If Jess Lourey writes it, I'm reading it. Her books rooted in Minnesota are always so captivating and unique. No one can write a chilling mystery quite like her. I liked this book, but it wasn't my favorite. I failed to connect with the plot and characters through a majority of it. I just felt like I needed something extra to ignite it a little in the middle.

I loved The Taken Ones so much, that I could not wait to get my hands on The Reaping. And it did not disappoint.

Alku is a small town in Minnesota populated by 7 families fleeing persecution in Finland centuries ago. Missing children and grisly murders going back over 20 years with corpses' heads that are absolutely obliterated. Are these crimes connected? Can Van and Harry and their team figure everything, despite mountains of obstacles in their way?

This book was VANtastic! I honestly loved everything about it - the pacing, the characters, their backstories, their relationships. Everything struck a wonderful balance that kept me turning pages late into the night. While I did find Harry to be somewhat rigid and stiff at times, this book introducing his backstory made me understand A LOT and I thought he was a very well-written character. I love this series, was very excited to get more of Harry's perspective/story this time and I cannot wait to see what is next for Van and Harry.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

*The Reaping* by Jess Lourey is a chilling, suspenseful thriller that delves into dark secrets and haunting pasts. When a recent murder is linked to the unsolved massacre of a family in Alku, Minnesota, FBI agents Harry Steinbeck and Evangeline Reed are pulled into an increasingly sinister investigation. As more children go missing and the case turns darker, Harry must confront his own traumatic past to uncover the truth. Lourey weaves tension, mystery, and psychological depth into a gripping story that keeps readers on edge until the final twist.

Having loved the first book in the Steinbeck and Reed series, I couldn’t wait to dive into book two. Although I usually avoid series, this one is an exception. Harry Steinbeck and Van Reed are back with another ominous case which absolutely held my attention.

The overall plot is captivating with shades of creepy vibes. The town of Alku is unsettling Everyone seems to be hiding secrets, adding layers of mystery and tension to the story. While Harry and Van are trying to solve the mystery of children disappearing, they also feel targeted and are struggling with secrets from their own past.

To me, the character development wasn’t as strong as in the first book but I still enjoyed this read. I highly recommend reading the first book before this one to get a better understanding of the characters. Overall, this is another great book in the series. The ending was left open for a book three, and when it happens, I will be there for it.

Jess Lourey has this way of writing about a subject without actually saying the words out loud. She writes of a time before there was social media and every one had access to everyone's business on the internet. 1998 was close to that turning point. I think it's easier to solve crimes today than it was then. That's lucky for Agent Steinbeck!

I enjoy the interactions between the two agents, which is probably why I continue to read their series. This book leaves plenty to the imagination while still taking the reading on a complete journey.

Loved it and would give the book 4.5 stars. Love Van and Harry's chemistry together. Alku is one of the creepiest places and the inhabitants are even creepier. Is anyone living there "normal?" The gene pool is shrinking and it doesn't seem like the people branch out when marrying and having children. Strange doesn't even describe the people. Their rituals and beliefs are scary. Alku is one place I wouldn't want to get a flat tire​, with all the strange, unexplained murders that happen there. ​Who would want to work at a serial killer nursing home? Plus, it was actually next to the school!!! Everything about that town was wrong. ​ From the start I was completely wrong who was behind the killings. With the people of Alku there were ​w​ay too many suspects, the list was extremely long. ​There were so many twists and turns, the story kept me guessing until the end. The poor children. Do their parents really love them? Is family everything? In this book we got to know Harry Steinbeck a bit more and we met his mother. Myrna Steinbeck is something else. Growing up in that house was not sunshine and roses. It seemed like Myrna hated her daughter. Poor Caroline. I really want to know what happened to her. Van definitely has a hunch who might be behind the disappearance. ​

Definitely recommend the book. This was a great mystery/thriller. Loved the characters, writing style and story. I can't wait to find out what's next for Van and Harry. I really hope Van is going to help with the mystery of Caroline's disappearance. The next book can't come fast enough. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

​I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

I love Jess Lourey and will always be a fan and read all her thrillers…..but this one is probably my least favorite. It was slow going and really WEIRD. I was slightly disappointed because I really enjoyed The Taken Ones (book one of the series.) Jess did a great job building up the atmosphere and really nailed the creepy vibe. I liked learning more about Harry’s background! I say still pick it up and give it a shot. It had lots of great qualities about it but could have moved faster.

This was a good addition to the Steinbeck and Reed series. The town they had to go investigate in was so creepy! The serial killer nursing home was also really creepy!! I would not have been okay going there! The killers identity was a surprise to me, so I appreciated that.

*3.5 stars rated up

I really enjoyed The Taken Ones so was excited to read the next in the series. Unfortunately this one didn’t have the same tension as The Taken Ones - not sure I can put my finger on it, but something was missing. Van and Harry are back chasing down an elusive killer.

This had all of Jess Lourey’s signature twists and turns meshed with a little supernatural. It’s a little slow to start but once about 30ish % in it started picking up. Great atmospheric vibes with some very clever writing. Can be read a standalone but you’ll miss some of the main character’s back stories.

I was sent both the ARC and ALC and I have to say once I switched to audio - the narration by James Daniels was brilliant and highly entertaining.

Many thanks to Brilliance Publishing for ALC 💌
Many thanks to Thomas Mercer for digital ARC 💌

OMG wow. I don't do a lot of cop novels but I love this author so I picked this one up. It is gorgeous. I learned some things about forensic science I did not want to learn.
Why does this author write stuff that completely captivates me so much?

The Reaping by Jess Lourey is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The novel masterfully blends suspense, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural, creating a story that’s both thrilling and deeply engrossing. I couldn’t put it down—Lourey’s writing pulls you in and refuses to let go. With its vivid characters and unexpected twists, the book would translate incredibly well to the big screen.

