Unspeakable Things

I read this almost in one sitting—my brain latched on like dark, twisted bubble gum. “One more chapter” turned into 2:20 a.m. and me bargaining with myself over the last twenty-five pages. Cassie is thirteen, growing up in the 80s inside a family that feels equal parts art scene, academia, and quiet collapse—Vietnam vet father drinking himself under, a mother straddling independence and expectation, a sister in the crossfire. It’s not dramatic dysfunction. It’s the kind you live inside. There’s also that subtle, disorienting bleed-through of the adult world—blurred boundaries, things kids weren’t supposed to see but did. It’s never overplayed, but it explains everything about how Cassie understands people. And she does understand them. She’s sharp, darkly funny, and believable in a way child narrators rarely are. Not precocious. Not naive. Just… aware too early. Meanwhile, the town is just beginning to grasp what a serial predator even is—boys disappearing, coming back changed. Cassie deciding to figure it out shouldn’t work. It does. But the real weight isn’t the mystery—it’s the undercurrent. The unspoken rules. The kind of pain that didn’t have language yet. The things families keep hidden, set against a world that’s somehow even more dangerous. It’s all in here. The writing slips into something quietly beautiful at times, almost without warning. It’s dark, tense, and a little too honest. Less about what happens and more about what it felt like to grow up when the world was shifting and nobody knew how to name it yet.

This is, perhaps, the vaguest story I’ve ever been exposed to. If you’re looking for a straightforward read that communicates explicitly, this likely will not work for you. Much of what the narrator experiences is told through obscure references and you, the reader, are left to decipher each implication. I think, however, as long as you have the life experience to guide you through the story’s coded message, you’ll be aptly haunted by this dark, convoluted tale. I found the way it was written to be quite effective in conveying the guarded mindset of the narrator looking back on the experiences she had while on the cusp of her teenage years. In a small town in Minnesota, boys are being abducted and molested. They return, but they are not the same. Cassandra (Cassie) tries to make sense of these events while fearing her father, hating the strange parties her parents throw, and dreaming that a boy named Gabriel will save her from the unhappiness her home life brings. Jess Lourey writes with raw, disquieting ferocity and I was truly enamored by her prose. It was both breathtaking and terrifying, as so much of it was true to life. She skillfully depicted Cassie’s growth and understanding as she learned that heros are not always what she once believed them to be and that small-minded prejudices can do great damage. The story, itself, is well-done. It’s a slow-burn with far more drama than mystery but the circumstances of Cassie’s life are overwhelmingly unsettling. Personally, I loved that this book was packed full of unspeakable things and that the author chose to let readers work it all out in their own minds. The main thing that I didn’t care for was the inconsistency in the maturity of the storyteller. As a narrator reflecting back on her life, Cassie’s observations sometimes felt unbelievably young - often even younger than the twelve year old version of herself that she was telling us about - and, at other times, she seemed so much older and wiser. It kept throwing me off, as I couldn’t figure out how old the actual narrator was supposed to be, although I knew she definitely was not meant to be a child. I was also a bit dismayed by the predictability of the main villain although, in truth, there are multiple monsters in this book, some more apparent than others. Aside from that big reveal in the end, I did enjoy the way this book closed. I can’t imagine a more fitting way to bring Cassie’s story to an end. Unspeakable Things is well-worth the read, especially with the right expectations in mind. It is not a thriller, although promoted as such, and while mysterious, the actual mystery sits on the back burner most of the time. If you like cryptic, dramatic tales and don’t mind the potential for triggers, I do believe you will enjoy this story.

I really want to love this story, but there are a few things stopping me. This was my first book by Lourey, and I don't think it'll be my last, as I do believe the writing itself was very well done. Simply put, I wish Lourey would have done a bit more research, more on that later. The worldbuilding was very well done. And I think that is what stands out the most to me. The countryside, the farm houses, the little town of Lilydale, it was all picturesque, clear and alive in the mind's eye, and that is thanks to the author's ability. I recognize this place (and story) are modeled from a real place and event, but that's not the point. Whether completely a figment of an author's imagination or a biographical retelling, it's the ability of the author to place the reader in the world of the story that matters, and Lourey has that talent. The characters were also fairly well done, not as well done as the worldbuilding, but well done none the less. They were each distinct personalities. Cassie was obviously the most fully fleshed character in the story, but even she felt just a touch off. The storyline itself was a great concept. Overall, I really liked the storyline. A child's perception of a major crime in her small town, and it came off very credible. I could imagine much of what occurred as how a twelve year old wound perceive them. My issue was the very misguided notion that all s€xual kinks equate to being s€xuallY devi@nt, and all devi@nts are the essentially same. If that was not the author's intent, that is certainly how it read. None of that is accurate in the least. A little more research could have gone a long, long way. I do grasp, too, that some of the intent was likely intentional to match the era of the story, but even in that era there was much of that was presented here that would not have been believed in that way. It really took me from the story, especially because do much of the book was so good. I'd recommend it as a decent read, enjoyable, and certainly keeps you wanting to know what happens next. I would just also caution that the actual nitty gritty details are not accurate in the least.

