Part thriller, part mother-daughter saga, Gretchen captivated me from the beginning. Kirk immediately set a tone that inspired suspicion in me, and I waited for the twist. Not only did the twist come much later, just when I was least expecting it, it was not what I anticipated at all. Lucy's character is realistic and relatable, and the ways in which chapters alternateted between "Lucy" and "Mother" had me fooled. While I wouldn't describe the conclusion of the thriller to be incredibly realistic, and I do think the dialogue toward the end fell into the trap of being a step-by-step exposition at points, I still really enjoyed the story. As a lover of literature, I can't fault a book for failing to conform to my idea of realism; after all, we read to escape!

Gretchen by Shannon Kirk is a psychological thriller that weaves in elements of a thriller in this suspenseful telling. A 16 year old girl and her mother, on the run since she was two, have a strange encounter with new landlords that changes the path of their lives. It’s a high octane trip you need to take.

Action packed read that kept me on the edge of my seat and many times left me wonder “wait what just happened”?!? The author did an amazing job at weaving the multiple points of view and the past with the present to create on thrilling ride, full of amazing characters. Lucy will still your heart, Mag will kick your butt and Gretchen will haunt your dreams! Such an amazing read!

This was a uniquely creepy story and kind of pulls you in. I enjoyed it very much. Great character development and just an all around good story that’s hard to put down!

This creepy, unsettling page-turner had me saying WTF... a lot. I could not put this book down, even as I questioned what exactly I was reading. I definitely didn’t expect some of the twists and turns that kept me hanging on for more. The plot and writing reminded me of Gillian Flynn and Jennifer Hillier, two authors that also make me say WTF as I dreadfully turn the pages. If you like creepy, this one’s for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for this book in exchange for a honest review.

Loved this book! The story flows the characters are fascinating and I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend.

What did I just read? I enjoyed the first 1/4 of this book but when we meet Gretchen it just goes completely off the rails. I love a good twist but it has to make some sense. And the last bit of this book was just too weird for words...and not in a good way. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Strange book but highly addictive. Easy to read and it flowed well. There was a lot of insanity in Gretchen world but it added to keeping your interest

I thought this was definitely a creepy, fun read! A bit disturbing in all the ways I absolutely love my books to be! The author made sure to develop the story in a manner that provided lots of thrills, chills, shocks, and gasps! I will definitely be recommending!

It’s not what I hoped it would be. It was creepy and fast paced at times, but I struggled through a lot of it. I was happy to see “Lucy” get her happy ending after most of her life on the run. 3.5 stars for me. I will be trying Shannon’s other books and see if they work for me!

Shannon Kirk is becoming an all-time favorite writer of all time. Gretchen was a great follow up to In the Vines. Kirk had the same creepy vibe, though in a totally new context. This book was not as good as In the Vines, but In the Vines is literally my perfect book so I did not go into this expecting to like it as much or more than In the Vines. Nonetheless, Kirk is great at writing complex, creepy characters and atmospheric settings and vibes. Cannot wait for the next one!

Very odd but entertaining

So many reviews said you’re going to love this or hate it but I’m neither of those people. I get the reviews. The book is does feel like two stories banged together and it’s a bit clunky at times. At the 75% mark the story goes off the rails and concludes rather abruptly.

That being said, I still enjoyed it. I would have liked Lucy’s or Gretchen’s story better had it been a separate story. Each character had enough weight to pull off their own arc though the Lucy story is pretty common theme nowadays. Her meeting Gretchen adds a different twist but really Gretchen was the interesting story (at least to me).

The writing is very good. The characters are fully developed. I love a story where I pause and look up info on the internet to further visualize things. I did this a few times at least and all the puzzle stuff was so quirky and interesting.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Thomas & Mercer for a copy in exchange for a review.

Entertaining and creepy. A very intriguing cover which was what initially piqued my interest I jumped right in to it. Not only is the cover art strangely mesmerising and a little bit creepy, but the story contained within its pages is even more compelling. For once in a long time, the artwork reflects or hints towards the ominous atmosphere that builds up and surrounds you with each new turning of the page. Looking forward to more from Shannon Kirk.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
I thought it was an addictive, original, creepy and dark thriller.
I would definitely read another book by this author.

I was blown away by In the Vines and couldn’t wait to read Gretchen. Other early reviews suggest this book was completely polarizing, but I think that’s less because of the book itself and more attributable to readers developing expectations for a book once they decide its “genre.” But what made Gretchen so creative and fascinating was the author’s refusal to take the plot in predictable directions. Kirk is unrelenting in her commitment to telling a wholly unique story, and she doesn’t shy away from making the reader uncomfortable. Combined with her talent for beautifully crafted prose, Kirk succeeds in writing Gretchen- not “the next” Gone Girl or Girl on the Train etc. And the inability to discuss this book in terms of its similarity to any other book is what makes it stand out.

This was my first experience with Shannon Kirk's writing and I am happy to say, it will not be my last. Her writing style is fantastic and so easy to read, I was just gliding through those pages at break neck speed.
Although I lost a little bit of love towards the book at the very end, where I felt it veered away from realistic and believable to something else. Some readers may appreciate this detour, but for me, it's where this story went from a 5 star read to a 4 star one.
Overall though, I am smitten with Shannon Kirk's writing and will be back for more!

Fifteen year old Lucy has spent most of her life with her mother on the run. Hiding from her father, a powerful man from a foreign country who kidnapped her as a baby.
When she was two years old her mother stole her back and they have been running ever since.
As they flee to their eleventh state, looking for another temporary place to stay, they find the perfect rental. Beautifully furnished near the Bottle Brush forest, the quaint town of Milberg in New Hampshire is known to be a charming place.
Jerry Sabine and his daughter Gretchen are offering the rental of a guest house on their ranch property.
Lucy is thrilled with the place, and excited to have a friend her age living so close.
Her mom is not so sure, but agrees to stay after Lucy coerces her into it.
Things begin to get weird and creepy right away.
Gretchen's obsession with puzzles and her clingy nature begin to wear on Lucy.
The house that Jerry and Gretchen live in seems to be turned into a fortress, full of dark secrets.
And what about the secrets that Lucy's own mother is keeping from her?
What a wild ride this one was! I never knew which direction this one would turn next.
A gothic thriller horror story that will keep you guessing. Suspend disbelief as you relish this tale!
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for the e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Gretchen had enough twists and turns to keep me interested throughout. I could visually picture the home that kooky home that Gretchen lived in. Three quarters of the book was what I was used to and kept me reading but the ending was so far fetched, I only continued reading because I wanted it to end finally. It was such a stretch of the imagination that it was almost ridiculous.

This book kept me on edge and turning the pages. While it did take a minute to pick up the pace. The ending felt a little rushed

What the heck did I just read? It was like two separate books combined into one. The story of Lucy and her mom was interesting and then the Gretchen part of the plot made a sharp turn into bizarre land. A fun read but weird and so many plot holes.