Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Mon Oct 07 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Three months after helping the FBI bring down the Berryville Butcher in None Shall Sleep (2020), college students Emma Lewis and Travis Bell reunite on a new case with a chilling connection to Emma's past.Emma was the sole survivor of serial killer Daniel Huxton, who died three years ago in 1979. Her insights from that experience proved invaluable to the FBI's fledgling Behavioral Science department in their hunt for the Butcher. Now, the department is investigating murders in Pittsburgh that bear a resemblance to Huxton's M.O. Despite her distrust of the bureau, Emma figures that consulting on this case in hopes of saving other girls is preferable to chafing in protective custody until the copycat is caught. Travis is now in part-time training at Quantico, and there's another familiar face there-that of Kristin Gutmunsson, whose sociopathic twin, Simon, played a critical role in the Butcher case. Enigmatic Kristin volunteers her own insights-plus Simon's cooperation-in hopes of reducing her brother's death sentence to life in prison. The rich, engaging narrative jumps among the three young people, employing taut, restrained language laced with a pervasive feeling of dread as the stakes escalate. While the fast pace and morbidly fascinating subject keep the pages turning, the book's thoughtful exploration of intense trauma, PTSD, and therapy-informed treatment centers survivors and keeps the story grounded. Emma and Kristin are White; Travis is Mexican American.A razor-sharp sequel exceeding the previous installment's high expectations. (author's note) (Thriller. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews (Mon Oct 07 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Three months after helping the FBI bring down the Berryville Butcher in None Shall Sleep (2020), college students Emma Lewis and Travis Bell reunite on a new case with a chilling connection to Emma's past.Emma was the sole survivor of serial killer Daniel Huxton, who died three years ago in 1979. Her insights from that experience proved invaluable to the FBI's fledgling Behavioral Science department in their hunt for the Butcher. Now, the department is investigating murders in Pittsburgh that bear a resemblance to Huxton's M.O. Despite her distrust of the bureau, Emma figures that consulting on this case in hopes of saving other girls is preferable to chafing in protective custody until the copycat is caught. Travis is now in part-time training at Quantico, and there's another familiar face there-that of Kristin Gutmunsson, whose sociopathic twin, Simon, played a critical role in the Butcher case. Enigmatic Kristin volunteers her own insights-plus Simon's cooperation-in hopes of reducing her brother's death sentence to life in prison. The rich, engaging narrative jumps among the three young people, employing taut, restrained language laced with a pervasive feeling of dread as the stakes escalate. While the fast pace and morbidly fascinating subject keep the pages turning, the book's thoughtful exploration of intense trauma, PTSD, and therapy-informed treatment centers survivors and keeps the story grounded. Emma and Kristin are White; Travis is Mexican American.A razor-sharp sequel exceeding the previous installment's high expectations. (author's note) (Thriller. 13-18)

School Library Journal (Mon Oct 07 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Gr 8 Up— Teen FBI recruits Emma and Travis escaped teen sociopath and murderer Simon Gutmunsson in None Shall Sleep , but now, they might need him to help solve their next case: a copycat of the same serial killer Emma barely got away from years ago. Set in the 1980s, when serial killers were a relatively new idea, Emma and Travis navigate an interesting period in police history. Marney's writing focuses more on developing characters in this installment but doesn't sacrifice suspense to do it. Emma is white, Travis biracial, and there is additional diversity in the supporting characters. VERDICT Read-alike to Jennifer Lynn Barnes's The Naturals as historical fiction. Recommended for general purchase.