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Pretty Broken Things
A SULTRY, TWISTY THRILLER SET IN THE SHADOWY EDGES OF NEW ORLEANS' FRENCH QUARTER BY THE 'NEW YORK TIMES' BEST-SELLING AUTHOR MELISSA MARR.
NOTE: THIS BOOK CONTAINS SENSITIVE MATERIAL AND MAY BE UPSETTING TO SOME READERS/LISTENERS.
After receiving a lead from an unlikely source, Juliana, the mortician tasked with the bodies of victims of the "Carolina Creeper", the South's most notorious serial killer in decades, sets off to New Orleans in search of Theresa Morris, an heiress and presumably the Creeper's only surviving victim.
Theresa no goes by "Tess" and is a shadow of her former heiress self. She's also being pursued by famous novelist Michael, who sets his sights on Tess as the muse of his work-in-progress, oblivious to her former identity.
As Michael gets closer to Tess and begins to put the pieces of her traumatic past together, Juliana zeroes in on her whereabouts. They don't know it, but the three og them are on a collision course, hurtling straight into the Creeper's path.
RUNNING TIME ⇒ 7hrs. and 58mins.
©2019 Melissa Marr (P)2020 Audible Originals
NOTE: THIS BOOK CONTAINS SENSITIVE MATERIAL AND MAY BE UPSETTING TO SOME READERS/LISTENERS.
After receiving a lead from an unlikely source, Juliana, the mortician tasked with the bodies of victims of the "Carolina Creeper", the South's most notorious serial killer in decades, sets off to New Orleans in search of Theresa Morris, an heiress and presumably the Creeper's only surviving victim.
Theresa no goes by "Tess" and is a shadow of her former heiress self. She's also being pursued by famous novelist Michael, who sets his sights on Tess as the muse of his work-in-progress, oblivious to her former identity.
As Michael gets closer to Tess and begins to put the pieces of her traumatic past together, Juliana zeroes in on her whereabouts. They don't know it, but the three og them are on a collision course, hurtling straight into the Creeper's path.
RUNNING TIME ⇒ 7hrs. and 58mins.
©2019 Melissa Marr (P)2020 Audible Originals
Audible Audio
First published December 15, 2020
43 people are currently reading
690 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Marr
109 books13k followersMelissa Marr writes fiction for adults, teens, and children. Her books have been translated into 28 languages and been bestsellers in the US (NY Times, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal) as well as overseas. Wicked Lovely, her debut novel, was an instant New York Times bestseller and evolved into an internationally bestselling multi-book series with a myriad of accolades.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 6, 2022
I loved Pretty Broken Things as much the second go round as I did the first and have nothing to add to my review.
Original review: I have been a fan of Melissa Marr since I started reading her Wicked Lovely series over a decade ago. Since then, I have followed her into other worlds that I also loved. Carnival of Secrets is a brilliant young adult fantasy, Graveminder is gothic horror at its finest, and The Arrivals is a sci-fi western that made me yearn for more. Point I'm trying to make? She has written in many genres and done very well in each, but what about a dark, twisted psychological thriller?
Pretty Broken Things was an auto-buy book for me for more than one reason.
(1) Hello, did you see the above? Melissa Marr is bloody frakkin brilliant.
(2) Made as an audiobook first and we got 3 incredible narrators for the story?
(3) Dark psychological thriller about a serial killer? From different perspectives?
Pretty Broken Things was dark, it was twisted, it was disturbing, and I was hooked from the beginning. Not quite sure what that says about me.
The narration added much to the world Melissa Marr created and being mostly set in New Orleans was definitely a treat. I love NOLA! Apparently, I also like really disturbing books because I devoured this one like a person starved.
I felt like I was reading a book within a book, which reminded me of Tiffany Reisz's Original Sinners series. Pretty Broken Things is VERY dark, it's depraved at times, and it's not for the faint of heart. If you have sexual, emotional, psychological, and/or physical abuse in your past, you need to be aware of what you're getting into. There is a lot of abuse, violence, and sadism in Pretty Broken Things. I'm a sexual assault survivor and understand all too well that sometimes it's better not to fight. I've dealt with my issues and have been in therapy for PTSD. Had I not, I wouldn't have been able to read Pretty Broken Things without being triggered.
