What do you think?
Rate this book
It Takes Monsters
Victoria Tate has had enough of her controlling, incompetent husband Warren. But planning the perfect murder is more difficult than it looks. When the social event of the year, an over-the-top costume ball, is rescheduled for the date she has selected for her crime, Victoria has to scramble to make sure she will still be able to follow through. But even hours of listening to crime podcasts cannot prepare her for the next wrench that is thrown into her plans: Warren turns up dead by someone else’s hand.
Now Victoria finds herself at the center of a murder investigation in which she is actually innocent. The real killer taunts her, making it clear that they knew what she was planning all along. With the police closing in and her neighbors turning on her, Victoria is going to lose everything she had hoped to gain from Warren’s death, unless she can figure out who wanted her husband dead and why. It turns out that Warren was better at keeping secrets than she ever could have guessed. But which secret is the one that led to his death? And even if she can find the answers, does Victoria have what it takes to confront a real murderer?
In this twisty thriller from the author of Chloe Cates Is Missing, danger comes from both the monsters among us and the monsters that lurk inside us.
Now Victoria finds herself at the center of a murder investigation in which she is actually innocent. The real killer taunts her, making it clear that they knew what she was planning all along. With the police closing in and her neighbors turning on her, Victoria is going to lose everything she had hoped to gain from Warren’s death, unless she can figure out who wanted her husband dead and why. It turns out that Warren was better at keeping secrets than she ever could have guessed. But which secret is the one that led to his death? And even if she can find the answers, does Victoria have what it takes to confront a real murderer?
In this twisty thriller from the author of Chloe Cates Is Missing, danger comes from both the monsters among us and the monsters that lurk inside us.
312 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2023
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
November 19, 2023
After ten years of marriage, Victoria Tate has reached her limit with her controlling, inept husband, Warren. The fact that he had been made CEO over her when Victoria’s father died grated enough as it was, but now Warren thinks he can tell her what to do with her own body. Single-handedly, he has elected that it’s time for them to have children and insists that she take a sabbatical from the company immediately. For Victoria, that’s one step too far and decides it’s time not for kids, but for murder.
Determined to get away with the perfect crime, Victoria starts researching how others have gotten caught in the past. Through true crime podcasts and plenty of her own common sense, she sets about making her plan a reality—until the annual gala ball is rescheduled, that is. Changed to the very night that she had wanted to kill Warren, she has to think fast. After all, she’s not about to alter her next move, as it’s about time she was set free from his grasp.
The last thing Victoria expects, though, is for Warren to turn up dead before she ever has the chance to exact her carefully plotted revenge. Murdered by someone else on the very night she had planned to do it herself, Victoria quickly finds herself immersed in a police investigation for a crime of which she is actually innocent. Just to make matters worse, the true culprit starts bating her with proof that they knew what she was planning on doing all along. Suddenly she finds herself in a chess match with a devious opponent where one of them will surely end up behind bars—if not somewhere far worse.
As the days pass, things begin to unravel. The once understanding police start to eye Victoria with suspicion. The neighbors who had been offering well wishes one moment are now turning hostile in her presence. All of which makes Victoria see that if she can’t stop the bleeding and figure out who really murdered her husband, she’ll likely end up losing everything she had hoped she would gain from his death in the first place. And besides, as she was unable to murder Warren herself, it’s only right that she should hunt down whoever has put her in this position no matter the cost.
Digging into her husband’s life, however, Victoria starts to uncover one secret after another. As they start to grow in number, she wonders if she ever really knew her husband at all. Did one of these secrets actually lead to Warren’s death? And if so, what will Victoria do to stop the killer in their tracks? After all, does she really have what it takes to come face-to-face with a murderer—let alone beat them at their own game?
I’m speechless. Utterly speechless at the pure perfection I just finished reading. From start to finish, It Takes Monsters had me under its mighty control. With perfectly crafted unlikeable characters, layers upon layers of lies, and ever ratcheting foreboding, my mind was well and truly blown. Was it over-the-top? Yes, just a tad. But only in the best possible way.
From the beginning, I had nary an inkling about where this story was headed. Don’t get me wrong, after completing the book, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the plot was littered with perfectly obscured clues that had the potential to allow this puzzle to be pieced together. In reality, however, the winding tale of everything Victoria didn’t know kept me from making even one correct guess. And that, if I do say so myself, was a *chef’s kiss* move to this thriller snob.
The characters, as I’ve already stated before, were hardly likeable, but somehow as the page count grew, so too did my desire for Victoria to be vindicated. In a cast of personas that had me second guessing who I could trust, however, I found myself questioning even the leading lady herself. That is a feat that only a true virtuoso can master as not only did I have doubts about her innocence, but it didn’t keep me from rooting for her in the least. Bravo, Ms. McHugh, on such a coup.
Then there were the twists. Coming in fast and heavy, they managed to morph the direction of the novel more times than I could count. Not once, however, did it feel forced or difficult to follow. Instead, the perfectly plotted storyline flowed just like silk until the downright barn burner of a climax. Perhaps it did require just a small suspension of disbelief, but for what I just read? I’d be happy to do it over and over again.
By the time I flipped the last page, which wasn’t without its own stunning turn of events, I was already wishing I could read this one over again blind right there and then. And while I already loved McHugh’s debut, Chloe Cates Is Missing, this book cemented the fact that she is now a clear contender to be one of my all-time favorite authors. Between giggle-worthy banter, thoroughly bingeable short chapters, and tension so thick you could cut it with a knife, this domestic thriller is sure to be one of the biggest home runs this fall. Rating of 5+ stars.
