Killman Creek by Rachel Caine Narrator: Emily Sutton-Smith, Dan John Miller, Will Ropp, Lauren Ezzo
Series: Stillhouse Lake #2
Published by Brilliance Audio on December 12, 2017
Genres: Thriller
Length: 11 hours, 55 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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Every time Gwen closed her eyes, she saw him in her nightmares. Now her eyes are open, and he’s not going away.
Gwen Proctor won the battle to save her kids from her ex-husband, serial killer Melvin Royal, and his league of psychotic accomplices. But the war isn’t over. Not since Melvin broke out of prison. Not since she received a chilling text…
You’re not safe anywhere now.
Her refuge at Stillhouse Lake has become a trap. Gwen leaves her children in the protective custody of a fortified, well-armed neighbor. Now, with the help of Sam Cade, brother of one of Melvin’s victims, Gwen is going hunting. She’s learned how from one of the sickest killers alive.
But what she’s up against is beyond anything she feared—a sophisticated and savage mind game calculated to destroy her. As trust beyond her small circle of friends begins to vanish, Gwen has only fury and vengeance to believe in as she closes in on her prey. And sure as the night, one of them will die.
 This is the second book in the Stillhouse Lake series. It follows Gwen Proctor and her two kids who are running from her serial killer ex-husband and the online trolls that worship him. In the first book, the entire thing was told by Gwen. This book is told by Gwen, her two kids, Lanny and Conner and Sam Cade, a neighbor and friend.
I enjoyed this story. Gwen’s husband, Melvin Royal, has escaped from prison, so Gwen is on the run again. But this time, she’s not hiding. She’s going after Melvin with the help of Cade. She has friends keep an eye on her teenage kids while she’s on this mission.
I say I enjoyed this story, and I do. However, I don’t think it was as good as the first book. Is it because of the multiple POVs?? Is it because the chance and mystery isn’t as good as the first book? Is it because the suspense wasn’t as good? I really don’t know. I guess you could just boil it down to some books being better than others, even when you can’t name why. They can’t all be the best, or it will mean nothing to be “best”.
I will also say I felt that this book ended in a really good spot. I don’t want to give anything away, but I felt in a pretty good spot at the end of this book. I honestly can’t say if I will buy the next book or not. I don’t think it would be a bad story, but I have a limited amount of time for a limited number of books. There’s so many books out there I want to read. I guess I’m not writing this series completely off. But I have to pause before trying the next book. Hell, I might even attempt to put a dent in all the audiobooks I already own and haven’t listened to yet. Novel idea, right? LOL. Again, nothing against this series or author.
Narration:
The first book was only performed by Emily Sutton Smith, since it was only Gwen’s POV. With the addition of new POVs, there is an addition of more narrators to perform those other POVs. I’ve always been mixed about multiple narrators. It varies from group to group. I’ve had some that are great at dual narrators that flow between them flawlessly and others, not so much. I think the four narrators here did a great job. I enjoyed all of their performances. I would listen to any of these narrators again with either this series, or some other series. Even if they perform as a single narrator.
Listen to a clip:
About Emily Sutton-Smith
Emily sits in a carpet covered box and tells stories, and loves it. She also helped to found an Equity theatre, which she works to keep alive and thriving.
About Rachel Caine
Rachel Caine is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 45 novels to date, and many short stories, including fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction, young adult fiction, mystery, thriller, and horror. Her notable series include The Morganville Vampires, Weather Warden, Revivalist, Red Letter Days, and Outcast Season novels. She graduated from Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Her first short story was published in 1990, and her first novel in 1991.
After a long career in business (including working as an office manager, payroll manager, insurance investigator, web designer, graphic designer, and corporate communications executive) she began writing full time in 2009.
She and her husband, artist R. Cat Conrad, lived in Fort Worth, Texas. She passed away November 1, 2020 from cancer.
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I started listening to audiobooks when a new book in a series was coming out and I wanted to get a refresher, but didn’t have time to read all the books (I think it was Anita Blake). I fell in love. I stayed with strictly re-reading books that I’d already read for a long time. I eventually tried an audiobook for something that I hadn’t read first and was hooked there too. Now, I listen to audio for both re-reads and first time. I have some series that I’ve given up reading and only listen. I try to get any many books/audiobooks from the library to help save on my budget. Books on CD and the newer digital downloads from the library really allow me to listen more. I then purchase my favorites (because who can wait in line for your favorite book??) and less mainstream books from Audible or some other online retailer.
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Great review. It does bug me when POVs change up like that within a series. It’s tough sometimes to pinpoint why something doesn’t work as well as something else… but it does happen.
I hope to get to this series at some point. Good to know about the multiple POVs making this one dizzying.
Why are the bad guys always able to escape from prison in these books? ;D I still need to read the first book. And I’m glad this second one was good, even if it wasn’t quite as good as the first one. 🙂
I really enjoyed this whole series. I did feel the transition between books was sometimes smooth, sometimes abrupt.
I don’t mind multiple POV’s. As long as I am able to follow the story I am good.
I agree, this one left things in a pretty good place. In fact, I want to continue but haven’t yet. Like you said, so many books to read! I think I actually enjoyed this one a little more than the first? Either way, I agree with your thoughts. Great review!
This is a series that I really need to get back to. I think that I made it to this book and just never picked up anymore for some reason. I also thought that the first book was better.
Too many books, too little time, it’s tough to determine what is worth our time and what isn’t, and its different for everyone. I”m glad you enjoyed this book overall.
Sorry to hear that this book wasn’t as good as the first one for you! I find that for me, multiple POV stories can be really hit or miss — they’re either done well for me or not at all, and there’s no in between!
claire @ clairefy
I have the first book on my Audible account but haven’t listened to it yet. I’m glad to see you enjoyed that one and this one. I’ve read several books where I decided that I was good where the way it ended and decided I didn’t want to continue in that particular world so I know just what you mean!