Between the fast pace, switch in narration for specific characters, the setting, the character development, the compelling serial killer case, and the world building, Pretty Broken Things was in a word, brilliant. No one can weave a story quite like Melissa Marr can and I really hope she gives us another twisted tale.
Original review: I have been a fan of Melissa Marr since I started reading her Wicked Lovely series over a decade ago. Since then, I have followed her into other worlds that I also loved. Carnival of Secrets is a brilliant young adult fantasy, Graveminder is gothic horror at its finest, and The Arrivals is a sci-fi western that made me yearn for more. Point I'm trying to make? She has written in many genres and done very well in each, but what about a dark, twisted psychological thriller?
Pretty Broken Things was an auto-buy book for me for more than one reason.
(1) Hello, did you see the above? Melissa Marr is bloody frakkin brilliant.
(2) Made as an audiobook first and we got 3 incredible narrators for the story?
(3) Dark psychological thriller about a serial killer? From different perspectives?
Pretty Broken Things was dark, it was twisted, it was disturbing, and I was hooked from the beginning. Not quite sure what that says about me.
The narration added much to the world Melissa Marr created and being mostly set in New Orleans was definitely a treat. I love NOLA! Apparently, I also like really disturbing books because I devoured this one like a person starved.
I felt like I was reading a book within a book, which reminded me of Tiffany Reisz's Original Sinners series. Pretty Broken Things is VERY dark, it's depraved at times, and it's not for the faint of heart. If you have sexual, emotional, psychological, and/or physical abuse in your past, you need to be aware of what you're getting into. There is a lot of abuse, violence, and sadism in Pretty Broken Things. I'm a sexual assault survivor and understand all too well that sometimes it's better not to fight. I've dealt with my issues and have been in therapy for PTSD. Had I not, I wouldn't have been able to read Pretty Broken Things without being triggered.
Between the fast pace, switch in narration for specific characters, the setting, the character development, the compelling serial killer case, and the world building, Pretty Broken Things was in a word, brilliant. No one can weave a story quite like Melissa Marr can and I really hope she gives us another twisted tale.
July 22, 2020
4 solid gold ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A dark and twisted tale set mostly in New Orleans. Melissa Marr comes out swinging with this gritty thriller.
You need this book! When you get it, sit down, buckle in and I’ll see you on the other side.
Can’t wait to talk to someone else that had read this!
A dark and twisted tale set mostly in New Orleans. Melissa Marr comes out swinging with this gritty thriller.
You need this book! When you get it, sit down, buckle in and I’ll see you on the other side.
Can’t wait to talk to someone else that had read this!
December 18, 2020
Maybe this one pays off if you keep reading, but 50 pages in I'm confused and bored. Too many characters, too much jumping around and not enough time with the one character I'm mildly interested in, Jules. This one just isn't for me.
December 17, 2020
Holy hell I don’t even know where to begin, I’m ugly crying while writing this review.
Pretty Broken Things, grabs you from chapter 1 and never lets you go until the end, Melissa Marr has painted such vivid scenes that you will feel like you were walking with her characters in the Carolinas, when she talks about Tess’s home in New Orleans you feel like you’re there, sure she gives you the touristy touches and areas that l am sure you will find there, but she also gives you the nitty gritty soul of New Orleans.
Pretty Broken Things was one of the best, let me repeat that this is one of the best books I’ve read, not just this year but ever...
I went into this blind, the book is by Melissa Marr, I have loved her other works, it’s going to be amazing, these are all things that went through my head, before I started reading this book. That being said I’m glad I didn’t read the synopsis ahead of time as I probably would’ve overlooked a fantastic piece of work. Now there is a warning on the stating that it contains sensitive material and may be upsetting to some readers/listeners, that’s no joke while I wouldn’t necessarily recommend a book with some of the themes and material to people who have had trauma before.... for me this book helped me close up, for lack of a better word pandas box. I’m not gonna lie I had a rough go reading this, a real rough go and it took me longer then I would have liked but by the end it was perfect it was everything, everything I needed.