Thank you to Mandy McHugh, Scarlet Suspense/Penzler Publishing, and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
👉 Be sure to head to my Amazon Storefront to order. I get a small commission and would love your support!
Trigger warning: controlling relationship, gaslighting, stabbing, mention of: cancer, drug addiction, arson
Determined to get away with the perfect crime, Victoria starts researching how others have gotten caught in the past. Through true crime podcasts and plenty of her own common sense, she sets about making her plan a reality—until the annual gala ball is rescheduled, that is. Changed to the very night that she had wanted to kill Warren, she has to think fast. After all, she’s not about to alter her next move, as it’s about time she was set free from his grasp.
The last thing Victoria expects, though, is for Warren to turn up dead before she ever has the chance to exact her carefully plotted revenge. Murdered by someone else on the very night she had planned to do it herself, Victoria quickly finds herself immersed in a police investigation for a crime of which she is actually innocent. Just to make matters worse, the true culprit starts bating her with proof that they knew what she was planning on doing all along. Suddenly she finds herself in a chess match with a devious opponent where one of them will surely end up behind bars—if not somewhere far worse.
As the days pass, things begin to unravel. The once understanding police start to eye Victoria with suspicion. The neighbors who had been offering well wishes one moment are now turning hostile in her presence. All of which makes Victoria see that if she can’t stop the bleeding and figure out who really murdered her husband, she’ll likely end up losing everything she had hoped she would gain from his death in the first place. And besides, as she was unable to murder Warren herself, it’s only right that she should hunt down whoever has put her in this position no matter the cost.
Digging into her husband’s life, however, Victoria starts to uncover one secret after another. As they start to grow in number, she wonders if she ever really knew her husband at all. Did one of these secrets actually lead to Warren’s death? And if so, what will Victoria do to stop the killer in their tracks? After all, does she really have what it takes to come face-to-face with a murderer—let alone beat them at their own game?
I’m speechless. Utterly speechless at the pure perfection I just finished reading. From start to finish, It Takes Monsters had me under its mighty control. With perfectly crafted unlikeable characters, layers upon layers of lies, and ever ratcheting foreboding, my mind was well and truly blown. Was it over-the-top? Yes, just a tad. But only in the best possible way.
From the beginning, I had nary an inkling about where this story was headed. Don’t get me wrong, after completing the book, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the plot was littered with perfectly obscured clues that had the potential to allow this puzzle to be pieced together. In reality, however, the winding tale of everything Victoria didn’t know kept me from making even one correct guess. And that, if I do say so myself, was a *chef’s kiss* move to this thriller snob.
The characters, as I’ve already stated before, were hardly likeable, but somehow as the page count grew, so too did my desire for Victoria to be vindicated. In a cast of personas that had me second guessing who I could trust, however, I found myself questioning even the leading lady herself. That is a feat that only a true virtuoso can master as not only did I have doubts about her innocence, but it didn’t keep me from rooting for her in the least. Bravo, Ms. McHugh, on such a coup.
Then there were the twists. Coming in fast and heavy, they managed to morph the direction of the novel more times than I could count. Not once, however, did it feel forced or difficult to follow. Instead, the perfectly plotted storyline flowed just like silk until the downright barn burner of a climax. Perhaps it did require just a small suspension of disbelief, but for what I just read? I’d be happy to do it over and over again.
By the time I flipped the last page, which wasn’t without its own stunning turn of events, I was already wishing I could read this one over again blind right there and then. And while I already loved McHugh’s debut, Chloe Cates Is Missing, this book cemented the fact that she is now a clear contender to be one of my all-time favorite authors. Between giggle-worthy banter, thoroughly bingeable short chapters, and tension so thick you could cut it with a knife, this domestic thriller is sure to be one of the biggest home runs this fall. Rating of 5+ stars.
Thank you to Mandy McHugh, Scarlet Suspense/Penzler Publishing, and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
👉 Be sure to head to my Amazon Storefront to order. I get a small commission and would love your support!
Trigger warning: controlling relationship, gaslighting, stabbing, mention of: cancer, drug addiction, arson
March 5, 2024
Instagram || Threads || Facebook || Amazon || TikTok
There's a Little Free Library near me that, I kid you not, is owned by someone with the best taste in books. I'll go there a couple times a week to do drop offs of my own cast-offs, and I'll find some really amazing thrillers and romance novels in there to take home. IT TAKES MONSTERS is one of those.
The premise intrigued me-- because who doesn't love the revenge fantasy of a fed-up woman who decides her husband must die for taking away her agency and turning her into a baby-maker-- and the cover seemed to promise some sort of sexy menage action... or maybe another man or woman, who maybe, idk, helps the heroine hide the body? (Or bodies? *wiggles eyebrows*) But no.
I don't want to say too much about this book because less is definitely more and I also don't want to spoil the ending (which I TOTALLY predicted, by the way, ugh). So first, here's what the book did well. This had a fun, almost retro, 90s horror/thriller vibe to it, and I liked that. The banter was also fun and sometimes quotable, and you know me, I love a female antiheroine (even if she's pretty stupid and is a little too attached to her emotional support murder tarp). Victoria was hilarious and fun.
