Wrath Child

A Supernatural Thriller

Fiction - Horror
715 Pages
Reviewed on 09/04/2021
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite

Wrath Child by Erik Henry Vick is a mix of thriller, suspense, supernatural, horror, and crime. While this might seem like a lot of genres to pack into just one novel, it works out very well. The novel tells the story of a terrible serial killer who has done horrendous things in the past. Gavin Gregory, one of the best profilers at the FBI, worked on the case - but the killer got away. But now it seems he's back. New victims turn up, and there's something that makes Gavin think it must be the same person. Unfortunately, this just happens before he's supposed to go on a holiday with his wife and to find the answer to his question, he needs to travel to another city. He does indeed find an answer: Not the one he hoped for. Not the one his scientific mind can deal with. What follows puts his beliefs to the test, and he might just have to admit that science cannot explain everything.

If you pick up Wrath Child by Erik Henry Vick, you'll be rewarded with a good amount of reading hours, as this is a long book. Fortunately, it is a GREAT long book, so you'll be quite glad that it doesn't end too quickly. I love it when I find a book like that. If I wasn't so busy, I probably would have devoured this book in a far shorter time, but as it is, this book kept me company for well over a week, and I spent a few hours each day in the world of Gavin Gregory and the unusual killer. I enjoyed that the story developed at an almost perfect pace, the author didn't linger on events too long, and he also didn't rush through the plot. It's a hard balance to strike, and I personally think he's done it very well in this novel. You need to pay attention to what is happening though, as various timelines and points of view are mixed within the story. It's done in a way that makes sense, but I am sure that readers who just rush through might get a little confused.
I also enjoyed how Gavin's attitude towards certain aspects of the case changed over time - and how it shows that people can indeed change what they believe if necessary. The other characters were also all quite interesting, and I enjoyed getting to know them. There were surprises, there was excitement, and even some nerve-racking content - all in all, a very, very good book!

Pikasho Deka

Are you a fan of movies like Zodiac or The Silence of the Lambs? Do you find books exploring the psyche of serial killers to be fascinating? If the answer is yes, then grab your copy of Wrath Child, a supernatural suspense thriller by author Erik Henry Vick. Gavin Gregory, an FBI agent working for the Behavioral Analysis Unit, is shocked to learn that the serial killer named The Smith has resurfaced after staying dormant for years. Further investigation leads him to psychiatrist Debbie Esteves whose patient Joe Doe may contain the answers Gavin is seeking. But not everyone can be trusted as Gavin soon finds out that he may have put his close ones in mortal danger alongside himself by pursuing the killer.

Combining murder mystery with elements from preternatural horror, Wrath Child is a riveting suspense thriller by Erik Henry Vick. With the narrative switching between three different timelines, author Erik Henry Vick has created a mind-bending puzzle box of a novel that refuses to let you go and holds onto your attention from the first page to the last. The multiple POVs and the choice of using non-linear storytelling lend strength to the narrative and make it all the more compelling. The characters are engaging, and the action scenes are brutal and described in vivid detail. To cap off, Wrath Child is one of the best supernatural thrillers I've read in recent years, and I would highly recommend it to fans of the genre.

Grace Masso

Wrath Child: A Supernatural Thriller by Erik Henry Vick is a disturbing, yet spellbinding story that appeals to fans of horror and mystery. Gavin Gregory is one of the most sought-after profilers at the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit and he is good at what he does. He hunts serial killers and has the uncanny ability to properly profile their behavior, understanding how they think and what drives them. But a new case sets him on an extremely dangerous path. It is the case of a newly reactivated dormant psychopath. While Gavin is investigating the case, psychiatrist Debra Esteves contacts Gavin to tell him she knows who the mysterious killer is. The killer does not fit into Gavin’s world of normal psychopaths. Gavin is not easily convinced by the psychiatrist, which exposes him to more danger. Can Debra keep him safe while trying to help him see the truth about the killer?

Erik Henry Vick’s novel is not your run-of-the-mill thriller, but a story that has shades of mystery, paranormal, crime, and horror. It is deftly plotted with unexpected twists that I never anticipated when I started reading. The characters are well-developed, especially the protagonist. Gavin is an intelligent and skilled profiler, a man who believes in science and who trusts his rational mind. Everything changes when a new case challenges everything he knows. This character is so real I got interested in him right away, and I found myself worried for him as the conflict got complicated. Wrath Child: A Supernatural Thriller is psychologically rich, written with interesting details and scenes that put readers on the edge of their seats. It is an enjoyable read with great writing.