"The ending literally left me with my mouth hanging open-not only was it shocking, it was more than a little gruesome and bloody. In a word, perfect." Crimespree Magazine
Lane swore never to be like her late mother. But now she too is a serial killer.
One difference remains-she only stalks and punishes the guilty.
But while trailing a new killer of teenage girls dubbed "The Strangler", Lane makes a terrible miscalculation and kills the wrong man.
Now the family of the man she accidentally murdered is hunting the killer, and she is forced to cover her tracks by befriending them. Because everyone knows you keep your enemies close.
But are they really enemies? Lane isn't so sure.
As the plot surrounding "The Strangler" tightens around her like a noose, for the first time she is tempted to trust someone with her darkest secrets. But will breaking down her boundaries bring salvation, or doom?
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
"Dark and disturbing-a high stake thriller that offers a window into a terrifying world." Kami Garcia, #1 NYT Bestselling Author
"S. E. Green spares no one--unique, twisted, and darkly thrilling." Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 NYT Bestselling Author
"A zippy, gripping psychological drama." Kirkus Reviews
"With an engaging and complex main character and a plot twist you'll never see, Green's thrillers are to die for." RT Reviews
"Readers will be most fascinated by Lane herself, an emotion-less machine whose small twinkling's of humanity is awakened as the killer gets ever closer." Booklist
"Readers who relish a darkly twisted and gritty crime thriller with a well-managed surprise ending will enjoy curling up with this one." BCCB
S. E. Green is the award-winning and best-selling author of young adult and adult books. She grew up in Tennessee where she dreaded all things reading and writing. She didn’t even read her first book for enjoyment until she was twenty-five. After that, she was hooked! When she’s not writing, she's usually traveling or hanging out with a rogue armadillo that frequents her backyard.
"Never underestimate the capacity of people to let you down. Never underestimate that someone you know may sell you out. Always look out for number one."
I liked this one. It was almost as good as the first but better than the second. I enjoyed reading about Lane as she tries to juggle "role-playing" a normal teenage girl and her secret life. I look forward to reading the next installment.
this description SPOKE to me. a book about a teenage serial killer? sounds exactly like something i'd enjoy. (unsurprisingly, I did.) I'm not gonna lie, for the whole first half of this book, I couldn't put it down. although I wasn't as invested in the plot unravelling as I was in the way it began, I still liked it.
the main character, Lane, was well-written and well-developed, that's why she was easy to understand. I loved how normal she seemed, most of the time. how, despite the fact she was a murderer, she was shown from every side, and, unlike most fictional killers, had normal interactions and a normal life. (like the fact that she loves and cares about her family, and friends.) all of that gave her a lot more depth as a character. seeing her cooperate with Adam, then following their relationship as it evolved, was probably my favorite part of the whole story.
the atmosphere created in the book made me feel like I was actually in the story, which made it significantly easier to get into. every page, up until around the middle, felt super compelling. which, most of the time, is really hard to achieve.
i felt like this was going to be a five star read, when Lane and Adam started cooperating, and getting to know each other. later, as the events unravelled, it was harder for me to focus on the book, because the plot felt like it was losing something. i was hoping the twist at the very end (as is with every horror/thriller) would save the ending, but it left me kind of underwhelmed.
that being said, if you enjoy small-town, contemporary thrillers, with an eerie vibe, (like Sharp Objects), definitely give it a chance !
The main character Lane reminds me a lot of an 18 year old female Dexter. She tries to "role play" as a normal teenage girl and you can tell that despite her need to kill bad guys, she genuinely cares about her family and wants to protect them. She is such a likable character and I honestly could not get enough of her. The story pulls you in right from the start and keeps your attention throughout the story.
Even though this story is listed as book 1 in the Killers Among series, it is technically book 3. Killer Instinct and Killer Within should probably be read first before diving into this one. That being said, I had no idea there were other books prior to this one when I started reading The Strangler. Although I could follow along with the story fairly easily, I did feel like I was missing some key information that apparently was discussed in the previous books. I couldn't help but feel that the story would have been slightly more enjoyable if I had all the previous information to go off of and could understand certain characters better and who other characters were that were mentioned and seemed as if they were of some importance.
I received a review copy from Hidden Gems in exchange for an honest review.
Teenage serial killer, Lane, definitely does NOT disappoint in this dark and twisted third installment of the Killer series, which just keeps getting better and better!
