No Rest for the Wicked

by Rachel Louise Adams

With an expert hand, Rachel Louise Adams’s debut No Rest for the Wicked reads like an edge of your seat, heart-pounding scary movie.

In one Halloween obsessed Midwestern town, everyone’s on red alert after a local politician goes missing. Little do they know it’s only the beginning.

It’s been close to twenty years since forensic pathologist Dolores Hawthorne left her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin. The town is famous for its Halloween celebrations, but also its history of violent deaths linked to the holiday. To Dolores, it’s the place she fled, family, bad memories, and all. Until the FBI calls to tell her that her father--the former mayor turned US Senator--is missing under mysterious circumstances.

Some people count to ten to wake up from a nightmare. Dolores always counts the bones of her head sphenoid, frontal, lacrimal. But no matter how many times she counts them, it doesn’t change the fact that her father is missing, that his final words of warning to her were to trust no one, and that now, the rest of her family is giving Dolores a chilling welcome. With Halloween fast approaching, Dolores must face the past she left behind before it’s too late.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Halloween, Horror, Fiction, Suspense

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 16, 2025

About the author

5 Things You Should Know About Me:

1) I don’t believe in rating books, so all the reviews I leave on Goodreads will be 5 stars. Happy birthday to all authors, I guess.

2) I’m the proud creature of two wonderful cats.

3) I don’t believe in choosing between a great plot and great characters. Readers deserve both. But if I had to choose, I’d choose characters.

4) Don’t open a book of mine until you’ve checked the content warnings on The Story Graph.

5) Storytelling is magical. I sincerely believe that creating makes us better humans. Part of that process is connecting with readers, so reach out to me. I’ll answer you, and I’ll be glad to hear from you.

Finally, as to the sort of books that I like--let's just say that if a talented author rips out my heart, stabs it, and hands it back, my response will be: ‘Thanks. I’m your number one fan’.


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachellouis...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so this book is super good, but everyone should know that the cover is extremely misleading. You're probably thinking that this is a cozy mystery involving a nice pleasant woman who owns a lot of black cats or something, right?? And the cats are all quirky and cute and wander around doing endearing cat things, right?? Right?? Wrong. The cats in this book are feral cats who are being rounded up and murdered. And also one gets hit by a car. They're not a major plot point and there's nothing graphic, but holy shit I was so not prepared for the direction that the cat subplot took in this book.

Anyway, other than the cat-related awfulness, I really enjoyed this one. When I first requested it from NetGalley, I was under the impression that it was a supernatural mystery, probably because of the cover and the repeated mentions of Halloween. It turns out that there's actually nothing otherworldly about the events in this book, which I probably would have realized if I hadn't skimmed the blurb and loudly squealed “Ooh! Cats! Ooh! Halloween!” and immediately requested it. It's more of the ever-popular “estranged daughter returns home” trope meets a police procedural type deal, which is absolutely not a bad thing. It's dark and suspenseful and well-written and I definitely did not see the identity of the Big Bad coming. Some of it is a tad predictable – I daresay that most readers will figure out the twist regarding the 2003 Halloween party before any of the characters do – but I certainly didn't expect the present-day plotline to play out the way it did.

Also, this is not a cozy, no matter what the cute kitties on the cover tell you. Trigger warnings include: murder, sexual assault, cat death, kidnapping (of adults), and parental estrangement. There are also a few slightly gruesome scenes, and no one is running a food truck or a chocolate shop while rekindling feelings for their old high school boyfriend … or whatever it is that the kids these days are doing in cozy mysteries, I dunno. Pretty much all of the characters are broken people having broken people thoughts and doing broken people things, but in a not-overly-depressing sort of way.

It kind of feels like No Rest for the Wicked could be start of a new series, and if so I will happily read the next installment as soon as I can get my hands on it. I'm totally not going to be fooled if it has adorable puppies on the cover, though, because fool-me-once and all of that.

My overall rating: 4.35 stars, rounded down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 16, 2025.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who says you can never go home again? Dolores Hawthorne is a forensic pathologist who has not stepped foot in her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin in almost twenty years. When she receives a phone call from the FBI informing her father is missing under suspicious circumstances. Correct me if I am wrong but most people who go missing do so under mysterious circumstances, but I digress.

