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The Reaping

Steinbeck and Reed, Book 2

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The Reaping

By: Jess Lourey
Narrated by: James Daniels
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About this listen

By-the-book forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck and rogue BCA agent Van Reed must catch a cold-case killer who’s returned to abduct a small town’s children one by one in this heart-stopping novel from the Edgar Award-nominated author of Unspeakable Things.

In 1998 an Alku, Minnesota, family of five was brutally murdered in their sleep. The event shook the insulated community but, without any solid leads, was relegated to the cold case files, where it moldered for twenty-five years. Until today.

Agent Harry Steinbeck hoped never to return to the northland, a place that holds terrible memories of his sister’s abduction. But when a recent homicide is connected to Alku’s unsolved mass murder, he and cold case agent Evangeline Reed have no choice but to investigate.

The case grows impossibly darker as, one by one, the children of Alku begin disappearing. And Harry and Van can’t shake the sensation that someone is watching every move they make.

As an elusive killer’s trail leads to a truth more sinister than either imagined, Harry knows there’s only one way to crack this case: he must finally face the secrets of his own past—even if doing so will cost him everything.

©2024 by Jess Lourey. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
Crime Thrillers Genre Fiction Mystery Police Procedurals Small Town & Rural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Cold Case Heartfelt Scary
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Critic reviews

“Mystery and horror mix in a creepy novel whose suspenseful ending hints at a very special sequel.” Kirkus Reviews

“With the Fall season quickly closing in, readers are scrambling for their next haunting read. And readers will find nothing more delightfully twisted than Jess Lourey’s latest chilling thriller, The Reaping.” BookTrib

“The novel’s setting in fictional, Alku, Minn., an insular community founded by seven immigrant Finnish families, is truly creepy, and Lourey’s skillful manipulation of flashbacks cranks the suspense.”Minneapolis Star Tribune

What listeners say about The Reaping

Highly rated for:

Gripping Mystery Unexpected Twists Excellent Character Voices Complex Storyline Unique Plot
Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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So intriguing I could not stop listening.

The story line is addictive and the suspense is always in a heightened state. Edge of your seat excitement, hoping we get more of Harry and Van soon!

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  • Overall
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Amazing 4 1/2 star read

The Reaping (Steinbeck and Reed Book 2), my second read from author Jess Lourey. In The Taken Ones the character focus was on BCA agent Van Reed with forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck introduced as a secondary character. In this book he's a more primary character. Well-written and enjoyable, Amazon labels it as a Women Sleuth thriller, I wouldn't categorize it as that. I purchased an Audible copy it two days ago after reading The Taken Ones and am voluntarily reading & reviewing it, James Daniels narration made the 9-hours 42-minutes read fly by in an uninterupted read. I look forward to reading more from this author, The Quarry Girls high on my TBR list, yeah she's that good! (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Another winner!

I love this series new series. I cannot wait for the next one. The characters are terrific, and the stories are suspenseful.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Was not expecting that

Small towns or in this case; small communities have a lot to hide. Especially when it the stigma of mental illness.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Not as good as the first but good

The storyline was intriguing but a bit far-fetched and the time shifts were too much. It made the story difficult to follow. My main disappointment was the narrator, I’m sorry but he wasn’t a good choice for Harry. And he completely changed Van’s inflections therefore her character. I wasn’t a fan.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Another Brilliant story by Lourey!!

WHOA!!! I’m blown away once again by the Steinbeck and Reed series!! When I started this I wasn’t sure. I thought nope, it’s not going to be as good as The Taken Ones. Boy was I wrong!!!!

Lourey is BRILLIANT!! She comes up with the most unusual stories and then at the end you are left with your mouth hanging open. After she discusses how this story came to her and the research she found, and once again my mouth was hanging open. I’m thinking by what was said at the end (shhh…NO spoilers!) that there is going to be another book…I HOPE SO!!! I definitely want to continue in the world of Steinbeck and Reed, there is so much more to be said when it going to these two!!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR THRILLER/MYSTERY LOVERS!!!!

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Creepy

It was a great creepy book. Worth listening to. Might be better read to keep the people separated but maybe not.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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WOW, Creepy

The author is a great storyteller. Do not miss this series, the characters and story will stay with you long after you finish the last chapter. Van and Harry are the greatest duo since Mulder and Scully. Can’t wait for the next one in the series!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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The unique story and town it was based in.

I really did not like the reader’s voice. It almost made me want to quit listening. The story was good but the way he read the book made it seem really slow.

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Great story that progresses past the previous

I liked the storyline. Especially that it took the other main character’s perspective. I also really appreciate the authors note at the end - I had so many questions—especially being of Finnish descent, whose grandmother lived and grew up in Minnesota.

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