Broken Bayou by Jennifer Moorhead

Hey, it’s Diego.

I just finished reading Broken Bayou by Jennifer Moorhead.

And I’m here to tell you all about it.

Let me give you my spoiler-free unbiased review.

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Broken Bayou by Jennifer Moorhead — Review

The story follows Dr. Willa Watters, a child psychologist who reluctantly returns to her childhood home in Broken Bayou, Louisiana. What starts as an attempt to reconcile with her past quickly spirals into a decades-long mystery involving a serial killer, family secrets, and a town that seems alive with its menacing energy.

Broken Bayou is a domestic thriller, with a Southern Gothic vibe, set in Willa’s childhood home and around the small, close-knit titular town.

Moorhead’s prose is vivid and immersive, leaning heavily into atmosphere. We follow Willa’s point of view through the story, and I appreciated she’s layered with trauma and resilience, which makes her interesting to read. The dialogue and inner thoughts are extremely well-crafted, helping connect with her and her past.

I didn’t have an issue with the slow start as Willa is an interesting character and the town is exotic enough; however, I felt there was little in terms of thrills, especially at the beginning. It read like a drama at first.

As Willa becomes entangled in the story, revelations are sprinkled throughout, and while not every reveal lands with a punch, the suspense builds effectively as the story progresses. There are some flashback chapters and Willa reminisces about her past in the normal chapters but the story is mainly told through one continuous timeline.

There is a weird part in the middle where Willa is against the ropes; then the story lets her off the hook without any input from her part, so she goes out looking for trouble. I’m still on board with it because it makes Willa a proactive character but it felt like the story needed a bit more polish in this area.

Broken Bayou balances drama and psychological tension with moments of genuine fear. It’s creepy and unsettling without diving too deeply into graphic violence, though there are some disturbing scenes tied to the murders. The theme of confronting one’s past and the ripple effects of family secrets are central to the story.

There’s a subtle romantic subplot as Willa reconnects with an old flame. It’s not the focus of the story but adds a touch of warmth to an otherwise dark narrative. I found it believable and well-integrated into the plot. There is no swearing.

So, what about the ending? (No spoilers obviously)

The ending wraps up the main mysteries well. The denouement offers closure for Willa’s journey and reveals what happens to key characters.

Overall, once I got past the first few chapters, I enjoyed Broken Bayou and would recommend it to those who like domestic thrillers set in small towns.

Similar Books to Broken Bayou

• Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

• The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

That’s all for this week.

See you next time.

— Diego Dunne

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