Once I started reading the novel I realised it's part of a series and as I hadn't read the first book I felt there were some missing parts.
Would recommend reading novel one first

I struggled to get into this book if I am being honest. It just didn't grab me like previous books written by the author, I just could not continue reading it!

Certianly works as a standalone novel and perhaps works better as a standalone than as a followup to The Butterfly Garden. The fast pace of The Butterfly Garden isn't matched by The Roses of May. It took me much longer to get into it, but I still enjoyed it.

I didn't read THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN. Perhaps if I had, I would have enjoyed this book more. I found it both rushed and obvious. I like character driven stories and just dd not find the characters or plot particularly believable.

The Roses Of May is the 2nd book in the "Collector" series by Dot Hutchison.
While this was a gripping novel it didn't have the same shock factor as the 1st in the series, The Butterfly Garden.
This story follows the same detectives as they dive into another unrelated case. However, the characters and the story from The Butterfly Garden interweave slightly with this story.
A serial killer is, once again, on the prowl and the detectives have formed a friendship with the sister of one of the murder victims. This is the chilling tale of Priya who starts finding clues that the killer might be targeting her next.
A haunting story that left me wanting more.
I look forward to the final book in the trilogy.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of The Roses of May by Dot Hutchison.

This is a sequel of The Butterfly Garden.

After the grotesque "garden" has been invaded and destroyed, the victims, or "butterflies" are working hard to recover and integrate back into the real world. The detectives, while relieved that the previous victims are safe, now have a new killer to worry about. Known for targeting young women, and covering them with flowers, he seems to have his eye set on Priya, who has already lost her sister to his violence. And it's not enough for Priya and her mother to keep moving, the killer keep showing up, keeps sending flowers. Will they be able to escape his terror?

I remember really enjoying while also being completely terrified with The Butterfly Garden. This was pretty fine. I liked the strength of the women, and their different ways of coping with their anger and pain. I liked that the author didn't try to project any message of forgiveness onto the victims. I also appreciated that Priya, coped with her loss and grieve through compulsive overeating. I don't feel like that's represented enough in books, that not all grievers stop eating.

The dialogue was a bit hokey. The relationship between the detectives and Priya made me a little uncomfortable. Like I get that they would feel an attachment to the victims families, but it was almost like they were meant to be a threesome of overly protective parents to Priya and it bugged me. Plus, considering how insanely protective Priya's mother already was, I have a hard time believing that she would be cool with it.

I listened to the audio version of this book. I will not be writing a review. This book was at best, average. I was disappointed after The Butterfly Garden, which I thought was an exceptional book.

The story revolves around Priya who is seeking for some sort of closure for her sister's death who murdered by the same serial killer that is after her now. In my opinion, this book can be read as a standalone book. It is not as dark and creepy as the first book but it will sure give you the chills down your spine because the author takes you inside the serial killer's point of view which to me is amusing because not a lot of thriller/mystery books has this aspect in the story. All in all, I don't want to give too much about the book but a good recommendation. This is one of those stories that will haunt you this Halloween.

The Roses in May is the 2nd book in The Collector trilogy by Dot Hutchinson and I absolutely ADORED the first. This book starts off where the first book ends and whilst it's not as grippng or compelling, I look forward to reading the final book.

"And he realizes that no, he doesn't have to be here. There's no Bureau requirement, no order, no generally agreed guideline, nothing official that mandates his presence at the funeral of a girl who killed herself because the seams where she broke the first time were too fragile to stitch together a second time."

After The Butterfly Garden, I was terrified to start this! That book ripped my heart to shreds. But I'm glad I read this because it was so good and a great addition to the series. Dot Hutchison is such a great writer. She pulls you in immediately and doesn't let her grip loosen. The new characters are intensely likeable and the story is interesting. I felt like the beginning was on the slower side, but it picks up quickly. Overall, a really solid book. I am loving this series.

