Thanks to NetGalley for the early review copy

Unfortunately this title was simply not for me. I see what the author was trying to do with the fictionalisation of the murders, but I also think that this straddles a very difficult line, There is a really hard balance to strike between real life and fiction, particularly when it comes to true crime, and unfortunately I think that this book lacks the passion that it almost requires to have these stories told in a way that makes sense and is respectful.

We can try to imagine situations and conversations, and I appreciate the effort that went into researching this book, but at the same time, I was a little confused by pieces. We find things out like the poppy crop, but then immediately lose that thread to the rest of the story.

The title as well didn't make sense to me. There was no mention of crawfish, nor of their swimming, or anything related to this. It would be better advertised with a reference to the drug cartels and opioid crisis mentioned in the content of the novel.

I was drawn in by the true crime story behind this fascinating and horrific case. Sadly, I wish it had been a true crime book instead of a fictionalization. It feels like it takes something from the entire family to make this into fiction. Regardless, the story turns out to be a sad story more than anything.

This was a decent read. I was intrigued by it being based on a true crime--a mass murder in Ohio. I had never heard of the real story before. It was a bit predictable and I didn't connect with any of the characters.

Being from Ohio and knowing all about the true crime that this story is based off of made this book so intriguing. This story was a great mix of both fiction and true events.

I thought the plot was interesting here but it was written so strangely. I think it would’ve been better if the author had just written a true crime of the events instead of a novel based on the events.

Unfortunately, I was not impressed. While Smith does add her own pieces to the story, I feel that she took the easy way out by basing it almost entirely off of true events. Had it been non-fiction and detailing the real case, I would have enjoyed it a lot more.

Aside from my own problems with the story, there were also just some technical issues and plot holes I could not see past. Aspects of the story that felt "thrown in" and shallow characters that aren't consistent in their personalities just didn't do it for me. ALSO, what do crawfish have to do with anything?? They were mentioned a whole two times in zero relation to anything going on in the story.

2 stars because I did drag myself through it and can appreciate the statistics presented and research that Smith did.

It’s a modern-day the Hatfields & McCoy’s saga. Literally.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this opportunity to review.

I DEVOURED this book! In less than 24 hours.

As a true crime buff, I didn’t know a lot about this case…just the basics. This fictionalization is fantastic. I would actually like to see follow up on where Dalton Edwards takes his career next!!

I will be picking up more of Andrea Smith’s books!

Fiction based on true events. In my opinion Andrea Smith did a good job of mixing fiction and true events. I found she made the story her own. Andrea Smith grabbed my attention at the start and kept through out. Andrea Smith did a really good job of keeping me guessing which usually doesn't happen in a mystery. I was on the edge of my seat turning the pages. I never really got a good idea who the killer was, I had my suspicions but I was never convinced till the end. I found Murders intriguing. I found myself rooting for mmc to get everything right. I was never sure it would happen. I really enjoyed Murders. My biggest complaint was somethings were a little drawn out for my taste, but still worth reading. I