His final words to her were to trust no one, which doesn't make coming home feel very inviting. Her family members are giving her a cold reception, and the townspeople aren't that chummy either. But Dolores is determined to get to the bottom of what happened to her father and not one single creepy Halloween obsessed townsperson is going to get in her way or will they????

I thought the author did a great job of depicting the small town feel of this book. Little Horton, is where everyone either knows everyone, has dated everyone or is related to everyone. The author also does a great job of creating atmosphere and tension! The town has a dark, eerie, and creepy vibe with its Halloween obsession and cats running about.

This book is packed full of secrets and lies and a few twists as well. As the plot unfolds readers get glimpses into the past and the reason Dolores left town and stayed away for so long. This was a very well-crafted debut novel, and I look forward to reading more books by Rachel Louise Adams.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.


Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

[Nikki Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Rest For The Wicked is Rachel Louise Adams’s debut novel. One I highly enjoyed! It’s a slow burn thriller that I couldn’t put down.

First, can we just take a moment for that cover!!!! I freaking love it!!! I think this book will be flying off the shelves come this Halloween! 😻

It’s been almost twenty years since Dolores Hawthorne left home. She’s a successful pathologist out of LA. One day she gets a call saying her father is missing. The very father that she has been estranged from.

Some bad things happened back then, causing Dolores to flee her hometown in the first place. Your job is to figure out what and just who was responsible. And, where the heck is her father?

I finished this in two days and ate it right up! Can’t wait to see what she has coming out next!!! If you’re looking for a creepy read this coming spooky season, add No Rest For The Wicked to your TBR!!!

Thank you to Rachel Louise Adams, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity.
Pub Date - 9/16/25
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Heathers_readss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly think a little piece of my soul died at the ending of this book 😓😓 I am stunned that this is a debut, the writing is phenomenal, the plot so well thought out with such character depth / development and completely unexpected twists.

I need a book two just so I can see how Delores is doing after everything that happens, I need to make sure my girl is okay and happy 🥺🥺

The vibes were immaculate, small town that is absurdly obsessed with Halloween, two legacy family’s feuding in the midst of a murder mystery / serial killer spree .. what more can you actually ask for?!

This book is the thriller of your dreams and you seriously need to read it. If anybody is as emotionally invested as me with these characters and needs to form a support group please reach out to me 😂

Thank you for the gifted copy!! And seriously add this to your tbr shelf for the release date which is: September 16th 2025 💛

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there's one book you need to read this Fall or Halloween season, it's Rachel Louise Adams' debut thriller, NO REST FOR THE WICKED. With its haunting cover and intriguing synopsis, I knew that I needed to dive in.

In Halloween-obsessed Little Horton, a local politician vanishes, setting the town on edge. Forensic pathologist Dolores Hawthorne returns after twenty years when her father—the former mayor turned senator—disappears under mysterious circumstances. As Halloween nears, she must confront her past and a family who may not be trustworthy.

I chose to stick with the audiobook route and I am so happy I did because it's a 5 out of 5 narration! I listened to it in record speed and I am not a speed audiobook listener as it takes me time to pay attention. This book hooked me right from the beginning. The mystery is very unique and it gave me adult Halloweentown vibes without the magic (IDK IDK IDK but the town is obsessed with Halloween). I thought Dolores was a great protagonist—flawed and relatable that readers can feel close to. I also really enjoyed our secondary characters very much and could see them having their own book within Adams' universe if she chooses to do that. Speaking of which, I cannot wait to see what Rachel Louise Adams has in store next for readers. I hope she stays within this realm of thrillers, that's for sure.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. It took a very long time for threads to come together, and I found myself frustrated at times by not having enough context and feeling confused. The storyline was good however, and it was a fairly easy read.

Thank you to Net Galley and Minotaur Books for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Louise Adams, and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always eager to tackle books by authors new to me, I gladly accepted this ARC by Rachel Louise Adams. A debut thriller provides readers an insight into the ideas Adams has to offer, presenting both a thrilling and resourceful piece that is sure to keep people reading well into the night. Delores Hawthorne is returning to her Wisconsin hometown after being away for decades. Her purpose is to assist with a missing person investigation surrounding her father. However, as people turn up dead, Delores learns that there may be more going on of a notably sinister nature. She will have to watch her back as Hallowe’en spirits stir.
Adams pens a great first book for readers to enjoy.

