Gwen Proctor will do whatever it takes to keep Melvin Royal he ex-husband and serial killer away from her children. Melvin's escape from prison has forced Gwen to make the decision to run once again or stand her ground. With the help of Sam Cade she decides to hunt down Melvin and put an end to his sick games but Melvin has other plans for his family.

Killman Creek is the action packed second novel in the Stillhouse Lake series. This one picks up right where Stillhouse Lake left off with the escape of Melvin Royal. This is a fantastic series that will keep you on the edge of your seat. In this second novel the author transitions POV's between Gwen, Sam, Lanny, and Connor so we get more insight into Sam and the kid’s emotional states. This is one of the best series I have read in quite a while and I can't wait for the third novel to release this fall.

I received this book from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Killman Creek is the second book of the Stillhouse Lake series. In the first book, Gwen Proctor and her children Lanny and Connor have changed their original names and are trying to live below the radar after their husband and father, Melvin Royal is convicted as a serial killer. At the end of book one, we find Melvin has escaped prison and is gunning for Gwen and Gwen must decide whether to keep running or continue to build a life for her and her family. She decides to stay and face Melvin head-on so he can't intimidate and control her any longer. With the help of her neighbour, Sam Cade, Gwen goes on the hunt for Melvin. But all is not what it seems..
The first book builds your empathy and support for Gwen and her children as they try to live a somewhat normal life as the unwitting family of a serial killer. They are tried and convicted by the public and in the media and mercilessly on the dark web. In this book, Gwen and the children fight to regain their right to a normal life and the story is told from the POV of several characters. The author uses this as a tool to develop the path of angst, doubt and finally conviction of each of the four main characters in the book and evokes a connection between the reader and the character separate from the storyline. An obsessive, emotional, wonderful psychological thriller, full of twists and turns. Book One should be read first to appreciate the complete story. I understand there is a third book coming, and I don't know what else can be added to the story so I am really looking forward to what the author will bring!

Killman Creek is a first rate psychological thriller that starts off a little slowly, but then the action just takes off! I had to put the book down about 3/4 of the way through to attend to family matters and just could not get it out of my mind. I found myself talking to others about the book and wondering where it might go. The ending definitely did not disappoint, and I want to read more by Rachel Caine.

I have been looking forward to reading Killman Creek ever since I finished Stillhouse Lake, the 1st book in this series. This book does not disappoint! It is filled with action, suspense, and enough twists to keep you glued to each page! Highly recommend!

You must read Stillhouse Lake before reading this book or you will be totally lost.

This book is much like the first in the way that it keeps me on the edge of my seat wondering what is going to happen next. I am always surprised at each turn. While I hope to never have to deal with a serial killer, the way their minds work is nothing like I have ever encountered. Very manipulating!

I enjoyed how this book was told from the viewpoint of 4 pivotal characters - Gwen, Lanny, Connor and Sam. Now if there had been a viewpoint of Melvin (the serial killer) that would have been even more eerie! But since this is more about what the family endures it is appropriate to have it from these 4 voices.

There are times I wanted to yell at the characters for doing something stupid - it is like watching the horror movie and the characters doing something you know aren't good decisions! But that aside, the mistakes they make help round out the storyline and really drag you into caring about what happens next and that all will be ok.

My understanding is that there will be a 3rd book and I'm wondering what could possibly happen next as this book wrapped a lot of things up nicely. I have my suspicions but can't wait to see what happens in the next installment.

This is the second book in Rachel Caine's Stillhouse Lake series.

Gwen and her kids are in hiding from Gwen's serial killer ex-husband, Melvin. Melvin has escaped from prison and his family is no longer safe. Gwen takes the offensive and goes after Melvin. Sam, the brother of one of Melvin's victims, goes with Gwen on her hunt for Melvin. Meanwhile, the kids stay with a friend, who has a well fortified home.

This story was told from multiple points of view. Gwen's point of view was the primary story, but it was nice to see the kids' (Lanny and Connor) and Sam's viewpoints. The trust between family and friends was tested, so multiple viewpoints worked for this story.

