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Point Roberts
Five strangers forge an unlikely alliance to uncover the identity of the infamous Point Roberts Slayer.
On a peculiar peninsula in Washington State, the small town of Point Roberts exists in the shadow of the fifteen people who were murdered here. Surrounded by water and a giant wall that spans its border with Canada, Point Roberts has been cut off from the rest of the world every February for the past twenty-seven years in an attempt to stop a brutal serial killer from striking again. Because the murders took place exclusively during February three years in a row, closing down the town seemed like the only way to stop the slayings. And so far . . . it has worked.
Except the decades-old cold case remains unsolved, and the residents of Point Roberts are beginning to question if there's an ulterior motive behind the mayor's enforced lockdowns. After a brazen seventeen-year-old orphan named Liza moves to town, a new February begins. At first, she knows nothing of the murders, but that quickly changes when she finds a mysterious book titled The Fifteen—a book that shares shocking details on the killings.
Determined to discover the identity of the Point Roberts Slayer, Liza teams up with four other misfits who all hold secrets and have personal connections to the victims. These five strangers will have to work together to uncover the truth, if only they can stay out of the murderer's destructive path so they don't become victims themselves.
Point Roberts is a love letter to the moody Pacific Northwest, an intricate portrait of complex characters building walls to protect their fragile hearts, and, at its core, a profound story of embracing chosen family and walking with them into the foggy unknown.
On a peculiar peninsula in Washington State, the small town of Point Roberts exists in the shadow of the fifteen people who were murdered here. Surrounded by water and a giant wall that spans its border with Canada, Point Roberts has been cut off from the rest of the world every February for the past twenty-seven years in an attempt to stop a brutal serial killer from striking again. Because the murders took place exclusively during February three years in a row, closing down the town seemed like the only way to stop the slayings. And so far . . . it has worked.
Except the decades-old cold case remains unsolved, and the residents of Point Roberts are beginning to question if there's an ulterior motive behind the mayor's enforced lockdowns. After a brazen seventeen-year-old orphan named Liza moves to town, a new February begins. At first, she knows nothing of the murders, but that quickly changes when she finds a mysterious book titled The Fifteen—a book that shares shocking details on the killings.
Determined to discover the identity of the Point Roberts Slayer, Liza teams up with four other misfits who all hold secrets and have personal connections to the victims. These five strangers will have to work together to uncover the truth, if only they can stay out of the murderer's destructive path so they don't become victims themselves.
Point Roberts is a love letter to the moody Pacific Northwest, an intricate portrait of complex characters building walls to protect their fragile hearts, and, at its core, a profound story of embracing chosen family and walking with them into the foggy unknown.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2021
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4776 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
January 16, 2021
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a Wild Ride. (Yes, the capital letters were necessary.) At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to get into it. It didn't hook me right away. But it left me curious. I was intrigued. I needed to know how it ended. And that's how it got me. Slow, but deep.
Five strangers come together to solve a mystery. And those five strangers need each other in a way none of them realized until they came together. To me, that made the whole book so, so good. The relationships between Theodore, Liza, Maude, Grant, and Colette. Their search for answers gave them something they didn't realize they needed - a family. And I am ALWAYS a sucker for found family.
The twists and turns this book took in order to solve the mystery was fascinating. Roughly halfway through, I thought I had it pegged. And I was half right. I had pegged the right people, just not quite for the right things. The slow revelation was jarring. As the pieces fall into place, I couldn't believe what I was reading. (I even told myself "There is no way in hell this is happening" out loud at one point, scaring the crap out of my napping cat.)
The way this book comes together is spooky, and eerie, and absolutely lovely. Part of me kind of felt like I was there, but part of me also felt like the entire town of Point Roberts was sort of ethereal. It had a mysticism about it that was hard not to fall in love with - despite the tragedy that hung over the town like a wet blanket.
Between the spooky mystery, my love for the characters, the found family, the mystery, and how deep this book hooked me, I really can't say anything other than: Go read this book. You won't regret it.
This book was a Wild Ride. (Yes, the capital letters were necessary.) At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to get into it. It didn't hook me right away. But it left me curious. I was intrigued. I needed to know how it ended. And that's how it got me. Slow, but deep.
Five strangers come together to solve a mystery. And those five strangers need each other in a way none of them realized until they came together. To me, that made the whole book so, so good. The relationships between Theodore, Liza, Maude, Grant, and Colette. Their search for answers gave them something they didn't realize they needed - a family. And I am ALWAYS a sucker for found family.
The twists and turns this book took in order to solve the mystery was fascinating. Roughly halfway through, I thought I had it pegged. And I was half right. I had pegged the right people, just not quite for the right things. The slow revelation was jarring. As the pieces fall into place, I couldn't believe what I was reading. (I even told myself "There is no way in hell this is happening" out loud at one point, scaring the crap out of my napping cat.)
The way this book comes together is spooky, and eerie, and absolutely lovely. Part of me kind of felt like I was there, but part of me also felt like the entire town of Point Roberts was sort of ethereal. It had a mysticism about it that was hard not to fall in love with - despite the tragedy that hung over the town like a wet blanket.
Between the spooky mystery, my love for the characters, the found family, the mystery, and how deep this book hooked me, I really can't say anything other than: Go read this book. You won't regret it.
February 4, 2021
I don't even know where to start about this book. This WAS SO GOOD!!!
I devoured this book in a span of 4 hours and absolutely loved it. I couldn't stop reading. I must say that I didn't suspect who the killer might be until later, which made it a great book for me.
I enjoyed the fact that the book had different POVs. It made me like the characters and feel for them. I must say that I liked Theodore the best, along with his sarcasm and his view on life, he quickly became one of my favourites. The relationships in this book and perfectly written out. The book deals with several aspects of grief and I liked how the book pointed out that everyone deals differently with grief.
This is an absolute masterpiece and I would definitely recommend it!
*Thank you Netgalley and Girl Friday for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
I devoured this book in a span of 4 hours and absolutely loved it. I couldn't stop reading. I must say that I didn't suspect who the killer might be until later, which made it a great book for me.
I enjoyed the fact that the book had different POVs. It made me like the characters and feel for them. I must say that I liked Theodore the best, along with his sarcasm and his view on life, he quickly became one of my favourites. The relationships in this book and perfectly written out. The book deals with several aspects of grief and I liked how the book pointed out that everyone deals differently with grief.
This is an absolute masterpiece and I would definitely recommend it!
*Thank you Netgalley and Girl Friday for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
June 11, 2022
"Point Roberts" was so much more than I expected and I enjoyed reading this book a lot! First of all, I usually don‘t read books with more than two different povs but it was just perfectly executed here. The author did an amazing job connecting the dots throughout the story. It was very easy to feel connected to the characters, especially since they all got some flaws which made them a lot more relatable. The book has some very brave and strong female characters who also don‘t lack emotions which happens way too often. To me personally the plot twist and the end was pretty much unpredictable and I can wholeheartedly recommend this book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 1, 2021
A murder mystery thirty years in the making.
Back in the Eighty's, every February in Point Roberts, WA five residents would be mysteriously killed by a variety of methods but with clues linking them. After three consecutive years of killings the mayor decided the only way to stop or solve the killings is to close off the peninsula to anyone coming in or leaving for the whole month of February. In 2017, five diverse characters from different walks of life come together to finally solve the mystery.