I could NOT put this book down. I read the first 2/3 of it without looking up, even though I had only intended to read the first few pages. Lourey is clearly a master of suspense. Her 12-year-old protagonist Cassie reminds me somewhat of grown up Mira from the Mystery of the Month series she's done: sassy, insecure, highly intelligent, fighting for truth and justice. No surprise, I love those books too. This one is more serious, though. Cassie is such a well-formed protagonist, and I so want to read more about her! She's clearly smart, but also very poor, and is therefore subjugated to lots of teasing at school. The underlying tragedy of boys being abducted only highlights the creep factor of girls who have always been assaulted as well. But it's also a heartfelt, funny book at times. How could a book about a pre-teen in middle school not be? The spot-on references to teen culture in the early 80's--Lip Lickers, Trapper Keepers, band class--also anchor the book in a very specific time period. The fact that this story is set in central Minnesota and based on real events that happened to young boys there in the 1980's and 90's hits close to home: that's where I grew up, and Jacob Wetterling's disappearance affected many students in my high school, and we all talked about it until and after his killer was finally found. This book gives a sense of closure, even though it's fiction, to that horrible time in what was seemingly a very safe place to grow up. We all need catharsis, and this is a good place to start. It's hard to place this novel in just one literary genre, as there are elements of suspense, thriller, coming of age, and mystery. I guess that's why I think this book will appeal to so many kinds of people, not least of whom might serve on literary prize committees. Hello, literary prize committees! Check out this wonderful book that made me cry, laugh out loud, and shudder with fear.

This story is based on true events that take place during the 80s in a small Minnesota town and is told from the point of view of a 12-year-old girl named Cassie West. Her life, however, is far from innocent and idyllic as her parents throw strange parties with people indulging in…shall we say…very adult activities. There's also the fact that Cassie lives in constant fear of her father coming up the stairs to her room at night. Additionally, because of their father's erratic and often dark moods, Cassie and her sister try to stay under his radar at home as much as possible, as he is definitely someone to be feared. I found him to be a truly scary monster of a man whose subtle manipulations intrigued, disgusted, and terrified me. But Cassie's life really changes, and the atmosphere of the story takes an even more chilling turn once some when local boys go missing. The culprit, who wears a hockey mask, abducts the boys and then returns them, but they are different afterward — they're sullen and violent. Some people claim they've been molested. The rumors and finger-pointing begin as neighbors accuse each other, and the town's dangerous secrets begin to surface. So when Cassie's own sister begins to undergo a dark change, she knows she must figure out the dark mysteries in her life and her town if she and her sister are to survive. So in this way, the story ends up being one of self-preservation. What follows is a pitch-dark, gut-wrenching, and nightmarish portrayal of a teenager whose childhood is stolen by the monsters in her life — the sinister child-predator who's committing unspeakable crimes in her town and the monster under her own roof. It's also worth mentioning that the sheriff and many of the town's locals aren't much better. There were times that the story felt so intense and anxiety-provoking, that I had to stop and breathe for a minute. The tale has an ever-increasing darkening atmosphere that increased the sense of foreboding and menace as we moved forward through the narrative. This book ended up being completely different than what I expected. I went into it thinking it would be a book about a kidnapper/child molester, but it ended up being more about Cassie and the horrible secrets right under her own roof. What I especially enjoyed about Unspeakable Things, is that Cassie never explicitly describes what's going on at home. She drops a hint here and a glimpse there, encouraging us to use our own imagination and try to piece together ourselves what's going on. This aspect of the story certainly got my imagination churning and, in the process, led me into some very dark places. Now though a 12-year-old girl narrates this haunting tale, this is definitely not a children's book. It's super dark and disturbing on many levels. Many terrible things happen, and they happen to children. So sensitive readers be warned. My only quibble with the book was that I found the ending a tad abrupt though the journey getting there was fun. The author does have an epilogue on her website, which I thought rounded off the story nicely. But be sure not to read the epilogue until after you've finished the book as it does contain spoilers. All in all, this book has the perfect balance of mystery, spine-tingling suspense, and wonderfully detailed descriptions that kept my eyes glued to the page, and though it was highly disturbing and mesmerizingly twisted, I ended up enjoying this story.

