Just finished this ARC and it was not at all what I was expecting (I also didn’t know it was the second book in her series — I didn’t read The Taken Ones yet but I followed along just fine)

I thought it was just okay while I was reading it but THE ENDING 👏🏽 the last 20 pages were SO good.

Oh, I loved this book. Steinbeck and Reed are keepers!

A murder in the mysterious town of Alku has remarkable similarities with the murder of a family there which is a cold case. Van and Harry drive north to see if this is a cold case that they are going to take. Harry grew up in Duluth so returning to that part of the state brings up the bad memories of his sister going missing when she was 10.

The town of Alku is a very insular community founded by 7 families from Finland. Alku is family and one must always protect family. I love the way the town is described through Van and Harry's eyes and the creepiness that they feel while there. We see much of the town through the eyes of Rannie, a 40 year old man with the mind of a child. His perspective of the town is eye opening and chilling.

After reading the ending, I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

I really wanted to love this book as much as The Taken Ones but I didn’t. I was so excited to read the sequel, but unfortunately it just wasn’t as good. It seemed to take an extraordinarily long time for anything even remotely exciting to happen, and I was bored.

Don’t let this stop you from reading The Taken Ones and all of Jess Lourey’s other books as they are fantastic!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jess Lourey, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

4⭐️
"You never tell on your family, no matter what they do."


This was a spooky, sinister read! I really enjoyed the cult-like atmosphere of Alku, where our main mystery takes place.
A recent murder brings Harry Steinbeck and Evangeline Reed to the small town of Alku, to open up a cold case from 25 years before. Alku was settled by six original founding families generations ago, and the citizens have stuck by their ancestral traditions.
I enjoyed all the twists and turns here, which had me guessing until the end- I didn't see those reveals coming at all.

Note that this is the second in the Steinbeck and Reed series- I didn't read the first novel, and got along with this one just fine. Can definitely be read as a standalone!

The twists and turns of the plot are expertly crafted, and kept me guessing and eager to uncover the truth behind the town's dark secrets.
While "The Reaping" may not reinvent the wheel in terms of its genre, it is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of mystery. With its atmospheric setting, compelling characters, and gripping storyline, I would definitely recommend this book to others!

The Reaping is the second book in a series by Jess Lourey.
In the book we join Harry Steinbeck and Evangeline Reed again as they work together to solve a cold case in a very weird and creepy town. Steinbeck and Reed are very different from one another, but they seem to work really well together a bit like yin and yang.
The Reaping has a great storyline, it does start off a little slow but definitely picks up about half way through!
I unfortunately haven't read the first book in the series The taken ones, but after absolutely loving the relationship between Harry and Evangeline, I am definitely going to go back and read it as well as keeping an eye out for the third book in the series so I can find out what's in store for the two of them.
Thank you to Netgallery, Thomas & Mercer and to the talented Jess Lourey for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Yes!!!! This book is crazy!! I loved every bit of it and to think I thought I was seeing stuff like Harry Steinbeck and also that asylum!!! I have never been more thrilled and excited to be reading this book!! Thank you to Netgalley for letting me have the ARC to read and review!! I was not disappointed!!!

I must say Jess Lourey books never disappoints! This book has that engaging plot , for which you don’t want to stop reading until you reach the ending..It’s another thrilling plot, full of twists of BCA agents Harry and Evangeline and a new case they take on. I love this duo! I really enjoyed this book, but know can’t wait until the next one as we all know there is something else be revealed that involves another book ! Highly recommend! Will spread the word.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. I read the first Steinback and Reed book (The Taken Ones) and absolutely loved it, so I was very excited to read the next book in this detective series. Unfortunately, this storyline fell short for me. It moved very slowly and the premise didn’t hold my interest like the first. This may be because it was told from Harry’s perspective instead of Van’s this time. I will still be reading book three when and if it comes out because the last few lines of the story were absolutely crazy! Give it a try, it may be the story for you, even if it wasn’t for me. I

Another great book by Jess Lourey! The Reaping is the second book in her series, following The Taken Ones. I love how she changed the narrative in this book from Van in the last one to Harry in this book, allowing us to really get to know the second detective on the team. This books was full of twists and turns and when I thought I figured it out, I turned the page and realized I was wrong! I was keep guessing up until the very end. I will say this book ends on a cliff hanger and I’m very not so patiently awaiting for her to write the third book. This is a series that could definitely go on and on and keep getting better and better with each book! Thank you Net Galley for providing this book.

I was really close to not finishing this one. I just couldn't connect for the first quarter of the book, and I thought about stopping reading numerous times. I have to say at this point that I've been a long-time reader of the author and the thought of DNF-ing really bothered me, so I kept reading. Whew, I'm glad I did. Things clicked into place. I was quickly engaged in the story and ripped through the last 3/4.

This was creepy, plausible (to a degree) and had numerous levels. I loved the emerging relationship between Van and Harry, each with own very-closeted secrets. My only complaint (and it's a small one), is that I missed the author's wit and humor, although, in the afterword, the line "I'd like to apologize to Finland" made me laugh out loud.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being given freely.

I already loved Jess Lourey before starting The Reaping, so I was very excited for her latest book. It did not disappoint! I loved Steinbeck and Reed in The Taken Ones and now we get to learn more about Steinbeck.
Forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck and BCA agent Van Reed are running out of time to solve a cold case murder and catch the killer who’s returned to kidnap the town of Alku’s children. This book is DARK. It’s creepy and horrifying and you’ll be thinking about it long after you finish it. The last line of the book is chilling.