Told from multiple POV's, the main characters are finely drawn and all likeable. The atmospheric setting is well described and puts you there in the drizzle and rain of the Pacific Northwest. Although it can be wordy at times I easily overlooked that because I was so invested in the story. I have to admit I was surprised by the identity of the killer and appreciated the red herrings thrown in that kept it interesting. I would describe the writing style as quaint and easy going and the pace even but not too fast.
If you enjoy a good mystery with a diverse cast that keep you on your toes in the attempt to solve it then I highly recommend this compelling story.
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Thanks to the author for the gifted review copy to read, review and enjoy.
Back in the Eighty's, every February in Point Roberts, WA five residents would be mysteriously killed by a variety of methods but with clues linking them. After three consecutive years of killings the mayor decided the only way to stop or solve the killings is to close off the peninsula to anyone coming in or leaving for the whole month of February. In 2017, five diverse characters from different walks of life come together to finally solve the mystery.
Told from multiple POV's, the main characters are finely drawn and all likeable. The atmospheric setting is well described and puts you there in the drizzle and rain of the Pacific Northwest. Although it can be wordy at times I easily overlooked that because I was so invested in the story. I have to admit I was surprised by the identity of the killer and appreciated the red herrings thrown in that kept it interesting. I would describe the writing style as quaint and easy going and the pace even but not too fast.
If you enjoy a good mystery with a diverse cast that keep you on your toes in the attempt to solve it then I highly recommend this compelling story.
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Thanks to the author for the gifted review copy to read, review and enjoy.
January 16, 2021
Full thoughts: https://fictionmajorette.blogspot.com...
My favorite part of this book was the way the different characters were handled. I assumed we would be in Liza's perspective for the whole book but we actually switch between the five characters - Liza, Theodore, Colette, Grant, and Maude. Five different points of view is a lot for a single book and when I realized how many perspectives we were getting, I was concerned the story would get confusing. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the five POV didn't detract from the story at all. I felt Rigby masterfully balanced the different perspectives and made them all unique enough that I didn't get characters confused.
Along the same lines, I expected the narrative to get bogged down with info-dumping about the fifteen murders. Fifteen is just a whole lot of details to go through and give the reader the information about. Rigby managed to stay away from the dreaded info-dump and instead wove the different murders into the plot. We didn't need to know about all fifteen at once, we learned about them one at a time as the characters discussed and worked through the evidence.
Where the multiple characters and multiple murders didn't work so well for me was right at the end. The last 15% or so of the book was a big of a slog to get through because of the amount of information just being told to the reader. We get to the end, the group figures out who the Big Bad is and then there's a long story breaking down what happened 30 years ago where we find out the reason behind each of the fifteen murders. It was just a lot of information to take in at once and the reasons were so similar with a lot of them that it felt pretty repetitive at times.
I thought the overall mystery was really well crafted and paced. I was impressed with how quickly the reader is sunk into the mystery of Point Roberts and the annual lockdown procedures. I was immediately intrigued by the set up and the cast of characters introduced. I really liked how each of the five main characters brought something to the investigation, it wasn't one person having all the epiphanies or finding all the clues. They felt like a real team working together while also having their own worries or goals for the outcome. The investigation is a bit slow, but after 30 years of no new evidence or much investigation at all, it is understandable that the group would need to go back over old evidence before breaking new ground. I found this to be a very character-driven mystery story so the plot isn't too complicated with lots of red herrings in the investigation. A good part of the story is the characters discovering things about themselves, their relationships, or the goals in life in tandem to the main investigation.
Overall, this was a really interesting, character-driven mystery. I loved the premise and found the pacing and narrative to be really well crafted through most of the book. The ending dragged pretty noticeably for me, but I still enjoyed it.
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Publication date: February 1, 2021 by Alden, The Allegory Ridge Press
January 6, 2021
This is my first read by this author and look forward to reading more of his books. Well written with excellent character development. The book contains suspense, mystery, lies, betrayal, the search for the truth about a thirty year old cold case which shuts down this small town every February. An unlikely group of five, come together and try to solve this case, each having their own reason for doing it. What they discover along the way will shock you at times and warm your heart at other times. Must admit brought a tear to my eyes a couple of times. The ending had quite a twist which I didn't see coming. Recommend. Received an ARC and this is my voluntary honest review.
April 16, 2021
On my blog.
Rep: gay mc, Black mc, Japanese American mc
CWs: murder, gore
Galley provided by publisher
Point Roberts is a perfectly good mystery novel. It’s creepy and great at ratcheting up the tension, but it’s also a novel that I just didn’t click with. I think the problem, as it is most times, was that I was expecting something just a bit different from what I got.
Point Roberts is a town that shuts down every February, no one allowed in or out, because of the Point Roberts Killer, a serial murderer who terrorised the town and killed fifteen people. But when the mayor shut the town down, those murders stopped and now it has become something of a tradition, or superstition. This February, however, is the first time Lisa has experienced it, so she decides to find out who really killed all those people, with the help of four others. In doing so, she’ll attract someone’s attention that she really doesn’t want.
Firstly, I have to say this whole book was just somewhat melodramatic. It felt like Scooby-Doo on steroids. You had to seriously suspend your disbelief to read it. Which was fine, I could do that, but it meant I was not that into the book. I mean, every character was basically a caricature, right down to the evil self-serving mayor and the members of a cult, so that, when it’s revealed who did it, you’re just like… well of course it was them. And don’t get me started on the reason behind it all.
Actually you may as well get me started on it, since the reveal is my next talking point. If you don’t want even the vaguest of spoilers, skip to the next paragraph. The murderer is described as “bipolar” and “schizophrenic”, while also locking her daughter away in the basement, because she wants no one to know she has a daughter, because her daughter keeps having seizures. So she kills fourteen people who happen to find out she does have a child. What’s worse? That she murders people so no one will find out she has a disabled child? Or that she herself is described using mental illnesses that are absolutely nothing to do with what just seems to be psychopathy? Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are almost laughably different from how they’re often characterised in literature and this book just continues to mischaracterise them. And do so in a way that links them to a psychopathic murderer.
That was probably the part I enjoyed least about this book because it’s just a weak reason for having the killer. I mean, of course with a culprit who’s killed fourteen people, there might never be a… more-reasonable-in-the-context-of-the-book reason, but this was bad even by that standard. Not to mention, there’s not really a whole lot of on-page investigation being done. A lot of it happens off-page, and what is on-page is just a simple recounting of each of the previous deaths. They basically stumble onto who did it by chance.
I think this would work better as a thriller than an out-and-out mystery, in all honesty, but if the premise does interest you, please don’t let me put you off it. Tastes differ, and all that.
Rep: gay mc, Black mc, Japanese American mc
CWs: murder, gore
Galley provided by publisher
Point Roberts is a perfectly good mystery novel. It’s creepy and great at ratcheting up the tension, but it’s also a novel that I just didn’t click with. I think the problem, as it is most times, was that I was expecting something just a bit different from what I got.
