Unspeakable Things

By: Jess Lourey

Narrated by: Caitlin Kelly

Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Inspired by a terrifying true story, a heart-pounding novel of suspense about a small Minnesota town where nothing is as quiet - or as safe - as it seems.

Cassie McDowell’s life in 1980s Minnesota seems perfectly wholesome. She lives on a farm, loves school, and has a crush on the nicest boy in class. Yes, there are her parents’ strange parties and their parade of deviant guests, but she’s grown accustomed to them.

All that changes when someone comes hunting in Lilydale.

One by one, local boys go missing. One by one, they return changed - violent, moody, and withdrawn. What happened to them becomes the stuff of shocking rumors. The accusations of who’s responsible grow just as wild, and dangerous town secrets start to surface. Then Cassie’s own sister undergoes the dark change. If she is to survive, Cassie must find her way in an adult world where every sin is justified, and only the truth is unforgivable.

©2019 Jess Lourey (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

Critic reviews

"Part suspense, part coming-of-age, Jess Lourey’s Unspeakable Things is a story of creeping dread, about childhood when you know the monster under your bed is real. A novel that clings to you long after the last page."--Lori Rader-Day, Edgar Award-nominated author of Under a Dark Sky

Dark, dark dark but fantastic

If you are a true crime buff, this fictionalized account of the events surrounding Jacob Wetterling’s kidnapping and murder will float through your mind as you read about Cassie’s haunting tale. The writer has nailed the period with every TV, pop culture and food reference throughout the story which helps lighten the very dark subject matter. Not for those freaked out by kidnapping or triggered by references to sexual abuse. I was disturbed but could not stop listening!

Children know more than the adults around them.

A story no child should ever be aware of. Told by that child. Thank you for bringing this story to life.

Powerful

This book will stay with me for quite some time. Part coming of age story that sometimes read like YA lit, part nostalgic romp through 1970s culture, part mystery thriller. If you have big issues with stories about child sexual abuse, the fact that allusions to it are woven throughout might bother you, although there are mercifully no gory details shared. The characters are gritty and sweet, and well filled out. The book is an adventure to listen to.

wow.

This was anawesone novel. could not put it down. kept me reading. love the characters.

Unspeakable Things

I was intrigued, being from Minnesota. Having a dysfunctional/abusive childhood along with the obsession of true crime, I enjoyed this read (listen)!

Well written.

Cassie has a distinct personality and a clear point of view. All of the characters are well defined. The story feels authentic to the time it took place and the story keeps you guessing.

Surprising. Sad. Sweet.

I was totally unprepared for this book. When I first started Reading it I was afraid it was going to be a little childish. I was so wrong. Very dark, sad, fascinating.

Pretty good book

I enjoyed this book and there were enough little misleading clues throughout that kept me unable to totally predict the ending.

very good

enjoyed this book it was suspenseful. It kept me. interested Looked forward. to hearing it

Review

I liked the book. It kept me on my toes but that last chapter got to me. I was hoping for more of a resolution to the turn of events or at least something that let me know how it all played out in the end. I guess the intro to the novel explained a little bit not everything, which was a little disappointing. But overall, a great read would recommend!