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Decompose

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Welcome to the quiet neighborhood of Whispering Woods. It’s a lovely place to live…as long as you follow the rules.

Jeanette Singleton is a wife, mother, avid gardener, and also a bit of a serial killer. She doesn’t see it that way, though. For her, it’s a simple matter of following the rules. That isn’t hard for most people. But there are others who bend, twist, and sometimes break the rules in order to get what they want and she can’t have that. Not in her neighborhood.

Jeanette tends to Whispering Woods like she tends to her garden—nurturing it, feeding it, weeding out invasive pests, watching it thrive. It’s what makes her plan so perfect, so foolproof. You see, life requires structure and when it’s compromised, chaos ensues. But Jeanette has found the answer to that problem. A place where evil decomposes and transforms into something useful.

When new neighbors move in, she seizes the opportunity to welcome them. But as her life begins to intertwine with theirs, the lines of good and evil begin to blur. Blind trust is like a parasite and if Jeanette isn’t careful, everything she’s worked so hard to maintain will begin to rot.

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2020

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About the author

Layne Deemer

7 books131 followers
Layne Deemer aims to push boundaries with her writing. Her stories deconstruct the ordinary until it becomes something else entirely.

She has a degree in Communications with a minor in English and has worked in the fields of public relations, marketing, and advertising, but writing has always been her true passion. When she isn’t writing, she’s reading. Her wish list of books will take her a lifetime to get through.

She resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, Adam, their two kids, Stella and Jasper, and their bulldog, Archie. Frayed, a psychological thriller, is her first novel.

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5 stars
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99 (39%)
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32 (12%)
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9 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Joanne Ragona.
536 reviews21 followers
November 21, 2020
***4.5 STARS***

Decompose is an amazing psychological thriller and Jeanette Singleton is the neighbor you’d love to have but never want to cross! Haunted by her own upbringing and parents who showed no love, Jeanette vows to always be the ultimate loving, caring mom and wife. She also vows to do anything to keep her family safe. Emphasis on anything.

This story is full of twists and turns and a heroine like no other. I found myself laughing out loud at her quirkiness, amazed at her brilliance, and shocked at her actions. I could vividly picture her in my mind and almost hear her deliver some of the hilarious and diabolical thoughts and dialogue.

This is my 3rd novel by Layne Deemer and she continues to astound me with her diverse storytelling. This was a well written, well developed story. It was clever, witty, disturbing and surprising...and I loved every minute of it.
Profile Image for Marissa.
332 reviews3 followers
November 10, 2020
November 10 and it’s the release day of Layne Deemer’s third book, Decompose, and what a book it is. Utterly chilling, cleverly crafted, sharp witted and so unexpectedly heartfelt, you find yourself questioning your own moral compass. Would you do anything to protect your family? How far would you go? Jeanette had me asking myself those exact questions and at the same time knowing she is mentally unstable, I got her! That’s the magic of Layne’s writing. She has the uncanny ability of making you route for someone you’re not sure you should be and feeling empathy at the craziest of times...I’m blown away by her talent.

This is the perfect escape book! So much is going on in our real lives, we all need a break. Layne Deemer has given us a gift by writing a book that pulls you out of the chaos and sucks you into a thrilling page turner that’ll keep you guessing the whole way through. Decompose roots it’s way right into your psyche and that’s the sheer talent of an excellent storyteller.

(Beta copy. 9/20/2020)
Profile Image for Katie.
143 reviews13 followers
November 10, 2020
‘This isn’t my fault. You brought this on yourself.’

I really enjoyed this book. Honestly, from the very first chapter, I was intrigued. I mean, all you have to do is read the blurb to be interested in this story!

The writing was great and although I didn’t like Jeanette, the main character, I totally understood her and her perspective. This was the first book I’ve read by Layne Deemer and I would definitely read something by her in the future!

I don’t want to give much away, but I totally recommend this book!

‘I was just protecting my family.’