Point Roberts is a town that shuts down every February, no one allowed in or out, because of the Point Roberts Killer, a serial murderer who terrorised the town and killed fifteen people. But when the mayor shut the town down, those murders stopped and now it has become something of a tradition, or superstition. This February, however, is the first time Lisa has experienced it, so she decides to find out who really killed all those people, with the help of four others. In doing so, she’ll attract someone’s attention that she really doesn’t want.
Firstly, I have to say this whole book was just somewhat melodramatic. It felt like Scooby-Doo on steroids. You had to seriously suspend your disbelief to read it. Which was fine, I could do that, but it meant I was not that into the book. I mean, every character was basically a caricature, right down to the evil self-serving mayor and the members of a cult, so that, when it’s revealed who did it, you’re just like… well of course it was them. And don’t get me started on the reason behind it all.
Actually you may as well get me started on it, since the reveal is my next talking point. If you don’t want even the vaguest of spoilers, skip to the next paragraph. The murderer is described as “bipolar” and “schizophrenic”, while also locking her daughter away in the basement, because she wants no one to know she has a daughter, because her daughter keeps having seizures. So she kills fourteen people who happen to find out she does have a child. What’s worse? That she murders people so no one will find out she has a disabled child? Or that she herself is described using mental illnesses that are absolutely nothing to do with what just seems to be psychopathy? Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are almost laughably different from how they’re often characterised in literature and this book just continues to mischaracterise them. And do so in a way that links them to a psychopathic murderer.
That was probably the part I enjoyed least about this book because it’s just a weak reason for having the killer. I mean, of course with a culprit who’s killed fourteen people, there might never be a… more-reasonable-in-the-context-of-the-book reason, but this was bad even by that standard. Not to mention, there’s not really a whole lot of on-page investigation being done. A lot of it happens off-page, and what is on-page is just a simple recounting of each of the previous deaths. They basically stumble onto who did it by chance.
I think this would work better as a thriller than an out-and-out mystery, in all honesty, but if the premise does interest you, please don’t let me put you off it. Tastes differ, and all that.
January 26, 2021
When I first saw this book I needed to read it, the thing is, it wasn’t the cover or synopsis that got me it was the title, see Point Roberts is a small town in Washington but it’s on a peninsula which shares a border with Canada, you can’t actually get to the state of Washington by land from the point. It’s also where we have a family cottage on the beach and has been passed down through the generations. It was originally my great grandfathers, and was also originally in the war. If you slide you can see the cottage. Anyways I spent every summer there when I was growing up, and it is a really unique little town and I have a lot of memories so now you know why I needed this book in my life. On to the review
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First off thank you Alexander Rigby for gifting me this copy for an honest review.
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I love loved this story! Not only does it want to get me to read more crime thrillers but the mystery behind this was so great! It’s like every Murder mystery you need, the characters are so great, I love that we get to meet all of them and get to know them individually as well as a team. I was not expecting the ending, it was so well thought out, you can ask for a better ending. If you are looking to get your hands on a copy it is released Feb 1st. 🙌🏻😁
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First off thank you Alexander Rigby for gifting me this copy for an honest review.
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I love loved this story! Not only does it want to get me to read more crime thrillers but the mystery behind this was so great! It’s like every Murder mystery you need, the characters are so great, I love that we get to meet all of them and get to know them individually as well as a team. I was not expecting the ending, it was so well thought out, you can ask for a better ending. If you are looking to get your hands on a copy it is released Feb 1st. 🙌🏻😁
December 27, 2020
Point Roberts by @alexander_rigby #eightyseventhbookof2020 #arc #inlovewiththecover (I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of this book from #netgalley and #allegoryridge. Pub date 2/1/21)
REVIEW: Point Roberts is a town that shuts down every February because a serial killer murdered fifteen people thirty years ago and it was decided that shutting the borders for a month each year would prevent any more slayings. And it worked! This February, however, while the town is shut off from the rest of the world, five people are determined to solve the mystery. Realistic? No, but I loved this book anyway. It drew me in immediately and I was hooked. I couldn’t wait to get back to it each day to learn more. The perspectives of the five sleuths were different enough and felt fleshed out. Each had valid reasons for getting involved and I liked their interplay. I think the reveal of the mystery is longish and I would have liked some of those details to be shown in other ways, but overall, this was a solid story that I really enjoyed. And that striking cover drew me in immediately. Gorgeous. #pointrobertsbook
Thank you to @netgalley and @allegoryridge for the review copy.
REVIEW: Point Roberts is a town that shuts down every February because a serial killer murdered fifteen people thirty years ago and it was decided that shutting the borders for a month each year would prevent any more slayings. And it worked! This February, however, while the town is shut off from the rest of the world, five people are determined to solve the mystery. Realistic? No, but I loved this book anyway. It drew me in immediately and I was hooked. I couldn’t wait to get back to it each day to learn more. The perspectives of the five sleuths were different enough and felt fleshed out. Each had valid reasons for getting involved and I liked their interplay. I think the reveal of the mystery is longish and I would have liked some of those details to be shown in other ways, but overall, this was a solid story that I really enjoyed. And that striking cover drew me in immediately. Gorgeous. #pointrobertsbook
Thank you to @netgalley and @allegoryridge for the review copy.
January 19, 2021
I was drawn to Point Roberts initially by the gorgeous cover art and intriguing description of a town gripped by an unsolved murder case.
I was so immersed in the story and the beautiful flow of the writing that I read the first 100 pages in one evening, not wanting to put it down as the anticipation and mystery developed.
Point Roberts is fast-paced and action-packed, following Liza, Theodore, Maude, Colette and Grant as they investigate the unexplained deaths of 15 people during the annual February lockdown.
I particularly loved the flashes between past and present, giving background on the murders and the previous relationships between the main characters. The author also creates some fabulously strong female characters, who can hold their own in treacherous circumstances.
The only negative I found was that Part V was a little on the slow side and could perhaps have been shorter to keep the same pace. However, it did pick up again towards the end!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was so immersed in the story and the beautiful flow of the writing that I read the first 100 pages in one evening, not wanting to put it down as the anticipation and mystery developed.
Point Roberts is fast-paced and action-packed, following Liza, Theodore, Maude, Colette and Grant as they investigate the unexplained deaths of 15 people during the annual February lockdown.
I particularly loved the flashes between past and present, giving background on the murders and the previous relationships between the main characters. The author also creates some fabulously strong female characters, who can hold their own in treacherous circumstances.
The only negative I found was that Part V was a little on the slow side and could perhaps have been shorter to keep the same pace. However, it did pick up again towards the end!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 31, 2021
Alexander Rigby drops us on the shores of Point Roberts and leaves us with the feeling that somehow we might never escape. Initially following Liz, a young woman who has found herself here after a string of foster homes, the story jumps POVs, allows us small glipses into the lives of Theodore, Colette, Grant, and Maude. There were so many twists that this is one of the few books where I didn't figure it out before the big reveal. The five work together, and apart, to attempt to discover the identity of the infamous Point Robert's Slayer, a murderer who killed fifteen citizens in the February of 1885-1987. After 1987, the Mayor locked the city down each February, but threats and calls make the group think the Slayer is back for more.