IT TAKES MONSTERS didn't work for me in a couple ways. I feel like the premise and the cover promise smut, or at least some spice. This book had no spice. What KILLS me is that it would have been so easy to include some too, since one of the scenes literally takes place at a masked sex party, which the heroine goes to and does not have sex. RUDE. I also felt like the motive for the murders didn't make sense, and for me, that's the whole point of a murder mystery. Having it make sense.
This wasn't a bad book by any means and even though I kinda sorta skimmed the end a little bit, I would read more from this author. It's too gory to be a cozy mystery but if you are looking for thrillers that don't have spice or romance, but do feature female protagonists and a bit of a scare, this will definitely be your cup of tea. Thanks so much to Corvina for reading it with me!
3 to 3.5 stars
January 12, 2024
! OMG this book is SO damn good!! 👏👏 So good that it’s on my top 🔝 ten 2023 list for the year!! Actually my top five. 😉 🥂🥂 This book was not on my radar until @thrillerbookloverspromotions @blondethrillerbooklover put it there!! 😘 Okay wow!! Listen to this…
He thinks she is his property.. she belongs to him… what Warren doesn’t realize… she wants him dead… 😳… EXCEPT… someone beats her to it!! 😳🤷♀️ WTH right?!! 🤯 My mind was going a million miles an hour trying to figure out… was Victoria being framed?? Was Warren just pissing everyone off? 😂🤔
Okay this was 100% my kind of thriller! I love snarky… crazy inner voice from my characters….and let me tell you… @acmchughwriter brought it!! 👏👏 I mean… “I like my face resting and full of bitch.” 😂😂 I about fell on the floor. SO fun!! Well in a murderous kind of way. 😉
I loved, loved, loved the siblings dynamics… these girls were brutal.😂 I immediately bought a copy of @acmchughwriter debut Chloe Cates is Missing. 😍 I need to get my top ten around and grab a photo. This definitely will be there!! This was fast paced…short chapters… and highly entertaining!! ALL the things I love.
❤️❤️❤️ Is this on your TBR?? Have you read Chloe Cates is Missing? What is a new to you author this year that you loved?? ❤️❤️❤️
He thinks she is his property.. she belongs to him… what Warren doesn’t realize… she wants him dead… 😳… EXCEPT… someone beats her to it!! 😳🤷♀️ WTH right?!! 🤯 My mind was going a million miles an hour trying to figure out… was Victoria being framed?? Was Warren just pissing everyone off? 😂🤔
Okay this was 100% my kind of thriller! I love snarky… crazy inner voice from my characters….and let me tell you… @acmchughwriter brought it!! 👏👏 I mean… “I like my face resting and full of bitch.” 😂😂 I about fell on the floor. SO fun!! Well in a murderous kind of way. 😉
I loved, loved, loved the siblings dynamics… these girls were brutal.😂 I immediately bought a copy of @acmchughwriter debut Chloe Cates is Missing. 😍 I need to get my top ten around and grab a photo. This definitely will be there!! This was fast paced…short chapters… and highly entertaining!! ALL the things I love.
❤️❤️❤️ Is this on your TBR?? Have you read Chloe Cates is Missing? What is a new to you author this year that you loved?? ❤️❤️❤️
February 14, 2024
I've started realizing that there's a very specific type of thriller that I'm enjoying recently and that's domestic thrillers. Set in suburbia or between seemingly 'perfect' couples? If you loved The Golden Couple or The Perfect Marriage - you're going to love It Takes Monsters!!
Also -- this is one of the first times that I genuinely haven't been mad at a main character for doing something that seems silly in light of the circumstances!!
NOTES:
- CWs: some gory parts but quick hitting (as in not overly detailed) and mentions of emotional abuse by parents, especially surrounding dieting culture etc.
**Thank you to Scarlet Publishing for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Find Me On Instagram 🦋 || More Bookish Thoughts & Reviews Here 🖤
Also -- this is one of the first times that I genuinely haven't been mad at a main character for doing something that seems silly in light of the circumstances!!
NOTES:
- CWs: some gory parts but quick hitting (as in not overly detailed) and mentions of emotional abuse by parents, especially surrounding dieting culture etc.
**Thank you to Scarlet Publishing for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Find Me On Instagram 🦋 || More Bookish Thoughts & Reviews Here 🖤
July 26, 2023
IT TAKES MONSTERS is my first read by Mandy McHugh, but I've heard of her after her last book, Chloe Cates is Missing was released last year, so I was really excited to pick this book up. The story centers around Victoria Tate and her frustrations with her husband Warren. She's so frustrated that she is planning the perfect murder against him. She cannot wait to be rid of him after they attend the social event of the year—an over-the-top Gala for charity. However, after the costume ball is over, Warren is already dead and it wasn't by the hands of Victoria.
I don't want to dive too much into the plot, but I loved this book! Not only is it oozing with suspense, Mandy McHugh's sarcastic wit comes out full force with Victoria that I couldn't help but love her and laugh with her frustrations. IT TAKES MONSTERS is the perfect combination of JANE DOE, STONE COLD FOX, and MY SUMMER DARLINGS. This book takes you on a twisty ride through the world of privilege, betrayal, and sex. This seductive thriller needs to be put on your TBR right now because it's been one of my favorite journeys this summer in a thriller and will be perfect for readers come October. I read this book in two sittings and have the dark circles to prove it! Mandy McHugh is an author to look out for because she will take readers by storm with IT TAKES MONSTERS.
