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The Serial Killer's Girl
Lexi Jakes thought she could run from her past.
But when her biological mother is found dead, strangled with a red silk scarf and holding a chess piece, Lexi knows that her worst nightmare has come true. Because the murder has all the hallmarks of her own serial killer father, renown strangler Peter Graves.
Now with her own precious daughter’s life in danger, Lexi will do anything to keep her child safe…she is her father’s daughter after all.
But when her biological mother is found dead, strangled with a red silk scarf and holding a chess piece, Lexi knows that her worst nightmare has come true. Because the murder has all the hallmarks of her own serial killer father, renown strangler Peter Graves.
Now with her own precious daughter’s life in danger, Lexi will do anything to keep her child safe…she is her father’s daughter after all.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
March 6, 2022
Either I dreamt it... but I swear I wrote a review for this already????
Writing: 2/5 | Plot: 2/5 | Ending: 1/5
THE PLOT
As the daughter of a convicted serial killer, Lexi is tryna live a normal life with her family. But when her bio mother murdered in the same fashion as her father's victims on the 20th anniversary of his last known kill, Lexi realizes she can't escape the past... And that she might be next.
MY OPINION
This started off strong (despite some THICC ass run-on sentences) but quickly fell apart. Half of the first 20% of the book is spent lamenting whether she should tell her baby daddy that her dad is a serial killer and someone is out for revenge. Girl, piss or get off the pot, for real. Also, I HATE sex scenes in books, especially when it's supposed to be a thriller/crime. Because unless someone's getting strangled to death during sex, it doesn't DO anything for the story. Keep it for the romance genre, plz.
The rest is more of the same: Lexi spinning her wheels and lots of run-on sentences. L.H. Stacey LOVES a good comma. If she could use a period more often, the writing quality would be much better. She's on the right track. But there's also a lot of "rain pounded on the window" type of writing aka first year fine arts major writing. I consider this better than closed-caption ass writing, obviously, but it's a far cry from being Shakespeare with the... keyboard? You know what I'm saying.
I love a serial killer story, and even better when the family is involved, but this one fell flat pour moi. It included some "lazy" thriller tropes such as surprise 23andme reveal and is he or isn't he cheating on me? NEXT.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Good premise
Cons: Poor execution, too many run-on sentences
Writing: 2/5 | Plot: 2/5 | Ending: 1/5
THE PLOT
As the daughter of a convicted serial killer, Lexi is tryna live a normal life with her family. But when her bio mother murdered in the same fashion as her father's victims on the 20th anniversary of his last known kill, Lexi realizes she can't escape the past... And that she might be next.
MY OPINION
This started off strong (despite some THICC ass run-on sentences) but quickly fell apart. Half of the first 20% of the book is spent lamenting whether she should tell her baby daddy that her dad is a serial killer and someone is out for revenge. Girl, piss or get off the pot, for real. Also, I HATE sex scenes in books, especially when it's supposed to be a thriller/crime. Because unless someone's getting strangled to death during sex, it doesn't DO anything for the story. Keep it for the romance genre, plz.
The rest is more of the same: Lexi spinning her wheels and lots of run-on sentences. L.H. Stacey LOVES a good comma. If she could use a period more often, the writing quality would be much better. She's on the right track. But there's also a lot of "rain pounded on the window" type of writing aka first year fine arts major writing. I consider this better than closed-caption ass writing, obviously, but it's a far cry from being Shakespeare with the... keyboard? You know what I'm saying.
I love a serial killer story, and even better when the family is involved, but this one fell flat pour moi. It included some "lazy" thriller tropes such as surprise 23andme reveal and is he or isn't he cheating on me? NEXT.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Good premise
Cons: Poor execution, too many run-on sentences
April 7, 2022
I went into this with an open mind and maybe it’s because I’ve read quite a few books similar to this one but I did not enjoy it very much. I feel like I’ve read better versions of this story.
Lexi Jakes biological mother turns up dead. She is found with a red scarf as well as a chess piece. This is the calling card of serial killer Peter Graves. Peter Graves is also Lexi’s father.
She thought she could hide from her past. She was wrong. Lexi goes on determined to protect her own daughter who is in danger.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Lexi Jakes biological mother turns up dead. She is found with a red scarf as well as a chess piece. This is the calling card of serial killer Peter Graves. Peter Graves is also Lexi’s father.
She thought she could hide from her past. She was wrong. Lexi goes on determined to protect her own daughter who is in danger.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
April 6, 2022
Lexi Jakes thought she could run from the past. But when her biological mother is found dead, strangled with a red silk scarf and holding a chess piece, Lexie knows that her worst nightmare has come true. Because the murder has all the hallmarks of her own serial killer father, renown strangler Peter Graves. Now with her own precious daughter's life in danger, Lexi will do anything to keep her daughter safe.
Lexi's dad was a serial killer and now someone is out to kill Lexi. Lexi is a journalist with a family of her own. Lexi has been raised by foster parents after her father's arrest. The pace is steady in this predictable read. Lexi makes decisions that are just plain stupid. The killer is using the same MO as her father did. After starting off strong the book went slowly downhill. There's not a lot of suspense either. I'm sure I will be in the minority and lots more readers will really enjoy it. I didn't dislike this book, there just wasn't enough suspense for my liking.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #LHStacey for my ARC of #TheSerialKillersGirl in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2022
(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a honest review)
Publication date: 27 April 2022
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Plot
Lexi Jakes believed she could escape the past. Lexie's biggest nightmare comes true when her biological mother is discovered dead, strangled with a red silk scarf and grasping a chess piece. The murder bears the MO of her father, infamous Peter Graves who was a serial killer then imprisoned. Now that her own precious daughter's life is in jeopardy, what would Lexi do?
Thoughts
I was so intrigued by the plot, especially as someone who spends a lot of time watching serial killer documentaries on Netflix.