5/5 Stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Girl Friday, Alden, The Allegory Ridge Press for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
5/5 Stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Girl Friday, Alden, The Allegory Ridge Press for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2020
I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens in return for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading this book immensely. It’s well laid out and although there are quite a lot of characters it was very easy to follow. All the characters are different and each brings something different to the party. There are a few red herrings along the way and this kept me guessing until all was revealed at the end. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good murder mystery. I would be interested to read more by this author.
I enjoyed reading this book immensely. It’s well laid out and although there are quite a lot of characters it was very easy to follow. All the characters are different and each brings something different to the party. There are a few red herrings along the way and this kept me guessing until all was revealed at the end. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good murder mystery. I would be interested to read more by this author.
January 18, 2021
It was the aesthetically pleasing book cover that first drew me into picking up this book. I am delighted as much as I love the book cover, I equally enjoyed its content. Taking place in Point Roberts, a small town in Washington State has a dark long history on the murders of fifteen lives from a serial killer and where the cases remained unsolved for decades. An attempt to protect the residents of Point Roberts, the mayor enforced a long standing tradition in closing down its borders in the month of February every year to place an end to its slayings as the murders took place exclusively in this month. The enforced closures seemed to have stopped any more new attempted murders. The quiet small town is disrupted when a young orphan girl Liza moves into Point Roberts and finds a book that shares shocking details on the series of murders of "The Fifteen". Liza gathers five strangers who all have personal connections to the murdered victims to solve this case once and for all.
Filled with great mystery elements, but what makes this story shine are the characterizations. Alexander Rigby does an exceptional job in telling a human story. The author shows different layers and sides to each character in the way the individuals process and handles grief. A universal tale of loss and loneliness but also the importance of community and family in need of healing.
This novel carries an alternating POV style between the six essential characters involved in solving the case. Each character all had their own distinctive voices and perspective that highly enhanced and in moving the story forward. These mosaics of characters brought diversity and insight bringing light upon their internal struggles and thoughts while flawlessly weaving greater themes on the foster care system, the corruption of power and the nature of good vs. evil. This book was filled with fascinating character studies. I truly enjoyed the perspectives of certain characters reasoning in their justification for their wrongdoings. Alexander Rigby did an amazing job in creating flawed and complex characters that can never fit in a simple black or white category.
The pacing of this story was perfect. I appreciated the story slowly unfolding the mystery to give the reader some space in following the characters' lives and the ability to be immersed in the spellbinding atmosphere of Point Roberts. The atmospheric element created a sensational sensory and psychological experience. Point Roberts is so vividly written that I was able to hear the sounds of rain and its snowfall, the aromatic smell of baked goods at Honey B's cafe and inhale the sights of the residents and its livelihoods. One can't help appreciating the beauty of its nature and landscape surrounding Point Roberts but the secrets and lies hovering over this charming town amplified the claustrophobic and sinister undertone throughout this novel.
An intriguing murder mystery premise interwoven with in-deph character developments and atmospheric space that represented a picturesque exterior but imbued by the "ghosts" of its gruesome past that haunts Point Roberts.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Filled with great mystery elements, but what makes this story shine are the characterizations. Alexander Rigby does an exceptional job in telling a human story. The author shows different layers and sides to each character in the way the individuals process and handles grief. A universal tale of loss and loneliness but also the importance of community and family in need of healing.
This novel carries an alternating POV style between the six essential characters involved in solving the case. Each character all had their own distinctive voices and perspective that highly enhanced and in moving the story forward. These mosaics of characters brought diversity and insight bringing light upon their internal struggles and thoughts while flawlessly weaving greater themes on the foster care system, the corruption of power and the nature of good vs. evil. This book was filled with fascinating character studies. I truly enjoyed the perspectives of certain characters reasoning in their justification for their wrongdoings. Alexander Rigby did an amazing job in creating flawed and complex characters that can never fit in a simple black or white category.
The pacing of this story was perfect. I appreciated the story slowly unfolding the mystery to give the reader some space in following the characters' lives and the ability to be immersed in the spellbinding atmosphere of Point Roberts. The atmospheric element created a sensational sensory and psychological experience. Point Roberts is so vividly written that I was able to hear the sounds of rain and its snowfall, the aromatic smell of baked goods at Honey B's cafe and inhale the sights of the residents and its livelihoods. One can't help appreciating the beauty of its nature and landscape surrounding Point Roberts but the secrets and lies hovering over this charming town amplified the claustrophobic and sinister undertone throughout this novel.
An intriguing murder mystery premise interwoven with in-deph character developments and atmospheric space that represented a picturesque exterior but imbued by the "ghosts" of its gruesome past that haunts Point Roberts.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2020
4/5 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an arc for this in exchange for an honest review!
Point Roberts was an intriguing mystery novel following five different characters, all of whom were very distinct from each other and offered different perspectives about the cases and clues. I enjoyed reading the different dynamics between characters, with each chapter focusing on a certain character or relationship, along with the depth offered to the fifteen murders.
Out of all the characters I would have to say Liza was my favourite, a spunky and outspoken girl, and her POV being the first in the book drew me in quickly. Her grief over losing her Pa was palpable, and soon I saw that all the characters were also experiencing grief and dealing with it in one way or another. I liked that it showed how people do not process grief the same way, some needing to stay away from the world while others need to throw themselves into a task, and appreciated the varying experiences. At the same time, it drew them all back to one place, to Point Roberts, and to finding out what happened to all the 15 victims.
The mystery itself was fascinating, although the fact all the details were spread across the novel meant that I was slow in picking up the clues. I do think that if all the cases had been laid out in front of me from the beginning, as it had been for characters like Grant and Theo, I'm sure I would have discovered the big reveal sooner - but then again, where's the fun in that? It did get rather cheesy in the last few chapters, but that's something I consider about many mystery novels at the end.
Nonetheless, a fascinating read I flew through.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an arc for this in exchange for an honest review!
Point Roberts was an intriguing mystery novel following five different characters, all of whom were very distinct from each other and offered different perspectives about the cases and clues. I enjoyed reading the different dynamics between characters, with each chapter focusing on a certain character or relationship, along with the depth offered to the fifteen murders.
Out of all the characters I would have to say Liza was my favourite, a spunky and outspoken girl, and her POV being the first in the book drew me in quickly. Her grief over losing her Pa was palpable, and soon I saw that all the characters were also experiencing grief and dealing with it in one way or another. I liked that it showed how people do not process grief the same way, some needing to stay away from the world while others need to throw themselves into a task, and appreciated the varying experiences. At the same time, it drew them all back to one place, to Point Roberts, and to finding out what happened to all the 15 victims.
The mystery itself was fascinating, although the fact all the details were spread across the novel meant that I was slow in picking up the clues. I do think that if all the cases had been laid out in front of me from the beginning, as it had been for characters like Grant and Theo, I'm sure I would have discovered the big reveal sooner - but then again, where's the fun in that? It did get rather cheesy in the last few chapters, but that's something I consider about many mystery novels at the end.
Nonetheless, a fascinating read I flew through.
December 16, 2020
I liked this book a lot and especially found the setting of Point Roberts to be spellbinding and a great locale to set a murder mystery. The pacing really pulls you into the narrative as you get to know each of the five main protagonists one by one, their separate worlds on the peninsula slowly weaving together in unexpected and interesting ways.
