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Carrion
“Reminiscent of The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock, Carrion makes for a foreboding read”—from the bestselling author of Murder at the Book Club ( By the Letter Book Reviews ).
After surviving a fatal accident Monica is left wondering what happened to her life. Why did the car crash and why is she being haunted by a crow? Unable to remember the events that led to that fateful day and plagued by frightening visions, Monica is determined to get some answers. But sometimes the truth is best left buried.
“Carrion opens with a bang and the tension never really lets up until the last page. The characters are well-written; well-rounded, human, made of flesh and blood and they leap off the page.” — The Book Lover’s Boudoir
Praise for Betsy Reavley and her novels
“A deliciously Agatha Christie-style mystery that sucks you in from the first page.” —Sibel Hodge, bestselling author of Look Behind You
“Will keep readers guessing till the very end!” —J. A. Baker, bestselling author of The Uninvited
“A deliciously devilish whodunit!” —Robert Bryndza, bestselling author of the Kate Marshall Thrillers
“A triumph of a mystery . . . Betsy Reavley has done it again!” —Anita Waller, bestselling author of the Kat and Mouse Murder Mysteries
After surviving a fatal accident Monica is left wondering what happened to her life. Why did the car crash and why is she being haunted by a crow? Unable to remember the events that led to that fateful day and plagued by frightening visions, Monica is determined to get some answers. But sometimes the truth is best left buried.
“Carrion opens with a bang and the tension never really lets up until the last page. The characters are well-written; well-rounded, human, made of flesh and blood and they leap off the page.” — The Book Lover’s Boudoir
Praise for Betsy Reavley and her novels
“A deliciously Agatha Christie-style mystery that sucks you in from the first page.” —Sibel Hodge, bestselling author of Look Behind You
“Will keep readers guessing till the very end!” —J. A. Baker, bestselling author of The Uninvited
“A deliciously devilish whodunit!” —Robert Bryndza, bestselling author of the Kate Marshall Thrillers
“A triumph of a mystery . . . Betsy Reavley has done it again!” —Anita Waller, bestselling author of the Kat and Mouse Murder Mysteries
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2014
91 people are currently reading
358 people want to read
About the author
Betsy Reavley
19 books270 followersBetsy Freeman Reavley is the author of Beneath the Watery Moon and A Worm in the Bottle. Carrion, her latest psychological thriller will be released in November 2014.
She was born in Hammersmith, London.
As a child she moved around frequently with her family, spending time in London, Provence, Tuscany, Gloucestershire and Cambridgeshire.
She showed a flair for literature and writing from a young age and had a particular interest in poetry, of which she was a prolific consumer and producer.
In her early twenties she moved to Oxford, where she would eventually meet her husband. During her time in Oxford her interests turned from poetry to novels and she began to develop her own unique style of psychological thriller.
Beneath the Watery Moon is Betsy Reavley’s beautifully written first release and tells the macabre story of a young woman battling against mental illness.
Beneath the Watery Moon is published by Not So Noble Books and is available as an eBook from Amazon.
Betsy Reavley's second novel Carrion is a psychological chiller that address the link between grief and mental illness.
Reavley says "I think people are at their most fascinating when they are faced with life's real horrors." This is what I love to write about.
Betsy Reavley currently lives in North London, with her husband 2 children, dog, cat and chickens. You can follow her on Twitter @BetsyReavley
She was born in Hammersmith, London.
As a child she moved around frequently with her family, spending time in London, Provence, Tuscany, Gloucestershire and Cambridgeshire.
She showed a flair for literature and writing from a young age and had a particular interest in poetry, of which she was a prolific consumer and producer.
In her early twenties she moved to Oxford, where she would eventually meet her husband. During her time in Oxford her interests turned from poetry to novels and she began to develop her own unique style of psychological thriller.
Beneath the Watery Moon is Betsy Reavley’s beautifully written first release and tells the macabre story of a young woman battling against mental illness.
Beneath the Watery Moon is published by Not So Noble Books and is available as an eBook from Amazon.
Betsy Reavley's second novel Carrion is a psychological chiller that address the link between grief and mental illness.
Reavley says "I think people are at their most fascinating when they are faced with life's real horrors." This is what I love to write about.
Betsy Reavley currently lives in North London, with her husband 2 children, dog, cat and chickens. You can follow her on Twitter @BetsyReavley
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
October 29, 2016
Carrion is a very dark and disturbing read.
I think it's fair to say that Monica is left fairly traumatised after a tragic accident that takes her husbands and unborn baby's lives. She understandably goes to pieces and seems to sink further into a deep depression. Not only is she in a very dark place, she seems to be getting stalked by a crow.