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Lisa Aiello.
1,000 reviews22 followers
June 5, 2023
4.5 stars that I’m rounding up to 5 simply because this woman can write the heck out of a story and make it so readable. I flew through this in one late afternoon. This is my second read by this author (thank goodness there are a couple more on Mount TBR) and I am totally impressed, especially since they are in two completely different genres and simply stunning in their own rights. I am eager to catch up on any of Ms. Deemer’s stories that I have missed. Now excuse me while I measure my husband and check on the construction of my compost bin. Honest…it’s merely a coincidence that I am doing both at the same time.
Profile Image for JudyCa.
1,142 reviews
November 20, 2020
4.5* Decompose was a twisted affair. Definitely a unique concept and LD delivered a hit! Jeanette had a couple of screws loose I think 😂 I like how she dealt with her problems, lol...I was definitely kept guessing on how this was going to turn out!
Thank you Layne for making me think about what my veggies are actually grown in 🤣
Profile Image for Sarah.
367 reviews26 followers
May 28, 2021
June Cleaver meets Dexter in this psychological thriller that I could not put down (although it’s not my typical genre). I enjoyed the gardening metaphors. Twisted and amusing.
Profile Image for Kathy Brackin.
251 reviews
February 1, 2022
I will never see a compost bin the same way 😱😬 was very interesting book! 🙌🏻
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.6k reviews163 followers
November 11, 2020
There are many books that I feel I need to tell others to buckle up, but Layne Deemer gives new meaning to my buckle up, as everyone needs to buckle once, then twice, and three times for that extra support because Decompose is one hell of a wild ride. Ms. Deemer is certainly coming into her own with psychological thrillers that blow my mind as I try to figure out things while experiencing the chaos. It's crazy how I end up rooting on people who may or may not be psychopaths, and I wouldn't change a thing. And the twists, OH MY HELL THE TWISTS! They are insane and had me dropping so many f-bombs that there came a time when I couldn't utter another one. Everytime I zigged, Ms. Deemer zagged so my head was a mess because of her utmost brilliance. And I promise that once you start Decompose the world around you disappears. I'm aware that I'm being super cryptic but I want everyone to get the same experience I did by going in blindly because y'all just don't know. So, buckle the hell up & hit those one click buttons as I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL WHO ARE BRAVE ENOUGH!
Profile Image for Kalie.
223 reviews21 followers
November 10, 2020
I loved this book! I love the way Layne writes her twisty psychological thrillers! Just like when I read Frayed last year I had that same, somethings not quite right here feeling, and I had to keep reading to find out what the heck was going on. In an unexpected weird way I got really attached to Janette and her family. Being inside her mind, I could totally understand her thinking and why she does what she does. And omg the twists will absolutely blow you away. I don’t want to give too much away because truly going into this book knowing very little made the experience so much better and trust me you’ll want to read it to get to that damn ending!! Once again Layne had my jaw dropped to the floor.

Trust me, If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with twists you’ll never see coming you don’t want to miss out on this one!!
Profile Image for Larissa Rye.
1,205 reviews14 followers
November 5, 2020
The entire time I read this book I had the voice of a really creepy perky blonde stepford wife in my head. It upped the creepy factor by a lot. In a way I could understand why Jeanette did what she did but it was kind of terrifying to believe there are people out there like her doing what she does.

I could only read so many chapters a night because then I’d need to read something less creepy haha. You get attached to Jeanette’s family & want to know more about them. You keep reading because you need to know what happens next. The plot twist is something you won’t see coming. Blew me away. I feel like there has to be more books after this because I need to know what Jeanette does next.

