In the autumn of 1968, the bodies of six brothers were found hanging from Hollyhead's billboard dressed in white, flowing gowns. Their killer was never identified.
Twelve years later, another death has occurred. Will Metlocke, an author with seemingly psychic abilities, is called back to his hometown by his estranged father in a plea to help solve the murders. When Will finds an old friend who has apparently risen from the grave, he knows he must investigate. Only time is running out. Will has been diagnosed with cancer that he refuses to seek treatment for. He never planned to reconnect with his father, fall in love, and hunt a serial killer in his condition, but maybe to catch the Grimm Reaper, you must be pushed to the edge of death itself...
A dark psychological thriller where a fairytale ending was never on the cards...
Alright so I had originally rated this book 1 star and DNF. I decided I wasn’t a quitter and I went back and finished it, and I change my rating to 2 stars because the ending wasn’t too bad. The mind reading device idea threw me off from the get go. I personally wouldn’t consider this a dark psychological thriller. It felt too slow. Yea there was murder, and “dark” aspects but they feel so small and fleeting in the book. We spend so much time on parts like finding Lenora, or Frank, or how angsty and brooding Will is, that the murder mystery gets lost in the pages. It feels like there’s a lot of details where it isn’t important.
The character development just wasn’t there for me, and the plot was all over the place, and while I see how it all ties together at the end, these two things made it seem very jumbled while reading it. It was hard to keep interested in the story with the plot holes and bland characters and I found myself wondering “wtf is going on?” a lot of the time.
The culprit was predictable, but I thought the rest of the ending was nice.
We find the story of Will, a sarcastic man whose brilliance is and should be recognized, even tho he doesn't seem to feel like doing so himself. He goes back to his childhood village urged by his father and gets involved in a murder investigation of a serial killer who is apparently a big fan of the Grimm Brother's fairytales, where besides experiencing some traumatic events, gets to know himself better and makes so friends along the way. This first novel of the author is a work worth 5 stars and if I could give it a higher rating, I would.
I discovered this book via Tiktok's promise that it is a great book for those loving all things dark academia. And I have to say that it definitely wasn't false advertising.
I didn't really care that it was promoted as a 'Stephen King vibe', I was more attracted to the idea of a serial killer whose killing pattern wickedly resembles the Grimm's fairytales.
Though I wasn't a big fan of the whole 'a mind-reading device' idea, after a couple of chapters I was completely unbothered by it. And I suppose, it added that kind of modern steampunk vibe to it, which I am all here for.
I'm usually quite good at picking up on clues left throughout the book and I normally guess who the killer is, but this one surprised me. It kept me completely engaged with the story. Even when the killer has been discovered, the plot just kept giving - the main character's personal struggles and dramas that are well-rounded and fully presented throughout the novel.
I am a sucker for well-built characters and for characters who undergo realistic character development, and this book doesn't only have one character like that, all characters seem to follow that pattern, which made it seem so painfully real that I was immersed in the backstory and further development of every single character.
Let me tell you, this might actually be one of my favourite books from this year so far! It was AMAZING.
Right from the get-go, I was hooked and I knew I would devour this book in a day or 2. This is a phycological thriller based around the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. What’s not to like?!
It was gripping, engaging, plot driven and quite frankly bloody epic. I loved Will’s sarcastic character and he really grew on me right from the beginning. All the characters were so engaging but had you suspicious of them all at the same time! And my god, the twists!!! I swear the last 80 pages had me hooked and I couldn’t stop until I was finished. I genuinely couldn’t have thought of a better ending. It was just perfect.
I highly highly recommend to anyone looking for a new twist on a classic phycological thriller. I would really appreciate if you would check out this book. Seriously, Tom deserves the recognition!