The story is told in the first person alternating between mainly Monica and her mum. This way we get to fully see how that person thinks. Monica's mum, is understandably worried sick about her daughter. To see her once happy daughter who had everything going for her, lose everything, for a parent is just heart breaking. She wants to wrap her arms around her daughter and take care of her.
In Monica's mind it felt like she was almost going crazy. She has no idea what the crow wants or what it signifies. The crow actually creeped me out, never mind Monica! As time passes, we find out more about Monica and her past and things certainly are not as straight forward as they first appear.
Reminiscent of The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock, Carrion makes for a foreboding read. The crow for me brings a touch of horror to this novel as well as being a psychological thriller and fans of both genres will certainly enjoy it.
I think it's fair to say that Monica is left fairly traumatised after a tragic accident that takes her husbands and unborn baby's lives. She understandably goes to pieces and seems to sink further into a deep depression. Not only is she in a very dark place, she seems to be getting stalked by a crow.
The story is told in the first person alternating between mainly Monica and her mum. This way we get to fully see how that person thinks. Monica's mum, is understandably worried sick about her daughter. To see her once happy daughter who had everything going for her, lose everything, for a parent is just heart breaking. She wants to wrap her arms around her daughter and take care of her.
In Monica's mind it felt like she was almost going crazy. She has no idea what the crow wants or what it signifies. The crow actually creeped me out, never mind Monica! As time passes, we find out more about Monica and her past and things certainly are not as straight forward as they first appear.
Reminiscent of The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock, Carrion makes for a foreboding read. The crow for me brings a touch of horror to this novel as well as being a psychological thriller and fans of both genres will certainly enjoy it.
November 25, 2016
This suspense/thriller focuses on the examination of the mind after a traumatic event. The first chapter begins the story with a bang and the quality of writing is excellent throughout.
I found all the characters interesting and I liked how how each person's mood and personality was affected by what was going on in the other characters minds. Main character, Monica, was an excellent character to read as her personality was so complex and layered - and I don't think I'm giving anything away when I say that the potato peeler part of the story made me cringe!
I'm a big fan of birds but I may think of crows/rooks/ravens differently from now on. This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm looking forward to reading some more.
I found all the characters interesting and I liked how how each person's mood and personality was affected by what was going on in the other characters minds. Main character, Monica, was an excellent character to read as her personality was so complex and layered - and I don't think I'm giving anything away when I say that the potato peeler part of the story made me cringe!
I'm a big fan of birds but I may think of crows/rooks/ravens differently from now on. This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm looking forward to reading some more.
November 13, 2016
My review of Carrion by Betsy Reavley
It didn’t take me long to read Carrion by Betsy Reavley because I found it engrossing, easily digestible and desperately wanted to find out how it would all turn out for Monica. The poor girl had not been having much luck, to put it mildly. I’m not a fan of people who give away spoilers of books when they review, so I will try not to say too much, save to mention that I regretted being alone in the house at night each time the menacing crow made its appearance in the book.
My daughter is about Monica’s age, so I was rooting for the embattled heroine from page one as she went through the mill following a double tragedy. I also closely related to her mother, for obvious reasons. I was livid with all the men in the book. The author certainly managed to trigger emotional responses in me, from fear, pity, concern, loathing and then more fear. I enjoyed the clever use of having different characters narrate each chapter as it kept the book fresh throughout and was a clever way to hear each character’s point of view. I loved the mingling of hard-hitting reality and equally hard-hitting fantasy. I look forward to reading more of Betsy Reavley’s books as I appreciate her clarity, vivid imagination and no holds barred style … if the crow spares me.
It didn’t take me long to read Carrion by Betsy Reavley because I found it engrossing, easily digestible and desperately wanted to find out how it would all turn out for Monica. The poor girl had not been having much luck, to put it mildly. I’m not a fan of people who give away spoilers of books when they review, so I will try not to say too much, save to mention that I regretted being alone in the house at night each time the menacing crow made its appearance in the book.
My daughter is about Monica’s age, so I was rooting for the embattled heroine from page one as she went through the mill following a double tragedy. I also closely related to her mother, for obvious reasons. I was livid with all the men in the book. The author certainly managed to trigger emotional responses in me, from fear, pity, concern, loathing and then more fear. I enjoyed the clever use of having different characters narrate each chapter as it kept the book fresh throughout and was a clever way to hear each character’s point of view. I loved the mingling of hard-hitting reality and equally hard-hitting fantasy. I look forward to reading more of Betsy Reavley’s books as I appreciate her clarity, vivid imagination and no holds barred style … if the crow spares me.
March 17, 2021
Good concept but didn't hold my interest. Gave up at half-way point.
May 8, 2016
Terrible. Not gripping, hardly chilling. The subject matter is certainly sad (death, death of a child, spousal abuse, depression...) The plot however is poor and the spelling mistakes throughout don't lend to its credibility as a good read. I was really hoping that I would enjoy this book but I didn't and the fact that it took me 4 days to read it is testament to that. I do not recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2016
I've read better
I started this book because it seemed interesting. I was wrong. What a depressing read. It took way too long to get to the main story but by then, I wanted to know what the ending would be. I wish I would have moved on. I still don't understand what the significance of the crow was. Pass on this, it's a waste.
I started this book because it seemed interesting. I was wrong. What a depressing read. It took way too long to get to the main story but by then, I wanted to know what the ending would be. I wish I would have moved on. I still don't understand what the significance of the crow was. Pass on this, it's a waste.
February 20, 2017
Jesus christ. I really need Betsy Reavley to do some kind of research beyond googling "what is PTSD" and reading the auto-generated answer and basing her whole novel on that. Like you can easily google personal experiences of people living with mental illness and do real research and actually write non offensive decent fiction- or you can be Betsy Reavley.
August 22, 2015
Not finished
Just couldn't seem to get into this one. Got it for free on Amazon but just couldn't do it. I read a lot of books outside my usual genre and am reading free ones at this time, but not this one.
Just couldn't seem to get into this one. Got it for free on Amazon but just couldn't do it. I read a lot of books outside my usual genre and am reading free ones at this time, but not this one.
July 7, 2016
Can't believe how terrible it was!
I enjoyed her other two books, which is why I read this one, but it was incredibly unbelievable and just, well, stupid! Hardly a "psychological thriller"....truly a waste of time!
I enjoyed her other two books, which is why I read this one, but it was incredibly unbelievable and just, well, stupid! Hardly a "psychological thriller"....truly a waste of time!
February 24, 2015
What a truly silly story. A book about characters you don't like, and a crow.
April 27, 2016
No no no
Why would you start a book like this, got to chapter 5 had to stop reading.... needs a warning on it
Why would you start a book like this, got to chapter 5 had to stop reading.... needs a warning on it
December 19, 2016
I have a whole new outlook on crows since finishing this book!! A harrowing insight of someone who's mind is slowly unravelling after a tragic accident.
December 17, 2016
Very plastic not realistic
Caring worthy writing. It felt manufactured and made up not the work of a master story teller. Can't recommend it
Caring worthy writing. It felt manufactured and made up not the work of a master story teller. Can't recommend it
October 5, 2018
I got this as a free gift from Bloodhound books as a reward for signing up to their newsletter. Because they specialise in crime and thrillers I expected it to be one of the two. Sadly I was disappointed on both counts. What we have is a novel detailing a woman's decline into insanity. To begin with, it is told in the first person but from alternating viewpoint of the woman and her mother then two thirds of the way in a third character takes up the story then in the penultimate chapter a fourth character takes over to reveal the startling truth which was obvious to the reader from before the halfway mark.
I found it overly descriptive. Three Kindle pages were devoted to describing the ground floor of the main characters house. It was probably intended to emphasise the fact that it didn't represent the personality of the character, something that was repeatedly rammed home throughout the book. The only parts that might have been thought to be thrilling were the main character's hallucinations. Unfortunately, not only does the reader know they aren't real but we know that the character also knows so they just become another symptom of her descent.
I found it a struggle to finish this book, I just couldn't motivate myself. The final third grabbed me a little, but I many would give up before that point.
I found it overly descriptive. Three Kindle pages were devoted to describing the ground floor of the main characters house. It was probably intended to emphasise the fact that it didn't represent the personality of the character, something that was repeatedly rammed home throughout the book. The only parts that might have been thought to be thrilling were the main character's hallucinations. Unfortunately, not only does the reader know they aren't real but we know that the character also knows so they just become another symptom of her descent.
I found it a struggle to finish this book, I just couldn't motivate myself. The final third grabbed me a little, but I many would give up before that point.
August 12, 2017
This was an interesting and totally unexpected read.not knowing what to expect was probably good otherwise I would've never picked up this book.
The story starts with a very rough opening and is pretty dark throughout.
However it is very engaging and I could not put down the book because I wanted to know all the puzzle pieces and get the full dimension of the story. I was intrigued with the different aspects of the character's and how they develop throughout the story line.