Forensic pathologist Dolores Hawthorne has been away from her hometown for many years.
Little Horton, Wisconsin has a history of being one of America’s great Hallowe’en communities, but this is not why Delores has come back. Her father, a high-ranking politician, is missing and the FBI are seeking answers. Delores tries to find her father and determine what might have happened.

With a cryptic letter left for her, Delores tries to decipher what her father might be trying to tell her.
As Hallowe’en approaches, a number of violent murders turn the town to looking at past events or a similar nature. Delores is baffled and trying to solve things swiftly, permitting her to return to L.A.

With the pressure on, Delores works with the feds to shed light on the case, but can only wonder if she would have been better to stay away from Little Horton. Nothing is as it seems and Delores Hawthorne is soon in the hot seat to explain everything that has been taking place. A strong first novel by Rachel Louise Adams that has me hoping she has other ideas brewing.

I quite enjoy discovering new authors in genres familiar to me. Rachel Louise Adams delivers a strong debut novel that mixes a great thriller with something a little scarier. She keeps the reader on the edge of their seat as the mystery blossoms, with Hallowe’en serving as a great backdrop. Strong characters provide decent pathways for the the narrative to gain momentum. Plot points are sharp and keep twisting the reader in ways they might not have expected. I am eager to read more by Rachel Louise Adams in the future.

Kudos, Madam Adams, for a great debut!

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Donne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one sounded like an excellent choice for my Halloween reading binge. A town that has a gruesome history, of more than 125yrs, for Halloween murders. Yeah, that sounds like my kind of Halloween story.

The book summary introduces the primary storyline of Dolores, a Los Angeles forensic pathologist (therefore an extremely busy one), who left home (WI) 18yrs ago and has never been back. After getting a call from the FBI about her missing father, Dolores flies back home. What the book summary doesn’t say is that Dolores’s father left a cryptic message for her. Dolores hasn’t seen or spoken to anyone in her family since she left. Other than some generic birthday cards, she’s had no contact with her family. Needless to say, her showing up is not received well from her remaining family, especially stepmother Charlotte, and her much younger half-siblings, Asher and Josie. Without revealing any spoilers, it was revealed pretty early that there is a reason why Dolores hasn’t been home in 18yrs and why she and Charlotte despise each other.

The summary also doesn’t mention the other MC’s Kate, a local police officer and the two FBI agents Wyatt and Paul. Kate, the only woman on the force, gets the typical misogynistic crap from her Chief and fellow officers, and all the crap assignments like cat duty. The small town of Little Horton is kind of overrun with stray cats and the police are tasked with rounding them up, which usually falls to Kate. Additionally, Kate went to high school with Dolores and absolutely despises Dolores. Once the town doctor and ME is murdered, Wyatt and Paul designate Dolores as the town’s temporary ME.

The story flips back and forth between Dolores, Kate, and the agents, Wyatt and Paul and the investigation starts to reveal that there was something being covered up by Dolores’s father, a US Senator and the former Mayor and Gregory Lawson, a dairy king and the richest man in town. The Hawthornes and the Lawsons used to be close friends back in the day, which is so typical for a Senator and a rich business owner. Dolores even used to date Jacob Lawson. There is a reason they no longer are, but no spoilers here.

It’s not long before the dead bodies/murders start piling up and I’ve narrowed down the killer to two suspects. Wow! Did I ever get that one wrong! I did not see that one coming! It’s deep into the second half that the storylines collide and it’s a flurry of really scary and intense scenes for Dolores and others. The finale was really emotional, and I don’t know if it’s just me, but there was sort of a cliffhanger that had me thinking that this could be the start of a new series. I hope so, I will definitely read that or any sequel.

