When I read the synopsis, I thought this book would be right up my alley. I love true crime and documentaries, so I thought I would love this book which I thought would follow a fictional true crime podcast. The podcast portion fizzles quickly and the story shifts to three teens trying to figure out who the real blind side slasher is. They don’t believe that the father of two of the teens was rightfully convicted of the crime. I enjoyed the premise, but there were times where I found myself spacing out and not engaged in the book. I didn’t feel like the excerpts from the killers prospective added much to the book and I felt like the middle dragged a bit. I wish the podcast idea would have played out more in the book. Overall, an interesting read but not a page turner that kept me up into the wee hours of the night.

This had so many elements that I love: mysterious rituals, cult like behavior, dark family histories. However, the characters just felt like caricatures to me. I wasn't taken in by them and I wish that there was more development of the "villain" before it was revealed who she was because once that happened, I didn't care about her as much, or feel as shocked or scared. Her character was two dimensional. The intriguing elements kept me reading and there's' so much potential.

When a popular true crime podcast comes to the town of a convicted serial killer, murders that are similar to those of the man behind bars start occurring, which convince his children that he’s innocent more than ever.

I enjoyed quite a few things about this book. One of my favorite things was how the author created the characters of Henry, Jane, and the grandmother. They were all unique but the love between them was clear.

Something that makes this tough to review is that I think this book tried to cover a bit too much. It was trying to cover the opioid epidemic, a faulty criminal justice system, the life of a small town cop versus a cop in a larger city, and religious cults. Each story was interesting, but the only one that was really complete was about Henry & Jane’s dad being convicted of murder. Everything else felt like a an aide story rather than something that weaved into the main story.

That said, I would LOVE to get a full story about Otis’ family/history, and/or the full cult story because they were both really interesting.

I aso that that the narrator, Coleen Marlo was absolutely fantastic. There were a lot of characters to voice & each remained individual throughout.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Rob Rufus for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Being from WV I jumped at the chance to get this audiobook from Netgalley. It is a complex story about a complex problem. The characters are all wonderfully and realistically flawed. The setting is a small rural WV town plagued by the opioid crisis. It could be one of a large number of towns in WV, a state hit hard by unemployment and drug use. Like some of the characters, many people got started on their path of drug abuse by legitimately prescribed pain killers. As a pharmacist I saw this coming in our state. If you went to the ER for a hangnail, I swear they would give you hydrocodone. No one could have foreseen the devastation this has wrought. I got the sense of desolation and hopelessness from this book that I see in many parts of WV. The main characters' father is in prison, not because of drugs as is so often the case but as a convicted serial killer. His kids are being raised by their grandmother. The kids are convinced he is innocent and set out to prove it. Then we have a female police officer investigating a missing girl who wonders if some of the local deaths written off as overdoses could have been more. The book was a little slow in places but when it reaches the climax you'd better hold on! I sure never saw that coming! Did I enjoy the book? Not really. Do I feel it is worth reading? Yes definitely.

This is a fast listen - I definitely found myself listening at every opportunity! Set in the titular small West Virginian town, it's anything but paradise for the four main characters that the story follows. Henry and Jane are siblings and reviled teenagers around town since the arrest of their father for being the serial killer dubbed the "Blind Spot Slasher." Another teen, Otis, recently moved to town and begins investigating Henry and Jane's father, wanting to help them uncover the truth. Another newcomer to town, Detective Garcia, investigates the missing women around town and isn't quite sure what exactly the town is hiding.

Fast-paced and well-performed, I did enjoy listening to this one quite a bit! The characters - as well as the rather grim setting - all really comes to life. I sort of wish that the audio had more than one performer though because that usually adds to the fun, but I did appreciate the way this narrator handled the accents. The book does leave a few things dangling in the end - which bothered me a bit, but overall I really liked this one and would definitely read or listen to more. from Rufus in the future!

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* different type of thriller/mystery than i normally read and i really liked it!! Would reread in a few years

It was well written, but not very easy to follow. There were quite a few different characters and I always felt like there was a disconnect.

Want a thriller that includes it all: murder podcast fandom, cults, murder, and small town USA? Look no further, Paradise, WV is it!

A popular up and coming podcast is coming to the small town in West Virginia where an infamous serial killer with ties to a religious cult was convicted for murdering several young women. Henry and June are plagued with being the “Blind Spot Slasher’s” kids, treated as outcasts and turned into spectacles all while holding tight to their father’s innocence. Around the time the podcast comes to town, a string of missing women and a recently discovered body start to point toward a BSS copycat. With the help of Otis, a boy genius with a fascination for solving crimes acting as the sibling’s private investigator, the three teens attempt to prove the real BSS was never captured.

