*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"How do I tell Kathy that her beautiful boy, her only child...for whom she has made a home, a life and done everything for, has been so horribly...and I have no clue who or why?"

"Who do you call when you're the police?"

Hearing Detective Alex Brangwen barely holding it together, unable to finish his sentences, at the scene of a harrowing murder of his daughter's friend is just more proof that Granite Harbor, by compelling author Peter Nichols, is more than just a murder mystery. It's an unputdownable story of a quaint town unravelling as the seedy outside world invades their peace. It's the ultimate example that cruel actions have severe reactions; that false accusations lead to deadly consequences.

The opening scene seems idyllic with 3 teen boys heading home as daylight turns to dusk, but one's not ready to go back to his messy home life so they part ways, and we hear the killer calmly say, "oh good they are separating," as his van slowly turns down the same street as the lone boy...and every hair stood on end as the chapter fades out.

Alex, a divorced failed novelist, is the only detective in town and he's unprepared for the brutality and weirdness of the killing; frogs usually aren't evidence in a murder.

Voice actor Peter Ganim enhances the writer's atmospheric descriptions with emotional range from broken mothers to fearful townsfolk to an annoying yet heroic ex wife to a detective father out of his league and to the matter of fact tone of a killer, who at times, appears to be a victim as well of an often heartless society.

Like the town, it starts slow but as the danger heightens the pace picks up with the panic of the town. It's a brilliant rock solid writing decision.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from #Macmillan Audio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Was ok. Not my favorite but I did enjoy the setting. Definitely some dark plot points. Thank you NetGalley for this arc

I had the opportunity to listen to this audiobook while simultaneously reading the book, and I thought the narrator did a fantastic job keeping me engaged.

I enjoyed this book more than most police procedurals. There was enough side drama mixed in to keep me distracted. It was a little tough to get into to start because of the different portions of the story that come together later on, and all of the characters.

Overall, it was enjoyable.

I thought this had such an interesting premise, but unfortunately it did not work for me overall. There is animal cruelty in here which I usually stay away from, but on top of that there were intimate scenes with teenagers written as if they were adults that was too much. All of this on top of the slow burn until the very end where it finally picked up was a lot to get through, and I'm not sure the buildup was worth it. I was not the biggest fan of the narrator either for this audio, so unfortunately this one was a miss.

Thank you to Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for the copies to review.

This was my first novel by this author and I will probably read more int eh future. Granite Harbor follows a small community in Maine, where teenager boy is found murdered in a most disturbing way. Alex, the county detective, is responsible for determining how the boy was killed and uncovering the secrets at play. This book had so many fun magical elements in it which kept it interesting. However, the backstory of the killer was so sad and horrible that at times I was disturbed even reading the book, which is often the point in a thriller. I loved the community aspect of this book, the different relationships between the characters and victims, and how the characters relied on each other to try and save their children and their town. I loved the concept of Alex, the detective and one of the main characters, being a writer, and him using his knowledge as a fictional writer to try and navigate the murders and decipher who the killer was.

Overall, this was a quick and easy thriller to read/binge and I enjoyed it

I've had a lot of firsts this year. First time reads that is. Another new to me author that I will be looking out for. This book was great. The Narrator was perfect for this book. Great job.

This is a dark story but it has a lot of things that I didn't expect. From fear to laughter to holding my breath. Yes there is a serial killer out there murdering teen boys. Cutting them open. Yes the killer is evil to the core. Yes he went through a lot in his life. Not an excuse for what he is doing though. I have to admit that I laughed in parts in a scene close to the end. I could not help it and believe anyone reading will do the same. Though I felt bad for the woman and I kind of felt bad for the killer during that scene. It didn't last long though. The feeling bad for him. I also had the killer narrowed down to two people, him being one of them. I was right and it did not at all in anyway take away from the story.

This town is rocked by the murder of a teenage boy. A boy who wasn't even missed by his so called family. "Aw he's just staying with a friend." Yeah right. What mother does not know where her child is. Well obviously this one didn't. I did not like her at all. My heart broke for Shane. He did not deserve anything that happened to him. Most importantly being killed. He had a horrible life at, well I would not call it home, that house. He was well loved by his friends though.

