Release Date: June 8 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 368
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: I received an E-ARC via Netgalley
Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Synopsis

What if your mother had been writing to a serial killer?

A convicted murderer with a story to tell

Serial killer Michael Reave – known as The Red Wolf – has been locked in Belmarsh Prison for over 20 years for the brutal and ritualistic murders of countless women.

A grieving daughter with a secret to unearth

Ex-journalist Heather Evans returns to her childhood home after her mother’s inexplicable suicide and discovers something chilling – hundreds of letters between her mother and Reave, dating back decades.

A hunt for a killer ready to strike again

When the body of a woman is found decorated with flowers, just like his victims, Reave is the only person alive who could help. After years of silence, he will speak to Heather, and only Heather.

If she wants to unearth the truth and stop further bloodshed, she’ll have to confront a monster.

Review

Dog Rose Dirt is an intriguing thriller that follows a young woman named Heather Evans who returns to the family home after her mother has died. Trying to discover the reason for her Mum’s suicide, Heather uncovers a series of letters between her mother and Michael Reave, the infamous serial killer known as the Red Wolf. When a body is found that has the same markings as Reave’s previous victims, the police are desperate to find out who is behind the killings. Only Reave can help the police, but he has spent a lifetime behind bars and the only person he will speak to is Heather. Can she uncover the truth behind her mother’s past and stop anymore people being hurt?

I read and really enjoyed Ninth Rain by Jen Williams so was really keen to pick up Dog Rose Dirt, this is a vastly different story but was still compelling and well written. I really liked the writing style and the story was easy to sink into. The story is a pretty fast paced one and Williams does a good job of creating tension and unease as the story draws to a conclusion. The mystery elements of the story worked well and while there were twists I guessed quite early on, there were some that I didn’t see coming.

While I enjoyed the bulk of the story, I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending, there was quite a lot going on in the final chapters which meant I wasn’t as gripped as I thought I would be. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the main protagonist Heather, who I found at times a bit irritating. The story is dark and at times disturbing and no doubt fans of psychological thrillers will really adore this one. If you’re looking for a thriller with a dark and sinister feel, this one will be exactly what you’re looking for.