The Suicide House was the first book by Charlie Donlea I have read, an oversight I will work to address. It is the second book with Lane Phillips and Rory Moore, but newcomers to the series are not going to be lost nor will people who read the first be bored by rehashing old information. Donlea creates a story that stands alone while seamlessly meshing with not just a first book with this partnership but with other books featuring characters who provide cameos. Reading this, I never felt like I was missing something essential from other books, but I enjoyed the author’s note at the end pointing out who came from what previous books as it gave me a list of books to hunt down.

This was a fair mystery. There is no secret information. In fact, at times we are privy to the killer’s actions and the story of what happened that night and the investigators are not. That does not privilege us, though, since there are enough red herrings for red herring chowder. The way it comes together, I was not surprised by the solution, but really only twigging to the right answer only a page or two ahead of the final discovery. That makes for great suspense.

I received an e-galley of The Suicide House from the publisher through NetGalley.

The Suicide House at Kensington Books
Charlie Donlea author site

THE SUICIDE HOUSE was my second Charlie Donlea read. Earlier in the summer, I read SOME CHOOSE DARKNESS and really enjoyed the characters Donlea created. Donlea writes such complex thrillers. I loved how in THE SUICIDE HOUSE Rory and Lane’s characters developed and we learned more about them. The case they were working on was gruesome and haunting. I loved how so many different pieces were examined to help them try to figure out the puzzle. Sometimes I did feel as if there were too many perspectives, making it confusing to follow. This book could definitely be read as a stand-alone but I loved following each character from the beginning. I recommend this book to people who enjoy shows like Criminal Minds.

This had so many elements that make up a great story for me, boarding school, podcast, creepiness, but for some reason this story fell flat for me. I didn’t find it thrilling, I found it boring, and some times had trouble keeping track of which character was which. I just wanted it to end.

I never want to tell someone not to read something, as I’ve loved books others have hated and vice versa. So def check this one out if you are into creepy thrillers. It seems like everyone else gave this 5 stars, so there is a great chance you will enjoy this one too!

Thank you @kensingtonbooks @netgalley for an electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was incredible, amazing, enthralling - a marvelous thriller you won’t regret reading!! The characters are unique and intriguing and the plot twists just keep on coming. This isn’t a book for the faint of heart but anyone who loves a great thriller must read this book! I just couldn’t put it down and look forward to reading more from this author.

I have been stuck in a rut recently, reading only the same 4 or 5 authors. I picked this novel to try and drag myself away and into a new direction, and I am so glad I did! The book started out intriguing me, by midway I was desperate to figure out the bad guy, and it was only in the last few chapters were my suspicions confirmed. A fantastic read, beautifully laid out characters with backgrounds that are just enough to make me want to read other books about them. I wait eagerly for the next installment

I was extremely bored with this book. The first chapter sounded so good, but it went downhill from there for me. I wasn't interested in the story and didn't care for the characters. I hate giving 2 stars but that it what I felt.

The follow up to Some Choose Darkness, @charliedonlea follows characters Rory & Lane as they investigate the mysterious deaths & suicides that have happened at Westmont Preparatory High School. Westmont Prep is Indiana’s most elite boarding school, but faculty and students begin to panic when two students are found murdered. The Suicide House Podcast comes to investigate what is happening and asks for help from forensic psychologist Lane Phillips & forensic reconstructionist Rory Moore. Told in alternating timelines, readers are thrust into Westmont Prep leading up to the murders & also follow along with Rory & Lane as they investigate.

Although The Suicide House is a part of a series, the book can be read as a stand-alone novel. I was able to read Some Choose Darkness thanks to @amazon #amazonprimereads ! I really enjoyed this installment in the series and felt the alternating timelines really added to the story. As always with mystery reads I try to figure out the plot and who the culprit is & for me they weren’t very easy to figure out. Donlea does a great job with having enough “players” so you don’t figure everything out, but keeps things simple so you’re not confused. Overall this was a good mystery and it gets 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Articulate and intense, Charlie Donlea makes words strung together seem like a love language of words, which I found both alluring and unusual, especially for a thriller.

Can I just say OBSESSED with these the main characters already from the initial first impression from BookishFirst? Ryder has been sharing the Westmont Prep Killings on her YouTube channels since they happened, but now Mack, his podcast and his sleek voice are the next big thing.

