DNF - did not finish. Could not connect with story unfortunately, despite trying multiple times. Not for me.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

A dark tale based on true events- and well paced to keep you guessing. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC,

Despite being set in a town I used to frequent regularly here in Minnesota, I did not enjoy this book. So much detail, a lot of it super uncomfortable and unneeded, that didn't add any color to the story and made it very wordy and long. The ending was really convenient and unexciting.

To be honest, I'm a bit surprised by the good reviews for this title on Goodreads, as well as it being nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Thriller in 2020. There were like a thousand issues I had with the way this was written and how the story played out.

At first, I was intrigued by the set-up. The author includes a note at the beginning that explains that the book was inspired by true events that happened in her hometown (assaults on young boys and then the kidnapping and murder of one). So, the entire book, I was waiting for these events to take place. This action in the plot didn't occur until 81 percent into the book. The most exciting scene (that would actually have made it a true thriller) happened at 97 percent.

The plot ended up being incredibly predictable. I had a huge issue with how vague a lot of the themes were. I understand that Lourey was trying to just insinuate certain aspects instead of being straightforward but I kept thinking things would be explained at some point, and nothing was ever spelled out in the end. There were also many plot points that were left unexplained. Plus, I hated how each chapter would end with a sentence that was supposed to feel like foreshadowing but it just resulted in me feeling annoyed. You don't need to keep telling me something dark and scary is going to happen unless it's actually going to!

I'm completely stumped why people loved this book - it didn't feel suspenseful or actually that honest to me. The main character's voice changed frequently (from a mature 12-year-old to someone who talked much more juvenile at times). This led me to feel like the character was underdeveloped. I don't think I'll be checking out other titles from this author in the future.

I loved this book! Thank you for the ARC. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that I wasn’t leaving reviews on netgalley and was solely sharing on Instagram. My apologies. Huge fan of this author! I actually received the tangible copy. Trying to clean up my netgally account.

This book was very hard for me to read. It just wasn’t for me but I am sure those that like dark books will enjoy this one. I did like that it was based in the 80s

I typically enjoy reading books based on true stories and this book was no exception. A dark and twisted story about boys going missing and returning different- often angry and aggressive- in a small town. The main character, Cassie, knows her parents are different and throw strange parties that they are not supposed to talk about. One day, Cassie’s sister goes missing and the returns different just like the local boys. Cassie is determined to figure out what is happening to them. A well written and engaging book that is at times difficult to read due to the content.

I understand that this book is narrated from the perspective of a twelve year old for a reason, but the content felt flippant and lazy in how it handled basically all topics. There were so many things going on that I never found it in me to truly care about the story. This definitely was not an all time favorite for me.

DNF - Did not finish. I did not connect with the writing style or plot and will not be finishing this title. Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher for the early copy!

A fast paced, pace turner that had me hooked until the end. Books based on true events always hit harder and his was no exception.

Book 22 for 2022! 3.5/5 stars for this mystery read. Hard hitting small town story, set in the 80s. Nobody believes the boys from the wrong side of the tracks when they tell what's been happening to them. But of course, the crimes continue to escalate. There are plenty of trigger warnings for this one, so be sure you're in the right head space before reading. Cover is perfect for the story. Audiobook narration was great!

One of my real-life friends ended up recommending this book to me after I had already read it. You KNOW a book is good if they are telling me about a book rather than the other way around. I'm excited to read more by this author. Solid storytelling with real-life inspiration is definitely my jam.

Such a heartbreaking but interesting read. I think the author did a good job at navigating through hard topics.

I can see why a lot of people love this one, it just wasn't for me. I am into more fast-paced novels and this one was a bit slow for me. I'm not sure if it was the writing or the plot, but either way this one fell short for me.

3.33 "promising, could have nailed it" stars !!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author as well as Thomas & Mercer for an e-copy. This was released January 2020. I am providing my honest review.

This could have been a home run or at least a very strong triple play.

Ms. Lourey writes the most compelling popular fiction prose that is vivid, sharp and easy to read. In this novel, we are taken to rural Minnesota in the 1980s and enter the inner and outer world of Cassandra who is twelve years old and living in a highly dysfunctional family environment where she feels unsafe as well as struggling with peer friendships, crushes and losing her older sister who is acting out sexually. Mother is distant but caring and father is volatile and lecherous.

Boys from school are being sexually assaulted by a masked assailant and Cass' fear as well as curiousity grow and continually bring here close to danger.

The first two thirds of the book are easily 4 star excellent with a realistic and evocative portrayal of what it is like to be an intelligent poor rural girl in Minnesota. The depictions of life and character are extremely realistic yet noirishly frightening. The dialogue and behaviors of the children zing and sing and we are pulled deeper and deeper into murky waters with villainous adults and the constraints of living in poverty. There is both a coming of age and noirish feel to the novel.

HOWEVER, at the the two thirds mark the author loses her grip on her excellence and our 11 year old starts to have the wisdom and werewithal of a person at least double her age. She embarks on Nancy Drew investigations and makes deductions that left me incredulous and my eyes would roll over and over again. The prose remained excellent but the execution became sloppy and from hyperealism we move into mild melodrama and horror. That was SO NOT COOL ! I rate the last third a paltry 2 stars.

I am very impressed with the first two thirds and so I will remain hopeful as I also have another book by this author and I am looking forward to reading it !!

Initial Disclaimer: Jess Lourey is a favorite of mine. I was first introduced to her when I discovered her Murder by the Month cozy mystery series. She has a very deft hand with comedy. Unspeakable thing is not cozy; it's a whole new genre. Based on actual events in the form of a series of disappearances of young children in the area where Ms. Lourey grew up, this is a fictionalization of those events. The narrator is a bright young girl on the verge of becoming a teen who may just be living too close to the perpetrator of these horrors or, is it all in her imagination? Finding the answers could cost her her life either way.
Perfectly drawn suspense carried out by fully developed characters set in a very real setting make this a read worthy of the term "suspense."

After coming back and rereading the synopsis, I no longer believe I would enjoy this book to it’s full potential. Some of my most trusted book friends have written reviews that show me that I am probably not going to enjoy this one so I am going to spend my time elsewhere. I look forward to reading her future books.

I’ve only heard great things about this book and luckily it did not disappoint. I’m really looking forward to reading more from this author.

Unspeakable Things tells the story of Sephe and Cass growing up in rural Minnesota. Cass just wants to be a normal kid that is accepted by others. She is happy and fun and just wants Gabriel to be her boyfriend. When boys start getting attacked in her town by an unknown assailant, Cass resolved to find out what is going on. Will she go too far? What will she find?

I absolutely adore the character of Cass. I felt so bad at so many points for her throughout the book. She was this innocent, fun loving kid in spite of everything that she goes through. I wanted to strangle her parents at so many points, especially her father. I had this constant feeling of dread and just like "OMG LET ME SAVE HER." I wanted so badly to take her away from there. She was so fierce and strong in spite of it all. I really felt for her sister, Sephe. My heart broke for her on so many occasions throughout the book. The ending was intense and scary and heartbreaking all at once. I won't say more for the fear of spoiling the book but this one was phenomenal and I cannot believe it has taken me so long to read it!!