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No Rest for the Wicked
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Expected 16 Sep 25Win a free print copy of this book!
7 days and 18:39:05
50 copies available
U.S.ԻCanada only
With an expert hand, Rachel Louise Adams’s debut No Rest for the Wicked reads like an edge of your seat, heart-pounding scary movie.
In one Halloween obsessed Midwestern town, everyone’s on red alert after a local politician goes missing. Little do they know it’s only the beginning.
It’s been close to twenty years since forensic pathologist Dolores Hawthorne left her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin. The town is famous for its Halloween celebrations, but also its history of violent deaths linked to the holiday. To Dolores, it’s the place she fled, family, bad memories, and all. Until the FBI calls to tell her that her father--the former mayor turned US Senator--is missing under mysterious circumstances.
Some people count to ten to wake up from a nightmare. Dolores always counts the bones of her head sphenoid, frontal, lacrimal. But no matter how many times she counts them, it doesn’t change the fact that her father is missing, that his final words of warning to her were to trust no one, and that now, the rest of her family is giving Dolores a chilling welcome. With Halloween fast approaching, Dolores must face the past she left behind before it’s too late.
In one Halloween obsessed Midwestern town, everyone’s on red alert after a local politician goes missing. Little do they know it’s only the beginning.
It’s been close to twenty years since forensic pathologist Dolores Hawthorne left her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin. The town is famous for its Halloween celebrations, but also its history of violent deaths linked to the holiday. To Dolores, it’s the place she fled, family, bad memories, and all. Until the FBI calls to tell her that her father--the former mayor turned US Senator--is missing under mysterious circumstances.
Some people count to ten to wake up from a nightmare. Dolores always counts the bones of her head sphenoid, frontal, lacrimal. But no matter how many times she counts them, it doesn’t change the fact that her father is missing, that his final words of warning to her were to trust no one, and that now, the rest of her family is giving Dolores a chilling welcome. With Halloween fast approaching, Dolores must face the past she left behind before it’s too late.
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 7, 2025
15 people are currently reading
5,013 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Louise Adams
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RACHEL LOUISE ADAMS was raised in a small town in Brittany by a French father and a North American mother. After studying literature at university, she wrote her PhD thesis on American fast foods and meat-eating. When she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found advocating for animal rights, spending time with her fiancé, her friends, and her two cats.
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RACHEL LOUISE ADAMS was raised in a small town in Brittany by a French father and a North American mother. After studying literature at university, she wrote her PhD thesis on American fast foods and meat-eating. When she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found advocating for animal rights, spending time with her fiancé, her friends, and her two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
April 7, 2025
Okay, so this book is super good, but everyone should know that the cover is extremely misleading. You're probably thinking that this is a cozy mystery involving a nice pleasant woman who owns a lot of black cats or something, right?? And the cats are all quirky and cute and wander around doing endearing cat things, right?? Right?? Wrong. The cats in this book are feral cats who are being rounded up and murdered. And also one gets hit by a car. They're not a major plot point and there's nothing graphic, but holy shit I was so not prepared for the direction that the cat subplot took in this book.
Anyway, other than the cat-related awfulness, I really enjoyed this one. When I first requested it from NetGalley, I was under the impression that it was a supernatural mystery, probably because of the cover and the repeated mentions of Halloween. It turns out that there's actually nothing otherworldly about the events in this book, which I probably would have realized if I hadn't skimmed the blurb and loudly squealed “Ooh! Cats! Ooh! Halloween!� and immediately requested it. It's more of the ever-popular “estranged daughter returns home� trope meets a police procedural type deal, which is absolutely not a bad thing. It's dark and suspenseful and well-written and I definitely did not see the identity of the Big Bad coming. Some of it is a tad predictable � I daresay that most readers will figure out the twist regarding the 2003 Halloween party before any of the characters do � but I certainly didn't expect the present-day plotline to play out the way it did.
Also, this is not a cozy, no matter what the cute kitties on the cover tell you. Trigger warnings include: murder, sexual assault, cat death, kidnapping (of adults), and parental estrangement. There are also a few slightly gruesome scenes, and no one is running a food truck or a chocolate shop while rekindling feelings for their old high school boyfriend � or whatever it is that the kids these days are doing in cozy mysteries, I dunno. Pretty much all of the characters are broken people having broken people thoughts and doing broken people things, but in a not-overly-depressing sort of way.
