The story is struggling to overcome its flaws, which include an overly complex narrative, an excess of viewpoints, and a lackluster portrayal of Jess Keeler, despite its potential. It's loosely written and unrefined for a criminal thriller. Although it's an ambitious try, it's not as thrilling to read as it is mediocre.

2.75 stars rounded up

This was a strong thriller novel, it had everything that I was hoping for from the description. The characters felt like they belonged in this world and I was so invested in what was going on. It had everything that I hoped for in a thriller novel and hope to read more from Eryk Pruitt.

"Blood Red Summer" by Eryk Pruitt, the second installment in the Jess Keeler Thrillers series, takes readers on a moody and gripping journey through a former mill town's dark past. True crime podcaster Jess Keeler, hot on the heels of her successful debut, embarks on a new investigation with a documentary crew in tow, delving into the haunting events of the summer of 1984 in Lake Castor, Virginia.

The story unfolds as Jess encounters a handsome stranger with a compelling tale of wrongful conviction related to the Lake Castor sniper, who terrorized the historically Black part of the town, claiming five lives. As Jess investigates, she uncovers a web of motorcycle gangs, police corruption, and racism that marked the summer of '84. The narrative weaves dual timelines and three voices—Jess in the present, journalist Hal Broadstreet, and deputy Ennis Worthy in 1984.

Pruitt skillfully captures the atmospheric tension of a small town grappling with unsolved mysteries, police misconduct, and racial tensions. Jess's internal struggles, the complexities of her family life, and her determination to uncover the truth add depth to the narrative. The storytelling alternates between Jess's contemporary investigation and the accounts of Hal and Ennis during the blood-soaked summer of '84.

The plot is driven by layers of corruption, false confessions, and a relentless quest for justice. The dual timelines offer a nuanced perspective on the events, with Hal's on-the-ground reporting providing a particularly fascinating insight into the era.

As the TV crew's plans clash with Jess's vision for the podcast, Pruitt explores the delicate balance between storytelling, journalistic ethics, and the pursuit of justice. The interconnected tales of the sniper and the bootlegger massacre create a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged until the final revelation.

"Blood Red Summer" stands out as a powerful and unforgettable Southern Noir thriller. Eryk Pruitt's storytelling prowess shines through as he seamlessly blends mystery, true crime, and social commentary, making this a must-read for fans of the genre. The novel is a testament to Pruitt's ability to craft intricate narratives that leave a lasting impact on readers.

Second in the Jess Keeler Thrillers series, this moody installment follows the podcaster’s investigation of one brutal, bloody summer in a former mill town and the shocking truths brought to light.

This was really good. I didn't know what to expect going into it, but I was pleasantly surprised. A well-written mystery with interesting characters and plot twists.

In the sequel to Something Bad Wrong, true crime podcaster Jess Keeler learns what can go wrong when you lose control of everything, the story you want to tell, and even your family life. Blood Red Summer is the story of the events of the summer of 1984 in Lake Castor, Virginia. It’s a story of motorcycle gangs, police corruption, and racism, and several people who tried to tell the truth.

After the success of her podcast, “Something Bad Wrong”, a TV crew is eager to work with Jess Keeler to tell her next true crime story. But, Jess is used to doing her own research, and finding her own story, and the team’s plans make her uneasy. They start out to tell the story of a sniper who targeted the Black community in 1984 because Ricky Lee Patience’s family says he’s been falsely incarcerated for forty years for the five deaths. But, while Jess is eager to free Ricky Lee, the show’s producer wants to focus on him as a killer who pleaded guilty.

That story is sidetracked when two former sheriffs won’t cooperate, but they do want to tell the story of the massacre of a bootlegger and two other men that same summer. Jess learns she’s following in the footsteps of Hal Broadstreet, a journalist who covered both stories in 1984. But, Hal, who considered himself closer to the criminals than the cops, took an unusual direction in the stories that appeared in a newspaper that was already on its last legs.

Blood Red Summer is told in dual timelines, and three voices. Jess gets to tell her story as she researches the cold cases, but Hal Broadstreet and a deputy, Ennis Worthy, relate their accounts of that bloody summer of 1984. To be honest, it was Hal’s account, on the streets and at the time, that I found most interesting. But, the final results of the podcast and Jess’ story won’t come as too much of a surprise to anyone who reads Southern Noir. It’s a powerful, unforgettable story.

Starred Review:

Jess Keeler returns this time with a film crew hoping to continue her success in finding a true crime for a streamer to buy. The crew doesn’t see eye to eye on multiple possibilities and again Jess is left on her own to seek the truth.

Pruitt is a master at multiple story lines and connecting all the dots. Into a true suspense novel. Very gifted. Great sophomore novel with Jess back.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Wonderful police procedural, a crime tale that spans decades, with justice elusive and buried beneath layer of racism, the brutality of biker gangs and vigilantism.

This novel has something for everyone, as a amateur true crime investigator (podcasts, etc.) innocently and painstakingly begins to peel back the years of lies, coverups, regret, fear and trauma that have grown over the unalterable truth of a series of murders in the "back back".

A five-star mystery that will appeal to a wide range of fans, ranging from those who enjoy modern novels (such as Elle Marr releases) to those who enjoy a more classic detective mystery where the solid slow burning flame of the truth is finally unveiled.

After reading Something Bad Wrong I knew I had to dive into Blood Red Summer by Eryk Pruitt.
Book two in the Jess Keeler Series was just as great as the first.
A well crafted book with some interesting characters and scenes that really kept my attention and interest.
The writing is wonderfully descriptive and the character descriptions were so realistic.
Suspenseful and finely crafted its well written, thrilling and impossible to put down.
The well-developed characters, fast-paced plot, and the exploration of complex themes make it a book that's insanely entertaining.

Thank You NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Blood Red Summer by E. Pruitt, published by Thomas & Mercer is the second stand alone in the Jess Keeler Series.
For best reading experience I recommend to read the books in order. The previous book is Something Bad Wrong.
Reading this second book was an absolute delight.
Jess is in for another wild ride. The true crime podcaster of Something Bad Wrong gets accosted and asked to investigate the case of Ricky Lee, being in prison for murdering 5 people many years ago.
She's intrigued and together with an old friend she' stirring up old ghosts and trouble too.
Welcome back to Lake Castor where everything started and where she's about to stirr a hornets nest.
A complex, complicated read with a great storyline and fantastic characters.

This wasn't quite what I'd expected. It had the true crime aspect and the podcast mystery but it felt more like a detective novel. I also had no idea it was part of a series. Not bad by t not totally my cup of tea.

In this second book of the series it packs a lot of suspense, thriller, and true crime fella. Jess uncovers evidence that points to a false confession and a possible connection to other murders within the town.

Blood Red Summer is a book about an unsolved mystery.

Jess is a podcaster who works on unsolved crimes. She finds one about a 1984 Lake Castor sniper. The sniper killed 5 men in the Black part of an old mill town. One of the men is a journalist, whose murder finally gains the interest of the police.

They capture the sniper -- or did they. It is up to Jess to solve the mystery while staying alive without attracting the attention of the real sniper.

Podcaster Jess Keeler is looking for the subject of her next podcast when she’s approached by a man in a bar who wants her to re-examine the 1984 Lake Castor sniper case. Five people were killed, and while a suspect was arrested, convicted, and jailed, there is some speculation that the wrong person is sitting behind bars. Is this a case of police incompetence? Or was there a cover-up? The closer Jess gets to the answer, the more she puts her own life at risk. This is the second book in the series and brings wrongful convictions and false confessions are under a microscope

"Blood Red Summer" is the second installment in the Jess Keeler Thrillers series. In this moody and gripping thriller, podcaster Jess Keeler investigates an unsolved crime in a former mill town, with a documentary crew accompanying her. The focus of her investigation is the Lake Castor sniper, who terrorized the historically Black part of the town in 1984, claiming five lives. The story takes a turn when a handsome stranger approaches Jess with a tale of wrongful conviction, leading her to question whether the police arrested the right person for the crimes.

As Jess delves deeper into the case, she uncovers evidence pointing to a false confession and a potential connection to other murders in the town. The narrative promises suspense, shocking truths, and the risk of Jess becoming a target for the true sniper.

The book seems to explore themes of crime, justice, and the consequences of wrongful convictions. If you've read the book, feel free to share your thoughts or specific aspects you'd like more information about.