IN THE HILLS ABOVE THE GRISTMILL BOOK REVIEW [spoiler-free]!!!

TL;DR

A 22-year-old investigator with a paranormal streaming show gets caught in a race to solve a murder mystery in a small Appalachian mining town.

Transcript

hey there my name is megan and welcome back to my channel today i'm going to be doing a spoiler-free review for in the hills above the gristmill by calvin ellis in the hills above the gristmill is an independently published murder mystery and i just want to thank josh over at working man's reads and the author calvin ellis for collaborating to send... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥶 The book effectively portrays a young investigator in the modern, social media-driven world, capturing the essence of a 22-year-old in 2021.
• 🥡 The pacing and mystery in the book are well-executed, taking readers on a quick and engaging journey through the murder investigation.
• 🛩️ The small town setting and gothic mansion add depth and atmosphere to the story, with vivid descriptions that immerse the reader in the environment.
• 🤗 The open-ended ending, with the lingering presence of the sasquatch, leaves room for future exploration and continuation of the series.
• 😱 However, some aspects, such as the portrayal of anxiety and the lack of horror elements, could have been further developed for a more immersive reading experience.
• 🛟 The characters, particularly Paisley and Hey Sinus, are well-fleshed out, while the manipulative preacher, Hollis, serves as an unlikable antagonist.
• 📔 The book successfully balances the murder mystery genre with elements of the paranormal, creating a unique blend of suspense and intrigue.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the author portray the 22-year-old protagonist, Paisley Mott, and her investigative skills?

The author captures the essence of a young investigator in 2021, showcasing Paisley's social media presence, live streaming investigations, and fearless nature. However, more emphasis on how her anxiety and hyper-focused state aid her investigations would have been appreciated.

Q: Who are the other key characters in the book, and how are they portrayed?

The book features Hey Sinus, a secret internet star and wealthy resident of the town, as well as Hollis, the town's manipulative preacher. Hey Sinus's portrayal as an Instagram model and her interaction with Paisley is well done, while Hollis is an unlikable character with his manipulative tendencies.

Q: What are some aspects of the book that the reviewer liked?

The reviewer enjoyed the book's pacing, with enough red herrings to keep readers engaged. Additionally, the lack of graphic gore in a murder mystery was appreciated. The small town's depiction and the gothic mansion setting were also highlights. The open-ended ending, with the essence of a sasquatch lingering, added a unique touch.

Q: Were there any elements in the book that the reviewer didn't like?

The reviewer felt that the book lacked horror elements and expected more suspense and creepiness. While the atmosphere was dark and dreary, it didn't live up to the anticipated scariness. The reviewer was also hoping for more emphasis on the paranormal elements beyond the presence of a sasquatch.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Paisley Mott, a 22-year-old investigator with a paranormal streaming show, finds herself uncovering dark secrets in a small Appalachian town plagued by a mysterious beast.

• The book explores Paisley's fearless and determined character as she bulldozes through situations to uncover the truth.

• The small town setting, gothic mansion, and open-ended ending add to the intrigue of the murder mystery.