The queen of writing stories is back with a new one. I started this and finished in a day I could not put it down. I loved the blend of everything and the main character. The flow and plot were perfect and I can not wait for another story by this author. No matter what name she is writing under! She is an auto buy and must read!

*There are several triggers in this book. It involves serial murdering of women and some assault.

Ted Bundy. BTK. The Golden State Killer.
Everyone knows who they are and for decades in the future, their names will live in infamy. But do you know the names of their victims?

I am a crime show junkie and I make no apologies for it. I grew up on Unsolved Mysteries and America’s Most Wanted. My mom recommended The Stranger Beside Me when I was in middle school. My friends and I passed Ann Rule books back and forth like we did Fear Street and Christopher Pike books. We’ve become desensitized to it and murder has become entertainment.
I have always felt sad when I see the family members of the victims and the loss of the future for their family members. But I’ve never really thought about the families of the killers and how it affects them. I remember watching a documentary on John Wayne Gacy and his family being interviewed. They made no excuses but they also had fond memories of the person that he was to them.
Everyone feels sorry for the families of the victims, but the families of murderers are blamed for everything too. How could they not know? Ted Bundy’s girlfriend “Liz” has long been blamed for knowing what he was doing and ignoring it. She believed in his innocence for a long time and had to struggle publicly to come to terms with the fact that her dream man was a killer.
These things are all covered in Daughter in a wonderful way that shows respect to all of the innocent victims of an evil man who lived to hurt people.

Scarlet’s mom has always been way too overprotective and it’s always annoyed her. Then one day the FBI shows up on their doorstep and everything makes sense. Scarlet is the daughter of the famed “Gentleman Killer” who is basically Ted Bundy for all intents and purposes. The book was even inspired by the movie “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile.”
Upon learning that her father is a serial killer, Scarlet gets an even bigger bombshell- he’s dying and he will only reveal the locations of his other victims to her.
McClaughlin does not let you forget that while Scarlet and her mother were not murdered, they are still victims. It’s very in your face about the fact that killers should not be remembered, rather their victims.
It’s a YA drama-thriller, so of course, there’s a lot of newer teen vernacular which made me feel old, but McLaughlin’s other book was so powerful that I could overlook the teen-speak I can’t understand.
Where were the YA books like this when I was a teen? We had Lurlene McDaniel and campy horror, rather than books that remind you what’s going on in the world and how it affects teens today. Does anyone else remember Lurlene McDaniel?
Long story short, because this is entirely too long, Daughter is a wonderfully haunting story, and I can’t wait to see what else McClaughlin releases.

*Thanks to the publisher for automatically giving me the chance to read this one, and Netgalley who provided it to me for review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and Kate McLaughlin for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Daughter in exchange for my honest review.

Seventeen-year-old Scarlet's life has been pretty average to this point, with the exception of her over-the-top protective mom. When the FBI shows up at Scarlet's door one afternoon, her entire life changes when the father she thought abandoned her when she was a baby is actually none other than infamous serial killer Jeffrey Robert Lake. He's on his deathbed and is offering the FBI names and locations of more of his victims, with one catch: he will only tell the names to Scarlet.

For 15 years Scarlet's mother kept her safe and hidden from the public eye, but returning to visit Lake will thrust them back into the spotlight. Thus, Scarlet is faced with a decision that feels insurmountable for a teenager: stay safely in hiding or let the world know she is the daughter of a monster.

While I didn't love this book, I did find it entertaining. By the end, however, I was kind of left wondering: what was the point of this story? It felt like there wasn't really a solid plot point and to label this as a thriller seems a bit of a stretch. I also didn't care for the intensely dark crimes Lake committed being intermingled with teenage romance. While I realize and acknowledge that this is a YA book, those two elements didn't quite jive for me. (Though I did enjoy the dark element, as I always do).

Nonetheless, I did enjoy Kate McLaughin's writing style and I'd be happy to read another one of her books in the future.

Daughter is on bookshelves in the US March 8, 2022!