It kind of feels like No Rest for the Wicked could be start of a new series, and if so I will happily read the next installment as soon as I can get my hands on it. I'm totally not going to be fooled if it has adorable puppies on the cover, though, because fool-me-once and all of that.
My overall rating: 4.35 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 16, 2025.
Anyway, other than the cat-related awfulness, I really enjoyed this one. When I first requested it from NetGalley, I was under the impression that it was a supernatural mystery, probably because of the cover and the repeated mentions of Halloween. It turns out that there's actually nothing otherworldly about the events in this book, which I probably would have realized if I hadn't skimmed the blurb and loudly squealed “Ooh! Cats! Ooh! Halloween!� and immediately requested it. It's more of the ever-popular “estranged daughter returns home� trope meets a police procedural type deal, which is absolutely not a bad thing. It's dark and suspenseful and well-written and I definitely did not see the identity of the Big Bad coming. Some of it is a tad predictable � I daresay that most readers will figure out the twist regarding the 2003 Halloween party before any of the characters do � but I certainly didn't expect the present-day plotline to play out the way it did.
Also, this is not a cozy, no matter what the cute kitties on the cover tell you. Trigger warnings include: murder, sexual assault, cat death, kidnapping (of adults), and parental estrangement. There are also a few slightly gruesome scenes, and no one is running a food truck or a chocolate shop while rekindling feelings for their old high school boyfriend � or whatever it is that the kids these days are doing in cozy mysteries, I dunno. Pretty much all of the characters are broken people having broken people thoughts and doing broken people things, but in a not-overly-depressing sort of way.
It kind of feels like No Rest for the Wicked could be start of a new series, and if so I will happily read the next installment as soon as I can get my hands on it. I'm totally not going to be fooled if it has adorable puppies on the cover, though, because fool-me-once and all of that.
My overall rating: 4.35 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 16, 2025.
April 8, 2025
No Rest For The Wicked is Rachel Louise Adams’s debut novel. One I highly enjoyed! It’s a slow burn thriller that I couldn’t put down.
First, can we just take a moment for that cover!!!! I freaking love it!!! I think this book will be flying off the shelves come this Halloween! 😻
It’s been almost twenty years since Dolores Hawthorne left home. She’s a successful pathologist out of LA. One day she gets a call saying her father is missing. The very father that she has been estranged from.
Some bad things happened back then, causing Dolores to flee her hometown in the first place. Your job is to figure out what and just who was responsible. And, where the heck is her father?
I finished this in two days and ate it right up! Can’t wait to see what she has coming out next!!! If you’re looking for a creepy read this coming spooky season, add No Rest For The Wicked to your TBR!!!
Thank you to Rachel Louise Adams, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity.
Pub Date - 9/16/25
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First, can we just take a moment for that cover!!!! I freaking love it!!! I think this book will be flying off the shelves come this Halloween! 😻
It’s been almost twenty years since Dolores Hawthorne left home. She’s a successful pathologist out of LA. One day she gets a call saying her father is missing. The very father that she has been estranged from.
Some bad things happened back then, causing Dolores to flee her hometown in the first place. Your job is to figure out what and just who was responsible. And, where the heck is her father?
I finished this in two days and ate it right up! Can’t wait to see what she has coming out next!!! If you’re looking for a creepy read this coming spooky season, add No Rest For The Wicked to your TBR!!!
Thank you to Rachel Louise Adams, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity.
Pub Date - 9/16/25
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 25, 2025
I honestly think a little piece of my soul died at the ending of this book 😓😓 I am stunned that this is a debut, the writing is phenomenal, the plot so well thought out with such character depth / development and completely unexpected twists.
I need a book two just so I can see how Delores is doing after everything that happens, I need to make sure my girl is okay and happy 🥺🥺
The vibes were immaculate, small town that is absurdly obsessed with Halloween, two legacy family’s feuding in the midst of a murder mystery / serial killer spree .. what more can you actually ask for?!