I received an arc of this book in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Melissa Flaherty.
63 reviews7 followers
November 11, 2020
Decompose by Layne Deemer

💗Book Review💗 Holy crap crackers...this book was awesome! The main character, Jeannette is a combination of Donna Reed and Dexter. She’s a super mom/wife who holds her family’s safety above all else and will do absolutely anything in order to protect them. This is a twisty psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I had to keep reading to see what the next curve thrown out would be. And that ending...!!!! OMG!! Layne Deemer is an amazing author and I plan on recommending this book to everyone I know! If you like twist after twist then you’ll love Decompose.
Profile Image for Robin Hill.
Author 3 books291 followers
December 2, 2020
The blurb totally sold me on this one and what followed didn't disappoint! Deemer's unique brand of storytelling kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, and though I had several guesses as to how it would all play out, I was wrong on every count. I cannot wait to see what this author dreams up next.
Profile Image for MJLovestoRead.
2,029 reviews51 followers
December 15, 2020
Decompose is a deliciously-twisted kind of book. But I have to admit that right off the bat as I started reading, I thought to myself: 'who wants to read about a middle-aged mom and her daily life?' But holy moly, Layne Deemer delivers the goods tenfold with Jeanette as the ultimate Suzy Homemaker who is the queen of schedules AND has the most incredible garden. She's actually a wonderful mom and wife who is determined to make sure her family is happy, healthy and free from anything that could harm them or their bliss. But when I got to see the 'other side' of this determined woman, I was in all kinds of shock and awe as she stops at nothing and no one to preserve her lovely little bubble.

This is a book everyone needs to go into blind. I did not see what was to come and I was continuously taken aback by how complicated a character Jeannette truly was. There are beautiful scenes between her and her children and how she is waging that war with a brooding teenaged son and how better to get through to him. She tries her hardest and her love of her family, always taking time to show that they are adored, is heartfelt.

But it's her darker side that drives this book and let's just say it's quite brilliant. The type of deception that she creates is right under everyone's nose yet Jeanette is a master of mystery and knows how to blend both of her worlds beautifully.

This is a story I won't soon forget and it was truly a wonderful read from start to finish. It's one of those fantastically-wild books that you can't quite believe was created in someone's head yet you're beyond happy it did. Layne Deemer is one to watch as she delivers stories that aren't the norm and are refreshing and unexpected.

5 huge stars!
Profile Image for Krissy.
519 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2021
Think Dexter, but make it female.
A 40 year old suburban mom with a touch of OCD? Definitely an interesting combo. Jeanette just wants what's best for her family and if anyone gets in her way, she deals with them accordingly. This was a very well written thriller. I've read one other book by this author and both were written in such a way that you don't want to stop until you find out what the hell is actually happening. I took one star off bc the ending felt a bit rushed for me. Otherwise, this one was interesting and unique.
Profile Image for Lozzie.
659 reviews9 followers
November 7, 2020
Decompose... What can I say about Decompose other than WHAT THE B***** HELL DID I JUST READ? It was incredible! It was dark, it was twisted and it was perfect in every way!

At first, I was a little creeped out by Jeanette, I mean, what was her game? What made her be this way? And the more I read, the more I realised why. It is messed up? Yes. Is it sad? Yes again. Is it justifiable? Well, I'll let you read it to find out.

The story gets darker and darker and more twisted with every page. A plot twist hits, and you're thinking, what the? And then something else happens, and then your mind changes again. It messed with my head, like a lot.

It just shows that nobody knows anybody beneath the surface. You look at people and have an idea of what they are, and then they do something surprising, and it shocks you and changes your opinion of them. I keep getting that a lot in this book.

It is dark, it is graphic, but it is sooo good! I mean, I didn't expect what I got and loved it! The way that Jeanette's mind worked really fascinated me and it left me intrigued as to how she is and why she is and what she does because of the why. Her character fascinated and creeped me out simultaneously, and that's an incredible feat.

And that ending left me running expletives as I was reading. I could not have guessed it at all. At. All.

If you're looking for a read that will mess with you and yet leave you needing more this is the perfect book for you. It is dark, it is uncomfortable, graphic and intriguing. And the ending will shock you. I'm a little fussier with my psychological thrillers than I am with my romance, and this knocked it out of the park for me. Absolutely incredible and I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Michele.
1,464 reviews
December 3, 2020
I have enjoyed each of Ms. Deemer's previous books. However, I have to say Decompose just might be my favorite so far. Jeanette truly is a fascinating character. I loved being in her head...it's definitely not boring in there. She has an interesting perception of what being a "good neighbor" truly means. Also, she gives the term "Momma Bear" a whole new meaning as she will go to any measure necessary to protect her family.

