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This was my first book by Simone St. James, and I absolutely loved it. Shea, a crime blogger, researches crimes throughout history while trying to escape the shadow of her own past. She begins a deep dive into the town’s most infamous murder case—the Lady Killer—when she receives an interview request from Beth Greer, the accused killer who was acquitted.

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I really enjoyed the use of multiple points of view and timelines. We got to see the crime and trial unfold in real time while also witnessing the long-lasting effects nearly forty years later. Shea is an incredible main character—dedicated to uncovering the truth, growing beyond her fears, and opening herself up to love and reconnecting with her sister.

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Beth is a complex character; at first, you feel a strong sense of animosity toward her, but as her perspective unfolds during the events of the crime, you start to empathize with her. We see her emotions, thoughts, and struggles growing up, as well as what it was like to be accused of such a brutal crime.

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The eerie atmosphere of the house gave me chills—it felt like a haunted place trapped in the past. The setting was described in such vivid detail that I truly felt like I was there. I was thoroughly shocked throughout the novel and pleasantly surprised by the ending.

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There’s a subtle romance for the female main character, but it remains largely in the background, allowing the mystery and suspense to take center stage. The unexpected supernatural element added an extra layer to the story that initially threw me off, but it ultimately enhanced the book and matched its dark, suspenseful theme perfectly.

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“Being a girl is the best,” she said, “because no one ever believes you’d do something bad. People think you’ll do nothing, which means you can do anything.”

Simone St. James

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