3.5 of 5 stars

Not as good as the first book, if I’m to be honest, but still a very fun read. When we last saw Gwen Proctor at the end of Stillhouse Lake, she’d just barely managed to keep her children out of the vengeful reach of her ex-husband, the infamous serial killer Melvin Royal. But that was before the prison break. Now Melvin is on the loose, and with no shortage of help from his network of psychotic fans, he’s also many times more dangerous and resourceful enough to evade the cops.

Tired of running, Gwen knows that as long as her ex-husband is still out there, she and her family will never be safe. Their house at the peaceful lakeside has become a target, prompting Gwen to hide her daughter Lanny and son Connor away with a neighbor so that they will be protected. With her kids out of harm’s way, there’s only one thing left to do. Not content to sit around waiting for news, Gwen and her friend Sam Cade, the brother of one of Melvin’s victims, decide to team up and go hunting for Melvin by themselves.

There’s no denying Killman Creek was an exciting read. Having enjoyed the first book immensely though, there were several areas where I felt this sequel was weaker, not to mention a few plot developments that were just plain infuriating. There was also a decreased sense of urgency, with the story taking a long time to build. At first, I thought we would be getting a lot more thrills by following Gwen and Sam as they go hunting, but turns out, they just end up being played for fools at every turn. This portrayal made them seem unprepared, gullible, and incompetent—a disappointing contrast from the confidence they instilled in Stillhouse Lake.

I did, however, enjoy getting perspective chapters from Gwen’s children, Lanny and Connor. That said, the new POVs came with their own issues, namely the way Caine milked the “naïve child” trope. Yes, we’ve all seen how young children in these kinds of stories are often manipulated because they don’t know any better, but it still irked to see how quickly and unquestioningly Gwen’s kids quickly turned on her, especially after everything she’s done for them and knowing the evil and deception their father was capable of.

But perhaps the biggest gut-punch was what happened to Sam’s character. Pretty much any chemistry that was established between him and Gwen was nullified by the events in this book, and I am still mystified as to why the author decided to take their relationship in this direction, in essence throwing all her hard work out the window. If Sam had any reason to still distrust Gwen, it should have been resolved in the first book, and I would have liked to see them move on to a new and different conflict. Instead, we retread old ground, using an unrealistic and far-fetched scenario to force a wedge between them. Again, after everything Gwen has done to prove herself, it just didn’t feel right for all that goodwill to be swept aside like it meant nothing to the people who supposedly loved her and had her back after all this time.

Still, while it may seem like this review is full of nothing but complaints, I do want to make it clear that I did enjoy this—just not as much as the first book. As a sequel though, I thought it was decent, and if you were a fan of Stillhouse Lake, there’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t read this next chapter of Gwen’s hair-raising battle against the monstrous Melvin Royal. Despite my criticisms of Killman Creek, I also really loved how it ended. In fact, given the tidy way it ended, I was actually quite surprised when I discovered there will be at least one more novel, disproving my initial thought that this series would be a duology. I’m curious to see how Rachel Caine will continue the story, so there is no doubt in my mind I’ll be picking up the next installment.

This is the second book in the Stillhouse Lake series and the second book I've read written by Rachel Caine. I really liked both books and will definitely be reading more of Ms. Caine's books. I received the first book, Stillhouse Creek, from Amazon. It was a free featured book for Amazon Prime members. When I saw the second book was in the works, I watched for it and was thrilled when I saw it available on Net Galley. I loved it almost as much as I loved Stillhouse Lake. In fact, I liked it so much I bought the paperback as a Christmas gift this year. Just like the first book, I couldn't put it down once I started!

The first thing I liked was the well-developed characters. I found myself town between liking and disliking Gwen. I don't know if Rachel did that on purpose, but it certainly made me want to keep reading to decide whether she was legit in her hatred for her ex-husband or if there was a possibility she was connected to him. I also foud myself a little irritated that she allowed herself to be scamed which resulted in her being found.

I can't wait for the third book to come out and to read more from Rachel. I definitely recommend this book and this series.

After truly enjoying the first book in the series, Stillhouse Lake, I couldn't wait to follow the journey of the characters. It was this book that led me to NetGalley. Killman Creek was just as suspenseful and captivating as its predecessor.

Thrilling, chilling and not one to read alone in the dark!!