I don't want to dive too much into the plot, but I loved this book! Not only is it oozing with suspense, Mandy McHugh's sarcastic wit comes out full force with Victoria that I couldn't help but love her and laugh with her frustrations. IT TAKES MONSTERS is the perfect combination of JANE DOE, STONE COLD FOX, and MY SUMMER DARLINGS. This book takes you on a twisty ride through the world of privilege, betrayal, and sex. This seductive thriller needs to be put on your TBR right now because it's been one of my favorite journeys this summer in a thriller and will be perfect for readers come October. I read this book in two sittings and have the dark circles to prove it! Mandy McHugh is an author to look out for because she will take readers by storm with IT TAKES MONSTERS.
July 24, 2023
3.5/5 stars rounded down
September 24, 2023
Victoria has had enough of her husband Warren. He's trying to control her, and nobody puts Victoria in a corner. Her solution? Murder of course. She has her plan mapped out and is ready for the big event. But guess what? Warren ends up dead, and not by her hand. And guess what else? She looks guilty AF🤯
This is an addictive unputdownable thriller that had me wanting to skip all my responsibilities and social engagements and just read read read read.
Amazing and expertly crafted
Absolutely loved it
This is an addictive unputdownable thriller that had me wanting to skip all my responsibilities and social engagements and just read read read read.
Amazing and expertly crafted
Absolutely loved it
February 4, 2024
What the?! Clearly, I put off reading this author for much too long, and now that Mandy McHugh blew me away with It Takes Monsters, I definitely need to go back and read her debut ASAP. From the very beginning, I had no idea where the story was going to go, and it took me places I didn’t expect at all. The story is told completely from Victoria’s viewpoint, and I almost feel like that heightened the suspense even more for me. The climax is bold and completely wild, and while you will have to suspend some disbelief, it is totally worth it. One part especially shocked me and all I can say is hold on to your hat’s folks, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
I also have nothing but praise to sing about the audiobook which Alex Picard narrates. She made this an incredible listening experience and even if I hadn’t loved the book as much as I did, I still would have loved her. Her tone, pacing, and emotion were all perfectly on point, so you can’t go wrong by listening to It Takes Monsters. I also highly recommend going into the book as blindly as possible as that will just up the suspense and curiosity factor. It was truly a mind-blowing read that kept me guessing, and I can’t wait to see what McHugh will write next!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I also have nothing but praise to sing about the audiobook which Alex Picard narrates. She made this an incredible listening experience and even if I hadn’t loved the book as much as I did, I still would have loved her. Her tone, pacing, and emotion were all perfectly on point, so you can’t go wrong by listening to It Takes Monsters. I also highly recommend going into the book as blindly as possible as that will just up the suspense and curiosity factor. It was truly a mind-blowing read that kept me guessing, and I can’t wait to see what McHugh will write next!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 17, 2023
I want to give a HUGE shout out to @acmchughauthor for sending me a copy of her sophomore novel! I will always be a fan of your work, friend! Thank you, @thrillerbookloverspromotions for sending me the ebook!
➡️THOUGHTS:
She does it again! 👏🏼👏🏼 I LOVED Chloe Cates is Missing and I LOVED It Takes Monsters! From the very first page to the end, this story had me on the edge of my seat! A woman plots to kill her husband, only to find out someone else murdered him before she could. A mysterious person called X sending her texts about her husbands death and taunting her. Who is X? How did X know she planned to kill her husband? Why is X harassing her?
I loved the suspense throughout! There were twists after twists! The short chapters had me saying “JUST ONE MORE!” until I reached the end! The sarcasm between our main character, Victoria, and her sister was *chefs kiss.* The tension in the last 1/4 of the book had me sweating and the surprise at the end left me with my jaw hanging open. I had to message Mandy right when I finished! 💕
This one comes out on Oct 17! You will definitely not want to miss this domestic thriller!
➡️THOUGHTS:
She does it again! 👏🏼👏🏼 I LOVED Chloe Cates is Missing and I LOVED It Takes Monsters! From the very first page to the end, this story had me on the edge of my seat! A woman plots to kill her husband, only to find out someone else murdered him before she could. A mysterious person called X sending her texts about her husbands death and taunting her. Who is X? How did X know she planned to kill her husband? Why is X harassing her?
I loved the suspense throughout! There were twists after twists! The short chapters had me saying “JUST ONE MORE!” until I reached the end! The sarcasm between our main character, Victoria, and her sister was *chefs kiss.* The tension in the last 1/4 of the book had me sweating and the surprise at the end left me with my jaw hanging open. I had to message Mandy right when I finished! 💕
This one comes out on Oct 17! You will definitely not want to miss this domestic thriller!
October 23, 2023
✨B O O K • R E V I E W✨
It Takes Monsters // Released Oct 17, 2023
“It took monsters to affect change,” (324).
True crime podcasts have taught Victoria Tate everything she needs to know about committing the perfect murder.
This book is so well written - and while this statement can be seen as generic, this book is anything but. It’s laugh-out-loud hilarious, straight up suspenseful, and downright mysterious. All at the same time.
Victoria is tired of the men in her life controlling what she does - the limits they put on her and the boxes they shove her in. Her father has died but even in death he found ways to screw with Vic’s life. Then there is her husband.
Deciding to take her life into her own hands, Victoria comes up with a plan to get her life back - to live life on her own terms. But something isn’t right, as she hides in the shadows of her house waiting for her drunk husband to return home the hours keep ticking by and then there’s a knock on her door.
This is a fast-paced thriller that will have you guessing until the very end. It’s one of those books that you don’t realize you’re reading - it grabs you completely drawing you in deeper and deeper.
This debut book **NOT DEBUT IM A MORON** knocks it out of the park and puts author, Mandy McHugh, on the fast track to being one of the greatest thriller writers of our time. I’m a fan - and I need more! The story entertains throughout.
“It’s scary, isn’t it? How you think you know someone, but none of us really know each other at all,” (201).
#ItTakesMonsters #bookstagram #books #lovereading #thrillerbooks #mustreadbooks
It Takes Monsters // Released Oct 17, 2023
“It took monsters to affect change,” (324).
True crime podcasts have taught Victoria Tate everything she needs to know about committing the perfect murder.
This book is so well written - and while this statement can be seen as generic, this book is anything but. It’s laugh-out-loud hilarious, straight up suspenseful, and downright mysterious. All at the same time.
Victoria is tired of the men in her life controlling what she does - the limits they put on her and the boxes they shove her in. Her father has died but even in death he found ways to screw with Vic’s life. Then there is her husband.
Deciding to take her life into her own hands, Victoria comes up with a plan to get her life back - to live life on her own terms. But something isn’t right, as she hides in the shadows of her house waiting for her drunk husband to return home the hours keep ticking by and then there’s a knock on her door.
This is a fast-paced thriller that will have you guessing until the very end. It’s one of those books that you don’t realize you’re reading - it grabs you completely drawing you in deeper and deeper.
This debut book **NOT DEBUT IM A MORON** knocks it out of the park and puts author, Mandy McHugh, on the fast track to being one of the greatest thriller writers of our time. I’m a fan - and I need more! The story entertains throughout.
“It’s scary, isn’t it? How you think you know someone, but none of us really know each other at all,” (201).
#ItTakesMonsters #bookstagram #books #lovereading #thrillerbooks #mustreadbooks
September 6, 2023
Well Mandy McHugh, that was so good! I loved Chloe Cates so I knew ai would love this too. What a dark, twisty and super fun read. If you are looking for a fast paced, page turner that is a little bit messed up then you need this book. None of the characters are particularly likeable, but that just makes it more fun as they all deserve something to bite them 😅 Don’t you hate it when you make a plan to kill your controlling husband and somebody gets there first! Yep, this is what happens to Victoria. She has her plan all worked out and is ready to go ahead and end his life when she gets a detective knocking at her door to tell her that Warren has been murdered. What the? Of course, this makes her life easier, but then. The killer starts to message her, and knows things about her plan and life than nobody knows. Who is doing this and why? a read it and find out. Trust me, you won’t regret picking this one up. It was one that kept me reading into the night because I had to know how it would finish. And relight until the very last page, the surprises keep coming. Published on October 17th, thank you so much to NetGalley, Penzler Publishing and Thriller Book Promotions for my early copy.
February 26, 2024
This book is about the perils of GIRLBOSSIN' TOO CLOSE TO THE SUN
2.5 stars
This book made little to no sense, but it was in a fun way, so I ain't mad.
*SPOILERS*
PROS: the gore. Weirdly, I thought this was the strongest part of the book.
CONS: making sense, the plot, the mystery, the idea that this wet fish weenie Warren would be able to make Victoria do a single solitary thing she didn't want to
Also, not everything needs to be full of penises, but the cover of this book absolutely promises at least a smidgen of STEAM, but the book itself is rather aggressively SEXLESS.
The book is 2.5/5 but the buddy read with Nenia is 5/5 <3
2.5 stars
This book made little to no sense, but it was in a fun way, so I ain't mad.
*SPOILERS*
PROS: the gore. Weirdly, I thought this was the strongest part of the book.
CONS: making sense, the plot, the mystery, the idea that this wet fish weenie Warren would be able to make Victoria do a single solitary thing she didn't want to
Also, not everything needs to be full of penises, but the cover of this book absolutely promises at least a smidgen of STEAM, but the book itself is rather aggressively SEXLESS.
The book is 2.5/5 but the buddy read with Nenia is 5/5 <3
June 11, 2024
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you so much!
I great story of ambition, secrets, lies, murder and mayhem. Couldn't put it down!
I great story of ambition, secrets, lies, murder and mayhem. Couldn't put it down!
November 3, 2023
I really enjoyed this one, my first by Mandy McHugh (I know, I know). It was full of twists, some I did not see coming and had me reacting as I read, which you know I always love. It’s always fun when many people want someone dead, it helps to keep you guessing and usually in this case I am wrong. Victoria was a great protagonist, I enjoyed how she navigated her situation and her relationships in the aftermath of losing her husband, the one she wanted to kill and didn’t get there fast enough mind you, and having the real killer taunt her via text was genius. The ending was wild, left me gasping and omg’ng, and just I love it when an author is not afraid to push it a bit, which absolutely occurred here. I loved this one so much, if you have not read it yet you must add it to your list!
Thank you to Scarlet Suspense and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for the digital copy to review.
Thank you to Scarlet Suspense and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for the digital copy to review.
July 19, 2023
Are you looking for a twisty domestic suspense book? Then this book is perfect and you need to pick it up. I was immediately hooked from page one with the MC (Victoria) plotting to murder her husband. I read over 50% of the book is one sitting and finished it in record time because I HAD TO KNOW HOW IT ENDED. The ending was 🤯 with several unexpected twists, every time I was suspicious of the killer, I was so wrong! Do yourself a favor and add this to your TBR.
I’m giving this 4.5 stars but rounding down on Goodreads.
Many thanks to @thrillerbookloverspromotions and Mandy McHugh’s for my gifted ebook!