This book is the thriller of your dreams and you seriously need to read it. If anybody is as emotionally invested as me with these characters and needs to form a support group please reach out to me 😂
Thank you for the gifted copy!! And seriously add this to your tbr shelf for the release date which is: September 16th 2025 💛
I need a book two just so I can see how Delores is doing after everything that happens, I need to make sure my girl is okay and happy 🥺🥺
The vibes were immaculate, small town that is absurdly obsessed with Halloween, two legacy family’s feuding in the midst of a murder mystery / serial killer spree .. what more can you actually ask for?!
This book is the thriller of your dreams and you seriously need to read it. If anybody is as emotionally invested as me with these characters and needs to form a support group please reach out to me 😂
Thank you for the gifted copy!! And seriously add this to your tbr shelf for the release date which is: September 16th 2025 💛
April 1, 2025
New author for me and a fun first book to be introduced by. I loved the unraveling of the secrets between the Hawthornes and Winslow. I was actually even a little surprised. I would definitely read another book by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!
March 16, 2025
Who said monsters aren’t real? Sometimes, they’re the people you know best. Especially at Halloween.
Okay-how is this a debut novel? It is so good. I chose this book because it’s a thriller set in a Midwest town at Halloween. And I loved it because it was a thriller set in a Midwest town at Halloween. The characters are great. The writing is great. This book took many twists and when I thought I had it all figured out-nope that was just part. I cannot recommend this book enough. I’d give it 6 stars if I could.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. All opinions stated are my own.
Okay-how is this a debut novel? It is so good. I chose this book because it’s a thriller set in a Midwest town at Halloween. And I loved it because it was a thriller set in a Midwest town at Halloween. The characters are great. The writing is great. This book took many twists and when I thought I had it all figured out-nope that was just part. I cannot recommend this book enough. I’d give it 6 stars if I could.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. All opinions stated are my own.
March 12, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ I typically stick to fantasy and romance, so I wasn’t sure what to expect with my first mystery—but I seriously could not put this book down. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, I realized I knew nothing. And honestly, that’s what made it so much fun. The story kept me on my toes from start to finish.
Doloras was such a brilliantly written character. Her emotions felt raw and real, and since she didn’t have all the answers either, it was easy to feel just as lost as she did. The cast of characters was so distinct, each personality adding something unique to the story. And the eerie, haunting atmosphere? Perfection. I already know I’ll be rereading this around Halloween.
I’m still in shock that this was Rachel Louise Adams’s debut. The moment I finished, I immediately went to buy her other books—because I need more!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC—my thoughts are entirely my own.
Doloras was such a brilliantly written character. Her emotions felt raw and real, and since she didn’t have all the answers either, it was easy to feel just as lost as she did. The cast of characters was so distinct, each personality adding something unique to the story. And the eerie, haunting atmosphere? Perfection. I already know I’ll be rereading this around Halloween.
I’m still in shock that this was Rachel Louise Adams’s debut. The moment I finished, I immediately went to buy her other books—because I need more!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC—my thoughts are entirely my own.
April 6, 2025
You had me at Halloween and cats, but this was so much more than that! This book had some dark secrets, a missing person, and a daughter returning home after being gone for 20 years. This was fast paced, fun, and I maybe had one glistening tear at the end. I think I just read the perfect Halloween book! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
April 18, 2025
✨✨✨A cute Halloween mystery read! ✨✨�
I went into No Rest for the Wicked thinking it was going to be a cutesy cozy mystery/Halloween read. Which it was, but it was also a little bit darker than I had expected as well! Nothing too crazy, just a little bit, which I really liked that and some parts were pretty funny too! This book really had a terrific mix of things to enjoy.
The writing is spectacular and it flows extremely well. The plot is engaging, even though it is a bit predictable at times (which is fine), and I liked our MC, Dolores. This was a fun mystery and I love the little Halloween details as well!
Overall I really liked this one and it was such a fun read!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released September 16, 2025.
I went into No Rest for the Wicked thinking it was going to be a cutesy cozy mystery/Halloween read. Which it was, but it was also a little bit darker than I had expected as well! Nothing too crazy, just a little bit, which I really liked that and some parts were pretty funny too! This book really had a terrific mix of things to enjoy.
The writing is spectacular and it flows extremely well. The plot is engaging, even though it is a bit predictable at times (which is fine), and I liked our MC, Dolores. This was a fun mystery and I love the little Halloween details as well!
