Cover Image: Killman Creek

Killman Creek

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

In Stillhouse Lake, Gwen Proctor discovered that her husband was a serial killer. He escaped capture, and in thus sequel she finds herself and her children still in hiding from him. When she starts receiving messages from him, she takes her children and goes on the run again, staying just one step ahead of his cruel agenda.

Was this review helpful?

This book was very good. I read it in 2 days. Love the Author. Only gets better. Run...to buy this book. Highly recommend!!!

Was this review helpful?

I am trying to put into words what this series made me feel! This second book was the BOMB! If you thought the first one was good this one was even better. Things like "edge of your seat", "suspenseful" and descriptions like those are honestly too short to describe this. Gwen is on a hunt for his murderer ex husband who escaped from jail. She knows he's after her and her family... Will she find him first? She's up against him and Absalom, the hackers that we got to know in Stillhouse Lake. And we will be part of this hunt that will lead to brutal scenes and bloody murders. You need to read this book asap if you haven't. I know I am late in the game for this review but this is a keeper. I am a huge fan of Gwen's character and everything she accomplished as mother and a woman to protect her family and keep them safe. Even from their very own monster-father. LOVED. IT. All the stars.

Was this review helpful?

Amazing sequel!! I can’t wait to read more!! Review will be up on my blog soon.

Was this review helpful?

A great follow up to Stillhouse Lake! Tense, twisty, so much going on.

Was this review helpful?

First book was great, even if it ended on a cliffhanger. Being a long time reader of Rachel Caine's books, I should be used by now, which doesn't mean I like them.

That been said, Kilman Creek is a great second installment, and I cannot wait for book #3

Was this review helpful?

This is the sequel to Stillhouse Lake, a thriller I read last year and loved. This was provided for review, so thank you to NetGalley for that! Gwen Proctor is living a secret life. She used to be Gina Royal, wife and mother of two until her husband was revealed to be a prolific serial killer. She had to change her name and those of her children, bringing them on the run, moving at a minutes notice, if it looked like the internet trolls who stalked them had found their whereabouts. In the first book the family had managed to find peace at Stillhouse Lake; that is until the bodies of young women began to turn up nearby, murdered in the same gruesome method as Gwen's ex husband was known for. While that turned out to not be the work of Gwen's ex, he did escape his prison cell at the end of the first book and so now Killman Creek is about their survival again; can Gwen track him down and kill him before he finds her? I love Gwen's character; she's strong and resilient but human too. As her close knit support circle begins to dwindle she has only herself to rely on and she has to find the strength to keep going, even in the face of utter horror. It's unusual to find a female protagonist like this and I'm really hoping there'll be a third book!

Was this review helpful?

WOWZA...

This book seriously stressed me out. It was so dark and fast paced. I was out of my mind trying to keep up.
My heart broke for Gwen and the number that they did on her. She was doubting herself AND she knew the truth.
GREAT read! This author really knows twisted. Looking forward to more from her.

Was this review helpful?

I didn’t think the sequel to Still House could get any better as the first novel raised a high bar. I was wrong; I’m both glad and disturbed that it was better. This collection takes a dark turn in this novel and even though it’s cruel and agonising at times, it’s next to impossible to stop reading it. I’m getting ahead of myself though.

When Gwen Proctor won the battle to protect her children from her ex-husband, serial killer Melvin Royal, she thought the war was won too. She was wrong. Things take a dark turn when Melvin escapes from prison and threatens her family’s lives. This time, however, she refuses to be the hunted. Not longer safe at Stillhouse, Gwen leaves her children, Connor and Lanny, in the custody of a well-armed neighbour and goes hunting. Who knew that knowing one of the sickest serial killers gave you some essential knowledge? Together with the brother of one of the many victims, Larry, how far is she willing to go to protect her children? Very, very far.

It’s a strong and dark sequel; it made me stay glued to its page even when it got unbearable. A complete washing machine of emotions and moments that keep the reader on the seat. The pace of the story is fast, full of action and non-stop suspense. Unlike the unique perspective of the main female character, in the sequel, the reader has four perspectives: Gwen, her children and Lanny. Rachel Caine manages the different points-of-view perfectly and it’s easy to jump from one to the other without getting lost in the process.

​The setting is much darker than the previous instalment. Caine takes us on a dark journey through the world of torture, child pornography and the exchanges made on the dark side of the internet.

The characters are incredible, more than in the first book. Now that we’ve been introduced to Gwen and her works of her serial killer ex-husband, this novel explores the effect of all the moving, close calls and the lasting repercussions of being implicated in the horrid works of a monster. It was a bit heartbreaking to read the doubt in the minds of the children, questioning their mothers’ motivations and actions. Gwen is still a woman to be reckoned with, even more than before. Now, she’s tired of running and ready to do whatever it takes to have peace. Her emotions and her attitude make her one of the most believable characters I've read so far this year. The villain is both scary and incredibly imagined. The way he's described and his style of hunting had me looking over my shoulder in the street.

Caine raised the bar very high for the next installment. I can’t wait to see what she will create next. I recommend this book to all the fans of a good, heart-stopping thriller filled with action.

​Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book.