I also like how the language of the author transformed to my own mood and while I was reading this book I was going through emotions like anxiety and anger and I felt how I clenched my jaw while reading because it was so intense.
Over all I can definitely recomment reading! A good writing style and engaging storyline and an interesting topic you don't come across often.
The story starts with a very rough opening and is pretty dark throughout.
However it is very engaging and I could not put down the book because I wanted to know all the puzzle pieces and get the full dimension of the story. I was intrigued with the different aspects of the character's and how they develop throughout the story line.
I also like how the language of the author transformed to my own mood and while I was reading this book I was going through emotions like anxiety and anger and I felt how I clenched my jaw while reading because it was so intense.
Over all I can definitely recomment reading! A good writing style and engaging storyline and an interesting topic you don't come across often.
November 11, 2017
I joined an email list for Bloodhound Books because they offered 3 free books for download. Who’s going to refuse that? Then you start to think whether a free book is actually going to be any good.
This drew me in immediately. Monica wakes up after a car crash, sitting in the seat next to her husband who has been killed in the crash. She then loses her unborn baby too and struggles to cope with her grief. We then follow her as she becomes quite disturbed imagining there is a crow out to get her and which caused the crash. She also has amnesia of what happened beforehand.
She begins to get back to normal when an old friend re-enters her life but when he leaves she goes to pieces completely.
It’s very gripping and you wonder which parts are real or imagined at times as she descends into depression and paranoia. Once you get going it is hard to put down.
This drew me in immediately. Monica wakes up after a car crash, sitting in the seat next to her husband who has been killed in the crash. She then loses her unborn baby too and struggles to cope with her grief. We then follow her as she becomes quite disturbed imagining there is a crow out to get her and which caused the crash. She also has amnesia of what happened beforehand.
She begins to get back to normal when an old friend re-enters her life but when he leaves she goes to pieces completely.
It’s very gripping and you wonder which parts are real or imagined at times as she descends into depression and paranoia. Once you get going it is hard to put down.
July 27, 2018
A tragic car accident rips Monica’s husband and unborn child from her life, as well her ability to bear children in the future. As though that isn’t enough to deal with, in the aftermath she begins to obsess about being stalked by a malevolent crow. Despite the love and support of her mother, Monica descends into a dark place, where no one appears to be able to reach her.
At the beginning I really liked this book, it had a great hook, and the characters were believable and had me rooting for them. Slowly the picture of Monica’s old life emerges and you empathise even more with her. And then… well, nothing more really happens. There is just more of the same and I found myself flicking through the pages, speed reading, desperate for the story to start moving again. Only it didn’t. Disappointing, as I liked the author’s style.
At the beginning I really liked this book, it had a great hook, and the characters were believable and had me rooting for them. Slowly the picture of Monica’s old life emerges and you empathise even more with her. And then… well, nothing more really happens. There is just more of the same and I found myself flicking through the pages, speed reading, desperate for the story to start moving again. Only it didn’t. Disappointing, as I liked the author’s style.
January 30, 2018
I just can't believe this book has so many 4 and 5 star reviews!
I have very rarely read a book that I disliked so much, and never with a character whom I actually hated! I have surprised myself by managing to finish this book, it just got more awful the further into it I got! The chapters were from the mothers point of view, switching to the daughters point of view through most of the book .... then a third person takes their turn in telling the story. If you are not bored and confused nearing the end of this book .... A fourth person takes a turn!
Dark and depressing, a total waste of time!
Sorry, I don't normally give bad reviews ... but I was asked to leave an honest one. The truth is, by the end of this book I felt depressed and sick!
I can't recommend this book at all!
I have very rarely read a book that I disliked so much, and never with a character whom I actually hated! I have surprised myself by managing to finish this book, it just got more awful the further into it I got! The chapters were from the mothers point of view, switching to the daughters point of view through most of the book .... then a third person takes their turn in telling the story. If you are not bored and confused nearing the end of this book .... A fourth person takes a turn!
Dark and depressing, a total waste of time!
Sorry, I don't normally give bad reviews ... but I was asked to leave an honest one. The truth is, by the end of this book I felt depressed and sick!
I can't recommend this book at all!
August 29, 2017
First things first...
New found author of 2017 for me.
This is my very first novel by Betsy Reavley.
Did I like this novel? Yes.
The writing style, the interaction between characters & plot: 5 Stars.
The reason I'm giving this a 3.5-star rating is the ending. It doesn't make sense that you go through all the motions with the characters in the book only to get a stamped off ending.
I had such high hopes for the main character: what she went through, how she coped with her loss and her relationship with her mom.
I will definitely read & recommend more of this authors' work in the future.