It took me a second to write a review for this because I was trying to put my mind back together after finishing… As an avid reader, this is definitely one of my top reads from this year. The dialogue was witty and had me smiling or laughing out loud. The story itself has incredible pacing and almost forces you to keep going, not wanting to stop. It feels like a close relative of a Stephen King novel, so I fully recommend giving it a read if you’re into that sort of thing. (even if you’re not, still give it a go!) It’s one of those stories which really comes to life visually with characters who reflect small bits of yourself back to you in unexpected ways. 10/10!!
A remarkable story of crime, romance and resilience. Tom Prater has created a tale that entwines crime fiction with the gothic classics of the Brother’s Grimm.
Nuances of the 70’s with sleek gothic undertones, this is a psychological thriller that not only touches upon the supernatural but the heartbreaking realities of mortality and love. It’s a Lord Huron song in story form. Almost lyrical in its prose.
It’s emotionally charged from start to finish with a twist that will haunt you in more ways that one; Grimm’s Puppets will be with you long after you’ve turned over the final page.
I was kept up late, needing to get to the next chapter, and it was worth it. This book mixes the fairy tale and thriller elements perfectly, with characters that you really feel for. Can't wait to reread it!
I loved this book. So many twists and turns and I couldn’t put it down. The last 100 pages kept me on the edge of my seat. Well done Tom, I hope you keep writing as, if this book is anything to go on, you are a brilliant story teller.
This is a story of crime, mystery and romance. I was hooked from the first page. Extremely well written, descriptive, and fast paced enough that you don't want to put it down. The main character, Will, becomes a favourite from the very beginning. Every character was suspicious in their own way, full of secrets, living in a town with a very dark past. This book was full of gore and mystery, love and heartbreak, sarcasm and the supernatural. Twists and turns on every page, you never know what's coming next. This book was so captivating, I couldn't stop thinking about it for days after. It is impossible to put my love for this book into words. Tom, you are amazing. I can't recommend this book enough.
I received this in a Indie Subscription book box I had but have only just got to it, what I didn't relise was it was a local author to me and even found out he went to the school my little one is at. I went into this book blind, all I knew what that it sounded like the perfect spooky season book with the title.
I found this book at a little of everything with a horror/thriller and crime plotline, but then there is a paranormal side to it with ghosts and even a paranormal romance and then you can throw in some sci-fi to the mix, I found it was a really interesting and different with all the different genre blends. I also found all the different characters to be very relatable and very realistic.
We first find out that in the autumn of 1968, the bodies of six brothers were found hanging from Hollyhead's billboard dressed in white, flowing gowns, with their killer never being found.
Twelve years later, and another death has occurred. Will Metlocke, an author with seemingly psychic abilities, is called back to his hometown by his estranged father in a plea to help solve the murders. When Will finds an old friend who has apparently risen from the grave, he knows he must investigate. But time is running out, as Will has been diagnosed with cancer that he refuses to seek treatment for. He never planned to reconnect with his father, fall in love, and hunt a serial killer in his condition, but maybe to catch the Grimm Reaper, you must be pushed to the edge of death itself.
This was full of twists and turns and their is a number of trigger warnings that can be hard to process, I very much enjoyed this and was shocked with the ending, where I thought I had figured it out I didn't see alot of the things that came about, but I also feel Tom really showed what the 60s to the 80s was really like for those.
I will definitely be interested in what other book Tom brings out and I would recommend for you to give this a read.
I don't usually write reviews on here, but I simply must, so give me a moment to keep spoiler free.
I'm a fantasy reader, but omg, this was amazing. A psychological thriller set in the 70's, set in a small town, and the killings all follow the pattern of Grimm tales, let's just say I was hooked! It is written so well and conveyed realistic atmospheres. Someone has mentioned in their review but, the writing does really follow along the themes of morality and it something I would compare with Oscar Wilde (as I have read alot from him) but I know the writing has been compared to Stephen King. Every character is well developed and as a reader, there are so many humane traits for you to relate with.
There are definitely alot of twists and turns, the story is hauntingly good.
This may be one of my favourite books of all time. It is beautifully written and very unique. All characters are thoroughly thought out with their own back stories which makes it that much more interesting. The plot twists near the end are astounding and I honestly never seen a lot of it coming. For the last 100 pages i was unable to put it down! I can not recommend Grimm’s enough and have already started recommending to family and friends. It has massively helped in pulling me out of a reading slump.
Absolutely loved this book. It was a bit of a slow burn for me but well worth the read! I’m not a fan of long chapters but in this case it worked really well with the book. I loved the twists that came at me, added the greatness to the book. I usually always have an idea in mind who is the killer but had zero guesses when it came to this book!
The emotional rollercoaster this book took me on was insane 😩 excellent book with page turning plot twists; I’ll definitely be reading any work you may write in the future!
Now this is by far one of my favourite reads this year! The only reason it took me so long to read is because, you know, that thing called life was getting in the way.
It definitely gives me Stephen King vibes but yet it still feels like a very individualistic writing style. You never felt like any of the writing was written for the sake of writing it, everything had a purpose. The twists and turns kept coming which would explain why I was falling asleep later than I wanted to!
You can tell the plot was throughly thought out and if paid off! I was gripped throughout!
If you’re looking for a a psychological thriller based around Grimm’s fairytales with a sarcastic lead, then look no further!
But in all honesty, I can’t recommend this enough! @tompraterbooks - this was an incredible read! Thank you!
This is one of my favourite books I have ever read it's now going to be my new comfort book I can't even describe how this book made me feel thank you Tom
First things first, I’m Tom’s dad, nevertheless I am capable of objectivity. Grimm’s Puppets is a great story. I remember reading it the first time and I cannot agree more with the other reviewers that have posted to date. Tom has delivered a compulsive read that kept me hooked where many others fail. There is so much to admire in the idea, the telling, the characters, the twists, the darkness and grime of Holyhead and, like previous reviewers, the last 80-100 pages which are gripping, challenging, irresistible and push the reader from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other.
As his dad I’m concerned about some aspects of the protagonist’s relationship with his father and wonder where some of Tom’s ideas have come from but I’ll take those up with him another day! Today, I bathe in my son’s raw talent and know that you will not be disappointed should you pick up Grimm’s Puppets.
This book is a great example of a writer who has natural talent when it comes to writing and storytelling. As the authors first book, it does a great job to solidify not only his writing skills but his in-depth understanding of the genre. It is a masterclass in thriller storytelling.
The book does a great job of combining both the horror and thriller genre, with the use of of the Grimm fairytales adding a layer of horror and depth to a class thriller setting. Each character and their actions in the book are highly thought out, creating a great depth of development for each one, no matter how long they are in the story for. Each chapter is well set out, with each following on well from the last. This makes you excited to read on, and draws you in to the story.
This book is full of amazing twists and turns, and you never feel bored or uninterested when reading it. The reveal of the killer at the end, as well as the twist of the main characters love interest, lead to a satisfying conclusion. Each part of the story is well thought out, with even the killers backstory bringing another level to the story at the end. Each word keeps you enticed, and it's a book that you won't want to put down.
This book feels like the work of a seasons author, and it leaves you excited for whatever he may write next. It is a great example of fantastic storytelling, allowing the reader to visualise and step into the book as they are reading. I would definitely recumbent this book to anyone, especially those who enjoy a good thriller.
After leaving a hasty 5stars I had to come back and give a proper review because even days after reading I still think of this book as one of the best I read in 2022!
After several disappointing “booktok” recommendations it was a nice surprise that a book that filtered through to my FYP on Tiktok somewhat randomly would become one of my top reads of the year.
The story of Will Metlocke is wonderfully winding, emotive and compelling . I started it in November and somehow I put I down after the first chapter and didn’t pick up again until December where I read it in its entirety within 24hours! It kept me guessing and the last half I read in under four hours as I was glued to the page!
