Scream City is a slow-burn small-town mystery with a compelling premise, but one that ultimately didn’t leave a lasting impression for me.
Set in Walker’s Point, Wisconsin, in 1997, the story centers on Alice Foster, the owner of a charming independent bookstore housed in the building that once belonged to her infamous grandfather. Decades earlier, he terrorized the community as the “Cream City Killer,” strangling his victims with piano wire before dying in prison four years before the events of the novel. Now, a copycat killer has emerged, and suspicion quickly falls on Alice.
The second primary point of view belongs to Rex Hale, a former police officer now serving eviction notices for a local developer. When the very people he visits begin turning up dead in the same gruesome fashion, he finds himself under suspicion as well. Knowing they’re innocent, Alice and Rex begin investigating the murders themselves before the town decides one—or both—of them must be the killer.
The mystery itself kept me engaged, even if the pacing was uneven. There are long stretches devoted to building atmosphere and suspicion, and while I appreciated the slow unraveling of the investigation, the payoff was only satisfactory. I also found myself questioning why the novel was set in 1997. Aside from a handful of references, the story rarely takes advantage of its historical setting, and it could have unfolded almost identically in the present day.
The romance between Alice and Rex also didn’t land for me. Their relationship felt underdeveloped, and I never sensed much chemistry between them, making it feel more like a subplot added because one was expected than one that naturally grew from the story.
One aspect of Hannah Morrissey’s writing that really stood out was her vocabulary. She has a very distinctive style, frequently choosing unusual, highly specific words that you don’t often encounter in contemporary fiction. Some readers may enjoy that richness of language, while others may find it occasionally distracting. It certainly gave the novel its own voice.
The story also introduces ghostly elements that never felt fully explained. They add an eerie atmosphere, but I was left wondering what purpose they ultimately served.
Overall, this is a solid serial killer mystery with an intriguing premise, an enjoyable bookstore setting, and plenty of red herrings, but it never quite rose above “good” for me. Fans of Heather Gudenkauf and readers who enjoy quieter, small-town mysteries with off-page violence may find more to appreciate here than I did.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for providing me with an advance reading copy.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Publication Date: January 27, 2027
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