5/5 - I cannot get enough of this series! S. E. Green does such a great job of leading readers into the psyche of Lane…and even though she’s doing some really crazy things, readers find themselves in her corner. This book was definitely more graphic, in my opinion, compared to the others. It seemed to be a transition into more of an adult thriller rather than YA!
The Strangler by S.E. Green is a fast-paced, no-nonsense thriller that jumps straight into the action—and I appreciated that. It doesn’t waste time with fluff, and the pacing keeps things moving in a way that makes it easy to stay engaged. But here's the thing—I didn’t realize I was walking into book three of a series, but it was marketed as book one of a separate series that's connected to another series? That detail was nowhere to be found in the description, and it definitely colored my reading experience.
From the start, I had this nagging feeling that I was missing something, like walking into the middle of someone else’s conversation. The writing made it feel like I was supposed to already know Lane and her... proclivities. It wasn’t until I paused to read reviews that I realized why: this isn’t Lane’s first rodeo.
While I’ve read series out of order before and been fine, The Strangler didn’t offer much in the way of a refresher, which left me feeling slightly disconnected from the characters and emotional stakes. Still, the plot was compelling enough to keep me turning pages.
One odd (and kind of amusing) contrast was the treatment of the violent scenes vs. the sexual ones. For a YA book, it was surprisingly graphic in the murdery moments—more so than the consensual ones, which felt almost glossed over. You’d think murder would be toned down more than sex in YA, but nope. Priorities, I guess?
Plot-wise, there’s a sort of chaotic charm to it all. The town seems to be an oddly convenient hotspot for serial killers to gather—like some murdery version of a summer camp. It’s strange, sure, but also part of the fun in a “suspend your disbelief and roll with it” kind of way. That said, the title The Strangler felt a bit misleading. The plot wasn’t really focused on that element as much as it was on Lane and her volatile partner’s dynamic. Maybe that’s just how the series goes? I'm not sure, but it wasn’t what I expected.
The ending tied things up in a satisfying way, with a little cliffhanger that suggests there’s more to come. While the whodunnit aspect wasn’t particularly groundbreaking, the characters added enough layers to keep things interesting. It’s not a book that fully gripped me emotionally—I never felt totally immersed—but it was entertaining. A popcorn thriller, if you will.
Would I have enjoyed it more if I started from book one? Probably. Do I feel motivated to go back and catch up? Eh, maybe later. For now, The Strangler was just okay. Not bad, not amazing—just a fast ride with a few sharp turns and a couple of missing seatbelts. I’ll keep S.E. Green on my radar, but I’m not rushing back to the series anytime soon.
Eighteen year old Lane Cameron (we finally get a last name in book 3. At least I assume that’s her last name. Bio dad’s last name was “Leaf” but there’s nothing to indicate she would use that) is spending the summer before college like so many teens...a new boyfriend, a new friend and a new serial killing case to occupy her time. But she’s considering taking on a partner on her activities....
So, obviously this is a continuation of the Lane stories, but I just happened upon it when looking to see whether there were more books by Green available; there is this one and, apparently one more that are linked together, but not with the first two, if that makes since. Readers could easily miss them, which would be too bad because Lane is such an intriguing character (and I know she does martial arts but she does seem AWFULLY strong for such a young girl. But, a small quibble.)
Only one jarring note here - Virginia doesn’t have District Attorneys, so it’s odd to see constant references to one here. They’re called Commonwealth’s Attorneys, and while you might call one a prosecutor, you wouldn’t use the term “D.A.” So if the author’s reading this she’ll know for next time. Otherwise a fun page turner (again, it’s about serial killers so it’s not intended to be a cozy mystery) and a diverting quarantine read. Currently available on Kindle Unlimited.
Lane swore never to be like her late mother. But now she too is a serial killer. One difference remains—she only stalks and punishes the guilty. But while trailing a new killer of teenage girls dubbed “The Strangler”, Lane makes a terrible miscalculation and kills the wrong man. Now the family of the man she accidentally murdered is hunting the killer, and she is forced to cover her tracks by befriending them. Because everyone knows you keep your enemies close. But are they really enemies? Lane isn’t so sure. As the plot surrounding “The Strangler” tightens around her like a noose, for the first time she is tempted to trust someone with her darkest secrets. But will breaking down her boundaries bring salvation, or doom?