I received an invitation to read this title as an advanced reader copy by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I read the author's first book- What Unbreakable Looks Like- which was powerful and moving.

Before I get into the body of my review, I need to share trigger warnings for very sensitive content for discussion of serial killers, rape, murder and necrophilia. Some descriptive language can be graphic so I would hesitate to reccomend this to a YA audience. Yet the main character is almost 18 years old, with the author doing a good job of making her think like an 18 year old vs an adult, the way that it needs to be.

Scarlet is living as a typical teenager with a strict single mom when a bomb is dropped on her, she is really the only child of notorious serial killer Jeff Lake who was convicted and sentenced to death. However, he has dangled the opportunity to give grieving families closure to avoid the death penalty. Now he is dying of pancreatic cancer and wants to use his daughter to get his last 15 minutes of fame. Scarlet has no idea that her pharmacist mom is really Allison, Jeff's divorced wife. She changed her name and Scarlet's and left North Carolina when Scarlet was 2.

It was nice that Scarlet and her mom got to become close with family, however the press - TMZ outed her identity and they had to flee their CT home. Scarlet was brave during her visits with her father but it must have left her emotionally scarred. The author does not hold back in her depiction of the serial killer and dome details were hard to read, even for an adult reader like myself who had read many adult mysteries by authors such as Lisa Gardner. Scarlet is able to turn the focus to the victims' families and helping them get some peace. Her interest in film helped her come up with a documentary to help the public remember the victims and the lives they had before encountering Jeff Lake.

The other plot was Scarlet becoming friends with the family of the FBI agent and her cousin as well as a love interest. While I enjoyed that part it was hard to understand how she could flip from her disturbing meetings with her father to her social life. And yes she uses popular slang such as AF (as f***) which I was familiar with already. There's good discussion of anxiety and the use of Mary Jane, as well and a fair amount of profanity. (Doesn't bother me)

I think the main concern is how the publisher will market the book because the content isn't appropriate for a younger reader and I'm not sure if the author's intended audience was adults. There's no mystery as much as the character reacting to events from the past, which are quite graphic at times. I will definitely need a palate cleanser after this book something with rainbows and puppies.

3.25/5☆

Wow, let me catch my breath a second.....

Daughter, by Kate McLaughlin, is sure to bring in a large audience. McLaughlin, does not skip a beat when it comes to making you feel like you personally know these characters. I found Scarlet to be relatable as I also had an insanely overprotective mother growing up. At 17 years old, the reigns should be loosened a bit. That was not the case here. Not only is Scarlet's mother extremely over protective but her father, Jeffrey Lake, is a serial killer. Maybe that is the reason behind Scarlet's mothers madness?

Now, Jeffrey Lake, sitting in prison is dying . Jeffrey Lake is looking to negotiate. He wants to meet his daughter and in turn he will provide the names of his victims that no one has been able to identify yet.

Cue the wild media circus this unleashes and the internal struggle Scarlet is faced with.

This book was insane, I have never read anything like it. Not only was the story line unique but the entire book from start to finish was mind blowing.

Everyone needs to pre-order this book. I will be thinking about this book for months to come.

At first glance, Daughter seems like a thriller. Especially because the synopsis includes the words serial killer. The cover has a face behind broken glass and the first chapter includes a guy finding a dead body. It is not a thriller nor is it a mystery. Publisher has it listed as a young adult on their website.

This story is about a Scarlett who finds out that her father (who she has not seen since she was a baby) is a famous serial killer named Jeffrey Lake. Lake is dying of cancer and agrees to give more names of those he killed if he's allowed to see his daughter again.

While I was expecting more of a mystery/thriller, I still very much enjoyed this story. It's almost a coming of age story about a girl trying to process and move forward after finding out that her dad murdered a lot of young girls. I loved the growth that Scarlett had throughout this story. She's one tough character. I also loved Lake's character. He was absolutely terrifying. Overall a great read.