When Shane's body was discovered the other teens in his life were scared. Who could have done such a horrid thing. Who might be next. Though they should maybe have taken it a bit more series. A killer was among them. When the next boy is murdered the two remaining, Ethan and Sohpie, are truly terrified. Ethan is convinced that he will be next. Sohpie's dad is a detective and her mother is a nut. She is still so afraid though. She and Ethan decide to stick together. To leave town and find a safe place but it's not meant to be....

This book is a story of such deep loss. You will see what makes a serial killer. Or at least this one. The depths a mother will go for her child. To keep that child protected. The people in the town of Granite Harbor, Maine are faced with something dark and sinister. Why is this happening in their small town. Who's child is next???

Thank you #NetGalley, #PeterNichols, #PeterGanimNarrator, #CeladonBooks, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

FIVE big stars and I highly recommend it.

While the writing of this book was excellent, the plot was quite gruesome and veered into the horror genre for me at times. Had I known that ahead of time, I might have managed my expectations better. The violent, mystical nature of the murders coupled with the detailed descriptions of child abuse were too graphic for me. While I did enjoy the character development and the small town setting, everything was overshadowed by the fantastical/horrific elements of the crimes and killer’s past.

This was definitely what I needed. I love a good suspense book, and this didn’t disappoint. The narration was really good as well!

In his latest novel, Granite Harbor, Peter Nichols masterfully blends elements of familiarity and originality to craft a gripping murder mystery. The story is set in the evocative coastal town of Granite Harbor, Maine, where the tranquil atmosphere is shattered by a gruesome discovery at The Settlement, a historic archaeological site. As visitors on a tour stumble upon the lifeless body of a teenage boy hanging from one of the structures, the entire town is thrust into a state of shock and uncertainty.

To delve further into the intricacies of the plot would detract from the immersive experience that awaits you. Approaching the novel without prior knowledge, I was captivated by the mystery it presented. Nichols expertly populates his story with a diverse cast of characters, each offering a unique perspective on the events unfolding around them. From the grief-stricken high schoolers grappling with the loss of a friend to the concerned parents navigating the aftermath, every character feels fully realized and integral to the narrative.

At the heart of Granite Harbor are two competing perspectives. The first is the town's part-time detective, a struggling author thrust into the role of solving a crime that hits uncomfortably close to home. The second offers glimpses into the psyche of an unnamed individual, the enigmatic killer lurking amidst the community. Nichols masterfully weaves these disparate threads, along with the broader tapestry of the town's inhabitants, crafting a tale that is as chilling as it is compelling.

While the central mystery propels the narrative forward, the depth of the characters and the town's authenticity truly elevate Granite Harbor. Nichols meticulously builds a sense of unease and tension, drawing readers into a world where darkness lurks beneath the surface of idyllic small-town life. As the story unfolded, the stakes escalated, leaving me on the edge of my seat until the final, spine-tingling revelation.

Granite Harbor is a testament to Nichols' skill as a storyteller, delivering a mystery that resonates on multiple levels. I had the pleasure of experiencing the audiobook version, generously provided by the publisher, and found Peter Ganin's narration utterly captivating. On several occasions, I found myself completely engrossed in the story, unable to focus on anything else as I listened. From the vividly drawn characters to the atmospheric setting and pulse-pounding plot, Granite Harbor is a book that stays with you long after the story concludes.

In Peter Nichols' latest crime thriller, GRANITE HARBOR, the residents of a small coastal town are shaken by a serial killer in this dark, gritty, and spine-chilling read.

Set in the coastal town of Granite Harbor, Maine, the body of a teenager is discovered strung up on display in a local historic archaeological tourist site, The Settlement.

Former novelist, Alex Branwen, turned detective is leading the investigation.

The FBI is also involved, suspecting this is the work of a serial killer after a second murder, also a teen.