The character development for most of the MCs and the killer was well done. The pacing was steady to fast and the storyline very interesting with an overall really creepy vibe to it. The writing was also well done; had me completely shocked. I do want to mention one trigger warning, especially since the publisher decided to bring the matter front and center on the cover, but it was horrible to discover the fate of the kitties. When I saw the cover, I thought I was looking at familiars for a coven of witches. Not! Enough said on that terrible matter. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.4 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #NoRestfortheWicked

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written, entertaining, fast paced, captivating thriller. It has a likable, intelligent female protagonist, a small town setting, wit, a touch of humor, murder, mystery, suspense, secrets, lies, twists and turns, and an unexpected, satisfying conclusion. I especially liked the cats and the Halloween theme, and the heroine's unconventional method of dealing with stress. Many thanks to Ms. Adams, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, and NetGalley, who provided me with an advanced reader copy of this fantastic novel. This is my honest opinion.

[Brandi Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Rest for the Wicked was one insanely good suspense thriller debut, and I absolutely loved it!

Dolores is forced back to her hometown of Little Horton, a town obsessed with Halloween, when her father goes missing under suspicious circumstances. Not only does she have to go back to a town that she thought she'd never see again, but she also has to face the secrets that forced her away in the first place.

This book was a murder mystery/slow burn suspense thriller. There were secrets galore and two prominent feuding families. We get to take a look at what happened all those years ago through Dolores' memories of her last and final Halloween in Little Horton.

I really enjoyed this book and was shocked that it was the author's debut because of how well written it was. The cover is what drew me to this book, but the incredible story is what kept me turning the pages.

This isn't a supernatural thriller, but I think it will make a perfect book for the spooky fall months this year!

Expected Publication Date: September 16th, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Casey Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't let the cats on the cover and the word Halloween in the blurb fool you! This is not a cute, cozy, Halloween mystery. I didn't know what I was getting into, I just saw cats and Halloween and said yes. It's completely different than the vibes it gives off, but different does not equate to bad, it was VERY good! Small town, family drama and secrets, lies and corruption! When Dolores gets a call from the FBI that her politician father has gone missing, she returns to her Halloween-obsessed hometown of Little Horton for the first time in almost 20 years. With a cold reception from her family and suspicions abound, Dolores is determined to discover what happened to her father and the truth of why. We get past portions, filling in the story of what happened to Dolores and why she has stayed away for so long, tying into the present-day mystery. It's not cozy and feel-good, it's deep and dark. It kept my interest the entire time and I wanted to know how it would play out! A strong debut, can't wait to see what Rachel Louise Adams has in store for us in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. Book releases 9/16/25.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now this is the perfect read for spooky season. I mean, who doesn’t love a dark thriller, especially one with cats on the cover? Don’t let the cover fool you, though, because this debut novel is far more twisted than it first appears.

The story follows Dolores, who returns to her hometown after getting a call that her father has gone missing. All he leaves behind is a cryptic note: “Trust no one.” With Halloween looming and a town full of buried secrets, Dolores races to uncover the truth while hoping her own secrets stay buried.

This book delivers on atmosphere and tension, with layers of family drama and small-town creepiness. That said, I do recommend checking trigger warnings before diving in as it gets darker than expected.

While I did enjoy the read overall, I found the pacing a bit uneven. One of the major reveals was telegraphed early on, and it took too long for the characters to catch up. Then, once the big twist hits, everything wraps up surprisingly fast. It felt like a long journey for a rather quick conclusion.

Still, if you're into dark thrillers with a chilling backdrop, tangled family secrets, and an eerie seasonal vibe, this is absolutely worth picking up. 3.5 stars rounded up

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this arc

[hollyreadit · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a cutesy murder mystery this spooky season, look somewhere else, cause this book was DARK DARK, but so good!

I enjoyed all the creepy Halloween vibes in this one, the family drama, the trauma, the secrets, it was such a bingeable read. When I picked it up I had no idea how dark and disturbing this book was going to get so just be warned. However, because dark & disturbing is my middle name, I devoured it and I think it needs to be on everyone’s spooky season tbr!

🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛/5

TW: cat death (does not go into detail, and is briefly mentioned), r@pe (also, not a lot of detail, but still mentioned throughout the book)

Thank you to @minotaur_books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. PUB DATE: 9/16

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic debut. If you love books that read like a fun scary movie, you'll definitely want to grab this one. It is a slow burn, but completely had me pulled in from the beginning. The writing was great and the plot was creepy. Perfect for a great fall, spooky season read!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A missing father, a long estranged daughter is called back home to the small town. It's Halloween, this town's favorite day of the year - the day they go all out and celebrate - but it's also the day that horrible tragedy befalls the town almost every year.