I enjoyed this novel, especially the characters. Rufus did a great job providing enough of each character’s personal history into the intricate details of the current events which afforded a reader to feel a sense of connection and understanding for everyone. I thought Otis was especially quirky, but brilliant. I appreciated his empathy for those affected by criminal cases becoming entertainment. He was a compassionate light to Henry and June, who struggle to survive in a community that has condemned them for the supposed actions of their father. With the growing popularity of true crime, consumers often do not think about the repercussions the entertainment has on those who are personally involved in the cases, whether it be family or victims themselves. Otis shedding light on needing to give compassion to everyone is a reminder to readers.

The audiobook version was crisp and clear. The narration was very well done which provided a pleasant listening experience.

There was something about Paradise, WV that felt different, more raw and real than other thrillers I have recently read. If looking for something unique, but still hits all the aspects that make for a quality thriller, this is the book!

Paradise, WV
Rob Rufus
The setting is a small town in West Virginia. Several years previously a serial killer known as “the Blind Spot Slasher” terrorized the town. Hollis Lusher was convicted of the crime. His children, Henry and Jane are still paying the price of his notoriety. Despite they way they are treated they still proclaim their father is innocent. A podcast with the focus on true crime arrives in town to broadcast about “the Blind Spot Slasher.” As if Jane and Henry do not have enough problems, the podcast brings more attention on them.
The small town is plagued with drug abuse. Many deaths are blamed on drugs when it could be the work of a serial killer. Officer, Lieutenant Elena Garcia is assigned the case of a missing girl. The more she delves into the case the more she suspects there is more to it than a runaway. Could there be a copycat killer or could the wrong man have been convicted.
Otis is Henry’s new friend. He is very intelligent and begins to play private detective in an attempt to prove Hollis Lusher was wrongly convicted of murder. He discovers a possible connection between the murders and a local cult.
The main characters in this book are, Henry, Otis, Jane and Elena. Elena is a police Lieutenant hoping for advancement. Her husband and daughter haven’t moved to Paradise yet; he is remodeling the house and preparing to put it on the market. Henry and Jane have had a rough time; they live with their Mammaw and dog, Gravy. Otis is a fun character. He has problems at home; his father is a former drug addict (how former remains to be seen.) Mammaw is a favorite character. The characters have depth and all work well together. The cult was rather interesting. I have never been able to understand people that get involved in cults especially this cult. The “head of the cult’ is pure evil.
This tale has enough twists and turns to keep this reader intently listening. It took me a while to figure out “whodunit.” This tale leaves the possibility of a sequel. I would love to see a whole series of books featuring Jane, Henry and Otis.

❐ Overall Rating 3¼⭐ | Narration 😀 = Good
❐ Narrated by Coleen Marlo
❐ Listening Length: 7H 41M
❐ I received an ALC via Netgalley
❐ Grit-Lit
❐ Snake-charming, the opioid crisis, and serial killers

While I usually love a good Grit-Lit novel...I sadly couldn’t fully engage in this story, and I seriously tried. Nor did the characters speak to me, yet I really thought that they would have.

But, that’s not to say that they couldn’t for someone else because it may have had potential that I missed out on by listening through the NetGalley’s inferior player. Although, I’m not sure if it was the actual writing or the player.

I haven’t listened to a book through Netgalley for quite some time because I was hoping they would work the kinks out of it. Unfortunately, they have quite a ways to go to get it up to par. It is improved some, though. Essentially, the audio quality is better than it was but still struggling and the player itself has had improvements but still is lacking. I’m not sure how Netgalley thinks we can give a book a fair shot if what we’re listening to it on is a sub-par player.

I will say that Coleen Marlo was excellent with different voices and I wouldn’t hesitate to listen to a book narrated by her in the future.

Omg! This was so good.
1. WEST VIRGINIA (a state I love--or at least the towns I know)
2. A cult!
3. Metalhead kid who doesn't fit in
4. Anxiety kid
5. Genius kid who doesn't fit in
6. Addiction issues
7. SERIAL KILLER STUFF
8. A GREAT TWIST
9. Creepy/gothic feel

I was *pleasantly* surprised by this one. I thought I saw the bad guy from the very beginning and that the end was going to be terribly predictable--kudos to the author for tricking the hell out of me--I was completely wrong. Did not see that twist coming.

Rich characters, rich setting. Loved, loved this one.

A huge thanks to the author, @DreamscapeMedia, and NetGalley for an audiobook ARC.

Being a native WV gal I felt I HAD to read this book. I almost gave myself whiplash when they said at Shady Spring High School within the first 2 minutes of the book.. seeing as I am a Shady Spring Alum. But I mean give me a book with serial killers, cults, one bad Mawmaw and then throw me in some opioid epidemic and I’m definitely sold. The book had was a fast paced thriller. At times I’d call it creepy. The ending left me with a couple questions I didn’t feel that really fit. I wish there was more developing at the end with Fred Perkins too. Overall, I enjoyed the book. Thank you to NetGalley for my arc in exchange for my honest review.

Paradise, WV is an easy to read mystery that is solved from both adult and teenager perspectives. I thoroughly enjoyed the family dynamics in this book, especially the close bond between brother and sister, Henry and Jane, children of the presumed Blind Spot Slasher killer. But do they have the right person behind bars for committing the murders, or is their a copycat killer on the loose? Details and a new killing emerge that suggest a copycat is out there for sure. As the teenagers and the local Sheriff's Office work separately to solve the new crime, a clearer picture of the past emerges and the right person is brought to justice as the Blind Spot Slasher, and you will not guess who it is. I wasn't able to, and I love it when that happens in a book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio book version of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The reviews overall are pretty positive on this book. I loved the idea, two kids that are trying to clear the name of their father that is a convicted serial killer while they live in the dark cloud of the aftermath. However, the story just never grabbed me. The story felt all over the place and the characters fell a bit flat for my liking. A few twists throughout although one of them I guessed early on. I tried, just couldn’t get into it. I wish I liked this one more, I just didn’t. I guess every story is not for every person. The cover though...is amazing!

Thank you to #netgalley for my audiobook copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a fun ride! A bit wild! It’s a mystery thriller and there’s some amateur sleuth action going on as well! I love mysteries and trying to figure out the puzzle and i did not figure this one out! It’s got some graphic scenes in it but i was here for it. I really enjoyed the different characters and i really rooted for them. I definitely suspected a few but it wasn’t who i thought! This is a quick read and the suspense just keeps building! Also if you enjoy audios, definitely check it out, i loved the narrators voices and she definitely individualized each character.

4.5 stars
I had never heard of this book before I decided to request it from Netgalley. I've been totally into true crime shows lately and the synopsis just hooked me from the first sentence. I'm so glad I requested it and was approved.
This book was just like a true crime show, just with more depth. We have 4 main characters, Jane and Henry, siblings whose father is in jail for being a serial killer (but is he?), Otis who is a homeschooled true crime nerd, and Lieutenant Garcia who is the only one on the police force with a brain (my own opinion). Jane and Henry have been so affected by their father's (false?) imprisonment. They are shunned and Jane suffers from anxiety and depression. They are also both very strong. They are convinced their father was framed and want to find out who the real serial killer is. Otis is absolutely adorable. He has no friends and coincidentally bumps into Henry and becomes entangled in their story. Garcia is just really a good cop and person. I also absolutely loved Jane and Henry's grandmother! She was hilarious.
The plot was so engaging and so thriller-y. As we know, Jane and Henry's dad is a convicted serial killer. An online podcast comes to Paradise to cover the story. Then someone else dies with the same MO as the serial killer. Is it a copycat or was Jane and Henry's dad really framed? Jane, Henry and Otis do some digging to find the truth. I did not see the killer coming. It was the farthest person in my mind. The ending was so scary (thriller scary, not like scary scary) and I didn't want to miss a second. It wrapped up nicely, but there was one thing that wasn't answered that I felt was a pretty big thing that happened.
Overall, this was an amazing thriller and the narrator was fantastic. Definitely give this one a try if you are into thrillers or true crime!

Ok, now, this one got me! USUALLY, I can kind of figure out what is going on and have an idea of where the story is going. Welp, NOT with this one! I had so many guilty parties in this book and so many endings thought up but I was wrong.

It did take me a bit to get into the book but it was worth it! I am definitely interested in more from this author!

Paradise, WV: a small, rural town rocked by the opiate epidemic and a serial killer's impact... For siblings Henry and Jane Lusher, Paradise is their home and their hell.

These two are the children of the convicted serial murderer, Hollis Lusher, known by his moniker, "the Blind Spot Slasher." Since their father's arrest, the siblings have maintained his innocence, despite their peers bullying and casting them out because of it. The news of a popular true-crime podcast's visit to Paradise sets the town abuzz and reignites interest in the Blind Spot Slasher's case and Henry and Jane's persistent belief in their father's innocence.