I can’t wait for the next Steinbeck and Reed novel!

After 25 years, our detectives are taking a hard look at a cold case in Alku, a small town steeped with tradition and secrets. There is nothing that this town wouldn't do to protect their own.

Evangeline (Van) and Harry, who have secrets of their own, work together on their second case to solve the mysteries of Alku. As they begin to unravel the secrets, the children of Alku begin to disappear.


This is the 2nd book following Van and Harry. I haven't read the first but I don't think it's entirely necessary to fully understand this story alone. However, to fully understand the motivations of the detectives it may be beneficial.

The atmospheric setting, the creepy traditions, and the overall murder mystery was fantastic. This is more medium paced but I was hooked from the reading the blurb. I thoroughly enjoyed this advanced reading copy and thank Netgalley and Jess Lourey to read and review The Reaping.

Gossip dies when it hits a wise person's ears. (I love that!)

I very much enjoyed Ms. Lourey's book The Quarry Girls​, so I was eager to read The Reaping!

It took me a couple of chapters to connect with the main characters, as I hadn't read The Taken Ones ... and then I was totally entertained as I read how quirky Evangeline "Van" Reed and Harry Steinbeck were. She's messy and he's a neatnik. She throws on any clothes she is able to easily grab from furniture or the floor. His clothes must be immaculate, with perfectly straight creases in his trousers. She inhales unhealthy food when she eats. He picks at his healthy meals. She's more of a "Live and let live" person and he frets over EVERYTHING. (Think Felix and Oscar from The Odd Couple.)

I LOVED the very unique storyline, as well as the descriptions of the creepy people in Alku. Even the town, itself, was creepy!! I also loved the touch of the supernatural the book had.

I was not overly fond of a couple of things, however. There is probably an official name for this, but I disliked reading how torn up Harry was over an event that happened in his past. It was repeatedly mentioned but wasn't explained until the end of the book. And after all that buildup; it was a wee bit of a letdown. And then there was the big cliffhanger at the end of the book. If a reader has enjoyed a book, he or she is going to read the next book in the series. Trust me on that. Cliffhangers are just annoying.

For the most part, The Reaping was a fascinating story, so feel free to take my complaints with a grain of salt. You may not be bothered by the things I mentioned at all.

Many thanks to both #ThomasAndMercer and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Reaping. This book is two in the #SteinbeckAndReed series and the expected publication date is​ September 3, 2024.
2 likes

This book🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻
This is the book #2 for the Steinbeck and Reed series (The Taken Ones #1, which by the way, was my very first #gifted finished copy I received), and it was simply FANTASTIC!
I really loved the characters, how they are captivating and how they work so well together.
It was suspenseful, I had some creepy vibes while reading it, it had some cliffhanger moments, and the history behind Reed’s traumatic past, also gave me the chills.
Now it will be a torture to wait for more, hopefully it will come soon!

I highly recommend this book!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for this ARC.

Out on 09/03/2024

The second installment in this series is as good as the first. This book is perfectly creepy - from the town of Alku, the people, and the “nursing home for serial killers” - and gave me faint 80s horror/mystery vibes. Harry and Van are official partners on a gruesome cold case that takes them back to Harry’s past. This book is told from Harry’s point of view, but from the epilogue it looks like there will be a book three from Van’s point of view (fingers crossed).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy and a chance to read this early. All opinions are my own.

This was the first book I had read by this author and I really enjoyed it. It was creepy and puzzling and had a nice, unexpected twist at the end that caught me unawares. Evangeline and Harry were both fleshed out characters, flaws included, which helped to make them relatable. The epilogue really got me as it very clearly set up another story that I am dying to read but is not written yet. Hopefully soon!

Jess Lourey has officially become one of my favorite authors. Not only did I drop the book I was reading once I downloaded “The Reaping” but I may or may not have ignored my husband for the last two days after work just to devour this book. I could’ve did it in one sitting if I didn’t have a job.. Unfortunate.

The Reaping has everything I love: Suspense. Paranormal aspects. Murder. Crazy people. Yup, if you love small towns with weird people, you’ll love this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw this on NetGalley, I was so excited to read this! I loved The Taken ones and absolutely could not wait to read it! However, this story isn’t even close to as exciting as that one. The Reaping is slow and took forever to get somewhere. Unfortunately, I just didn’t love it.

This is the second book in the Steinbeck and Reed series. I do think it would be best to read the first one first.

I’d like to thank Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and Jess Lourey for the opportunity. All opinions are my own, publication date September, 3, 2024
3 ⭐️

WHAT IN THE WORLD. Just what in the world! Ok, this did not disappoint.

One of the best decisions I've made was taking this book despite my long TBR list. It's creepy, dark and ominous with a host of explosive surprises. That kind of story where you thought that was it until it's not and you never see it coming until it's right there in all its glory. I like how the author weaves a disturbing tale about tradition, guilt, forgiveness and mental health issues, ethics and still maintain some decorum. How ever morbid the scene, it was described appropriately, without any accompanying hint of enjoyment, whatsoever. I say this because there are stories that are artfully dark and then there are those that make you think twice if the writer relished the torture.

I love Harry and Van. Their distinct personalities compliment each other and adds to the enjoyment of the story. There's a lot of character development going on and there was one thing that absolutely stuck with me throughout the entire story. It was when Van's amoral free spirit clashed with Harry's by the book ethics. It just, it's something to think about on a personal as well as on a global level. What would you be willing to do to get to Point B? Especially when time is of the essence and it's one person versus the majority.

Rooting for this series, I can not wait for the next one!