Gwen was a strong character. She was tired of living in fear and wanted to protect her family. Unfortunately, she had some people working against her, which complicated matters. The kids each had their own issues, though they were minor to the story.

For me, this book started off slow and I had a hard time getting into it. It does get better, and the ending was full of suspense and excitement.

I have not yet read the first book in this series (Stillhouse Lake). It's on my Kindle, but I read them out of order. Anyway, I still enjoyed this one without having read the first one.

I enjoyed the first book but don’t think a sequel was necessary. It wasn’t very engaging and I didn’t enjoy the changing point of view. I don’t think it added much to the sorry.

This book takes up the story shortly after the events that happened in Stillhouse Lake. Gwen has reinvented herself but the shadow of her murderous ex husband Melvin Royal looms over her. As he has recently escaped prison Gwen knows that she and her two children will definitely be targeted by him so she's a woman on a mission, one that involves hunting and killing Melvin Royal !
This book features multiple points of view so if you choose to buy it as an audio book it's worth pointing out . That having been said I really liked that it enabled the reader to gain a much closer understanding of how the various characters felt and indeed the added insights really fleshed things out. Gwen is allied with Sam for much of this story but those who have previously helped Melvin are still out there and this story takes a turn I really didn't see coming. Its important to remember that Sam is the brother of Melvins last victim and like so many others he struggles to believe that Gwen really never knew what her husband got up to.
Gwen shines so bright throughout this book and she is most definitely not the put upon submissive housewife that she used to be. Gwen is at heart a saviour, a woman who will go the extra mile to protect others and as this story ends there is a resolution but I hear talk of a third book so I am really curious as to how the author will add to this.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Rachel Caine returns following Stillhouse Lake with the highly anticipated follow-up, KILLMAN CREEK — a woman, is trying to save herself and her children from her monster sadistic ex-husband serial killer, Melvin Royal.

"I am twelve days out from rescuing my children from a murderer. I am exhausted, sore, and plagued with headaches. I am heartsick and tired and anxious and most of all —most of all —I am angry. I need to be angry. Being angry will keep us all alive."

This time around we hear from multiple POV: Gwen, Lanny, Sam, and Connor. The fallout of everything that has occurred and to come from each perspective.

Lance Graham is dead. A partner was a killer. Her husband had turned a cop into a murderer. He had abducted her children.

Connor nor Lanny will talk about it. They have been traumatized. There is psychological damage. She is unsure how it will play out in the future. She will get them the care they need. She has to make them whole again.

Melvin Royal wants to keep them guessing. He has escaped. Melvin is free to stalk and kill more women. He will murder again. He will want to go out in a grandstanding manner. The FBI is after him as well as the police. No one is safe. Especially his family.

He is coming for her. He always has a plan.

Gina has a new identity. The woman who was known as Gina Royal, wife of the horrible serial killer is gone. She is now Gwen. She is not taking any more crap this time. She is not the weak same person.

Her kids are brave and had been forced to face the ugly truths about their dad. She has to find someone she can trust to look after her kids and keep them safe. Her mom is not a fighter.

She turns to Javier Esparza and Kezia Claremont to guard her kids. Javier is a retired marine and runs a gun range. Kezia is a police officer - tough, smart, and capable. She has to trust them.

Gwen and Sam must find him. They both have baggage. She is the ex-wife of a serial killer, under threat from Melvin's groupies, his allies, and the internet vigilantes. His followers.

Sam is the brother of her ex-husband's victim (his last victim), she found strung up in her garage. Tortured and murdered for sadistic pleasure.

Even though Sam had stalked her in the first book, he knows she is not guilty. They must work together. They have one common goal. To take down Melvin Royal.

Gwen Proctor is ready for him. She has left the weak Gina behind. It comes down to Mr. and Mrs. Royal.

As Sam and Gwen are on the run putting themselves in the middle of danger, the kids are worried they may never see their mother again.

The day all their lives changed. Their dad became a monster. He had taken a piece of their lives and made it part of something awful.

