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Creep #2
Freak
Suspense magazine chose Jennifer Hillier’s “truly frightening” debut, Creep , as one of 2011’s best novels, while #1 bestselling author Jeffery Deaver cautioned “you better call in sick—you’re not going anywhere until you finish reading.” Now, Hillier returns to the Pacific Northwest college town where one killer’s stranglehold has ebbed . . . but another sick mind has waited for the perfect moment to pick up where the terror left off. Sitting alone in a maximum-security prison cell, Abby Maddox is a celebrity. Her claim to fame is the envy of every freak on the she’s the former lover of Ethan Wolfe, the killer who left more than a dozen dead women in his wake and nearly added Puget Sound State professor Sheila Tao to the tally. Now Abby, serving a nine-year sentence for slashing a police officer’s throat in a moment of rage, has little human contact—save for the letters that pour in from demented fans, lunatics, and creeps. But a new wave of murders has given Abby a possible chance for a plea bargain—because this killer has been sending her love letters, and carving a message on the bodies of the Free Abby Maddox . Jerry Isaac will never forget the attack—or his attacker. The hideous scarring and tortured speech are daily reminders that the one-time Seattle PD officer, now a private investigator, is just lucky to be alive. Abby Maddox deserves to rot in jail—forever, as far as Jerry’s concerned. But she alone may possess crucial evidence—letters from this newest killer—that could crack open the disturbing case. With the help of Professor Sheila Tao, seasoned police detective Mike Torrance, and intuitive criminology student Danny Mercy, Jerry must coax the shattering truth from isolated, dangerous Abby Maddox. Can he put the pieces together before Abby’s number one fan takes another life in the name of a killer’s perverted idea of justice?
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2012
1361 people are currently reading
24531 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Hillier
13 books17.2k followersJennifer Hillier imagines the worst about people, and then writes about it.
She's the author of seven psychological thrillers, including the USA Today, Toronto Star, and The Globe and Mail bestselling Things We Do in the Dark, winner of the ITW Thriller Award for Best Audiobook. Described as “an intoxicating thrill ride” by the New York Times and “propulsive and chilling” by People magazine, it was a Book of the Month Club selection, an Indigo Top Ten Best Book of the Year, an Amazon Editor’s Spotlight Pick, a Loan Stars pick, and her third consecutive novel to be honored as a LibraryReads pick, which places her in their Hall of Fame.
She's also published six other novels, including the USA Today bestselling Little Secrets (finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Anthony Award), and Jar of Hearts (winner of the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel and shortlisted for the Anthony and Macavity Awards). She also wrote Creep, Freak, The Butcher, and Wonderland, which have been recently reissued by Gallery Books in beautiful trade paperback formats. Her books have been published in twenty-four languages so far.
Jennifer is Filipino-Canadian, born and raised in Toronto, but she spent eight amazing years living in Seattle, which is where she first became a published author. She's a Seahawks fan who married a Packers guy, and they have a son in middle school who wishes she wrote books like Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series (she does too, kid, she does too).
She's afraid of the dark and can’t sleep unless she's checked the locks on the doors several times. She loves writing when it’s raining, sleeping when it’s sunny, and reading after everyone else has gone to bed. She's a cat person without a cat, which makes her sad. But she's now back in the Toronto area permanently with her family, which makes her happy.
Heart of Glass, her newest thriller, will be coming August 25, 2026 from Minotaur Books.
She's the author of seven psychological thrillers, including the USA Today, Toronto Star, and The Globe and Mail bestselling Things We Do in the Dark, winner of the ITW Thriller Award for Best Audiobook. Described as “an intoxicating thrill ride” by the New York Times and “propulsive and chilling” by People magazine, it was a Book of the Month Club selection, an Indigo Top Ten Best Book of the Year, an Amazon Editor’s Spotlight Pick, a Loan Stars pick, and her third consecutive novel to be honored as a LibraryReads pick, which places her in their Hall of Fame.
She's also published six other novels, including the USA Today bestselling Little Secrets (finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Anthony Award), and Jar of Hearts (winner of the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel and shortlisted for the Anthony and Macavity Awards). She also wrote Creep, Freak, The Butcher, and Wonderland, which have been recently reissued by Gallery Books in beautiful trade paperback formats. Her books have been published in twenty-four languages so far.
Jennifer is Filipino-Canadian, born and raised in Toronto, but she spent eight amazing years living in Seattle, which is where she first became a published author. She's a Seahawks fan who married a Packers guy, and they have a son in middle school who wishes she wrote books like Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series (she does too, kid, she does too).
