She’s the only one who survived…and the only one who can help find the killer.Another spring, another dead girl pulled from a lake in the Appalachian foothills: the latest victim in a series of murders with few leads. But Detective Geena Brassard and her partner, Parker Reed, finally land a break when they receive a tip about a previously unknown survivor of the so-called Spring Strangler.The … Strangler.
The survivor’s reluctant to help with the case for reasons that aren’t all clear. Even so, Geena uncovers a connective thread between the victims, and recently discovered DNA brings her closer to the killer’s identity. But Geena knows the survivor has the most to offer the investigation—if also the most to lose.
Geena is torn between securing the surviving victim’s help and protecting her from further danger. One thing is certain: Geena and Parker must find answers before the killer claims another life—or returns to finish off the one who got away.
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Spring Girls is the third suspense novel in the Northampton County series written by Karen Katchur in 2020. I previously read the first two books, excited to learn they took place in the area where I went to college, and when this one showed up on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. I read the book last weekend, and now it’s time to share my thoughts with everyone. How about you? Have you read any of the books yet in this series?
The novel takes place in current times and revolves around a few different police detectives. Each book is connected through similar characters, but they are separate and distinct stories, so you can probably read them in any order… unless you have that control-freak mechanism like me and must read them in chronological order! In this book, Geena and Parker are the two focal points, and they’re tracking the victims of a serial killer named The Strangler. The murderer attacks his female victims, strangles them, and then tosses them in various lakes and rivers in the local area.
The original detective whom Geena worked with has since retired. He reveals that there may have been an earlier victim that wasn’t identified properly. When Geena tracks her down, everything changes… the biggest DNA clue possible lands at her feet, but now she has to figure out why her old partner kept it a secret and whether her new partner will trust her to figure it out. Between these plots are viewpoints from different characters, including supportive family, therapists, a child, and other cops. What we learn should be taken with a grain of salt, as someone is clearly creating machinations behind the scenes. But who?
This was a great story. It is complex but logical. I easily followed all the investigative angles, and it moves quickly. We’re not bogged down with the personal lives of either main detective. Sometimes I like the side stories, sometimes I like the suspenseful action. In this case, I was fine not knowing much personal, though we do get a few interesting tidbits. The clues are there, but we have to figure them out. The ending is a shocker… I clearly knew one person was involved, but the killer comes out at 70%, and then it’s learning the history of the reason for the killings, so it’s a slightly different plot line. It worked really well.
I recommend this series, and this might be my favorite of the books. I’d give it 4.5 stars, and I really hope there are more. The author is talented, and it’s a fine balance of writing, plot, character, and theme… nothing overshadows anything, and I hardly put it down except when I was too sleepy and didn’t want to miss anything. Great job!
This story is one of the best crime thriller mysteries I’ve read in a long time! “Spring Girls” by Karen Katchur was a story that had me engaged from page one. I enjoyed following the characters as they looked for clues. I was entertained and had a hard time putting this gem of a book down.
Spring is a time for new beginnings, but given the pattern of the last few years, Spring can be deadly for young girls in the Appalachian foothills. A search for the murderer; with few leads, has the detectives losing hope, until they find a survivor of the “Spring” murders.
What a way to be introduced to an author! Karen Katchur is an excellent writer. Even though this is her third book in the Northampton County series, it read well as a stand-alone. I will definitely go back to books one and two. If you enjoy reading a good crime thriller, this book will not disappoint you.
~This book was given to me through a giveaway by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.~
July 18, 2020
Spine tingling thriller!
Wow, this one was hard. Not because I didn’t like it, but because I could See it happening in the Real World So Clearly! Yikes!
I always seem to pick up books later in a series! No different this time. This is the third crime thriller set in Bangor, PA. First time I’ve read this author and it was a pleasure. She made the characters very real, endearing, frightening, leading us down one path and up another. The story unfolds with another murder of a young girl, the fourth found in Spring. Only the first girl survives, with no memory but one very important and telling twist. As the search for a serial killer heats up, her quiet world comes crashing in on her
I read this book as a stand-alone, and had no problem picking up on all the players. I hope to go back and reread the other two since this story flowed so nicely with just the right amount of suspense.
Thanks to Ms. Katchur, Thomas & Mercer and Net Galley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
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.
This is book #3 in the Northampton County Series, but you can read it as a standalone if you wish, but I recommend you read all 3 because they are all good.
While there are a couple of things happening at once, its very complex and logical with lots of twists/turns, lies, aha moments, links/ties that you may or may not guess before being revealed. I love when a book draws you in and has the power to keep you from putting it down.
If your on the fence about reading one of Karen’s books, I say go for it because they really are good.
#Geena #Parker #FamilyTies #SpringGirls #Christian #Janey
Seven years later a third victim, and again it happened in the Spring.
Janey was the only survivor of a serial killer who always struck in the Spring.
Wonder what the significance of Spring is?
Why can’t Janey remember anything, or is it better she doesn’t?
Since the third murder happened a few days ago, she is worried she is still in danger since she is sure the killer knows she’s alive.
Janey was beside herself since all of this surfaced and the investigation was once again focused on this person named, The Strangler, who preyed on young women in the Spring.
We follow Geena and Parker, the lead investigators, as they use the clues from the current murder and clues from the surviving victim which wasn’t much, but someone knew something – who could it be?
