Please See Us
Caitlin Mullen
My Rating:
Content Rating: 18+
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Publication Date: March 3, 2020, by Gallery Books

Please See Us, by Caitlin Mullen is a dark, edgy, psychological thriller that grabbed me from the first page of the prologue, and then slowly got under my skin. This story twisted my head and heart inside out and then spat it out in the dirt.  I am blown away that Please See Us is Ms. Mullen’s debut novel. I am giving this book 5 stars rounded up from 4.5.

The setting of Please See Me is in Atlantic City. AC is a place that will always be near and dear to my heart. I spent many a summer at AC and remembered fondly what AC was like before the casinos took its pound of flesh from the city. As a child, I remember AC as a magical place, and then as an adult, I bared witness to its decline.   Caitlin Mullen captures AC perfectly.
    
Ms. Mullen’s writing is clear and concise, painting a picture of the violence and grittiness of Atlantic City. Still, she also gives us a glimmer of its past beauty. Her writing style flows smoothly, and the pages turn quickly, seeming with no effort at all. The pacing of the story is perfect. What made this different from other serial killer books is that the emphasis is not on the serial killer, but on the victims. Mullen makes the reader care about these women by giving us a glimpse into not only their hopeless troubled lives but also their hopes and dreams. She gives these women a voice. They cried out to us from where they are posed, waiting to be seen.

“Look, they try to say” 
                          “Look. Look. Please see”

“The man has turned their heads, so they both look in the same direction: east, toward the lights of Atlantic City. They have been placed there to watch, to warn. Their eyes are open. They wait.”

The two main characters, Clara and Lily, could not be more different; however, in some ways, they are similar. Clara is a sixteen-year-old clairvoyant that has dropped out of high school to help support herself by doing tarot readings. Later she seeks out a more lucrative but dangerous way to support herself.  Lily is an ex-Soho art gallery girl who has fled New York after her boyfriend does the unforgivable. Lily finds herself working in a bleak casino spa where she meets Clara, who is trying to hustle her way into the spa. The two women develop an odd relationship, a friendship of sorts. When Clara begins seeing ominous visions about the missing women, she turns to Lily for help.  That is all I want to say, no spoilers in my reviews. The ending was not at all what I expected, and I was not sure how I felt about it; however, it did fit the story perfectly. 

“Seven women, seven warnings.”
                                         “Not so lucky after all.”


Please See Us is original, well thought out, and well written. It exposes how women can be used up by society and then forgotten. It tackles difficult social issues that uniquely affect women in a hard and straightforward manner. There is no fluff in this book. I highly recommend this book, and I am looking forward to reading more by Caitlin Mullen.

** Please note the quotes in my review are subject to change once the book is published** 


*** I kindly received this galley by way of NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Caitlin Mullen. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion. ***

Sixteen year old Clara is not your average teenager. Rather than picking out prom dresses and scouting colleges, she is working as a tarot card reader on the boardwalk of Atlantic City, New Jersey. When vulnerable women start disappearing, Clara’s gift allows her to see what has become of these women. Terrified for herself and possible future victims, Clara enlists the help of Lily Louten to investigate the disappearances. However while Clara and Lily are searching for the killer, the killer has already found them.

Lily Louten grew up in Atlantic City then moved to New York City to pursue a career in art. After a devastating breakup, she is back in Atlantic City. In New York, Lilly worked in a well known art gallery alongside her boyfriend Matthew. Lily was a “gallery girl" getting coffee, picking up lunch, and answering phones. Her long term goal being owning a gallery of her own representing artists like Matthew. The incident which led to Lily fleeing New York was terribly embarrassing but it could have also accelerated her career. Rather than seizing on the opportunity, Lily walks away with her pride bruised a bit, but in tact. It took a while to learn the details behind Lily’s departure but once I did, my respect for her went up a notch. Lily has integrity, this is why she was unable to walk away from missing women despite the danger.