The intensity heats up in this installment. Mel is one sick and sadistic serial killer. The constant impending danger. No one is safe from this monster until someone stops him.

They are survivors.

This riveting series must be turned into a film or at least Amazon Video series. Even though this book was not quite as exciting as the first, it was a superb followup.

Now we have to wait until Oct 2, 2018— for the third (3 of 3) Stillhouse Lake Series Wolfhunter River. As I mentioned in my first review, this series reminds me of Joe Carroll in The Following.

Loved the ending, the covers, and the soundtrack selections by the author. If you adore good well-written crime thrillers, this series is for you!

A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer and #NetGalley for an advanced reading copy. Also purchased the audiobook narrated by Emily Sutton-Smith, Lauren Ezzo, Will Ropp, and Dan John Miller for a suspenseful and chilling performance.

JDCMustReadBooks

Wow. All the stars! I didn't think it was possible to top Stillhouse Lake, as it's often tough to top, or even match, the first in a series with a sequel. Killman Creek is the exception, I loved it even more than Stillhouse Lake! The multiple narrators did throw me at first, since it was only told from Gwen's perspective in the first book, but I quickly got over it. Plus, I'm a fan of multiple POVs. Caine made me feel a variety of emotions; there were so many times I wanted to scream at my book for one particular character's multiple poor decisions. I saw that there is going to be a third installment?! I can't even imagine where the story could go from here, but obviously I'll read it!

This is the second book in a series, and you'll want to read the first book (Stillhouse Lake) before you read this one. I loved Stillhouse Lake, and this follow up did not disappoint. There were points in the book where I felt so physically stressed out as relationships fell apart. I became invested in these characters in the first book in the series, and that connection remained in this book. I'm looking forward to seeing how the series is going to progress after the way this one ends.

YES! So happy I was able to get my hands on an advanced copy. After reading the first book, which I could not put down and practically forced my friends to read, I couldn't wait for the second book after realizing it was going to be a trilogy.

Although the first book of a series always seem to be the best, this book did not disappoint. I might even say this book was even better than the first. This was definitely more action-packed and had more character development for Connor and Lanny.

It has been a long time since I read a thriller that actually got me thinking and on the edge. For those who haven't read the first book, please go and read it. Spoilers ahead for those who haven't read the previous book.

In this book, Melvin Royal is on the loose. Gwen leaves her kids with Javier and Kezia, and goes off with Sam to hunt her ex. On their journey, they discover something much more disturbing and bigger than Melvin Royal, a psychopath murderer. It diverges into a game of manipulation and unreality. The book is haunting when you discover the extent of the monster inside Melvin Royal. The novel is told in four perspectives: Gwen, Sam, Connor, and Lanny. In this book, we definitely learn more about the kids and how this all has affected them. Caine is consistent with the character development, and uses it wisely to develop the plot.

Very nicely written, Caine. I can't wait for the third book.

Killman Creek by Rachel Caine, is definitely a book you need to read if your looking for a book that has twists and turns that keep you guessing what you thought you knew! Gwen is a woman who is trying to keep her escaped serial killer exhusband from finding her and their 2 children, she then goes from being the hunted to being the hunter.....very good book with the right amount of action and twists to keep you hooked from beginning to end. This is a must read in my opinion!

I didn't think it would be possible to reach the same level of brilliancy of the first book... But I was wrong. I was hooked from the very first page and the story didn't let me go until the very end. Or more especifically: I was left with a huge book hangover... Because Killman Creek definitely ends with a BANG. The sequel has a slightly different focus in general and has a lot more action and gruesomeness than Stillhouse Lake. I personally could really appreciate this escalation in violence and action and it suits the situation the characters find themselves in and their development in general. I don't mind a little action in my thrillers either, but I can see why some would be put off by this change. Trigger warnings for those who are sensitive to gruesome and torture scenes! But trust me, this series is absolutely worth your time if you enjoy a good serial killer thriller. Not only is the story both engaging and brilliantly written, the plot is also well developed and the character development excellent. I won't give away too much to avoid spoilers, but it was intriguing to see them react to the different (dangerous) situations. The ending was explosive and left me wanting for more... Book number three will definitely be right on the top of my 2018 most anticipated releases! And I can highly HIGHLY recommend this series to fans of the genre. Be ready to get your socks blown off.

