Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Reaping by Jess Lourey Narrator: James Daniels
Series: Steinbeck and Reed #2
Published by Brilliance Audio, Thomas & Mercer on September 3, 2024
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 326
Length: 9 hours, 42 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Amazon,Ā Audible
In 1998 an Alku, Minnesota, family of five was brutally murdered in their sleep. The event shook the insulated community but, without any solid leads, was relegated to the cold case files, where it moldered for twenty-five years. Until today.
Agent Harry Steinbeck hoped never to return to the northland, a place that holds terrible memories of his sisterās abduction. But when a recent homicide is connected to Alkuās unsolved mass murder, he and cold case agent Evangeline Reed have no choice but to investigate.
The case grows impossibly darker as, one by one, the children of Alku begin disappearing. And Harry and Van canāt shake the sensation that someone is watching every move they make.
As an elusive killerās trail leads to a truth more sinister than either imagined, Harry knows thereās only one way to crack this he must finally face the secrets of his own pastāeven if doing so will cost him everything.
I was surprised to see this was a different narrator than the first book until I realized the point of view is Harry Steinbeck rather than Van Reed.Ā It’s quite fascinating to have it and I wonder if all the books in the series will alternate this way.Ā They both have secrets and fears on which we are getting more information.
I love that Harry is a germophobe.Ā As a scientist, he knows the risks. He is the point of view here and I love that we get to know him and his past in The Reaping, as we got Van’s in The Taken Ones.Ā The Epilogue has always been in the other’s point of view.Ā I would highly recommend reading the books in order.
This team is part of a cold case squad at the BCA in Minnesota.Ā Van has 10 years experience as a homicide detective in Minneapolis and made the switch to the BCA when her partner died (of a heart attack). Harry is a highly respected forensic scientist.Ā They travel to a small Finnish village outside Duluth (Harry’s home town) when a recent murder has similarities to a cold case of 25 years ago.
The investigation, as in the last book, is more difficult because the local homicide detective on the case is not helpful at all.Ā The town is very insular and no one will provide information or answer questions beyond the small amount of details already known. Everyone in town is involved in their main business a psychiatric prison for serial killersĀ Harry and Van keep looking at things and Van keeps having nightmares which lead her to ask about certain things.
When the town’s children start disappearing, they dig deeper and try to work faster to save them.Ā The Finnish legends and rituals holding the adults in solidarity.Ā The horrors of the case are enough to make the team of Harry and Van even stronger.
I absolutely LOVE the alternating point of view which suits the presentation of Harry and Van between the books.Ā The plots involve frustrating ignorance of the truth for the ease of overlooking it.Ā The children force the light and improve the future.Ā For me, the Minnesota settings are really fun since I have lived there. I appreciated the author’s note on how she came to write this story and created fictional scenarios on top of some real places. I can’t wait for more in this series!
Narration:
I am new to this narrator. It’s a different narrator than the prequel and first book The Taken Ones.Ā At first I didn’t like that; I don’t always do well with a narrator switch, particularly because I finished listening to the first book and went right on with this one. BUT then I found this book will be from Harry’s point of view instead of Van’s so it makes sense to have a male narrator. I enjoyed the performance of the male and female voices although it was mostly Harry’s thoughts with a little dialogue between him and Van and some of the witnesses they questioned.Ā I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:Ā HERE
About Jess Lourey
Jess Lourey writes about secrets. She is the bestselling Agatha, Anthony, and Lefty-nominated author of the critically-acclaimed Mira James mysteries, which have earned multiple starred reviews from Library Journal and Booklist, the latter calling her writing “a splendid mix of humor and suspense.”
Jess also writes nonfiction, edge-of-your-seat YA adventure, magical realism, suspense novels, and thrillers. She is a tenured professor of creative writing and sociology, a recipient of The Loft’s Excellence in Teaching fellowship, a Psychology Today blogger, and a TEDx presenter (check out her TEDx Talk for the surprising inspiration behind her first published novel). When not teaching, reading, or dorking out with her family in Minneapolis, you can find her dreaming of her next story.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
Iām so excited about this one and canāt wait to get started! I knew about the switch in narrators and realized why before I got it. Wonderful review, Anneš
That narrator and POV switch is awesome. I just loved it. I appreciate getting the different POVs. It’s a bit of a freaky series with gruesome crimes but I’m enjoying it.
It kinda sounds like a real case that happened a while back. I wonder if it was an inspiration for this.
It didn’t sound that way from the author’s note.
I have been eyeing this series and didn’t realize I listened to the prequel, but I don’t remember it. It sounds really good and I’m excited that both books are available in Kindle Unlimited as read & listen. I think I’ll download the first one.
It’s sort of batshit crazy at times but I did really enjoy it. The crimes are sad.
Yes, that would be neat to get them in alternating points of view every other book. Neat that its set in your old stomping grounds of Minnesota, too.
yes I really loved the alternating. I don’t think I’ve read a series like that but it really worked here.
I’ve very excited to read this one! I really liked The Taken Ones. š
Well this is even more interesting!
This looks really good and like a fast paced read! I like the sound of the different POVs.
Thanks Katherine. The series has really captured my interest. It’s original in style with the change in POV between books.
Sounds like a really good mystery, and it seems unique to go back and forth with the viewpoints in this way. Glad you enjoyed it. Great review!
yes I thought the switching viewpoints for each book was quite original and the cases are good.