Lezersrecensie
Another pageturner!
After loving Edgar D. Jackson’s debut Seeing Dead, I couldn’t wait to dive into his second book. And let me tell you — The Secret Cuckoo Cabaret Club is nothing like his first… but in the best way possible.
This book is a wild mix of horror, mystery, and drama, wrapped in a deeply queer and unapologetically vibrant world. From the very first pages, Edgar’s signature writing style stands out again — vivid, fluid, and full of atmosphere. He has a way of making scenes play out like a movie in your head, which really keeps you engaged.
That said, I did struggle a bit at the beginning. The introduction of several characters and shifting perspectives made it a little chaotic at first, and it took some time before the tension really kicked in. I also felt a bit more emotionally distant from the characters this time around — I would’ve liked a bit more depth to truly feel them.
However, the diversity in this book? Absolutely fantastic. Queer characters, drag queens, and a strong sense of community are front and center. Edgar tackles themes of identity, acceptance, and being “different” in a world that doesn’t always welcome that — especially in a setting like small-town America. You can tell he really put heart into writing these characters and capturing their struggles and joys. It’s one of the strongest elements of the book.
Character development was another big win. Even though I didn’t connect as deeply as I wanted to, the growth the characters go through is undeniable and really well done. In fact, I’d say that development is the true core of this story — more than the mystery or plot twists (though those were great too).
The ending carries a powerful message and wrapped things up in a way that really stuck with me. I may not have been on the edge of my seat the whole time, but I was definitely pulled in — and Sara, the main character, is going to be dancing around in my mind for a while.
All in all, The Secret Cuckoo Cabaret Club is very different from Seeing Dead, but equally strong in its own unique way. Edgar D. Jackson proves with this book that he’s a versatile author who isn’t afraid to take risks and try something new. I’m already looking forward to whatever he writes next!
This book is a wild mix of horror, mystery, and drama, wrapped in a deeply queer and unapologetically vibrant world. From the very first pages, Edgar’s signature writing style stands out again — vivid, fluid, and full of atmosphere. He has a way of making scenes play out like a movie in your head, which really keeps you engaged.
That said, I did struggle a bit at the beginning. The introduction of several characters and shifting perspectives made it a little chaotic at first, and it took some time before the tension really kicked in. I also felt a bit more emotionally distant from the characters this time around — I would’ve liked a bit more depth to truly feel them.
However, the diversity in this book? Absolutely fantastic. Queer characters, drag queens, and a strong sense of community are front and center. Edgar tackles themes of identity, acceptance, and being “different” in a world that doesn’t always welcome that — especially in a setting like small-town America. You can tell he really put heart into writing these characters and capturing their struggles and joys. It’s one of the strongest elements of the book.
Character development was another big win. Even though I didn’t connect as deeply as I wanted to, the growth the characters go through is undeniable and really well done. In fact, I’d say that development is the true core of this story — more than the mystery or plot twists (though those were great too).
The ending carries a powerful message and wrapped things up in a way that really stuck with me. I may not have been on the edge of my seat the whole time, but I was definitely pulled in — and Sara, the main character, is going to be dancing around in my mind for a while.
All in all, The Secret Cuckoo Cabaret Club is very different from Seeing Dead, but equally strong in its own unique way. Edgar D. Jackson proves with this book that he’s a versatile author who isn’t afraid to take risks and try something new. I’m already looking forward to whatever he writes next!
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