3.5 - I struggled a bit with what rating to give this book. I loved the first book in the series, but this one just seemed anticlimactic. This one left me wanting something more. I did enjoy the ending and have heard that there will be a third book in the seried, which I will definitely read.

The series continues and it doesn't disappoint. I greatly enjoyed that there are still strings to pull together for the over all story and such rich development of all the characters. The structure and character point of view is fantastic and I appreciate how each chapter weaves everything all together through out the book. I'm glad that this second book wasn't a cookie cutter because it wasn't definitely worth the read and kept you strung along until the end. I'm super excited for book three that will be released in October 2018. Thank you Thomas & Mercer for the E-copy to read in exchange for a review via Netgalley.

Where to begin... I read Stillhouse Lake and loved it so my expectations were really high for Killman Creek. I am pleased to announce that my expectations were exceeded. This book is a non-stop, heart pounding follow up to Stillhouse Lake. Picks up right where she left off. This book delves more into the kids and what they feel. It is a quick read, which for me means that it is really really good. :) The twists in this book were not what I expected which is always awesome.

Okay, now that was thrilling!

"Rage is better than fear. Always."

I have to be honest, I wasn't all that excited going into this. I wasn't the biggest fan of Stillhouse Lake. But Killman Creek, OMG, it had everything I was hoping to find in a thriller. It was exhilarating, emotional, and completely entrancing. I spent the majority of the day reading it, my eyeballs are glossed over and bloodshot, but I just had to finish it.

Gwen knows that it's hunt or be hunted. "Just wait there, you son of a bitch. I'm coming for you. I'm coming." She has no choice but to leave her kids behind for their protection; she leaves Lanny and Connor with Javier and Kezia and her and Sam hit the road on a mission to find Melvin before he finds them. Her one and only goal, to keep her kids safe. Gwen and Sam soon learn that Absalom is not just one person, but a group, and discovering more about this group might just help lead them to Melvin. Only, they don't realize the true danger they are facing and exactly what Absalom is capable of. Evidence soon surfaces that brings Gwen's involvement in Melvin's work into question. "People like to say that cameras don't like, but they can. And when they do, everyone believes." Tensions become high, and Gwen's feeling alone and her word is no longer credible. Feeling like there's no other option, Gwen decides it's time to take drastic measures. "If I'm already dead to the people I love, I might as well die for them."

I liked that we got to see multiple POV's in this novel compared to just Gwen's POV as in Stillhouse Lake. Being able to understand what the children are feeling added a different element to the novel. One POV we don't get to see is Melvin's. I think that because the reader never truly knows where Melvin is or how he's feeling, it creates a bit more mystery and impending dread. I thoroughly enjoyed that we saw more of the cat and mouse chase in this novel, though it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I felt the character development was better this time around in this novel, and perhaps that's because we get multiple POV's as previously pointed out. I felt more connected to the characters, they felt more fragile this time around. The hard exterior is slowly peeled away like the layers of an onion exposing the raw an emotional center.

I'm glad I gave this novel a chance, because it turned out to be great. Maybe it helped that I actually read this one rather than listened to the audio version. I really think that the audio version affected my opinion of Stillhouse Lake, anyway, this is about Killman Creek, and it's great. Get your hands on it and get to reading!

I want to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Rachel Caine, for allowing me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my review.

I actually requested this before the reading the book in the series. I wanted to read them back to back. I’m not sure what’s wrong with me as ALL of my bookstagrammmer friends loved the first and second book of Killman Creek But I couldn’t get into stillhouse lake. It was too slow for me in the beginning but that’s just me. Seeing the high rating on Goodreads and Amazon I would still suggest giving it a go. Obviously the problem is me lol. Many thanks.