She's afraid of the dark and can’t sleep unless she's checked the locks on the doors several times. She loves writing when it’s raining, sleeping when it’s sunny, and reading after everyone else has gone to bed. She's a cat person without a cat, which makes her sad. But she's now back in the Toronto area permanently with her family, which makes her happy.
Heart of Glass, her newest thriller, will be coming August 25, 2026 from Minotaur Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,688 reviews
April 5, 2019
Original book, "Creep", was much better. This one felt like a repeat of the first, with some variances, and it was easy to see most of the twists coming. Overall, my opinion is it would have been better to stick with one novel.
July 24, 2016
Firstly, I loved Creep which I read a while ago, and bought Freak soon after. Of course intending to read straight away. But as usual under pressure with so many authors and publisher books that have been sent to me, I had a lot of catching up on.
Jennifer Hillier wrote her debut author Creep a chilling and enthralling hit, a massive hit, I loved the book, but I think Freak just beats it.
Why, well so many layers to this book, great powerful returning characters from Creep, and some shockingly new ones.
Suspense magazine chose Jennifer Hillier’s “truly frightening” debut, Creep, as one of 2011’s best novels, while #1 bestselling author Jeffery Deaver cautioned “you better call in sick—you’re not going anywhere until you finish reading.” Now, Hillier returns to the Pacific Northwest college town where one killer’s stranglehold has ebbed . . . but another sick mind has waited for the perfect moment to pick up where the terror left off.
Sitting alone in a maximum-security prison cell, Abby Maddox is a celebrity. Her claim to fame is the envy of every freak on the outside: she’s the former lover of Ethan Wolfe, the killer who left more than a dozen dead women in his wake and nearly added Puget Sound State professor Sheila Tao to the tally. Now Abby, serving a nine-year sentence for slashing a police officer’s throat in a moment of rage, has little human contact—save for the letters that pour in from demented fans, lunatics, and creeps. But a new wave of murders has given Abby a possible chance for a plea bargain—because this killer has been sending her love letters, and carving a message on the bodies of the victims: Free Abby Maddox.
Jerry Isaac will never forget the attack—or his attacker. The hideous scarring and tortured speech are daily reminders that the one-time Seattle PD officer, now a private investigator, is just lucky to be alive. Abby Maddox deserves to rot in jail—forever, as far as Jerry’s concerned. But she alone may possess crucial evidence—letters from this newest killer—that could crack open the disturbing case. With the help of Professor Sheila Tao, seasoned police detective Mike Torrance, and intuitive criminology student Danny Mercy, Jerry must coax the shattering truth from isolated, dangerous Abby Maddox. Can he put the pieces together before Abby’s number one fan takes another life in the name of a killer’s perverted idea of justice?
A powerful sequel to Creep, with a fast paced, rollercoaster of a ride, twists that keep surprising you to the very end. Five stars.
Thanks again Jennifer for this great book, now I hope you will keep your promise to do the Q & A's for my group "A Good Thriller" on goodreads.com
Jennifer Hillier wrote her debut author Creep a chilling and enthralling hit, a massive hit, I loved the book, but I think Freak just beats it.
Why, well so many layers to this book, great powerful returning characters from Creep, and some shockingly new ones.
Suspense magazine chose Jennifer Hillier’s “truly frightening” debut, Creep, as one of 2011’s best novels, while #1 bestselling author Jeffery Deaver cautioned “you better call in sick—you’re not going anywhere until you finish reading.” Now, Hillier returns to the Pacific Northwest college town where one killer’s stranglehold has ebbed . . . but another sick mind has waited for the perfect moment to pick up where the terror left off.
Sitting alone in a maximum-security prison cell, Abby Maddox is a celebrity. Her claim to fame is the envy of every freak on the outside: she’s the former lover of Ethan Wolfe, the killer who left more than a dozen dead women in his wake and nearly added Puget Sound State professor Sheila Tao to the tally. Now Abby, serving a nine-year sentence for slashing a police officer’s throat in a moment of rage, has little human contact—save for the letters that pour in from demented fans, lunatics, and creeps. But a new wave of murders has given Abby a possible chance for a plea bargain—because this killer has been sending her love letters, and carving a message on the bodies of the victims: Free Abby Maddox.
Jerry Isaac will never forget the attack—or his attacker. The hideous scarring and tortured speech are daily reminders that the one-time Seattle PD officer, now a private investigator, is just lucky to be alive. Abby Maddox deserves to rot in jail—forever, as far as Jerry’s concerned. But she alone may possess crucial evidence—letters from this newest killer—that could crack open the disturbing case. With the help of Professor Sheila Tao, seasoned police detective Mike Torrance, and intuitive criminology student Danny Mercy, Jerry must coax the shattering truth from isolated, dangerous Abby Maddox. Can he put the pieces together before Abby’s number one fan takes another life in the name of a killer’s perverted idea of justice?
A powerful sequel to Creep, with a fast paced, rollercoaster of a ride, twists that keep surprising you to the very end. Five stars.
Thanks again Jennifer for this great book, now I hope you will keep your promise to do the Q & A's for my group "A Good Thriller" on goodreads.com
August 29, 2014
I couldn't wait to read "Freak", the sequel to "Creep", a suspense psychological thriller. Freak is Jennifer Hillier's follow-up to her thrilling debut, Creep, which featured serial killer Ethan Wolfe. This time someone is murdering high priced escorts and afterwards carving, 'Free Abby Maddox' on their backs.
Abby Maddox was Ethan's long-time girlfriend. She's serving a nine year sentence in a maximum security prison for attempting to murder a private investigator involved in tracking down Ethan. Private investigator Jerry Isaac has every reason to want Maddox to stay there, so why should he agree to her request to visit her in prison? Because Abby has agreed to help authorities to find the new serial killer, in exchange to work out a deal where she could be transferred to a low security facility, and reduce her sentence. But dismembered remains of fourteen homeless woman had been found in the walls of Ethan's basement. But what did Abby know?
Finding the murderer is Detective Mike Torrance's primary concern, with the assistance of Jerry Isaac, retired from the Seattle PD for two years now operating his own investigations company. Professor Shelia Taos, recovering sex addict, also returns in Freak, as well as her fiancé Morris Gardener.
This thriller will keep you turning pages late at night, trying to put all the pieces together. Although Freak could be enjoyed without first reading Creep, the books are connected so read Creep first if possible.
Abby Maddox was Ethan's long-time girlfriend. She's serving a nine year sentence in a maximum security prison for attempting to murder a private investigator involved in tracking down Ethan. Private investigator Jerry Isaac has every reason to want Maddox to stay there, so why should he agree to her request to visit her in prison? Because Abby has agreed to help authorities to find the new serial killer, in exchange to work out a deal where she could be transferred to a low security facility, and reduce her sentence. But dismembered remains of fourteen homeless woman had been found in the walls of Ethan's basement. But what did Abby know?
Finding the murderer is Detective Mike Torrance's primary concern, with the assistance of Jerry Isaac, retired from the Seattle PD for two years now operating his own investigations company. Professor Shelia Taos, recovering sex addict, also returns in Freak, as well as her fiancé Morris Gardener.
This thriller will keep you turning pages late at night, trying to put all the pieces together. Although Freak could be enjoyed without first reading Creep, the books are connected so read Creep first if possible.
April 7, 2023
Free Abby Maddox is what demented fans and followers have been posted. Readers will remember Abby Maddox from the first book in the series, Creep. She is serving time in a maximum-security prison.
A new wave or horrific murders of women is occurring with the victims having messages carved on their bodies. Jerry Isaac, the police officer whose throat was slashed by Abby Maddox is back along with Sheila Tao, the Puget Sound State psychology professor, whom readers also know from Creep. Along with detectives, they interact with Abby as well as the main suspect to try and put an end to the murders and find Abby’s connection to them, if any.
Like the first book in the series, I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration. I found this book to be gripping and tense. It is full of suspense, twists and turns and a shocking reveal.
Another enjoyable thriller from Hillier. She knows how to write dark, twisted and devious characters.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
A new wave or horrific murders of women is occurring with the victims having messages carved on their bodies. Jerry Isaac, the police officer whose throat was slashed by Abby Maddox is back along with Sheila Tao, the Puget Sound State psychology professor, whom readers also know from Creep. Along with detectives, they interact with Abby as well as the main suspect to try and put an end to the murders and find Abby’s connection to them, if any.
Like the first book in the series, I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration. I found this book to be gripping and tense. It is full of suspense, twists and turns and a shocking reveal.
Another enjoyable thriller from Hillier. She knows how to write dark, twisted and devious characters.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
December 14, 2024
Another solid thriller! While predictable, this was still a dark/entertaining read and was SUPER easy to get into since we already know (most) of the characters.
May 16, 2017
Freak is the follow-up standalone novel to Jennifer Hillier's debut: Creep and it's a whole new trip to crazy town! You will recognize all the characters but the feel of this story is much more detective fiction/serial killer thriller than the obsessive, psychotic love theme that was Creep.
Freak was suspenseful, mysterious, stomach turning as many serial killer novels are, and an entertaining revisiting of all the characters that made Creep so engaging...well except one. He's mentioned often enough though. If you enjoy thrillers with similar themes, I strongly recommend both Creep and Freak. Check them out!
My favorite quote:
"There's no end to the utter fuckery of the human race, pal."
My review for Creep:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
FAQ on Jennifer Hillier's website:
"Will there be a third book in the Creep series?
Here's the thing. It's not actually a series. Creep and Freak are both standalones. While Freak takes place after Creep in the same fictional Seattle world, the books have different protagonists and different villains. The series designations that appear on a few retailer sites are confusing, and I've been working with my publisher to correct that. You can read my books in any order. Think of it like Thomas Harris's Hannibal Lecter books (and movies) - same world, same characters, but you don't have to watch Red Dragon first to enjoy the Silence of the Lambs or Hannibal. That being said, there is a possibility that I might one day write a new story starring some of the characters from Creep and Freak. I never say never.
Okay, so I get that Creep and Freak aren't part of an ongoing series. But I'd still like to read your books in the order they were released.
I totally get it. The upside to doing it this way is you'll get all the "insider references" I like to drop in each of the books. Plus, characters from earlier books often make surprise appearances in later books, which can be more fun if you've already met them.
The release dates were:
Creep – 2011
Freak – 2012
The Butcher – 2014
Wonderland – 2015"
July 31, 2020
After loving Jennifer Hillier's recent novels, "Jar of Hearts" and "Little Secrets", I really wanted to check out her previous books.
I listened to "Creep", the first book in this series and really enjoyed it. I was excited to get my hands on this book next.
While I thought this was a decent story, I didn't like it as much as "Creep" and it seemed quite a bit more gruesome. I did enjoy hearing from some familiar characters though.
I thought the ending was a bit rushed and a few things were left unanswered. I'm wondering if there was going to be (will be?) another book in the series, which might be why things were left the way they were.
Jennifer Hillier is still one of my favorite authors and I'm excited to see what she writes next.
June 30, 2020
DNF'd at 52% complete via audiobook. The writing was on point, as all Hillier's novels have been, but none of the characters were likeable, even Dr. Sheila Tao. In the first book of the series, Creep, I had no issues with Tao, but the fact that she was able to keep her job at the University, despite sleeping with her graduate assistant, really rubbed me the wrong way in this novel. It felt wrong to me, and almost as though the fact that she was a female and sleeping with a male student made it more acceptable. I also HATED the voice of Detective Jerry, it was overly gravily and felt like nails on a chalkboard to listen to..i just couldn't do it. I also pretty much had it figured out despite not finishing. I'm glad Hillier moved on to different subject matter after this one.
November 17, 2024
I enjoyed this more then the 1st one!
August 17, 2012
The tagline that drew me to this book was, "What if Hannibal Lecter had been a woman?" Harris should sue over that. Lecter was a complicated character who managed to be almost likable despite being terrifying. Hillier's Abby is crazy-- the two have that in common-- but she lacks charm. She is manipulative and other characters fall for her beauty, but as a reader I never once liked or admired her. I didn't hate her. I was just bored by her. I knew immediately which character would be her "suprise" accomplice, and the two psychologists in the book knew less about human behavior and mental illness than an undergrad who's taken Abnormal Psych. The quality of the writing is mediocre at best.
I also want to note that this book plays into the crazy, sexually manipulative bisexual trope. Lecter's queerness didn't read as insulting because he was a fully-developed character whose sexuality was independent of his madness, whereas Hillier's Abby reads as a stock character-- and an insulting one at that.
I also want to note that this book plays into the crazy, sexually manipulative bisexual trope. Lecter's queerness didn't read as insulting because he was a fully-developed character whose sexuality was independent of his madness, whereas Hillier's Abby reads as a stock character-- and an insulting one at that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2024
Is it just me or was Sheila annoyingly whinny this time around? Maybe it was the narrator cuz her scratchy voice for Jerry was just as annoying. Such a shame cuz I liked her narration in the first book.
Also I guessed the twist of who helped Abby very early on.
Definitely my least favorite of Hillier's books so far.
Also I guessed the twist of who helped Abby very early on.
Definitely my least favorite of Hillier's books so far.
September 5, 2013
BR with Her Freaky Majesty!!!
The sequel to Creep is better IMO because it had the element of surprise: and no one, including me, knew who the murderer was.
Well-written characters, including the villains. I liked Jeremy. His insanity was quite believable. I would have been pleasantly impressed if
As for the ending, I'll just say it frustrated me. I expected justice, punishment and death. I just hope there's a sequel where I get those things because
February 8, 2023
4 Stars
Follow up book to Creep. Abby Maddox is arrested for multiple murders which she denies saying that her deceased boyfriend Ethan is the culprit.
In Freak someone starts killing call girls.
Jerry the retired detective and Sheila from book one team up again and ask for Abbys help to apprehend the latest killer.
Some new twists in this story made this a fast paced thriller.
Follow up book to Creep. Abby Maddox is arrested for multiple murders which she denies saying that her deceased boyfriend Ethan is the culprit.
In Freak someone starts killing call girls.
Jerry the retired detective and Sheila from book one team up again and ask for Abbys help to apprehend the latest killer.
Some new twists in this story made this a fast paced thriller.
November 11, 2012
There is going to be a reckoning for author Jennifer Hillier someday. One day, when her days are up on this mortal plain, she is going to have to answer to the dark gods with whom she made a deal to get her incredible writing powers. That's the only answer I can come up with for how she writes such gripping, approachable, moving and bold fiction.
I'm an avid reader of many genres; modern crime or psychological thrillers, are not within those categories of 'personal favorites'. Yet when it came to FREAK, I did not read it for a review, I did not read it because it was assigned to me, I did not pick it up as soon as I could because anyone wanted me to. I read it purely because I loved CREEP so much.
What Hillier does in this sequel is nothing short of breathtaking. Whereas CREEP was a story of madness, murder and the undefeated human spirit, FREAK is one of calm control, of inevitable outcome, of logic versus cunning guile...and then of madness and murder.
From the start we know what's coming. The reader spends the entire book right with the characters of Jerry and Sheila. We scream at them, beg them to run away from the madness of (soon to be legendary) villain Abby. But like us, they are powerless against the forces amassing.
Like us, they know right from the start, Abby Maddox is in control.
They stumble blindly through a series of grizzly murders, red herrings and personal drama that distracts them, and the reader, from the bigger picture.
The bigger picture? We're all just a moment away from madness, either in ourselves or in the very real possibility of the people around us.
I was skeptical when I heard Hillier was writing a sequel to CREEP. I was unsure she needed to continue the story left off with Dr. Shelia Tao (the most flawed yet relateable protagonist in the history of modern fiction)seeking rehab for her sex addiction and Abby Maddox taunting her from afar. But Hillier, another example of the most wonderful people being able to write the most horrible things, pulled together a master story that lays the groundwork for what could be even more in this series or, at the least, a strong sophomore entry into a burgeoning career.
In CREEP it is Tao's secrets that lead her down a dark path of destruction only after her lover, Ethan Wolfe's, own secrets come out. In FREAK, there are no more lies and secrets from our heroes. No more ducking about to hide anything. In this story, our villain has all the secrets, and in that way, all the power. It's an odd feeling of helplessness that stands in stark contract to the first book. As a reader, we didn't realize the power we had with our character's perspective. We were with Tao, strengthened by her will to survive, be it through attempts to protect her career, or flat out trying to stay alive. But now, we're all in this together.
And 'they' hold all the cards.
I'll leave this review with this thought. What is most bothersome about FREAK is that while the horror of CREEP takes place mainly in dark alleys and locked basements, FREAK's nightmare unfolds in hotels, jail waiting rooms, TV interviews. There is light, there are witnesses, there is hope and there is a strange feeling of security that is only mildly undercut by a knowing feeling of dread. We're never alone in Hillier's world, yet we're always vulnerable, we're always a target. We're always a potential victim.
Well done Jennifer Hillier. If you have the number of those dark gods, shoot it my way.
I'm an avid reader of many genres; modern crime or psychological thrillers, are not within those categories of 'personal favorites'. Yet when it came to FREAK, I did not read it for a review, I did not read it because it was assigned to me, I did not pick it up as soon as I could because anyone wanted me to. I read it purely because I loved CREEP so much.
What Hillier does in this sequel is nothing short of breathtaking. Whereas CREEP was a story of madness, murder and the undefeated human spirit, FREAK is one of calm control, of inevitable outcome, of logic versus cunning guile...and then of madness and murder.
From the start we know what's coming. The reader spends the entire book right with the characters of Jerry and Sheila. We scream at them, beg them to run away from the madness of (soon to be legendary) villain Abby. But like us, they are powerless against the forces amassing.
Like us, they know right from the start, Abby Maddox is in control.
They stumble blindly through a series of grizzly murders, red herrings and personal drama that distracts them, and the reader, from the bigger picture.
The bigger picture? We're all just a moment away from madness, either in ourselves or in the very real possibility of the people around us.
I was skeptical when I heard Hillier was writing a sequel to CREEP. I was unsure she needed to continue the story left off with Dr. Shelia Tao (the most flawed yet relateable protagonist in the history of modern fiction)seeking rehab for her sex addiction and Abby Maddox taunting her from afar. But Hillier, another example of the most wonderful people being able to write the most horrible things, pulled together a master story that lays the groundwork for what could be even more in this series or, at the least, a strong sophomore entry into a burgeoning career.
In CREEP it is Tao's secrets that lead her down a dark path of destruction only after her lover, Ethan Wolfe's, own secrets come out. In FREAK, there are no more lies and secrets from our heroes. No more ducking about to hide anything. In this story, our villain has all the secrets, and in that way, all the power. It's an odd feeling of helplessness that stands in stark contract to the first book. As a reader, we didn't realize the power we had with our character's perspective. We were with Tao, strengthened by her will to survive, be it through attempts to protect her career, or flat out trying to stay alive. But now, we're all in this together.
And 'they' hold all the cards.
I'll leave this review with this thought. What is most bothersome about FREAK is that while the horror of CREEP takes place mainly in dark alleys and locked basements, FREAK's nightmare unfolds in hotels, jail waiting rooms, TV interviews. There is light, there are witnesses, there is hope and there is a strange feeling of security that is only mildly undercut by a knowing feeling of dread. We're never alone in Hillier's world, yet we're always vulnerable, we're always a target. We're always a potential victim.
Well done Jennifer Hillier. If you have the number of those dark gods, shoot it my way.
April 10, 2025
Wow! I liked this one even better than Creep. While I did see one of the twists coming, I still enjoyed it thoroughly!
February 10, 2022
everything I've loved in jar of hearts and
wonderland - dark viscerality, toxic affairs,
crime and retribution - I found here too, so
i'll go on my ms. hillier backwards journey,
sure that I'll also love the first of the series.
wonderland - dark viscerality, toxic affairs,
crime and retribution - I found here too, so
i'll go on my ms. hillier backwards journey,
sure that I'll also love the first of the series.
November 8, 2025
3.75 stars—This is definitely a little gruesome at times, but still had to know what happened
August 25, 2014
Call it the sophomore curse. Call it the trilogy curse. Freak just went from interesting, genre challenging suspense series to full on Lifetime novel.
First of all. Mike Torrence is tearing up the floor boards, providing unintentional comic relief. If Torrence says "That could never happen!" while searching for a cigarette or a piece of nicorette, you can damn well believe it will happen and worse than Mike could have anticipated.
Second, LESBIANS ARE BAD especially sexual flexible lesbians like Abby Maddox. What could have been a creepy, nerve-wracking anticipation of payback devolves into a bisexual fuck-o-rama with Abby in firm control of all situations.
Third, the red herrings are ridiculously obvious. With in the first 50 pages, all one needs to do is say: what would be the most impossible yet oh-so-obvious scenario possible. Chances are, you will KNOW who causes all the problems.
Despite all of the above, Jerry Isaac as intelligent, insightful foil to Mike Torrence's ham-fisted detective works. Sheila Tao and Morris are kept from stealing center stage--this is Jerry's novel. I just wish he didn't need to pay such a huge price for such a trite story. He deserves better.
Lastly, the cliffhanger ending. No. Just no.
Despite this novel's readability, I wish it had fulfilled the promise of the first novel.
First of all. Mike Torrence is tearing up the floor boards, providing unintentional comic relief. If Torrence says "That could never happen!" while searching for a cigarette or a piece of nicorette, you can damn well believe it will happen and worse than Mike could have anticipated.
Second, LESBIANS ARE BAD especially sexual flexible lesbians like Abby Maddox. What could have been a creepy, nerve-wracking anticipation of payback devolves into a bisexual fuck-o-rama with Abby in firm control of all situations.
Third, the red herrings are ridiculously obvious. With in the first 50 pages, all one needs to do is say: what would be the most impossible yet oh-so-obvious scenario possible. Chances are, you will KNOW who causes all the problems.
Despite all of the above, Jerry Isaac as intelligent, insightful foil to Mike Torrence's ham-fisted detective works. Sheila Tao and Morris are kept from stealing center stage--this is Jerry's novel. I just wish he didn't need to pay such a huge price for such a trite story. He deserves better.
Lastly, the cliffhanger ending. No. Just no.
Despite this novel's readability, I wish it had fulfilled the promise of the first novel.
April 29, 2024
I enjoyed the first book more. I guessed the twist too. I mean it was a solid okay one but wasn’t as good as the first one.
June 18, 2016
This is book 2 to the Freak series. I am not sure if there are to be anymore books, but it sure does feel like there will and I will be first in line for that one.
I am not going to include the synopsis to this review because of it being the second book to the series. I have to say that the author really stepped it up with this one, I enjoyed it much more than the first one. There were some pretty grisly scenes in this one so be aware of that, definitely not for the faint of heart. It was also pretty dark and disturbing. I loved it. So far both of these books flowed really well and I really enjoy the authors writing style a lot. It had some pretty unexpected twists and turns that were quite enjoyable as well. It has somewhat of a cliffhanger too which opens up another book rather easily. I guess we will see with that one.
The characters are fabulous. Jerry and Danny remind me a bit of Strike and Robin from the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith. I think that is why I enjoyed them so much. I found them to be very well developed. Then there are the psychopaths, and let me tell you, they are pretty terrifying. I really enjoyed their roles in this series so far. We get to see so much more from Abby Maddox and what makes her tick. I really enjoyed this up close and personal look into her life. I look forward to more from all of them in any upcoming books.
I recommend this book/series to anyone who likes a good psychopathic thriller, because this one will have ya turning the pages pretty quickly. I am giving this book a 4.5 star rating.
I am not going to include the synopsis to this review because of it being the second book to the series. I have to say that the author really stepped it up with this one, I enjoyed it much more than the first one. There were some pretty grisly scenes in this one so be aware of that, definitely not for the faint of heart. It was also pretty dark and disturbing. I loved it. So far both of these books flowed really well and I really enjoy the authors writing style a lot. It had some pretty unexpected twists and turns that were quite enjoyable as well. It has somewhat of a cliffhanger too which opens up another book rather easily. I guess we will see with that one.
The characters are fabulous. Jerry and Danny remind me a bit of Strike and Robin from the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith. I think that is why I enjoyed them so much. I found them to be very well developed. Then there are the psychopaths, and let me tell you, they are pretty terrifying. I really enjoyed their roles in this series so far. We get to see so much more from Abby Maddox and what makes her tick. I really enjoyed this up close and personal look into her life. I look forward to more from all of them in any upcoming books.
I recommend this book/series to anyone who likes a good psychopathic thriller, because this one will have ya turning the pages pretty quickly. I am giving this book a 4.5 star rating.
September 8, 2015
Excellent book. I will definitely be on the look out for the second one.
February 20, 2017
Wow! I'm blown away. This was such a thrill to read. All the twists and turns.. Kept me guessing the whole way through.
July 30, 2024
3.0⭐️
A worthy follow-up to Jennifer Hillier’s Creep. If you’re a die-hard fan of Creep then you’ll likely enjoy seeing how the character’s storylines continue. I could have done without it.
A worthy follow-up to Jennifer Hillier’s Creep. If you’re a die-hard fan of Creep then you’ll likely enjoy seeing how the character’s storylines continue. I could have done without it.
April 25, 2022
I couldn't wait to read "Freak", the sequel to "Creep", a suspense psychological thriller. Freak is the follow-up to the thriller, Creep. In the book Creep, it was focused on serial killer Ethan Wolfe and his story. Freak on the other hand, has to do with Ethan Wolfe's girlfriend Abby Maddox who was arrested for aiding in Ethan's murders. In this one, someone is murdering high priced escorts and afterwards carving, 'Free Abby Maddox' on their backs. Will the police be able to solve who wants Abby free at the expensive of other women's lives?
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What an excellent sequel to the first book!! This one had so many plot twists that had kept me interested entirely throughout! I thought this was just as good as the first book and a must read if you love Jennifer Hillier!! It was so interesting to learn the backstory of Abby Maddox and how some characters came back again in this book! I can't recommend this one enough, especially if you've freak the first book!
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What an excellent sequel to the first book!! This one had so many plot twists that had kept me interested entirely throughout! I thought this was just as good as the first book and a must read if you love Jennifer Hillier!! It was so interesting to learn the backstory of Abby Maddox and how some characters came back again in this book! I can't recommend this one enough, especially if you've freak the first book!
June 13, 2019
So glad I read this one as soon as I could after the first one in the series... I want a third book! This series is addictive!
June 29, 2018
Another hit from Hillier!
October 31, 2012
I love to read books that keep you guessing right until the end. I had no idea how this one was going to end, even if I’d been able to make a guess I doubt I would have been close. There were so many twists that by the end I didn’t even care about guessing. I was so engrossed in this story that I wasn’t even looking to the future, I was tied to the right now. The writing was awesome in this one. There are some scenes that were fairly graphic and yet it didn’t come off as being gross, disgusting, or in poor taste. It was gruesome, disturbing, and shocking, but it was so well put together that it didn’t really phase me. It was an important part of a very good story.