Told from POVs: Alex and Isabel, a single mom of a teen son who was friends with two murder victims, blended with chapters of the unknown creepy killer's past.

Alex is a single father who failed as a novelist. He is now the town's only detective, and this is his first murder case. Everyone is looking to him to solve this murder.

Isabel is also a single mom, trying to support her family while dealing with her demons. She is also in the midst of the case when she begins working at the Settlement.

Ethan (Isabel's son) and Sophie (Alex's daughter) were best friends with the victim. After the second body is discovered, they are horrified their children may be next.

With alternating voices, slow the town's secrets rise to the surface, unraveling the darkness of this tight-knit coastal town. Who is the murderer, and what is their motive?

The author skillfully describes the setting, life in a small town, families, and the characters' relationships. GRANITE HARBOR is a dark, creepy, unsettling, and atmospheric crime suspense with a mix of horror.

Note: There are some scenes with animal cruelty and gruesome descriptions to be aware of.

Character-driven and psychologically rich— for fans of Mare of Easttown and small-town crime suspense thrillers, serial killers, and cop procedurals.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Peter Ganim for a chilling performance.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy for an honest opinion.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins } #JDCMustReadBook
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: April 30, 2024
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Granite Harbor
Peter Nicols

I kept hearing that this book was dark and I thought I was ready for it but I was not. If you read this definitely check your trigger warnings. I admittedly was a bit lost in the beginning of this story only because there were so many characters being introduced at one time.

I love a good thriller especially when it involves a serial killer. There are just a few things that happen in this book that just tore my heart out and I’m still thinking about them. My overly empathetic self was dying a little inside when we learned the backstory of the serial killer. 😭 Thankfully the ending wrapped up the story in a way that gave me a little bit of peace.

Narration was done by Peter Ganim. He did a great job and I was really happy I was able to listen to this one.

A dark crime thriller set in a cold, seaside town in Maine. Peter Nichols’ Granite Harbor is not for the faint of heart, but fans of crime fiction and small towns will enjoy this atmospheric, gripping story.

Audiobook Review

I listened to the audiobook for Granite Harbor and thought it was excellent. Peter Ganim narrates with evenness and depth. His voice brings that dark and twisted story to life but adds enough distance that the reader doesn’t feel overwhelmed. Sometimes books with more disturbing content can be made worse though audiobook, but in this case I thought it enhanced it.

Main Review

Nichols is a talented writer—this book is extremely well-paced and expertly plotted. Crime fiction more than some other genres seems to have a high bar to clear in that regard, and Nichols kept up with other contemporary writers expertly. This is an engaging book that is quite dark (both the murders and other content). It has some disturbing content that I expect won’t work for some readers. For those used to the genre (and particularly Nordic Noir, which this actually reminded of), this is one to read.

The small town, coastal setting was one of the best parts of Granite Harbor. The sea isn’t necessarily a main part of the plot, but it’s also ever-present (and has some key roles). The sea can be such a mood and it definitely set the mood for this book. I also pictured every scene happening at dusk or after dark and also with a cold breeze. I have no idea if that was intended, but isn’t it a mark of a good book if we build out the scene in our minds?

The characters were well-developed and so were the relationships between them. The characters were what drew me into the story. This is a small community where most residents have lived their whole lives. There are stories that center around the teenage character as well as the adults, so I recommend early on making a note for yourself of which child belonged to which parents. It helped until I got the feel for everything, especially because this is a bit of a latchkey town where the parents don’t necessarily spend a lot of time with their kids.

There isn’t exactly a main character in this book because we hear from many different perspectives, but if I had to identify one, I’d say it’s our writer-turned-detective, Alex Brangwen. Alex is the only detective and he’s new to the town. But that doesn’t mean he lacks ties to the book. His daughter and his daughter’s mother live there (its what drew lex there), and there’s a compelling backstory that pulls through into this story that added an interesting layer to Alex and his family.

There’s also a part of the story that surrounds a place called the Settlement, which is an historic archeological site in town. Not only is that where the body is found (raising the question if its related), but one of our other central characters Isabel works there. Things with the Settlement will make more sense as the book goes on, so don’t worry if you’re confused at first with Isabel’s narrative.

