ARC Review--Killman Creek by Rachel Caine

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.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.


Killman Creek is Rachel Caine’s conclusion to Stillhouse Lake that brings about a most satisfying conclusion to the trials that Gwen and her kids and Sam had to endure. Melvin, her murderous ex-husband has broken out of jail and in his sick and demented ways, he is determined to kill Gwen for turning his children against him and all that jazz. But before he does that, he wants to completely ruin her life.

Gwen and Sam are determined more than ever to put an end to Melvin Royal. It’s not going to be easy though since they have no idea where Melvin is. He continues to use the people who make up Absalom, as we’ve learned that Absalom is not one person but many. While Gwen thought that this person was always trying to help hide her and her kids for a price, she learned that she was very, very wrong. If they can track down a member of Absalom, they can hopefully, track down Melvin himself.

This was quite the suspenseful read! The heroes trying to chase down the psychopath murderer, not knowing who they can trust, because Absalom members can be anywhere, be anyone! It’s positively insane!

This time around I was surprised to see that there were many more points of view in the story. Nearly positively the first one was just straight up Gwen’s point of view. This time we get Gwen, Sam, and even Connor and Lanny. I found it most interesting to read from the kids’ points of view, as they were staying safely secluded with Javier while Gwen and Sam went hunting for Melvin. I feel like they went through just as much pain and sorrow as Gwen did. Theirs was a different sort of pain though. They each have a lot to deal with and there was some pretty surprising things to come out of it for both of them! I’m still left in shock over Connor’s ordeal!

Without giving too much away, I will also mention that something happens in this one that basically leaves Gwen on her own entirely. And ironically, it sort of reminded me of one of Rachel’s Weather Warden novels where everyone thought that the “bad guy” was the real Joanna and that the real Joanna was the bad guy! It was mindboggling! It had me sympathizing for poor Gwen since they all believed what they thought was true.

I almost sort of wonder, what things would’ve been like if Rachel had included chapters from Melvin’s point of view. Though he is one seriously evil dude, I don’t know if I could’ve handled such a thing! But, as I said, it makes you wonder when things are all said and done.

I am nearly positive that this series has now concluded based on the ending. It was a very satisfying conclusion. One that I think readers will enjoy and be content with! No cliffhangers or unanswered questions for the most part. All the loose-ends were wrapped up in some way or another. Could there be more books to come? Anything’s possible, but I do truly believe that this journey with Gwen is done!

If you’re looking for an edge-of-your-seat thriller than this is definitely one you will want to check out! It’s definitely different in some ways from your average thriller as in this one, we have the ex-wife of a serial killer and how she does everything within her power to keep her children safe from the people who would do them harm, as well as their murderous father! Rachel Caine is a name to remember for many books, but now we can add in the thriller genre as well!


Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars


Killman Creek releases December 12, 2017