Arc curtesy of Netgalley and Wednesday Books

Daughter is about Scarlet who finds out she is the daughter of a serial killer. Her mom changed Scarlet’s name from Britney when they went into hiding. Britney was thr name of her Dad’s first victim, super creepy.
Jeff Lake, Scarlet’s dad, who is a lot like Ted Bundy, is dying and he will not give up his secret location of his victims to anyone except his daughter. This really ramps up the drama and intrigue because Scarlet knows that the victims deserve to be found. She has to do it for them even though her Dad is a manipulative necrophile.

She visits him in prison and he slowly gives her names. During this, she gets to stay with the family of the FBI agent who has been over Jeff Lake’s case since Scarlet was a baby.
There is a bit of a love interest for Scarlet in Luke, the FBI agents son. This provided a nice balance to all the heavy themes at play.

Overall, I enjoyed reading about her inner conflict since this would be a very emotional and disturbing experience continually having to visit a murderer. The journey is interesting and the characters are dynamic. I liked the writing style as well. The ending, though was not a huge surprise, but was still satisfying and well done.

I think this book will appeal to fans of April Henry and Karen McManus.

Seventeen year old Scarlet loved her mother but also resented her. Gina was extremely overprotective and quite paranoid about her daughter’s safety. sounds like a lot of mothers!! being a watcher of dateline and 20/20 i found this to be a book reminding me of them. thank you netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for a review.

Scarlet thinks she’s like most other teenagers; she wants to let loose, but she has to sneak around her overprotective mother. But when the FBI comes knocking on her door, with secret updates about an infamous serial killer, Scarlet learns that she is not like most other teenagers at all. Confronted with her shocking past, Scarlet must decide what to do as she learns more and more about serial killer Jeffrey Robert Lake.

I can’t even pretend that I wanted to read this book for any other reason than morbid hypotheticals. And I honestly had a great time. The writing style is a bit juvenile; Scarlet rattles off about 500 simple sentences in a row at several different points throughout the novel. But the concept, while dark, is engaging. I loved Scarlet’s relationship with her mom and the conversations they engaged in. I loved the hints of romance. And, even though I just complained about the simple sentences, I also did like that Scarlet definitely sounded like a teenager. McLaughlin didn’t try to make her with adult depth, but Scarlet isn’t a joke, either.

For the crime space, I like that this was still unique. I can’t think of another story like it that I’ve read. As mentioned before, the subject matter is dark, but the book didn’t feel scary at all. Take that for what you will, but I think it’s a bonus. Even though I’m a true crime lover, I’m still a wimp with limits. I will be keeping my eye out for more work by McLaughlin in the future!’

4.5 stars

Most people have the experience of coming to terms with the facts that the adults in their young lives are not all-knowing and perfect, but fortunately most of our realizations are delivered much more softly than Scarlet's...since it turns out her father is a serial killer!

Scarlet, the m.c., has been raised by an extraordinarily overprotective mother (readers - and even Scarlet - really get why she's like this pretty fast) and has been told that her father just took off when she was too young to remember. The truth is that he was a prolific serial killer, and Scarlet and her mother have been attempting to live a life outside of his shadow ever since his conviction. Early in the novel, Scarlet not only learns this lifechanging detail, but she also uncovers an endless stream of shock that follows her throughout the novel (and likely until her last breath).

After loving McLaughlin's first book, I still came into this one with some reservations because the premise seemed a little...unrelatable? Open to disastrous and predictable plotting? But I could not put this one down. Though there are some aspects of Scarlet's character that seem a bit oversimplified - especially in terms of her romantic relationships - the central conversations about her identity, who her parents are, and what her future capacity and motivations might be are all endlessly engaging. I really enjoyed this one and will - with warnings about obvious references to extreme violence (because that comes with the serial killer territory) - be recommending this one to students. McLaughlin remains on my must-read list.

I find myself to be quite a fan of YA Thrillers, especially as of late, and while I quite enjoyed McLaughlin’s prose, the entire text felt formulaic, and I fear that while the premise was promising and something unique, the execution didn’t feel all that different from what I’ve seen before. Especially as the book isn’t attempting to subvert diversity tropes that are common in horror and thriller, I didn’t find to be all that spectacular. However, if you are looking for a quick read to get you out of a reading slump with some intrigue, this will surely do the trick!

