Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to discuss the third volume in the Nailbiter graphic novel series called Blood In The Water. After finishing Volume One and Two in one sitting each, I couldn’t wait to pick up volumes three through eight at JC Comics. I had no chill on Volume Three either because I completed it in one go too! The story is so gripping and the artwork is so fantastic that I literally couldn’t stop and I am looking forward to cracking open the fourth one. Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a big fat trigger warning for gore, strong violence, and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

Blood In The Water begins where Volume Two ends – we are nowhere closer to solving the mystery of the Buckaroo Butchers, a masked killer is wreaking havoc, and Finch is preparing to interrogate Edward “Nailbiter” Warren for much needed answers. As a disgraced NSA agent, Finch has very… nontraditional ways of getting people to talk. After a grueling back and forth, Warren is finally ready to spill and they head to Sheriff Crane’s house to debrief and plan their next moves.

In the process of Finch questioning Warren and Crane trying to enjoy her one day off, trouble of a non serial killer related kind is brewing. If you recall from Volume Two, our Reverend Fairgold has a lot more than preaching on his mind. His beloved son was murdered and he wants someone, anyone to pay. Knowing that the cops are essentially going about this case blind, he encourages a group of vigilantes to take justice into their own hands with he as their fearless leader. If you also recall from Volume Two, Warren and Crane were high school sweethearts. How convenient that Finch, Warren, and the vigilantes end up on Crane’s doorstep at the exact same time.

Crane, Finch, and Warren make a quick getaway and go to the place where all of Buckaroo’s secrets are buried: The serial killer graveyard. Under the graveyard is a series of tunnels and jail cells and Warren knows them like the back of his hand. As they explore for answers, they stumble upon the lair of the newest killer – and the masked man himself yielding gigantic blades in each hand. With a gravely injured member of their party in tow, Warren insists on playing the hero and tries to fight off the killer… and his partner? As one person clings to life, someone with answers is finally awake. What can Eliot Carroll tell us in Volume Four? I can’t wait to find out!

WOW did Volume Three pack a punch. I actually think this might be my favorite one in the series yet. We gained a lot more intel and can really begin to see how the loose ends of the story will eventually tie together. Not only did we learn more information for the present mystery, but we also got to time travel to the past. Blood In The Water deep dived into Warren and Crane’s high school romance and its downfall. And, to add a cherry on top, we finally found out why Sheriff Crane is protective over Alice, Buckaroo’s resident weird teen. It was exactly what I wanted!

Blood In The Water was so excellent because of the previous two volumes. One and Two truly set the stage for the craziness that occurred on each page. Plots and details that other readers deemed “pointless” from the past two volumes became indispensable and goes to show that patience is a virtue in graphic novels. Like any good book, all can’t be revealed right off the jump. Volume Three was a testament to this and should serve as a healthy reminder to skeptics that the author, Joshua Williamson, will never stray us far from the path unless he has a good reason.

I am going to rate Blood In The Water with the coveted ten out of ten stars. Everything I wanted to know thus far in the series was answered and it doesn’t get better than that. I have a strong feeling that this is the turning point in Nailbiter when things get really good and I am so happy to have the full collection so I can binge read away!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah