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The Mill
These rooms have killer views...
As a psychic, seeing ghosts is routine for Lili. She isn’t surprised to discover spirits lurking in the renovated paper mill where she just bought an apartment. What she doesn’t expect is the dark, sinister presence under the floor and the serial killer who is prowling about the mill. When a woman is found murdered and another goes missing, Lili tries to work with one of the spirits—a young girl long dead—to expose the psychopath. But not everyone can be trusted and soon, Lili fears the killer will flee, never to be found and free to strike again.
From the bestselling author of Shepherd’s Warning and The Elders Series comes a terrifying and compelling story that will keep you reading long into the night.
As a psychic, seeing ghosts is routine for Lili. She isn’t surprised to discover spirits lurking in the renovated paper mill where she just bought an apartment. What she doesn’t expect is the dark, sinister presence under the floor and the serial killer who is prowling about the mill. When a woman is found murdered and another goes missing, Lili tries to work with one of the spirits—a young girl long dead—to expose the psychopath. But not everyone can be trusted and soon, Lili fears the killer will flee, never to be found and free to strike again.
From the bestselling author of Shepherd’s Warning and The Elders Series comes a terrifying and compelling story that will keep you reading long into the night.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 18, 2022
93 people are currently reading
1228 people want to read
About the author
Cailyn Lloyd
5 books84 followersAuthor of the bestselling trilogy, the Elders, Cailyn Lloyd, spent three years living in a truly haunted house and experienced firsthand the nuances of strange and eerie places. Haunted Ground is her highly anticipated fifth novel in the ghost and horror genre.
In addition to writing, Cailyn is an accomplished weather photographer and her work has appeared in newspapers, textbooks and publications including Life Magazine. She is also a composer and musician with three album releases to her credit. Cailyn lives near the Kettle Moraine State Forest in Wisconsin and when she’s not writing spooky stories, loves hiking with her dogs and spending time with her children.
In addition to writing, Cailyn is an accomplished weather photographer and her work has appeared in newspapers, textbooks and publications including Life Magazine. She is also a composer and musician with three album releases to her credit. Cailyn lives near the Kettle Moraine State Forest in Wisconsin and when she’s not writing spooky stories, loves hiking with her dogs and spending time with her children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 26, 2022
I don't believe in the paranormal, but that has never deterred me from enjoying a good old ghost story or haunted house book. Therefor, when I read the synopsis of The Mill, I thought I would give it a go, as it had some intriguing elements: an old building turned into luxurious apartments are haunted by past mill workers who died on the spot. Add a psychopath who obviously needs to be stopped, a sexy psychic and a handsome detective, and you could have an interesting magic potion brewing !
However, even if the premise is original, the focus of the book is too dispersed for my taste. The majority reads like some almost funny YA, but then there are very graphic scenes of rape, murder and mutilation. It's like Ghostbusters meets Charmed (I'll know your age if you remember that show!) meets Silence of the Lambs - and I got confused. I was impressed by the roles played by ghosts though, that was original for sure !
I am sure that there is a large crowd for this kind of books, but unfortunately, it wasn't for me.
A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Land of Oz and the author for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.
However, even if the premise is original, the focus of the book is too dispersed for my taste. The majority reads like some almost funny YA, but then there are very graphic scenes of rape, murder and mutilation. It's like Ghostbusters meets Charmed (I'll know your age if you remember that show!) meets Silence of the Lambs - and I got confused. I was impressed by the roles played by ghosts though, that was original for sure !
I am sure that there is a large crowd for this kind of books, but unfortunately, it wasn't for me.
A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Land of Oz and the author for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.
January 5, 2023
It is important to note that the majority of the themes explored in this book deal with sensitive subject matters. My review, therefore, touches on these topics as well. Many people might find the subject matters of the book as well as those detailed in my review overwhelming. I would suggest you steer clear of both if this is the case. Please note that from this point forward I will be writing about matters which contain reflections on excessive violence, sexual assault, rape, violent crimes, & others.
Update (8 avril 2022): Lloyd has reached out to me regarding the comments I have made & which you will see in the following paragraphs. I am very grateful for friendly, cordial conversations that we can have amongst each other — whether we are in agreement or not — & she has advised me that the representation of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) within the story has been altered so as to be more sensitive & accurate, which I am very much appreciative for. Should you have come across my review please note that the impressions I have of the author are of someone who seeks to do the right thing; someone who is open to discussion, critiques & learning. These are qualities that we would all do well to maintain within ourselves. Thank you to Lloyd for her kind email & for her efforts made towards some of the points listed below.
I am first going to highlight an aspect of this story that left me feeling disappointed: the inclusion of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). I am not someone who is personally or professionally in a position to make remarks on the authentic representation of Dissociative Disorders & therefore, my comments should be recognized as coming from someone who read through this book without personal or educational weight to back my impressions & opinions.
With all the politically correct vocabulary that I can muster, I must ask: what in the world was the purpose of having Emma, a ghost, self-diagnosed herself with Dissociative Identity Disorder? What was the tangible, essential, profoundly necessitating reason for this to have been included, whatsoever, within a story which dealt with a group of individuals who were all so far out of their depths in every way imaginable? Was there not a single individual along the line of the process to which this book resulted in the hands of a reader who asked: why would the inclusion of DID as being something that Emma ‘chose’ to have happened to her be a positive aspect to include in this story?
My reason for being so bewilderingly astounded at the inclusion of Dissociative Identity Disorder in this plot comes down to the way it was presented. Emma is a ghost who wallows in the halls of the apartment complex, previously a paper mill. She is one of many paranormal phenomena which plague the building. The reader becomes aware of several other ghosts, two (2) of which are bound to the confines of particular apartment units due to reasons beyond their understanding. What is revealed to us is that these ghosts never actually haunted the building. Frank & Tommy were in fact personality states adopted by Emma in what she self-proclaims as being dissociative episodes. Again, I am not a seasoned doctor or medical professional who can readily speak on the complexities of DID. However, what I can say is that writing a character as being someone who ‘chose’ to dissociate; who ‘chose’ to adopt alternative personality states; who ‘chose’ to be able to call on these personality states at the drop of a hat, is beyond insensitive & irresponsible.
One does not ‘choose’ to adopt a Dissociative Disorder. A quick search through various reputable peer-reviewed works would lead one to understand the basics of this very debilitating & complex disorder. I want to highlight this part within the story because there are people in this world who will read this book & be left feeling a great deal more misunderstood than they did before. It is in no way correct nor appropriate to include DID in the ways that it was within this story.
There are ample aspects of this story to critique. I went into this book hoping that I would come across a horror that riddled the paranormal within states of lived reality. Unfortunately, what I came across was the repeated lunacy of every character within the story. Starting with Lili, a psychic medium who has been in the industry for many years yet tosses herself at every wall behind which she hopes houses a ghost. It was incredible to read about a person we are supposed to view as a seasoned professional only for her to step right into the tracks of someone who has no idea what they are doing. Every instance saw Lili astral project into situations that she knew nothing about. Simply hoping that you might encounter the spirit of a person whom you read about does not mean that you will. Being a ‘professional’ you would know that preparation & forethought are essential. This character did not read as being a person capable of making their own independent decisions but rather, as an individual who might succeed by chance alone.
Chase, our obvious antagonist whom no one wanted to acknowledge as being the villain until it posed a problem to their ludicrous logic; a cop turned serial killer. We revisit medical diagnostics in this character which provided nothing to the individual save for an ‘edge’ which was never revisited after expression. A quick search of the American Psychiatric Association’s definition explains that Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder which: “[…]people have recurring unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that make them feel driven to do something repetitively (compulsions).” That being said, what part of Chase fit that description or any of the following body of the text provided by the Association? Indicating that a character was inclined to double-bolt their doors does not indicate that they are experiencing OCD.
This book tosses around mental diagnostics as though these are adequate ways of completing a character chart. Chase was someone who experienced the desire to torture, murder, degrade, etc. Can that be accurately linked to him having OCD or would this be an indicator of the pathological condition known as psychopathy?
This book asks the reader to forgive & look past decisions that the author made in an attempt to cushion the jaded edges of the plot. Are we really meant to believe that people living in exuberantly expensive apartments would not want to have surveillance cameras in the hallways? In what world do the wealthy not care to keep their homes safe? I see no logical thought behind that decision-making process. You have literal art dealers living in one of the larger units & I refuse to believe that they would so willfully disregard the safety of their person & that of their possessions.
At the end of the day, it didn’t matter if the hallways had surveillance cameras or not, Martin was as useless as wings on a rock. Every single decision that this character made, or failed to make, was stunning. I kept wondering when someone (anyone) was going to make a logical decision that would actually base some of this story within the confines of reality. I chose to proceed in my reading after being bewildered into oblivion on multiple occasions because I really wanted to see where this story went; when would advanced mental stamina prevail? For the love of all that is good in the world; we had to read about a character saying, & I quote: “A cop was the polar opposite of shady.” Was this meant to be read ironically? I’m not here to harp on the profession of any law enforcer but, if the years of prevailing social media have highlighted anything it is in fact that policing bodies can, in fact, be ‘shady’.
Why did Martin not request access to the tenant list when Danielle first went missing? Why was his decision not to investigate the limited residents of the building whose premises she never left? I have further questions but, all of them are theoretical. This links back to the requests made upon the reader; we are required to shut our eyes to obvious flaws within the story in the hopes of simply enjoying the ride. I, unfortunately, could not. Had I been someone who could willfully suspend my disbelief then I might have longed to read the next chapter wherein Emma tells us, yet again, how she is reading about apps. Or, I might have been totally fine with the fact that Martin was standing near the base of the paper mill with the knowledge that human remains were found not far along in the river — choosing instead to believe that human teeth could be found within a river bed without the involvement of criminal activity. Please, explain to me what that means.
When all is said & done, I am left disheartened. I was looking forward to reading this book. I was very appreciative of the opportunity to review an early copy of the work but, I am truly disappointed in how it approached many a subject matter. There was so much potential for a riveting story to be told. Chase installing plumbing throughout the entirety of the cellar was banal. Danielle not killing Chase, instead choosing to run up the ladder she had never laid eyes on, was frustrating. A cop being able to afford luxury apartments in the city is unbelievable. An Irish ghost with magic powers was the least outer-worldly thing to present itself in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Land of Oz LLC & Cailyn Lloyd for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Update (8 avril 2022): Lloyd has reached out to me regarding the comments I have made & which you will see in the following paragraphs. I am very grateful for friendly, cordial conversations that we can have amongst each other — whether we are in agreement or not — & she has advised me that the representation of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) within the story has been altered so as to be more sensitive & accurate, which I am very much appreciative for. Should you have come across my review please note that the impressions I have of the author are of someone who seeks to do the right thing; someone who is open to discussion, critiques & learning. These are qualities that we would all do well to maintain within ourselves. Thank you to Lloyd for her kind email & for her efforts made towards some of the points listed below.
I am first going to highlight an aspect of this story that left me feeling disappointed: the inclusion of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). I am not someone who is personally or professionally in a position to make remarks on the authentic representation of Dissociative Disorders & therefore, my comments should be recognized as coming from someone who read through this book without personal or educational weight to back my impressions & opinions.
With all the politically correct vocabulary that I can muster, I must ask: what in the world was the purpose of having Emma, a ghost, self-diagnosed herself with Dissociative Identity Disorder? What was the tangible, essential, profoundly necessitating reason for this to have been included, whatsoever, within a story which dealt with a group of individuals who were all so far out of their depths in every way imaginable? Was there not a single individual along the line of the process to which this book resulted in the hands of a reader who asked: why would the inclusion of DID as being something that Emma ‘chose’ to have happened to her be a positive aspect to include in this story?
My reason for being so bewilderingly astounded at the inclusion of Dissociative Identity Disorder in this plot comes down to the way it was presented. Emma is a ghost who wallows in the halls of the apartment complex, previously a paper mill. She is one of many paranormal phenomena which plague the building. The reader becomes aware of several other ghosts, two (2) of which are bound to the confines of particular apartment units due to reasons beyond their understanding. What is revealed to us is that these ghosts never actually haunted the building. Frank & Tommy were in fact personality states adopted by Emma in what she self-proclaims as being dissociative episodes. Again, I am not a seasoned doctor or medical professional who can readily speak on the complexities of DID. However, what I can say is that writing a character as being someone who ‘chose’ to dissociate; who ‘chose’ to adopt alternative personality states; who ‘chose’ to be able to call on these personality states at the drop of a hat, is beyond insensitive & irresponsible.
One does not ‘choose’ to adopt a Dissociative Disorder. A quick search through various reputable peer-reviewed works would lead one to understand the basics of this very debilitating & complex disorder. I want to highlight this part within the story because there are people in this world who will read this book & be left feeling a great deal more misunderstood than they did before. It is in no way correct nor appropriate to include DID in the ways that it was within this story.
There are ample aspects of this story to critique. I went into this book hoping that I would come across a horror that riddled the paranormal within states of lived reality. Unfortunately, what I came across was the repeated lunacy of every character within the story. Starting with Lili, a psychic medium who has been in the industry for many years yet tosses herself at every wall behind which she hopes houses a ghost. It was incredible to read about a person we are supposed to view as a seasoned professional only for her to step right into the tracks of someone who has no idea what they are doing. Every instance saw Lili astral project into situations that she knew nothing about. Simply hoping that you might encounter the spirit of a person whom you read about does not mean that you will. Being a ‘professional’ you would know that preparation & forethought are essential. This character did not read as being a person capable of making their own independent decisions but rather, as an individual who might succeed by chance alone.
Chase, our obvious antagonist whom no one wanted to acknowledge as being the villain until it posed a problem to their ludicrous logic; a cop turned serial killer. We revisit medical diagnostics in this character which provided nothing to the individual save for an ‘edge’ which was never revisited after expression. A quick search of the American Psychiatric Association’s definition explains that Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder which: “[…]people have recurring unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that make them feel driven to do something repetitively (compulsions).” That being said, what part of Chase fit that description or any of the following body of the text provided by the Association? Indicating that a character was inclined to double-bolt their doors does not indicate that they are experiencing OCD.
This book tosses around mental diagnostics as though these are adequate ways of completing a character chart. Chase was someone who experienced the desire to torture, murder, degrade, etc. Can that be accurately linked to him having OCD or would this be an indicator of the pathological condition known as psychopathy?
This book asks the reader to forgive & look past decisions that the author made in an attempt to cushion the jaded edges of the plot. Are we really meant to believe that people living in exuberantly expensive apartments would not want to have surveillance cameras in the hallways? In what world do the wealthy not care to keep their homes safe? I see no logical thought behind that decision-making process. You have literal art dealers living in one of the larger units & I refuse to believe that they would so willfully disregard the safety of their person & that of their possessions.
At the end of the day, it didn’t matter if the hallways had surveillance cameras or not, Martin was as useless as wings on a rock. Every single decision that this character made, or failed to make, was stunning. I kept wondering when someone (anyone) was going to make a logical decision that would actually base some of this story within the confines of reality. I chose to proceed in my reading after being bewildered into oblivion on multiple occasions because I really wanted to see where this story went; when would advanced mental stamina prevail? For the love of all that is good in the world; we had to read about a character saying, & I quote: “A cop was the polar opposite of shady.” Was this meant to be read ironically? I’m not here to harp on the profession of any law enforcer but, if the years of prevailing social media have highlighted anything it is in fact that policing bodies can, in fact, be ‘shady’.
Why did Martin not request access to the tenant list when Danielle first went missing? Why was his decision not to investigate the limited residents of the building whose premises she never left? I have further questions but, all of them are theoretical. This links back to the requests made upon the reader; we are required to shut our eyes to obvious flaws within the story in the hopes of simply enjoying the ride. I, unfortunately, could not. Had I been someone who could willfully suspend my disbelief then I might have longed to read the next chapter wherein Emma tells us, yet again, how she is reading about apps. Or, I might have been totally fine with the fact that Martin was standing near the base of the paper mill with the knowledge that human remains were found not far along in the river — choosing instead to believe that human teeth could be found within a river bed without the involvement of criminal activity. Please, explain to me what that means.
When all is said & done, I am left disheartened. I was looking forward to reading this book. I was very appreciative of the opportunity to review an early copy of the work but, I am truly disappointed in how it approached many a subject matter. There was so much potential for a riveting story to be told. Chase installing plumbing throughout the entirety of the cellar was banal. Danielle not killing Chase, instead choosing to run up the ladder she had never laid eyes on, was frustrating. A cop being able to afford luxury apartments in the city is unbelievable. An Irish ghost with magic powers was the least outer-worldly thing to present itself in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Land of Oz LLC & Cailyn Lloyd for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2022
Lili, a psychic, moves into the mill to try and connect with the ghosts there ... namely Emma, a woman who died in an awful accident. Lili starts to realise there's pure evil in the mill, both evil and human...
Oh I loved this book! It had me gripped from start to finish, and made me feel chills at parts! This author is incredibly talented, and make a story that is terrifying and yet absolutely brilliant. I can't wait to read more of their work!
Oh I loved this book! It had me gripped from start to finish, and made me feel chills at parts! This author is incredibly talented, and make a story that is terrifying and yet absolutely brilliant. I can't wait to read more of their work!
May 16, 2022
My first book by Cailyn Lloyd was Shepherd’s Warning and I loved it. I am excited to share my thoughts about The Mill. I love the blend of a serial killer and ghosts, Cailyn Lloyd did it very well.
Chase Riddell has OCD. When something is out of place, no matter how small a change, he will notice. He has secrets and will kill to keep them.
Lili knew spirits hung at the Mill and she wanted to speak to them. She is a psychic and owner of Revelations, a metaphysical store. She doesn’t have to physically visit a place. She can astral travel.
Emma, a spirit who resides at The Mill found out Chase Riddell’s secrets, and she felt she had to do something about it. She loves to read and really gets ‘into’ it. I thought the way she did it was so cool. She loves TV and movies. She is a great character, and they more I read, the more interesting she became.
Martin is the police detective on the case.
We know the villain and what is happening, but it doesn’t lessen the suspense. A serial killer who revels in his ‘job’, but there is so much more going on than the serial killer’s story. I am only halfway through and I cannot put it down.
I wonder about Chase, I wonder about Eamon and Frank and Emma, the ghosts.
The Mill is a riveting novel, filled with suspense, and the pacing makes me read word after word, page after page, chapter after chapter, never wanting to stop. The original concept for the ghosts had me smiling and cringing and I never would have guessed how it would be wrapped up.
I loved it so much, I hope there will be another book. We could have Martin, Lily and Emma functioning as a crime solving team. Do you have an idea lingering in the back of your mind, Cailyn? Are the characters still talking to you?
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Mill by Cailyn Lloyd.
Chase Riddell has OCD. When something is out of place, no matter how small a change, he will notice. He has secrets and will kill to keep them.
Lili knew spirits hung at the Mill and she wanted to speak to them. She is a psychic and owner of Revelations, a metaphysical store. She doesn’t have to physically visit a place. She can astral travel.
Emma, a spirit who resides at The Mill found out Chase Riddell’s secrets, and she felt she had to do something about it. She loves to read and really gets ‘into’ it. I thought the way she did it was so cool. She loves TV and movies. She is a great character, and they more I read, the more interesting she became.
Martin is the police detective on the case.
We know the villain and what is happening, but it doesn’t lessen the suspense. A serial killer who revels in his ‘job’, but there is so much more going on than the serial killer’s story. I am only halfway through and I cannot put it down.
I wonder about Chase, I wonder about Eamon and Frank and Emma, the ghosts.
The Mill is a riveting novel, filled with suspense, and the pacing makes me read word after word, page after page, chapter after chapter, never wanting to stop. The original concept for the ghosts had me smiling and cringing and I never would have guessed how it would be wrapped up.
I loved it so much, I hope there will be another book. We could have Martin, Lily and Emma functioning as a crime solving team. Do you have an idea lingering in the back of your mind, Cailyn? Are the characters still talking to you?
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Mill by Cailyn Lloyd.
August 15, 2022
4.5 stars
The Mill by Cailyn Lloyd is a psychological thriller.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Land of Oz LLC and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The Rock River Paper Mill was converted into condo's a number of years ago....but some of the original inhabitants stayed. There are four ghosts living within the walls, and for the most part, they keep to themselves. Emma floats rather freely among the main floors, but generally stays quiet. Tommy keeps an even lower profile. Frank has his own space too, but likes to scare people occasionally (and he's really freaking out one of the tenants). Eamon has the basement to himself, and he's been getting more adventurous, and mean. Eamon is also in contact with one of the tenants.
Lili is a psychic, and the main reason she moved to The Mill was to interact with ghosts that supposedly haunt the old building. She really hopes to meet Emma. But Lili discovers more than just a rather benevolent ghost. She discovers that one of the tenants is a serial killer. Needless to say, the police are a little skeptical when she approaches them.