I liked how the characters were developed in this one. Everything wasn’t just thrown out there at the beginning. That would have ruined the story. As certain parts of a character’s development were needed they were expertly added to the story. But things didn’t feel like they were just thrown together. As we learned something about a character it was quickly integrated into the story. I can’t say I particularly liked any of the characters – they all seemed to have something that made them not the greatest people – but I was truly engaged and wanted to know what was going to happen to them next. Even though I felt as if I knew them all each time a twist was thrown in I would get to see a side of them that I didn’t know existed.
I can’t say enough how well written this was. Even when the story was getting gruesome I couldn’t put it down. The writing was so good that it really pulled me in. I was so drawn into the story that I just couldn’t focus on anything else. I had to keep reading because no matter what was going on in the story I just knew that something even more awesome was coming on the next page. Given all the horrible things that went on in this book I’d normally say it was very difficult to read. But with this one everything fell into place and even the horrible events were necessary.
I think this was probably one of the best written books I’ve ever read. It was exciting, and suspenseful and truly pulled me in right from the beginning. Hillier is definitely a master of her craft and I will be picking up more of her books! People always say “She/He could sing the phone book and make it sound beautiful” I think if Hillier had written the phone book it wouldn’t have become almost obsolete!
I liked how the characters were developed in this one. Everything wasn’t just thrown out there at the beginning. That would have ruined the story. As certain parts of a character’s development were needed they were expertly added to the story. But things didn’t feel like they were just thrown together. As we learned something about a character it was quickly integrated into the story. I can’t say I particularly liked any of the characters – they all seemed to have something that made them not the greatest people – but I was truly engaged and wanted to know what was going to happen to them next. Even though I felt as if I knew them all each time a twist was thrown in I would get to see a side of them that I didn’t know existed.
I can’t say enough how well written this was. Even when the story was getting gruesome I couldn’t put it down. The writing was so good that it really pulled me in. I was so drawn into the story that I just couldn’t focus on anything else. I had to keep reading because no matter what was going on in the story I just knew that something even more awesome was coming on the next page. Given all the horrible things that went on in this book I’d normally say it was very difficult to read. But with this one everything fell into place and even the horrible events were necessary.
I think this was probably one of the best written books I’ve ever read. It was exciting, and suspenseful and truly pulled me in right from the beginning. Hillier is definitely a master of her craft and I will be picking up more of her books! People always say “She/He could sing the phone book and make it sound beautiful” I think if Hillier had written the phone book it wouldn’t have become almost obsolete!
September 19, 2012
***Spoilers*** (Would have liked to give this book 2.5 stars if possible)
What a disappointing sequel. From the moment Hillier introduced Danny, I knew that she was the new villian of the series. While I don't mind knowing the ending when I've discovered by mistake (i.e., reading the summary of a sequel before reading the summary of the original book), I absolutely DO mind when the author doesn't make me work for it. The reader shouldn't have the author's pattern figured out so quickly; I'd hate to see Hillier go the route of Patricia Cornwell already.
It was clear from the beginning that Jerry was too fond of Danny for her not to turn out bad. And it was perfectly obvious that Mark was too stupid and flawed to be Abby's next soulmate. Nothing about this book surprised me, with the exception of Morris wanting to postpone his wedding to Sheila. With everything he did to find her, I didn't see his hesitation coming into play.
The book ended with the obvious option for another sequel. While I will read it, I don't expect to be impressed. First of all, I assume that the sequel will involve Abby's continued desire to get Sheila. Sorry, but Sheila being a victim THREE times stretches the bounds of believability. While it will be unbelievable, I still can't help being curious how Hillier plans to let it all play out and how she'll overcome some pretty obvious hurdles in her story line.
What a disappointing sequel. From the moment Hillier introduced Danny, I knew that she was the new villian of the series. While I don't mind knowing the ending when I've discovered by mistake (i.e., reading the summary of a sequel before reading the summary of the original book), I absolutely DO mind when the author doesn't make me work for it. The reader shouldn't have the author's pattern figured out so quickly; I'd hate to see Hillier go the route of Patricia Cornwell already.
It was clear from the beginning that Jerry was too fond of Danny for her not to turn out bad. And it was perfectly obvious that Mark was too stupid and flawed to be Abby's next soulmate. Nothing about this book surprised me, with the exception of Morris wanting to postpone his wedding to Sheila. With everything he did to find her, I didn't see his hesitation coming into play.
The book ended with the obvious option for another sequel. While I will read it, I don't expect to be impressed. First of all, I assume that the sequel will involve Abby's continued desire to get Sheila. Sorry, but Sheila being a victim THREE times stretches the bounds of believability. While it will be unbelievable, I still can't help being curious how Hillier plans to let it all play out and how she'll overcome some pretty obvious hurdles in her story line.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2022
Definitely not as good as first book. And I predicted the twist way before it happened, oh well, they all can't be 5 stars.
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