Despite Clara’s young age, she has seen a lot and lived a difficult life. Not only is she supporting herself but also her aunt who is struggling with addiction. There were many times while reading Please See Us, I had to remind myself that Clara was just a kid. Lily’s and Clara’s paths cross at the spa where Lily works. Although Lily sees her current situation as less than ideal from Clara’s view - Lily’s life looks pretty good. Lily’s life has some stability, unlike Clara who has no foundation. Lily and Clara are so different but they both want the same thing, the chance to start a new life. Reading how their relationship played out was just as riveting as the central mystery. 

I have only been to Atlantic City once, many years ago. What I remember is much different from what Mullen describes of the once prosperous city. However knowing Hurricane Sandy ravaged the world famous boardwalk in 2012 as well as the decline of the casinos, Mullen’s depictions are not difficult to imagine. Mullen illustrates a city on the edge of collapse, where jobs are few and it appears the residents have given up. Many of the once bustling casinos are now boarded up, the ones in operation are merely a shadow of what they once were. Atlantic City is the third main character of Please See Us. The story would not have been as gripping if it was set anywhere else. 

As we approach the Spring season I am beginning to look back at the books I have read in 2020. Which books stood out, which books faded into the back of my mind. Please See Us holds a firm spot in the front of my mind. Please See Us is a thought provoking story with unique pacing and unforgettable characters.  Readers looking for a socially relevant and engaging read should add Please See Us to their list of must reads. 

Murder and Moore Rating : 
4.5 out of 5 Stars

I've been in mystery, suspense mood lately and Please See Us by Caitlin Mullen was right up my alley. The initial description of the crime scene reminded me so much of a crime podcast I listen to that I soon took the imagery from that real life scene and brought this one to life. It made it a touch more eerier and quite a bit more realistic, which I must admit, this book unfortunately needed.

With characters that felt two-dimensional and quite lacking personalities, Please See Us follows two main characters, and several secondary characters, in the failing city of Atlantic City. The glamour has faded, leaving behind only those seeking to escape, either by bus or through mind-numbing drugs. What begins as one missing Jane Doe soon increases to several, only no one really knows they're missing or what sort of crime is really lurking beneath the surface. They only see the missing signs for one woman, the others, they're part of the grimy underbelly the locals try to avoid and the visitors pretend don't exist unless they need them. Clara, a clairvoyant, senses something is wrong, but it isn't until she meets Lily, a returned local, that the pieces begin to fall into place.

While the story of the missing women is so interesting, it falls short with Clara and Lily. I personally loved Clara, she is full of vibrant life, but she's being dragged down by the city, by her fate. Lily, on the other hand, never was more than words on the page for me. I struggled to find sympathy for her, despite her accolades she felt so vapid. The pairing of Clara and Lily only works to move the story forward, but it is the secondary characters that fully flesh out the story. We don't know them well, but their chapters are enough to truly put chills down your back. The prostitution, the drugs, the men that use them and then return to a life these girls will never know. It's profound and it's sad.

It is certainly a suspenseful, thrilling read, with a crime so unique to the genre right now, but unfortunately it was only average for me. I can see this book working for some, but I suppose if I want more crime like this I'll have to stick to the true crime podcasts I love.

Dark, engrossing and utterly captivating are the words that come to mind when reflecting on Please See Us. A story of murdered girls in Atlantic City told through various lenses paints a picture of the true underbelly of the city. Mullen adds a unique take to the story by introducing a psychic character - without making this a full fledged supernatural story. A true standout in Please See Us is Mullen's beautiful writing, truly setting this story apart from the saturated thriller market.