There’s a saying how far would you go to protect yourself, to protect others to just survive? Now think about it, let that set in, and really truly think about it. Tess is a survivor, Juliana is a survivor...I’m a survivor.
There is so, so much more I can say, but then I would ruin this book for you, I would spoil it and I hate people who do that. I’m not going to say much more, what I am going to say is I’m not sure if Marr knew how this book would help people, help them move on, put things behind them, leave those things in the past and just emerge into the warrior that they are, Pretty Broken Things has that power, a power all its own.
Don’t pass up this fantastic novel.
I received this book from the author for an honest review, the opinions posted in the above reviews are mine and mine only.
Pretty Broken Things, grabs you from chapter 1 and never lets you go until the end, Melissa Marr has painted such vivid scenes that you will feel like you were walking with her characters in the Carolinas, when she talks about Tess’s home in New Orleans you feel like you’re there, sure she gives you the touristy touches and areas that l am sure you will find there, but she also gives you the nitty gritty soul of New Orleans.
Pretty Broken Things was one of the best, let me repeat that this is one of the best books I’ve read, not just this year but ever...
I went into this blind, the book is by Melissa Marr, I have loved her other works, it’s going to be amazing, these are all things that went through my head, before I started reading this book. That being said I’m glad I didn’t read the synopsis ahead of time as I probably would’ve overlooked a fantastic piece of work. Now there is a warning on the stating that it contains sensitive material and may be upsetting to some readers/listeners, that’s no joke while I wouldn’t necessarily recommend a book with some of the themes and material to people who have had trauma before.... for me this book helped me close up, for lack of a better word pandas box. I’m not gonna lie I had a rough go reading this, a real rough go and it took me longer then I would have liked but by the end it was perfect it was everything, everything I needed.
There’s a saying how far would you go to protect yourself, to protect others to just survive? Now think about it, let that set in, and really truly think about it. Tess is a survivor, Juliana is a survivor...I’m a survivor.
There is so, so much more I can say, but then I would ruin this book for you, I would spoil it and I hate people who do that. I’m not going to say much more, what I am going to say is I’m not sure if Marr knew how this book would help people, help them move on, put things behind them, leave those things in the past and just emerge into the warrior that they are, Pretty Broken Things has that power, a power all its own.
Don’t pass up this fantastic novel.
I received this book from the author for an honest review, the opinions posted in the above reviews are mine and mine only.
December 5, 2020
This book was brilliant. It is unlike any of Melissa Marr's other books but it is one of my favorites, hands down. I actually didn't know what to expect going into it but with every page I was drawn further into a twisted world of shadows and darkness. This thriller navigates a psychological and emotional maze from multiple POV's. A writer determined to find his next great story, a broken girl just trying to survive, and a strong yet stubborn medical examiner who refuses to let her fear control her as she helps hunt for the serial killer known as the Carolina Creeper. This book is 🔥 🔥 fire!! I loved it!! 5 stars and 2 thumbs way way up!!
March 3, 2021
After about 100 pages, I found I was just confused and irritated and I was done at that point. Maybe it would’ve gotten better but it made so little sense that I couldn’t force myself to go on. Not the book for me.
February 2, 2024
Not good - it was confusing in the beginning because there are so many characters introduced and it wasn’t clear who anyone was except Julianna. It just made me feel gross and it wasn’t a good book. Glad it’s over so I can move on.
May 16, 2021
Good story, and it does a pretty good job of keeping the reader in suspense. I would have given it 5 stars, but I just could not bring myself to like Tess. I feel like she made herself the victim.
November 2, 2021
My first adult book by Melissa Marr and I ended up really enjoying it! Really twisted thriller/mystery story, but the way the perspectives and timelines are woven together, you're hooked.
December 2, 2020
Oh my freaking goodness..
I can’t even form coherent thoughts after this..
Review to come after gathering my thoughts..