Going into this book, I thought I knew the premise. As I was reading it, my thoughts changed a little. By the time I finished it, my whole original thought process had been blown out of the water. I love a book with some twists and clever outcomes and Decompose definitely did not disappoint.

This ARC was kindly provided to me by the author without conditions.



Profile Image for Liz.
9 reviews
November 21, 2020
It has been really challenging for me to concentrate to read books most of 2020. It has taken me literally months to finish books that are not audioboooks. Layne broke the trend with Jeanette. I really could not wait to find out what was going to happen next and a couple of times thought I knew what was going to happen next. I was never right. I flew through this gem in two or three days and am ready to find out what Jeanette does to the neighbor that talks/sees too much and/or the movie or series adaptation.
Profile Image for Melissa.
2,897 reviews21 followers
November 15, 2020
Ooh i love a thriller and this one brings it. A great reprieve from RomComs. 4 solid stars!!!!
January 11, 2021
Another triumph!

Brilliant writing from author Layne Deemer. This could be an Alfred Hitchcock movie, or a Twilight Zone show. Eerie and compelling, with twists at the end that leave you spinning. Brilliant is the only appropriate word for Layne,s books. I want MORE!
Profile Image for buzy_reading.
2,350 reviews54 followers
November 16, 2020
The Singleton family lives in a cozy safe neighborhood in Pennsylvania known as Whispering Woods. They moved there five years ago. Jeanette is the type of neighbor who wants to keep Whispering Woods a safe place. She’s like the neighborhood watch program making sure to check in on her neighbors. She schedules her rounds frequently showing up when new merchandise arrives from her SnapLid line.
When new neighbors move in Jeanette pops over to introduce herself as well as welcome them into the neighborhood. Jeanette and Madison form a quick friendship with Jeanette popping over more frequently. After meeting Paul, Madison’s husband she grows suspicious of him.
Jeanette is a homemaker whose home is ruled by a regimented schedule. The rules were created to maintain order for Jeanette while also providing a sense of comfort for her. In fact, she has different rules for each member of the household and all her rules are sacred. Break a rule and you will suffer the consequences. Jeanette will do anything to protect her family. At times she feels like a sinner, even though her motives are warranted.

Overall:
I’m laughing at her use of referring to her compose place inside the “she shed”. I can’t stop picturing the commercial with the she shed.
This was a character driven story with Jeanette as the prime main character. Reading her perspective was all that was needed. Although, Layne spent a great deal of time elaborating on the details of Jeanette’s rules. For quite some time I expected something grandeur to happen. Too much emphasis was placed on this structured lifestyle for it really wasn’t relevant to the storyline. I suppose it served to characterize Jeanette’s character as stable. I felt it hindered the development and progression of this story in the beginning.
It took a third of the way into the story to find my groove. I guess around the time Paul became a threat did the story come alive. I won’t say I wanted to quit this book, but I will say I was beginning to loose interest. I’m glad I stuck with it.
Layne didn’t downplay Jeanette’s character which kind of threw me. I had to wonder how she was going to turn this around. After all, this is a psychological thriller and I began to question where that twist was going to occur. It was a subtle twist not one that punched you in the gut. I wasn’t even looking in that direction, yet Layne pulled it off. She redeemed herself with that clever twist.
I liked Jeanette’s character I found her resourceful, clever, and calculated. It’s not often to like a character who kills, yet her reasons eased the concern. She wasn’t an unstable character. In fact, with her routined schedule she came across as very level headed. Her relationship with her kids and husband worked. Her relationship with Wyatt had me wondering if he knew something but Layne talked the reader back from those thoughts.
Profile Image for Martie.
343 reviews5 followers
October 13, 2022
This book started off soooo slow, it took me more than a month to get to 45%, but when I hit 45% finally things picked up! I literally kept turning the page on the edge of my seat to see how things are going to blow up! Sadly they never really blew up!