A comment on the podcast brings Mack and Rider together at the scene of the crime, and lurches them even further into the horrible crimes in Peppermill, Indiana. With the help of forensic psychologist Lane, and his girlfriend Rory, will they be able to find out why those who survived keep returning to commit suicide?

I had a bit of trouble at first keeping up with all the new characters introduced once I received my copy thanks to Kensington books, and kept having to flip back to reread - I just kept confusing Rory & Ryders names but I think it was totally just ME, because I love the book otherwise!

Once I got past that, I was right away hooked back into the book and had to find the time to read it immediately! Constant surprises in the story with witty and clear descriptions, these well-written, strong characters had me anxious and waiting, I felt like I was running with them to The Suicide House to find out more.

Thank you to Netgalley, BookishFirst & Kensington Books for letting me read this incredible title in exchange for my personal review, I gave this one 4.5 stars & I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future!

The Suicide House is a podcast centered around Westmont Preparatory High School and an initiation gone wrong. The Suicide House is also the nickname of the campus site where two young men were murdered, allegedly by their teacher, and many of the students present the night of the murder have returned to commit suicide.
This original story line is told as the podcast crew investigate the happenings. Charlie Donlea has featured a few of the characters in another book, Some Choose Darkness, but believe me, this is a great stand alone. The first chapter grabs you, setting the mood for an eerie look at what could have happened to continue to haunt students a year after the murders. As the podcast drew recreate that night, they find more than what they bargained for and must keep digging to stop the deaths. Good build up and an unusual story set the reader up for a read you'll talk about for days.

Rating: 4 heart-thumping stars

Charlie Donlea’s latest entry in the “Rory Moore/Lane Phillips” mystery series was a big hit for me. I loved getting to know more about both Rory Moore (with all her OCD behaviors), and her serial killer profiler boyfriend Lane Phillips. He accepts her as she is, with all her different abilities. This was a well-crafted mystery/thriller with lots of grist for the ‘who-dun-it’ mill.

A year ago a multiple murder was committed at an abandoned faculty residence on the campus of a prestigious preparatory school in Indiana. Westmont Preparatory High School is a boarding high school, which prides itself on the fact that 100% of their graduates have gone on to 4-year colleges. Therefore, the murders of two students, apparently by their chemistry teacher, came as a great shock to the school and the surrounding community.

Fast-forward a year. A popular podcast is now being produced. Its aim is to solve the mystery of the murders. A true-crime reporter is also on a quest to find out as much as she can about the murders. She is the real expert on this crime, not the pretty boy TV celeb who is fronting the podcast. Then other people who were in the area the night of the murders start dying. Their deaths appear to be suicides. However, is all as it appears to be?

We hear from all sorts of narrators throughout this book. Their voices help flesh out the story, but also add complexity to it. It is hard to figure out who, if anyone is telling the truth. I liked the way the book kept me guessing about what I was reading, and how it fit in the final solution.

Rory, have I mentioned that adore Rory? I think that Donlea has written this character with keen insight. He shows her quirks and challenges. She’s learned coping mechanisms, and turned what some would consider to be a hindrance, into the asset that makes her valuable as a crime reconstructionist. It was fascinating to get a closer look into how her mind works.

As with most series, I recommend starting to read them from the beginning of the series. For this series that would be, “Some Choose Darkness”. However, there is enough background information provided in this book that it can be read as a standalone book.

I recommend this book for readers who enjoy a savvy well-plotted mystery or thriller. I liked the fact that Lane Phillips wasn’t set on changing Rory. Rory is differently abled, but uniquely capable to solve these complex mysteries.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.

At the Indiana's elite very reputedly Westmon Preparatory High School runs with high expectations & strict rules. But beyond the school there lies a old boarding house infamous for students hangout where a ritual 'Man in the Mirror' is held twice a year, winner gets the privilege of living whole year peacefully while others get cursed.

A year ago, the day ritual was being held 2 students were slaughtered & since then the case is very rumoured. A Chemistry teacher was accused for this but things starts getting complicated when the survivors of that night start returning to the boarding house only to end their life by jumping in front of running train, 3 students succeeding in the own life slaughter.

Rory a cold cases reconstructive detective & his partner Lane had got involved in this case & more they get into the case, the more mysterious & confusions come in the story but one thing is for sure. THAT GAME IS STILL GOING ON & SECRETS ARE STILL INSIDE THE CAMPUS.