I’m giving this 4.5 stars but rounding down on Goodreads.
Many thanks to @thrillerbookloverspromotions and Mandy McHugh’s for my gifted ebook!
July 8, 2023
𝑽𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒉 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒖𝒔𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒅, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒌.
The sophomore follow-up to CHLOE CATES IS MISSING, IT TAKES MONSTERS was a deliciously dark, deeply atmospheric read packed with sardonic humor and pop culture allusions. With nods to Dexter, Baz Luhrmann's 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒕, and even a couple of sly Supernatural references, this book is guaranteed to be the smash hit of the fall.
Victoria Tate has had enough of her controlling husband Warren. It wasn't enough that he took over the company that was supposed to be hers; now he's making her quit working to stay home and pop out babies. Victoria decides there is no alternative but to kill him. She drapes their bedroom in plastic sheeting a la Dexter but is thwarted when an ostentatious costume party, the social event of the year, is scheduled for the same night as Warren's demise.
The descriptions of the party are some of the best scenes in the book as the atmosphere is crackling with tension. The masks that many are wearing are sinister and menacing, and after an encounter with someone in an executioner's mask, Victoria makes a hasty exit. The big surprise is Warren is murdered at the party, and not by Victoria. But the real killer knows what she has planned and sends her photos of the plastic-draped bedroom to taunt her. What does this person want, and who else would want to kill Warren?
This is the type of book that you just won't be able to put down once you start it. Thank you so much to NetGalley, Scarlet/Penzler Publishing, and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for this early read. IT TAKES MONSTERS will publish October 17, 2023.
The sophomore follow-up to CHLOE CATES IS MISSING, IT TAKES MONSTERS was a deliciously dark, deeply atmospheric read packed with sardonic humor and pop culture allusions. With nods to Dexter, Baz Luhrmann's 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒕, and even a couple of sly Supernatural references, this book is guaranteed to be the smash hit of the fall.
Victoria Tate has had enough of her controlling husband Warren. It wasn't enough that he took over the company that was supposed to be hers; now he's making her quit working to stay home and pop out babies. Victoria decides there is no alternative but to kill him. She drapes their bedroom in plastic sheeting a la Dexter but is thwarted when an ostentatious costume party, the social event of the year, is scheduled for the same night as Warren's demise.
The descriptions of the party are some of the best scenes in the book as the atmosphere is crackling with tension. The masks that many are wearing are sinister and menacing, and after an encounter with someone in an executioner's mask, Victoria makes a hasty exit. The big surprise is Warren is murdered at the party, and not by Victoria. But the real killer knows what she has planned and sends her photos of the plastic-draped bedroom to taunt her. What does this person want, and who else would want to kill Warren?
This is the type of book that you just won't be able to put down once you start it. Thank you so much to NetGalley, Scarlet/Penzler Publishing, and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for this early read. IT TAKES MONSTERS will publish October 17, 2023.
August 20, 2023
Mandy McHugh does it again! 👏🏼
A woman plots to kill her controlling husband and before she can “execute” the plan - someone else kills him in an extremely gruesome way. And then the killer begins to message the woman…to let her know it’s not over.
I figured out who the killer was at about the midpoint but the why part escaped me. And then the final showdown was epic and intense. The last two pages tho? Fuuuucuuck.
A woman plots to kill her controlling husband and before she can “execute” the plan - someone else kills him in an extremely gruesome way. And then the killer begins to message the woman…to let her know it’s not over.
I figured out who the killer was at about the midpoint but the why part escaped me. And then the final showdown was epic and intense. The last two pages tho? Fuuuucuuck.
August 7, 2023
4.5 rounded up.
I’ll say this extra loud for those in the back - BANGER ALERT 🚨🚨
I FLEW through this book and I loved every dark, sassy and gruesome moment 🤩🤩
This is the first book I’ve read by Mandy McHugh but that will absolutely change - I’m already scoping out Chloe Cates is Missing!! 👀
Anyway, on to the book in hand… It Takes Monsters is a dark and twisty thriller, dripping in sass… the sarky humour was wickedly sharp - I LOVED IT!! 🖤🖤
Victoria Tate’s husband has got on her last wick… he’s controlling, he’s taken over the company that should have been hers, and now he’s planning for her to move into a more “domesticated” role, shall we say… she decides enough is enough and it’s time to get shot of him… by killing him (obvs…)🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️ but alas, plans never go as needed and the selfish bugger manages to get himself murdered by someone else! 😏😏 And they’re taunting and blackmailing her with it to boot!!! Victoria is seething and plans to find the person who stole her opportunity😡😡
This book was soooo good 👏👏 it was so twisty and I was hooked from the get go! But the absolute gold for me, was the dialogue. Mandy McHugh - you are a MASTER in sarky dark wit!! I loved the interactions between Victoria and other characters, but my favourite was the bants between Victoria and Teagan! As much as I loved Victoria, I feel Teagan pipped it for me! Fab character 🖤🖤
This one starts off a bit slower in the beginning with a more character driven plot, then about half way through it picks up in the thrills and suspense, and by the end your holding onto your knickers!!! 🫨����
It’s got Killing Eve vibes ALL over it 🔪🩸
THANK YOU so much to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for putting this on my radar, and Scarlet Suspense and NetGalley for the advanced E-copy. You need to pop this one in your calendar 🗓️ 🗓️
I’ll say this extra loud for those in the back - BANGER ALERT 🚨🚨
I FLEW through this book and I loved every dark, sassy and gruesome moment 🤩🤩