Overall I really liked this one and it was such a fun read!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released September 16, 2025.
March 9, 2025
This was the first time I read her book. This is a very cute book. I might need to read some more of hers. If you haven’t read it, please do.
April 9, 2025
Throughout the read of this book it was referred to as the "Halloween town cat book" among friends, but it goes so much deeper than that. The problem with secrets is that they don't stay buried forever, and in this story they come back to haunt you. Struggles of power, rich men, and entitled boys who have no limit to what they'll do. Also, a fast paced and bingeable read!
Major bonus points for the cover. This is a NetGalley read and it comes out September 2025! Highly recommend adding to your tbr.
Major bonus points for the cover. This is a NetGalley read and it comes out September 2025! Highly recommend adding to your tbr.
March 4, 2025
I’m a sucker for anything with cats, and this cover? Say no more.
At first, I thought I was settling in for a cozy mystery set in a Halloween-loving town. Instead, I got small-town secrets, a high body count, and puzzles that fit together perfectly by the end.
Keep an eye out for this one coming September 2025!
Thank you to Netgalley for my arc.
At first, I thought I was settling in for a cozy mystery set in a Halloween-loving town. Instead, I got small-town secrets, a high body count, and puzzles that fit together perfectly by the end.
Keep an eye out for this one coming September 2025!
Thank you to Netgalley for my arc.
March 22, 2025
A great debut from Rachel Louise Adams, No Rest For The Wicked will be a perfect suspenseful Halloween read when it’s released in the fall.
By turns mysterious, scary, and disturbing- (the MC Delores� trauma is almost another character in the book) this surprising thriller kept me guessing. I thought I’d figured it out, but the ending was a shock.
Really well done, I’ll be recommending this title to mystery and thriller readers at my shop.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC!
By turns mysterious, scary, and disturbing- (the MC Delores� trauma is almost another character in the book) this surprising thriller kept me guessing. I thought I’d figured it out, but the ending was a shock.
Really well done, I’ll be recommending this title to mystery and thriller readers at my shop.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC!
March 1, 2025
Thank you to the author and publisher for an ARC copy
Trust no one. The high speed roller coaster this book takes you on is no joke. You think you have an idea of what’s happening? Here’s another turn. I did have an idea of what the motive was behind the killing in this Little Halloween Town but I did not have the right culprit. This book was written magnificently and I hope Dolores is a character in a future novel!
Trust no one. The high speed roller coaster this book takes you on is no joke. You think you have an idea of what’s happening? Here’s another turn. I did have an idea of what the motive was behind the killing in this Little Halloween Town but I did not have the right culprit. This book was written magnificently and I hope Dolores is a character in a future novel!
March 19, 2025
I really enjoyed this mystery! I finished this book in two days because I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
Small town politics, murder, family secrets, past trauma, gory details, and a badass FMC.
I loved trying to solve the mysteries on my own, and the ending was very satisfying! Not to mention the story takes place around (and on!) Halloween, which makes this the perfect holiday thriller.
Overall, I recommend this for anyone who wants a satisfying mystery with a fun setting, actual strong FMC, unsolved murders, autopsies, and dark family secrets.
TW: some parts may be triggering for survivors of SA.
Small town politics, murder, family secrets, past trauma, gory details, and a badass FMC.
I loved trying to solve the mysteries on my own, and the ending was very satisfying! Not to mention the story takes place around (and on!) Halloween, which makes this the perfect holiday thriller.
Overall, I recommend this for anyone who wants a satisfying mystery with a fun setting, actual strong FMC, unsolved murders, autopsies, and dark family secrets.
TW: some parts may be triggering for survivors of SA.
March 4, 2025
This will be a wonderful addition to anyone’s spooky season reading list this year!
Set in fictional town Little Horton, a small town much like Salem - Halloween obsessed with a violent history.
Which means, naturally everything falls apart days before Halloween.
Dolores Hawthorne left the town, and her family, behind 18 years ago. She’s called back to town when her father goes missing. Has he been killed? Kidnapped? Did he simply run off for his own reasons? Is it related to his political career?
Through flashbacks to 2003 when a local high school girl went missing, someone was assaulted, and there was a falling out between the towns 2 well known, and rich families: The Hawthornes & The Alexanders, we learn the history which has kept Dolores away. Could it be connected to her father’s disappearance today?
The author definitely plays up the fun puns for spooky season without it ever feeling like too much. Ie: Officer Butcher, the doctor with no bedside manner and a rough hand is known as “The Ripper� etc�
It’s a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end when it’s all unraveled and revealed.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review
Set in fictional town Little Horton, a small town much like Salem - Halloween obsessed with a violent history.
Which means, naturally everything falls apart days before Halloween.
Dolores Hawthorne left the town, and her family, behind 18 years ago. She’s called back to town when her father goes missing. Has he been killed? Kidnapped? Did he simply run off for his own reasons? Is it related to his political career?
Through flashbacks to 2003 when a local high school girl went missing, someone was assaulted, and there was a falling out between the towns 2 well known, and rich families: The Hawthornes & The Alexanders, we learn the history which has kept Dolores away. Could it be connected to her father’s disappearance today?
The author definitely plays up the fun puns for spooky season without it ever feeling like too much. Ie: Officer Butcher, the doctor with no bedside manner and a rough hand is known as “The Ripper� etc�
It’s a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end when it’s all unraveled and revealed.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review
March 11, 2025
This book was amazing. It drew me in word after word, page after page. The main character Dolores was so strong and had so many layers. The villain was so unexpected that I gasped audibly when I learned who it was. This was an excellent thriller and mystery novel. You really fell in love with the love story that was in the book and by the end I was rooting for Jacob and Dolores. Read this book if you love mystery and suspense.
March 11, 2025
For the author's first work and not knowing what to expect, I really enjoyed this! Lots of great twists and turns, as well as good characters. While there were quite a few characters who played important roles in the book, they were easy to remember and differentiate. Super fun and innovative plot!
March 11, 2025
This was SO good. It kept my attention the entire time and I even put down other books to focus on this one. My jaw dropped to the floor several times towards the end, I didn’t see any of it coming. This is one of the top crime/murder novels I have read.
March 12, 2025
An interesting who done it thriller, it kept my interest throughout the book. I have a love/ hate feeling for the characters mostly love four, hated the rest (they deserve the hate). It’s like an R rated Halloween Town minus the actual supernatural creatures, the real monster is people.
The only problem I had was the ending dragged a bit too much.
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-book
The only problem I had was the ending dragged a bit too much.
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-book
April 27, 2025
This was such a great mystery-- I can't believe it's a debut! So rarely does a twist truly surprise me anymore, but this one was really shocking!
Dolores, a forensic pathologist in California, has been estranged from her father, Alexander; stepmom, Charlotte; and two half siblings since age 18. She left her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin and never looked back. Little Horton is famous for its Halloween celebrations--and violence that has occurred over the years on that date--but for Dolores, it's just a holiday that she studiously avoids since she left.
But then she receives a call from the FBI: her father has gone missing. She reluctantly returns to Little Horton to investigate with two agents.
This book is spell binding! It effortlessly draws you into the claustrophobic and judgmental town of Little Horton, with its relentless focus on Halloween--and secrets and lies. Everyone in Little Horton reveres Alexander as their former mayor and Senator. For Dolores' family, especially the formidable and scary Charlotte, nothing matters more than appearances.
Adams weaves a taut and dark tale, as the bodies pile up, and Dolores looks into her father's life and disappearance, while slowly remembering more and more about why she left Little Horton so long ago. This story is dramatic and well-written, filled with plenty of suspense. It keeps you guessing, while also featuring nuanced, flawed characters. I would love a sequel!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for NO REST FOR THE WICKED on 09/16/2025!
Dolores, a forensic pathologist in California, has been estranged from her father, Alexander; stepmom, Charlotte; and two half siblings since age 18. She left her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin and never looked back. Little Horton is famous for its Halloween celebrations--and violence that has occurred over the years on that date--but for Dolores, it's just a holiday that she studiously avoids since she left.
But then she receives a call from the FBI: her father has gone missing. She reluctantly returns to Little Horton to investigate with two agents.
This book is spell binding! It effortlessly draws you into the claustrophobic and judgmental town of Little Horton, with its relentless focus on Halloween--and secrets and lies. Everyone in Little Horton reveres Alexander as their former mayor and Senator. For Dolores' family, especially the formidable and scary Charlotte, nothing matters more than appearances.
Adams weaves a taut and dark tale, as the bodies pile up, and Dolores looks into her father's life and disappearance, while slowly remembering more and more about why she left Little Horton so long ago. This story is dramatic and well-written, filled with plenty of suspense. It keeps you guessing, while also featuring nuanced, flawed characters. I would love a sequel!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for NO REST FOR THE WICKED on 09/16/2025!
April 7, 2025
Almost 20 years ago, Dolores left her small town in Wisconsin for college and never looked back; until the FBI calls to tell her that her father is missing. Now she’s back in her hometown during Halloween-time and nothing is quite as it seems. Can she help figure out where her father is before it’s too late or will she suffer the same fate in the end?
The fact that this is Rachel Louise Adams’s first book is absolutely bonkers. I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for the future. Between the character development & the story progression, I felt that everything was flawlessly executed. I was kept guessing for the whole book and the twist at the end literally left me speechless. I would without a doubt recommend this book to anyone and everyone, it was that good in my opinion.
***Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC for my honest review***
The fact that this is Rachel Louise Adams’s first book is absolutely bonkers. I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for the future. Between the character development & the story progression, I felt that everything was flawlessly executed. I was kept guessing for the whole book and the twist at the end literally left me speechless. I would without a doubt recommend this book to anyone and everyone, it was that good in my opinion.
***Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC for my honest review***
April 26, 2025
Dolores Hawthorne is called back to her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin because her father is missing. She hasn’t seen or talked to her father or her siblings since she left twenty years ago and is having a hard time coming back to the life she has tried so desperately to forget. Her father was the former mayor so Dolores thinks that his disappearance will eventually lead to a ransom for his return, but then the bodies start dropping. She soon realizes that the skeletons in her closet from twenty years ago have finally caught up to her and it’s up Dolores, a local cop, and a couple of FBI agents to figure out what’s going on in this little Halloween town.
I was craving a small town missing person’s story and this thriller was one of the best that I’ve read this year! Don’t let the cover fool you, I thought it would be a cute and cozy mystery but this was a full blown murder mystery where no one is safe. I’m usually pretty good at solving mysteries, but this was so well written that the ending took me by surprise. This was a debut novel and I can’t wait to read this author’s next book!
I was craving a small town missing person’s story and this thriller was one of the best that I’ve read this year! Don’t let the cover fool you, I thought it would be a cute and cozy mystery but this was a full blown murder mystery where no one is safe. I’m usually pretty good at solving mysteries, but this was so well written that the ending took me by surprise. This was a debut novel and I can’t wait to read this author’s next book!
March 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I am a sucker for anything set during Halloween. I love all things spooky and mysterious and this book didn’t disappoint.
It follows Dolores aka Dolls, who is a successful forensic pathologist living in Los Angeles when she gets a call that her dad is missing. She returns to her small hometown of Little Horton for the first time in almost two decades. Little Horton is obsessed with Halloween and is just one more reason Dolores would rather be back in L.A. The bodies start piling up as Dolores deals with integrating back into her family and trying to figure out where her dad is. Then there is the mystery of the girl that went missing shortly before Dolores headed to L.A. all those years ago. Whatever happened to her and does it have anything to do with her dad’s sudden disappearance?
The author weaves the story together very well. I didn’t see the twists coming. She gave just enough of the past woven with the present that I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next.
I definitely recommend checking this one out!
*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review*
It follows Dolores aka Dolls, who is a successful forensic pathologist living in Los Angeles when she gets a call that her dad is missing. She returns to her small hometown of Little Horton for the first time in almost two decades. Little Horton is obsessed with Halloween and is just one more reason Dolores would rather be back in L.A. The bodies start piling up as Dolores deals with integrating back into her family and trying to figure out where her dad is. Then there is the mystery of the girl that went missing shortly before Dolores headed to L.A. all those years ago. Whatever happened to her and does it have anything to do with her dad’s sudden disappearance?
The author weaves the story together very well. I didn’t see the twists coming. She gave just enough of the past woven with the present that I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next.