One of the more interesting parts of the story are the chapters narrated by an unknown male who we know is the person who goes on to be the murderer. Those chapters actually don’t get into the current events until close to the end of the book. The majority of them tell the story of a boy who was relentlessly and cruelly bullied, abandoned, and isolated in many ways. It has the effect of making the reader feel mildly sympathetic, while also horrified at what he’s become.

Granite Harbor begs the question of how serial killers become who they are. Are they always born that way, or can life make them that way? Would this boy have still ended up on this past if his childhood had been different?

A dark and occasionally disturbing crime fiction novel with outstanding character development and compelling storytelling. Granite Harbor won’t be for every reader, but for those who like Nordic noir and crime fiction, this is for you.

Thank you to Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for my copy. Opinions are my own.

Granite Harbor by Peter Nicholas. Wow! Just…wow!

So I read the synopsis stating ‘serial killer’, detective, failed writer…and I was hooked! But then I read ‘Silence of the Lambs’…and thought…maybe not… this might not be for me!
Well, it was terrific…but creepy too!

That being said, I will note a ***TRIGGER*** here: If you don’t want to read extensively about gruesome killing techniques via a depraved mind…
DO NOT pick this one up! If you are ok with that and can still sleep at night…Definitely DO NOT miss this one!

We arrive in small town Maine and find that Alex, a novelist, has written a great book…but cannot keep doing it! He is blocked.
He must find another job.
So naturally, he becomes a policeman 👮‍♂️.
(No, still not sure how that happened, but it works! )
Alex has a teenage daughter who he shares custody with his ex-wife. The daughter has a close-knit group of friends. They are all in HS. When one of them goes missing, and then is found dead…(and gruesomely killed), Alex needs to get involved and find out who did this!
When a second young boy/man goes missing from their group…well, the heat is on. Not only from the townspeople, but in his own mind. These are his daughters closest friends… What’s next??

The author goes into great detail with each of the characters…so you feel like you are part of the community! And when something goes wrong, you feel it too! And…there are a lot of characters!

That being said, I guessed multiple times who was doing this. I was wrong!
And, the interesting thing is that the culprit is never named… We go back and forth between the present and the past…and he is only known as ‘boy’…so you are kept guessing! 😮

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The release date is set as 4/30/24.

#GraniteHarbor by #PeterNichols and narrated nicely by #PeterGanim.

⭐️. Small town vibes
⭐️. Creepy serial killer who remains a mystery throughout.
⭐️. Close knit group of HS kids who are being killed off…
⭐️. Small police presence for a BIG job. Lots of characters. Many want to help!

Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.

Thanks so much for reading! And if you 'liked' my review, please share with your friends!! 📚⭐️

When a teenager is found murdered in a sleepy, coastal town, the local detective gets involved in solving the first murder and preventing any further ones. But when his child is determined to be a friend of the victim, he begins to wonder how close the danger is to his home.

Why I Liked it: This book was certainly one of the creepier detective novels I’ve read. There is a scene with a frog and the original body, and I was gagging while reading it.

That said, as the mystery unfolded I found my anxiety ratcheting higher and higher until my heart was beating quickly at the dramatic end. This story is for die-hard mystery lovers who don’t mind a graphic depiction or two.

The narration made this one worth continuing--I may have given up on it if not for the audio copy. The narration was very good!

Unfortunately, I guessed the killer as soon as he was introduced. If you're a seasoned thriller reader, you're likely to pinpoint him immediately as well. There are also some psychic scenes that were interesting to read, but you know how I feel about using paranormal elements to solve the thriller: the writing feels a bit lazy when the only reason they find the killer is because the psychic said so.

A handful of the book takes place on a Colonial Williamsburg/Old Sturbridge Village kind of reenactment site. This was a setting I haven't read before in a thriller, and I thought it worked quite well.

One word of caution, there is some mistreatment of animals within the story. If this bothers you, you can skip Chapter 34 to miss the worst of it. The detailed descriptions of toads and coyotes being harmed could have been skipped, in my opinion.

While this book wasn't necessarily a win for me, I would give Peter Nichols another chance in the future.

Pubs April 30th!
This was a good mystery. Words that come to mind: haunting, mysterious, dark

Big thanks to reviews that mentioned Chapter 34 triggers. I skipped it entirely and probably didn't miss out on much in the overall scheme of things (the killer is CLEARLY depraved).

I love small towns in both my romances and mysteries so this was a great setting for me. Not a super fast-paced story and doesn't have many thrilling moments for you thriller lovers. But-- still I liked it. One of my favorite things is when an author gives chapters from the pov of the killer/ bad guy so we get a glimpse into their mindset or background. These were super creepy, yet insightful. Based on these and some of the character interactions I figured who the killer may be but NOT the REASON; WOW. This gets weird and wild quick.

I received a complimentary egalley of GRANITE HARBOR by Peter Nichols thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley.

GRANITE HARBOR is a small, peaceful town along the coast of Maine until a serial killer strikes. A local teen is found murdered with elements of the crime that investigators can’t comprehend. Alex is the town’s sole detective, a single father to a teen himself. He must investigate this crime while also keeping his own daughter safe as she grieves the loss of a friend. Isabel is another single mother who winds up in the middle of the investigation when the boy’s body is found where she works. When another teen is found dead, everyone is frightened about who will be next.

I love a good coastal setting and Granite Harbor definitely delivered the atmosphere I was hoping for. It took me a while to get into the story as there are a lot of characters and relationships to learn and follow, but once I got further into the story this was one that I didn’t want to put down!

We are following both the teens and the adults in this story and there is a lot of focus on the parent/child relationships, often complicated relationships. This didn’t always make everyone likeable at every moment, but I also could feel for the anxiety and fear they were all feeling and the way that heightened the tensions.

We also get into the head of the killer in places and get to figure out why some of the seemingly bizarre things are being done to the victims. I think the author did well at letting us into the killer’s head while keeping us in the dark as to the identity of the culprit, slowly giving more information and clues. This book is on the gory side and not one I’d recommend reading over food (I made that mistake one lunchtime), but I really enjoyed the story arc.

Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols

Thank you to @celadonbooks and @netgalley for the opportunity to read this #advancedlistenercopy in exchange for my #honestbookreview. This book will be published April 30.

This book had a good concept and was extremely suspenseful. It did have a few plot holes and I found the characters all to be really unlikeable and hard to connect with. If you’re into small town serial killer investigations and police procedurals, this may be a good fit for you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 3/5

Thank you MacMillan audio for the review copy of Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols. This audiobook was not a big win for me, I went in perhaps with big or wrong expectations for the plot and that might impact my review, this was much more a small town, character study for me than a serial killer suspense/mystery (and I was looking for suspense and mystery). The pacing was a little scattered for me, the focus often shifting among characters and perspectives and I am not sure if that added to the goals of the book or not, it did not quite work for me as I felt often pulled in and out of perspectives just as I was getting into the rhythm of the chapter. I also did not love the voice acting, I saw this with regret as I tend to always appreciate voice acting even if I do not like a book but I think here the narration further amplified my less than enthusiastic review; the narration style, esp accents and female voices, just did not land for me and at times even bothered me.

This was a wild ride! At times twisty, at times esoteric, and at other times tragic, this was not the book I expected, but I wasn't sure what I was expecting.

I think the story itself unfolded well and was woven in a way that drew out the tension while also being rather shockingly graphic at points, but there was something that didn't quite fit for me. The main character, mostly, would slip into very long monologues about things that I just found myself not interested in. At times the narrative style distracted me from the actual story going on.

And then there were the very disturbing flashbacks...I was not a fan of that. I totally understand why the author included them, I think they just didn't hit me well personally.

While well written, I think it just wasn't my favorite style of writing for the genre (though I can appreciate the talent of writing).


My rating: 3*

___
Thanks to NetGalley for this gifted copy. All opinions are my own.