Delores hasn't been back to town in a very long time - about 20 years. Her father's new wife and kids have grown while she's been gone. But she couldn't face it - her last Halloween there and all the things that happened after. But her father is missing and, being a forensic pathologist, she'd like to assist in any way she can with the FBI investigation.

This was such an interesting mystery. The cover threw me off - I thought this would be much more slasher horror or even fantasy paranormal - but it's not at all. It's a very grounded mystery - one that kept me absolutely guessing until the very end. I loved the twists, the interesting town drama, and the secrets that had to slowly unravel to show everyone's true intentions. This is a perfect Halloween season read! I loved it!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Bbecca_marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook/Book Review 📖🍂🐈‍⬛
thank you so much partner @minotaur_books @macmillan.audio for the gifted ARC + ALC!

No Rest for the Wicked
Rachel Louise Adams
Narrated by Jeremy Carlisle Parker

About the book 👇🏽

In one Halloween obsessed Midwestern town, everyone’s on red alert after a local politician goes missing. Little do they know it’s only the beginning.

It’s been close to twenty years since forensic pathologist Dolores Hawthorne left her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin. The town is famous for its Halloween celebrations, but also its history of violent deaths linked to the holiday. To Dolores, it’s the place she fled, family, bad memories, and all. Until the FBI calls to tell her that her father--the former mayor turned US Senator--is missing under mysterious circumstances.

Some people count to ten to wake up from a nightmare. Dolores always counts the bones of her head instead: sphenoid, frontal, lacrimal. But no matter how many times she counts them, it doesn’t change the fact that her father is missing, that his final words of warning to her were to trust no one, and that now, the rest of her family is giving Dolores a chilling welcome. With Halloween fast approaching, Dolores must face the past she left behind before it’s too late.

🍂 My thoughts:

Oh man! This is a book you’ll want to read this spooky season. I had a hard time putting it down so when I saw that Macmillan Audio offered the audiobook I knew I needed to request it! I split up my time equally between physical read and audiobook listen and I can’t decide which is my favorite. If you choose either option, you will not be disappointed. The narrator was wonderful and kept me engaged without any issue. With the small town mystery, twists, and undeniable eerie atmosphere you’ll end up bingeing this without even realizing you’re doing it. Also the multiple POVs added a layer to this thriller that was just too good and will truly have you on the edge of your seat. Plus I loved that the added stray cats that pop up around characters throughout the story have significance. I just loved this book so much and definitely need a finished copy to keep forever. Let’s just say this is a debut you need to read in 2025 and it hits shelves 9/16/25… just in time for spooky season.

Happy reading 📖 🎃🍂🐈‍⬛

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

New author for me and a fun first book to be introduced by. I loved the unraveling of the secrets between the Hawthornes and Winslow. I was actually even a little surprised. I would definitely read another book by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who said monsters aren’t real? Sometimes, they’re the people you know best. Especially at Halloween.

Okay-how is this a debut novel? It is so good. I chose this book because it’s a thriller set in a Midwest town at Halloween. And I loved it because it was a thriller set in a Midwest town at Halloween. The characters are great. The writing is great. This book took many twists and when I thought I had it all figured out-nope that was just part. I cannot recommend this book enough. I’d give it 6 stars if I could.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. All opinions stated are my own.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

An aloof forensic pathologist is forced to return to her Wisconsin hometown upon news that her estranged father has gone missing. The town is omega obsessed with Halloween, which is a cool vibe except for all the cat killing, which isn’t a focal point of the plot but was still jarring and settled me at 3-stars. This isn’t a cozy, small-town mystery - it’s a dark, fast-paced thriller with a large body count that jives with the whole summerween trend. If good ole boys clubs give you the ick, expect to be gagging a lot throughout this. Many thanks to Minotaur and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Megan Mersino · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ I typically stick to fantasy and romance, so I wasn’t sure what to expect with my first mystery—but I seriously could not put this book down. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, I realized I knew nothing. And honestly, that’s what made it so much fun. The story kept me on my toes from start to finish.