This was a brilliant read. Wonderful well written plot and story line that keeps you engaged from the start. Well written charaacters that keep you interested throughout. Twists and turns keep the suspense through the whole story making you not want to put it down. Recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this story it reminds me of the Jensen series by Colleen Myers. This story centers around Lane,Adam and their family and they are navigating life through grieving. Granted both Lane and Adam do choose unconventional ways of working through their baggage. This story drops you in the middle of ongoing situations which would be fine if i knew more about Lanes family in general. I guess that is My only complaint is that there are a-lot of details about Lane’s mother, aunt, father and Catalina that seems really important but is only discussed in passing. So for a large amount of time you know these people played a huge part in everyones lives but never get the full story as to who they were and what they did. I would be interested to see where her friendship goes with Adam, Daisy’s results and what Tommys secrets are. “Yes, we all have secrets and in that way I’m just like everyone else” Lane
I am pretty positive that this is my second S.E. Green novel in the recent past because the name drilled directly into my head! I can't say it was one of the best-written (language-wise)novels I have read. But it did seem to be from the POV of a young adult. Though not in the section of Green's YA novels, the fact that the characters were for the most part teens, felt like dark YA. I still enjoyed waiting to see where the nature of these characters would go. Evil Serial Killers or well-meaning vigilantism. (If one can come to terms with that concept!) There definitely didn't really seem to be an inkling of who would be the winner of the"game", until the end of it. I will pick up the next one of the series, no doubt!
Although this is the first book of the series, I felt that I came into the story in the middle. References were made to characters and events as if they'd been introduced in a prior story. Despite this, I really liked this story. It's gripping and suspenseful with likable main characters that are unusual for this type of story.
Susan Marlowe delivered an excellent performance. She sounded older than the main character telling the story, but her character voices were distinctive and appropriate.
Note: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Lane can't deny who her parents are. But she chooses to use her...skills...for good, doing what the limitations of the law won't allow to be done otherwise. This is the first book in a series and we meet Lane and her family and friends, and what she does.
Parts of this book are very detailed and gory, and at one point I had to set this books aside for a few days. Otherwise, the story and characters although dark, are likeable, and it is a quick read. I was intrigued enough by the storyline to come back to the book and finish it, although I'm not sure I will be reading the next one in the series. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
I enjoyed this thriller book. I was pulled in right from the beginning. The twists and turns left me turning pages fast just to see what will happen next. This is a story about a woman who never wanted to be like her mother but yet here she is, a serial killer. She only kills the guilty. What will happen when she accidentily kills a man and no the family is out to get her? Who are the real enemies? The characters are relateable and brought the story to life. They really made the story for me. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Hidden Gems for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Wow, I think I have found a new author to follow! The Strangler was right up my twisted minds alley. Lane reminds me of a female, 18 year old version of Dexter. This book is fast paced, well written and has enjoyable characters. I cannot wait to read more about Lane in S.E Green's follow-up The Suicide Killer.
I received this book from the author through Hidden Gems Books to review.
Lane has a very different perspective on life. She is a typical teenager when it comes to raging hormones, wanting more independence and feeling alone because of her uniqueness.
Lane's uniqueness goes way beyond just being an awkward teenager. She is the daughter and neice of two serial killers in her family. Has she inherited this trait or is she just a female vigilante doling out justice?
This is my first read in this series and by this author - that being said it definitely will not be my last. I NEED more! Lane is the type of female lead I love, sassy, strong, severely flawed & she knows it - basically someone who I can totally relate to on some level. This book grabbed me from the start & never let me go!! I can't wait for more.
It was as a two star rating states ok. I felt it was quite loosely written and for being a thriller nothing quite piqued my interest enough to wonder (when I wasn't reading it) what was going to happen next. It seemed to be building up to something more promising at one point but I thought the ending fell very flat.
Lane is off to new adventures with a new friend. She has a boyfriend, she and her sister are getting along...just another day in the Life of Lane. Each book gets a bit more graphic, but definitely keeps you reading. Make sure you start at the beginning with Killer Instinct. .
This is the twisted diary of Lane, a stalker and serial killer. Although her snarky commentaries were interesting and the whole thing carries a nice, easy narrative, I just couldn’t get through the dry read. I just couldn’t get into Lane’s mentality. Wasn’t what I expected.
This will keep you reading right into the night. I could not stop reading, I needed to find out what was going to happen next. I highly recommend this book.
i heard good things and expected more but i finished the book feeling empty. maybe if i read the second i will like it more but the first wasn’t the best