Was this review helpful?

This was an excellent sequel to Stillhouse Lake. I didn’t want to put it down at all.

The characters are as good as they were in book 1. It felt like it focused on all the other characters, leaving Gwen and Lanny feeling more like background characters as we learn more about Connor and Sam. I did particularly like the multiple POVs, and it really helped to add to the sense of tension and conflict.

I also really liked learning more about Absolom. Learning about the structure and the uses and the dark net was really interesting, and I just wanted to keep reading to learn more.

Was this review helpful?

This book did not consume me like Stillhouse Lake did. Stillhouse was one of the best books I have ever read. Killman was repetitive and took too long to get to where it was going. Tired me out.

Was this review helpful?

Book 1 was just so good and the ending was breathtaking, my expectation with this sequel was so high but even so I wasn't disappointed. The author delivered...

After what happened in Stillhouse Lake, Gwen is now hunting Melvin and his accomplices. She must do it, in order to protect her children from their father who just escaped from jail and then have a normal life for them. Her determination is even strong thinking that she learned from one of the worst killers alive anyway-Melvin himself. And she has Sam, brother of one of Melvin's victims.

At first I was worried when I saw that unlike book 1 which was told only thru Gwen's POV, Killman Creek is told in 4. Too many POVs can mean too much information revealed, but that didn't happen. In fact having all of the main characters' POV was brilliant because all their thoughts were necessary to the plot and its development.
The story is still intense and i couldn't just stop reading. Yeah okay, the things happened might be little expected, still didn't stop me from devouring this book. Besides, in book 1, I already invested so much feelings and care towards the characters and so the fact that they are endangered made me turn the pages and read as fast as I can. :)
The characters, needless to say, are still well-developed... Ahm specially Lanny. :) I loved her even more this time. :)
And Sam.... :)
And COnnor...
And Gwen, darn I love her. Though I'm not yet a mother and maybe will never be, I can feel her emotions towards her children which is both endearing and touching. This, in fact, is one of the reasons why book 1 was so amazing. With Gwen as narrator, you can't help but care for her and her struggles and fear for her. And that sentiment was of course carried through book two.
Overall, this is one of the best thriller I read in 2017... And Rachel Caine a new-to-me author, didn't disappoint. This won't be my last of her.

Was this review helpful?

I loved Stillhouse Lake SO much and was so eager to dive into Killman Creek, but, unfortunately it really did not do it for me like its predecessor did. When I finished Stillhouse, my heart was literally pounding so hard I thought it would burst out of my chest and I needed to start Killman immediately. I knew once I was taking my time and reading a few chapters here and there between other books that this one wasn't going to be the same 5 star experience for me. I still wanted to finish this one, regardless. Anyone who knows me, knows I read VERY VERY quickly (something I have done since I first learned to read) and sometimes read more than one book in a day. I read this over the course of 18 days, so there you go!

Was this review helpful?

Great read! Honest edge of your seat thriller. Who do you trust when you trust no one?

Was this review helpful?

3.5 crime thriller stars

This book is a sequel to Stillhouse Lake and really needs to be read in sequence. If you haven't read the first book, I would strongly suggest doing so before delving into this one.

Killman Creek overall was an enjoyable and fast paced read. However, with that said, I'm a little torn about Killman Creek. On the one hand, the writing was tense and engaging and it was fun to re-visit the characters from Stillhouse Lake as they hunted the infamous serial killer Melvin Royal. The story is told from multiple perspectives including Gwen Proctor, Sam, Connor and Lanny.. This allowed the story to break into two plot lines - one focused on Gwen and Sam as they searched for Absalom and Melvyn; and the other on Connor and Lanny being left behind in hiding.

I was quite captivated by the first plot line involving Sam and Gwen (although it started off a little slow). I found the second plot line with Gwen's kids not as engaging and even a tad frustrating. I think if the book had only focused on Gwen's adventure, I would have liked it more. I will say there were emotional moments that I wasn't expecting midway through that had me glued to the pages. Overall a solid read and a good sequel to the original.
A warm felt thank you to publisher, Rachel Caine and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

With how the first was left, I wasn't super thrilled about reading this one, and was even less thrilled when I noticed a 3rd was going to be released because it left me with the feel that there were going to be two books full of cat and mouse activity until someone finally dies. Don't get me wrong, I usually prefer for everyone to die, which I know is morbid, but I don't always like a happy ending.

I just don't know how much more poor Gwen and her kids can take. Connor is already super messed up and I have a feeling he might be headed down the same path.
Also the Sam and Gwen factor, in the real world, I don't see people ever getting over the emotional trauma and the trust issues that these guys have, but to each their own I guess. I guess with hard work and determination anything is possible.

Don't get me wrong, I obviously enjoyed it enough to finish it and I will finish the 3rd when it comes out, but man, these poor people have suffered enough.

Was this review helpful?

This second installment to Stillhouse Lake blew me away. If you have not read the first novel, you need to and you need to read them in order. You will be lost on background knowledge if you don't start with Stillhouse Lake. 