Doloras was such a brilliantly written character. Her emotions felt raw and real, and since she didn’t have all the answers either, it was easy to feel just as lost as she did. The cast of characters was so distinct, each personality adding something unique to the story. And the eerie, haunting atmosphere? Perfection. I already know I’ll be rereading this around Halloween.

I’m still in shock that this was Rachel Louise Adams’s debut. The moment I finished, I immediately went to buy her other books—because I need more!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC—my thoughts are entirely my own.

[Krissy (books_and_biceps9155) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Halloween town?! Can I move in?!! I mean…this is the quintessential Spooky *Light* season read. From the adorable cover, the atmospheric setting and the body count! I had so much with it. Some of the twists I guess and some I didn’t…it still was worth it and entertaining.

Rich people misbehaving is always a fun trope filled with lies/secrets. I enjoyed the mystery of this and the onery characters. First you don’t really know who to trust. I felt empathy for our MC who does tackle some heavy trauma. Adams does a good job of keeping things light. Also- my most favorite thing-Chapter Titles! Yay! All and all this is fun, entertaining and will get you into the Halloween spirit. Thank you @minotaurbooks for my copy and the ADORABLE bookmark! See him in the corner?!

[always reading ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars
This is the perfect fall and Halloween read. Full of suspense, mystery, and even a dash of horror, this had me guessing till the very end. The writing was fine with good pacing and flow. It never failed to hold my attention, and I was hooked fairly quickly. It had a good plot that wasn't easily predictable. The characters were likeable, but the character development definitely could have been better. I really enjoyed this; however, I was not a fan of the ending. It felt so anticlimactic. I was just expecting a little more from all the buildup

[Rachaelbookhunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

In one Halloween obsessed Midwestern town, everyone’s on red alert after a local politician goes missing. Little do they know it’s only the beginning.

Forensic pathologist Dolores Hawthorne left her hometown of Little Horton. The FBI calls with the newsthat her father, the former mayor turned US Senator, is missing under mysterious circumstances. Now she'll have to face her past to uncover the truth.

This book is a great way to start off spooky season. It's not a scary book, but the events in the book are definitely horrific for the characters. And there are creepy and gross moments for the reader. Overall though the story is about Dolores dealing with her past. Everything that is happening now is connected.

Dolores has nightmares which I wasn't a fan of. What happened in the past is not entirely clear for quite a while. While I didn't find it scary there are moments where I was emotionally invested, sending chills through me.

I had a suspect in mind for present day and I learned I was wrong in a gasp worthy reveal. I really should have had an inkling when my opinion about a character slowly changed or became fully formed. There is another twist I wasn't shocked by.

I can see this becoming a series even though the next one would have to be different.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the chance to read!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

You had me at Halloween and cats, but this was so much more than that! This book had some dark secrets, a missing person, and a daughter returning home after being gone for 20 years. This was fast paced, fun, and I maybe had one glistening tear at the end. I think I just read the perfect Halloween book! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

[Erin Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨✨✨A cute Halloween mystery read! ✨✨✨

I went into No Rest for the Wicked thinking it was going to be a cutesy cozy mystery/Halloween read. Which it was, but it was also a little bit darker than I had expected as well! Nothing too crazy, just a little bit, which I really liked that and some parts were pretty funny too! This book really had a terrific mix of things to enjoy.

The writing is spectacular and it flows extremely well. The plot is engaging, even though it is a bit predictable at times (which is fine), and I liked our MC, Dolores. This was a fun mystery and I love the little Halloween details as well!

Overall I really liked this one and it was such a fun read!!


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released September 16, 2025.

[Heidi Cote · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️.. i want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press to gave me the chance to read an ARC of No Rest For The Wicked. A very great debut for Rachel Louise Adams. The book was completely amazing i was hooked right from the beginning. I love the small town Halloween vibes and the book will be released just in time for spooky seasons 👻

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great mystery-- I can't believe it's a debut! So rarely does a twist truly surprise me anymore, but this one was really shocking!

