All Good People Here: A Novel

I have been so excited to read this book again! I first read it when it came out and it’s jaw dropping. The writing is amazing and it all came from the mind of the Crime Junkie Queen herself, Ashley Flowers. I loved every second of it! Personally, it reads to me like her take on the infamous JonBenet Ramsey case. I’m not sure if she’s confirmed that or not though. I love the dual POVs with alternating time lines. It really gave you a more complete picture and really helped you get into the minds of the characters. Now if you’re looking for a book with a happy ending, this isn’t for you. But if you want an amazing story that captures you and holds you hostage the whole way through with a very real true crime style ending, you’ve found your people. The first time I read it, my jaw was on the floor for a solid 15 minutes after reading that ending. 🤯 I still don’t know how I feel about it. It was raw and so real. An amazing ending but it definitely leaves you with all the questions. I highly recommend if you’re a true crime fan like myself!!

A string of child murders in a small Indiana town become an obsession for a reporter and former resident. Margot returns to Wakarusa to care for her ailing uncle, Luke. She moves in to help with daily tasks, due to Luke’s cognitive decline. Quickly immersed again in the gossip and thrum of small town living, Margot picks up the thread of a cold case, involving the death of her childhood friend, January Jacobs, 25 years ago. The rumor mill speculates that the case is related to other recent homicides of young girls. The book loosely resembles the JonBenet Ramsey case, and perhaps the story was structured around, or inspired by, that real-life crime. The book reads like a screenplay. Heavy emphasis on plot, but no deep-dive into character development. Emotions are stated, rather than felt. Lots of telling, but very little showing. The exception to this is Jace, January’s brother. Here, Flowers gets it right. Jace’s childhood trauma is hauntingly depicted in a few vivid flashbacks and believable, nuanced dialogue. One particular two-line exchange between Jace and his mother, Krissy, is utterly wrenching. It reads like a bullet to the heart, perfectly rendering all the confusion, anger and longing of a bereft child. The scenes with Jace are sparse, but luminous and real. Other characters in the story would have benefited from this same attention to detail. The reader knows that Margot is earnest and tenacious, but in her quest to solve the mysteries of past and present, she’s met with little resistance and few obstacles. Every lead she follows pans out. Law enforcement takes her seriously, even when she says she’s being stalked by a woman, whose only defining characteristic is auburn hair. Still, the story is compelling and there is enough momentum for the reader to want to uncover the secrets and find out the truth. However, the ending arrives so abruptly and ambiguously that I thought I’d inadvertently skipped a page. I went back and re-read several paragraphs, certain that I’d missed something. I’m not sure why Flowers chose to end it on a discordant note. Shock value? Potential sequel? Perhaps to generate buzz and get people to talk about the book. Maybe because many crimes are left unsolved, and this was meant to underscore that fact. Whatever the reason, it’s a quick, worthwhile read.

This is an overall great book! It was a quick read, but it also helped that I couldn't put it down at times. The plot starts out slow and I almost had a hard time getting into it, but I'm glad I kept reading. The story became more captivating as the book went on and really kept you guessing.

The beginning was slow and I had a hard time getting into the book. When I was a little over halfway through the book, I had to go back to the beginning and reread the first few chapters to remember specific details. From the middle to close to the end, it was really good and suspenseful. The ending was horrible. It was very much not expected and 48 hours after finishing the book I am still in a bad mood and feel just yucky about the ending. I don’t have that satisfied feeling I usually have after reading a book like this. I love Ashley flowers but I am a bit surprised she went that direction with the ending.

What I don't like is that I have to wait until May for Crime Junkies (Ashley Flowers) next published book!! This book was awesome! I know I am late to the game but omg! I was so convinced I knew who the killer was at the beginning but as I got deeper into the book I ruled them out. Before I got to the end I figured who it was but this book had me literally at the edge of my seat!! I could not put it down. I can not wait until the next book is published!!!! Must read if you haven't read this yet.

The story itself is captivating. I just didn't like the ending it was very rushed and left so much to question. I would have liked to have the ending scene be completed instead of ending the book halfway through a scene.

Arrived on time, great reading, the author takes you through all the stories of wanting to read more. I highly recommend it.

Overall I'd give this book around 4.8 because I think some of the editing could have been a bit better to enhance readability in some chapters but the storyline, characters, and overall plot of this book were awesome. For Ashley's first book, I'm insanely impressed. That ending though... Mind-blowing. I'm really hoping it leads to a sequel? And maybe a bit of small-town romance for Margot?? Either way, I was hooked from the beginning.

Amazing book ending was a bit abrupt but other the that amazing

I loved this book! It's a really good story with loads of twists and turns which keep you guessing all the way through. The more I read the more I could not put it down. Would definitely recommend to anyone and everyone.

I bought this book as I know the author though her podcasts and it did not dissapoint me.I strongly recommend it and I would read any second part she would write or other books.