The Reaping is book 2 in the Steinbeck and Reed series by Jess Lourey. The first book, The Taken Ones, was one of my favorite thrillers so I have been looking forward to this book. A current murder up north is similar to a cold case from 1998 in which an entire family of five was murdered in their sleep. Steinbeck and Reed are asked to investigate the current murders with information from the previous murders. Steinbeck is from this area and his mother still lives close by in a huge mansion. She and Steinbeck have a fractured relationship from back when his sister disappeared and was never seen again. Harry doesn't talk about that time to anyone, not even Evangeline Reed, his partner.

As they are investigating, more children go missing. Who is taking the children and why can't they be found? Who would kill an entire family of 5 back in the 90's? What kind of evil is lurking in this town? Why is the prison for serial killers such a weird place? The staff are definitely hiding something, but what? The serial killer that's locked up there did similar killings to the one's they're investigating, but he is supposedly paralyzed. Is he really or is someone covering for him? As Harry and Evangeline get closer to finding out the truth they feel as if they're being watched and are targets themselves. Can they find out what's really happening before there are more people killed? Can they find the missing children before it's too late? What really happened to Harry's sister?

The Reaping is another solid entry to the series as we are learning more about the past of Harry and Evangeline. I rate The Reaping 4 stars with a good recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of The Reaping in exchange for a fair review. There's a creepy vibe to the book and a twist, but I didn't love it like I did The Taken Ones. I do love the characters of Steinbeck and Reed and hope to see them in the future. The book is available now. #TheReaping

I am the odd person out who did not love this book but it's me, not the book.

I absolutely adored book one in this series and was dying to dive into this one. But the themes in The Reaping were not my thing.

Book one was a classic serial killer procedural while The Reaping leaned more toward folk horror. For me, things got a little weird. Even a lot weird. On the positive side, I got to know Harry a lot better as this was really his book.

If you love books about seriously creepy small towns, this book will be for you! And can't wait for book three in the series which I will happily read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the eARC.

I did not know this was in a series or follows a duo of detectives at first. It did set me up for a little learning curve, but I adjusted well. This book was fine, but didn't make me feel super excited to pick up.

This is the second book in the series but my first and I had no trouble following the plot. Either the books don't intertwine or the author does a good job of explaining what was needed from book one.

This is the perfect time to read this as we are heading into spooky season and this book is creepy. A current murder that resembles an old cold case. In an odd town that has founding families like in the olden days. This book really plays that up making it feel like it is historical rather than current.

Everyone has a secret and seems to be harboring everyone else's secrets. It's an atmospheric read with a horror vibe. That cover really sets the tone in this police procedural that feels more than that.

James Daniels is a new to me narrator. He helped bring the creepy, eerie atmosphere to life. The story was easy to follow and kept me engaged.

Jess Lourey is a author that is new to me. I was drawn in by the description of the book and it didn't disappoint. It was dark and suspenseful. I was able to see the characters in my head they seemed so real.

In 1998 an Alku, Minnesota, a family of five was brutally murdered in their sleep. Without any solid leads the investigation was relegated to the cold case files, where it sat for twenty-five years. When a recent homicide is connected to Alku’s unsolved mass murders, Agent Harry Steinbeck and cold case agent Evangeline Reed of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are there to investigate.

This is the second book in the Steinbeck and Reed series, 3rd if you count the prequel, and I recommend reading at least The Taken Ones first. To be honest, I almost didn't recognize Evangeline (Van) Reed in this book. Perhaps she wasn't described well in the other books or I wasn't paying attention but I had pictured her as older and slightly dowdy whereas here she sounds like a much younger bouncy blonde (almost white-haired) with a quick sense of humour. Nevertheless, I think she's more likeable now and contrasts well with Harry who is rather reserved and buttoned up. Although it's fictional, the town and people of Alku sound very creepy. I imagine there really are pockets of similar cultures in areas of the United States. As in the first book, there's a bit of the supernatural thrown in but it wasn't front and centre. We learn more about Harry's background and even get to meet his mother. Much as I like the two main characters, I'm hoping there's not a romance in future books. This one also ends in a bit of a cliffhanger and I'll be there for the next book.

TW: Self-harm

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: September 3, 2024

This is the second book in the Steinbeck & Reed series. When they are sent to Duluth to investigate a series of murders involving a strange Finnish settlement near there, it brings back many memories for Harry, being that is where his sister disappeared. He has been avoiding that area ever since. The settlement is a creepy community with many strange beliefs that they have to sort through to find the truth. This is a book that grips you from the first page to the last. Great characters along with a great plot.

I loved The Taken Ones and couldn’t wait to dive into the second book of the series! This was a dark, twisted and engaging story that follows a murder investigation in a creepy, close-knit town. It was a slow burn but I enjoyed all the details and uncovered secrets leading up to the shocking ending! I also liked getting more insight into detective, Harry Steinbeck’s life. Similar to the first book, this story deals with folklore, adding to the mystery and an atmospheric experience. A great read to add to your fall TBR!

The 2nd installment in the Reed & Steinbeck series was a win for me! THE REAPING follows Harry Reed and Evangeline Steinbeck’s first investigation as partners. I loved their dynamic, especially when they started to warm up to each other and crack little jokes. We get a peek in Harry’s traumatic past, adding a lot of depth to his character. The investigation takes place in Alku Minnesota, a HAUNTING insular small town filled with very secretive inhabitants. The setting made this crime fiction thriller feel incredibly unique to me. This is my third Jess Lourey book and I have enjoyed each one!

Thank you very much Thomas & Mercer or the opportunity to read this ARC!