“Please See Us” by Caitlin Mullen is the story women and their tragic lives in Atlantic City. The exceptional narrative is told from various points of view, and each contributes uniquely to the story. Lily is working in a Casino spa, trying to make ends meet. Clara tells readers about her plans for the summer, working, reading palms, and using Tarot cards to tell stories. When a customer asks for Clara’s help finding a missing girl, things change for both Clara and Lily. Scenarios are packed with emotion; the missing might be on a bus, or in a shop. Where? How much longer? 
The most compelling narrative is that by the women, the unidentified, the missing, the “Jane Does” out in the marsh. They had jobs; they had families. Now they have only each other, and they cry out to be found. They are sisters. When others join them, they understand. They are no longer women, and yet they are not yet free spirits. Time is running out to be heard. They are the story; they are the problem, and they are the answer. 
Mullen created a unique book by giving the victims a voice. This is the story of the women in the marsh, and they cry out. I was given a review copy of “Please See use” by Caitlin Mullen, and Gallery Books. It is distinctive, gripping, and thought provoking.

I enjoyed reading this one.  The characters were easy to connect with. You can just picture and imagine being there with them while the untwist what's going on.

Deep and twisty mystery that paces perfectly!  The setting is so well done, the gritty parts of the fading Atlantic City is the perfect spot for a serial killer.

Lily, after dealing with a very public humiliation at the hands of her artist ex-boyfriend, has returned home to Atlantic City to lick her wounds and figure out her next move. In the meantime, she takes a job at a local spa, where she meets Clara.

Clara is a teenage psychic offering tarot readings in an effort to help her aunt pay the bills. Eventually, she hopes to travel to California to find her mother, who left Clara with her aunt years ago. 

Women have been going missing one by one in the once-bustling beach town, which has been reduced to a shell of its former glory. Can Clara and Lily figure out what's going on before one of them becomes the next victim?

Initially, I wasn't super crazy about this book, but even days later I find myself thinking about it. The atmosphere of a sleepy, broken-down beach town that is so past its heyday comes through so clearly, and I had no problem picturing these two lost girls struggling through their day-to-day life in this environment (I could practically smell the salt air). This book explores the many different ways that women suffer at the hands of men, and I appreciated watching the main characters experience and grow from these offenses in such a realistic manner. I've seen this book compared to those of Laura Lippman, and I would say it is an apt comparison. I look forward to reading more books from this author in the future :)

Please See Us is an absolute harrowing tale of women in peril. I was spellbound by the way the storyline intertwined the characters. This is an edge of your seat read. I was equal parts devastated and intrigued, always invested in the outcome.

I am certain, I will never step foot in Atlantic City. A tribute to the author’s ability to set the scene of a desolate, decaying area.

These characters, Clara especially, are compelling. Despite their circumstances, I found myself routing for them. Their vulnerabilities fill the pages. I cannot wait for more from Mullen. This debut, while dark, was everything I hoped for and more.

This book was so beautifully written. The authors words perfectly brought to life from off the pages the sound of the summer breeze on an empty boardwalk and the the FEELING of despair and loneliness on that same empty boardwalk. I could just picture the whole scene so vividly as the author walked us past closed up stores, empty souvenir shops and straight into casinos with a few desperate locals trying so hard to win big on that spin while sipping free well drinks in their track suits. It was all so sad but so real and raw.
The characters were so real and raw as well. They became REAL for me and I felt for them. 
I loved how this book was set up in the voices of the girls that had been taken and in the present by Claire.
I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did and I highly recommend it. It was dark and sad and it messes with your heart and head. But, it was so good. I especially enjoyed the other theme about friendship between women and a very important message: Don't judge someone on their looks alone. You never know what gift you will find when you unwrap that person's outer shell and get to know them.
Cheers to Caitlin Mullen!
Thank you to the author, Netgalley and the publisher for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
5 star from my heartstrings.

A slow burn, mystery/thriller with a unique dual perspective. Really entertaining and well written. This book took me a little longer to become invested as compared with my usual taste in this genre, but overall I really liked it.
Definitely would recommend.
#Netgalley #PleaseSeeUs #GalleryPocketBooks

This is definitely a unique reading experience for me. For Caitlin Mullen’s debut novel, I thought that this book was pretty good. The story and writing was enticing and kept me wanting more. The characters were complex, flawed and also beautifully written, in a sad way. The pacing kept me engaged and I truly wanted to read faster (if only I could, I would have). The only main downfall for me were the number of characters that we are introduced to in this book, as a personal preference I really can’t enjoy more than four main characters. (I’m looking at you Game Of Thrones). It had me quite confused and having to go back and reread things to make sure I knew who I was reading about. At times, throughout the entire book, I got really annoyed with myself, for not being able to remember everyone and their individual stories. Overall, I love a really good, engaging thriller with lots of suspense and that’s what this was. A great story with broken and abused characters who show us the depths that they will go just to be able to get by and stay as sane as possible in a crazy messed up world.

Solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Please See Us is an eye opening novel by Caitlin Mullen. Mullen brings her reader into life behind the glitter one summer in Atlantic City. Clara, a young boardwalk psychic, lives with her aunt and they are months behind on their rent. Clara is troubled by disturbing images in her mind that she can not escape. Lily, a Vassar graduate, has returned home for the summer after her NYC life unraveled. The women form an unlikely friendship and become confidants. At the core of Mullen's plot are murders that go unnoticed. All of the characters in this thought provoking novel beg to be seen.

“In death, the women are still dressed to walk the streets. To attract clients with a slice of leg, cleavage. To mime desire with a cant of the hips, a toss of their hair. Dressed to be undressed.”

Missing posters are hung around Atlantic city for a missing girl. Clara, a psychic, sees the missing girls face and feels as if she can help find her. Clara meets Lily while she working and begs her to help. But Lily has her own dark past. Will they find the missing girl or become victims themselves?

Chapters alternate between two main characters, Clara and Lily. Occasionally, a chapter will be from one of the bodies of the murdered victims (Jane Doe’s).
The writing style is opulent and the setting is well-developed because of the overgrown writing.

The story is heartbreaking. The victims voices are strong and reflect an image of their whole person as they lay dead in swamp blanketed in their afflictions.

If you like slower paced mysteries, then I recommend this book for you because the progression is slow. I would read a bit and then put it down. It took a while to get from point A to point B; the goal being to find the missing women. For example, the evolution of Lily and Clara’s relationship took center stage at one point for an extended period of time.

Something you might or might not be into: One of the main characters, Clara, sees visions throughout the novel. Her visions are a common occurrence and help piece together what happened to the women who were murdered.

There are several triggers in this novel including sexual torture, rape, and drug use.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions are my own.

Told from multiple points-of-view (including the victims after their death), Please See Us tells a tale of a desolate and dissolute Atlantic City and the people who are trying to survive there.

Clara is a boardwalk psychic working with her absent mother’s best friend Des on scamming the tourists five dollars at a time. However, when the uncle of a missing girl asks for a reading, Clara starts seeing real visions of his niece.

The best part of Please See Us is the atmosphere of decay. As a new employee in a high-end spa, Lily describes the feeling infused throughout the book. “The entire town was like a dreamscape tilted toward nightmare.” The evocative writing style is also extremely effective in creating the mood of the book though it does slow down the pace a bit. Overall, it’s a slow-burning yet compelling book. 4 stars!

Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Please See Us is a thrilling mystery that grabbed my attention from the first page.  The book opens with a chapter from an unknown person's point of view.  In the next we meet the main characters - Clara Voyant, a very young boardwalk psychic who is starting to doubt her sanity.  She begins having strange visions and feels like flies are crawling over her skin.  Lila is coming off a humiliating break-up and has to resort to working at a high-end spa for  one of the casinos.  She meets Clara (real name Ava) when she and her sister try to do "readings" in the spa.  Even though the two sisters were asked to leave, Clara feels she can trust Lily so confides the visions and weird feelings she's been having.  Fighting an increasing sense of urgency, the unlikely pair use their intelligence and resources to find out more about the visions.  In the midst of this, Clara's Aunt is selling Clara's virginity, then her body.  Clara and Lily could be in real danger if they can't figure out what the visions mean.

Caitlin Mullen gives us an excellent suspense story with incredibly unique and well-developed characters.  I read Please See Us in a sitting.  The end of the story was satisfying but - hopefully- leaves an opening for Lily and Clara to work together again.  I appreciate the chance to read the ARC!