Whew...ok, now that I have had time to absorb and process.
This book is wickedly twisted and dives deep in to the darkness of the psyche of the characters we are reading about.
Told in multiple POVs you see such a variety of personality, traveling through the lives of these characters.
I really can't give details here because it would give so much away. But, the brilliance and talent that Melissa Marr gives us in this book will completely blow your mind.
I could not put this book down even though it dove into the craziness.
I had to know what happened and literally I was sitting on the edge of my seat reading as fast as I could.
Highly recommend this suspenseful, twisted, dark tale.
I can’t even form coherent thoughts after this..
Review to come after gathering my thoughts..
Whew...ok, now that I have had time to absorb and process.
This book is wickedly twisted and dives deep in to the darkness of the psyche of the characters we are reading about.
Told in multiple POVs you see such a variety of personality, traveling through the lives of these characters.
I really can't give details here because it would give so much away. But, the brilliance and talent that Melissa Marr gives us in this book will completely blow your mind.
I could not put this book down even though it dove into the craziness.
I had to know what happened and literally I was sitting on the edge of my seat reading as fast as I could.
Highly recommend this suspenseful, twisted, dark tale.
November 18, 2020
The audio version of this book has three actors each with a pleasant voice to listen to and each do a good job conveying the meaning of the story.
For Melissa Marr fans, this is a departure from her fantasy writing into a harsh gritty fearsome serial killer mystery. New Orleans adds character and flavor to the story. She explores the voyeur, the justice seeker, and the messed up psychology of the abused victims. There are some good twists to keep things extra interesting. A suspenseful thrill to listen to.
*I received a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review. The serial killer suspense genre is not my typical cup of tea that I reach for. I do enjoy a tale well told and this was definitely that.
**I'm stingy with my star ratings.
5 stars are reserved for stories that have stood the test of time and that I will come back to again and again.
3 stars is more easily earned for a decently written enjoyable story.
4 stars takes a bit more in quality of writing and story.
For Melissa Marr fans, this is a departure from her fantasy writing into a harsh gritty fearsome serial killer mystery. New Orleans adds character and flavor to the story. She explores the voyeur, the justice seeker, and the messed up psychology of the abused victims. There are some good twists to keep things extra interesting. A suspenseful thrill to listen to.
*I received a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review. The serial killer suspense genre is not my typical cup of tea that I reach for. I do enjoy a tale well told and this was definitely that.
**I'm stingy with my star ratings.
5 stars are reserved for stories that have stood the test of time and that I will come back to again and again.
3 stars is more easily earned for a decently written enjoyable story.
4 stars takes a bit more in quality of writing and story.
April 18, 2022
Poor editing
The story itself was ok, but the editing was awful. There were multiple instances of sentences or even paragraphs being repeated. One character was referred to by the wrong name (and not as a pseudonym or alias...one chapter just flat out had a different name for their spouse in a mental POV). And there were not infrequent punctuation and grammatical errors. I'm usually pretty patient with the occasional editing error, but this was the worst I've seen in a professionally published novel.
I would give the story 3 stars, and the editing 1 star.
The story itself was ok, but the editing was awful. There were multiple instances of sentences or even paragraphs being repeated. One character was referred to by the wrong name (and not as a pseudonym or alias...one chapter just flat out had a different name for their spouse in a mental POV). And there were not infrequent punctuation and grammatical errors. I'm usually pretty patient with the occasional editing error, but this was the worst I've seen in a professionally published novel.
I would give the story 3 stars, and the editing 1 star.
July 23, 2020
Disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Pretty Broken Things is the story of Theresa Morris, a runaway heiress with mommy issues (specifically with mommy's husbands hitting on her) who meets an enigmatic young man. It is a story about abuse and violence and how easy it can be to be pulled into a psychopath's web.
When we first meet Tess, she's filling in at a strip club as a waitress for her roommate. She's young, not quite that naive (runaways usually aren't), pretty, and adamant about not performing on stage. She's just there to wait on customers. And so she meets Edward.