This isn't what I was expecting. Honestly, I thought it was going to pick up with The Butterflies after their rescue. I didn't realize it was going it was new victims and following the FBI agents. This one was actually very well done though. I liked how Priya's childhood trauma shaped her in her teen years, it was very relatable. I loved that Priya had the fire to do whatever means necessary to catch the killer, even if it upset the FBI agents a smidge. The buildup to the reveal of the killer was a slow burn, I loved every minute. The books are progressively getting better the more the author puts out.

I loved Dot's first book in The Collector Trilogy, The Butterfly Garden, so naturally, I HAD to read this! It was definitely a different feel than the first and took me some time to get into. The more I read, the more creepy and hooked into the plot I became. It's a great read but I thought I would love this one more.

The Butterfly Garden RULED, so I was SO excited for this one. This just wasn't as great. I wanted it to be but I was having a hard time with characters relationships in this one. I like when a story is told from multiple point of views but this seemed like it was more confusing for me. I just couldn't follow it as easy. I didn't HATE it but I also felt it was a letdown. This book was just not my cup of tea.

The Roses of May by Dot Hutchison is the second book of The Collector Trilogy Book. The first book was called The butterfly Garden which I found it to be a fantastic and chilling 10/10 read. I found The Roses of May another brilliant read
It was just as creepy, disturbing and scary in parts. What a brilliant book. I just loved it just like the first book. The only thing I would say I did fine the story a bit far fetched and I just wish I had that amount of money. I found all the characters had excellent story lines and were interesting.
This book was powerful just like the first book and now looking forward to the next instalment of this Trilogy.

5 star review from me. Roll on May when her next book is out x

I was a huge fan of the author's previous book in this series, The Butterfly Garden. While The Roses of May continues after the previous novel, the plot line of the previous book is not necessary for this novel. It will ruin the ending of The Butterfly Garden, but this book is strong enough to stand alone.
The characters are beautifully written and developed, and without much effort at all you're rooting for them to get what they want most, because as broken as they are, they never once give up. They don't give into the easier route of absolute grief and the excuse that would give them to just fall apart. They build themselves back up and they fight, they climb, and they persever.

After reading 'The Butterfly Garden' and loving it I was desperate to read this next one in the series.

It did not disappoint at all, I can't wait for the last one to come out, I already have it on pre-order!!

5 whopping stars!!

Roses of May by Dot Hutchison is the sequel to The Butterfly Garden; easily one of my surprise favorites of the past year, but it is not a sequel as well. It is it's own tale of suspense and terror and survival in which characters of the prior novel make and appearance. Some more important than others. What Roses of May is, quite simply, is one of the best books that you have yet to discover.

"...So when one of her brothers comes by a bit later, worried when she didn't return home right away, he finds her laid out before the altar, purple-throated white lilies in a halo about her head, her clothing neatly folded and stacked on a pew, the hat atop the pile and her plain buckle shoes beside. The gash across her throat is a clean line, because she couldn't struggle while unconscious.
No pain, No fear.
She won't have the chance to fall like Darla Jean, won't face the that temptation and betrayal.
Zoraida Bourret will always be a good girl..."

Four months have passed since the Garden exploded and all the young girls and women, once known as the Butterflies, have been freed from their captors. For FBI agents Brandon Eddison, Victor Hanoverian, and Mercedes Ramirez are working through wreckage of that case. But, in their own way, the Butterflies are healing and now the agents can concentrate on another case. One that has been years in the making and one that they are no closer to solving.

"...The rest of our family died around midnight, only it took a while to know for sure. Mom and I were phoenixes, rising in our own way. Dad just burned and burned until he didn't.
The public steals tragedies from victims. It sound strange, I know, but I think you may be one of the few people who'll understand what I mean by that. These things happened to us, to our loved ones, but it hits the news and suddenly everyone with a TV or a computer feels like they're entitled to our reactions and recoveries.
They're not..."

Girls are turning up dead, laid at the altar of a church, their throats slit open and surrounded by flowers.