New found author of 2017 for me.
This is my very first novel by Betsy Reavley.
Did I like this novel? Yes.
The writing style, the interaction between characters & plot: 5 Stars.
The reason I'm giving this a 3.5-star rating is the ending. It doesn't make sense that you go through all the motions with the characters in the book only to get a stamped off ending.
I had such high hopes for the main character: what she went through, how she coped with her loss and her relationship with her mom.
I will definitely read & recommend more of this authors' work in the future.
April 21, 2018
WOW! This book puts the dark into darkness!. It makes you want to think twice about going out on your own, and it gives a whole new meaning to bird watching! When they say you can not put this international thriller down, by Jove, they mean it. This is another story that the fantastic people at Bloodhound books have managed to sniff out. totally and awesomely written Betsy continues to leave her mark.
So go ahead and do it! Pick this up, start reading and when you try to put it down, see if you can sleep! Double Bloodhound dare you!
So go ahead and do it! Pick this up, start reading and when you try to put it down, see if you can sleep! Double Bloodhound dare you!
May 1, 2018
This book was as dark as the crow that cast his evil eye upon crash victim Monica. Why did the crow haunt her and enter her head leading her into an unending madness, when the crow had already taken her husband Tom and unborn child Josh from her? What secrets did the crow know? Why was Monica hiding from the truth? The scenes depicting Monica’s encounters with the crow were both breathtaking and terrifying in equal measures.
September 4, 2018
Impeccable!
5 stars for this intense journey filled with a mixture of both horror & suspense.
Issues covered: grief, violence, post traumatic stress disorder, abuse, control, alcoholism, intense family drama.
Most certainly, an intense read & one that I am glad to have read.
This author is quickly becoming a favorite! Her stories all pack punches!
5 stars for this intense journey filled with a mixture of both horror & suspense.
Issues covered: grief, violence, post traumatic stress disorder, abuse, control, alcoholism, intense family drama.
Most certainly, an intense read & one that I am glad to have read.
This author is quickly becoming a favorite! Her stories all pack punches!
December 23, 2018
Interesting style of PoVs, which took a moment or two to get used to, but it does work. I'm afraid that I worked it out long before the end, which was a shame.
It needed a good edit, and I say this because I read this book in February and it's now December and I am STILL irritated by the cushion being course rather than coarse.
It needed a good edit, and I say this because I read this book in February and it's now December and I am STILL irritated by the cushion being course rather than coarse.
June 16, 2025
DNF. I didn't make it too far in but it is horribly tragic and depressing. It goes into incredible detail of grief and loss and had me really depressed. im sure some will like this but for someone who was just looking for a horror/mystery this was not at all what I expected. it focused on tragedy for way too long
September 8, 2017
One of "read 50 books in my 51st year challenge"
The voices of each of the characters carry on the story making it interesting to see things through the eyes of others. As the truth unfurled I was gripped. I read and listened to this book on my Kindle.
The voices of each of the characters carry on the story making it interesting to see things through the eyes of others. As the truth unfurled I was gripped. I read and listened to this book on my Kindle.
January 10, 2018
Worrying
I love how the back story is revealed in bits throughout the book. You're never sure quite how things will pan out. It reveals a sad story, one we're often shown when things go out of control. Very well written.
I love how the back story is revealed in bits throughout the book. You're never sure quite how things will pan out. It reveals a sad story, one we're often shown when things go out of control. Very well written.
May 25, 2018
Terrifying birds
I've read other books by this author that I loved. The story is like a warm loaf of bread, with the best being in the middle. It's so good, the end wasn't what I wanted, but it makes sense, so you may love it.
I've read other books by this author that I loved. The story is like a warm loaf of bread, with the best being in the middle. It's so good, the end wasn't what I wanted, but it makes sense, so you may love it.
November 17, 2018
My second Betsy Reavley book and it did not disappoint. Carrion was dark and chilling and about a woman whose mind starts unravelling after a traumatic life changing event. She sees a crow at the site of the tragedy and throughout the book continues to see the crow which I found chilling.
May 2, 2025
I wished I had not bought this book
I purchased this book because I enjoyed her other two books, BIG MISTAKE. I was expecting a eerie story lines with plot twist . What a read was a long drawn out depressing storyline and bitter disappointment.
I purchased this book because I enjoyed her other two books, BIG MISTAKE. I was expecting a eerie story lines with plot twist . What a read was a long drawn out depressing storyline and bitter disappointment.
October 16, 2017
Absolutely fantastic read. Very hard to put down, and I'm actually gutted it's finished. Now onto the next one. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for good psychological thriller.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews