My Pretties

Jeff Strand, a Bram Stoker Award-nominated author known for PRESSURE, presents a novel centered on a serial kidnapper who abducts women and confines them in cages suspended from the ceiling of a soundproofed basement. He watches them nightly, waiting for starvation to claim his beautiful captives. Charlene and Gertie work together at a restaurant and have formed a close friendship. Charlene grows worried when she learns that Gertie’s cousin is among the missing victims. Gertie wanders city streets where abductions occurred, using herself as bait while carrying a high-voltage stun gun. Charlene reluctantly follows in a car to intervene if the plan fails. The narrative shifts focus as the women gain unwanted fame for their efforts. This attention places them on the radar of a very dangerous man who poses a significant threat. The story examines the psychological toll of stalking and the desperate measures taken by those seeking justice. It draws on traditions of suspense and supernatural horror, focusing on the immediate danger faced by ordinary people. Readers who enjoy tense, character-driven thrillers with elements of gothic dread will find this work suitable. Those preferring historical settings or light romance may wish to look elsewhere. The book suits fans of Strand’s previous work who appreciate detailed accounts of criminal psychology and the vulnerability of victims. It does not offer easy resolutions or safe havens for its characters. The tension builds through the specific actions of Gertie and Charlene as they confront a predator who operates in silence. The ending leaves the reader with a sense of lingering unease regarding the safety of those who fight back against such evil.