Title: The Primitives
Author: Ken Varnold
Publisher: Independently Published
ASIN: B07M8GZBHR
Pages: 324
Genre: Mystery / Suspense / Thriller
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

Read Book Review

Ask anyone who has ever immersed themselves into a true crime podcast or watched a true crime documentary or series, and they will all tell you the same thing: far more often than not, these cases take place in small towns that are rocked by a shocking murder. While many would think that murders are relegated mostly to large cities, the reality is that no matter how close knit a community may seem on the outside, no one knows what happens behind closed doors, and sometimes the most dangerous threat can come from the people most revered or well known. A small town finds itself truly tested when they are forced to find a way of surviving and moving on as a community in the wake of such a tragedy.

Small town life and how it reacts to a tragic crime is the central story driving author Ken Varnold’s The Primitives. The story focuses on the small town of Bents Landing, PA, where a series of murders rocks the town thoroughly. Meanwhile, two married couples with dark secrets find their worlds colliding, leading to devastating results and adding more fuel to the fire as a serial killer leaves behind gristly crime scenes and a detective is racing to put the pieces together.

The story is quite a gritty and chilling read. The author found a way of blending small-town crime thrillers with murder mystery and hints of romance in a natural way which makes the characters feel connected and grounded. The story does have some brutality to it, so readers should be aware of elements of abuse and violence, but the author does a great job of touching upon these story elements without going into too much detail thus making them truly instrumental in the overall character development, especially Michael, whose arc feels well developed and an emotional roller coaster.

Readers who enjoy crime thrillers, especially small-town suspense and mystery driven stories, will really enjoy this novel. The way these stories become interwoven and delve into the hidden secrets and haunting realities that not everyone is who they appear to be, and even the most upstanding citizens can hide a darker part of themselves from the rest of the world. The balance of storytelling with suspense and action works really well in this story, and the narrative was fast paced, allowing the reader to hang on the edge of their seat in anticipation as the characters become more and more immersed into the unraveling town around them. An emotional and haunting tale of secrets, forbidden romances, and chilling crimes that lurk just beneath the surface of a small town, the nearly cinematic imagery in the author’s writing style will keep readers invested long after this novel ends.