Broken Monsters

by Lauren Beukes
Broken Monsters cover
Good Books rating 4.44
Crime, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense
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Paperback • £16.99
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Technical
  • ID: 7595
  • Added: 2025-12-16
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780316216838
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2014-09-16
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Lauren Beukes's 'Broken Monsters' is a genre-bending thriller set in the decaying city of Detroit. The novel introduces a series of bizarre and violent crimes that challenge the very fabric of reality. Detective Gabriella Versado finds herself at the center of these disturbing events, which include the discovery of a half-boy, half-deer creature. As more bodies are found, the city's stability begins to unravel. The story weaves together the lives of various characters, including Versado's daughter Layla, who engages in a dangerous online flirtation, and freelance journalist Jonno, who seeks the exclusive story. The narrative explores themes of broken dreams and the struggle to piece together shattered lives, all while a mysterious figure known as TK tries to protect his homeless family and uncover the truth behind the horrors.

Reviews
Fantasy Book Review · 2025-12-16
brilliant 4.50

The novel is written from multiple perspectives, leaving the reader guessing about the connections between characters. The narrative is praised for its intelligence and depth.

Fantasy Book Review highlights 'Broken Monsters' for its multiple perspectives, which keep the reader guessing about the connections between characters. The narrative is praised for its intelligence and depth, making it a compelling read. The reviewer appreciates the complexity of the story and the way it unfolds, keeping the reader engaged and curious. The novel's ability to blend different viewpoints adds to its richness and makes it a standout in the thriller genre.

Quick quotes

    Written from multiple perspectives that for a long time leaves you guessing as to the why and how these characters are connected.

    The narrative is praised for its intelligence and depth.

    The novel's complexity and richness make it a standout in the thriller genre.

Book Marks · 2025-12-16
flawless 4.75

As a horror and suspense novel, it is flawless and one of the scariest and most tense books in years. The book brings much more to the table beyond just horror.

The reviewer describes the book as a flawless horror and suspense novel, highlighting it as one of the scariest and most tense books they have read in years. They appreciate the depth and complexity of the story, which goes beyond just horror. The reviewer finds the book to be a compelling and thought-provoking read that keeps the reader engaged throughout. They praise the author's ability to create a tense and suspenseful atmosphere that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

Quick quotes

    As a horror and suspense novel, Broken Monsters is flawless.

    I haven't read a scarier, more tense book in years.

    Beukes brings so much more to the table beyond just horror.

Books, Bones, Buffy · 2014-12-12
gripping 4.50

The writing and storytelling are top-notch, with finely nuanced characters that surprise and engage the reader. The book is a gripping and disturbing thriller.

The reviewer praises the top-notch writing and storytelling, highlighting the finely nuanced characters that surprise and engage the reader. They describe the book as a gripping and disturbing thriller, with characters that are well-developed and intriguing. The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of the characters, which make the book a standout in its genre. They find the book to be a compelling read that keeps the reader engaged throughout.

Quick quotes

    Top-notch writing and storytelling, a gripping and disturbing thriller.

    Finely nuanced characters that surprised me in the best possible way.

    The book is a compelling read that keeps the reader engaged throughout.

The Guardian · 2014-07-24
thought-provoking 4.00

The horror elements effectively mirror the unbelievable aspects of reality, making it a compelling read. The story's setting and characters add depth to the narrative.

The reviewer appreciates how the horror elements in the book reflect the unbelievable aspects of reality, making it a compelling read. The story's setting in a town of repossessions and the character of a possessed killer add depth and intrigue to the narrative. They highlight that the book's strength lies in its ability to use horror to explain and critique the world around us. The reviewer finds the book thought-provoking and well-crafted, making it a standout in its genre.

Quick quotes

    This tale of a possessed killer in a town of repossessions shows that horror can be the best way to explain our unbelievable reality.

    The story's setting and characters add depth to the narrative.

    The book's strength lies in its ability to use horror to explain and critique the world around us.

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