Even though it was an ensemble cast of characters, the various plot lines at the beginning of the book quickly intertwine in an exciting fashion, and I found myself rooting for them to solve the cold case, even as they sometimes made frustrating decisions. I enjoyed how the details of the murders slowly come to light, and especially dug how the story flashed back to the 80s to when the murders took place. Even though it is somewhat of an intricate plot, I feel like the author did a great job following up on clues and tying everything together at the end. There were twists and turns, but it all still made sense. I liked the multilayered aspects of each of the characters and was happy to see a diverse cast, with all of the protagonists bringing something unique to the table as they aim to solve the case.
More than just a murder mystery, Point Roberts felt like a character study about how we can shape our own lives based on the people we choose to surround ourselves with, and how supporting one another in times of need is always critical.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC of Point Roberts in exchange for an honest review.
Even though it was an ensemble cast of characters, the various plot lines at the beginning of the book quickly intertwine in an exciting fashion, and I found myself rooting for them to solve the cold case, even as they sometimes made frustrating decisions. I enjoyed how the details of the murders slowly come to light, and especially dug how the story flashed back to the 80s to when the murders took place. Even though it is somewhat of an intricate plot, I feel like the author did a great job following up on clues and tying everything together at the end. There were twists and turns, but it all still made sense. I liked the multilayered aspects of each of the characters and was happy to see a diverse cast, with all of the protagonists bringing something unique to the table as they aim to solve the case.
More than just a murder mystery, Point Roberts felt like a character study about how we can shape our own lives based on the people we choose to surround ourselves with, and how supporting one another in times of need is always critical.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC of Point Roberts in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2020
“I’d argue the highlights are how a life is truly measured.”
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to BookSirens for letting me review this ARC.
Point Roberts, Washington - a peninsula on the border of the United States & Canada.
Also the location of 15 murders.
For 30 years, every February the borders to the peninsula close- nobody in & nobody out.
The Point Roberts Slayer was only ever active in the month of February, and by keeping the area locked down it has been safe from any more murders for 3 decades.
The murders of the “The Fifteen” have remained unsolved for 30 years, but with a few new citizens of Point Roberts taking interest- this is the year that the truth will come out.
I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK.
The creepy peninsula setting was the perfect spot for a serial killer mystery. The author did a great job putting all of the pieces together & explaining all of the characters interests with the victims.
I also really enjoyed finding out the killers motives & hearing their side of the story in the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to BookSirens for letting me review this ARC.
Point Roberts, Washington - a peninsula on the border of the United States & Canada.
Also the location of 15 murders.
For 30 years, every February the borders to the peninsula close- nobody in & nobody out.
The Point Roberts Slayer was only ever active in the month of February, and by keeping the area locked down it has been safe from any more murders for 3 decades.
The murders of the “The Fifteen” have remained unsolved for 30 years, but with a few new citizens of Point Roberts taking interest- this is the year that the truth will come out.
I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK.
The creepy peninsula setting was the perfect spot for a serial killer mystery. The author did a great job putting all of the pieces together & explaining all of the characters interests with the victims.
I also really enjoyed finding out the killers motives & hearing their side of the story in the end.
January 22, 2021
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
5/5
This book took me by surprise. It was incredible. I didn't know how much I could feel for the characters living in Point Roberts, and how badly I wanted to find out the mysteries and murderer with them. I have a special place in my heart now for Liza, Theo, Bill, Colette, Maude, the list goes on and on. I want to read more by Rigby and I want to read it NOW.
This has been a mystery book that actually made me want to get out a notebook and start to make notes, to figure out who had done it myself. I was invested, which is something that sometimes lacks for me with a mystery. I think Rigby did a very good job with this. I loved reading and if I had not recieved this ARC, I would probably have bought it myself.
There are some trigger warnings that come with this book, for those concerned, they are as followed:
Homophobia, transphobia, talk about suicide, murder, death, guns, gore
5/5
This book took me by surprise. It was incredible. I didn't know how much I could feel for the characters living in Point Roberts, and how badly I wanted to find out the mysteries and murderer with them. I have a special place in my heart now for Liza, Theo, Bill, Colette, Maude, the list goes on and on. I want to read more by Rigby and I want to read it NOW.
This has been a mystery book that actually made me want to get out a notebook and start to make notes, to figure out who had done it myself. I was invested, which is something that sometimes lacks for me with a mystery. I think Rigby did a very good job with this. I loved reading and if I had not recieved this ARC, I would probably have bought it myself.
There are some trigger warnings that come with this book, for those concerned, they are as followed:
Homophobia, transphobia, talk about suicide, murder, death, guns, gore
December 18, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. The concept of Point Roberts was very intriguing. Finding out this was a real town in Washington State had me wanting to visit immediately.
At times I felt the book lagged, getting stuck on Grant and Maude. However, once I picked the book back up again, Maude quickly became my favorite character. Rigby writes in such detail, it is easy to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of Point Roberts.
The concept is a nice twist on the classic whodunit. Especially in today's times when we all have felt trapped in our own homes during this pandemic. Reading this novel during our current state's mitigation orders enhances the claustrophobic feeling of not being allowed to "leave your island."
I give this book a 3AM - this is when I had to finally put it down for some sleep. Only to pick it right back up to finish it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
At times I felt the book lagged, getting stuck on Grant and Maude. However, once I picked the book back up again, Maude quickly became my favorite character. Rigby writes in such detail, it is easy to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of Point Roberts.
The concept is a nice twist on the classic whodunit. Especially in today's times when we all have felt trapped in our own homes during this pandemic. Reading this novel during our current state's mitigation orders enhances the claustrophobic feeling of not being allowed to "leave your island."
I give this book a 3AM - this is when I had to finally put it down for some sleep. Only to pick it right back up to finish it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
February 9, 2021
A 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ mystery. Wow! I love mysteries. I found the writting style to be an easy going steady pace.
The plot was good. Easy to follow, suspenseful, and scary.
The setting was a great backdrop for murder. A foggy, errie,creepy peninsula, sea side town. However I was disappointed with the off colored language. It was not needed. A well written story doesn't need it, and Mr. Rigby doesn't need it.
So it was a well done mystery. It was hard to put down. A well worth two hours of my afternoon. A compelling story to become invested in. Read and enjoy, but read it slowly. You don't want to miss anything.
I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
The plot was good. Easy to follow, suspenseful, and scary.
The setting was a great backdrop for murder. A foggy, errie,creepy peninsula, sea side town. However I was disappointed with the off colored language. It was not needed. A well written story doesn't need it, and Mr. Rigby doesn't need it.
So it was a well done mystery. It was hard to put down. A well worth two hours of my afternoon. A compelling story to become invested in. Read and enjoy, but read it slowly. You don't want to miss anything.
I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
January 14, 2021
I really didn't know who the killer was until the end of the book. This was a really interesting "whodunit" type novel. I appreciated the unraveling of the motive... it was a messed up, psychotic motive, but it made sense to the killer.
I was a little confused as to the purpose of the rock throwing group but went with it. Overall, excellent characterizations, interesting dialogue, and fluid story progression. The town of Point Roberts seemed like the perfect creepy environment for the story to unfold.
I look forward to reading this author's other work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was a little confused as to the purpose of the rock throwing group but went with it. Overall, excellent characterizations, interesting dialogue, and fluid story progression. The town of Point Roberts seemed like the perfect creepy environment for the story to unfold.
