Introduction
Dark, haunting, and unforgettable, Jess Lourey’s Unspeakable Things is not your average thriller. Loosely inspired by real-life crimes that occurred in Minnesota in the 1980s, this Kindle bestseller is a genre-defying story of childhood trauma, buried secrets, and the monsters that lurk where we least expect them.
Told from the perspective of a 13-year-old girl, this novel blends literary fiction with psychological suspense, crafting a unique and disturbing look at how evil can hide behind suburban smiles—and how courage can emerge from the unlikeliest places.
Plot Summary
Cassie McDowell lives in a quiet, rural Minnesota town in the early 1980s. Her life is a strange mix of freedom and fear—running wild with her sister, sneaking into barns, and exploring the woods. But her home is far from safe. Her parents are secretive and volatile, and her artist father’s “guests” make her skin crawl.
Then boys in the town begin to go missing. When they return, they’re different—empty, scared, and changed. Whispers of abuse spread, and paranoia takes hold of the community. But no one talks about what’s really going on.
Cassie, observant beyond her years, begins to piece together the ugly truth behind the disappearances. But in a town where silence is survival and no adult can be fully trusted, her investigation becomes a matter of life and death—not just for the boys, but for herself.
Character Dynamics
What makes Unspeakable Things so gripping is its choice of narrator.
Cassie McDowell, only 13, is wise beyond her years but still very much a child. Her voice is both innocent and insightful, capturing the confusion and courage of growing up in a world that doesn’t make sense. She’s not your typical heroine—she’s messy, curious, angry, and fiercely loyal.
Her relationship with her older sister, Pepper, adds emotional depth and tension. Pepper is rebellious and protective, and their sibling bond is one of the few sources of warmth in the novel.
Cassie’s parents are complicated. Her mother is distant and secretive; her father is a local artist whose behavior borders on predatory. The adults around Cassie are unreliable at best, dangerous at worst—a theme that underpins the novel’s pervasive unease.
Writing Style and Themes
Jess Lourey’s prose is stunning—lyrical yet direct, grounded in sensory detail, and saturated with emotional truth. The decision to tell this story through a child’s perspective adds layers of tension and subtlety that heighten the suspense.
Key themes include:
- Childhood trauma and survival
- Suburban denial and complicity
- The blurred lines between good and evil
- Coming of age under the weight of silence
Unspeakable Things is as much a psychological study of repression and community complicity as it is a mystery. It asks hard questions—and dares to answer them without flinching.
Memorable Moments
- The chilling moment Cassie first realizes something is wrong with her father’s “friends”
- The eerie, dreamlike scenes in the woods and abandoned barns
- The gut-wrenching aftermath of one of the boys returning “changed”
- Cassie’s confrontation with the horrifying truth—and the adults who allowed it to fester
- A powerful closing chapter that doesn’t offer clean resolutions but leaves a lasting impact
Each scene is crafted to build unease and emotional resonance, leaving the reader breathless and reflective.
What Readers Are Saying
Unspeakable Things has captivated readers and book clubs alike with its bold storytelling and haunting subject matter.
Here’s what readers are saying:
- “This isn’t just a thriller—it’s a gut-punch of a novel that stays with you.”
- “Cassie’s voice is unforgettable. Raw, real, and painfully brave.”
- “I couldn’t put it down, even when I wanted to look away.”
Many praise Lourey for taking risks—writing from a child’s point of view, tackling taboo topics, and avoiding easy answers.
Who Should Read This
This novel is ideal for:
- Fans of psychological thrillers with emotional depth
- Readers who appreciate literary fiction with suspense elements
- Those interested in coming-of-age stories with dark undercurrents
- Book clubs looking for novels that spark deep discussion
If you enjoy authors like Gillian Flynn, Tana French, or Emma Donoghue, this is a must-read.
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
- Room by Emma Donoghue
- The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
- Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
- My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
Atmosphere and Setting
The 1980s rural Minnesota setting is vividly rendered. From quiet cornfields and dusty roads to suffocating church halls and creepy basements, the environment mirrors the story’s central themes: isolation, secrets, and the unseen darkness within communities.
There’s a nostalgic haze overlaying the setting—but it’s undercut by an ever-present dread.
Final Thoughts
Unspeakable Things is more than a thriller—it’s a bold exploration of memory, trauma, and the resilience of youth. Jess Lourey has crafted a story that’s deeply unsettling yet beautifully written, offering no easy answers but leaving readers with an unforgettable voice and a powerful message.