Firstly I didn't knew that this book was 2nd series of Rory/Lane Series but still it coud have done a good job in standalone category also. Now coming to the story, the first line itself catches your attention, it's twisty at every other point & almost every character has his/her side of story; it's in multiple POVs.

Being honest story was little boring in the starting for me but after a time it was very gripping & I was scared that so many POVs will create a mess, it actually did but in a mysterious way. Warning content: marital abuse, terrible murders & suicides are in little detail.

"Veniam solum, relinquatis et (Arrive alone, leave together)."

Rory Moore, a forensic reconstructionist, and her partner/lover Dr. Lane Phillips, a forensic psychologist and criminal profiler, get involved in an investigation into a series of bizarre murders and apparent suicides at Westmont Preparatory High School in Peppermill, Indiana. This exclusive boarding school was the site of a summer secret society game gone wrong last year on the solstice. Although the police felt that they'd closed the case when their main suspect committed suicide, there are still many unanswered questions about that night. Why did 3 other surviving students return later to kill themselves at the abandoned boarding house that featured in the game -- The Man in the Mirror? As they study the cold case and review the files, interview the witnesses, and visit the site of the carnage, they realize that the mystery is theirs to solve. NO SPOILERS.

Wow, this was a fun and fast read that I found nearly impossible to put down. I typically avoid stories that feature teenagers, secret societies, and boarding schools, but I'm glad I made an exception -- but did so only because I've read and enjoyed every book by this author so I knew he would not disappoint me. I like all the characters and their idiosyncrasies; definitely Rory is unique as a protagonist since she uses her afflictions or "differences" to enhance her cold case investigations. I wasn't bothered by meeting the many different characters or the sidebars about Rory's obsession with antique doll restoration. I found the changes in POV and the time jumps appropriate to enhance the narrative. I confess, however, that I had figured it all out way before the reveals, but that just made it more interesting to see how the characters ran it down. I am looking forward to Donlea's next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.

I have to admit I went into this book with certain expectations. I've only read one other book by Charlie Donlea, Don't Believe It, and that book blew me away.

The Suicide House definitely had the same mystery that continued to push me forward. There were so many unknowns that throughout the entire novel even as I tried to piece the story together I found that I couldn't because of all the moving pieces. This meant that I often couldn't put this book down, because I'd get to the end of a chapter and need more.

I hadn't read a book that included Rory and Lane but I loved their relationship and idiosyncrasies, they helped to give the book something more personal. With the inclusion of some other really fun characters I definitely enjoyed this read.

The one thing that I can say is that I continued to compare this book to the only other book I've read by Donlea and I think it hurt the ending for  me. I kept expecting this great twist, and while there was a bit of a twist it was underwhelming for me because my expectations were so high. Nonetheless this read is perfect for a late night of reading and I would highly recommend it.

Chilling and suspenful. Will keep you up long into the night because you just have to know what's going on. This may be book two but it's every bit as good as book one. Whatever you do don't let that candle go out. Happy reading!

Every time Charlie Donlea has a new book out The Traveling Sisters are cheering and we are excited to drive right into it. We were very excited to see beloved characters Rory and Lane from Some Choose Darkness return in The Suicide House

With a title like The Suicide House, I have to say I was a bit nervous about reading it but it's Charlie Donlea so how could I go wrong. Well, I am happy to say Charlie delivers another gripping original and exciting twisty thrill of a read!

Charlie Donlea nails it here with this chilling and thrilling setting that sets a dark eerie mood to the story! I loved the settings here that connected the characters and added nail-biting tension to the story. The Elite school and boarding house in the woods sets an eerier feel to the story with its horrifying secrets. A year ago two students were murder and the case is now the focus of the podcast The Suicide House. Rory is back to find out those horrifying secrets the night the students were slaughter. The danger is still lurking and haunting the students who were there that night.

For me, the strength of the story is our interesting, brilliant well developed diverse character Rory who exhibits mannerism that puts her on the autism spectrum. The dynamics between her and Lane are heartwarming and entertaining. We don’t see much of both of them together as I would of like however I loved what we did get.

There is a large cast of characters here with multiple intertwining storylines that keep things interesting. At times I did become a bit confused with keeping everyone and everything straight. The tension and suspense rise with each chapter right up to those exciting final twists and reveals.

I highly recommend starting with Some Choose Darkness before this one to get to know Rory and Lane however I do think The Suicide House works as a standalone as well

At first I thought there were way too many characters and subplots - but the author was able to weave everything together seamlessly and tell an addicting story in the process. I read this pretty fast because I had to know the mystery behind The Suicide House. I read that the author weaves his characters through all of his books, so I'm excited to pick others up and read more about them all.

Absolutely fantastic opening chapter that pulled me in completely. I enjoyed the multiple points of view, particularly as we also get chapters from the killer's perspective. The plot set-up was great, with the initial horrific event followed by more and more, and all seemingly connected to the initial event.

Content Warnings (SPOILERS) below:





Uncontested internalized ableism (Term "affliction" used repeatedly to describe characters' autism diagnosis, and her obsessive compulsion and autism are called shortcomings. She further describes herself as "broken and could never be fully repaired" apparently due to those conditions); Unconsented to video of someone having sex which was then posted online; Hazing, harassment, abuse of teacher and students

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.

“ The Suicide House” is an infamous location on the grounds of an elite prep school. The previous year one of the teachers killed two of the students in a horrendous murder that drew national attention and has become one of the favorite topics on chat boards and amateur detectives. Their are unanswered questions not only about that night but why students who were there for an initiation into the a schools “
secret society” are returning to commit suicide in the same location.
It is now the subject of a podcast that is growing in popularity. Lane Phillips, a psychologist who has a reputation for solving cold cases is invited as a guest speaker on the podcast and his girlfriend/ partner end up working to solve the mysteries surrounding the school and what is drawing students back to the scene.
The author devised a very complex plot but drew it all together at the end in a way that answered the readers questions.
I had a difficult time with this book but I can’t put my finger on what was off. I did find the repeated explanations of Rorys’ condition irritating even though she is a fascinating character that I would like to read more about.
This book is due for release today, July 28. Although it is part of a series, I think it can be read as a standalone.
Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

It was a well written suspense novel which kicks off with multiple deaths at a creepy abandoned house in a prestigious prep school. Initially I did feel there were too many characters being introduced that it ended up confusing. But once the plot thickens, things get clearer and the way the author has connected all dots and tied the loose ends finally is pretty brilliant. The plot pulls you in right away and I felt it highly engaging.

I will definitely read more books by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me a digital ARC

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Bookish First Impression
Discovery consists of seeing what everybody else has seen and thinking what nobody else has thought.
—Albert Szent-Györgyi

The Suicide House pulls you immediately into the book where there are many moving pieces. Several characters are introduced setting the stage of mystery and suspense. In the introduction to the story, someone confesses to pushing his brother in front of a train which kills him. It makes you wonder about all the apparent suicides which were reported after the tragic “accident” at the private boarding school.

Having read book 1, Some Choose Darkness, I would say that this can easily be read as a stand alone novel as the author intended. I would say that you learn more about the nuances of the characters who may have been in a previous book. Each story is totally unrelated in context so the reader isn’t confused.

Rory Moore is taking a break from last case, which is typical given the extent to which she invests herself into each investigation. She has learned over the years how to use her OCD and autism spectrum symptoms to help her when needed. For the most part she prefers to work alone as a forensic reconstructionist and porcelain doll restoration to “relax”.

In this novel, Lane Phillips asks her to join him as he goes to meet Mack Carter, an investigative reporter now running a popular podcast called, The Suicide House. They sought Lane for his expertise with profiling serial killers and wanted his input for the podcast. Before Lane arrives, Mack goes to Westmont Prep to meet Ryder who is hoping to make a name for herself like Mack. She alerts him to a post on his podcast website which indicates that one of the surviving students from the Suicide House murders wanted to tell him what really happened. This case has been closed by the Peppermill Police department as they discovered a manifesto describing the killings of the students by chemistry teacher, Charles Gorman.

Unfortunately, when Mack and Ryder make it to the school they discover the body of Theo Compton lying on the train tracks. He had given a brief interview to Mack stating that Charles Forman didn’t commit the crimes.

Alternative chapters provide a mystery person reading from a therapy journal discussing many disturbing events from the past. As all the students at Westmont Prep are encouraged to write in a journal the author isn’t discovered until later when the mystery starts to unfold.

The story is a complex history of the year of the murders and suspected suicides and the present where some of the stories don’t add up. Whenever Rory and Lane get involved you are sure to uncover much more than the truth. Another creepy psychological thriller by Charlie Dunlea is not to be missed!