Priya Stravasti's sister was killed years ago, her body laid at a church altar and surround by flowers. But now, years later, it seems that the killer is taking an interest in Priya. Flowers are showing up at her door and the killer seems to be getting closer and closer. The agents have kept in contact with Priya and her mother, but for now all they can do is surveillance. Somehow, they will need to draw the killer out.

"...She looks off into the stretch of trees that backs the playground, running along in a thick strip between this row of houses and the ones behind them. She hates the woods, and it took almost two years and a night of far too much tequila for her to tell them why. Vic might have already known, actually, if he had access to her background, but he'd never made mention of it if he had. Most of her nightmares were born in the woods, something that may never leave her.
It's never stopped her from running straight into the trees if there's a chance in hell the kid they're looking for is alive in there.
'Yes,' she says eventually, drawing out the word. 'I suppose I am.'
Because there's the law, and there's justice, and they're not always the same thing..."

Priya knows that she is the key to catch her sister's killer. But just how far is she willing to go and can the Agents protect her from herself?

Roses of May is a thrilling ride of survival and justice. And the thin line between justice and vengeance. Priya drives this tale and she may be easily the best female character written in the last year. Her interaction with the Agents and then the Butterflies and even the Veterans are something of a marvel. Dot Hutchison has found a niche her with these characters and her ability to make broken and traumatized women into a force to be reckoned with is entertaining and uplifting.

Don't make a mistake, this is dark and disturbing and a very haunting tale of murder most cruel. the reasoning and mental state of the murderer makes a reader take a second look at those around them. It reminds me that the worst things that have ever been done are usually done with good intentions. Except of course, with the one with the intentions is a madman.

Roses of May is more than a good thriller. It is one of the best novels you have not read.

Pick it up!

I started this book with the expectation that it would be a continuation of the story from "The Butterfly Garden", as this is the second book in the "The Collector Series". But the book could just as easily been a stand-alone novel. This book really doesn't compare to the first book in the series (which I thought was beautifully disturbing and a great read.)

The book is enjoyable and I liked having the same characters (mostly) but the story is a bit slow moving. Because it is #2 in the series, I feel like I am judging it more by the bar set in book #1 in the series than on it's own merits. Unfortunately for me, it doesn't live up to my expectations (which were set by the first book in the series.) Had I read this book first, I think I would have enjoyed it but may or may not have continued the series.

I am very curious as to where #3 of the series will take us.

I would recommend this book, but with the disclaimer that if you loved the first in the series, go into this one with an open mind and try not to compare the two.

**Received from NetGalley for my honest review.**

The story was interesting but I admit that I was lost for the first quarter of it. I was expecting a continuation of Butterfly Garden and I got thrown off when it wasn't. In all honesty I feel like this was a very rushed publication. To me this read more like a stand-alone story than a sequel book. It was an enjoyable read but I wish the main character had more depth and background. Perhaps, more of a connection between characters from book one to book two may have helped bridge the gap more efficiently. Though a tad disappointed, I'm not giving up on this series.


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2181485362

3.5 stars, rated down.

No where NEAR the level of Butterfly Garden, not even in the same league. Enjoyable, and nice to get a continuation of the Butterfly Garden's characters, but this is just a garden (pun intended) variety murder mystery (sans the mystery) with good characters but a boring (in comparison) story.

I would have rated up, if I had not known the killer from the moment we met them. Yes, <spoiler>she threw any number of people in our faces about how they could be the killer, which is why it was so obvious who it was</spoiler>.

If The Butterfly Garden was rated on a scale of 1-10, I'd rate it a 10, while I'd rate this follow up a 6. Had this been the starter of a new series, it'd stand as enjoyable, nothing remarkable about it. Good characters, it just falls so short of its predecessor. :/ I will read the next book though, as I do like the characters and after a very slow start, I liked this, I just won't swoon over it, like I did The Butterfly Garden.