Great follow-up to Stillhouse Lake. These books are tense and smart. As I read them I'm in awe of the character of Gwen and what she does in order to protect her children from their serial-killer father and the angry public that blames Gwen for her husband's murders. Rachel Caine never shies away from the showing us the scope of the horrors Gwen experiences and she never once uses gore and violence to titillate. #KillmanCreek #NetGalley

Rachel Caine is an amazing writer. Killman Creek is a well written, well developed addition to the Stillhouse Lake Series. I would and have recommended this series to friends, family, and a book club I'm in.

Not as good as the first book. The plot was predictable and the characters were not developed in new ways. It had some suspenseful moments, but overall was not memorable.

After the events of book one, I was anxious to get back to Gwen and her children. Gwen used to be Gina Royal and had the seemly perfect life. Two children, a loving husband and a house in the burbs. At least it was until the dead tortured body of a young woman was found in her garage and she learned her husband Melvin was a serial killer. Gina was arrested, tried and released since she had no knowledge of her hubby's secret life. Now she and the children are the Proctors. Until Stillhouse Lake, they have been on the run, avoiding the crazed people who think she is guilty and seeking their own brand of justice. Events in book one leave Gwen and her children on the run and a serial killer on the loose.

I also listened to this on audio. I love that Brilliance cast four narrators for the story. The POVs were broken up by chapter, and the different narrations made changes easy to follow. Emily Sutton-Smith continued Gwen's narrative, Lauren Ezzo was the voice of Lanny. Will Ropp shared Sam's POV, and Dan John Miller portrayed young Conner.

Gwen hides the children with Javier and Kenzia, whom we met in the previous book. She and Sam begin to investigate the mysterious group that betrayed Gwen. They hope finding them will help them hunt down Melvin.

Killman Creek was darker than its predecessor as Caine took us on the hunt to catch a brilliant and twisted killer. OMG! I was biting my nails and clenching my fists with some of these realistic, terrifying scenes. The twists and deception along with the POVs of Conner and Lanny about killed me. I LOVED EVERY TERRIFYING MOMENT!

I love the author. I have read at least 2/3 of her books. This book is good but it is part of a series. Killman Creek is an continuation and second book in a trilogy. It's a good read but I wish I had waited for all the books to come out before starting the series. Will read next book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

I read the first book in this series, and loved it, so I was excited to see there was going to be more to the story. When I started reading, I had all but forgotten about the intimate details, and I was worried I wasn’t going to remember the characters. However, the second I started reading, everything came pouring back. It was almost a subtle “Last time on...” but it didn’t feel forced.

I found myself sucked in, and constantly looking for more time to be able to read this story. It is incredibly fast paced, and keeps me wanting more! Is there going to be a third? I don’t know what else could happen to this family, but I am not ready for the story to end.

In the sequel to Stillhouse Lake, Gwen and Sam have set off to find Melvin Royal, her serial killer ex husband who has broken out of prison, before he finds her. The beginning of the book was slightly annoying. Lanny and Connor have their own point of view chapters filled with typical teenage angst. I was a little worried that the plot was getting side tracked by their POV chapters. However, as I kept reading I found myself just as entrenched in Gwen's struggles as I did in the first book. This is a fast paced read with plenty of fearful moments. I am somewhat a chicken and can not handle too much gore. And there was some gore in this book, but I found it to be minimal. If you like suspense thrillers, I highly recommend this series.

Poor Gwen, she just survived some crazy stuff from book one of this series and then there is the fact that she was married to a big old serial killer (and had no clue.) She just wants a calm life with her kids...and she knows that both of them are all kinds of mentally jacked up. But does she get that break? Nope. She is gonna have to don the cape again so that she and her kids will have even a chance of a normal life.


***sorta spoilery if you haven't read the first one**
Gwen's ex (the crazy serial killer) has escaped prison. Gwen knows it is just a matter of time before hubby dear makes an appearance at her door. Because he thinks Gwen is still the meek little church mouse that was married to him.


He is in for a big old surprise, because Gwen is not waiting for him. She is hunting him.


I flipping loved these books! I think this one is my favorite of the two but they still both qualify in the "it was goooood" category. I'd have handed out the full five stars on this one except for one thing that bugged me. (view spoiler)

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
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What a great sequel! I enjoyed Stillhouse Lake and thought the author did a good job, but I feel Killman Creek is even better. With the way Stillhouse Lake ended, you just knew things were going to get crazy. Caine definitely delivered.

After years of being on the run with her kids, the hunted becomes the huntress. While determined to put her serial killer ex-husband down like the sick bastard he is, she is swept up in something far more sinister and demented than she could’ve ever imagined. The depravity runs deep, taking us on a dark and thrilling ride.