Dolores, a forensic pathologist in California, has been estranged from her father, Alexander; stepmom, Charlotte; and two half siblings since age 18. She left her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin and never looked back. Little Horton is famous for its Halloween celebrations--and violence that has occurred over the years on that date--but for Dolores, it's just a holiday that she studiously avoids since she left.

But then she receives a call from the FBI: her father has gone missing. She reluctantly returns to Little Horton to investigate with two agents.

This book is spell binding! It effortlessly draws you into the claustrophobic and judgmental town of Little Horton, with its relentless focus on Halloween--and secrets and lies. Everyone in Little Horton reveres Alexander as their former mayor and Senator. For Dolores' family, especially the formidable and scary Charlotte, nothing matters more than appearances.

Adams weaves a taut and dark tale, as the bodies pile up, and Dolores looks into her father's life and disappearance, while slowly remembering more and more about why she left Little Horton so long ago. This story is dramatic and well-written, filled with plenty of suspense. It keeps you guessing, while also featuring nuanced, flawed characters. I would love a sequel!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for NO REST FOR THE WICKED on 09/16/2025!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Add this to your spooky/moody fall TBR! I’m so impressed by this debut

The plot: Dolores Hawthorne left Little Horton, her Halloween-obsessed hometown, almost two decades ago. Her plan was to stay away forever until the FBI calls demanding her presence - her father, former senator and mayor of Little Horton, has gone missing under suspicious circumstances. He left her a cryptic note with a chilling instruction to “trust no one,” likely including the estranged family that gave Dolores a half-hearted invite to live with them during her stay. With just a few days until Halloween, and a town history of violent deaths on the date, can Dolores find her father and face her demons before time runs out?

My review: The cover art pulled me in but the plot made me read this in a single day! The specter of the feral cats is a perfect recurring motif that somehow adds dread but also (somehow) coziness throughout the story. I devoured this so quickly because it truly keeps you guessing throughout - I wasn’t confident in the direction of the ending until very few pages were left. In some places, the book reads like a police procedural, in others a mystery, but throughout there’s a propulsive plot and deep characterization that make it hard to put down. I enjoyed seeing Dolores’ personal growth in relation to her family and her past, but also in relation to her future. Despite the tragedy and darkness throughout, there was an optimistic tone that left me content. This almost read like the start of a series of small town horrors/mysteries - I would love to read more of that’s the case!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur Books for this ARC!

[Savitri (IG: gymgirlreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Minotaur Books / Macmillan for the gifted ARC!
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Dolores Hawthorne had fled her traumatic past in Little Horton, WI and made a new life for herself in Los Angeles as a forensic pathologist, even adopting her mother’s last name. However she gets a call from the FBI seeking her return to Little Horton because her father —former town mayor turned senator—has now gone missing in unusual circumstances.

Dolores’ return sparks a frenzy among the town folk who have varying opinions on why she left, and her stepmother with whom she shares a complicated history. The town of Little Horton is also most popular among tourists for its glorious Halloween celebrations and macabre pasts that happened around Halloween that are then turned into urban legends.

Rachel Louise Adams packs in a punch with her debut that has a little bit of everything from family drama to gore and two mysteries that kept me rushing through the pages! This is the perfect book for Halloween season or if you’re a spooky-hearted girlie like me who’s already dreaming of Fall in peak summer, now’s the perfect time to devour this book!

This small-town suspense gets a solid 5🌟 from me but heads up that the cover with the beautiful, creepy cats is not correlated with the story. The story DOES have cats but not in the manner the cover portrays.

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

I liked this overall! It felt a bit Gillian Flynn to me: the old 'return to the small town" trope, and a pretty dark story. Then the small town is a Halloween-obsessed town overrun with feral cats (!). There is mention of the intentional and unintentional killing of said cats, so if that is a hard no for you, here's your heads-up.

Dolores is a forensic pathologist who is summoned to Little Horton, Wisconsin after her father was presumably abducted. She left town, changed her last name to her mothers' maiden name, and wanted to put the town and remaining family members behind her. But her father's case is only the tip of the iceberg, as other people close to her father begin to die. We are kept in the dark for quite a while about Dolores's reasons for leaving town, but slowly a picture emerges.

If you're up for a Gillian Flynn-adjacent Halloween story, grab this one!

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Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!