I definitely recommend checking this one out!
*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review*
April 21, 2025
A cozy Halloween mystery that tilts on the darker side. Honestly, I would have enjoyed more darkness, but I appreciated what was there. I would have liked more of the town. A fun read with a satisfying ending.
April 1, 2025
Forensic pathologist Dolores must return home to her Halloween obsessed town after almost 20 years. Her past that she was determined to forget starts to come back to her as she teams up with the FBI to reveal more and more family secrets.
I was immediately drawn to the cover and synopsis and I loved it! It has everything I love in a thriller and the drama kept me hooked the whole time. The ending left a little to be desired, but I hope that means a sequel could be on the way.
Thank you to Minotaur books and NetGalley for this ARC!
I was immediately drawn to the cover and synopsis and I loved it! It has everything I love in a thriller and the drama kept me hooked the whole time. The ending left a little to be desired, but I hope that means a sequel could be on the way.
Thank you to Minotaur books and NetGalley for this ARC!
March 25, 2025
I'm not the kind of guy who leaves reviews, but this time, I felt compelled to create a ŷ account just to spread the word. No Rest for the Wicked is one of the best thrillers I’ve ever read. Rich, engaging, and poetically well-written, it will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page—and trust me, it’s going to blow your mind. Hats off to Rachel Louis Adams for this debut novel, which already places her far above her contemporaries.
March 13, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up. This is a perfect mystery for the Halloween season. I read it in March, but it mentally transported me to October, which is the highest compliment I can pay to any book. The story was set in a small town with charming aesthetics, and not-so-charming people. There were enough characters to keep you guessing, but not so many that it would get confusing. The characters were interesting and the multiple POVs were done well. The pacing was good throughout. There was never a point where I was bored. I definitely did NOT see the twist coming. The cover is also 5/5. If you are a mystery lover, this is a must-read for spooky season. Thank you to Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! It was super engaging. It had Halloween vibes without being a full blown Halloween book. There was murder, mystery, feuding families, family secrets, and everyone has baggage lol.
The story follows Dolores, a forensic pathologist, who returns home to the Halloween obsessed small town of Little Horton after being gone for 18 years. Her father, the former Mayor and US Senator, was violently kidnapped from his home. While there, she is faced with the trauma and guilt of her past.
I like that we get a few other character povs. In addition to the main story, there are a few sub plots taking place and I thought they all came together really well. No loose ends or plot holes. Past colliding with present. The Halloween component was cool. Not overpowering. There were shocking twists as well! Overall, great book! Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you St. Marten’s Press and NetGalley for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!
The story follows Dolores, a forensic pathologist, who returns home to the Halloween obsessed small town of Little Horton after being gone for 18 years. Her father, the former Mayor and US Senator, was violently kidnapped from his home. While there, she is faced with the trauma and guilt of her past.
I like that we get a few other character povs. In addition to the main story, there are a few sub plots taking place and I thought they all came together really well. No loose ends or plot holes. Past colliding with present. The Halloween component was cool. Not overpowering. There were shocking twists as well! Overall, great book! Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you St. Marten’s Press and NetGalley for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!
April 4, 2025
No rest for the Wicked by Rachel Louise Adams is a thrilling mystery about a dark secret about to be exposed. Dolores finds out that her estranged father has gone missing, forcing her to return to her home town to face her family and the secrets she has tried to forget. Little does she know that the secrets are about to be pushed into the limelight when bodies turn up.
This is a fast paced twisty thriller that will leave you guessing. It is a quick read because you don't want to put it down because you have to know who is behind the murders and why.
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy.
This is a fast paced twisty thriller that will leave you guessing. It is a quick read because you don't want to put it down because you have to know who is behind the murders and why.
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy.
April 3, 2025
What a phenomenal debut novel for Rachel Louise Adams! No Rest for the Wicked sucked me in from the first chapter. The setting in a sleepy town of Little H, known for its Halloween celebrations and the folklore of a curse that’s been around for centuries was the perfect place for this mystery to take place. I was thoroughly surprised to find out who was behind the murders in this story and ate up every bit of info along the way. With this novel debuting September 15th I highly suggest anyone that enjoys a good spooky mystery to add this to their Fall/October reading lists!
Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
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