Plot summary: Anna Koray is a sheriff's lieutenant in rural Bayern County. It's where she grew up. But no one knows that. Just like no one knows her father was Stephen Theron, the notorious serial killer known as the Forest Strangler. For a long time, even Anna didn't know it because when she was young, a psychiatrist helped seal away her memories of him. But those memories are starting to return. And she's blacking out and losing time. Not only that, they just found a murdered young woman posed in a way that eerily resembles her father's victims. Is it a copycat? Her father returned from the dead? The Forest God he served? Or is it her?
My thoughts: Taut. Eerie. Dark. Atmospheric. Disturbing at times (though never graphic or gory). And very compelling. The Hunter's Daughter is a layered mystery that kept me guessing until the end. Anna is a complex character haunted not only by her childhood memories, but by her father's legacy. There are times when she questions her own sanity. She's tried to be a good person and a good police officer, but people keep dying around her. And she's desperate to keep her past a secret, even to the point where she interferes with the murder investigation. I liked how I was never totally sure if I could trust her or not, though I really wanted to, because she's also a very sympathetic character. There were a lot of twists and red herrings along the way, but good hints and clues, too. And the ending was satisfying. I liked this one a lot.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Happy Reading!
Lark, I think your review of this one is the first I've read. I had noticed this book a while back. Think I'll try it in upcoming days. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteHappy reading! :D
DeleteAnother potential for the reading list.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this one a lot. Anna is a very interesting character.
DeleteThanks friend.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Hi, Regine! :D
DeleteYou had me at Dark, Eerie, and Atmospheric. These are my favorite kinds of mysteries!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a chance to read this one; I'd love to know your thoughts!
DeleteWhat a terrifying premise! I can't imagine how terrifying of a position Anna is in. I'll have to check this one out.
ReplyDeleteShe had a real inner struggle with trying to be a good person and protect her identity and reconcile her father's actions with the dad he was to her.
DeleteI was just rewatching Prodigal Son. He has a serial killer father too.
ReplyDeleteIs that show good? I've never watched it.
DeleteOoooh, this sounds very interesting. I wondered if Bayern County actually existed but can't see it via Google. Does it say where it's supposed to be?
ReplyDeleteIt's set in the Midwest...I think Ohio? But it was hard to remember for sure, and then when I flipped back through the first chapters I couldn't find it referenced any where. So who knows. ;D
DeleteYou had me at disturbing.
ReplyDelete:D I hope you get a chance to check this one out.
DeleteWhat a compelling first line! This sounds great! I'm adding it to my list. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one, Ashley. :D
DeleteI'm putting this on hold although I don't like unreliable narrators!
ReplyDeleteI think you might like Anna. She just goes through a lot in this book.
DeleteI really don't like serial killer stories but this one sounds good. I will keep it in mind.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to view a serial killer through the eyes of his daughter.
DeleteWow, that is a great first line! Sounds like a good read!
ReplyDeleteIt really is. One of the better thrillers I've read this year.
DeleteI got his for review, but ended up putting it aside for some reason. I can't remember! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one. I hope you get a chance to read it sometime.
DeleteIt sounds very interesting and the book raises a question for me. Was the psychiatrist years ago right to seal off Anna's memories about who her father was and what he did because she found out later on and it probably came as a big shock. Sometines it's better to know from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you; I don't think that psychiatrist did Anna any favors.
DeleteWOW, this novvel sounds amazing! Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteThis one kept me reading, that's for sure. Anna's search for the true was very compelling.
DeleteThis one has a lot going for it. I'll have to take a look as I'm not familiar with the author.
ReplyDeleteShe's a new author to me, but I liked this one enough I'd definitely try her again.
DeleteIt seems like it kept you guessing. Very eerie subject. But I hope she comes clean.
ReplyDeleteThings get resolved and the truth figured out at the end, which I appreciated.
DeleteI like the sound of this one, and the fact that it had a satisfying ending. I'll see if I can get a copy! :)
ReplyDeleteAnna's a character that I ended up really liking. I can't imagine having your dad turn out to be a serial killer!
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