Suave, charming, handsome Edward. Who worms his way into Tess' life and then her heart. Next thing she knows, she's moved into his home and is married. And has the bruises to show for it. Before long bruises become wounds become scars. And that's the least of her torments.
Pretty Broken Things is hard to listen to for the scenes of abuse and control, for the things Edward makes Tess do - and the things she chooses to do out of self-preservation. One day she decides she must run - or be the next to die - and winds up in New Orleans, hoping against hope that each day is another day free from the husband who kills.
Then there's mortician Juliana, torn between two men and not wanting to give up her heart. She's the "recipient" of the victims deposited by the "Carolina Creeper" and attempts to identify him when he starts leaving notes for her with the bodies. (Ick ick ick!) When Tess, who's entangled with a novelist' efforts to revive his career, shows up on Juliana's radar, she makes the trip to New Orleans to track her down.
Pretty Broken Things has some parts that were confusing - when did Edward become Reid (or is it Reed?)? And why? It must've happened while he was married to Tess because she refers to him as both, but... ? And how did he wind up in the Carolinas? Was he tracking his brother? But then why his brother instead of his wife? Questions, questions, questions.
Overall though, it was interesting, kept me wondering (though I did have my suspicions), and boy did (almost) everyone go out with a bang at the end!
drey's rating: Pick it up!
Have you checked out Pretty Broken Things? What did you think?
This review was originally posted on drey's library
Pretty Broken Things is the story of Theresa Morris, a runaway heiress with mommy issues (specifically with mommy's husbands hitting on her) who meets an enigmatic young man. It is a story about abuse and violence and how easy it can be to be pulled into a psychopath's web.
When we first meet Tess, she's filling in at a strip club as a waitress for her roommate. She's young, not quite that naive (runaways usually aren't), pretty, and adamant about not performing on stage. She's just there to wait on customers. And so she meets Edward.
Suave, charming, handsome Edward. Who worms his way into Tess' life and then her heart. Next thing she knows, she's moved into his home and is married. And has the bruises to show for it. Before long bruises become wounds become scars. And that's the least of her torments.
Pretty Broken Things is hard to listen to for the scenes of abuse and control, for the things Edward makes Tess do - and the things she chooses to do out of self-preservation. One day she decides she must run - or be the next to die - and winds up in New Orleans, hoping against hope that each day is another day free from the husband who kills.
Then there's mortician Juliana, torn between two men and not wanting to give up her heart. She's the "recipient" of the victims deposited by the "Carolina Creeper" and attempts to identify him when he starts leaving notes for her with the bodies. (Ick ick ick!) When Tess, who's entangled with a novelist' efforts to revive his career, shows up on Juliana's radar, she makes the trip to New Orleans to track her down.
Pretty Broken Things has some parts that were confusing - when did Edward become Reid (or is it Reed?)? And why? It must've happened while he was married to Tess because she refers to him as both, but... ? And how did he wind up in the Carolinas? Was he tracking his brother? But then why his brother instead of his wife? Questions, questions, questions.
Overall though, it was interesting, kept me wondering (though I did have my suspicions), and boy did (almost) everyone go out with a bang at the end!
drey's rating: Pick it up!
Have you checked out Pretty Broken Things? What did you think?
This review was originally posted on drey's library
March 17, 2025
It was fine until it wasn’t.
(btw, I'm pretty surprised this book doesn't have millions of reviews from dark romance readers.)
The book (plus the narration) took me over from several minutes. I could predict some plot splotches, however, didn't anticipate that slender mesmerizing cruelty. In some way, it was beautiful. I could visualize that elegant aesthetic of a prey that became a predator and opposite. A Pinterest board of this book could be similar to Euphorias': violence but pictured sweetly, body harming but in an entrancing sexualized way, and some glitter. Now I even think it could be similar to Dare Me serial. Especially with the moment that stunned me: a writer realizing the discovered home violence that happened to his new-found-and-mystic muse is bad but not enough for his bestseller because the book industry is teeming with such a plot.
But then I lost the taste of it.
1) The heroine repeating she's
3) The male predator to be described only as big bad wolf.