This is the first book I’ve read by Mandy McHugh but that will absolutely change - I’m already scoping out Chloe Cates is Missing!! 👀
Anyway, on to the book in hand… It Takes Monsters is a dark and twisty thriller, dripping in sass… the sarky humour was wickedly sharp - I LOVED IT!! 🖤🖤
Victoria Tate’s husband has got on her last wick… he’s controlling, he’s taken over the company that should have been hers, and now he’s planning for her to move into a more “domesticated” role, shall we say… she decides enough is enough and it’s time to get shot of him… by killing him (obvs…)🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️ but alas, plans never go as needed and the selfish bugger manages to get himself murdered by someone else! 😏😏 And they’re taunting and blackmailing her with it to boot!!! Victoria is seething and plans to find the person who stole her opportunity😡😡
This book was soooo good 👏👏 it was so twisty and I was hooked from the get go! But the absolute gold for me, was the dialogue. Mandy McHugh - you are a MASTER in sarky dark wit!! I loved the interactions between Victoria and other characters, but my favourite was the bants between Victoria and Teagan! As much as I loved Victoria, I feel Teagan pipped it for me! Fab character 🖤🖤
This one starts off a bit slower in the beginning with a more character driven plot, then about half way through it picks up in the thrills and suspense, and by the end your holding onto your knickers!!! 🫨����
It’s got Killing Eve vibes ALL over it 🔪🩸
THANK YOU so much to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for putting this on my radar, and Scarlet Suspense and NetGalley for the advanced E-copy. You need to pop this one in your calendar 🗓️ 🗓️
August 20, 2023
I really, really wanted to like this book because the premise was great. There was a great line in the first chapter: "Victoria hadn't gone to church in a long time, but she was pretty sure that if God didn't want her to kill her husband, then he wouldn't have made him such a prick,"** which was hilarious, and I was hoping it would set the tone for the rest of the book. Unfortunately, this one did not really work for me. Victoria and her sister were too over-the-top, unrelatable, and unlikeable. Please note: I LOVE an unlikeable female MC - give me all of the vengeance-filled, sweary, angry women who DNGAF about making men (or anyone else) like them, but these characters were not quite what I was looking for. I do think fans of authors like Jeneva Rose and Jamie Lynn Hendricks -- who embrace their characters going fully reality-tv-style bananas -- would likely really enjoy this!
* thank you to Penzler Publishers / Scarlet and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for the NetGalley review copy. It Takes Monsters publishes October 17.
** quote was taken from an uncorrected proof and may change prior to publication, but omg why?
* thank you to Penzler Publishers / Scarlet and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for the NetGalley review copy. It Takes Monsters publishes October 17.
** quote was taken from an uncorrected proof and may change prior to publication, but omg why?
July 10, 2023
It Takes Monsters is a darkly humorous novel. The atmosphere is incredible and you can't help but be immersed into this story and follow Victoria's plans to kill her husband and subsequently try to find his murderer. I loved how unique and interesting this plot was and I could not put this down. I highly recommend It Takes Monsters and I will definitely be checking out more by this author.
January 19, 2024
I don’t get these high reviews?!? This was torturous. The best part was the first several paragraphs. I stuck with it to the bitter end hoping it would get better. It did not.
January 14, 2024
Victoria planned to kill her husband. She laid the plastic sheets “Dexter” style in the bedroom. She had a flawless plan. But the night it was supposed to happen after an outrageous Gatsby style gala, he never came home. Now the cops are at the door- he’s dead- murdered. Victoria is a suspect but SHE DIDN’T DO IT!
So who did? And why is she being stalked by the mysterious person who calls themselves X?
I loved this unique plot. Victoria is a highly driven woman and her husband was going to make her stay home and have babies. He cut her out of her own company. So yeah, he should be dead. Even though none of these characters are likable, this author has us invested in them.I loved the banter between Victoria and her sister Teagan. Only thing is the abrupt ending. When you’re invested in the characters you have to know how the get on after everything goes to hell, so I would have liked an epilogue. Still, 5 Stars for this thriller!
So who did? And why is she being stalked by the mysterious person who calls themselves X?
I loved this unique plot. Victoria is a highly driven woman and her husband was going to make her stay home and have babies. He cut her out of her own company. So yeah, he should be dead. Even though none of these characters are likable, this author has us invested in them.I loved the banter between Victoria and her sister Teagan. Only thing is the abrupt ending. When you’re invested in the characters you have to know how the get on after everything goes to hell, so I would have liked an epilogue. Still, 5 Stars for this thriller!
September 25, 2023
This is a fresh and feisty thriller! Victoria Tate has reached her last nerve with her arrogant husband, Warren, who after taking her birthright as CEO of her father’s company, now has the audacity to send her home from work all together so she can live out her days barefoot and pregnant. The nerve of him! So, naturally, she gets busy planning his MURDER! But before she can carry out her nefarious plans, someone else murders Warren. Apparently he has other enemies besides his wife. But the murderer is ready to play games with Victoria and more than happy to see her pay for this most heinous crime. This story was wicked and sassy and twisty and super fun! Thank you Netgalley, Penzler Publishers, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on October 17, 2023
November 18, 2023
This sophomore novel and domestic suspense read was extremely captivating and propulsive! A story about a wife plotting to murder her husband? Sign me up! I was immediately intrigued and hooked and I completely relished in how deliciously dark and sinister it was!
