I read this book in one sitting. When I set it down and stared at the ceiling afterwards, my husband dutifully asked “Well, was it good?”. He’s not a reader but supports my addiction so I explained that YES it was good, but it was pretty screwed up. I gave him a brief synopsis – which he never asks for but I will always provide. When I was finished he stared at me for a few seconds and said, “What is wrong with you?”. I laughed and gave Bloodline by Jess Lourey a 4 star rating on Goodreads.
1968 has been a hard year for journalist Joan Harken. She lost her mother, Martin Luther King Jr has been assassinated and the father of her unborn baby is at risk to be drafted for war. Joanie hits her breaking point when she is mugged on her way home from work. She doesn’t disagree this time when her boyfriend, Deck, suggests again that they leave the bustling city of Minneapolis and return to his hometown to settle down and raise their child. From the outside, Lilydale is perfect. With a close-knit community of 1,464 people, the homes are immaculate and the streets are seemingly safe. There are promises of a great job, a way to avoid the draft and a support system. This could her chance at a normal, stable life. But the journalist in Joanie can’t help but feel like something is very wrong. As her belly grows so does her fear that someone is watching her every move. When she learns the terrifying and incestuous truth of the small idyllic town, it is truly unsettling.
From the creepy Stepford Wives in-laws to the cult-like council of the Mother and Fathers, the elements of Bloodline were all twisted and I loved every bit of it. The only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars was the opinion that the storyline had a lot more potential for expansion. I was left wanting to know so much more throughout the book, that was a little disappointing to me. Oh well. If you’re looking for a fast paced thriller that gives you all the heebie-jeebies, this is it.
stephreeds 