4) The part with
5) Unmotivated
6) A lot of tell but not show.
(btw, I'm pretty surprised this book doesn't have millions of reviews from dark romance readers.)
The book (plus the narration) took me over from several minutes. I could predict some plot splotches, however, didn't anticipate that slender mesmerizing cruelty. In some way, it was beautiful. I could visualize that elegant aesthetic of a prey that became a predator and opposite. A Pinterest board of this book could be similar to Euphorias': violence but pictured sweetly, body harming but in an entrancing sexualized way, and some glitter. Now I even think it could be similar to Dare Me serial. Especially with the moment that stunned me: a writer realizing the discovered home violence that happened to his new-found-and-mystic muse is bad but not enough for his bestseller because the book industry is teeming with such a plot.
But then I lost the taste of it.
1) The heroine repeating she's
3) The male predator to be described only as big bad wolf.
4) The part with
5) Unmotivated
6) A lot of tell but not show.
August 16, 2020
I was given a audio book for an honest review.
Typically I don't wander far from the genres of fantasy, scifi and urban fantasy. Dabble here and there but fantasy is my jam. Mystery and thrillers usually get forgotten on the massive piles of my TBR shelves.
I've been a fan of Melissa Marr since the release of Wicked Lovely and was pleasantly surprised to find out about this sultry tale. I have a warm love for Marr's writing style and i'm glad I got to enjoy this world. A trip down to the French quarter is always anything but plain.
I really enjoyed the portrayal of the characters from the three narrators. An off voice can kill a story but these three did wonderfully.
I really enjoyed the complicated histories and depth to these characters, Tess becoming my favorite. Julianne's reluctance to allow a partner close due to her past. Michael's determination to truly understand and capture the story that is Tess. At point I thought I had it figured out yet the end held a couple more surprises.
A twisted tale of love, survival and the darkness within the depths of those who see others as prey.
Would you survive the Carolina Creeper?
Typically I don't wander far from the genres of fantasy, scifi and urban fantasy. Dabble here and there but fantasy is my jam. Mystery and thrillers usually get forgotten on the massive piles of my TBR shelves.
I've been a fan of Melissa Marr since the release of Wicked Lovely and was pleasantly surprised to find out about this sultry tale. I have a warm love for Marr's writing style and i'm glad I got to enjoy this world. A trip down to the French quarter is always anything but plain.
I really enjoyed the portrayal of the characters from the three narrators. An off voice can kill a story but these three did wonderfully.
I really enjoyed the complicated histories and depth to these characters, Tess becoming my favorite. Julianne's reluctance to allow a partner close due to her past. Michael's determination to truly understand and capture the story that is Tess. At point I thought I had it figured out yet the end held a couple more surprises.
A twisted tale of love, survival and the darkness within the depths of those who see others as prey.
Would you survive the Carolina Creeper?
July 26, 2020
Wickedly Twisted and very enjoyable !!!!!
Wow, is all I can say. This is a twisted and wicked tale that weaves such intrigue and I couldn't stop listening. Melissa Marr is a favorite author of mine by far, I just hope that there are more adult books to come, as well as the Fae community I adore. The characters in this book were surprising and unpredictable, and the twist about Andrew and Edward made my jaw drop. This story is told in true Melissa Marr fashion with the details of the people, places, and things that make her stand out as a true storyteller and dream weaver. The details of the murders and the bodies are so vivid, and I am a fan of true crime and murder, she gives such vivid details I can picture everything in my mind and it is great, I have never been to any of these places but when I do visit, I will be looking at these cities through the eyes of these characters for sure. I don't know if there is going to be a second book, but I would not be opposed to seeing Tess/Tessa/Theresa again. If you can't tell by this review I loved it a lot.
