Book of the Week May 28, 2026
Lyla’s best friend, Allison, disappeared more than 20 years ago, likely inspiring Lyla to become a Detective Inspector. While she’s solved other crimes, this case lingers on—the only clue left behind, a poisoned apple, hinting at the tale of Snow White. Now another woman is gone, and Lyla and her constable cannot ignore the Cinderella theme seemingly in place. And then there is another death, with a Hansel and Gretel twist, earning the case the name The Grimm Ripper Murders. The fairy-tale motifs create a pleasantly eerie mood, and the gruesome staging of the murders linger. Benedict’s fusion of classic tales with a modern setting works especially well, setting this book apart from run-of-the-mill serial-killer thrillers. The story within a story, with some mind bending elements, requires sharp attention to the clues the author scatters throughout. Readers will relish working out the solution to the detective’s dilemma she works to stop the Wolf from striking again.—Dodie Ownes
