Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Laughing Dead by Jess Lourey Narrator: Carly Robins
Series: Steinbeck and Reed #3
Published by Brilliance Audio on July 22, 2025
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Length: 8 hours, 54 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
The bodies of three teenage girls are found in central Minnesota—each with her mouth fixed in a ghoulish grin, smiling at a deadly joke no one can hear. But authorities eventually close and forget the curious case, dubbed the Laughing Dead.
Decades later, cold case agent Evangeline “Van” Reed is called to the scene of a crime where the victim wears that same horror-movie smile. But this time someone seems to be sending a Van’s police ID has turned up at the scene, making her the prime suspect. It’s not that outlandish, considering her secrets—ones she’s never even told her partner, forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck.
I continue to LOVE this series of Steinbeck and Reed. The stories are a bit horrifying but once started reading, I can’t put them down. The point of view, and the narration, has alternated between Van’s then Harry, and now in The Laughing Dead, we are back to Van. They both have secrets and fears on which we are getting more information when each is the point of view. The books really must be read in order.
This team is part of a cold case squad at the BCA in Minnesota. Van Reed 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 Steinbeck is a highly respected forensic scientist.
Van volunteers at a dog shelter and ends up fostering a dog whose owner is in a domestic shelter. The owner is murdered and is found with Van’s old Minneapolis police id. The detective who hates her is in charge and will try to tangle her up. She is involved with the case when she and Harry tie the death to 3 cold cases in the method of death.
As she works this cold case, Van is also searching out what happened to her father after he left prison, as well as all the women on the compound. She now believes Harry’s missing sister may have been abducted by her father. Her visions start again and she also is seeing red scarves everywhere. She does eventually find two of her “sisters” who are still brainwashed in the cult of her father.
Harry is thinly involved while Van is off investigating, until she gathers so much evidence she is attacked. Their personal relationship and secrets become shared which I love. I’m very excited to see how things go forward and if the next book will be Harry’s point of view. I enjoy how smart and capable they are in their inquiry and procedures.
I absolutely LOVE the alternating point of view which suits the presentation of Harry and Van between the books. For me, the Minnesota settings are really fun since I have lived there. Since a big plot is resolved, I’m curious about what comes next. I can’t wait for more in this series!
Narration:
We are back to Carly Robins narrating as she did the first book The Taken Ones. I was immediately comfortable with her as Van. I enjoyed the performance of the male and female voices although it was mostly Van’s thoughts with a little dialogue between him and Van and some of the witnesses questioned. I listened at my newer 1.75x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Carly Robins
Carly Robins is an actress and voice-over artist. She can be heard on commercials, video games, and promos. Carly comes to narration with a passion for performance along with the capability to span several genres, from romance to children’s literature and thrillers.
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:
- 25-Audio
- 25-COYER
This sounds so good! And I love all the different story layers. I hope she ends up keeping the dog😁
Thanks Tammy. This is the third in the series and I have enjoyed them all.
Excellent review, Anne💜 I can’t wait to get back to this series.
Thank you Jonetta. I love it so much.
I was just reading her newsletter! Can’t wait to read this book’
She’s a real favorite of mine. This is the third in the series though.
Great review! I need to check out this series.
Thank you. I really have been enjoying it.
I read and really loved the first two books in this series but didn’t know the third one was out yet. yay! I’m excited to read it. 😀
It’s awesome. I chase these down because I love them.
Great review! You hooked me in with mentions of all that’s going on in this one. I’ll get to this series eventually.
I hope you love it as much as I do.
Definitely not my kind of read, but I’m so glad you are enjoying it so much!
Thanks Jen. It’s awesome. The Minnesota setting is also great for me.
I read the first in the series, but haven’t got back to it. At some point I will. I think they’re on Kindle Unlimited, too.
yes they are on KU with audio. They are gritty but I am enjoying them.
What a creepy case! I love a cold case mystery and this sounds like a good series.
Every case is creepy and horrendous. But I love the Minnesota setting and the police investigations.
Intense. Love a good cold case solve.
yes you are right. It is also intense. Intensely creepy.
Oh yes, I would love this. It sounds creeptastic.
I love this series and it is creepy.
I love when stories hook me so much I can’t put them down. Glad this series is continuing to be so good for you. Great review!
Thank you Lisa. I know it’s not your kind of thing.