Beautiful Death: Sleeping Beauty

Notorious Wolf #1

by Judith Holstrom

The picturesque town of San Fallon has become the hunting ground of the Notorious Wolf: a serial killer who displays his victims as fairy tale characters for the police to find. After months of searching, he's finally found his Sleeping Beauty.

Helena Sussex is everyone's dream of a homecoming queen, with the quarterback boyfriend to match. The world is hers for the taking: whatever her looks and charm wouldn't hand her could be earned by her quick wit. It's left her bored and hungry for more, and she's made a game out of controlling those around her. As long as no one realizes it was her constant manipulations led to the suicide of fellow cheerleader Wadelyn Fairchild, she can have it all.

Follow Helena's path as she's stalked by the Notorious Wolf to see if it leads to salvation, or if his Sleeping Beauty is denied her happily ever after.

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2020

About the author

Judith Holstrom is a full time author writing in the genre of mystery & thriller crime as well as horror. Both genre's is her favorite to read and to watch as a viewer.
She has a very dangerous relationship with serial killers and can name them the way some people can name the presidents of the united states.
She has always been fascinated with the crime channel, binge watch it like some viewers binge watch their favorite series and horror isn't far behind her love for mystery and thrillers.

Her first novel Beautiful Death was published in 2020, followed by her Horror title Hallow's Eve Jinx. To find out more about her novel and writing, please check out her website coming soon, www.judithholstrombooks.com

Reviews

[Liza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might give the story 4 stars but the editing is bad and so I would give that 1 star (and the book summary is wrong).

[The Notorious Wolf has died in jail.]

A cheerleader has been cyberbullied until she commits suicide. Detective Amelia has good reason to suspect the group responsible for the bullying. The lead girl knows just how to manipulate all the others in her circle.

There's more to the story but that would be spoilers!!

Mean girls, social structure, boyfriends - the lesser girl didn't have a chance.

[Jessica Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. This was my second book from this author. I am very impressed with the story and characters but as with the previous book I read from this author it really needs a good editor. There are so many errors that it can be a bit distracting. The author does do a good job at making you feel for the characters, even the ones who are really unlikable. Humans are messy and can at times be truly disgustingly awful but there are some things that nobody deserves regardless of the type of person they are and the things they may have done. There is a good amount of suspense and the story is not overly predictable. It ends on a cliffhanger but the story is strong enough I want to continue on.

[Carol Giacoletto-Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was interesting but was hard to read because the author isn't fluent in English. She not only misspelled words, but used them incorrectly. The author would be wise to hire an editor.

[Hilda Baard · Rating 3 out of 5]

the story in itself is really good, but the errors and spelling mistakes spoil it. I hope the author corrects them and republishes soon.

[G Coxon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste your time. A terrible disconnected story.

[Elouise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story started out as a cyber bullying case but as the investigation continued, many small nuances lead police in a different direction. Police were questioning the high school kids in the group to find out the whys and what-fors of the bullying of the young girl who killed herself in the bathtub of her mother's home. The investigation took some time as it was difficult to talk to the teens. Parent had to be there during questioning of the minors and it can be difficult to get any answers from teen with a parent there. So it took a while, but eventually the police and Amanda, in particular, know now who instigated the cyber bullying to get Wadelyn to commit suicide. However, before they could talk to Helena about it, she disappeared. The search for Helena took some time but the police didn't find her, she was returned to her parent's house during the night, dead, with some strange things having been done to her body. Helena was now victim number 1 of a new serial killer to be named in another book. Wow! what an ending. I cannot wait for the next book. This story is well written and very engaging.

[fred jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting story, starting with a teenage suicide and the effect it has on an American town. Told from the perspective of both the main suspect and the detective investigating, it covers cyberbullying and its effects, and then at the end see her the appearance of the serial killer who will be the main protagonist of the series. The writing.is excellent and makes it a super.read. I bought book 2 to read more of this storyline. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Han · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a suicide, cyber bullying, and murder that turns into serial killing. Warning, it will leave you hanging. I received a free copy of this e-book via bookfunnel so here is the plus and minus from my point of view.

+ : the story makes you wonder who the serial killer is, and i can't put it away without thinking about it, it left me high and i need the next book

- : in my opinion, it needs editing because it was kind of difficult to follow who is talking and to whom

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful Death is a suspense-filled thriller. This disturbing tale is quite believable in this age of internet and social media. When a young girl commits suicide due to cyber-bullying, the police must sort through the lies and manipulation to find the people responsible for this crime. The story is interesting however the poor grammar does make it somewhat frustrating to read which is why I have given it three stars. The book does end with a cliffhanger, one that makes me want to read on.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written suspense filled thriller with an intriguing story line. The author does a great job pulling you in and had me glued to the pages with all of the happenings throughout. She adds in twists and paints her scenes perfectly , moving the story fluidly and delivering an interesting read. Warning: it does end on a cliffhanger. I enjoyed and would recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

This was an interesting murder mystery. At first, I thought it as about teens and cyberbullying which is a crime and cruel because it caused one girl to commit suicide. In the aftermath, as the police get closer to a suspect things ramp up and you find yourself invested in what is happening. This book ended on a cliffhanger and I can't wait for the next case file.

[Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

😠Ends on a cliffhanger 🙄😠

So TRAGIC that most modern authors have such a Very Limited Vocabulary! They - for some unknown reason - abuse words that belong only to GOD viz. HOLY, JESUS, GOD, CHRIST. In this context, they also use horrific oxymorons. This is blasphemy and Will be severely punished in due course. Believe it!

Furthermore, the so-called English language is appalling - apparently NOT proofed.

Can also do without the sewer language

[Jim Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suspense filled thriller with a good storyline and great realistic characters. Contains a suspenseful plot with murder, lies, and several twists. A realistic disturbing story that was a real page turner. Marked for the lack of editing and the abrupt cliffhanger ending. Highly recommended if you're ready for the complete trilogy.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a good storyline and was easy to follow. It didn't take long to read and it kept me turning the pages.

[Shaleah Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an awesome story line that I really got into. It ends on a cliffhanger so I cant wait for the books although I do agree with others about the grammar this was still a great read.

[Stacey Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

*spoilers*
In the small town of San Fallon a girl, Wadelyn, committed suicide. Amelia and Charles investigate and discover the girl was being cyberbullied. Amelia doesn’t buy Helena's story. The girl is smart and she has covered her tracks well but Amelia is determined to discover the truth. Amelia went to Quantico until her mother passed. Her mother was a famous profiler who ended up retiring after she caught Guy Savory, the Notorious Wolf serial killer. When Amelia has the proof to charge Helena the girl disappears. She’s found after some time goes by in her own room and she's been tortured. The killing is like the murders by the Notorious Wolf, only he was stabbed to death in prison. When another girl is found they know they have a copycat killer whose taking victims at a faster rate. Can Amelia be as good as her mother and find the killer? I enjoyed this book. I gave it 4 stars because it needs editing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout. and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bullying taken to incredible extremes

In the current electronic age, very invasive and cruel taunts, photos and phony info can be published globally with the click of a button.

Imagine the worst bullying scenario you were ever involved in suddenly exposed to parents, classmates, people you never met

In this case cyber bullying leads to the death of one cheerleader, as others come under suspicion. Is s killer now making this his hunting ground?

Kidnapping, suicide, mutilations and other explicit materials included, so be aware if any are triggers

Ultimately, these crazy teens have brought lethal action and drama to them.

Which ones survive and which disturbing players and elements are involved are buried in tangled and covert webs of danger and deceit

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Valettagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take some students, social media and cyber bullying, the popular set and those outside that clique and you end up with “A beautiful death’ and the sort of read that makes you wonder what is going on in the world? Add into the mix an ex Quantico trainee profiler now in law enforcement and you have a very good read on your hands. You certainly won’t expect what happens in a final twist near the end. Being bright and beautiful really is not enough in today’s world. There’s always someone willing and able to take you down. They might even get away with it. Don’t miss out on a thrilling read. I can’t wait to read the next book. I loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject matter of this story covers a most relevant topic in today's world-cyberbullying.
A cheerleader commits suicide after being cyberbullied by known and unknown classmates. The police are called in to investigate and find a popular, manipulative cheerleader who is most likely the ringleader. And probably the person who pushed her over the edge.
The plot takes twists that were unexpected. There is also an element of suspense as the detective in charge tracks down all possible leads to find those responsible. And then, the storyline takes an explosive U turn!
The story ends with a cliff hanger so reading the next installment is imperative to reach closure

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book to be a page turner but it is a cliffhanger ending which is why I didn't give it 5 stars. It is listed as a three book series but it is actually a trilogy. The story was believable and had good character development. Full of suspense, lies, suicide, murder, bullying, manipulation and some twists. I will continue reading the trilogy, it is that good because I must see how it ends. If you don't mind having to read all three books to see the conclusion of the story, highly recommend the book. Received an ARC and this is my honest voluntary review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Josette Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

What started out as a book about cyber bullying resulting in suicide, soon became a serial killer novel. When a young girl takes her life after friends campaign to ruin her reputation, the reader thinks the police are going to be able to prove whom was behind the cyber bullying when out of nowhere the twist happens that makes you say,”What?!” As you read along, the more questions come up. Now I want to read the others in this series.

[Tahnia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia always wanted to be an FBI profiler just like her mother. When her mother died while she was at Quantico, Amelia left the program. She ended up working in law enforcement in San Fallon. She is happy with her job and loves doing it. When a teen commits suicide due to Cyberbullying, Amelia knows who the ringleader and works diligently to prove it. Recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.