When her identical twin Laurel dies, seventeen-year-old Willow's life falls apart. With her parents' marriage faltering, she finds escape at her Uncle Joe's cottage. But even as they begin to know each other, Willow is plagued with memories of her sister. Then, Lucas arrives in her life - troubled, angry and with a dangerous past.
Joe's cottage is idyllic, but the forest is filled with secrets. What is Joe hiding from her? What events have brought Lucas to her door? And who is the Slaughter Man who steals through Willow's sleep?
As the lines between dreams and reality become blurred, Willow's torment deepens. It seems as if her only escape lies with the Slaughter Man.
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[She's at her sister's funeral, and she knows she's dreaming because the heads of all the people there have been replaced with the heads of birds]***
(Legend Press, 1 October 2019, 224 pages, ebook, ARC from @Legend_Press and voluntarily reviewed)
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This book made me cry several times when I was reading it. I've read a few of the author's book and have been impressed so I was looking forward to The Slaughter Man which sounded different than her other books. I was not disappointed. First off, this book is really beautiful, lyrically written. I read several sections a few times because the language and style was such a pleasure to get lost in. This is a hard book to pigeonhole so let's not bother. There are elements of mystery and suspense fiction. There are moments of horror. There are great chunks that focus on love, loss an especially grief. Willow broke my little heart again and again. I felt so much for her. She is completely lost since her twin sister died. She's stopped speaking and retreating deeper and deeper into her own darkness. Lucas is also a great character with shades of dark and light. His revelations to Willow towards the end of the book were painful to read. I truly loved this book.