Detective Martin Kettridge has been with the Ash Grove Police Department for many years, and although he doesn't believe in psychic phenomena, or ghosts, he is starting to feel that there may indeed be a serial killer on the loose, and evidence is pointing to The Mill. Perhaps Lili does have a bit of a gift.
My Opinions:
It looks like I may have to delve into some of this author's other works!
I really enjoyed this book. Some of the topics included rape, murder, and mental illness. In spite of that, the book felt like a light, fun read. I'm not sure how the author did that, or whether that was on me (sometimes my idea of entertainment is a little off). Perhaps it was the paranormal and psychic aspects that created this affect for me.
The actual story was told from multiple points of view, included the thoughts of the ghosts. This was really entertaining, and all of the characters were quite interesting.
I think my only complaint might be that the psychological disorders may have been portrayed a little "lightly". However, it worked well with the plot, and it is, after all, fiction.
Overall, it is not a deep read, but it was highly entertaining, and kept me glued from start to finish. I'm almost hoping that Lili and Martin come back in a sequel.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information and contact details), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
March 6, 2022
A nice ghost, an evil ghost, a psychic and a serial killer. The mill has a lot going on!
A fascinating book, told from the perspective of different characters. No slow spots, thoroughly engaging and great characters. Glad I had the opportunity to read the arc.
A fascinating book, told from the perspective of different characters. No slow spots, thoroughly engaging and great characters. Glad I had the opportunity to read the arc.
March 21, 2022
I know “fun” seems a strange word to associate with a book pulling on elements of the paranormal, thrills and horror, but Cailyn Lloyd’s work The Mill was just that. It’s a fun, quirky and oddly upbeat thriller about a psychic, serial killer and the ghosts that haunt an old paper mill.
The Mill is a heavily plot driven story that gives us only a quick glance into our main characters. They were written a bit one-dimensional but that’s expected with such a fast-paced and plot-centric book. I really liked Lili and thought she was written as an anti-type to a typical psychic character. She was unique and fiery. The story is told from multiple perspectives of ghosts, Lili, a serial killer named Chase and a police detective named Martin. This book could’ve definitely been darker and much more into the horror realm but it really only skimmed the surface of where it could’ve gone. I’m not sure if that was the author’s intent or not. I’d say it was more of a thriller and even in the grislier parts Lloyd doesn’t go into heavy detail or get terribly gory. I didn’t find myself scared during reading—although anytime a serial killer is presented it’s definitely startling.
I don’t want to give off the impression that this was rainbows and sunshine—there were very triggering elements in this one of murder, rape, mental health and trauma—but it was definitely on a gentler level than a lot of other books within this same genre or with similar themes. Overall the feel of it stayed optimistic, redemptive and hopeful. Also, unlike like so many horror books with tragic ends, this one had and ending much easier to digest.
A fast-paced and enjoyable read, I’d recommend this one for anyone who likes the idea of dabbling in a paranormal thriller without the overly triggering descriptions, gore or death of some of the others on the market.
Thank you to NetGalley and Land of Oz LLC for the advanced copy of this book
The Mill is a heavily plot driven story that gives us only a quick glance into our main characters. They were written a bit one-dimensional but that’s expected with such a fast-paced and plot-centric book. I really liked Lili and thought she was written as an anti-type to a typical psychic character. She was unique and fiery. The story is told from multiple perspectives of ghosts, Lili, a serial killer named Chase and a police detective named Martin. This book could’ve definitely been darker and much more into the horror realm but it really only skimmed the surface of where it could’ve gone. I’m not sure if that was the author’s intent or not. I’d say it was more of a thriller and even in the grislier parts Lloyd doesn’t go into heavy detail or get terribly gory. I didn’t find myself scared during reading—although anytime a serial killer is presented it’s definitely startling.
I don’t want to give off the impression that this was rainbows and sunshine—there were very triggering elements in this one of murder, rape, mental health and trauma—but it was definitely on a gentler level than a lot of other books within this same genre or with similar themes. Overall the feel of it stayed optimistic, redemptive and hopeful. Also, unlike like so many horror books with tragic ends, this one had and ending much easier to digest.
A fast-paced and enjoyable read, I’d recommend this one for anyone who likes the idea of dabbling in a paranormal thriller without the overly triggering descriptions, gore or death of some of the others on the market.
Thank you to NetGalley and Land of Oz LLC for the advanced copy of this book
April 18, 2022
I was blown away by this amazing story! Different spin on the ghost story where much of the narrative is from the ghosts themselves!! Emma is dead, she died at The Mill under unsafe circumstances when it was working mill in which she murdered in a horrible way. Over many years she saw The Mill go from a horrible hell hole to a comfortable set of upscale apartments.
Something terrifying is happening in one of them.
She needs to warn a medium Lili that lives in another apartment that someone is upsetting the ghost balance and peace in The Mill, one that also affects the living.
Emma isn’t the only trapped soul. There are many and one in particular is getting stirred up.
No spoilers, awesome, a mix of paranormal and a real life investigation of murders and who will believe who.
Enjoy, grab a copy, I can not recommend enough how much I loved this book!
Something terrifying is happening in one of them.
She needs to warn a medium Lili that lives in another apartment that someone is upsetting the ghost balance and peace in The Mill, one that also affects the living.
Emma isn’t the only trapped soul. There are many and one in particular is getting stirred up.
No spoilers, awesome, a mix of paranormal and a real life investigation of murders and who will believe who.
Enjoy, grab a copy, I can not recommend enough how much I loved this book!
May 4, 2022
THE MILL is a fun genre blend of supernatural, thriller and suspense. Cailyn Lloyd has created a whole world of possibilities in a single setting, complete with ghosts, psychics, killers, and SWAT teams. A unique take on the supernatural thriller, and one I hope we get to explore more in future installments.
April 18, 2022
Lili has moved into a spacious apartment in a converted paper mill & as well as the usual neighbours, Lili knows that there are spirits still present of those who died at the mill. As a psychic, Lili is soon trying to help her neighbours who are being haunted, but she doesn't expect to become involved in the hunt for a serial killer who also prowls the halls.
The plot is quite good with some interesting angles on hauntings: the ghosts at the mill seemed to be trapped in their own areas & very rarely interact with each other or the living. Emma is the main ghost who tries to contact Lili, but there's also Frank, Tommy, & Eamon. Lili is an okay main character, a bit bland & thinly drawn like most of the characters here, & I had to keep reminding myself that the detective, Martin, is supposed to be an attractive man in his late forties as his character at times felt like someone who was just doing desk duty for a few years until he can retire. There's also a few other mill tenants, uptight Raleigh (ex soldier) & his wife Olivia, & feisty lawyer Danielle who falls prey to serial killer incel, Chase.
There are one or two scenes which are quite graphic with violence & sexual assault. I thought the ending was a bit confusing to be honest & I'm not quite sure what the author was getting at, but overall it was a read which is a slightly different take on the usual crime thrillers.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Land of Oz LLC, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
The plot is quite good with some interesting angles on hauntings: the ghosts at the mill seemed to be trapped in their own areas & very rarely interact with each other or the living. Emma is the main ghost who tries to contact Lili, but there's also Frank, Tommy, & Eamon. Lili is an okay main character, a bit bland & thinly drawn like most of the characters here, & I had to keep reminding myself that the detective, Martin, is supposed to be an attractive man in his late forties as his character at times felt like someone who was just doing desk duty for a few years until he can retire. There's also a few other mill tenants, uptight Raleigh (ex soldier) & his wife Olivia, & feisty lawyer Danielle who falls prey to serial killer incel, Chase.
There are one or two scenes which are quite graphic with violence & sexual assault. I thought the ending was a bit confusing to be honest & I'm not quite sure what the author was getting at, but overall it was a read which is a slightly different take on the usual crime thrillers.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Land of Oz LLC, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
February 2, 2023
Ever see the Micheal J Fox movie "Frighteners"? That's exactly what this would be like if Micheal J Fox's role was played by a young woman, Jake Bussey's character was an Irish ghost, and his human accomplice was a serial rapist/killer. Ok maybe it's not all that similar, but i loved that movie and really liked this book, so it's a fair comparison..More of a detective story than a horror one, so unfortunately this won't deliver the scares.
April 20, 2022
Had the honor of reading an ARC for blurb and this was a blast! Lloyd always creates some of the darkest settings and scenarios!
March 7, 2022
A fun and thrilling read about the human and the paranormal occupants of The Mill, an old paper mill converted to apartments.
A psychic has moved into the building, to the annoyance of the ghosts livings there. She is interested in contacting them, and befriends a neighbour whose spouse doesn't look too kindly on the whole affair. Then, another woman from the building goes missing, and the ghosts give clues to the medium who then approaches the police. The police are unsure of whether they should trust the medium. One ghost is unsure if the medium is trustworthy, and after certain events, the medium isn't sure she can trust the ghosts! This thrilling ride will leave you satisfied and wanting more. Hopefully there will be more books of the cop-psychic duo to come.
A psychic has moved into the building, to the annoyance of the ghosts livings there. She is interested in contacting them, and befriends a neighbour whose spouse doesn't look too kindly on the whole affair. Then, another woman from the building goes missing, and the ghosts give clues to the medium who then approaches the police. The police are unsure of whether they should trust the medium. One ghost is unsure if the medium is trustworthy, and after certain events, the medium isn't sure she can trust the ghosts! This thrilling ride will leave you satisfied and wanting more. Hopefully there will be more books of the cop-psychic duo to come.
March 5, 2022
Lili, a psychic, buys an apartment in a renovated mill that is rumored to be haunted. She spends time trying to contact the spirits that inhabit the halls. She finds ghosts and a new friend, Olivia. A woman in the building is kidnapped by a resident who is a serial killer. Emma, one of the resident ghosts, contacts Lili to try and save her before it’s too late.
I really liked this book. It has everything a good ghost story should have. I liked the characters and the descriptions of the mill now and before it was renovated . If you enjoy a well written ghost story, you will enjoy this book. I couldn’t put it down.
I really liked this book. It has everything a good ghost story should have. I liked the characters and the descriptions of the mill now and before it was renovated . If you enjoy a well written ghost story, you will enjoy this book. I couldn’t put it down.
March 13, 2022
I could not put this book down. It was great! Loved the characters and felt they were well developed in a short amount of time. A psychic, a few ghosts and a serial killer all coexisting under one roof. Loved the interaction and great ending.
June 7, 2023
This is one that I'm questioning if I read the same book as everyone else who's ratings I viewed (after finishing it). My main issue wasn't the fact that the killer was "given" to us right from the start, so there was no real "mystery" here--just inept and eye-rolling antics, but rather the fact that all kinds of psychological labels were attached to characters (many that did NOT even seem to have any connection). OCD, for example, does not necessarily imply one is going to be a serial killer simply because they double lock their doors. The worst was the information at the end (which I won't spoil) that I found truly "unrealistic" and simply unnecessary. When I say "unrealistic" here, I'm taking into account that ghosts are real, the police detectives are really THAT inept, and a "professional psychic" performs nothing like a professional....anything.
I did finish this book, looking for something redeeming at the end, or a fancy twist. Sadly, the ending was "worse" in my opinion, than the beginning.
**Everyone's opinion is valid. This is only my personal experience with this novel.**
I did finish this book, looking for something redeeming at the end, or a fancy twist. Sadly, the ending was "worse" in my opinion, than the beginning.
**Everyone's opinion is valid. This is only my personal experience with this novel.**
December 2, 2024
Suspenseful ghost story
This turned out to be a pretty good story with most of the characters being super likable! I enjoyed getting to know them. I really liked Lili, Emma, Olivia, and Martin. This was a fun book to read! The suspense and intensity really ramps up towards the end. I felt like the vivid and graphic descriptions gave this story a very lively quality. I enjoy the author's style of writing. It's not overly complex which helps to make the story easier to follow. This book was impossible to put down the closer I got to the end. I needed to keep reading because I just had to know how everything was going to turn out. I'm glad I discovered this author a few years back (shout out to Book Sirens) and I definitely look forward to reading more of her books in the future!
This turned out to be a pretty good story with most of the characters being super likable! I enjoyed getting to know them. I really liked Lili, Emma, Olivia, and Martin. This was a fun book to read! The suspense and intensity really ramps up towards the end. I felt like the vivid and graphic descriptions gave this story a very lively quality. I enjoy the author's style of writing. It's not overly complex which helps to make the story easier to follow. This book was impossible to put down the closer I got to the end. I needed to keep reading because I just had to know how everything was going to turn out. I'm glad I discovered this author a few years back (shout out to Book Sirens) and I definitely look forward to reading more of her books in the future!
August 10, 2025
Such a weird concept for a book and I can see why it might be hit or miss for some readers, but for me it worked! I loved the blend of supernatural and thriller, and thought it was done quite well, it kinda reminded me a little of Noelle Ilhi’s ‘Ask for Andrea���. Were the characters a little kooky? Yes. Did I need to suspend reality a little to enjoy it? Yes… but it was a fun, tense, edge of your seat, what the heck is going to happen next kinda read… and hey, I liked it!
March 31, 2022
The Mill is a unique take on a haunted house story combined with a suspense/thriller story.
The setting is an old paper mill converted into an apartment complex with some hidden surprises. I liked how there are glimpses of the setting as the mill from the past and also to present times as an apartment complex. The places important to the story are detailed enough to give the reader a good idea on the surrounding area but not overly detailed enough to drag the story down.
There are many points of view in the story but each character is easily defined from one another. The author did a good job giving each character their own voice which helped progress the story. It was easy to jump between characters and almost read like a suspense movie. Between ghosts and the killer's perspective, the story is entertaining and fast paced during some points. With so many characters being introduced initially, the first ten percent of the book can be a bit confusing but all the characters sort themselves out pretty fast.
The Mill is a good story if you are looking for a dark suspense/thriller story but also don't want something too dark. It is a good middle ground for filling the need for a serial killer story without being overwhelmingly terrifying. I think the ghosts really helped lighten the mood of the story a bit. Emma's ghostly struggles were pretty entertaining and her backstory was tragic. This would make a good starting point for someone interested in reading horror books or would be an interesting spin for suspense/thriller readers looking for a change of pace.
Trigger warnings: sexual assault, rape, molestation, violent injuries
The setting is an old paper mill converted into an apartment complex with some hidden surprises. I liked how there are glimpses of the setting as the mill from the past and also to present times as an apartment complex. The places important to the story are detailed enough to give the reader a good idea on the surrounding area but not overly detailed enough to drag the story down.
There are many points of view in the story but each character is easily defined from one another. The author did a good job giving each character their own voice which helped progress the story. It was easy to jump between characters and almost read like a suspense movie. Between ghosts and the killer's perspective, the story is entertaining and fast paced during some points. With so many characters being introduced initially, the first ten percent of the book can be a bit confusing but all the characters sort themselves out pretty fast.
The Mill is a good story if you are looking for a dark suspense/thriller story but also don't want something too dark. It is a good middle ground for filling the need for a serial killer story without being overwhelmingly terrifying. I think the ghosts really helped lighten the mood of the story a bit. Emma's ghostly struggles were pretty entertaining and her backstory was tragic. This would make a good starting point for someone interested in reading horror books or would be an interesting spin for suspense/thriller readers looking for a change of pace.
Trigger warnings: sexual assault, rape, molestation, violent injuries
March 31, 2022
The Mill is a unique take on a haunted house story combined with a suspense/thriller story.
The setting is an old paper mill converted into an apartment complex with some hidden surprises. I liked how there are glimpses of the setting as the mill from the past and also to present times as an apartment complex. The places important to the story are detailed enough to give the reader a good idea on the surrounding area but not overly detailed enough to drag the story down.
There are many points of view in the story but each character is easily defined from one another. The author did a good job giving each character their own voice which helped progress the story. It was easy to jump between characters and almost read like a suspense movie. Between ghosts and the killer's perspective, the story is entertaining and fast paced during some points. With so many characters being introduced initially, the first ten percent of the book can be a bit confusing but all the characters sort themselves out pretty fast.
The Mill is a good story if you are looking for a dark suspense/thriller story but also don't want something too dark. It is a good middle ground for filling the need for a serial killer story without being overwhelmingly terrifying. I think the ghosts really helped lighten the mood of the story a bit. Emma's ghostly struggles were pretty entertaining and her backstory was tragic. This would make a good starting point for someone interested in reading horror books or would be an interesting spin for suspense/thriller readers looking for a change of pace.
Trigger warnings: sexual assault, rape, molestation, violent injuries
The setting is an old paper mill converted into an apartment complex with some hidden surprises. I liked how there are glimpses of the setting as the mill from the past and also to present times as an apartment complex. The places important to the story are detailed enough to give the reader a good idea on the surrounding area but not overly detailed enough to drag the story down.
There are many points of view in the story but each character is easily defined from one another. The author did a good job giving each character their own voice which helped progress the story. It was easy to jump between characters and almost read like a suspense movie. Between ghosts and the killer's perspective, the story is entertaining and fast paced during some points. With so many characters being introduced initially, the first ten percent of the book can be a bit confusing but all the characters sort themselves out pretty fast.
The Mill is a good story if you are looking for a dark suspense/thriller story but also don't want something too dark. It is a good middle ground for filling the need for a serial killer story without being overwhelmingly terrifying. I think the ghosts really helped lighten the mood of the story a bit. Emma's ghostly struggles were pretty entertaining and her backstory was tragic. This would make a good starting point for someone interested in reading horror books or would be an interesting spin for suspense/thriller readers looking for a change of pace.
Trigger warnings: sexual assault, rape, molestation, violent injuries
July 24, 2022
I have read the last three books by Cailynn Lloyd and I have loved her writing style and she spins a good yarn that make you care for the characters even when put in impossible situations. She has a way of making you so invested that every turn of the page yearns you to continue on your journey and you can’t veer away from the story.
The Mill is no different and I have to say, this is one of my favourites of hers. With its extraordinary plot that meshes together horror, spirituality, crime and mystery into a well constructed ball. This shouldn’t really work due to all its moving parts but it does and this is to Lloyd’s incredible strong characterisations, plotting and intriguing story telling.
The plot is well delivered and gives the reader so much twists and turns that they feel like they are stuck in a maze. The author masterfully takes the reader by the hand and leads them through this maze to the point you feel like she has spun you off course. Stay with her because eventually you will see the light and step into the brilliance of the careful articulate world she has produced.
The characters are very strong and not a weak character amongst them. Lili, Martin and Emma work as a great team but come with an inner depth seldom found in a book of this ilk. Chase is deliciously horrible and you want to reach into this world and physically take out your anguish on him. Lloyd does something else here which many writers have a time doing and she gives her secondary and third characters so much sole that everyone here is a three dimensional well rounded character.
Lloyd has delivered another surefire winner and one that will bring even more phrase to her back catalogue that is already full of gems. Her writing gets better and more secure with each instalment and she is going to be one to watch.
Overall, with her strong plotting, characters you invest in, tangled plotting that is masterfully untangled by the end. This is a highly recommended read and one that will attract all genres due to its many great cross plotting meshing. A pure outstanding winner from a very accomplished writer.
The Mill is no different and I have to say, this is one of my favourites of hers. With its extraordinary plot that meshes together horror, spirituality, crime and mystery into a well constructed ball. This shouldn’t really work due to all its moving parts but it does and this is to Lloyd’s incredible strong characterisations, plotting and intriguing story telling.
The plot is well delivered and gives the reader so much twists and turns that they feel like they are stuck in a maze. The author masterfully takes the reader by the hand and leads them through this maze to the point you feel like she has spun you off course. Stay with her because eventually you will see the light and step into the brilliance of the careful articulate world she has produced.
The characters are very strong and not a weak character amongst them. Lili, Martin and Emma work as a great team but come with an inner depth seldom found in a book of this ilk. Chase is deliciously horrible and you want to reach into this world and physically take out your anguish on him. Lloyd does something else here which many writers have a time doing and she gives her secondary and third characters so much sole that everyone here is a three dimensional well rounded character.
Lloyd has delivered another surefire winner and one that will bring even more phrase to her back catalogue that is already full of gems. Her writing gets better and more secure with each instalment and she is going to be one to watch.
Overall, with her strong plotting, characters you invest in, tangled plotting that is masterfully untangled by the end. This is a highly recommended read and one that will attract all genres due to its many great cross plotting meshing. A pure outstanding winner from a very accomplished writer.
September 25, 2022
I’m always up for a good ghost, and this one doesn’t disappoint. With the perfect eerie setting of The Mill, an old paper mill that has been repurposed into apartments. Old buildings usually have secrets and this one is no exception, that is precisely what draws in Lilli, a budding psychic, who is interested in connecting with the spirits of the Mill. Most notably, Emma, who plunged to her death after falling through a trap door, and being shredded to death by a giant paper shredder. Not all secrets are old though, and Lilli discovers that there is a real life evil that may be operating in the Mill with deadly consequences. This was a perfect moody book with just the right amount of suspense and danger. There is always a little truth even in fiction, and this is true with this story, with a sadistic rapist on the loose who has evaded detection and secretly been killing women for months. I sped right through this story because it was fun to read. Thank you to Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2022
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
love a good ghostly thriller and this had all the elements for my enjoyment...ghosts, a psychic and haunted mill that has been transformed to liveable apartments with the added bonus of a serial killer
the psychic lili has bought one of the apartments in the transformed mill hoping that she can meet a ghost or two and spends most nights astro roaming in one of the corridors or two...so far she has sensed more than seen a ghostly apparition
unbeknown to all lives a killer at the mill and hes hunting another victim and he might just have another victim in mind
there are some gruesome aspects to this book but overall i thoroughly enjoyed this haunting thriller, will be adding this author to my list of growing authors to keep an eye out for
love a good ghostly thriller and this had all the elements for my enjoyment...ghosts, a psychic and haunted mill that has been transformed to liveable apartments with the added bonus of a serial killer
the psychic lili has bought one of the apartments in the transformed mill hoping that she can meet a ghost or two and spends most nights astro roaming in one of the corridors or two...so far she has sensed more than seen a ghostly apparition
unbeknown to all lives a killer at the mill and hes hunting another victim and he might just have another victim in mind
there are some gruesome aspects to this book but overall i thoroughly enjoyed this haunting thriller, will be adding this author to my list of growing authors to keep an eye out for
July 13, 2022
Part thriller, part ghost story, The Mill is an excellent read for those who enjoy a paranormal twist to their murder mysteries. The author does a great job with creating realistic characters, both the good and the bad. There were several points-of-view, but I never got confused.
Lili, the main character, stood out as a competent, independent woman who - despite her faults - remained likable. The villain of the book wasn’t likable to any degree (no surprise!) but I still enjoyed his part in the book since I wanted to see him taken down!
The only misgiving I had came towards the end. I thought it was slightly anti-climactic. A really good book will end with a bang. This came more as a muffled pop. It wasn’t bad; it just left me wanting something bigger.
Altogether, though, I enjoyed this book a great deal and will definitely read more of this author in the future.
Lili, the main character, stood out as a competent, independent woman who - despite her faults - remained likable. The villain of the book wasn’t likable to any degree (no surprise!) but I still enjoyed his part in the book since I wanted to see him taken down!
The only misgiving I had came towards the end. I thought it was slightly anti-climactic. A really good book will end with a bang. This came more as a muffled pop. It wasn’t bad; it just left me wanting something bigger.
Altogether, though, I enjoyed this book a great deal and will definitely read more of this author in the future.
July 6, 2024
This was fun to read.
April 7, 2022
The Mill follows psychic Lili, who lives in River Rock Mills, an apartment complex that used to be a paper mill. Throughout the book, Lili works with ghost Emma, who was killed in a terrible accident in the late 1800s to bring a serial killer in the mill to justice.
I had a fun time with this book! It was a little repetitive but the idea was super fun, I really didn’t find any characters too attachable, but there was so much action and a lot of blood, but not a lot of twists and turns - no big plot twists here, pretty straight forward!
I had a fun time with this book! It was a little repetitive but the idea was super fun, I really didn’t find any characters too attachable, but there was so much action and a lot of blood, but not a lot of twists and turns - no big plot twists here, pretty straight forward!
August 2, 2022
Fear the Dead. But Dread the Living.
The Mill is a heart-pounding work of horror with psychological thriller elements and a smidge of sweet romance. Cailyn Lloyd has a gift for creating potent scenarios and vigorous, memorable characters on either end of the good vs evil spectrum.
Lloyd, and by extension, her lead character, have done considerable research on the paranormal, spiritualism, and arcane lore in general, which I appreciate and demand from my reading matter. Lili's abilities as a medium and innate sensitivity to psychic phenomena and ghosts add an extra dimension to her character. I respect that she's not in it for the money, but has found a way to ethically earn a modest income.
I also envy her the ownership of an occult/new age store, well-stocked with many books and paraphernalia I'd love to get my hands on. I understand her yearning for respect. The only ones who believe in her are those she helps to contact lingering loved ones or rid their homes of hauntings. She wishes others would take her seriously.
But, she feels compelled to help ghosts find peace and help the living cope, so she continues her mission without that validation. She's admirably heroic.
When she moves into an upscale apartment in what was once a sprawling sweatshop-era textile mill, her talents are at once in demand. As a tool of her trade, she uses astral projection in the mill. Being able to travel between the material and ethereal planes comes in handy to locate not one, but several ghosts. While doing so, she puts herself in the awkward position of spying on her neighbors, which adds pivotal aspects to the plot.
But the real trouble comes when, while astrally investigating, she senses a malignant psychic disturbance at the mill. As the suspense builds, she and others are attacked and the real terror begins. There are fraughtful and tragic scenes which are only suitable for mature audiences. An exorcist and even the police are called in, but powerful forces threaten to deliver the living, including herself, into the intimate company of the dead.
The Mill is another top-notch thriller in Caitlyn Lloyd's growing body of work. I thank her, Land of Oz, and Goodreads for the gift of this book. Without any obligation, I'm recommending The Mill to any reader who appreciates ghost stories, thrillers, and psychological horror fiction. I hope there will soon be more titles featuring Lili!
The Mill is a heart-pounding work of horror with psychological thriller elements and a smidge of sweet romance. Cailyn Lloyd has a gift for creating potent scenarios and vigorous, memorable characters on either end of the good vs evil spectrum.
Lloyd, and by extension, her lead character, have done considerable research on the paranormal, spiritualism, and arcane lore in general, which I appreciate and demand from my reading matter. Lili's abilities as a medium and innate sensitivity to psychic phenomena and ghosts add an extra dimension to her character. I respect that she's not in it for the money, but has found a way to ethically earn a modest income.
I also envy her the ownership of an occult/new age store, well-stocked with many books and paraphernalia I'd love to get my hands on. I understand her yearning for respect. The only ones who believe in her are those she helps to contact lingering loved ones or rid their homes of hauntings. She wishes others would take her seriously.
But, she feels compelled to help ghosts find peace and help the living cope, so she continues her mission without that validation. She's admirably heroic.
When she moves into an upscale apartment in what was once a sprawling sweatshop-era textile mill, her talents are at once in demand. As a tool of her trade, she uses astral projection in the mill. Being able to travel between the material and ethereal planes comes in handy to locate not one, but several ghosts. While doing so, she puts herself in the awkward position of spying on her neighbors, which adds pivotal aspects to the plot.
But the real trouble comes when, while astrally investigating, she senses a malignant psychic disturbance at the mill. As the suspense builds, she and others are attacked and the real terror begins. There are fraughtful and tragic scenes which are only suitable for mature audiences. An exorcist and even the police are called in, but powerful forces threaten to deliver the living, including herself, into the intimate company of the dead.