I’m always here for some juicy domestic drama and dysfunction and this one was hard to put down! I enjoyed how unlikeable and well developed of a character Victoria was that I couldn’t help also rooting for her to absolved and proven innocent!
It was super twisty, and while I guessed some, I was absolutely blinded by some as well! All around an entertaining and perfectly plotted game of cat and mouse.
I’m always here for some juicy domestic drama and dysfunction and this one was hard to put down! I enjoyed how unlikeable and well developed of a character Victoria was that I couldn’t help also rooting for her to absolved and proven innocent!
It was super twisty, and while I guessed some, I was absolutely blinded by some as well! All around an entertaining and perfectly plotted game of cat and mouse.
Shelved as 'dnf'
October 23, 2023Chloe Cates was such a smart thriller and that was I expecting here. What I actually got was some Real Housewives level bs. Every character was so vapid and annoying that they all could have died for all I cared. DNF at 29%
October 25, 2023
It Takes Monsters is my first book by Mandy McHugh but it won’t be my last. If I could use one work to describe this book, it would be intense. The intensity kept me turning the page and the humor kept me completely invested in Victoria. McHugh perfectly portrayed a cat and mouse game.
Read
September 15, 2023DNF
October 12, 2023
This was an entertaining read, but not my favorite by the author. The characters were all very unlikable, but it did make guessing who the killer was harder because honestly they were all horrible enough to do it. It was over the top and unrealistic, and the characters were somewhat cliché. The biggest draw back though for me was there was a killer reveals all ending which is just a pet peeve of mine. As much as I like to know the details of what happened, I don’t love the Scooby Doo style reveal at all. There are plenty of twists and lots of drama and I think fans of Jeneva Rose will enjoy this one. I loved Chloe Cates is Missing and while this didn’t’ work quite as well for me, I still can’t wait to read what the author comes up with next.
October 16, 2023
4.5 stars
This book starts out strong and doesn’t let up the whole way through. I was instantly hooked on the writing and plot. Victoria Tate isn’t happy with her husband, Warren, trying to push her out of the company by saying they should start a family. (Meaning she should stay home with the babies.) She actually plans to kill him after the gala event that night. Things don’t go as she plans and Warren never comes home that night. Soon, Victoria finds out that he was murdered, but she didn’t do it.
The sarcastic wit throughout the book was on point. Victoria’s banter with her sister, Teagan, was fun, too.
The action throughout the book was fast paced and intense, at times.
Thank you to @thrillerbookloverspromotions @scarletsuspense and the author for the advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book starts out strong and doesn’t let up the whole way through. I was instantly hooked on the writing and plot. Victoria Tate isn’t happy with her husband, Warren, trying to push her out of the company by saying they should start a family. (Meaning she should stay home with the babies.) She actually plans to kill him after the gala event that night. Things don’t go as she plans and Warren never comes home that night. Soon, Victoria finds out that he was murdered, but she didn’t do it.
The sarcastic wit throughout the book was on point. Victoria’s banter with her sister, Teagan, was fun, too.
The action throughout the book was fast paced and intense, at times.
Thank you to @thrillerbookloverspromotions @scarletsuspense and the author for the advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 17, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up for this twisty read, and a huge thank you to NetGalley and Scarlet/Penzler Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Victoria Tate is sick of her controlling husband, Warren, and decides to kill him - and she's sure she can get away with it because she listens to so many true-crime podcasts. Unfortunately, on the night she has everything all set up to go, someone else beats her to it. And then she realizes that whoever actually killed her husband knew about her own murderous plans and has set her up, and she will likely go down for it if she can't find them first. As expected from that synopsis, this is a fun but dark novel with mostly unlikable characters. I didn't connect with any of them and that is what's keeping me from rating it higher, but I certainly didn't hate it.
The positives: Mandy McHugh is a good writer, the chapters were mostly quick, and there were several twists and turns throughout. Best of all, I did not figure out who the murderer was ahead of time (probably because every character in the book seemed likely to have done it). The negatives: as mentioned, everyone was unlikable and I just didn't click with it. The reveal at the end annoyed me because the murderer spelled the entire thing out, every last little detail...which sure, I enjoy finding out the hows and whys, but having someone just talk and talk and tell every detail of it is so unrealistic and one of my pet peeves in books. Still, I think it's worth reading if you like dark, twisty tales, and I think it will be very popular when it's released this October.
Victoria Tate is sick of her controlling husband, Warren, and decides to kill him - and she's sure she can get away with it because she listens to so many true-crime podcasts. Unfortunately, on the night she has everything all set up to go, someone else beats her to it. And then she realizes that whoever actually killed her husband knew about her own murderous plans and has set her up, and she will likely go down for it if she can't find them first. As expected from that synopsis, this is a fun but dark novel with mostly unlikable characters. I didn't connect with any of them and that is what's keeping me from rating it higher, but I certainly didn't hate it.
The positives: Mandy McHugh is a good writer, the chapters were mostly quick, and there were several twists and turns throughout. Best of all, I did not figure out who the murderer was ahead of time (probably because every character in the book seemed likely to have done it). The negatives: as mentioned, everyone was unlikable and I just didn't click with it. The reveal at the end annoyed me because the murderer spelled the entire thing out, every last little detail...which sure, I enjoy finding out the hows and whys, but having someone just talk and talk and tell every detail of it is so unrealistic and one of my pet peeves in books. Still, I think it's worth reading if you like dark, twisty tales, and I think it will be very popular when it's released this October.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews