Cruel and Bitter Things by Joseph Souza

A page-turning thriller that poses the question: does the end justify the means? Author Joseph Souza is an expert in exposing the psyche of a disturbed woman. Set aside a block of time to immerse yourself in her world. You’ll be hooked.

The premise of a woman serial killer will lure you in and keep you intrigued as her killing spirals out of control. With a plot that moves at an increasingly quick pace and lots of twists along the way, Cruel and Bitter Things is an unputdownable read.

The story features a woman who acts as judge, jury, and executioner. Gwynn is doing the world a favour by getting rid of evil. Or so she believes. But when she is in danger of being exposed as a killer, Gwynn gets rid of those who pose a threat to her freedom, convincing herself the world is better off without them. Among those who suspect she has a darker side are her therapist whose career goal is to find out what makes Gwynn tick, and her new boyfriend, the detective in charge of solving the murders Gwynn has committed. What will she do when they discover she is a killer? 

It’s complicated. What does make her tick? Is she capable of killing the people she loves if they get between her and her five-year-old son? Gwynn’s background is exposed by weaving it into the storyline, providing clues that explain why she is driven to kill. Her therapist’s first person point of view gives further insight into Gwynn’s mind. Detective Peters’ point of view adds an element of suspense as he considers his choices when the evidence mounts against the woman he loves. 

One surprise follows another as the story develops, and I found myself wondering whether to root for Gwynn or to hope someone stops her. I was constantly on edge, not knowing what to expect from her. Then came the final twist. Wow!