Wow, is all I can say. This is a twisted and wicked tale that weaves such intrigue and I couldn't stop listening. Melissa Marr is a favorite author of mine by far, I just hope that there are more adult books to come, as well as the Fae community I adore. The characters in this book were surprising and unpredictable, and the twist about Andrew and Edward made my jaw drop. This story is told in true Melissa Marr fashion with the details of the people, places, and things that make her stand out as a true storyteller and dream weaver. The details of the murders and the bodies are so vivid, and I am a fan of true crime and murder, she gives such vivid details I can picture everything in my mind and it is great, I have never been to any of these places but when I do visit, I will be looking at these cities through the eyes of these characters for sure. I don't know if there is going to be a second book, but I would not be opposed to seeing Tess/Tessa/Theresa again. If you can't tell by this review I loved it a lot.
May 5, 2025
Synopsis: Tess is actually Theresa who has changed her name to protect her identity from her husband aka a serial killer. She somehow escaped from his clutches but continues to live in fear.
Michael is a writer and he finds Tess very interesting and starts to use her as a muse for his new book.
Juliana is a mortician working with the police / FBI. Serial killer is sending dead bodies of women for her. The paths of all 4 collide at the end
Ending:
I was losing interest in the book because I wasn't listening to it continuously and with a few days in between. I wish I could've read the book. The ending as I mentioned above was the shocking factor otherwise everything else was plain and definitely gory parts.
Michael is a writer and he finds Tess very interesting and starts to use her as a muse for his new book.
Juliana is a mortician working with the police / FBI. Serial killer is sending dead bodies of women for her. The paths of all 4 collide at the end
Ending:
I was losing interest in the book because I wasn't listening to it continuously and with a few days in between. I wish I could've read the book. The ending as I mentioned above was the shocking factor otherwise everything else was plain and definitely gory parts.
June 23, 2022
This was my first Melissa Marr non YA read. While I enjoyed it (And envisioning Nola. One of my favorite vaca spots)... Dont think it's an edge of your seat kind of read. At least not until the end.
You'll realize that fairly early on.
Told from three pov's I can also see why some of the reviews here said it was confusing. You have to stay with it.
If you enjy a slow burning novel about how horrible, depraved, and sick mild mannered looking people can be behind closed doors and what people will do to survive another day... This might be for you.
You'll realize that fairly early on.
Told from three pov's I can also see why some of the reviews here said it was confusing. You have to stay with it.
If you enjy a slow burning novel about how horrible, depraved, and sick mild mannered looking people can be behind closed doors and what people will do to survive another day... This might be for you.
September 12, 2025
An addictive and moving story. Pretty Broken Things shows the strength of women and the callousness of some men. It also speaks to toxic relationships and what things need to be done to escape them. 3 Points of view: Juliianna, the mortician, trying to find the serial killer and a missing survivor; Tess, the wife and survivor of the serial killer; Michael, the writer using Tess for her story so he can be relevant again.
There were many twists and turns to reach the end of the story. In some ways, the end was a surprise, but in other ways, I expected it. The story had suspense and mystery, and was well worth the time to complete it.
There were many twists and turns to reach the end of the story. In some ways, the end was a surprise, but in other ways, I expected it. The story had suspense and mystery, and was well worth the time to complete it.
December 17, 2020
Suspenseful Thriller- Obvious Ending
I have been low key looking for a thriller set in New Orleans that embodies its atmosphere and was creepy. This book is creepy but it failed on the first count. I did find some of the characters (Tess) to be very interesting and well developed. But as the title suggests the ending is blatantly obvious from early on which somewhat sucks the suspense out of any Thriller.
I have been low key looking for a thriller set in New Orleans that embodies its atmosphere and was creepy. This book is creepy but it failed on the first count. I did find some of the characters (Tess) to be very interesting and well developed. But as the title suggests the ending is blatantly obvious from early on which somewhat sucks the suspense out of any Thriller.
December 29, 2020
What a creepy and horrifying story / book, I must say I absolutely loved it. It took me by surprise, my expectations weren't too high, but the book turned out to be pretty amazing.
* SPOILER ALERT *
I didn't care much about Jules's part of the story, but I absolutely adored Tessa and especially loved the parts of the book that described her days with Reid/Edward, those parts were pure masterpiece in my opinion and the reason why this is a five star review.
