Release date: November 14, 2023
Publisher: Thomas and Mercer
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Synopsis:
She’s a pariah with a killer past. Her bid to escape it is nothing short of terrifying in a heart-pounding novel of suspense by Washington Post and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Minka Kent.
Afton Teachout has been an outcast in her small town for twenty years—ever since she was accused of murdering her mother’s lover in a blackout fit of rage. That is, if one believes the malicious lies.
Living with her grandmother, working a hotel night shift, and relying on pills to get a day’s sleep, Afton is due a little luck. It comes in the form of an unexpected financial windfall. With her newfound wealth, Afton sets a secret plan in motion to help her only friend, Sydney, flee a toxic husband. But the best intentions soon spin out of control.
Afton is getting unsettling calls from a restricted number, and someone has been lingering outside her home. As Sydney’s troubled marriage comes into focus, so does Afton’s past. Her second chance—for herself and for Sydney—isn’t what she dreamed of at all. In fact, it’s becoming a nightmare.
Review:
I really loved the premise here and the prologue dives into the day that changed Afton’s life forever. It was chilling and puzzling because it lays the groundwork for a very solid mystery but it also leaves so many questions unanswered. This flips back and forth between Afton and Syndey each chapter and it also has a few chapters from the past that slowly provides insight into both women’s lives. The pacing here was fast and furious and I truly couldn’t put this down, I read it all in a day because I was desperate to know what was really going on. I found myself really sympathetic towards Afton but it was weird because I was never sure if she was trustworthy either. I liked that though because it kept me on my toes and is a main part of the reason why I finished so quickly. I don’t want to say much more but if you like friendship dramas, super fast paced and addictive stories and tricky plots try this.
Overall rating: 4/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
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