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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Outcast Dead (Ruth Galloway, #6) in Books

Feb 8, 2018

Ruth Galloway is busy on yet another dig - this time digging up bones of what may be the famous murderess "Mother Hook," known for caring for children and then perhaps killing them. (And oh yes, for the hook she had on her hand.) Meanwhile, Nelson is busy on a case of a woman who has lost her third child, a young baby, to what looks like SIDS, or is it? And in the shadows, lurks someone who is taking children from their parents - a sinister force calling themselves "The Childminder."

If it sounds like there's a lot going on, there is. And yet, the plot in this one is a little thinner than in a typical Ruth Galloway book, hence the 3 (3.5) star rating. Still, it's pretty much impossible not to enjoy a Ruth Galloway novel. She's a dear friend by now - I love her slightly sarcastic personality and way of presenting her life. There are always moments when I laugh out loud. In this novel, we find Ruth asked to appear on a TV program about murder and archaeology (they are doing a show on "Mother Hook"), which certainly takes Ruth out of her comfort zone, and also introduces us to some new characters, including the American actor, Frank, who seems keen on Ruth.

Some of the zig zagging cases are a little crazy, and "The Childminder" line ties itself up very quickly and neatly by the end, but it's still an interesting read from a mystery perspective. The introduction of Frank adds some tension to Ruth and Nelson's drama, as well. Further, the book has some good insights on childcare in the modern day - working motherhood and the like. I find myself identifying with Ruth in a multitude of ways, and she just remains a likable character who can carry a book, no matter the plot. To date, any Ruth Galloway book is worth a read.

Kudos

MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Baby Teeth in Books

Sep 19, 2018 (Updated Sep 19, 2018)

Baby Teeth

Zoje Stage | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Thriller

7.6

(20 Ratings)

Book Rating

Couldn't put it down!

Contains spoilers, click to show

** spoiler alert ** I could NOT put this book down. And when I was done with it, I couldn't stop talking about it. My husband's exact words: "that sounds like a f*cked up book you're reading." 100% true.

I'm not going to rehash the plot you've read about 10,000 times. You get it: evil kid, scared mother, oblivious dad-in-denial. It sounds like it could be a bad horror movie; instead it's a truly disturbing book. That's the thing about uncomfortable topics: if you're reading it, you create an image in your mind of what you perceive - rather than having the image given to you on a screen - and more often than not the image in my mind is far scarier.

The author has fleshed out the story in such a way that the reader is forced to really digest the terrible things. It's not one horrifying event on top of another; it's spaced out so that you truly think about what just happened and what it means...and what might be coming.

I was fascinated by the peek into the mind of a budding serial killer (because let's be real, that's what she'll be, with Mommy as first victim when she gets out of Marshes) and how she manipulates the world around her. There are a few moments here and there where for just a second, you feel bad for seven-year-old Hanna. But then she does something horrifying and the feeling passes, and you're #TeamSuzette once again.

I will say that Alex's willful ignorance of the situation and absolute indulgence of Hanna pissed me off - why would your wife lie to you about this, you idiot? - and I was SO HAPPY when he finally got with the program and they presented a united parental front against their evil little minion.

May I suggest you avoid this book if you have a precocious 7-year-old child? :)

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read & review this ARE.