The beginning was good but it reached a point where it was not fulfilling the thriller/suspense aspect of the book because it was predictable. I couldn't keep the interest in the book as the chapters were too long and slow. I also found some scenes unrelated to the plot and emphasis on the side characters is not needed such as the romance aspect.
Though, I did appreciate the serial killer's POV as it did help to at least know the killer's thoughts.
Publication date: 27 April 2022
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Plot
Lexi Jakes believed she could escape the past. Lexie's biggest nightmare comes true when her biological mother is discovered dead, strangled with a red silk scarf and grasping a chess piece. The murder bears the MO of her father, infamous Peter Graves who was a serial killer then imprisoned. Now that her own precious daughter's life is in jeopardy, what would Lexi do?
Thoughts
I was so intrigued by the plot, especially as someone who spends a lot of time watching serial killer documentaries on Netflix.
The beginning was good but it reached a point where it was not fulfilling the thriller/suspense aspect of the book because it was predictable. I couldn't keep the interest in the book as the chapters were too long and slow. I also found some scenes unrelated to the plot and emphasis on the side characters is not needed such as the romance aspect.
Though, I did appreciate the serial killer's POV as it did help to at least know the killer's thoughts.
March 3, 2022
I’m not sure I’ve ever been #1 to write a book review on a book before on NetGalley. So here goes … Lexi’s father is a serial killer and has been in jail for many years. Then all of a sudden her mom ends up murdered but her husband was in jail so he couldn’t have done it. Could it be a copycat killer? Poor Lexie just wants to protect her 2 year old daughter and had never even told her boyfriend all of her secrets. I thought I knew what was going to happen but it kept me guessing till the very last chapter. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like growing up with a serial killer as a father. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this early release in exchange for my honest opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2022
Serial killers fascinate me! I love reading about them and watching true-crime tv shows.
When Lexi was a young child, her father was convicted as a serial killer and sent to prison. She was protected as much as possible. Her name is changed and the rest of her childhood is typical. She becomes a reporter, meets Nate. They have a baby and life is good. Except her father is a notorious serial killer and she’s hidden this from everyone in your life, including Nate.
Secrets never stay buried and her past is rearing it’s ugly head. I enjoyed reading the detailed background the author provided about Lexi. I was captivated by the tangled mess she’d managed to weave and stayed engaged to find out if she could repair the chaos she created. But she was one of those characters you wanted to slap for continuously making bad choices!
By the end, I’d had enough of Lexi and her antics.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and the author for this complimentary ARC that was provided through NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion.
#theserialkillersgirl #lhstacey #boldwoodbooks #letstalkbookspromo #rachelsrandomresources #booktour #booktourstop #booktourhost #advancedreadingcopy #honestreview #usbookreviewer #bookreviewer #thrilleraddict #netgalley #bookandtonic
When Lexi was a young child, her father was convicted as a serial killer and sent to prison. She was protected as much as possible. Her name is changed and the rest of her childhood is typical. She becomes a reporter, meets Nate. They have a baby and life is good. Except her father is a notorious serial killer and she’s hidden this from everyone in your life, including Nate.
Secrets never stay buried and her past is rearing it’s ugly head. I enjoyed reading the detailed background the author provided about Lexi. I was captivated by the tangled mess she’d managed to weave and stayed engaged to find out if she could repair the chaos she created. But she was one of those characters you wanted to slap for continuously making bad choices!
By the end, I’d had enough of Lexi and her antics.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and the author for this complimentary ARC that was provided through NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion.
#theserialkillersgirl #lhstacey #boldwoodbooks #letstalkbookspromo #rachelsrandomresources #booktour #booktourstop #booktourhost #advancedreadingcopy #honestreview #usbookreviewer #bookreviewer #thrilleraddict #netgalley #bookandtonic
June 27, 2022
The Serial Killer’s Girl by L.H. Stacey is a psychological thriller.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Boldwood Books 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)
It's been 20 years since six-year old had Lexi watched her father being pulled out of their home by armed police. Peter Graves has been locked away since then, a serial killer behind bars.
Lexi now has a 2 year old daughter of her own, Isla. Other than her foster mother Maggie, and her foster brother Harry, no one knows her history, including Nate, who she's been in a serious relationship with for the past few years. Although Lexi loves him dearly, it never felt like the right time to tell Nate that her father was a serial killer.
When a copycat killing takes place, Lexi is in panic mode. The victim was strangled, a red silk scarf tied in an identical manner to the victims of her father, even with a chess piece left at the scene. The victim is Lexi's biological mother. Lexi runs home to her foster mother, taking Lexi, but leaving Nate to wonder what happened. She will do whatever it takes to keep her daughter safe.
My Opinions:
The book is about secrets. It is also about mental illness, although that isn't really mentioned.
The story was told from Lexi's perspective, and that of the killer. That was okay, but it was a bit boring.
I think the only character I liked was Maggie. Lexi was too paranoid, and when pressured, she just automatically caved in. No idea how this type of person could have kept a secret from Nate for so long...it doesn't ring true. As well, she just takes advantage of Maggie, and thinks only of herself and her daughter... no matter what she says, her actions prove she cares about no one else.
While the premise was good, and the pace fast, the story was too predictable. Nothing surprised me. As well, there were a lot of paragraphs that went on, and on, and on.....unnecessarily. Take a breath!
Overall, it was an okay read.
Here's hoping your next read is 5 stars!
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/
May 4, 2022
I love anything serial killer so this was a definite winner for me. The plotline had my attention from the very first page and I read it in one sitting.
Holy Island was the perfect setting, remote and very atmospheric. The characters well crafted, and the story is told from Lexi and the serial killer's POV.
You can't even begin to imagine how Lexi feels, knowing her father is a serial killer, and now not knowing who is coming after her.
Just when I thought I'd sussed it who the killer was, the ending came along and blew me away!
Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Holy Island was the perfect setting, remote and very atmospheric. The characters well crafted, and the story is told from Lexi and the serial killer's POV.
You can't even begin to imagine how Lexi feels, knowing her father is a serial killer, and now not knowing who is coming after her.
Just when I thought I'd sussed it who the killer was, the ending came along and blew me away!
Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 24, 2022
Mon avis en français
My English review
This synopsis intrigued me right away. The “serial killer’s daughter” aspect is appealing and I was curious to see how the author would handle this theme. But in the end it wasn’t what I expected.
Lexi is the daughter of a serial killer who was arrested. As a child, she was taken in by an orphanage with no contact with her biological mother. Since then, she has changed her name, married and had a child, away from the whole story. When a copy-cat kills her biological mother, Lexi understands that she is in danger. She decides to run away with her daughter, but nothing goes as planned.
I had a good time with the beginning of the novel, but then I had a hard time hanging on. The part about the relationship between Lexi and her husband takes up a lot of the story and I thought it was a shame. It’s not necessarily what I expected and the way he treats her annoyed me.
After a while, things also started to drag on and I preferred to give up…
My English review
This synopsis intrigued me right away. The “serial killer’s daughter” aspect is appealing and I was curious to see how the author would handle this theme. But in the end it wasn’t what I expected.
Lexi is the daughter of a serial killer who was arrested. As a child, she was taken in by an orphanage with no contact with her biological mother. Since then, she has changed her name, married and had a child, away from the whole story. When a copy-cat kills her biological mother, Lexi understands that she is in danger. She decides to run away with her daughter, but nothing goes as planned.
I had a good time with the beginning of the novel, but then I had a hard time hanging on. The part about the relationship between Lexi and her husband takes up a lot of the story and I thought it was a shame. It’s not necessarily what I expected and the way he treats her annoyed me.
After a while, things also started to drag on and I preferred to give up…
May 3, 2022
Serial Killer? Umm what? Do not be fooled by the title.
The description of this book was definatly intriguing, but that is about all the reader is left with.
Extremely dull, I felt like nothing happened. If you do happen upon this book, I guess you could read the first 2 chapters to get the jest: Lexie has a daughter with boyfriend Nate (possibly). Her dad was a serial killer, he is in prison. The book opens with her mother being killed. Lexie goes back to where she was raised in a foster home type situation. Nothing happens for the next 200 pages. You can find the ending in the last 30.
Not a surprise twist.
What this book left me with was. Lexie was very irresponsible and selfish and frankly irrational.
She never told Nate about who she really was (that she was a Serial Killer's daughter) she feels threatened that someone might know who she is and instead of *Gasp calling the police like any normal human being* she retreats without a word to Nate--really? who does that? Dumb characters I guess.
And can we please discuss the age of Isla? So she is 2 years old but at times she is treated and acts more like a 6-7 year old. Her vocabulary and ability to do things was beyond what any 2 year old can process. Except for the fact that she called the cat Agafa--eye roll
The food in this book bothered me too....I think the author was trying to let us know she was British. Eating "Eggy on Toast" and "Sausage and Beanies" I think at this point I may just be nit picking. But.....
They book was just a long drawn out process where nothing exciting happened. No suspense. Just a constant Lexie being super paranoid and making stupid decisions......
Sorry not a good read.
Thank you Net Gally for this advanced reader copy I was not influenced to write this review. This review reflects my honest opinion.
The description of this book was definatly intriguing, but that is about all the reader is left with.
Extremely dull, I felt like nothing happened. If you do happen upon this book, I guess you could read the first 2 chapters to get the jest: Lexie has a daughter with boyfriend Nate (possibly). Her dad was a serial killer, he is in prison. The book opens with her mother being killed. Lexie goes back to where she was raised in a foster home type situation. Nothing happens for the next 200 pages. You can find the ending in the last 30.
Not a surprise twist.
What this book left me with was. Lexie was very irresponsible and selfish and frankly irrational.
She never told Nate about who she really was (that she was a Serial Killer's daughter) she feels threatened that someone might know who she is and instead of *Gasp calling the police like any normal human being* she retreats without a word to Nate--really? who does that? Dumb characters I guess.
And can we please discuss the age of Isla? So she is 2 years old but at times she is treated and acts more like a 6-7 year old. Her vocabulary and ability to do things was beyond what any 2 year old can process. Except for the fact that she called the cat Agafa--eye roll
The food in this book bothered me too....I think the author was trying to let us know she was British. Eating "Eggy on Toast" and "Sausage and Beanies" I think at this point I may just be nit picking. But.....
They book was just a long drawn out process where nothing exciting happened. No suspense. Just a constant Lexie being super paranoid and making stupid decisions......
Sorry not a good read.
Thank you Net Gally for this advanced reader copy I was not influenced to write this review. This review reflects my honest opinion.
May 7, 2022
The Serial Killer’s Girl starts off really strong and pulls you in with a phenomenal prologue from the murderer’s point of view. Even though we know why they are committing the crime, we just don’t know who it is…yet.
Lexi Jakes would do anything to protect her family, except her significant other, Nate and her young daughter, Isla, really have no idea who she is as her world slowly starts to unravel and her buried secrets start to rise to the surface. I do have to say, I understand why Lexi was reluctant to let most people into her terrible past and it was easier to pretend to be normal. But, Lexi does not always seem to make the best choices during the course of this story and sometimes I felt like slapping her around. Get your act together! Geez!
The plot of the story is what really drew me in along with the serial killer aspect because - okay let’s just face it - I love books with serial killers in them. This particular serial killer is actually quite interesting because of how they are connected to Lexi's serial killer father, Peter Graves. How they both mirrored each other was quite interesting to read as they shared so many similarities even though this new serial killer would not think he/she was anything like Peter Graves.
I know this book is labeled as a thriller but I would definitely say it is more mystery with some thriller elements thrown in.
Lexi Jakes would do anything to protect her family, except her significant other, Nate and her young daughter, Isla, really have no idea who she is as her world slowly starts to unravel and her buried secrets start to rise to the surface. I do have to say, I understand why Lexi was reluctant to let most people into her terrible past and it was easier to pretend to be normal. But, Lexi does not always seem to make the best choices during the course of this story and sometimes I felt like slapping her around. Get your act together! Geez!
The plot of the story is what really drew me in along with the serial killer aspect because - okay let’s just face it - I love books with serial killers in them. This particular serial killer is actually quite interesting because of how they are connected to Lexi's serial killer father, Peter Graves. How they both mirrored each other was quite interesting to read as they shared so many similarities even though this new serial killer would not think he/she was anything like Peter Graves.
I know this book is labeled as a thriller but I would definitely say it is more mystery with some thriller elements thrown in.
Read
May 3, 2023Trigger & Content Warnings:
Murder of a mother by strangulation
Imprisonment of a parent for serial murders
Animal abuse
Murder of a mother by strangulation
Imprisonment of a parent for serial murders
Animal abuse
February 13, 2025
I thought the storyline was interesting and it held my attention right from the start. The background for the story was well explained and the main story was told from both the pov of the killer and the serial killer’s daughter. It kept me guessing right until the end.
April 22, 2022
I went into this book with an open mind and high hopes for the story as the premise was intriguing to say the least. And the setting...Holy Island, cut off from the mainland by a causeway that is only open twice a day when the tide recedes - atmospheric. I found myself googling Holy Island just to check it out via street view! Very definitely the perfect place for a chilling, sinister and atmospheric thriller. It had all the promise of one but, in the end, it failed to deliver. But having said that, I still enjoyed it...I just wasn't WOWed.
The main character, Lexi Jakes, is a journalist who really doesn't do much in that she could have had any occupation and ended up in the same predicament. The only tangible link between her and her occupation was that she got news of her biological mother's murder before it hit the press. And it was this news that sent her world into a complete tailspin and lead her to make some idiotic decisions. But that wasn't all...her mother was murdered in the same way her father had committed his crimes, with a red silk scarf and leaving a chess piece behind as a calling card. But her father, Peter Graves, has been serving a life sentence in prison for the past twenty years. So who could have committed this latest murder using his MO? Could it be someone known to him? Or a copycat?
Lexi is so disturbed by the news she rushes home where she processes it all via a bottle of wine...which is where Nate finds her when he gets in. Lexi's first thought is "Where's Isla?" (their two year old daughter) but is relieved when Nate informs her that she's at his mother's. Her first instinct as a mother is to protect Isla at all costs which is why she insists they bring her back home.
But the following morning, Isla is troubled when "Agafa" doesn't respond to her shaking the treat box before breakfast. And so Lexi begins the hunt for the kitten to appease her distraught daughter while Nate heads off to work. But Agatha is nowhere to be found. And then the doorbell rings with a delivery which Lexi assumes is for Nate. But it's the banging and mewling coming from her wheelie bin that Lexi rushing to free her distressed kitten...but she's shocked to discover the sight that greets her. A rather perturbed Agatha with a red silk scarf tied in a bow around her neck. Lexi drops the package she'd been holding which opens to reveal chess pieces. What the...?
Without a second thought, she hurriedly packs her, Isla and an unamused Agatha in her crate in the car and flees the home she had thought she was safe in. Under a new name, a new life...she thought no one could tie her to Peter Graves, the serial killer. But someone has...and has left a warning. So where does she go? To the only other place she felt safest - Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, a tidal island off the coast of Northumberland, and the foster home where she grew up. She and Isla will be safe there.
But...didn't she think that if the killer could find your new identity and where you now live, then surely they can figure out the first place you'd run to. And then there were the other decisions Lexi made, or non-decisions in some cases where she'd say one thing and do another. The only thing Lexi was consistent in was being inconsistent.
But she wasn't the only one that was inconsistent - the author was as well. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed THE SERIAL KILLER'S GIRL but the story as a whole was a tad convoluted with of lot of filler-fluff that didn't need to be there. It didn't even provide readers with red herrings to lead us astray. It just didn't go anywhere. The killer's chapters were too long, for a start, and too wordy and didn't need that amount of description. It is a case of less is more, in that respect. Just a few well placed sentences and nuances to keep readers guessing and the tension palpable.
And then there are the scenes which have no real bearing on the plot at all. Didn't even drop a little hint or a fabricated clue...they just didn't seem to have a place in the story and went nowhere. Again, less is more. On the whole, the book seemed to be too long and sluggish in parts with parts that could been editted down to keep the pace moving along and the reader engaged. Need I say it again? Less is more.
The concept was definitely intriguing but it has been done before a little more successfully. I did figure out the killer around 30% so it wasn't entirely a mystery but even after working it out, there was nothing happening to put me off the track or give me cause to question myself. A few well-placed red herrings would have kept things interesting. As it was, the killer was a tad obvious.
That aside, I did generally enjoy THE SERIAL KILLER'S GIRL but would have probably enjoyed it more had it been shorter and pacier. But I really did love the whole isolated setting of Holy Island which was incredibly atmospheric and really is the perfect place for a thriller.
Overall, the book had a lot of promise but was poorly executed. So much could have been editted out for a seamless, tense and chilling thriller. But I did enjoy it somewhat. It was a good read but not a great one.
I would like to thank #LyndaStacey, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheSerialKillersGirl in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
The main character, Lexi Jakes, is a journalist who really doesn't do much in that she could have had any occupation and ended up in the same predicament. The only tangible link between her and her occupation was that she got news of her biological mother's murder before it hit the press. And it was this news that sent her world into a complete tailspin and lead her to make some idiotic decisions. But that wasn't all...her mother was murdered in the same way her father had committed his crimes, with a red silk scarf and leaving a chess piece behind as a calling card. But her father, Peter Graves, has been serving a life sentence in prison for the past twenty years. So who could have committed this latest murder using his MO? Could it be someone known to him? Or a copycat?
Lexi is so disturbed by the news she rushes home where she processes it all via a bottle of wine...which is where Nate finds her when he gets in. Lexi's first thought is "Where's Isla?" (their two year old daughter) but is relieved when Nate informs her that she's at his mother's. Her first instinct as a mother is to protect Isla at all costs which is why she insists they bring her back home.
But the following morning, Isla is troubled when "Agafa" doesn't respond to her shaking the treat box before breakfast. And so Lexi begins the hunt for the kitten to appease her distraught daughter while Nate heads off to work. But Agatha is nowhere to be found. And then the doorbell rings with a delivery which Lexi assumes is for Nate. But it's the banging and mewling coming from her wheelie bin that Lexi rushing to free her distressed kitten...but she's shocked to discover the sight that greets her. A rather perturbed Agatha with a red silk scarf tied in a bow around her neck. Lexi drops the package she'd been holding which opens to reveal chess pieces. What the...?
Without a second thought, she hurriedly packs her, Isla and an unamused Agatha in her crate in the car and flees the home she had thought she was safe in. Under a new name, a new life...she thought no one could tie her to Peter Graves, the serial killer. But someone has...and has left a warning. So where does she go? To the only other place she felt safest - Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, a tidal island off the coast of Northumberland, and the foster home where she grew up. She and Isla will be safe there.
But...didn't she think that if the killer could find your new identity and where you now live, then surely they can figure out the first place you'd run to. And then there were the other decisions Lexi made, or non-decisions in some cases where she'd say one thing and do another. The only thing Lexi was consistent in was being inconsistent.
But she wasn't the only one that was inconsistent - the author was as well. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed THE SERIAL KILLER'S GIRL but the story as a whole was a tad convoluted with of lot of filler-fluff that didn't need to be there. It didn't even provide readers with red herrings to lead us astray. It just didn't go anywhere. The killer's chapters were too long, for a start, and too wordy and didn't need that amount of description. It is a case of less is more, in that respect. Just a few well placed sentences and nuances to keep readers guessing and the tension palpable.
And then there are the scenes which have no real bearing on the plot at all. Didn't even drop a little hint or a fabricated clue...they just didn't seem to have a place in the story and went nowhere. Again, less is more. On the whole, the book seemed to be too long and sluggish in parts with parts that could been editted down to keep the pace moving along and the reader engaged. Need I say it again? Less is more.
The concept was definitely intriguing but it has been done before a little more successfully. I did figure out the killer around 30% so it wasn't entirely a mystery but even after working it out, there was nothing happening to put me off the track or give me cause to question myself. A few well-placed red herrings would have kept things interesting. As it was, the killer was a tad obvious.
That aside, I did generally enjoy THE SERIAL KILLER'S GIRL but would have probably enjoyed it more had it been shorter and pacier. But I really did love the whole isolated setting of Holy Island which was incredibly atmospheric and really is the perfect place for a thriller.
Overall, the book had a lot of promise but was poorly executed. So much could have been editted out for a seamless, tense and chilling thriller. But I did enjoy it somewhat. It was a good read but not a great one.
I would like to thank #LyndaStacey, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheSerialKillersGirl in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
April 27, 2022
I received a copy from Boldwood Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lexi Jakes has been running from her past for a long time. Working as a journalist and currently living with her boyfriend and their daughter, hardly anyone knows that she’s the daughter of Peter Graves, a well-known convicted serial killer. Not even her boyfriend knows. Everything changes when the murder of her biological mother hits the news cycle. The clencher? Whoever did it is a Peter Graves copycat and they’re sending him a message.
We follow Lexi Jakes and the copycat killer whose identity isn’t revealed until later through rotating POV chapters. The most we know about the copycat killer for a long while is that they are the sister of Peter’s final victim. Other than knowing the copycat killer is unhinged right off the bat because they’re killing people, it’s clear that they are completely unhinged and not caring that the damage they’re doing is hurting everyone the same way she was hurt.
Meanwhile, Lexi spends a lot of time debating on whether or not she is going to tell her boyfriend about her past. When I say a lot of time, I mean majority of the book is her going back and forth on it. Once she’s run off to seek the safety of the family that took her in and gave her a loving and stable home, she needed to tell her boyfriend right away or just accept it was not happening. Unfortunately, that was not the case and we just watch her fear take on different appearances while she argues with herself about what she should do.
This book has a lot of good points. However, the suspense was barely there, and personally, it missed the mark on being a thriller. I’m most disappointed by the climax of the story being totally glossed over. We build up to this big event, Lexi makes here way there and understandably has cold feet, and then the next chapter starts and skips straight over the actual event. The climax is not finding out who the killer is, either, so the whole book fizzled out once it just skipped straight over this very important meeting. The pacing was very slow as well, which would’ve worked well if the suspense made it into the story.
That said, I really enjoyed some of the characters and the initial worldbuilding is excellent. I could really see Lexi’s life and her surroundings the whole way through. Because of this, I’m looking forward to what the author comes up with in the future because I think they are capable of writing a very good thriller. Everything was there to make it happen in this book, but it just missed the mark by a little bit.
Lexi Jakes has been running from her past for a long time. Working as a journalist and currently living with her boyfriend and their daughter, hardly anyone knows that she’s the daughter of Peter Graves, a well-known convicted serial killer. Not even her boyfriend knows. Everything changes when the murder of her biological mother hits the news cycle. The clencher? Whoever did it is a Peter Graves copycat and they’re sending him a message.
We follow Lexi Jakes and the copycat killer whose identity isn’t revealed until later through rotating POV chapters. The most we know about the copycat killer for a long while is that they are the sister of Peter’s final victim. Other than knowing the copycat killer is unhinged right off the bat because they’re killing people, it’s clear that they are completely unhinged and not caring that the damage they’re doing is hurting everyone the same way she was hurt.
Meanwhile, Lexi spends a lot of time debating on whether or not she is going to tell her boyfriend about her past. When I say a lot of time, I mean majority of the book is her going back and forth on it. Once she’s run off to seek the safety of the family that took her in and gave her a loving and stable home, she needed to tell her boyfriend right away or just accept it was not happening. Unfortunately, that was not the case and we just watch her fear take on different appearances while she argues with herself about what she should do.
This book has a lot of good points. However, the suspense was barely there, and personally, it missed the mark on being a thriller. I’m most disappointed by the climax of the story being totally glossed over. We build up to this big event, Lexi makes here way there and understandably has cold feet, and then the next chapter starts and skips straight over the actual event. The climax is not finding out who the killer is, either, so the whole book fizzled out once it just skipped straight over this very important meeting. The pacing was very slow as well, which would’ve worked well if the suspense made it into the story.
That said, I really enjoyed some of the characters and the initial worldbuilding is excellent. I could really see Lexi’s life and her surroundings the whole way through. Because of this, I’m looking forward to what the author comes up with in the future because I think they are capable of writing a very good thriller. Everything was there to make it happen in this book, but it just missed the mark by a little bit.
May 5, 2022
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When I started reading “The Serial Killer’s Girl,” I had a lot of expectations. The book felt fresh because of its theme. Lexi’s father is a serial killer in prison, and now there is a copycat killer of him who is targeting Lexi and her family. I had never read this plot before and was excited to read it.
However, the book didn’t reach my expectations, and in the end, I thought it was average. The main issue I had with the story was the pacing. The story starts very nicely until Lexi goes to the Island with Isla. But, once they reach the Island, things slow down. Nothing thrilling happens, really, until the very end. The author repeatedly describes Lexi’s feelings of her fear for Isla and her life, which I felt was unnecessary.
Initially, I also liked how the author shifted perspectives between the killer and Lexi to amp the suspense. But, halfway into the story, I felt we didn’t learn anything new in the killer’s chapters. The killer keeps reminiscing about the past and always watching Lexi, but nothing new or suspenseful happens.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the drama between Lexi, Nate, and Harry. There were some shocking reveals that I did not anticipate. We even have creepy characters like Vicki, who made me uneasy because of the way she keeps showing up randomly. Moreover, the reveal, in the end, was unexpected, which made me appreciate the book and the way the author ended it.
Overall, “The Serial Killer’s Girl” is a decent thriller, but the pacing was slow for my taste.
May 2, 2022
I was intrigued by the synopsis, I love a good serial killer thriller, so I thought I'd give the book a go.
Lexi Jakes has been hiding the fact that she's the daughter of a serial killer for so long it feels like it's just going to be like that for the rest of her life. Unfortunately for her, someone kills her biological mother using her dad's MO, forcing her to flee to keep her young daughter safe. But the killer won't let things go and won't stop until Lexi is dead.
I felt for Lexi. She was only six years old when her dad was arrested and her mum abandoned her. All of that is hard enough, but a killer is after her too hellbent on revenge and all she wants to do is keep her daughter safe. I'll be honest, it took me a bit of time to warm up to her. There were a few times I found her a little whiny.
I loved the setting of Lindisfarne aka Holy island, which gets cut off from the mainland of Britain during high tide and there's only one road off the island. It added atmosphere and excitement to the story.
We have Lexi's perspective, but alongside, we have the killer's thoughts and feelings. I always enjoy peering inside the mind of a killer, seeing their motivations for their twisted deeds and how they justify things to themselves.
I will say this was slower paced than I expected it to be, which is not a bad thing, but I was expecting a faster pace with a bit more tension.
The Serial Killer's Girl is a slow burn, character driven thriller, perfect if you're looking for a bit of escapism.
Lexi Jakes has been hiding the fact that she's the daughter of a serial killer for so long it feels like it's just going to be like that for the rest of her life. Unfortunately for her, someone kills her biological mother using her dad's MO, forcing her to flee to keep her young daughter safe. But the killer won't let things go and won't stop until Lexi is dead.
I felt for Lexi. She was only six years old when her dad was arrested and her mum abandoned her. All of that is hard enough, but a killer is after her too hellbent on revenge and all she wants to do is keep her daughter safe. I'll be honest, it took me a bit of time to warm up to her. There were a few times I found her a little whiny.
I loved the setting of Lindisfarne aka Holy island, which gets cut off from the mainland of Britain during high tide and there's only one road off the island. It added atmosphere and excitement to the story.
We have Lexi's perspective, but alongside, we have the killer's thoughts and feelings. I always enjoy peering inside the mind of a killer, seeing their motivations for their twisted deeds and how they justify things to themselves.
I will say this was slower paced than I expected it to be, which is not a bad thing, but I was expecting a faster pace with a bit more tension.
The Serial Killer's Girl is a slow burn, character driven thriller, perfect if you're looking for a bit of escapism.
April 30, 2022
The Serial Killer’s Girl by L.H. Stacey is a gripping psychological thriller. The setting of this story is beautiful. I’ve never been to this area but I felt like I was there because this author transported me into this story and setting.
This story has quite a bit of tension. Lexi is in a situation I definitely wouldn’t want to be in. Trying to keep her past hidden and daughter safe causes a lot of tension in her relationships. Some of her decisions frustrated me but in the situation she was in, it made sense.
There was a bit of repetition in this book that I think could have been cut to make the story flow a bit better. I had a bit of trouble because sometimes it took me out of the story, but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment overall!
I had suspicions of who the murderer was but was taken by surprise by the reveal. The author takes the reader on a a twisting journey full of suspense and mystery until the final reveal.
I would recommend this one for psychological thriller fans. I think the characters were great and the plot was intriguing.
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and the author for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
This story has quite a bit of tension. Lexi is in a situation I definitely wouldn’t want to be in. Trying to keep her past hidden and daughter safe causes a lot of tension in her relationships. Some of her decisions frustrated me but in the situation she was in, it made sense.
There was a bit of repetition in this book that I think could have been cut to make the story flow a bit better. I had a bit of trouble because sometimes it took me out of the story, but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment overall!
I had suspicions of who the murderer was but was taken by surprise by the reveal. The author takes the reader on a a twisting journey full of suspense and mystery until the final reveal.
I would recommend this one for psychological thriller fans. I think the characters were great and the plot was intriguing.
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and the author for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
March 22, 2022
Lexi Jakes is on run when she finds out that her mother was murdered and found with a red scarf around her neck and a chess piece. It's the same way that her father used to kill women but he was in prison now. A copycat killer is on the loose and Lexi know that her two-year old daughter and herself are the next targets. She have nothing in her mind other than protecting her daughter.
The title, blurb and the start for the book are very interesting. I really had high expectations for this. It is too plain for a thriller. There are a lot of scenes which are not even related to the actual plot. With story going nowhere, this book seemed too long and too slow. There aren't many twists or turns to call it a thriller. There are many characters but no character have some importance other than Lexi.
Maybe I would have liked it if it is shorter with same plot or it is made interesting with some twists or turns. Anyways it is what it is and I am a little disappointed.
Thank you netgalley and Boldwood books for providing me with ARC.
The title, blurb and the start for the book are very interesting. I really had high expectations for this. It is too plain for a thriller. There are a lot of scenes which are not even related to the actual plot. With story going nowhere, this book seemed too long and too slow. There aren't many twists or turns to call it a thriller. There are many characters but no character have some importance other than Lexi.
Maybe I would have liked it if it is shorter with same plot or it is made interesting with some twists or turns. Anyways it is what it is and I am a little disappointed.
Thank you netgalley and Boldwood books for providing me with ARC.
October 19, 2022
A very gripping case of who is the copycat serial killer… Lexi is the daughter of an infamous serial killer and when her mother is found strangled to death, there are echoes of her father’s crimes, a copycat maybe? The clues are all there, but is Lexi the next target? Feeling unnerved that someone could be watching, Agatha, the family cat is found in the bin and round her next is a red silk scarf and a chess piece - the significance of which sends Lexi in a tailspin and she drops everything and takes Isla, her 2 year old daughter with her to the only place she feels safe - but is she safe?
The books has a very dark plot which twists and turns until the end as it tries now to ruin who is behind all of the murders. The only issue I had is that the ending was rushed and there was potential for making it a much better ending than the one given.
The books has a very dark plot which twists and turns until the end as it tries now to ruin who is behind all of the murders. The only issue I had is that the ending was rushed and there was potential for making it a much better ending than the one given.
March 8, 2023
I really did try at parts of this book to like it, but it was very hard to get through. A very drawn out, slow burn book. There was no character development. You didn’t get to know really any of the characters throughout the book to like or dislike any of them. Each storyline never really lead to anything and it was overall quite a let down. I did like Maggie’s character though and the idea of the island was nice. It felt like a Hallmark Christmas movie that tried to be a thriller but fell short. The entire Harry, Lexi and Nate story line was entirely angering and just wasn’t pulled together in a good way.
March 29, 2022
I really liked the plot line and the concept as a whole, but this was executed poorly.
The story was very predictable and the main character made some decisions that were just ridiculous. If the killer knows enough to find where you live, I'm sure they can figure out the first place you'd go.
The writing was very amateur. There was a lot of run on sentences and filler that just didn't need to be there. Some of that fluff could have been used to explain more about the father and what he did.
Overall, I liked it, but it could have been better.
The story was very predictable and the main character made some decisions that were just ridiculous. If the killer knows enough to find where you live, I'm sure they can figure out the first place you'd go.
The writing was very amateur. There was a lot of run on sentences and filler that just didn't need to be there. Some of that fluff could have been used to explain more about the father and what he did.
Overall, I liked it, but it could have been better.
March 31, 2022
I really liked the synopsis of this book, and thought it would be interesting to read a story where that family of a Serial killer is being hunted down as revenge. Unfortunately, I felt that the execution did not meet my expectation. I felt that the story dragged - it was repetitive & overly wordy. I struggled with remaining interested with this story - in the end, this book was just not for me.
Thanks to Boldwood Books & NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Boldwood Books & NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2022
I read the story and I found in some parts of the story it was hard for me to connect with the character, Lexi. The beginning of the story had Monotone feel to the narrative as she discussed in her mine all the things that happened around her. The plot of the story is a good idea for a thriller novel.
June 19, 2022
This was an interesting book about a serial killer's daughter. The twist in the book was unexpected. Things are not always what they seem even when you dealing with past horrors. Lexi Jakes loves her daughter and would do anything to protect her. This was a great book if you like suspense.
June 1, 2022
I would give it a 3.5. Story line was good. A lot of chatter, too much detail.
March 3, 2022
"Your life is about to end - you just don't know it yet, and once the tide comes in, you'll be trapped on the island... with no means of escape."
Oh. My. God. My head is spinning I did not expect that ending! EASILY one of my favourite thrillers now!
P.s. someone my baby Isla and "Agafa" Agatha the kitten a giant hug. if you know, you know they need it. :(
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers, Boldwood Books for providing me a digital ARC of this book. #TheSerialKillersGirl #NetGalley
Oh. My. God. My head is spinning I did not expect that ending! EASILY one of my favourite thrillers now!
P.s. someone my baby Isla and "Agafa" Agatha the kitten a giant hug. if you know, you know they need it. :(
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers, Boldwood Books for providing me a digital ARC of this book. #TheSerialKillersGirl #NetGalley
April 5, 2022
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley.
Lexi Jakes thought she could run from her past. But when her biological mother is found dead, strangled with a red silk scarf and holding a chess piece, Lexi knows that her worst nightmare has come true. Because the murder has all the hallmarks of her own serial killer father, renown strangler Peter Graves. Now with her own precious daughter’s life in danger, Lexi will do anything to keep her child safe…she is her father’s daughter after all.
This is not specifically spoiling anything but more of a warning to readers that do not like reading about people hurting animals. The characters were unlikeable and I did not find them to be relatable at all.
Lexi Jakes thought she could run from her past. But when her biological mother is found dead, strangled with a red silk scarf and holding a chess piece, Lexi knows that her worst nightmare has come true. Because the murder has all the hallmarks of her own serial killer father, renown strangler Peter Graves. Now with her own precious daughter’s life in danger, Lexi will do anything to keep her child safe…she is her father’s daughter after all.
This is not specifically spoiling anything but more of a warning to readers that do not like reading about people hurting animals. The characters were unlikeable and I did not find them to be relatable at all.
June 19, 2022
I liked the whole locked room, trapped on an island, secluded murder mystery. It it’s been less than a month since I read this book and writing the review, I cannot remember what happened.
April 25, 2023
I have to say, I wasn't impressed. Sometimes, it's hard reading books from UK authors, just because of the differences in format and grammar. But I don't think that contributed to my feelings, not here.
First, setting issues. I had a hard time picturing what was being described. Not necessarily because it wasn't described well, but because it felt separate from the story. One moment, we're waxing poetic about the sea and the beach, and then Lexi was worrying about Nate. And then she was reminiscing about the beach parties she used to go to, which had no segue and didn't fit her anxious, despondent mood. There were multiple parts that I had to stop, backtrack, and re-read, because I couldn't tell if I missed something, if there was a time jump, or what. For instance, the night she went to the beach (an illogical choice for someone who didn't want to be away from her daughter), she was walking and calling Nate and then walking some more and then feeling too isolated and running back, but not to the beach party, to the cottage. Why?? Seems more dangerous to be alone. And I just felt so out of sorts. The way it was written, I first thought it was maybe the next morning? And she had gone for a walk to ruminate on her feelings? But no, it was the same night. So, hard to follow timeline. And well described settings that didn't mesh with the story, with what was going on.
Also, repetitive at times. For instance, I saw some variation of, 'But I don't know how the killer will react', three times in a mere chapter and half. Like, I get it, you don't know how the killer is going to react. Stop telling me!
And I felt like the author was trying way too hard to mislead the reader. Trying to so obviously make it seem like something was wrong with Nate, only to deflect that he was maybe having an affair. Then Harry. Then one of the sisters. I know Lexi was paranoid and suspicious of everyone, but it came across too dramatic, too obvious. It was clear I wasn't supposed to follow those breadcrumbs, and I shouldn't know you misled me until after it is revealed.
Then, I get to the end, and I still have so many questions. So much was unanswered. Like, little things, sometimes, such as Harry helping Lexi look for Isla. He was supposed to be going to the other hospital, but when she headed home, she never called him off. She didn't even text to update him. Did he just go on his way, not knowing what was going on?? Some bigger things, such as Isla's parentage. Maybe not relevant to the story, but it seemed to jump from 'my life is going to sh*t' to 'want to have a wedding?' And again, I am left reeling. Also, left unsurprised. As to the killer, as to the truth about Melissa, as to pretty much all of the reveal. There was nothing shocking there. Maybe because the author tried a little too hard to mislead...?
First, setting issues. I had a hard time picturing what was being described. Not necessarily because it wasn't described well, but because it felt separate from the story. One moment, we're waxing poetic about the sea and the beach, and then Lexi was worrying about Nate. And then she was reminiscing about the beach parties she used to go to, which had no segue and didn't fit her anxious, despondent mood. There were multiple parts that I had to stop, backtrack, and re-read, because I couldn't tell if I missed something, if there was a time jump, or what. For instance, the night she went to the beach (an illogical choice for someone who didn't want to be away from her daughter), she was walking and calling Nate and then walking some more and then feeling too isolated and running back, but not to the beach party, to the cottage. Why?? Seems more dangerous to be alone. And I just felt so out of sorts. The way it was written, I first thought it was maybe the next morning? And she had gone for a walk to ruminate on her feelings? But no, it was the same night. So, hard to follow timeline. And well described settings that didn't mesh with the story, with what was going on.
Also, repetitive at times. For instance, I saw some variation of, 'But I don't know how the killer will react', three times in a mere chapter and half. Like, I get it, you don't know how the killer is going to react. Stop telling me!
And I felt like the author was trying way too hard to mislead the reader. Trying to so obviously make it seem like something was wrong with Nate, only to deflect that he was maybe having an affair. Then Harry. Then one of the sisters. I know Lexi was paranoid and suspicious of everyone, but it came across too dramatic, too obvious. It was clear I wasn't supposed to follow those breadcrumbs, and I shouldn't know you misled me until after it is revealed.
Then, I get to the end, and I still have so many questions. So much was unanswered. Like, little things, sometimes, such as Harry helping Lexi look for Isla. He was supposed to be going to the other hospital, but when she headed home, she never called him off. She didn't even text to update him. Did he just go on his way, not knowing what was going on?? Some bigger things, such as Isla's parentage. Maybe not relevant to the story, but it seemed to jump from 'my life is going to sh*t' to 'want to have a wedding?' And again, I am left reeling. Also, left unsurprised. As to the killer, as to the truth about Melissa, as to pretty much all of the reveal. There was nothing shocking there. Maybe because the author tried a little too hard to mislead...?
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