Lieutenant Garcia is a young police officer, new to the force and eager to prove her place. When placed on the case of a missing girl, Garcia is sucked into the world of opiates and their associated impact. Her investigation opens the door for her to question if the massive amounts of deaths can be attributed to opiates or if there is a copycat Blind Spot Slasher for the police force to contend with. She doesn't even want to acknowledge the unsaid question... What if they arrested the wrong suspect?

Henry's new friend, Otis (a homeschooled kid who also happens to be a genius), makes it his mission to help the sibling duo prove Hollis Lusher's innocence. As the three explore the evidence of the killings, they discover a viable connection with a local, snake-loving cult. (Yes... an actual cult) This connection sends them to the darkest parts of Appalachia where they work their hardest to find justice for Hollis... for all of their sakes.

For the most part, I really really enjoyed this book. I enjoy Rob Rufus's writing style and his commitment to creating an engrossing world. Some characters were absolute stunners, people that could basically walk off the page and fit right in. Other characters, unfortunately, fell a little flat or in some cases, created potentially harmful representations (looking at you, Otis's father). I also think that there could be a case to eradicate most of the killer's interludes, just because they distracted me from what I really wanted ... answers. Given the more recent cultural popularity of true crime, it was interesting that this book took place in 2011. I think the idea of a podcaster coming to a town specifically as a stop on a tour didn't really track. I think it would have been interesting if the podcast was in Paradise to dig up the truth à la Payne Lindsey with Up and Vanished. I think that this book has more positives than negatives. If you're in the mood for a thriller or police procedural-esque novel that also raises awareness for the harm that drugs can have on a community, if you're into cults, or if you're really passionate about Appalachia in the media (like my fiancé is), then this may be the book for you.

Trigger Warnings for Paradise, WV: assault, attempted murder, suicide, cults, drug use, kidnapping, and more.

Overall rating: 4/5

Paradise, WV will be available for purchase on July 20th. Be sure to add it to your Goodreads shelf and see where it's available to buy. Also, be sure to check out Rob Rufus’s website!
I was lucky enough to be able to read this Advanced Reader's Copy through my partnership with NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I feel like I shouldn’t say I had a really good time listening to an audiobook about a convicted serial killer’s kids, who are determined to prove his innocence, and a copycat slayer terrorizing the people of Paradise, WV, but if I didn’t say that, I’d be lying. This was a fun story. 🤷‍♀️

Paradise, WV captivated me from start to finish. There is a great mystery in all of this and despite the serious subject matter, the author didn’t seem to take it all too seriously. There’s a bit of a campy feel to the book, and while the story is pretty surface level and there is a mountain of stereotypes and cliches, it all seemed very intentional. This won’t work in every story, but it was executed well here.

I would have loved to have seen a bit more depth here, especially in the character building, but that’s really the only thing that bugged me. Despite what wasn’t accomplished with these characters, I did like most of them, especially Otis.

The best part for me was that I never figured out the twist! The author successfully distracted me from that shocking reveal again and again and I felt quite satisfied as the truth played out.

Engaging with fun thrillers can be such a struggle for me, so finding one like this that really keeps me invested without delivering the meaningfulness I tend to crave makes me really happy. This was just… well… a good time. If that’s all you’re in the mood for, you might want to pick Paradise, WV up!

Side note: I do want to reiterate that this is a thriller and in all thriller and horror books, it’s important to go in expecting dark, disturbing content. I don’t know what might be too much for any one person, but I don’t want anyone mad at me for calling this fun (because that’s happened!). It still has aspects that have the potential trigger. Please keep that in mind.

I am immensely grateful to Keylight Books for my audio review copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you @NetGalley for this audio ARC copy of #ParadseWV.

Teenagers Jane and Henry are outcasts, after their father has been convicted and sent to prison for being a serial killer. Only thing is, their father claims to have been framed. When a true crime podcast comes to town Henry finds friendship with homeschool Otis, a true crime fanatic, that learns about henrys father and … believes he’s innocent.

As the opioid epidemic grows, a young officer eager to move up in the ranks believes there’s something more to this than meets the eye.

Where to begin? The main characters in this story were beyond lovable and my heart also broke for them. The author built a world where you’re looking on the other side of the true crime, the effects it has on the family. It was different to see especially if you’re like me and have a fascination for true crime.

True Crime
Drugs
Cults

What more do you need?