SPRING GIRLS by Karen Katchur

As with the previous two books in this series this is an excellent read. It is another that will leave you reeling. Have you holding your breath and hoping for justice to be served. For the cold blooded killer to be found before he can claim another victim. He is pure evil. Ruthless, uncaring, no conscience, no feelings or remorse in any way for what he has done and would do again if given the chance. To many lives have been forever ruined by this cold blooded killer. Time for him to pay.

“A strange kind of calm settles inside her, a dead calm, an acceptance of what is coming, as though she has chosen it herself: a tragic ending to a mostly happy life.”
“She spies the bridge, the pillars, the cold steel rail where signs post warnings about the dangers of jumping; the lone figure staring down at her.”
“This would trouble her for many nights to come, the hindsight of such things, along with the images of the Spring Girls.”
Those were some quotes from the book that told a story of their own.

Two detectives, Geena and Parker, are called to the scene of a body that was found in the water from the lake that was being drained. The body of a dead young woman. She had been brutally raped and killed, bringing the death toll for these young lady’s to three in as many years. How many more were there. How many more would be found? Who is doing this inhuman thing to these young women. Taking their lives before they even had a chance to live. College girls who deserved to live long happy lives. Their families left to mourn and suffer. Always wondering who would do such a horrible thing.

Janey survived. She lived. She wasn’t suppose to, but she did. She lives in constant fear and can’t remember any details about what happened to her. She has no idea who or why. Janey is a single mother who works hard to raise her son, Christian, and deals with the problems he has on a daily basis. He has some issues going on and that makes it harder on Janey, but she loves him unconditionally and will do whatever she has to for him to have a somewhat normal life. With the help of a child therapist Janey strives each day to help Christian make friends. Help him in school. In life. Janey has had way more in her young life than anyone ever should have to deal with. Her parents are close by and they help her emotionally and when she needs them to watch her son. She works very hard to live but she is in constant fear of being attacked again. Your heart will break for Janey and her son many times in this story. You may get frustrated with her and Christian at times also. But you will still root for them to prevail.

This story touches on emotional problems and fears. Anxiety and even depression. Being attacked and trying to move on. Single motherhood and mental problems caused through no fault of their own. A retired detective who knows things that may possibly help find the killer. A wife who is a bit protective, but who should maybe also have kept her mouth shut at times.(you’ll see) A woman alone who is doing her best to move on. Parents who are surviving after losing their daughters. A daughter who just wants some peace and wants to be left alone. A very disturbed person of interest.

This was a very good book and kept me on edge throughout not knowing what was coming next. Wondering who could possibly be attacking these women. I had some suspicions about who the killer was but I didn’t figure that out. I didn’t trust several people in this book and one rightly so.

The characters in this book are very likable. The scenery very well done. You will feel like you are on that riverbank, in that water. Drowning, gasping for breath. Running for your life. Your heart will break for a child and his mother. For the child who is possibly telling the truth but no one believes him. You will feel elated in parts too. The love a mother has for her son is undeniable and strong. She will do anything to protect her child.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #KarenKatchur, #Thomas&Mercer for this ARC. This is my own review of a well written book.

I gave it a huge 5 stars and do highly recommend it to anyone that loves a good thriller.