I look forward to reading this author's other work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 23, 2021
Many thanks to NetGalley and Girl Friday Productions for providing me this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating: 1.5 (rounded down)
*Instead of a coherent review, I’ve opted for bullet points jotted down while reading. Some of these are stray observations, but most are general complaints/criticisms:*
•For such a seemingly small peninsula, Point Roberts has a prison, an airfield, and a funeral home... but no schools? That was very odd to me, but since—surprisingly enough—it’s a real place, I’ll let that criticism slide.
•The Briar’s Grove Society’s initiation was certainly... something. I thought it exceedingly silly. I don’t see how anyone in their right mind would ever participate so willingly in it. Seriously, I find it highly unlikely and unrealistic. As with the entire mystery, to be honest. You’re telling me that no one could piece ANY of the clues together? FOR THIRTY YEARS?!? It sounds like shoddy detective work to me, or an author trying to drag out a story for far too long by asking us to suspend our disbelief for 400 pages. The amount of evidence that’s discovered as the plot progresses makes it seem like anyone could’ve figured it out right away. It was all too implausible. I don’t know what more to say.
•You’re telling me Maude never once left her house—or spoke to anyone—in thirty years?!? And all it took for her to shove off her reclusion was a chance encounter with Grant? That’s it? A few words and she’s back in the saddle? I don’t buy it. Trauma and agoraphobia simply don’t go *poof* and vanish all at once.
•“...she noticed the pain written on the girl’s face...from a difficult life afflicted with sadness.” I’m sorry, but whenever I look at someone’s face, all I see are eyes, a nose, and mouth.
•There were out-of-left-field politics thrown in, which was strange. The author pushing their political bias... in a mystery novel, no less! There was no place for it in the story, but it was included anyways.
•Lots of unnecessary queer suffering. There are quite a few lgbtqia+ characters mentioned (I believe 4 or 5), and of those, three were murdered or dead, and one had AIDS. Like, what the f*ck?!?
•There’s an obvious red herring thrown in at the halfway mark, and it goes on and on with that “suspect.” For such a glaringly obvious misdirection, you’d think it would nipped in the bud rather quickly, rather than dragged out. It was frustrating knowing this person was clearly not the killer, and then watching the characters scramble around like they were. Whatever.
•There were a few pages devoted to praising the film La La Land, which, I mean, it’s a great movie, but an odd addition to the overall story. It almost read more like a film review than anything; and using it as an analogy just didn’t work.
•Really, the whole story is predictable. It just sort of sputters and jerks us around until the last 1/4th. I wasn’t surprised, and I was so ready for it to be done (having gone on for far longer than it should have).
•For most of the story, we have a reasonable third-person point of view for all the characters. Then Part IV arrives and abruptly shifts into first-person, which I found strange and, frankly, unfortunate. And then again, it switches back after about 20-30 pages. It felt messy to me...
•From there, the story really stumbles towards its conclusion. I lost count of how many pages were devoted to the killer(s) explaining every little detail of their modus operandi... Quite literally, they go one-by-one through their reasons for killing each of the 15 victims. I wanted to pull my hair out, but I chose to hard skim the text instead. All I could think was how it mimicked the very same lame cliché for every terribly made mystery/thriller book, film, or television show: The antagonist has their long-winded oral exposition on the why and what and who and how and where and when. I hate it. Another reviewer compared it to a “Scooby-Doo villain” reveal, and if that doesn’t just hit the nail on the f*cking head!
To conclude: All my interest went out the door the moment Part III ended, and to be honest, there wasn’t much left by then to begin with. It was such a shame, too. Point Roberts could’ve done things differently, but it instead opted to be just like most others in this bloated genre: uninspired and generic.
Actual rating: 1.5 (rounded down)
*Instead of a coherent review, I’ve opted for bullet points jotted down while reading. Some of these are stray observations, but most are general complaints/criticisms:*
•For such a seemingly small peninsula, Point Roberts has a prison, an airfield, and a funeral home... but no schools? That was very odd to me, but since—surprisingly enough—it’s a real place, I’ll let that criticism slide.
•The Briar’s Grove Society’s initiation was certainly... something. I thought it exceedingly silly. I don’t see how anyone in their right mind would ever participate so willingly in it. Seriously, I find it highly unlikely and unrealistic. As with the entire mystery, to be honest. You’re telling me that no one could piece ANY of the clues together? FOR THIRTY YEARS?!? It sounds like shoddy detective work to me, or an author trying to drag out a story for far too long by asking us to suspend our disbelief for 400 pages. The amount of evidence that’s discovered as the plot progresses makes it seem like anyone could’ve figured it out right away. It was all too implausible. I don’t know what more to say.
•You’re telling me Maude never once left her house—or spoke to anyone—in thirty years?!? And all it took for her to shove off her reclusion was a chance encounter with Grant? That’s it? A few words and she’s back in the saddle? I don’t buy it. Trauma and agoraphobia simply don’t go *poof* and vanish all at once.
•“...she noticed the pain written on the girl’s face...from a difficult life afflicted with sadness.” I’m sorry, but whenever I look at someone’s face, all I see are eyes, a nose, and mouth.
•There were out-of-left-field politics thrown in, which was strange. The author pushing their political bias... in a mystery novel, no less! There was no place for it in the story, but it was included anyways.
•Lots of unnecessary queer suffering. There are quite a few lgbtqia+ characters mentioned (I believe 4 or 5), and of those, three were murdered or dead, and one had AIDS. Like, what the f*ck?!?
•There’s an obvious red herring thrown in at the halfway mark, and it goes on and on with that “suspect.” For such a glaringly obvious misdirection, you’d think it would nipped in the bud rather quickly, rather than dragged out. It was frustrating knowing this person was clearly not the killer, and then watching the characters scramble around like they were. Whatever.
•There were a few pages devoted to praising the film La La Land, which, I mean, it’s a great movie, but an odd addition to the overall story. It almost read more like a film review than anything; and using it as an analogy just didn’t work.
•Really, the whole story is predictable. It just sort of sputters and jerks us around until the last 1/4th. I wasn’t surprised, and I was so ready for it to be done (having gone on for far longer than it should have).
•For most of the story, we have a reasonable third-person point of view for all the characters. Then Part IV arrives and abruptly shifts into first-person, which I found strange and, frankly, unfortunate. And then again, it switches back after about 20-30 pages. It felt messy to me...
•From there, the story really stumbles towards its conclusion. I lost count of how many pages were devoted to the killer(s) explaining every little detail of their modus operandi... Quite literally, they go one-by-one through their reasons for killing each of the 15 victims. I wanted to pull my hair out, but I chose to hard skim the text instead. All I could think was how it mimicked the very same lame cliché for every terribly made mystery/thriller book, film, or television show: The antagonist has their long-winded oral exposition on the why and what and who and how and where and when. I hate it. Another reviewer compared it to a “Scooby-Doo villain” reveal, and if that doesn’t just hit the nail on the f*cking head!
To conclude: All my interest went out the door the moment Part III ended, and to be honest, there wasn’t much left by then to begin with. It was such a shame, too. Point Roberts could’ve done things differently, but it instead opted to be just like most others in this bloated genre: uninspired and generic.