I usually highlight quotes when there’s a link between kindle and Goodreads but as I couldn’t here’s a two of my favourites (without giving anything away):
-“When it happens, you expect the sky to snap. You think it will all go dark like it’s the start of judgment day. The least you hope for is that someone will actually notice.” Which broke my heart.
-“The main reason I’m well known is because of my pettiness. It’s one of few consistent parts of who I am. Everything else changed.” This made me laugh out loud.
What a fabulous first novel. I look forward to reading many more by Tom Prater!
When I saw the marketing for this book on tiktok, I immediately knew I wanted to read it, and promised once I finished my dissertation on fairy tales, I would read it.
This was 100% worth the wait. I'm not much of a psychological thriller reader (I much prefer watching them) but Grimm's Puppets just introduced me to the genre in book form and I really enjoyed it.
Will being dragged back to his hometown to help solve murders from his past and now his present was super interesting to read. The intersecting storylines, developing relationships and complex connection to murders from his past had me hooked.
At times I had to put the book down, just to process what I'd read. I laughed, I gasped, even said "I knew it" once or twice (mainly being influenced by crime shows I had a suspicion of a character being linked to one of the murders), and then cried at the end.
I listened to some ambient noise with an eerie feel that definitely helped build tension in the final half of the book.
As an average reader it took me about 6-6.5 hours, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Will be adding to the list to reread again.
Grimm's Puppets is the debut novel from author Tom Prater, and upon finishing it I can honestly say I hope it is not his last! I enjoyed this book so much, I anticipate it becoming a reread in the not so distant future. This novel has a refreshing level of complexity, while also making clear connections between the characters, subplots and main storyline. I love a book where I can't guess the ending and am forced to anxiously ride the story to the end. And boy what a ride it was! A perfect combination of murder mystery, paranormal, folklore with a dash of romance. The characters are all so well developed, you're drawn into their feelings and experiences as if you were right there yourself. Incredibly clever writing, I would have pegged this as the work of a seasoned award-winning author and not a debut.
Thank you Tom, for the copy of Grimm's Puppets! I'll be eagerly awaiting more of your work!
I believe this is the authors debut novel and he shows great potential. The writing style washes over you and you became quite quickly invested. I didn’t predict the twist, which is something that has become easier these days, and I liked the characters and setting. I wanted to keep reading as soon as I had free time to find out how it ends.
However, there are 2 gripes I have with this book. The rewind device (the device that Will uses to see into a persons memories) is not really required. Will could have easily been psychic instead, which in all honesty is more believable, and would widen this books audience. The second gripe is the character of Eve, who I feel doesn’t serve any purpose to the story. The mending of broken bonds with other characters and Wills past would convey the same use. I don’t do spoilers so I’ll let you make your own minds up with that one.
Overall an enjoyable thriller, that had I had the time, I could have easily finished in one sitting. I will look out for more from this Author in the future
Alright you need to read this If you love murder mysteries, steven king, gripping storylines, witty banter, fairy tales, lines that tug on your heart strings, and just a well written book all around this book is for you. It kept me hooked from the beginning. I can show you the page and the line where i knew i would love the character of Will Metlock. I guarantee that you will not see the plot twist coming. I sure didn't. The book kept me on my toes and every time i thought "ill stop after this chapter the end would only spur me on. Its amazing to me that someones brain came up with this. The way everything ties together at the end is *chefs kiss* so satisfying This book deserves so much attention. Thank you Tom Prater
This book is so incredible! I was so engaged throughout the entirety of it - it felt like I could look up and I would be in Hollyhead. Really tough themes throughout the story that were written so incredibly well, grief being a major storyline that felt so raw and intense was so well written. I also really loved the reality of the relationship between the main character and his father, and all the aspects that were explored throughout that.
Will forever recommend this book to anybody that loves reading horror, especially 1980’s horror as it is a favourite sub genre of mine and Grimm’s Puppets is a new essential to the genre for me!