The tension fills the air as clues slowly become unraveled, secrets surface about the first case, and as Geena wonders why her retired partner left some of these clues out of the investigation. Could this investigation be the reason he retired?
Ms. Katcher masterfully knows how to keep you turning the pages and to keep you guessing. Her descriptions have you sharing the feelings and fears of the characters.
Thriller fans will not be able to put down Ms. Katchur’s new chilling, pulsating read.
SPRING GIRLS is filled with secrets, lies, and a crime no one wants to even imagine happening. 5/5
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Spring Girls is the third book in the Northampton County series, and although I haven’t read any of the previous books in the series I had no problem following along with the storyline. This was a new author for me, and I really enjoyed her writing style. I found this to be a thrilling page turner, and one that was hard to put down. I did figure out who else was involved before it was revealed in the book, but not long before it was revealed. I would definitely recommend this book to others that enjoy this genre.
I received an ARC of the book from NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for my fair and honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Title: Spring Girls
Northampton County, Book 3
Author : Karen Katchur
319 pages
This title will be released on June 16, 2020.
5 out of 5
Description:
She’s the only one who survived…and the only one who can help find the killer.
Another spring, another dead girl pulled from a lake in the Appalachian foothills: the latest victim in a series of murders with few leads. But Detective Geena Brassard and her partner, Parker Reed, finally land a break when they receive a tip about a previously unknown survivor of the so-called Spring Strangler.The survivor’s reluctant to help with the case for reasons that aren’t all clear. Even so, Geena uncovers a connective thread between the victims, and recently discovered DNA brings her closer to the killer’s identity. But Geena knows the survivor has the most to offer the investigation—if also the most to lose.Geena is torn between securing the surviving victim’s help and protecting her from further danger. One thing is certain: Geena and Parker must find answers before the killer claims another life—or returns to finish off the one who got away.
MY REVIEW
I couldn’t wait to dive into this story after book 2.
From the moment I started I was hooked! I’ve never read a book by this author before that I have not loved. The story was fast paced and slow paced at times. The twists completely took me by surprise as I read. Even though it is Part of a series, this can be read as a standalone and you not be lost. All of the characters were very well developed. I was able to easily picture the events as they happened. I found the story very gripping. The author done an amazing job of keeping me guessing. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Thank you to Karen Katchur
for the chance to read and review this amazing read. I was not paid for this honest review !
As always if you like the book you read please take the time to leave a review for the author in places like goodreads & Amazon. It does not have to be long. Just a few sentences saying you liked the book will do. Authors really appreciate every review they get !
About the Author;
Karen Katchur is an award-winning suspense novelist with a bachelor of science in criminal justice and a master’s degree in education. She lives in eastern Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.
The third and best one yet of the Northampton County series! This cutting edge suspense had me so captivated! Karen Katchur is such a gifted writer when it comes to writing suspense and the dark side of a character. This one kept me guessing all the way through the twist!
April showers brings May flowers but this April brings a serial killer dubbed the Spring Strangler. Detectives find an unknown survivor but she’s reluctant to help. The plot moves along quickly, the characters are intriguing, and the ending is unexpected! Thanks to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley, and Karen Katchur for an ARC. This is my honest review.
Spring Girls is an excellent, well-written suspense tale, part police procedural, part psychological thriller. It’s filled with unexpected and intricate connections between characters, and it will keep you turning pages. I liked the characters; although, Geena came across as a little stiff, and Janey stilted, at least until the last few chapters of the book. At that point, most of the characters seemed to shift in a manner that made them different from what they were earlier in the book. For some, that was a good change, for others, it didn’t seem to work well. It was a very noticeable change to me, and at times seemed not quite believable..
Despite those few problems, I found this a riveting book. It kept me reading, wanting to know what would come next and how things would resolve in the end. There are enough twists and turns to keep most readers involved.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I look forward to enjoying other books of hers. She did not disappoint.
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from Netgalley. I thank them, the publisher, and the author for sharing the book with me. All opinions in this review express my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
Another really good book in the series. It was fast paced, it kept me guessing to the very end. I enjoyed it! Looking forward to more with these two detectives. Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy
SPRING GIRLS by Karen Katchur is Book Three in her Northampton County series. Having read and enjoyed Books One and Two, RIVER BODIES AND COLD WOODS, I couldn’t wait to dive into the newest book. Even though SPRING GIRLS is included in the series, it could easily be read as a standalone. In this gripping story, Detective Geena Brassard and her partner Parker Reed are investigating the latest in a series of brutal murders in the foothills of the Appalachians that always occur in springtime. The killer strikes college-age girls and later buries their bodies in the lakes and rivers nearby. With few leads to go on, Geena and Parker are desperately searching for any connection between the victims, hoping to stop any further attacks by the Spring Strangler. When they receive a tip about a previously unknown survivor, they must decide between exposing the identity of the survivor to help solve the case or protecting her from new danger. The story is fast-paced and suspenseful and filled with the vivid imagery that all these books share. I was glued to my seat from the very beginning right up to the shocking and unexpected ending. SPRING GIRLS is a riveting thriller that definitely kept me guessing and I highly recommend it. Thank you to the author for the print copy of the Advance Readers’ Edition.