Daughter by Kate McLaughlin is a fascinating look at a teenage girl who just so happens to have a serial killer for a father. Scarlet’s growth throughout the book is what captivated me the most. Lake, Scarlet’s father comes across as truly evil and it was terrifying to read about and wonder what he was going to do next. I appreciate the way McLaughlin wrapped up the story, giving me the resolve that I was looking for.

This is everything I have ever wanted in a book, I could not put it down! This YA read was packed with mysteries, thrills, wit, suspense, and was a refreshing twist of voice. I was immediately drawn into Scarlet’s world and could not wait to follow her along her journey. I loved her voice, her spunk, and her vivaciousness. These characters are so dynamic and it was fascinating to see how they responded to everything that was thrown at them. The author’s focus on bringing lost and stolen voices back into the light is admirable. I can’t wait to have a physical copy of this book on my bookshelf!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for gifting me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Realistic Young Adult Fiction. Scarlet's mom has always been so overprotective, and, while Scar tries to understand her mother's reasoning, she hates to always have to explain this burden to her friends and boyfriends. But, when the FBI unexpectedly knocks at the door, they upend Scarlet's world. Suddenly, her mother's overprotectiveness makes sense; Scar is shocked to discover that her father is actually the infamous serial killer, Jeffrey Robert Lake--WAIT, WHAT?! I could not put this book down; an interesting scenario that contemplates the lives and emotions of a serial murderer's family.

Thank you so much to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the invitation to read this chilling release from one of my favorite authors! I fell head over feet for Kate after reading an ARC of 'What Unbreakable Looks Like', and the raw emotion I found there did not relent in this reading experience. Kate knows exactly how to weave striking tales around sensitive subjects that others are either too afraid to touch, or are usually seen from a totally different perspective. This one, specifically, calls to those who have grown up watching true crime shows-- but is a love letter and a release for the victims of said crimes. Even more than that; it puts a special spotlight on the ones who've survived and must carry the name with them. Daughter explores the weight someone else's shadow can put on you.

The daughter in question is Scarlet Murphy, who-- up until a duo of FBI agents show up-- has been living a normal life. She is in high school, has a group of girlfriends, and has just gotten a chance with the boy she likes. Then she learns she is actually Britney Lake; the only child of serial killer Jeff Lake. Everything falls down around her as she struggles with this news, finding out her mother has been lying to her for her entire life-- but also seeing who her true friends and allies really are. Scarlet is given the chance to speak to her father, and she agrees. Despite who he is and how shocked she is, Jeff has told the FBI he will give his daughter the names of the girls he was never convicted for. Scarlet hopes to give the families peace-- and that includes herself and her mother.

I related to this novel in many ways, and I think that speaks to how intricate the themes are within it. On the surface, it is a shift in perspective-- assuring that readers focus on the marks instead of the predator-- but it takes only a scratch to reveal what's underneath. We have Scarlet, raised by a single mother. She's told all her life her dad left, and when she meets him, she wishes it were only so simple. There's no denying how much it hurts feeling like you weren't wanted, like you weren't good enough for someone. What may be even worse, however, is knowing that the person who is supposed to love you, to be there for you... only has use for you when it benefits them. Despite that trauma, Scarlet finds first love, finds a dream, a purpose. This daughter's story reminded me that my own is not over. In fact, both are just beginning.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I really wanted to like this book, but I had a hard time getting into it. While I didn't mind the characters, it seemed like many of there interactions felt forced, and a few of them seemed to have big personality changes. That said, I did enjoy the setting of the book, it was an interesting premise, and I will try out other books from this author.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an advanced copy.

Scarlet thought she was living a normal life of a high school senior with an overprotective mother, until one night a bombshell is dropped in her lap. Her name isn't really Scarlet, her real name is Britney Lake and she is the daughter of notorious serial killer Jeffrey Robert Lake. Jeffrey Robert Lake is known to have killed over a dozen women but it's believed he killed many more. He is dying of cancer and said he would reveal the name of other women and the location of their bodies if he gets to see his daughter, who he last saw when she was two.

