…[A] brilliantly constructed novel…The pieces of the characters’ broken lives finally slip into place in a truly thrilling climax. Kirk draws the reader into a fascinating world of shifting truths whose details are by turns grotesque, funny, creepy, thoughtful, and exhilarating.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A deftly crafted suspense thriller of a novel, Gretchen is a truly compelling page-turner of a read from beginning to end.” —Midwest Book Review
“Suspense galore and creepiness abound…Kirk really is fantastic at keeping you guessing and surprising the reader with bizarre twists that click everything into place!…Five stars to this creepy book!” —Night Worms
“Gretchen is a very dark suspense/thriller…What you’ll find in this book are two interwoven tales, a mother and daughter on the run, full of secrets, and a father/daughter duo just trying to enjoy their ‘projects’…While the whole book moves well, the last half blazes a trail of ‘on the edge of your seat’ writing. Wow.” —Ladies of Horror Fiction
“Just like Gillian Flynn is the queen of ‘disturbing’, Shannon Kirk is the queen of ‘insane and creepy’…The author knows how to create a deranged character and make them blend flawlessly into an unsettling, cinematic storyline. Her writing style definitely stands out.” —Ludwig's Thrillers
“There is a likeable narrator struggling through a personal drama, an atmospheric location that sets the stage for dread, and a cast of characters that are hiding so many secrets it’s hard to keep up. Whatever you think you’re getting into with this book, it’s that and so much more!” —What Jess Reads
“Shannon Kirk is well on her way to establishing her very own brand—maybe her own genre. After last year’s In the Vines, Kirk returns with another unique blend of Gothic, Horror, and Mystery. It is not easy to come up with something that is completely different, but Shannon Kirk certainly manages to do that.” —BOLO Books
“…gripping…Kirk’s flair for description brings the creepy landlord and his daughter’s bizarre lives and dwelling vividly to life.” —Crime Fiction Lover
“Gretchen is a remarkable psychological thriller with horror and cult aspects…Oh, and a creepy little girl obsessed with puzzles.” —She Reads
“Gretchen terrified me, made me laugh, made my jaw hit the floor…I had to wonder what kind of sorceress Kirk is, to have wormed her way into my brain and then written exactly the kind of story that makes me jump out of my skin and burns its way into my memory. The best kind.” —Emily Carpenter, bestselling author of Until the Day I Die
“Spine-tingling and deliciously creepy, Shannon Kirk’s Gretchen has a way of getting into your head, making you frantically turn the pages to find out what she’ll do next, and who she’ll let live. Even if you’re a master at expecting the unexpected, you might want to read with the lights on.” —Hannah McKinnon, author of Sailing Lessons
“Shannon Kirk is known for her complex, layered portrayals of strong women of all ages, and her latest does not disappoint. Creepy, haunting, and beautifully told in Kirk’s signature lyrical prose, Gretchen is a blend of the best of thriller and horror. This is Kirk’s most masterful storytelling yet.” —Jennifer Hillier, author of Jar Of Hearts
“I’m so glad I read this during the daytime, when the sun was shining and I was in a plane full of people…Five terrifying stars.” —Kimberly Belle, bestselling author of Three Days Missing and Dear Wife
09/01/2019
Long-kept secrets unspool agonizingly slowly as both mother and daughter narratethis story of running, hiding, and moving on. Fifteen-year-old Lucy has grown weary of the short stays and middle-of-the-night moves. Lucy longs to have real friends and a place to call home, but her mom warns her that if she relinquishes her guard, she might be recognized and whisked off to a place where she would have no freedom. On the second to last day of school, Lucy inadvertently makes eye contact with a stranger who thought he recognized her violet eyes, forcing mom and daughter to pack up and leave before Lucy's final exam. As fate would have it, they moved to the stranger's hometown in New Hampshire. Adding to the fear of identification, Lucy's new friend, Gretchen, daughter of their landlord, is more than a nerdy puzzle freak. Gretchen is a brilliant psychopath whose latest ambition is to control Lucy. Parallel stories converge, as Lucy's true identity becomes clear, as well as the lies her mom has told her. Two women who were once summer camp friends both claim to be Lucy's mother. Though their hatred for one another is palpable, they must unite to free Lucy from Gretchen's imprisonment. Following the twists and turns of the story, the listener will be rewarded with a satisfying ending. Narrators Allyson Ryan and Rebecca Soler perform skillfully as Lucy and her two mothers. VERDICT This thriller will be enjoyed by both teen and adult listeners.—Ann Weber, Bellarmine Coll. Prep., San Jose, CA
★ 06/03/2019
Lucy, the 15-year-old heroine of this brilliantly constructed novel from Kirk (In the Vines), doesn’t know why she and her mom have been on the run for the last 13 years. Having lived in 10 different states, they are now headed for New Hampshire, where they find the perfect rental, a small furnished house just down the hill from the mansion owned by their future landlords, the Sabins: Jerry and his daughter, Gretchen, who’s Lucy’s age. Though Lucy feels there’s something not quite right about Gretchen’s feverish enthusiasm and joyously overwhelming declaration of friendship, she hides her feelings from her mother. As she says, “I cannot tell Mom. She’d make us run. And I’m not ready to run again.” Who are the villains and who are the victims remain tantalizingly unclear. The pieces of the characters’ broken lives finally slip into place in a truly thrilling climax. Kirk draws the reader into a fascinating world of shifting truths whose details are by turns grotesque, funny, creepy, thoughtful, and exhilarating. Agent: Kimberley Cameron, Kimberley Cameron & Assoc. (July)