Two interesting women in Atlantic City become friends and work together to solve the mystery of two women found behind a motel. One is a receptionist at a casino spa and the other tells fortunes. She really does have the gift though and visions which seem to be connected to the case fill her thoughts. I like the transition from first to second to third person in the writing. Not all novels do this successfully.

My Thoughts
I struggled a bit with this book. Here are my pros and cons for Please See Us:

Pros
1. The description of Atlantic City – desolate, abandoned, forsaken – was one of the best things about the book. It certainly wasn’t an inviting description, but it was so well done that I really felt like I was experiencing the hopeless and weary atmosphere while reading the story.
2. The title is haunting and has multiple meanings in my opinion. Excellent title.
3. Clara was the most well-developed character in the book. She was the most human to me, probably because she felt fragile and forgotten.

Cons
1. This story is dark. It is depressing, sad, demeaning, violent, and hopeless. Everything is a tragedy. Even a bit of happiness once in a while would have been nice.
2. In general, I thought the characterizations were lacking. Even though I thought Clara was the most well-developed, even she felt a bit lacking to me. We get a smidgen of backstory for the two main girls – Lily and Clara – but not nearly enough. There wasn’t enough information about Lily for me to like or even care about her and the other characters in the book were essentially unnecessary. There are Jane Does in this story that I was supposed to sympathize with, too, but even their stories didn’t really impact me. Of course, I hated they were dead, but that is about it. The story needed a lot more character development.
3. This isn’t a thriller and the mystery part isn’t that interesting. You know that women are getting murdered, but you don’t know why and the story doesn’t seem to want to know why either. There is no active investigation because the book isn’t about that. And honestly, I’m not 100% sure what the book is supposed to be about.
4. The pacing is slow!! Almost nothing happens until the last 25% of the book and even that wasn’t thrilling or exciting at all.

Summary
It took me a long time to finish this book. I can typically read a book of this size in 2 days max… this one took 19 days. 19 days!!! It just wasn’t holding my interest because nothing really happens through a lot of the book and everything is so dark and sad. This is described as a fast paced psychological thriller and that is simply not the case.

This particular book was only just okay for me. I appear to be in the minority with that opinion, and honestly, I am glad other people enjoyed this book more than I did. That said, I do see a glimmer of promise in the storytelling ability of this author and I will very likely read future books she writes.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Against the gritty backdrop of an Atlantic City that has fallen on hard times, there are dead women lying in a salt marsh behind the Sunset Motel.

Although it took me a little while to sort out characters, this slow-burner pulled me in. Mullen’s approach to exposing the vulnerabilities of her characters is so well done. I especially loved the voices of Lily and Clara, sympathizing with these bright yet unlucky victims of circumstance. This is one of few books that I have continued to think about days after finishing. A captivating debut.

This was a gritty look at the dark side of those living in Atlantic City after its heyday, when what is left is a dying gambling town where the locals are trying to survive after the exodus of the tourists, resorts and all the money that went with it. Left are those scraping by, and this novel digs into what is left for a group of un-related young women who see no future: prostitution, sexual abuse, alcohol, key among their primary influences. As a twist, one of the main characters, Clara is a fortune teller, reading tarot cards which gives her visions about other victims but she cannot envision a clear path for her own future. Together with Lily, a twenty-something trying to escape a failed career and love life in NYC as an art dealer, they try to solve a series of tragic murders of other young women who are below the radar, unseen with their struggles to survive in what almost feels like a post-apocalyptic American city. The different POV of the multiple victims, along with their post-death voices shared from their burial in the marsh serving as a disturbing but somewhat hopeful Greek chorus made this a powerful read. That being said, it was hard to enjoy reading this novel and at times, the slow burning pace of the serial murders made me want to put it down versus plow through to the end. I also appreciated the ending but felt it left a few too many threads unfinished.  A worthy debut but not an easy read. Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.