From the first page to the last page, I was completely engaged, I was on the edge of my seat and I did not know what was going to happen. This was a thrill ride! I loved the first novel, but I loved this one even more. 
The book opens up with a little background story (not enough to fill you in though) of where the last book ended off. Gwen Proctor previously know as Gina Royal in her past life will stop at nothing when hunting down her ex-husband. During this adventure, Sam Cade stays by her side even though he has all the reason in the world to turn against her and kill her himself. Her ex-husband has brutally murdered his sister and how is he to know if Gwen actually helped. The evidence that shows up in this novel doesn't make it look good for her in his eyes, or her children's. 

Not only does Gwen face the sicko patrol, Absalom, and her ex-husband she has to face the small circle of friends she does has and the reasons they turned against her when she needed them the most. 

Gwen is at a fight for her life to protect her children and it was the most suspenseful read I have read. I could not read this book fast enough for how busy my personal life is. If I had no other engagements, I could have easily read this book in a sitting or two. 

Looking at characters, I have to share my love for Sam Cade. Not only is a huge character in the book but he is a strong character. I want to have my own Sam Cade when fighting issues. He is brave, supportive, strong, gentle and flies by the seat of his pants. My favorite kind of character.

This novel was full of twists and turns. Reading it, I could picture this movie as a motion picture and I'm really crossing my fingers in hope that might happen one day. This is a great two book story and would make a great movie!

The Stillhouse Lake Series is a series I will love for all time and will read again when necessary. Highly recommended!

Was this review helpful?

This installment of the Stillhouse Lake trilogy was such a good sequel to book one. It was full of even more twists - if possible and really kept one wondering exactly what side certain characters were on. I couldn't even imagine the path that the author followed in telling the story of Gwen and her battle to escape Melvin, her ex-husband serial killer. This book didn't just live up to my expectations for the sequel --- it surpassed them.
Anxiously awaiting the third book to see what happens next.

After reading the first book in 2017 and loving it, I was happy and thankful to receive an eARC copy from the publisher of this book. Here is my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Gwen Proctor managed to defeat her serial killer ex-husband, Melvin Royal, and save her children from his accomplices when they infiltrated their home at Stillhouse Lake. Now that Melvin has escaped prison, a whole new set of concerns turns their world upside down. Suddenly Gwen, Lanny, and Connor realize that they are not safe anywhere.

Stillhouse Lake and all the hopes the Proctor family’s house held there are gone. Instead of reverting to going on the run, Gwen decides to take a stand and become the hunter instead of the hunted. With the aid of the brother of one of Melvin’s victims, she set out to track down the monster she used to call her husband. As the depths to the evil that Melvin encompasses come to light, Gwen begins to fear if she will ever be successful in ridding him from her life. Will Gwen be able to escape Melvin once and for all or will he destroy her before she has the chance?

Rachel Caine brings back a stronger, angrier, and more determined Gwen Proctor in KILLMAN CREEK, the second novel in a series focusing on her life. Instead of running from her fears, Gwen has decided to seek vengeance for the horrible crimes that rocked her world five years ago and the man that caused them. STILLHOUSE LAKE was an exhilarating ride with a family trying to escape their past. Caine stepped up the notch with the second edition. I was at the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next. I raced through the last few chapters wanting to know how things would end. KILLMAN CREEK is perfect for a reader looking to go on the hunt for a serial killer and step into not only their mind, but the minds of those they have impacted.

Was this review helpful?

I really, really and I mean I really liked Stillhouse Lake. I liked it so much that I now have quite a few people in my office at work reading Stillhouse Lake right now. So, it should be no surprise, I was super excited to read the sequel Killman Creek. Killman Creek took off right where the Stillhouse Lake left off. Gwen is on the run and searching for her ex-husband now that he has escaped prison. With the help of Sam, Gwen decides to go after him. Of course, that is what you do when you don’t want to be on the run hiding from your serial killer crazed ex-husband. Just like the first book Killman Creek is filled with creepy characters and thrilling escapes. I am definitely rounding up on this one because it did feel like more of a 3.5 read. Only because, it took me quite some time to really get into this book but once I did then I felt the same thrilling magic I felt for Stillhouse Lake.
One of things that made Killman Creek really standout from the first book is that it is told in multiple points of view. I liked how the audiobook accommodated for all the points of view with different actors for the charter telling that part of the story. It really added that wow factor and made the story even more addicting. I definitely enjoyed how the actors brought the story to life.
In Stillhouse Lake the only character point of view is Gwen’s. In Killman Creek the story is told from her daughter’s POV, her son’ POV and Sam (her friend and brother to one of Melvin’s victim). It was nice to see how Melvin the husband, the father, and the monster was seen through other people's eyes. The beginning of this book was a bit slow. There was a lot of searching and set up for the climatic show down at the end. I did feel that some of the beginning was bit filler. But, man oh man, when this book took off I couldn’t stop listening. Gwen and her gang of sidekicks are kickass usual. I don’t want to give more than that away because it better to not know anything more. Just know that if you liked Stillhouse Lake you will like Killman Creek. I am definitely invested in Gwen Proctor, family, and her sidekicks. I think there might be more in store for Gwen, or maybe that is just wishful thinking. These books have definitely become an auto read for me and I need more.

Was this review helpful?