Well done Melissa Marr, this was abhorrent, but perfect and beautiful in its ugliness.
* SPOILER ALERT *
I didn't care much about Jules's part of the story, but I absolutely adored Tessa and especially loved the parts of the book that described her days with Reid/Edward, those parts were pure masterpiece in my opinion and the reason why this is a five star review.
Well done Melissa Marr, this was abhorrent, but perfect and beautiful in its ugliness.
July 31, 2020
Review of audio book.
This delicious psychological thriller dives deep into the world of abusive control, mental and physical pain, and survival. It definitely is not for all listeners. But if you are a fan of chilling stories involving serial killers, their techniques and their victims, then this is one to not be missed. Just be prepared to be taken deep into the minds of people who have been through the worst sorts of depravity. The novel is well written, fast paced, and uplifting in the end. And, the narration is fantastic.
This delicious psychological thriller dives deep into the world of abusive control, mental and physical pain, and survival. It definitely is not for all listeners. But if you are a fan of chilling stories involving serial killers, their techniques and their victims, then this is one to not be missed. Just be prepared to be taken deep into the minds of people who have been through the worst sorts of depravity. The novel is well written, fast paced, and uplifting in the end. And, the narration is fantastic.
August 25, 2020
This was an audible original and it definitely hooked me in right away! There was a warning that the material in the book was sensitive,but it wasn't any more shocking than anything else I have read. And, what seems to be trending right now is heroin/coke habits- the darker the story the better these days! But the unreliable protagonist role I am growing weary of.....
January 19, 2021
Well, this was certainly intense, and deeply disturbing. I tried hard to like, or at least to empathize with, Tess/Tessie/Teresa, but man.
A serial killer who tortures, tattoos, and then kills women; the mortician who has worked on several of his victims; and the only woman who escaped. What a triangle.
Good evocation of New Orleans. Makes me want to go back.
A serial killer who tortures, tattoos, and then kills women; the mortician who has worked on several of his victims; and the only woman who escaped. What a triangle.
Good evocation of New Orleans. Makes me want to go back.
May 18, 2021
Shocking story but intriguing
I don’t usually read this type of story, but decided to do so as I like this author. I was attached to the main characters early, and had to keep reading. OMG! If you are wondering what could motivate a serial killer, this book provides a good scenario. But OMG! Not for the squeamish.
I don’t usually read this type of story, but decided to do so as I like this author. I was attached to the main characters early, and had to keep reading. OMG! If you are wondering what could motivate a serial killer, this book provides a good scenario. But OMG! Not for the squeamish.
September 27, 2024
I must have started a different edition of this book than the other reviewers, who loved it. Perhaps if I'd made it far enough along to get into the meat of the story I might have liked it better, but I just couldn't get past the poor editing. Grammar, spelling and punctuation were atrocious. Some whole passages were repeated. I had to give up.
April 27, 2025
The story was really good and enticing. The editing, however, needs to be improved. I read the book via Kindle. There are a lot of misplaced words, and one chapter even refers to a character by another name that was never mentioned before or after that chapter. It was frustrating to read when the premise was so good.
January 17, 2021
I really enjoyed the way this book switched between points of view and left the reader constantly questioning the unreliable narrator. Not my usual genre, but I loved it. Marr really understands the dark side of humanity.
May 15, 2024
Not your typical Melissa Marr but well worth reading!!
This is a non-typical Melissa Marr read as it takes place in the "real, non-magical world". Regardless, the story is gripping and once I started, I.COULD.NOT.PUT.IT.DOWN!! Well put together and quite memorable.
This is a non-typical Melissa Marr read as it takes place in the "real, non-magical world". Regardless, the story is gripping and once I started, I.COULD.NOT.PUT.IT.DOWN!! Well put together and quite memorable.
November 11, 2025
Definitely should come with multiple trigger warnings (it probably does). This was a very dark book. I'm thinking serial killer thriller. Nope. Themes of very intense psychological, emotional, S/A, control, mental illness, and so much more. Not for the faint of heart.
Very well-written.
Very well-written.
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