Review of Red Dahlia by S. T. Putter

 

Review of Red Dahlia by S. T. Putter

In the town of Red Dahlia, Lacy Jane comes home to a terrifying scene and discovers that her mother has vanished. Her disappearance draws Lacy and the family sheltering her into a mystery that grows far stranger than anyone expects. As the danger spreads, the story moves from a haunting small town mystery into supernatural and apocalyptic horror.

The book’s strongest thread is the bond between Lacy, her mother Becky, and Jones. Their efforts to protect one another give the frightening events an emotional center. Putter is especially good at making familiar places feel unsafe: a family bathroom, a quiet street, or a path through the woods can become unsettling in a few lines. The creature imagery is vivid and often graphic.

Red Dahlia moves quickly and takes sharp turns. It shifts among characters, changes tone, and introduces new revelations with little pause. That energy makes it compelling, though readers who prefer a slower mystery or a steadier narrative may find some transitions abrupt. The prose also leans heavily on sensory detail, which heightens the atmosphere but can occasionally crowd the action.

This is a bold, bloody story about family, belonging, and the frightening possibility that someone you love may be a monster. Readers who enjoy emotionally driven horror with a large supernatural scope will find plenty to hold their attention.


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