Daughter takes a look at the family of serial killers and murderers. So many times we are left to think about the actual murderers, but don't think about the victims, the victim's family or the family of the murderer, who are many times victims themselves. As illustrated in this novel, Scarlet and her mother are both victims of Jeffrey Lake in their own way. Scarlet's mother, who renamed herself Gina following the trial, knew nothing of his activities although the public thought otherwise. With high profile crimes, society thinks the same of the spouse and close family members of the individual(s) who committed the crime(s). This book also talks about the lack of remembrance of the victim(s), which very true. How often do we remember the name of the victims compared to the one who did the killing? The name(s) of the victim(s) are often left behind with only their family member(s) to remember them by. Daughter asks the reader to start to change the narrative and way of thinking on that matter for the future.

Overall, I thought Daughter was an enjoyable read. There are newspaper snippets that lead readers to see what occurred in the past leading to events effecting both Gina, Scarlet, and others. There were some events in the storyline that I'm not sure were as warranted within the story, but I can understand why they were there for a YA audience. This is perfect for true crime fans whether of a YA or adult age.

A huge thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

// Book Content Warnings: death, mentions of violence, mentions of murder, mentions of sexual assault, mentions of necrophilia, sexual content, drug use // – Please educate yourself on the content warnings for this book before reading, as I may have missed some here.

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// Quick Statistics //
Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5 Stars
Writing: 5/5 Stars
Setting: 5/5 Stars
Plot: 5/5 Stars
Memorability: 5/5 Stars

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// Quick Review //
Daughter is the chilling story of a teen thrown into a world of pain and depravity upon the discovery that her previously unknown father is actually an infamous serial killer. Thrilling at every turn, McLaughlin’s upcoming novel boasts a disturbing parallel to our world’s most notorious killers, told through the eyes of a brave teen willing to do whatever it takes to bring any possible ounce of closure to the families of her father’s victims.

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// Other Information //
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Page Count: 336 pages
Release Date: March 8, 2022
Series: None
Genre: Fiction, Adult, Young adult, Mystery, Thriller, Contemporary, Family, Psychological thriller

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// Characters //
Most of the characters in this novel are relatable and easy to connect to/empathize with (well, except for one… and don’t worry, I will get into that later).

Scarlet Murphy is a seventeen-year-old living with her overprotective and paranoid mom, Gina. Scarlet is your typical teenage girl: obsessed over a popular boy, insecure, partying, etc. However, all of that normalcy is whisked away when she discovers that her father she’s never met is dying, and he just so happens to be the most infamous serial killer of the 21st century. Scarlet’s determination to do the right thing even at the expense of herself is astounding and commendable. Despite having gone seventeen years without living in her father’s shadow, she is willing to come face to face with a killer to potentially help the victims’ families. Scarlet takes on a burden that is not hers to bear; she didn’t murder anyone, her dad did. But Scarlet is faced with people who believe her mom helped carry out her dad’s murders, and the desire to help those her dad harmed becomes even stronger. Though she is just a normal teen, she adapts to the traumatic situations she must endure in order to help others. The evolution of Scarlet over the novel is fascinating and really lets one get inside the head of someone overshadowed by a malicious and evil legacy.

Gina Murphy at first appears to be your run-of-the-mill helicopter parent who is a little too worried about their kid being kidnapped while at a sleepover. But what starts as seemingly overboard quickly becomes reasonable as the real Gina comes to life before Scarlet’s eyes. The reappearance of her ex-husband in her life causes Gina to stop hiding her true self: a normal, headstrong, but broken woman. Gina was unaware of the true nature of her husband until his trial, and ever since then, she has been living alone with Scarlet in order to protect her from those who have no idea of the tragedies that she’s suffered.

Other fantastic characters include Agent Logan (an old acquaintance of Gina’s who helped her through the trial), Lucas and Darcy (Logan’s children), and Maxine (Scarlet’s cousin). Scarlet has gone seventeen years without a family (besides her mom). When hiding is no longer an option, she is introduced to a world Gina left far behind… a world in which Scarlet is not alone. All of these characters support Gina and are amazing people. I have to mention how adorable Darcy and Maxine’s relationship ends up being, and how could I forget Lucas and Scarlet?

