Reivew: The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher

The Killing Woods by Lucy Christoper
Publisher: Chicken House
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Purchase: Amazon / BN

Emily’s dad is accused of murdering a teenage girl. Emily is sure he is innocent, but what happened that night in the woods behind their house where she used to play as a child? Determined to find out, she seeks out Damon Hillary, the enigmatic boyfriend of the murdered girl. He also knows these woods. Maybe they could help each other. But he’s got secrets of his own about games that are played in the dark.

A new psychological thriller from the award-winning and bestselling author of STOLEN and FLYAWAY.

My thoughts:
This was my first Lucy Christopher book and I can tell you it definitely won't be my last. 

When I pick something up to read I need it to grab me right from the start.  I have noticed lately that I have zero patients when it comes to my books these days and if something doesn't jump at me then I put it down rather quickly.  I know this isn't good but at the moment that's how I am choosing what I read.  Well The Killing Woods not only grabbed me, but it held on throughout the entire book.

This book had everything I love in a murder mystery.  We have a confession from a person who is not mentally stable, a main character who feels deep down her dad didn't do it, another main character who can't remember the night of the killing but knows he was the last to see the victim alive, and a side character with a camera that just might show too much.  Oh and a creepy bunker with pictures that well I'll let you read to find out exactly what they do.  This by no means will give anything away, but it shows a great foundation in my opinion. 

Mysteries have to have a great balance and the author did a great job at keeping me interested but letting the story reveal itself.  I honestly had the killer pegged from pretty early on, but it didn't bother me.  I loved seeing the story unravel and the big reveal at the end actually shocked me even though I knew who did it. 

I enjoyed reading both POVs from Damon and Emily.  They both had a unique voice that brought a lot to the story.  I wasn't really fond of the romance between the two though. I would have preferred for them to stay just friends if a relationship were to develop.  It felt a little weird for feelings to be involved considering how messed up the story was.  I don't think it was believeable. Now their friendship yes I can see happening.  They were both victims of that night and they needed each other to fill in the gaps of that night.  I really loved the dual POV and I don't think the story would have worked if we would have only seen one side.

They whys of it all was just crazy and it kinda felt like an after school special at the end.  I totally buy the whys but I wish it wouldn't have felt like I was being talked to about an important issue.  Does this specific topic need to be addressed with teens..yes, but I just wasn't prepared for it at the end of this story.  I will say it added a strong twist to the story though. I expected something much different so this was a great twist to things I didn't see coming.

All in all a great book that I really enjoyed even with certain hang ups on my end.  I will definitely read Stolen by this author.  I hear it is phenomenal and a must read!

3.5 snowflakes