Book is about Jeanette a typical, goodie two shoes mom and housewife that from the outside is so perfect we all regular moms will hate her! But Jeanette is not normal or as sweet and innocent as she portrays. She cleans up her neighborhood by killing off people who do wrong and throws them in her compost bin.

I went into this thinking I will get a dark thriller and if that is what you want to read this might not tickle your fancy. It is not as dark and twisted as I would have preferred, and it is a bit predictable. That said, it is still a decent read. If the whole book was like to last half of the book it would have been amazing but sadly, I really struggled to get to the good part and almost put it in my DNF pile.
1,690 reviews19 followers
November 22, 2020
Beware of your neighbor

Yep, that is the lesson I learned from this book. No matter how nice, no matter how generous, and no matter what the outside looks like there is always another side to people. So be careful who you invite into your house.
Profile Image for Abbie.
317 reviews4 followers
June 18, 2021
Okay this was such a twisted little book!

I really enjoyed this and highly recommend if you want a quick read that messes with your head and morals a bit 😂

Jeanette was the mother and wife we all wish we sometimes were. She had it all together and had a perfect life..... Until someone threatens her #1 rule, keep her family safe...

Honestly I found myself rooting for Jeanette a little. As a wife and a mother there isn't anything I wouldn't do to protect my family. So you kinda find yourself rooting for our anti-hero? If that's what you want to call Jeanette.

I keep saying it, but I think its the easiest way to describe the vibes of this book: This has You by Caroline Kepnes vibes 100%.

Honestly this was just such a refreshing take on psychological thrillers.
1: You have a badass woman who wants to protect her loved ones at any cost.
2: The actual way she kills and disposes of the bodies is very different then almost any "murder" book.
3: We see everything in real time. So you just get to enjoy the "ohhhh what's gonna happen now" instead of trying to solve a giant mystery.

This isn't a super action packed thriller. This is definitely more for the mind. But if you want to get lost in morally gray characters for a night or two I think this book is perfect for that!!!
Profile Image for Corneliareads.
95 reviews
November 15, 2020
A bit flat

Hmm I guess I was expecting a bit more of a ‘freak factor’, it wasn’t quite a thriller for me, even it being a psychological thriller.
The first 25% didn’t give much, it was just mundane. Yes she revealed that she has and would murder, if -in her mind- was for the greater good, but other than that, it was just the everyday life of a control freak housewife and that annoying neighbor that has to know everything.

After the new neighbors moved in, the story just got predictable. Nothing surprised me, mostly everything turned out how I expected it, maybe the ending was a bit unexpected, because it being a thriller, I thought that maybe something would happen to her, and her life would take a turn.
The story overall was interesting, with a lot of potential, but it just lacked something. Maybe I was expecting her to be a lot more mentally unstable.
Profile Image for Jenny Baldwin.
Author 4 books14 followers
April 3, 2021
Interesting story concept that really creeped me out & will forever have me looking differently at the neighbor's gardens. 🙃

Good character development, not just in how the MC came to be, but also with the interpersonal relationships & how they drive her. Each seemed very authentic.

Maybe a little slow at first? It took time for me to get really hooked. After the big reveal, everything suddenly wrapped up in a tidy bow? Not sure how I feel about that.
Profile Image for Dot.
25 reviews
May 23, 2021
Loved this book! It was just delightful and twisted and I wavered between shock and fits of giggles, reading it in one sitting. I definitely will recommend "Decompose" to my gardening friends and relatives, particularly to my sister who never fails to have a fabulous garden!

How DOES she do it? ***Snooort***

Thanks for a completely entertaining read!

I have just purchased "Frayed," and I will begin reading without delay. Hoping for yet another delightful and twisted read!
Profile Image for Dianna .
312 reviews3 followers
May 27, 2021
I came across this book on TikTok. The author posted a video and I had to have it! It was on kindle unlimited. It was a very fast paced- psychological thriller! I couldn’t put it down. Jeanette is one of my favorite characters now! I loved the twists, and didn’t expect a few parts. I’ve already recommended it to a few of my friends! I can’t wait to read more from Layne!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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