Now, to get to the man who has caused all of the pain, torture, and trauma within Daughter‘s pages: Jeff Lake, a serial killer, rapist, and necrophiliac. He’s the ‘Ted Bundy’ of the nineties and early 2000’s, known for his charm and ‘good’ looks which he used to lure his victims. Paralleling Ted Bundy’s M.O. and details of many other real and infamous killers, Jeff Lake is a horrible, evil, and downright appalling character. So, Kate McLaughlin did an excellent job at conveying the evil it takes to kill and created a sickening character that I hate with everything in me. Frustrating and crude, the challenges that Jeff presented to Scarlet upset and angered me.

McLaughlin does a phenomenal job of getting you to feel like this book is real. It is so entirely close to reality that I’m surprised it isn’t. The characters, deaths… everything was so realistic and worldly that I felt a bond with Scarlet, Gina, and everyone else victimized by Jeff Lake. His victims felt real because in our world there are so many who suffered and continue to suffer equally or more gruesome fates. This novel is truly unparalleled.

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// Writing and Setting //
As I mentioned with the characters, McLaughlin is absolutely stunning in their ability to convey emotion and reality through words on paper. The effect Daughter had on me was unexplainable and impacted me in a way no other novel has before. The reality of the cruelty of this world is perfectly and digestibly packaged in 336 pages.

Ominous, dark, and gritty, the atmosphere and feel to Daughter is unmistakable and that of trying to navigate wickedness. The book takes place during modern times and in various places, as Scarlet and Gina are often traveling back and forth to Raleigh in order to see Jeff Lake.

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// Plot //
I read this book in a day, which is usually an impossible feat for me. But, Daughter was just too good and too fast-paced to put down.

The book starts off with the haunting story of the initial discovery of Jeff Lake’s horrendous crimes. From there, the novel spirals into a tale of family, hope, and cruelty. Scarlet is a normal teenager who wants nothing more than for the popular hot guy to like her back. She parties with her friends, gets drunk, and smokes. She’s worried about the typical teenage experience, which all seems vain in the face of a new obstacle in her life. She has always assumed her dad ran away when she was a baby, but her mom has never told her anything about him.

At seventeen, she finds out that her dad is dying and his name is Jeff Lake; he’s a serial killer with approximately 50+ victims. Only having found 14 women/girls buried at his family vacation home in the early 2000’s, the FBI is hopeful that his looming death in 2022(?) will help loosen his lips and give away the names of his other victims and their locations. However, Jeff demands that he be able to see his daughter… and only then will he consider giving up names and locations.

Scarlet bravely decides to face her father and try to pry what little power he clings to from his cold and cancerous hands before he can take more secrets to the grave. Those 50+ women deserve justice, and so do their families. Scarlet is willing to do whatever it takes to prove she is more than just a killer’s daughter.

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// Overall Review //
Daughter is an astounding and unique novel that offers an experience like no other. I truly cannot think of another book that has truly touched my heart in such a profound way. McLaughlin is a true master of their craft, and I am undeniably enthusiastic to read more of their works.

Very enjoyable read! Scarlet does what is right even while turning her own world upside down! Scarlet’s mom has always been way too overprotective and they have led a sheltered life with no family and few friends! This bubble pops one day when Scarlet comes home to find the FBI at her house and everything she thought she knew is all a rouse, even her own name!
The daughter of one of the most infamous serial killers! How could that be possible? Now she must choose to meet him and try and bring peace to families missing their loved ones or go on with her life. I would like to think I would choose the same even though it changes everything! She chooses to try to make amends for the sins of her father. Though he terrifies her, she is ready to do what it takes to find the missing girls and bring their bodies home!
A story of courage, major life changes and serial killers! This book was right up my alley and I highly recommend!

Thanks NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I did not enjoy this book as its not the typical genre I read.