The Mill is another top-notch thriller in Caitlyn Lloyd's growing body of work. I thank her, Land of Oz, and Goodreads for the gift of this book. Without any obligation, I'm recommending The Mill to any reader who appreciates ghost stories, thrillers, and psychological horror fiction. I hope there will soon be more titles featuring Lili!
March 26, 2022
I really wanted to like this story more than I did. I was hoping for a super spooky supernatural thriller.. A psychic moving into a super haunted building trying to make contact with the resident spirits sounded right up my alley... However everything felt very... I don't really know how to explain it but it felt off I guess. Emma the spirit that lives in the building is very aware of whats going on in the world around her. She is curious about books and computers, and in fact taught herself how to use a laptop and an Ipad. She reads books and likes to learn, which just seemed sort of weird for me...
At first Emma wants nothing to do with Lili our psychic.. But when Emma realizes that a very bad man is living in one of the apartments she waffles a bit about doing something, but ultimatly decides that she needs to find away to stop him...
Lili is supposedly a professional psychic, but seems to really have no idea what shes doing. She tries and fails multiple times to make meaningful contact with the spirits.. and doesn't realize when Emma is literally right next to her.. While she tries to be helpful when she can it seems like she messes up more than helps.
When everything is resovled at the end of the book Emma has some epiphanies about herself and they really didn't make any sense to me at all... I really didn't like or care about any of the characters, ..
However other people seemed to have really enjoyed this book, so this might have been more that book just wasn't for me..
At first Emma wants nothing to do with Lili our psychic.. But when Emma realizes that a very bad man is living in one of the apartments she waffles a bit about doing something, but ultimatly decides that she needs to find away to stop him...
Lili is supposedly a professional psychic, but seems to really have no idea what shes doing. She tries and fails multiple times to make meaningful contact with the spirits.. and doesn't realize when Emma is literally right next to her.. While she tries to be helpful when she can it seems like she messes up more than helps.
When everything is resovled at the end of the book Emma has some epiphanies about herself and they really didn't make any sense to me at all... I really didn't like or care about any of the characters, ..
However other people seemed to have really enjoyed this book, so this might have been more that book just wasn't for me..
March 20, 2022
I'm not sure what exactly I think of this supernatural thriller.
The concept I liked, but it felt a bit upbeat for the content. Some of the facts were a bit off, when it came to the law enforcement aspect. I have a criminology degree, so it was slightly vexing.
One of the main characters is supposedly a professional when it comes to her psychic abilities, has her own shop, yet everything she does is the opposite of what a professional would do.
The murderer was a typical misogynist. Some of the characters seemed immature for what their ages were, could have been the writing though.
I definitely think this could have been executed better, but it was still enjoyable.
The concept I liked, but it felt a bit upbeat for the content. Some of the facts were a bit off, when it came to the law enforcement aspect. I have a criminology degree, so it was slightly vexing.
One of the main characters is supposedly a professional when it comes to her psychic abilities, has her own shop, yet everything she does is the opposite of what a professional would do.
The murderer was a typical misogynist. Some of the characters seemed immature for what their ages were, could have been the writing though.
I definitely think this could have been executed better, but it was still enjoyable.
April 23, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book!
Before I start trigger warnings for: Sexual Assault, Murder, some gore
Edit: Cailyn Lloyd did actually reach out to me after reading my review and informed me that she changed the chapter with the mental health twist. I read the chapter, and the book has been updated with a new version where the character in question realized she did not have said mental disorder. I had read an old version of the book, and I apologize to Cailyn for this. Cailyn was very formal and very kind, and I appreciate an author who is willing to take on constructive feedback. I assume the new chapter is what was actually published. Therefore, I am bumping up my rating from a 3 star to a 4 star because that was what was holding me back. I look forward to supporting this author more!
Character: The characters were fine, but there's a mental health reason thrown in at the very end for one character (not the villain), and it made no sense. Honestly that being put in is going to turn people away. It was not necessary. It was like having the main villain having DID the entire time. There was no need for that twist, and all it's going to do is harm the book. The main villain was very easy to hate. I'm glad there was no attempt at trying to have him have a redemption arc at the end; there was no redeeming that. Lili as a main character was great I thought. I liked the Eamon as this chaotic neutral maybe leaning towards chaotic evil character. I wish I got more of him.
Atmosphere: I thought apartments that were once an old mill was a great setting for the book. I think Cailyn did a good job of setting that up.
Writing: The writing was fine. Honestly the book should've ended a few chapters back and didn't include the mental health twist that's just going to harm the book. This author should've edited this a bit better.
Plot: The plot was easy to follow. I could see more books about the psychic Emma in the future.
Intrigue: I was intrigued the entire way through about how the main villain was going to be caught. What was going to happen to his victims?
Logic: It's interesting to see a book that shows how a serial killer can get away with murder for so long. We've seen it time and time again in real life.
Enjoyment: I enjoyed it up until the last few chapters. The twist really brought this story down a star. I was confused as to why that was thrown in, and it really added nothing to the story. 3 stars. It was a fun thriller.
Before I start trigger warnings for: Sexual Assault, Murder, some gore
Edit: Cailyn Lloyd did actually reach out to me after reading my review and informed me that she changed the chapter with the mental health twist. I read the chapter, and the book has been updated with a new version where the character in question realized she did not have said mental disorder. I had read an old version of the book, and I apologize to Cailyn for this. Cailyn was very formal and very kind, and I appreciate an author who is willing to take on constructive feedback. I assume the new chapter is what was actually published. Therefore, I am bumping up my rating from a 3 star to a 4 star because that was what was holding me back. I look forward to supporting this author more!
Character: The characters were fine, but there's a mental health reason thrown in at the very end for one character (not the villain), and it made no sense. Honestly that being put in is going to turn people away. It was not necessary. It was like having the main villain having DID the entire time. There was no need for that twist, and all it's going to do is harm the book. The main villain was very easy to hate. I'm glad there was no attempt at trying to have him have a redemption arc at the end; there was no redeeming that. Lili as a main character was great I thought. I liked the Eamon as this chaotic neutral maybe leaning towards chaotic evil character. I wish I got more of him.
Atmosphere: I thought apartments that were once an old mill was a great setting for the book. I think Cailyn did a good job of setting that up.
Writing: The writing was fine. Honestly the book should've ended a few chapters back and didn't include the mental health twist that's just going to harm the book. This author should've edited this a bit better.
Plot: The plot was easy to follow. I could see more books about the psychic Emma in the future.
Intrigue: I was intrigued the entire way through about how the main villain was going to be caught. What was going to happen to his victims?
Logic: It's interesting to see a book that shows how a serial killer can get away with murder for so long. We've seen it time and time again in real life.
Enjoyment: I enjoyed it up until the last few chapters. The twist really brought this story down a star. I was confused as to why that was thrown in, and it really added nothing to the story. 3 stars. It was a fun thriller.
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