip about a previously unknown victim, Janey, who survived. Her assault/ordeal happened seven years ago and she has remained silent all this time. Will she be willing / able to aid their investigation of these horrific crimes?
*I first read this in 2020 (not reviewed). I remembered NOTHING from that reading! I reread for tomorrow’s book club.
*Although this was Book #3 in a series, I read it as a standalone. I was able to follow the plot and characters.
*A tale of moving on, coping, relationships, fear, tensions, and secrets.
*A captivating police procedural/thriller/whodunit. It held my attention & it was a quick read for me.
*Descriptive writing.
*Lots of twists! The twists were revealed in a frenzy, especially the last 80pp.
July 3, 2020
Excellently thrilling read. With quick twists and turns and intense police procedures, The Spring Girls is an absolutely riveting read. The whole chase is fascinating from start to finish!
February 10, 2020
The first I have read in this series and now I want to read them all! A great plot, that kept me engaged and guessing and enough twists and turns to make this memorable. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc.
August 10, 2020
SPRING GIRLS by Karen Katchur
Synopsis /
Another spring, another dead girl pulled from a lake in the Appalachian foothills: the latest victim in a series of murders with few leads. But Detective Geena Brassard and her partner, Parker Reed, finally land a break when they receive a tip about a previously unknown survivor of the so-called Spring Strangler.
The survivor’s reluctant to help with the case for reasons that aren’t all clear. Even so, Geena uncovers a connective thread between the victims, and recently discovered DNA brings her closer to the killer’s identity. But Geena knows the survivor has the most to offer the investigation—if also the most to lose.
Geena is torn between securing the surviving victim’s help and protecting her from further danger. One thing is certain: Geena and Parker must find answers before the killer claims another life—or returns to finish off the one who got away.
My Thoughts /
Warning: A (somewhat) harsh review ahead.
The first thing that comes to mind is ‘I can’t remember why I purchased this e-book’, not a good start. So, I went back, back amongst all the 4 and 5 star reviews and re-read what my Goodreads fellows were thinking about after they had read this book. And I’m just not getting it (obviously).
Here are my issues:
#1 In the reader Q&A’s someone has asked if this book can be read as a stand-alone, to which the author has responded ‘yes’. Well really? For me, the main characters in the story lacked depth and development which maybe I would have gotten had I read previous stories. Here’s my thing: The written portrayal of the Strangler’s first victim, Janey, who survived the attack, peeved me no end. Pretty much for the ENTIRE book she was a whiney crybaby. Yes she was a ‘victim’ but Oh My God, she was also gullible, a dupe, a pushover, a fool, a simple soul, a sap – do you really want me to continue? She only came good in the last chapter – a bit too late for me to like her. I prefer my female characters to have some sort of backbone, but maybe that’s just my military training talking. Detective Geena Brassard the female lead detective on the case – well, she was trying to lead – or was she? She was just a bit too wishy-washy, see-sawing back and forth between bowing down or standing up. Quite frankly, it was just annoying.
#2. The plot. It dragged out…. painfully so. The ‘twists’ could be spotted a mile off, but yet the characters took several hundred pages (maybe a slight exaggeration) to figure it out. That just bored me.
#3. The ending – It did have an unexpected twist. Unfortunately though I was ready for it to be over and even the twist wasn’t going to save the other 90% that was way too long and painful. An outré ending which, by the way, wasn’t enough to save the book for me.
Ah well, better luck next time….
Synopsis /
Another spring, another dead girl pulled from a lake in the Appalachian foothills: the latest victim in a series of murders with few leads. But Detective Geena Brassard and her partner, Parker Reed, finally land a break when they receive a tip about a previously unknown survivor of the so-called Spring Strangler.
The survivor’s reluctant to help with the case for reasons that aren’t all clear. Even so, Geena uncovers a connective thread between the victims, and recently discovered DNA brings her closer to the killer’s identity. But Geena knows the survivor has the most to offer the investigation—if also the most to lose.
Geena is torn between securing the surviving victim’s help and protecting her from further danger. One thing is certain: Geena and Parker must find answers before the killer claims another life—or returns to finish off the one who got away.
My Thoughts /
Warning: A (somewhat) harsh review ahead.
The first thing that comes to mind is ‘I can’t remember why I purchased this e-book’, not a good start. So, I went back, back amongst all the 4 and 5 star reviews and re-read what my Goodreads fellows were thinking about after they had read this book. And I’m just not getting it (obviously).
Here are my issues:
#1 In the reader Q&A’s someone has asked if this book can be read as a stand-alone, to which the author has responded ‘yes’. Well really? For me, the main characters in the story lacked depth and development which maybe I would have gotten had I read previous stories. Here’s my thing: The written portrayal of the Strangler’s first victim, Janey, who survived the attack, peeved me no end. Pretty much for the ENTIRE book she was a whiney crybaby. Yes she was a ‘victim’ but Oh My God, she was also gullible, a dupe, a pushover, a fool, a simple soul, a sap – do you really want me to continue? She only came good in the last chapter – a bit too late for me to like her. I prefer my female characters to have some sort of backbone, but maybe that’s just my military training talking. Detective Geena Brassard the female lead detective on the case – well, she was trying to lead – or was she? She was just a bit too wishy-washy, see-sawing back and forth between bowing down or standing up. Quite frankly, it was just annoying.
#2. The plot. It dragged out…. painfully so. The ‘twists’ could be spotted a mile off, but yet the characters took several hundred pages (maybe a slight exaggeration) to figure it out. That just bored me.
#3. The ending – It did have an unexpected twist. Unfortunately though I was ready for it to be over and even the twist wasn’t going to save the other 90% that was way too long and painful. An outré ending which, by the way, wasn’t enough to save the book for me.
Ah well, better luck next time….
February 1, 2020
I have never heard of Karen Katchur until I found this book. After reading it, I now want to read every book she's ever written because this is the definition of a page turner!
They've found another girl dead a lake. Detective Geena Brassard and her new partner Parker Reed are on the hunt to find the serial killer that seems to kill during the Springtime. They find out there is a survivor and try to piece together DNA along with additional clues to solve the case before they killer finds another victim, or finishes off what he set to do with the 1st victim.
There's a little bit of a CW/TW for animal cruelty in the novel. The author does a great job of describing the scene in detail, which in turn, made me feel a warning was necessary.
This was a fast paced thriller from start to finish. There were many twists and turns in the book, but nothing out of left field or anything irrelevant. The perspectives were very easy to distinguish, and the character development was great in the book.
Was the ending predictable? For me, yes. Does that mean it's predictable for everyone else? No. Did that stop me from reading page by page until it was done in one day? No! It was so good, I couldn't stop. This is definitely a 5 star review from me.
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this book.
They've found another girl dead a lake. Detective Geena Brassard and her new partner Parker Reed are on the hunt to find the serial killer that seems to kill during the Springtime. They find out there is a survivor and try to piece together DNA along with additional clues to solve the case before they killer finds another victim, or finishes off what he set to do with the 1st victim.
There's a little bit of a CW/TW for animal cruelty in the novel. The author does a great job of describing the scene in detail, which in turn, made me feel a warning was necessary.
This was a fast paced thriller from start to finish. There were many twists and turns in the book, but nothing out of left field or anything irrelevant. The perspectives were very easy to distinguish, and the character development was great in the book.
Was the ending predictable? For me, yes. Does that mean it's predictable for everyone else? No. Did that stop me from reading page by page until it was done in one day? No! It was so good, I couldn't stop. This is definitely a 5 star review from me.
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 10, 2020
April showers brings May flowers but this April brings a serial killer dubbed the Spring Strangler. Detectives find an unknown survivor but she’s reluctant to help. The plot moves along quickly, the characters are intriguing, and the ending is unexpected! Thanks to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley, and Karen Katchur for an ARC. This is my honest review.
February 4, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
This book was amazing. The characters were awesome, the plot, even better! I highly recommend this book.
This book was amazing. The characters were awesome, the plot, even better! I highly recommend this book.
March 19, 2020
Another really good book in the series. It was fast paced, it kept me guessing to the very end. I enjoyed it! Looking forward to more with these two detectives. Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy
March 26, 2020
Spring Girls is an excellent, well-written suspense tale, part police procedural, part psychological thriller. It's filled with unexpected and intricate connections between characters, and it will keep you turning pages. I liked the characters; although, Geena came across as a little stiff, and Janey stilted, at least until the last few chapters of the book. At that point, most of the characters seemed to shift in a manner that made them different from what they were earlier in the book. For some, that was a good change, for others, it didn't seem to work well. It was a very noticeable change to me, and at times seemed not quite believable..
Despite those few problems, I found this a riveting book. It kept me reading, wanting to know what would come next and how things would resolve in the end. There are enough twists and turns to keep most readers involved.
This is the first book I've read by this author. I look forward to enjoying other books of hers. She did not disappoint.
I received an advabced reader ciotSpring Girls is an excellent, well-written suspense tale, part police procedural, part psychological thriller. It's filled with unexpected and intricate connections between characters, and it will keep you turning pages. I liked the characters; although, Geena came across as a little stiff, and Janey stilted, at least until the last few chapters of the book. At that point, most of the characters seemed to shift in a manner that made them different from what they were earlier in the book. For some, that was a good change, for others, it didn't seem to work well. It was a very noticeable change to me, and at times seemed not quite believable..
Despite those few problems, I found this a riveting book. It kept me reading, wanting to know what would come next and how things would resolve in the end. There are enough twists and turns to keep most readers involved.
This is the first book I've read by this author. I look forward to enjoying other books of hers. She did not disappoint.
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from Netgalley. I thank them, the publisher, and the author for sharing the book with me. All opinions in this review express my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
Despite those few problems, I found this a riveting book. It kept me reading, wanting to know what would come next and how things would resolve in the end. There are enough twists and turns to keep most readers involved.
This is the first book I've read by this author. I look forward to enjoying other books of hers. She did not disappoint.
I received an advabced reader ciotSpring Girls is an excellent, well-written suspense tale, part police procedural, part psychological thriller. It's filled with unexpected and intricate connections between characters, and it will keep you turning pages. I liked the characters; although, Geena came across as a little stiff, and Janey stilted, at least until the last few chapters of the book. At that point, most of the characters seemed to shift in a manner that made them different from what they were earlier in the book. For some, that was a good change, for others, it didn't seem to work well. It was a very noticeable change to me, and at times seemed not quite believable..
Despite those few problems, I found this a riveting book. It kept me reading, wanting to know what would come next and how things would resolve in the end. There are enough twists and turns to keep most readers involved.
This is the first book I've read by this author. I look forward to enjoying other books of hers. She did not disappoint.
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from Netgalley. I thank them, the publisher, and the author for sharing the book with me. All opinions in this review express my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews