by Rachel Caine
Series: Stillhouse Lake #2
Narrator: Emily Sutton-Smith, Lauren Ezzo, Will Ropp, Dan John Miller
Length: 11 hours and 55 minutes
Genres: Psychological Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4 cups
Every time Gwen closed her eyes, she saw him in her nightmares. Now her eyes are open, and he’s not going away.
Gwen Proctor won the battle to save her kids from her ex-husband, serial killer Melvin Royal, and his league of psychotic accomplices. But the war isn’t over. Not since Melvin broke out of prison. Not since she received a chilling text…
You’re not safe anywhere now.
Her refuge at Stillhouse Lake has become a trap. Gwen leaves her children in the protective custody of a fortified, well-armed neighbor. Now, with the help of Sam Cade, brother of one of Melvin’s victims, Gwen is going hunting. She’s learned how from one of the sickest killers alive.
But what she’s up against is beyond anything she feared—a sophisticated and savage mind game calculated to destroy her. As trust beyond her small circle of friends begins to vanish, Gwen has only fury and vengeance to believe in as she closes in on her prey. And sure as the night, one of them will die.
Holy Audiobooks Killman Creek was good! This is the second novel in the thriller series, Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine. With four narrators and a crazed serial killer on the loose, Gwen Proctor must put an end to the nightmare for her children’s sake. Addictive, suspenseful and twisted Killman Creek is a must listen!
I started the Stillhouse Lake series when the first book, Stillhouse Lake was offered as a free download with my Amazon Prime membership. When I saw I could upgrade to audio for under four bucks, I jumped at the chance. Stillhouse Lake was intense, but Killman Creek was even better.
*This review may contain some spoilers from book one, Stillhouse Lake*
“Melvin Royal stalks me in the brief darkness when I close my eyes. Blink, and he’s on the street. Blink, and he’s walking up the stairs to the motel to the second floor’s open walkway. Blink, and he’s outside the door. Listening.”
After the events of book one, I was anxious to get back to Gwen and her children. Gwen used to be Gina Royal and had the seemly perfect life. Two children, a loving husband and a house in the burbs. At least it was until the dead tortured body of a young woman was found in her garage and she learned her husband Melvin was a serial killer. Gina was arrested, tried and released since she had no knowledge of her hubby’s secret life. Now she and the children are the Proctors. Until Stillhouse Lake, they have been on the run, avoiding the crazed people who think she is guilty and seeking their own brand of justice. Events in book one leave Gwen and her children on the run and a serial killer on the loose.
Stillhouse Lake was told mainly from Gwen’s POV and was narrated by Emily Sutton-Smith. Killman Creek is told through the POVs of four characters. Gwen, Sam, whose story is quite interesting. Lanny (Gwen’s daughter) and Connor (Gwen’s son). I love that Brilliance cast four narrators for the story. The POVs were broken up by chapter, and the different narrations made changes easy to follow. Emily Sutton-Smith continued Gwen’s narrative, Lauren Ezzo was the voice of Lanny. Will Ropp shared Sam’s POV, and Dan John Miller portrayed young Conner.
Gwen hides the children with Javier and Kenzia, whom we met in the previous book. She and Sam begin to investigate the mysterious group that betrayed Gwen. They hope finding them will help them hunt down Melvin.
Killman Creek was darker than its predecessor as Caine took us on the hunt to catch a brilliant and twisted killer. OMG! I was biting my nails and clenching my fists with some of these realistic, terrifying scenes. The twists and deception along with the POVs of Conner and Lanny about killed me. I LOVED EVERY TERRIFYING MOMENT!
If you haven’t decided to do so by now, you NEED to start this series. The ending was nerve-wracking and satisfying. At first, I thought this was a duology, but there will be a third book, Wolfhunter River. News about the sphere indicates Gwen’s story is over, and this deals with one of the characters. I cannot wait to see where Caine takes us!
Addictive, suspenseful and twisted Killman Creek by Rachel Caine is a #mustlisten #audio Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
Rachel Caine writes so many different genres! It’s pretty cool, though I have yet to read any of her books. I don’t think I’ll start with these, but I might give them a try after I read the Great Library series. 🙂
Jo
Sounds really twisted but also quite captivating!
Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog
I just recently picked up the first book and so excited to get to it knowing the second book is good too. Great review!
Kristin @ Addicted to HEA
Thanks for the heads up on the spoilers b/c I still need to read the first one AND I swear I will, gosh darn it!! The fact that you love these? WOW!!!
Four narrators? Crazy…. 🙂
Jess@Fairday's Blog
This sounds like a page turner! I must pick up this series after reading your review! Wow! You made me curious for sure. 🙂
ShootingStarsMag
ooh darker than the first? I really need to get my hands on the first book. I’m so glad you loved this one though. 🙂
-Lauren
Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books
I have the first audiobook downloaded and hope to start it soon. I see that this one has multiple narrators which I usually really enjoy. I can’t wait to get to this one.
Nadene
I hoping to start this series soon. Great review, Kim.
Samantha
Ok, I really want to check this series out! Great review!
Tyler H. Jolley
Holy cow, FOUR narrators? I cannot imagine the editing that went into this book. Fantastic.
Angela Adams
“Stillhouse Lake” — cool name. Thanks for the post.
Jenea's Book Obsession
I really want to start this series and soon! It sounds amazing!
Lily
I skimmed this because I really want to read this in January, but great review Kim, glad you loved it
Blodeuedd
4 narrators! Maybe one day
Debbie Haupt
Another author on my need to read list and wow 4 narrators I was wondering if the more the merrier or if more voices were more confusing but it looks like since she breaks them up by chapters you had no problems following the story. Great review as always. Thanks
Sophia Rose
Shazam! This one upped the ante and I do love that when I’m getting a series. I’ve got these on the wish list.
Nereyda Gonzalez
Oh man, I remember reading ip to book six I think of her Vampire series. I dont remember much about it but I did like them at the time. I havent read anything by her since.
kindlemom1
*high fives you* I’m so glad you loved this one too! I really did think it was such a good sequel to the first and I’m super curious what book three will hold now.
RO
Amazon Prime yields all kinds of goodies, right? This sounds fabulous, and always enjoy suspenseful stories. p.s. – I know you’re counting down the days to ‘unplug’ (lol) Hugs…RO