Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and the author for an ARC of Granite Harbor.

This story is wild and I love a good who done it when I 100% cannot guess the ending. This was one story with multiple alternating perspectives, which I thought worked very well with the story.

First of all- the book starts with a murder- which looks very ritualistic with a body strung up in the trees with a frog in his abdomen. This immediately gave me first season of True Detective vibes- which as a huge fan of that season of the show was a giant draw into the story.

As questions mount- why would a random teenage local boy be murdered in such a bizarre and grotesque fashion? What had he done to warrant this? And why in the town archeological site? We are introduced to Isabel, a mother of one of the murdered teen's best friends and Alex, the town's min (and only) detective who's daughter Sophie is also friends with the murdered teen. What begins as a random murder, becomes more of a game of cat and mouse in two directions. One being, Alex attempting to solve what happened to the boy and the killer searching for his next victim, perhaps another local teen.

I did like the shifting perspectives, between that of Alex, Isabel, Isabel's son Ethan, Sophie, and the killer giving the reader a look into each of their minds as events are occurring. These shifts of point of view definitely aided to becoming invested in each of the characters.

Some of the supporting characters were also very well developed, giving the reader a true feel and idea of how these characters would act (especially Morgana, Sophie's mother and Alex's ex-wife). The characters felt real, due to their personalities really coming through across chapters.

As for the narration, I would highly recommend that you read the book book version of this book over the audiobook. I almost DNF this book because of the narrator. He came across as so unauthentic and like he was trying way too hard, which made it very difficult for me to get through.

If not for the narration this book would have been a 5 star read for me.

Granite Harbor is a cat-and-mouse type thriller that follows Detective Alex Brangwen, who is on a mission to find a serial killer in his small coastal town in Maine. The killer has been targeting teen boys, and the mystery of their identity and motive forms the core of the novel. The story is full of red herrings and nice twists that kept me engaged.

I found this book thrilling and thought-provoking, and I was fully invested from beginning to end. Peter Nichols delivers a story that thriller and crime fiction lovers will devour.

Overall, I would highly recommend Granite Harbor to anyone looking for a gripping and well-executed thriller.

#GraniteHarbor #NetGalley

I went into this audiobook blind and I was actually surprised at how much I liked it. The beginning was slow, but the plot needed to be laid out. There are a lot of characters and I like that the book took the time to go through each one in a non tedious way. The middle picked up and it really made me enjoy the book. I also ended up being okay with the narrator, even though I wasn't a fan of all of the voices he chose to use for some of the characters (the main police detective is supposed to be from England and there wasn't a real British-y accent).

Thank you to Netgalley, Peter Nichols and Celadon for allowing me to listen to this ALC.

First and foremost, I LOVED the setting of this thriller. Set in a small town in Maine but the author references so many areas in New England that it made my local heart happy. I also tend to enjoy serial killer books as well but unfortunately other than the setting, this one fell a little flat. It had multiple POVs but they weren’t clearly outlined so I found myself getting confused from time to time. There were also so many characters who played a main role which also made it a bit confusing at times. The short chapters and the ending were a redeeming quality as well. Overall I found this an okay book and the audio did tend to lose my attention a bit so I’m not sure if it would have been better if I just read it instead.

This was a compelling story. It was hard to figure out who was the murderer. I was drawn to the detective and hoped he would figure out who was behind the murder before something bad happened.

Thanks for the opportunity to review this book ahead of publication! I had both the audiobook and ebook, and reviewed them in a single review. This review will post to my blog and Instagram on April 25, 2024. I will also post my review to Goodreads, The Storygraph, Fable and retail sites at that time.

Review:
It's been a while since I last read a cat-and-mouse type thriller focused on a small-town detective searching for a serial killer, so it was nice to settle into one. While I found "Granite Harbor" to be a bit by the numbers, it was still a great read. I enjoyed my time spent with Detective Alex Brangwen as he attempted to uncover the identity of the person murdering teen boys in his small coastal town in Maine. This one was extra fun because I had both the print and the audio versions of this book, so I could listen while reading, which enhanced the overall experience.

The book begins with a group of teen boys - Shane, Ethan, and Jared - out riding their bikes and skateboards. Two of the boys decide to go home and watch a movie, but Shane decides he wants to stay out and enjoy the evening. The boys separate, and the next day, someone finds Shane's body hanging from a proscenium with a gruesome cut down his torso. Detective Alex Brangwen, the small town's lead detective, is called in. When he and his partner find something inside the victim's body and discover a similar murder from a few years ago in a nearby town, he feels it may be the work of a serial killer. When another boy is found murdered in a similar way a few days later, Alex knows the clock is ticking, and he needs to stop whoever is behind this before another victim is claimed.

While the plot felt familiar, the characters and the MO of the killer were very unique. Alex is a flawed yet relatable figure, thrust into the role of a detective in a town where everyone's business is public knowledge. Alex used to be an up-and-coming author, but when his books didn't take off the way he'd hoped, he ended up going to school to become a detective. As a single father grappling with financial issues, Alex not only has to solve a brutal murder but also navigate the challenges of parenting a grieving teenage daughter, Sophie, who was friends with both victims. Could the killer possibly target Sophie next?

