Challenge Corner discussion

A thrilling debut novel told from the dueling perspectives of a notorious serial killer and the medical examiner following where his trail of victims leads

Something dark is lurking in the Louisiana bayou: a methodical killer with a penchant for medical experimentation is hard at work completing his most harrowing crime yet, taunting the authorities who desperately try to catch up.

But forensic pathologist Dr. Wren Muller is the best there is. Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of historical crimes, and years of experience working in the Medical Examiner's office, she's never encountered a case she couldn't solve. Until now. Case after case is piling up on Wren's examination table, and soon she is sucked into an all-consuming cat-and-mouse chase with a brutal murderer getting more brazen by the day.

Through Ch 10

(view spoiler)[This Jeremy is one SICK dude! Ugh, he's in med school? Just the thought of someone that disgustingly evil to be a doctor or nurse is so scary!

Katie and Matt are in deep, serious trouble and Emily. I hate to think what he wants to do to her.

I wonder if something happened to Wren at some point because of that terrible, frightening nightmare she had. And she seems spooked too. The card that got left is indicative that someone (Jeremy?) is playing games. (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch 20

(view spoiler)[I didn't think Jeremy was going to grab Emily so early in the book. It reminds me of a short story called The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell and published in 1924. Hunting humans for sport. So gross and just awful to know things like this really do happen. I like the 2 different POV's Is the woman they found in the coffin Katie or is it another victim from previous murders? hmm (hide spoiler)]

I've heard this one is gory and a little brutal in the beginning
I plan to start tonight (after I finish this book club pick!)

You heard right! I had to take a nice long nap, so I'm about to finish it now.

Through Ch 28

(view spoiler)[I had to stop here because I thought it was funny that The Most Dangerous Game" was used and that's the paper he put in that girl. The story of the hunt. lol And now in this last chapter he talks about hunting animals. I don't know if you've read that short story, but the General Zaroff just got bored with hunting animals and so turned to hunting people. Even Tara's two options were like in the story where IF they could swim the ocean was their only chance but it never was conquered. Just too similar.

Anyway, now I understand why at the end of that one chapter a little way back she said she was Wren and she was Emily. I have to say that I loved that twist. I had a feeling he was after Wren psychologically, so I thought possibly she's been a previous potential victim, but I love the twist that she is Emily and she is the one who was there with Katie. Loved it. (hide spoiler)]

Finished

(view spoiler)[I did not like that ending! It obviously leaves room for book 2 but when (if ever) is that coming out? I'm glad that Wren is okay but I was hoping Cal/Jeremy would get caught. (hide spoiler)]

ch 10

hmmm not as bad of a beginning as I thought

(view spoiler)[ interesting so far
the killer is definitely gross. I don't know if I like his POV. I guess we'll see why we need it

I like the doctor, although it's weird she's spending so much time at the crime scenes, right? She's a coroner. Doesn't she need to be in the office? I don't think of that as a "walk around and look for evidence" type of job. lol

we'll see where this goes from here (hide spoiler)]

Vicki wrote: "Finished

[spoilers removed]"

I agree!! I'm done
(view spoiler)[ I can't believe they left us hanging like that!!
Who did he leave behind? and where was he going? how was he going to hide and was he going to come back for Wren or drag her across the country to help hunt him down?

I was shocked when Emily and Wren were the same person because I thought the Emily stuff was happening at the same time!
It's so weird he caught people to do the hunt thing. It's so over-the-top murder stuff, like the stuff of movies! (hide spoiler)]