Suicide House (A Rory Moore/Lane Phillips Novel, #2)

by Charlie Donlea

[Quirky Cat]

I received a copy of The Suicide House in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Suicide House is the second novel in Charlie Donlea's Rory Moore/Lane Phillips series. Yet it could easily be read as a standalone novel as well (it worked for me). It is a thriller that will draw you in and demand your full attention.

Westmont Preparatory High School has had a rough go, as of late. A series of murders a year ago have forced dramatic changes in the school. Changes that apparently didn't make a difference, if the rash of suicides is any indication.

Now this story has caught the attention of investigators and reporters. Between the lot of them, they might just get to the bottom of this apparent cold case, and all of the mysteries buried within. To think, it might just have stayed buried, if not for that podcast.

“The man in the mirror. The man in the mirror. The main in the mirror.”

Warnings: As you might be able to guess, from the title of this book The Suicide House contains graphic imagery, as well as discussions about suicide, including depictions and graphic details. The deaths in this book are sometimes gory, and the mental health of the characters surrounding those scenes are unsurprisingly compromised.

The Suicide House is a thrilling read, delivering on all the dark promises made by this cover. And to think – this is a story that might not have occurred, if not for the relatively modern invention of podcasts (and before that, radio and investigative reporting).

I never read the first novel in the series, yet I had no problem following along. Or in finding myself invested in what was occurring. This is a story that unfolds through several perspectives, each of whom presents their own take on events.

That made the backstory both elusive yet shockingly comprehensive, as everybody knew something. Just not enough to solve it on their own. That is, not until the plot quickly starts to escalate. That is where the pure thriller elements come into play.

It made for a tense and interesting read, one that is totally worth getting cozy for the night, and reading it all in one sitting (speaking from personal experience here). It's a dark yet quick read, one that doesn't hold your hand during the investigation.

Yet, as with my favorite mysteries, there are hints to be found throughout. These parts always make more sense one the revelation has finally come about, and all the pieces finally fall into place. There's something extremely satisfying about that, which is arguably one of the many reasons why I enjoyed this book so much.

This is the first novel I've read by Charlie Donlea, but I have to say that I'm impressed. I'm probably going to go back and read the first novel in this series (Some Choose Darkness), as well as keeping an eye on any of his future novels.

Check out more of my reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks