Unspeakable Things

Written by Jess Lourey

Narrated by Caitlin Kelly

Inspired by a terrifying true story from the author’s hometown, a heart-pounding novel of suspense about a small Minnesota community where nothing is as quiet—or as safe—as it seems.

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 One by one, they return changed—violent, moody, and withdrawn.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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Jan 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781799749516

Jess Lourey

Jess Lourey is the Amazon Charts bestselling author of Unspeakable Things, The Catalain Book of Secrets, the Salem’s Cipher thrillers, and the Mira James mysteries, among many other works, including young adult, short stories, and nonfiction. An Agatha, Anthony, and Lefty Award nominee, Jess is a tenured professor of creative writing and sociology and a leader of writing retreats. She is also a recipient of The Loft’s Excellence in Teaching fellowship, a Psychology Today blogger, and a TEDx presenter. Check out her TEDx Talk for the inspiration behind her first published novel. When she’s not leading writing workshops, reading, or spending time with her friends and family, you can find her working on her next story. Discover more at www.jessicalourey.com.

Reviews for Unspeakable Things

[Eva Brown · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The story had potential, but much too unbelievable. When the 12 year old seems to be the only adult in the room. Several awful things at once happening in her life. It's a bit much. Too many lose ends...

[Debbie Moore · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed this book so very much not only the story but the writing! And I’m not ready to let Cassie go, I need more books written with her in them. Thank you for this enjoyable read!

[Tatyana Ring · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a better book than the last few I have listened to. Several parts still name you think ohhhh paaalease but it did have some good mystery

[Melissa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don’t always write reviews so this book was really enjoyable. Really great read, nothing too crazy, not like an intense mystery, but something that seems relatable and could really happen. I felt like the girl/narrator was believable and it was written well. I will definitely be looking for more books from this author.

[uneasyrider78 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Not a bad book, but not a great one either. The story ran on far longer than necessary and left many questions unanswered. There were several points where I felt like the book was going to turn into a true thriller/horror novel, but it never did. It just fell flat, much like the ending.
I did enjoy the throwbacks to the early 80's (my childhood) and the narrator was fantastic.
One final note... I hope this was VERY loosely based on a true story. Otherwise this is a very disturbing town, full of very disturbed people.

[Yvette Bonett · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Story was good & very well written. I also really liked the narrator, but the storyline was stretched a bit too far, & was more about Cassie & her family's weird disturbing habits & life. As it's based on a true story my heart goes out to those victims, especially the one particular boy, very sad indeed.

[Emma Kennedy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I wasnt sure what this story was going to be about, but I certainly wasn't prepared for the very dark storyline of both male & female child abuse. I found it an uncomfortable read and only finished it as I was so far into the book. Not enjoyable hence 3 star rating.

[Simona Cavazos · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Disturbing story told from a child’s perspective that grabs your attention and holds it until the end. However the ending landed flat for me. I needed closure after that story and it wasn’t given in the text.

[Max Hobbs · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 great writing! Story flow and plot not as compelling as it could have been

[Chris Metcalfe · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very well told coming of age story, that had me guessing how it was all going to be wrapped up. A solid mystery/thriller with a disturbing theme, reccomend it for anyone

[Melissa Schaefer · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very well written. Listened in one day. I live in Minnesota and was the same age as Jacob Wetterling when he was taken so this fictional story based on real awful events that I remember was hard and so “interesting” to read

[Ada Lynn Allison · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I couldn’t stop listening to to her audio version. Masterfully written suspense/thriller. I will definitely be reading more from this author!

[Heather Cook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very well narrated and written but very difficult to listen to due to peeks into a child’s palpable fear fear of being sexually exploited and abused by their trusted parent. The other highly inappropriate relationships an creepy crazy town.

[Nina Quartuccio · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This author captured the essence of a child telling of things none should have to endure. The dialogs so believable and the characters so well developed, coupled with the narrator bringing all together, made the audiobook outstanding. Knowing this is being told through a child's eyes and couldn't allow for more graphic visuals is why 4 stars. This could have been a serious horror story if the focus was different, but that would have made it something completely different. I loved this narrator, she was incredible. I was so wrapped up in her telling this story, I could put it down. Excellent.

[RichardKevinWilson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of the BEST coming of age horror stories, from a Girls point of view, since 'To Kill A Mockingbird', though horrific in what happens to these young elementary school BOYS and friends of Cassie, this story will make you laugh, cry, and shudder with goosebumps. I LOVED it! 4.5 Stabbys

[Melissa Helm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the kind of novel that gives you a stomach ache throughout reading it and a chill up your spine because it's unfortunately the type of horror that's very very real for a lot of people in this world and that's what's truly terrifying. There are so many moments so uncomfortable that I couldn't help but close my eyes, shake my head, and say "no no no". I kept second guessing who I thought the perpetrator of the assaults was right up until the reveal due to the fact that nearly every adult in this novel is a monster in their own right. The pure overload of tension had me hooked from beginning to end unable to stop no matter what terrible events were coming. Highly recommend!

[Cheyenne Tonkin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Overall enjoyable, but felt more like a family drama than a real mystery/thriller. Narrator was great!

[Selia Whitney · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Felt like this was written by a 12 year old. Boring. No explanation for most of the weird things that are happening

[Ashlyn Heiner · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

this isnt a suspense book, or a thriller book. its a suspenseful and thrilling story told thru a child's eyes. and for what it is, it's pretty good.

[Amy Shanahan · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I felt like it was pretty boring throughout.. kept waiting for more to happen.. and then accepted that it was just gonna be one of those books where you just have to wait for the ending.. then the ending was a let down. Would not recommend :(

[Bo · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Rather weak story. Too much of kid hero saves the day thing with a lot of unanswered questions.

[andrea · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Pretty good, loved the 80s reminders of how it felt being a kid back then. Kinda slow, boring.. but a decent twist. Not a waste of time, but not “wow” either.

[katie · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Story drug on. Could have been done in half the amount of chapters.

[seeword · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Spivack dares to speak about the terrible things people do to one another. The telling is sometimes poetic, sometimes mythic, and often uncomfortably graphic and realistic. Hard material but well worth reading. Library book.

[cathgilmore · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Much has been made of the "unspeakable things" in this novel and yes, there is a doctor who abuses not only children but their mothers and all remain silent. Beyond that very clear story line, the rest of Unspeakable Things is simply too muddled to keep my attention. Musicians who believe their instruments to be alive and hold them more dear than they do their wives? A wife driven insane because? Spivack takes obliqueness to new levels. I don't need graphic depictions of horror, not at all, but I need to understand what an author is trying to say through their words and this is far too difficult in Unspeakable Things. Instead, things move at a sludge-y pace so that by 3/4 I had lost interest in whatever was being conveyed.