December 31, 2020
I am so conflicted on how I feel about this book. I personally was not a fan of Rigby’s writing style, so it took me longer than usual to really get into the story. However, the book itself is well written and well planned out. Plus, I’m giving Rigby major points for his wonderfully diverse group of main characters (plus some subtle shade about Trump being an incompetent fool). I’ve done a bit of studying into criminal profiling and what drives serial killers to kill, so I appreciated the way the serial killer (sorry, but no spoilers so I can’t say who that is!) is written. Their reasoning for what they did made sense with their circumstances, and it wasn’t obvious when we finally did get the big reveal. I loved the gloomy overcast feel of this small coastal town closed off from the world during February, and the juxtaposition we got from these pockets of warmth while with the main characters in the spaces they feel most comfortable. Overall, Point Roberts is a good book for those who like cold case murder mysteries with twists and turns, just be prepared to spend some time getting used to Rigby’s writing style and tone.
Full list of potential triggers:
Murder, Gore, Homophobia, Transphobia, Guns, Discussion of Suicide, Death, Bullying, Cursing, Discussion of Death from AIDS
Full list of potential triggers:
Murder, Gore, Homophobia, Transphobia, Guns, Discussion of Suicide, Death, Bullying, Cursing, Discussion of Death from AIDS
December 18, 2020
{Copy provided by NetGalley and Girl Friday Productions} Point Roberts is a mysterious town, much more so than Liza realizes when she is sent there to live with her new foster family. Every February the town goes on lockdown, and this February the decades long mystery surrounding the place will finally be solved. 15 murders that happened 30 years ago. A group of misfits of various ages, all connected to the victims.
This book is definitely atmospheric, with the cold, foggy Washington ambiance offering a great backdrop for the murders and the mystery solving. The shifting perspectives are pretty interesting, although there is a bit of info-dumping regarding everyone’s backstories. While the stories were interesting, at times they were conveyed a bit too detailed. Additionally, characters divulged their personal traumas and secrets a bit too eagerly to strangers for my liking.
There is always a bit of suspending of disbelief regarding fictional stories, so too in this novel. From a woman not leaving her house for 29 years and not having major consequences from that to a girl hidden in her basement undiscovered for years, a few things were a little unrealistic. I did appreciate the diversity of the cast a lot, from gay characters to older characters to several multi-dimensional female characters. The mystery itself was really engaging and I liked following along to find out what happened. Without divulging too many spoilers, the solution of the mystery was decently satisfying and definitely not easily guessable.
At times I found the language used a bit wooden, telling more than it was showing. However, a few lines were really transcendent or funny or memorable, like these:
“‘Some things last.’
It was just three words, and even though it could have been in reference to many things, it lodged itself deep inside Theodore, getting stuck somewhere between his bones and tissue, not far from the essential parts of what allowed him to live.”
and
“No matter what happened, people never stopped shitting.”
I loved finding out that the town actually exists, as well as the novel’s visual design with different writing for journal enties and notes, really adding to the atmosphere.
If you are a fan of mystery, unique group dynamics, diverse characters, found family, and foggy sea towns, this is definitely the book for you!
(3.5 stars)
This book is definitely atmospheric, with the cold, foggy Washington ambiance offering a great backdrop for the murders and the mystery solving. The shifting perspectives are pretty interesting, although there is a bit of info-dumping regarding everyone’s backstories. While the stories were interesting, at times they were conveyed a bit too detailed. Additionally, characters divulged their personal traumas and secrets a bit too eagerly to strangers for my liking.
There is always a bit of suspending of disbelief regarding fictional stories, so too in this novel. From a woman not leaving her house for 29 years and not having major consequences from that to a girl hidden in her basement undiscovered for years, a few things were a little unrealistic. I did appreciate the diversity of the cast a lot, from gay characters to older characters to several multi-dimensional female characters. The mystery itself was really engaging and I liked following along to find out what happened. Without divulging too many spoilers, the solution of the mystery was decently satisfying and definitely not easily guessable.
At times I found the language used a bit wooden, telling more than it was showing. However, a few lines were really transcendent or funny or memorable, like these:
“‘Some things last.’
It was just three words, and even though it could have been in reference to many things, it lodged itself deep inside Theodore, getting stuck somewhere between his bones and tissue, not far from the essential parts of what allowed him to live.”
and
“No matter what happened, people never stopped shitting.”
I loved finding out that the town actually exists, as well as the novel’s visual design with different writing for journal enties and notes, really adding to the atmosphere.
If you are a fan of mystery, unique group dynamics, diverse characters, found family, and foggy sea towns, this is definitely the book for you!
(3.5 stars)
January 18, 2021
Book Review: Point Roberts by Alexander Rigby ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was definitely an interesting read! I was hooked from the first page. I kept going back and forth between who I thought the killer was and none of the people I guessed! I love that they went back and forth between the different characters point of views. That is my favorite type of thriller to read. The book is coming out on February 3rd and if you like thrillers that keep you guessing, this is a book you should check out! Thank you #booksirens for the advanced copy!! #bookreview #bookrecommendations #newbook #goodreads #goodreadsreview #goodreadschallenge2021 #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover #booknerd #bookworm #bookaddict #thrillerbook #thrillerreads #thriller #readersofinstagram
This was definitely an interesting read! I was hooked from the first page. I kept going back and forth between who I thought the killer was and none of the people I guessed! I love that they went back and forth between the different characters point of views. That is my favorite type of thriller to read. The book is coming out on February 3rd and if you like thrillers that keep you guessing, this is a book you should check out! Thank you #booksirens for the advanced copy!! #bookreview #bookrecommendations #newbook #goodreads #goodreadsreview #goodreadschallenge2021 #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover #booknerd #bookworm #bookaddict #thrillerbook #thrillerreads #thriller #readersofinstagram
December 19, 2020
This was a first read for me from this author. I enjoyed the characters and loved the mystery behind the "who dun it!" Such an eclectic group that came together to make a change in this small town. I felt for Bianca being trapped in the house and sort of understand her mother's motives. But to take other's lives to protect her daughter was extreme. And the Mayor, what a wimp! He should have taken action long before a second murder could happen. Thank Lisa for coming to light a fire under these people. Was a good read, easy and very understandable. Thanks Alex!
May 5, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up. Wow what a ride!
Every year in February, for the whole month, Point Roberts is locked down with noone allowed in, and noone allowed out. Surrounded by sea on 3 sides, and a land border on the other, Point Roberts is nestled off the bottom of Canada, but technically belongs to Washington State. This isolated position makes this lock down easily enforced by the town's jumped up little weed of a mayor Emory. It all started in 1987, when 5 murders took place during the month of February. When the murders started reoccurring the following February, the town's tradition of a lockdown began. And up until now, its worked.
Murders, mystery, secret cults and corruption all play a part in the shady history of Point Roberts. When Liza ends up being sent to her new Foster parents in Point Roberts, she stumbles into unravelling a history nearly 20 years old, and some secrets are just waiting to be uncovered. Will she uncover the truth around who killed the notorious 'fifteen'?
With lockdowns, curfews and restrictions on free movement, this story took a new relativity reading in 2021. I wonder if there will be other lockdown inspired mystery books that stem from our situation at present? I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one, and the ending had a way of sneaking up on me. There were occasions where some of the metaphors were a bit overdone and super cheesy, but I really enjoyed the premise of this book and the way the story was told with the chapters in each part being told from a different character, first 1, then 2 characters, then 3 etc was fantastic and really fitted well into the theme of the numbers throughout.
I received an advance review copy of this book, for which I am very grateful. All views expressed are my own honest opinions.
Every year in February, for the whole month, Point Roberts is locked down with noone allowed in, and noone allowed out. Surrounded by sea on 3 sides, and a land border on the other, Point Roberts is nestled off the bottom of Canada, but technically belongs to Washington State. This isolated position makes this lock down easily enforced by the town's jumped up little weed of a mayor Emory. It all started in 1987, when 5 murders took place during the month of February. When the murders started reoccurring the following February, the town's tradition of a lockdown began. And up until now, its worked.
Murders, mystery, secret cults and corruption all play a part in the shady history of Point Roberts. When Liza ends up being sent to her new Foster parents in Point Roberts, she stumbles into unravelling a history nearly 20 years old, and some secrets are just waiting to be uncovered. Will she uncover the truth around who killed the notorious 'fifteen'?
With lockdowns, curfews and restrictions on free movement, this story took a new relativity reading in 2021. I wonder if there will be other lockdown inspired mystery books that stem from our situation at present? I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one, and the ending had a way of sneaking up on me. There were occasions where some of the metaphors were a bit overdone and super cheesy, but I really enjoyed the premise of this book and the way the story was told with the chapters in each part being told from a different character, first 1, then 2 characters, then 3 etc was fantastic and really fitted well into the theme of the numbers throughout.
I received an advance review copy of this book, for which I am very grateful. All views expressed are my own honest opinions.
March 6, 2021
I was given this book by Netgally in exchange for an honest review.
What a ride this book was! I requested it because about 20 years ago, my aunt and uncle took us to Point Roberts while we were visiting them in Bellingham. I was fascinated by the little town and when I saw a murder mystery based there, I knew I needed to read it.
In this book, fifteen murders occurred on Point Roberts over the course of three years, always in February. For the past 30 years, the town is closed off from the world every February in order to keep the town safe. But are they safe?
Five strangers of varying ages, whose lives were forever shaped by the murders, come together to try to discover what really happened all those years ago.
I've read books from a couple different perspectives before, but a murder mystery from five different perspectives was unique. The characters were so fleshed out and each one was relatable in a different way.
Honestly, I was reading this book slowly at first, but that was entirely on me, not the book. Once I got about 75 pages in though, I was so enthralled. I woke up from a dream in the middle of the night and found myself thinking about this book at 3am, not able to go back to sleep. It was just so compelling. I feel like I lived the month of total lockdown and all the twists and turns with the characters.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this book. You won't be disappointed.
What a ride this book was! I requested it because about 20 years ago, my aunt and uncle took us to Point Roberts while we were visiting them in Bellingham. I was fascinated by the little town and when I saw a murder mystery based there, I knew I needed to read it.
In this book, fifteen murders occurred on Point Roberts over the course of three years, always in February. For the past 30 years, the town is closed off from the world every February in order to keep the town safe. But are they safe?
Five strangers of varying ages, whose lives were forever shaped by the murders, come together to try to discover what really happened all those years ago.
I've read books from a couple different perspectives before, but a murder mystery from five different perspectives was unique. The characters were so fleshed out and each one was relatable in a different way.
Honestly, I was reading this book slowly at first, but that was entirely on me, not the book. Once I got about 75 pages in though, I was so enthralled. I woke up from a dream in the middle of the night and found myself thinking about this book at 3am, not able to go back to sleep. It was just so compelling. I feel like I lived the month of total lockdown and all the twists and turns with the characters.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this book. You won't be disappointed.
February 15, 2021
I often say that I am not a fan of mysteries, but Rigby proved me wrong with Point Roberts.
Point Roberts is an actual place on a peninsula in Washington state. In this fictional account, 15 murders took place in the late 80's only in the month of February. As a result, they mayor of the town closes off the town each year for the entire month of February making it a crime for anyone to leave for any reason.
One day, a foster child named Liza is placed with a family in Point Roberts. Her adoptive father dies 3 years ago and she has not had an easy time of it since. She is walking near the shore one day and comes across a manuscript contained in a plastic box titled The Fifteen. Of course, Liza has to know more about it so she takes the book with her and hurries back to her foster home to try to get it out. As she passes by a nearby home, the author of the manuscript sees her and with it wondering how she has found it since he chucked it in the water.
Theodore, author of The Fifteen, eventually meets up with Liza and the became unlikely friends. He feels comfortable enough with her to tell her why he wrote the book since his deceased husband spent so much time trying to crack the case. The two of them also become friends with three other townspeople also desperate to find out who the Point Roberts killer is forcing their town to close every February.
There are so many layers to these five that unravel throughout the story bringing them all together in the end to decipher the details of what happened all those years ago and why the killer or a copycat killer has resurfaced all of the sudden.
Rigby has a great way of developing all of the characters so that you feel totally invested in wanting to solve the mystery with them. There was also a bit of a twist towards the end that I did not see coming and actually said out loud, "What? No!" Alexander Rigby remains one of my favorites, for sure.
Point Roberts is an actual place on a peninsula in Washington state. In this fictional account, 15 murders took place in the late 80's only in the month of February. As a result, they mayor of the town closes off the town each year for the entire month of February making it a crime for anyone to leave for any reason.
One day, a foster child named Liza is placed with a family in Point Roberts. Her adoptive father dies 3 years ago and she has not had an easy time of it since. She is walking near the shore one day and comes across a manuscript contained in a plastic box titled The Fifteen. Of course, Liza has to know more about it so she takes the book with her and hurries back to her foster home to try to get it out. As she passes by a nearby home, the author of the manuscript sees her and with it wondering how she has found it since he chucked it in the water.
Theodore, author of The Fifteen, eventually meets up with Liza and the became unlikely friends. He feels comfortable enough with her to tell her why he wrote the book since his deceased husband spent so much time trying to crack the case. The two of them also become friends with three other townspeople also desperate to find out who the Point Roberts killer is forcing their town to close every February.
There are so many layers to these five that unravel throughout the story bringing them all together in the end to decipher the details of what happened all those years ago and why the killer or a copycat killer has resurfaced all of the sudden.
Rigby has a great way of developing all of the characters so that you feel totally invested in wanting to solve the mystery with them. There was also a bit of a twist towards the end that I did not see coming and actually said out loud, "What? No!" Alexander Rigby remains one of my favorites, for sure.
February 26, 2021
Point Roberts was an awesome, keep-you-guessing mystery. A lot of characters that kept me going backwards about who the character was, going forward, then checking on someone else. This is a true “who done it” mystery. All the way to the end. I hope Alexander Rigby has more of these great mysteries in him that we will see soon.
February 4, 2021
I thought this book might be interesting, a town shutting down for one month a year due to murders 30 years ago? At first it seemed slow to get started with the story, but about a fourth of the way, it really switched > to intrigue, complicated histories of residents, and determined and unusual investigators. I would recommend it to anyone who likes involved and not so easy to solve mysteries.
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