It's the last days of the school year and Cassie McDowell can't wait for summer to begin. Because this summer she's going to make Gabriel her boyfriend. He's the best looking and sweetest guy in her school and she has a plan to make him hers. But the summer starts off with news that someone is abducting and abusing local boys. Not only that, but Cassie's got her own troubles at home. Troubles she longs to get away from. Which is why she decides she's going to investigate and solve the case of the abused boys. And when Gabriel becomes the next victim, she's more determined than ever to save the boy she loves. Readers have been praising Unspeakable Things for a while now and it's been in my TBR just as long. But I did know that the subject matter was not exactly rosy, so I delayed diving in...until I read the sample at the end of Bloodline! Unspeakable Things is set in and on the outskirts of Lilydale in 1983, the same town but almost two decades later than Bloodline. Cass and her family live on a farm in the country (that's what we would have called it growing up). Her mother is a teacher and her father is an artist. They're known for their parties, which both Cass and her sister, Sephie, loathe. And for good reason, though we don't find out the details until much later. Cass is superstitious and somewhat fearful. She spends her nights under her bed (when she wants to sleep long) or in her closet (when she wants to sleep short). And it's clear from the start that her home life isn't exactly a happy or safe one. But the 80's setting means that Cass and her friends kind of roam wild. She goes anywhere her bike will take her and has the freedom, outside of finishing household/farm chores, to spend her time pretty much as she likes. Perfect for some tweenage detecting! As mentioned, this is not a light read. Nor is it a YA book even though our narrator is on the cusp of turning 13. There's a lot of heavy material squeezed into this book, made more disturbing by the fact that it's relayed via the eyes of someone who understands too much. This is the kind of book that so perfectly showcases a writer's talent and I think it's clear that Lourey is an immensely gifted author! Overall, this is the story of a child experiencing something she should never have had to face. It's a gripping story, one I read in one sitting (which I know is terrible to say when you consider how much sweat and effort goes into writing a book!) but I just could not tear myself away from Cass's story until I found out how it would all turn out. I do want to note that because of the content, this is definitely not a book for everyone, but I thought the subject in question, which is in fact based on a series of crimes that occurred when the author herself was young, was handled well without being gratuitous or overly graphic.

This is the first book I've read by this author, and it was incredible. The book is a historical fiction book placed in the 80's. While the crimes described in the book were not real, the author was inspired to write this book based on actual crimes. Due to the author's incredible power of description, I felt I was right there living these events. Which was unsettling, because the book is not a pleasant book. But I was amazed at how accurately she related 80's culture. I had lived through the 80's, but put so much of it out of my mind until I read this book. The book is written from the viewpoint of an 8th grader, who must deal with her dysfunctional family, worries that her dad will molest her, how to get the boy of her dreams, and with wanting to solve the mystery of who is attacking and raping boys in her town. The author captures both the naivete and gullibility of a pre-internet 8th grader perfectly. In spite of the subject matter, the book is not overly graphic, around a PG-13 rating. The suspense aspect of the story was very well done. The only mild criticism I have of the book is that it ended abruptly. Reading the Kindle version, I was surprised when I turned a page and the book was finished. While the ending was adequate enough, it really felt like there should have been another chapter, or at least an epilogue. This book probably isn't for everyone, but if you like a mixture of 80's culture and suspense crime, this is a superb book.

Unspeakable Things was dark, heavy, and emotionally exhausting in a way that only very powerful storytelling can be. This is not an easy read by any means. Please, please check your trigger warnings before diving in because this book covers a lot of very difficult subject matter. So much happens in this story that at times I had to stop and just sit with what I read. It’s sad, raw, and painfully honest. The author does not hold back, and the weight of everything the characters go through really stays with you long after you put the book down. This is one of those books that you don’t necessarily “enjoy,” but you appreciate for how boldly and realistically it tells its story. It’s impactful, unsettling, and unforgettable.

Cassie McDowell’s life in 1980s Minnesota seems perfectly wholesome. She lives on a farm, loves school, and has a crush on the nicest boy in class. Yes, there are her parents’ strange parties and their parade of deviant guests, but she’s grown accustomed to them. All that changes when someone comes hunting in Lilydale. One by one, local boys go missing. One by one, they return changed—violent, moody, and withdrawn. What happened to them becomes the stuff of shocking rumors. The accusations of who’s responsible grow just as wild, and dangerous town secrets start to surface. Then Cassie’s own sister undergoes the dark change. If she is to survive, Cassie must find her way in an adult world where every sin is justified, and only the truth is unforgivable. Oh wow did I love this book. Written from the main character's POV, Cassie, who is a thirteen year old but this is not a childish book. Because Cassie is a child and innocent in many ways we see her draw incorrect conclusions about people and things that have happened, but at the same time the way she sees the world around her is unique and compelling and we're taken on her journey as she navigates the sometimes very dark world of adults. The dialogue between the children and adults or children to children is excellent. The writing is superb and so descriptive is makes your toes curl, it is creepy and dark. I loved sentences like, 'I jumped so high that I left my skin behind. ' I can just imagine a thirteen year old saying that, or, 'I was panting like a scared dog.' Yes the ending could have been better but I don't care because I enjoyed every nail biting moment I read this book.

I bought the book because how much people hyped this book on social media. Unfortunately i have to agree with the other 1 Star reviews. There is absolutely nothing happening at all until the last 4 chapters which is a total of 13 pages. I have to say that i really liked the book being written in the POV of a 13 year old girl. But i feel its more like a following of her life. I also like the way it was written BUT the title, the cover and the "scare" on the back of the book dont match whats written for the first 286 pages. Again ... nothing happens.

Captures perfectly the sonic, pulsing, ever-present dread of a child growing up in an abusive household, headed by a narcissist supported by his enablers; and in a place where kids must grow up fast as the adults continually fail them

I struggled a little bit getting into this but it was a decent read and I definitely am glad I read it.

This will keep you in the edges if your seat and will make you chew all your nails out. This is a hybrid of a psychological thriller, stark reality and unending suspense. I could relate to young Cassie and could picture every other character in their environment . A fabulous work