Scarlet’s life is pretty average. Overly protective mom. Great friends. Cute boy she’s interested in. And a father she’s never known – until she does.
When the FBI show up at Scarlet’s door, she is shocked to learn her father is infamous serial killer Jeffrey Robert Lake. And now, he’s dying and will only give the names and locations of his remaining victims to the one person, the daughter he hasn’t seen since she was a baby.
Scarlet’s mother has tried to protect her from Lake’s horrifying legacy, but there’s no way they can escape the media firestorm that erupts when they come out of hiding. Or the people who blame Scarlet for her father’s choices. When trying to do the right thing puts her life in danger, Scarlet is faced with a choice – go back into hiding or make the world see her as more than a monster’s daughter.
Kate McLaughlin’s Daughter is a novel about trying right deadly choices that were never yours to begin with.
This description reminded me a bit of the TV show Prodigal Son (still bitter about the whole cancellation thing). The serial killer’s son in that show was an adult, so I was interested to see how the scenario would play out with a teenage girl who didn’t know who her father was.
Scarlet’s family has only consisted of herself and her uber overprotective mother. No extended family and no father in the picture. Her friends and boyfriends are vetted by her mom, and Scarlet only goes on school trips if her mother is a chaperone. She assumes her mother has an extreme case of helicopter parenting, so imagine her shock when she learns (rather abruptly) that her father, Jeff, is an infamous serial killer. He’s dying in prison and will only release the other names of his victims and locations of their bodies to Scarlet. Talk about pressure and stressful situations.
Wanting to bring peace to the families of the victims and because she’s genuinely good person, Scarlet agrees to see him. The meetings between them are intense and dripping with tension – I was on the edge of my seat wondering if Jeff was playing her. You can’t help but think about the scenes with Anthony Hopkins and and Jodie Foster in The Silence of the Lambs. The snippets of articles in between chapters that explain the inner workings of sociopaths’ minds and how they differ from most peoples’ are fascinating and enabled me to understand Jeff’s conversations and reactions to Scarlet.
Something I especially liked about this book is that it brings to light how our society focuses more on the serial killer instead of the victims. This story shows how the lives of Jeff’s family and the victims’ families are affected by his actions.
Daughter isn’t for the faint of heart. Although the murders take place off page, Jeff does go into disturbing detail occasionally about the killings during his conversations with Scarlet. Compelling, chilling, and certainly dark, I’d recommend this novel to fans of psychological thrillers and true crime stories.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Books and Such 
Great review, Teri, but I’ll take a pass on this one. It sounds a bit too intense for me, and I’ve never been a fan of books with serial killers. shudder
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I knew I’d enjoy this one, but it reached out and held me captive, Mae. The dynamics between Scarlet and Jeff were so tense, but fascinating.
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Excellent review, Teri! I’m looking forward to this one. We purchased it recently. 😊
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I remember you saying you and your daughter were going to read it. Hope you enjoy it, Jenn!
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I’m still FURIOUS about Prodigal Son being cancelled. This sounds like a book I’d really enjoy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Teri.
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Same, Staci – but you and I are a curse to TV shows. Hope RDJ called on your birthday this year!
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We really are the kiss of death to good TV.
And no, my birthday buddy did not acknowledge me AGAIN. Sigh. I’m starting to think he’s never going to call and ask to turn my work into a movie that he’ll star in.
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Wow! This sounds like a really good read. I can only imagine the tension between the daughter and serial killer father. Thank you for sharing!
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Some intense scenes for sure, Jan. It was evident the author did her research.
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It sounds like a fabulous, tense read. You’re right, I think, how society tends to focus more on the serial killer than the victim.
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I read two books within weeks of each other that focused on that, Priscilla. I’d never thought about it, but sadly it’s very true.
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Thanks for sharing your excellent review, Teri.
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Thanks for visiting, John!
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😊
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I don’t read psychological thrillers lately but plot like this makes me pick them occasionally. Amazing review, Teri!
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Thanks, Yesha! This one’s gotten some great reviews. It’s a tension-filled read for sure.
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I liked that the story focused on the fact that society gives too much attention to the killer and not enough to the victims, too. I had never thought about that before. Excellent review!
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Neither had I, Tessa – it was very eye-opening and makes so much sense. I loved that aspect of this story.
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Scarlett is as much a victim as those her father killed. This sounds like a heartbreaking read.
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Parts of it are very heartbreaking, Jacquie, but my favorite part of the story was how it demonstrated the effect Jeff’s actions had on his family and his victims’ families.
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Sounds both heartbreaking and thriling. What a fascinating concept for a story. Terrific review, Teri.
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Thanks, Wendy! It was a gripping read – took less than two days for me to get through it.
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Oh wow this sounds fantastic! I do love a good serial killer thriller, and the angle used here is refreshing. Great review!
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Thanks, Yvonne! Sounds like this is one you’d enjoy – if you could fit it in your TBR.
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I have a copy waiting on my kindle. 😉
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Hi Teri, this sounds like a most interesting book. I was think that it sounded like some of the scenes in The Silence of the Lambs when you made your comment. Is this based on a real case?
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The author didn’t mention that it was, but it was clear she did tons of research, Robbie. I’m so glad I decided to give this one a try.
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