Blurb
The last thing he wanted was for any of them to be killed.
Emma, Mina, and Margot are grieving the loss of their beloved father when the unthinkable happens—they lose their family home in the will and are forced to move. Not long after, twisted secrets begin to emerge.
The sisters become inundated with evidence that someone they know is hiding something from them. Something deadly. Soon, they realize that if they want answers to the question of why their lives are in danger, they have to put themselves in harm’s way.
How can they keep each other safe when they know their culprit is always watching them?
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Review
Walking on Dead Leaves by Julian KennedyMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
BOOK: Walking on Dead Leaves by Julian Kennedy ([Format, e-book)
TITLE: [Walking on Dead Leaves]
Author: [Julian Kennedy]
Status: Read | Rating: [3.75/5 ⭐]
Progress: Read ] of [243]
QUICK IMPRESSION
If you like suspenseful domestic thrillers, family secrets, and mysterious neighbors paired with a slow, detailed setup and an explosive ending, this book is for you.
* Some readers may find the final scenes triggering
QUICK NOTES
The story had a bit of a slow start, and I found it hard to connect with the characters initially. However, the prologue opened with a scene that was the perfect hook for a mystery/thriller, and that curiosity kept me turning pages.
Starting in Chapter 1, we slip into the past—a timeline that eventually circles back to that intense opening scene. The first half of the book lays the groundwork for the plot, character dynamics, and subtle hints surrounding the mystery haunting three sisters as they grieve their father. I felt deep empathy for them as they were forced out of their childhood home after learning it had been left to their half-brother in the will. Having gone through a similar downsizing experience myself, I fully understood their devastation over having to move, sell, and give away precious belongings (especially books!). That said, I did feel this portion dragged on for a few chapters too long. On the positive side, it thoroughly introduces the cast of characters linked to the sisters and the mysterious message left behind by their father.
KEY CHARACTERS
• [Emma Powell]: [Eldest sister].
Literary agent at the company established by her father, the calm logical sister, long term boyfriend Ethan is a neighbor and his sister Felicity is married to half brother John Powell ( her father's first wife)
• [Mina Powell]: [Middle sister].
Editor at the company established by her father, she falls fast and is looking for someone who will sweep her off her feet a man or a woman, she's waiting for her perfect HEA
• [Margot Powell]: [Youngest sister]. She looks after authors at the company established by her father, she is often away from home promoting and is going to find some awesome hot chick. (Her words)
(There are more, but these are the main characters)
FINAL THOUGHTS
• I actually put this book down three separate times. Yet, the central question of who the real villain was kept percolating in the back of my mind. I couldn't stop thinking about the plot, which prompted me to pick it back up over the weekend.
At the end of Chapter 20, the pacing picked up dramatically, and a few hours later, I was finished! Did I predict the person harassing the sisters? Yes—if you read closely, you can connect the dots. But did I guess what was actually happening at the end? Not at all! The final chapters were completely mind-blowing.
• Verdict: I settled on a rating of 3.75 stars. I really enjoyed the story once it passed the halfway mark, though the ending felt a bit rushed compared to the deliberate build-up. The first 19 chapters focus heavily on setup before clues begin dropping around Chapter 20. Things get tense starting at Chapter 35, completely unravel by Chapter 37, and then wrap up in just two final chapters.
This was my first book by this author, and it's a solid choice if you enjoy slow-burn domestic suspense with a wild finish.
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
View all my reviews
Author Bio
Julian Kennedy (pronouns- they/them/their) is an American author of adult thriller fiction (The Forgotten Series, and the upcoming Walking on Dead Leaves). They live in the Chicago area and obsess about all things spooky and mystery. You can usually find them at home attempting to read and write, surrounded by their partner and 3 children and the typical chaos that ensues. Just trying to read one more page.