Isabel, the other main character in the story, is equally compelling. She is a single mother with a troubled past and a connection to Alex. Isabel's husband disappeared a few years back, so she is the only provider. She recently lost her teaching job and struggles to stay afloat while parenting her headstrong son, Ethan. The way in which her path intertwines with Alex's, both personally and professionally, adds depth and complexity to the narrative, creating a rich and engaging story that explores the interconnected lives of the residents of Granite Harbor.

The other characters are equally compelling. Morgana - Alex's ex-wife - is a major pain and a force to be reckoned with - I loved to hate her. The teens were all believable, and I really began to care for them - especially Sophie and Ethan. As their friends began to die, the fear that they may be next was palpable.

The mystery of who is killing the teens and why forms the novel's core, and it is full of red herrings and nice twists that kept me engaged. I'd pegged a couple of suspects early on, and one panned out, but it was still fun to watch it all unfold as Alex and Isabel slowly put the pieces together. Nichols' adept handling of tension, coupled with the steady unveiling of new revelations and clues by Alex and Isabel, ensures that the plot never feels rushed or forced, maintaining a perfect pace that kept me hooked. I think the only plot point that felt unnecessary was the clairvoyant abilities of one of the characters. It felt out of place and unnecessary to the plot, but it wasn't enough to ruin anything.

As far as the audiobook narration goes, the narrator handled it very well. He hit all of the inflections and accents effortlessly. The only thing that I think would have enhanced the audio experience was having a female narrator for Isabel and the other female characters sections, but again, the narrator handled things just fine the way it was.

Even though it felt somewhat familiar, I found this book to be thrilling and thought-provoking, and I was fully invested from beginning to end. With its well-drawn characters, well-paced plot, and expertly crafted prose, Peter Nichols delivers a story that thriller and crime fiction lovers will devour.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this book.

Maine is my favorite state and I was beyond excited to read a book based in Maine. The firmiliar places mentioned made the book more real, which might be why it felt more gruesome than desired. There was one chapter I had to skip over where Chester was being taught how to properly kill an animal.

I wouldn't call this a horror book, as it wasn't scary but more so disturbing in the details. Otherwise the characters were built well and the plot was seen as a full circle.

I would try another book by this author, but it wouldn't be my first choice off the shelf.

WHERE has Peter Nichols been all my life?? This novel was fantastic! Absolutely devoured this... literally could not stop listening.

This story was right up my alley! I love suspenseful crime novels with a unique twist, and this one was definitely unique. Well written and descriptive, the story about a serial killer, and a small Maine town had me on my toes.

I wanted to like this one more than I did. Although there were times when I was invested in the story and what was going to happen next, the pacing is off and there are lots of moments when the plot drags. The character development was a bit lackluster for me (it definitely felt like a male author writing female characters....the way the different females were portrayed, their innate personalities, their actions definitely bothered me at times). There is also so much gore and animal harm that is described that just felt so unnecessary to the overall flow of the book. And the ending.....I couldn't buy into it.

3.5 stars rounded up. Please check trigger warnings before picking up this book. It is dark, disturbing, and contains some make or break triggers regarding animals. This was my first book by the author and it was an engaging and fast paced story. It does get really dark at times and can definitely make your stomach churn. I was not prepared for just how twisted and disturbing this was going to get. I had no clue who the killer was but after finding out and remembered little clues that had been sprinkled through out and couldn't believe I didn't catch on. There are a lot of players in this book and you get a lot of POVs, but the chapters are short and it moves fast. I wasn't a huge fan of the narrator but it didn't make me dislike the book any and putting the speed up helped. This is a mix of police procedural, small town serial killer mystery, there are chapters that we experience from the killers POV and those are the ones that are exceptionally dark. It's a really tough book to get through and I had to really push myself at times when I was just too disgusted to go on, but I'm not mad that I finished it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6365933942?book_show_action=false

I enjoyed the book. Although the narrator wasn’t the best but the storyline was good. It caught my attention and kept it until the very last page. To me it is a must read

First, thank you to #NetGalley, #MacmillanAudio and #CeladonBooks for the opportunity to enjoy #GraniteHarbor on #audiobook in advance of its publication on 4.30.2024. I've read Peter Nichols in the past (probably best know for this excellent novel - #TheRocks - and I've enjoyed his writing. I appreciate that he writes across genres and this most definitely falls into the Thriller/Horror category and, in my opinion, is superbly arranged and executed. This is a scary and thrilling novel about a serial killer in Maine and the characters are well-crafted (especially the most unlikable of the bunch)! This is a talent.
I listened to this book in record time because I simply couldn't stop--I couldn't wait to see where it was going. It is PERFECT material for a series (written AND televised). Alex Brangwen, the former novelist turned police officer, is an excellent main character and his wife, Morgana, is...I'll just say a memorable piece of work. NO SPOILERS (of course) but the way this novel concludes leaves ample space in which to create an ongoing detective series. But this is not a lighthearted detective series: there are some dark and brilliantly executed scenes in this book that will absolutely keep you up at night. So if you're sensitive to creepy situations, this may not be your jam. I love this writer and am so happy to have caught this upcoming release listed under audiobooks. I have a feeling I'll see these characters again -- in written sequels or on the screen. Really well done, Mr. Nichols!!!

Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols

Thank you so much Celadon Books for my gifted ARC and Macmillan Audiobook & NetGalley for the free audiobook.

Blurb:
A small town in coastal Maine is shaken to its core by a serial killer in this crime novel.

✨My thoughts:
Holy cow, did I love this book. It was an engaging page turner that I got through pretty quickly. When I wasn’t able to physically read it, I was listening to it! It isn’t necessarily fast paced but its a book I couldn’t look away from. Well except for chapter 34, I simply cannot stomach animal abuse so if your the same way, I’d say just skip it altogether. I’d say this is dark story but one that keeps you engrossed throughout. If you have trouble in the beginning, stick with it because it will pay off. Getting the perspective of the killer was creepy but I loved it. This is a book I definitely want a finished copy of to keep in my shelves! Granite Harbor is out April 30th, so keep your eyes peeled!

Happy reading 📖

I can’t put my finger on what I disliked about this one but it was meh for me. It might have been because it was such a slow burn, but it didn’t hold my attention

This was a very strange thriller. I did not enjoy the narrator at all, and found the entire storyline just has too many weird scenarios.

Granite Harbor is a close knit coastal town in Maine. When a teenaged boy is murdered, the whole town is in shock. Found at The Settlement, a historic archeological site, the investigation turned up some gruesome discoveries. Alex is the towns newest detective, a career change after failing as a novelist, he’s put a lot of pressure on himself to prove that he isn’t a failure. Using his wits as a writer helps, but it’s not quite enough to figure it all out without the help of Isabel. The two are parents to the murdered boys best friends and they are deeply worried about their own kids. When another young boy from their friend group is murdered and Isabel’s son, Ethan, and Alex’s daughter, Sophie, go missing, they are terrified. Will they be able to solve the case before it’s too late or has time already run out? I listened to this one on audio and while it had interesting plot, and the story was unique, I wasn’t overly fond of the narrator and the perp was very easy to figure out. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC of this book.

I enjoyed this book and the story! it was interesting and extremely thrilling!!! I will say I didn't enjoy the narrator as much as I would have liked to. but overall the book was interesting I found myself thinking . it was page turning and gave that small town creepy vibe that we all love and look forward to. I love a small town serial killer! Just didn't love the voice for the audio.

One day a local teen is found murdered in the Settlement, a historic, archeological site in Granite Harbor, Maine. Alex, the town’s detective and a former novelist, faces his first murder investigation. The murder hits close to home as the victim was friends with Alex’s daughter Sophie. When a second teen is killed in the same way, Alex turns to his ex-girlfriend, Isabel, for help, also hoping to keep her son Ethan from becoming the next victim.

In many ways, this is a story I’ve read before. It’s a straightforward, police procedural following a serial killer in a small town.

But I was unprepared for the graphic, horror elements. This really is a mash-up of both mystery and horror. The murders are graphic and disturbing, and involve animal cruelty.

I don’t mind graphic horror. In some cases it really works for me. And I have to admit to wanting to read to the end and know what happened. It’s a book that you can fly through, if the horror elements don’t get in your way.

But there was something off for me in the characterization. For one, the way the children were described felt like the author didn’t have children or have experience with them.

One example, Alex is described as having to buckle and unbuckle his daughter when she was in first through fifth grade when he’d drop her off at school. By 4, my kids had unbuckled themselves and we’re practically jumping out of the car before I could turn it off! Even the teenagers were described as caricatures: extremely moody and uncommunicative, sullen and withdrawn. I’ve worked with many teens as a teacher and kids are way more nuanced and complex than this.

I also had issues with the chapters from the serial killer perspective. This person also didn’t feel real. I understand they were really messed up, but their character felt just surface level to me.

At first I found the audio narrator hard to listen to as he has a more monotone way of reading and does a very strange accent for Alex who is British (I guess the audio narrator was attempting a British accent?), but I did get more used to it and liked listening to it by the end.

If you enjoy plot-heavy police procedurals, if you find it fascinating getting into the head of a serial killer, or if you want a fast-paced mystery you can fly through, I’d recommend picking this one up.

*Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the alc. All opinions are my own.

Woah. There was some darrrrkkk and gory stuff going on here, but I couldn’t get enough. I usually reserve my audiobooks for chores and car rides, but this is the first time ever that I laid in bed or on the couch with the tv off listening to an audiobook 🤣 because I needed to know what was going to happen next! It was totally gripping.

There’s plenty of ick topics and TWs to check out, but I really felt like this was a “grown up” thriller, as opposed to a lot of the “fluffier” thrillers I tend to read.

True Detective or Mare of Easttown vibes.

Read if you love:
Small town mystery
Coastal scenery
Family drama
Teenage angst

&you probably shouldn’t be squeamish 🫣