I found myself enraged for Gwen’s sake and wanting to go all Wonder Woman for truth, justice, and to just plain kick ass. Gwen held it down though! Unlike the first book, this is told from four perspectives – Gwen, Sam, Lanny, and Connor. I wasn’t sure about this move at first, but it actually brought the story together really well and only added to the intensity.

Overall this is a wonderfully disturbing must-read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book.

I requested this book because I had read Stillhouse Lake #1 and really liked it. I knew there was going to be a sequel and I was looking forward to reading it. However, I just couldn't get into this book like I did the first one. I believe it was because of the alternating points of views between the main characters. I honestly stopped reading it around the 4th chapter because of the way it was set up.

This book is a continuation of Stillhouse Lake book.

The protagonist Gwen Proctor instead of running away from her psychopath husband and internet trollers, decides to face them and hunt her husband.

It is a fast-pacing book and it keeps you on toes. It is extremely well-written and absolutely thrilling book. As one read through the book, it makes them frustrated, angry and sad as the circumstance changes.

I really liked the story and it won't get boring.

The gripping sequel to “Stillhouse Lake”. What a follow up! Both books are packed with intensity. Both are page turners. Written excellently that made you feel like you were right there! Can’t wait for book 3!!!

I was given a copy of Killman Creek from the publishers via Netgalley for my honest review!!

From my blog: Always With a Book:

My thoughts: I think I might have a new favorite author and series...Rachel Caine has managed to blow things out of the water with her Stillhouse Lake series, and we're only on book 2 so far! But word of caution before reading any further in this review...if you haven't read book 1 of this series, Stillhouse Lake, I highly suggest not reading any further...Killman Creek is a sequel and picks up right where the previous books ends. This second book contains spoilers for what happens in that first book. Read this series in order...it's meant to be read that way!

When I say Stillhouse Lake was only the beginning, I am not kidding. But I loved that while these two books are both incredibly addicting, intense and twisty, they are also different. This time around, we have multiple characters telling the story - partly because the family isn't together the whole time. Now that Melvin has escaped from prison, Gwen is on the hunt to find him before he gets her, so she along with Sam Cade take off, leaving her children in the care of two people she most trusts. So we have Gwen, Sam and the two children narrating parts of the story - I loved this. I loved getting inside all their heads, hearing how they were all handling what was happening. It adds another element to the story.

This book is also more action-packed than the previous one. Again, I liked this distinction and I think it made sense given all that was going on. This story line moves fast - a lot is going on, a lot is thrown at us...it's intense! It really keeps you on your toes as you aren't quite sure what is going to come next.

I really enjoyed this thriller and liked that for the most part everything is tied up by the end. I'm quite curious to see where book 3 takes us...it's a bit of a wait, but I'll definitely be reading it!!!

Thank you Netgalley for a ARC of Killman Creek! This sequel lived up to its predecessor! It was fast-paced and full of twists and turns. This one had me reading in every free moment, as I waited in line for coffee, while in the car wash line, and even while warming my son's bottle for 30 seconds! I appreciated that the author changed to narration from multiple perspectives, it added to the suspense and aided in further character development. My only gripe with this book was a few plot points that seemed far- fetched and ill fitting, although any book is allowed a few eye rolling moments. The ending was satisfying and left me wondering where we go from here. I will definitely be waiting impatiently for the next installment.

Gwen Proctor is still hiding from Melvin Royal. She wants him dead now that he's broken out of jail, but keeping her kids safe is the most important thing on her mind.

When she discovers that the hacker she had trusted is not only working with serial killer Melvin--he's also putting out fake videos that show Gwen helped Melvin--she knows that hiding has gotten that much more difficult. This needs to end--now.

Follow up book in the Stillhouse Lake series, Killman Creek gives us the confrontations we've been waiting for. Entertaining and suspenseful, Caine keeps you turning pages all night like the experienced and skilled writer she is. Great book.

Killman Creek contains the major players from book 1, as well as introducing new figures. The breathlessness I experienced in Stillhouse Lake was back. Killman Creek made me nervous, as if someone was tracking ME! In this book, Caine uses alternating characters with each chapter, and sadly, that technique took away from the experience for me. I felt pulled in all directions. It seemed like more profanity was present in this title, which isn’t my favorite and truly didn’t feel necessary to emphasize the urgency of the situation. There were many things going on with the characters that made it hard for me to focus on the main thing – survival. It was still a great story, and I was excited to see that this is supposed to be a 3-book series. Count me in for book 3!