Member Review

4.5 stars rounded up

Aidan Thomas is a well-liked member of his community, but Aidan’s got a secret - he’s a kidnapper and serial killer. He’s murdered eight women, and has his ninth victim living in a shed in his backyard. When Aidan is forced to move, he decides to bring Rachel along and moves her in with him and his daughter as a family friend needing a place to live. Rachel is a fighter and gets stronger as she tests the boundaries of her new living situation.

I’m surprised about all of the mixed reviews I’m seeing for this book. I thought it was done so well, and I really liked it. I thought the way the women in the shed was written was really interesting being second person isn’t used often. It gave me an unsettling feeling reading it that way. I also thought it was brilliant that Michallon gave Aidan’s victims a voice in this story by giving each of them a chapter.

This book had a slow build up, and because of that, I felt the ending seemed rushed. Also, I would have liked more of a backstory on Aidan to explain why was he doing this. Was it only because his wife got sick or was there more that happened in his life to make him this way.

Overall I really liked this one. I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you Knopf and NetGalley for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.