ARC Review | The Foxglove Killings by Tara Kelly

Title: The Foxglove Killings
Author: Tara Kelly
Publication: September 1st 2015 by Entangled: Teen
Format: Advance Reading Copy
Source: Provided by the publisher via NetGalley
ISBN: 9781633751651

---

Gramps always said that when the crickets were quiet, something bad was coming. And the crickets have been as silent as the dead. It started with the murdered deer in the playground with the unmistakable purple of a foxglove in its mouth. But in the dying boondock town of Emerald Cove, life goes on.

I work at Gramps’s diner, and the cakes―the entitled rich kids who vacation here―make our lives hell. My best friend, Alex Pace, is the one person who gets me. Only Alex has changed. He’s almost like a stranger now. I can’t figure it out…or why I’m having distinctly more-than-friend feelings for him. Ones I shouldn’t be having.

Then one of the cakes disappears.

When she turns up murdered, a foxglove in her mouth, a rumor goes around that Alex was the last person seen with her—and everyone but me believes it. Well, everyone except my worst enemy, Jenika Shaw. When Alex goes missing, it’s up to us to prove his innocence and uncover the true killer. But the truth will shatter everything I’ve ever known about myself — and Alex.

---

 

I received a Digital ARC of this book from Entangled Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. By no means have my review been affected and/or influenced.

Books like The Foxglove Killings are the reason why I really enjoy reading YA Mysteries-slash-Thrillers. I was totally absorbed by this book right off the bat.

Nova is drawn to a series of killings that involves her small town. When she and her friend Alex finds a dead deer on a playground, she becomes intrigued. Not only that it appears to be intentionally displayed there, a foxglove was on its mouth seeming to convey a message.

After the discovery of the dead deer, more people gets killed and yes, with a foxglove on their mouths. But is it just a coincidence that the victims are those who Nova dislikes? And what about the timely letters from a mysterious admirer she keeps receiving? Seriously, I had those questions with me that really made me turn after page.

I actually didn’t feel that scared for Nova because it was apparent that whoever is doing the killings wasn’t targeting her but, it did let me experience a different kind of fear. The thriller aspect of The Foxglove Killings is inclined more in the fear of knowing who the killer is rather than the fear of having the main character, you know… killed. Because the main character never dies! But of course, I’m speaking for myself. Still, this book kept me on my toes the whole time.

There’s also the diary entries between each chapters that appears to be written by the killer. It added more “chill” in the books whole setting especially when you read what’s going on inside the suspects mind.

Aside from the mystery, there’s also a touch of romance in this book. I love how this book made me feel the feels but yet didn’t really revolve in Nova and Alex’s complicated relationship. Although, I really wouldn’t mind if it did.

But what left me uber speechless is whodunit’s identity. Why didn’t I see it coming??? It’s not like there weren’t enough clues. There are! Well, there is one that almost gave it away but I had to let it go because of the red herring that got me thinking someone else is the killer. I still remember what I felt while I was reading the part where I though I knew who the suspect was already but NO. Just when you think you already know it, something will just explode on your face then boom, gotcha. (I can hear the author laughing at me right at that moment 😛 ) The actual motive was kind of meh but actually, he/she (not gonna spoil you!) is a psycho so whatever the motive is, it is what it is.

The Foxglove Killings didn’t disappoint, the suspense was ultimately worth it. And for a mystery/thriller junkie like me, this one is a must read.

Rating:

---

• The Title – The title alone sold me this book. I mean, The Foxglove Killings? Who wouldn’t pick up a book with that title? It literally emits an eerie and intriguing vibe.

• Unpredictable – This book got me. I fell for the bait. Who I thought was the killer turned out to be innocent. Whodunit’s identity was really a surprise and you’ll only find out who it is if you really really really paid attention to the tiny details. For the record, I suspected this one character (the real suspect) because of one diary entry that narrowed down the suspects for me but the amount of foreshadowing in the following chapters convinced me otherwise. Although, there were some predictable parts, if you look at it on a larger picture, The Foxglove Killings is a book that will keep you guessing till the end.

• Feels Wringer – OMG this book!!! I know this is more of a Mystery/Thriller book but the romance in it is just— *dead* Nova and Alex’s complicated relationship made me feel all sorts of emotions and drained it all off of me. I had one of those puts-down-book-gathers-feels moment. Just AAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH! My heart, my poor heart…

---

Book Description and Cover Image from Goodreads