Never Look Back by Alison Gaylin

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

From the Edgar Award-winning author of If I Die Tonight

Reminiscent of the bestsellers of Laura Lippman and Harlan Coben—with a Serial-esque podcast twist—an absorbing, addictive tale of psychological suspense from the author of the highly acclaimed and Edgar Award-nominated What Remains of Me and the USA Today bestselling and Shamus Award-winning Brenna Spector series.

For thirteen days in 1976, teenage murderers April Cooper and Gabriel LeRoy terrorized Southern California’s Inland Empire, killing a dozen victims before perishing themselves in a fire… or did they? More than 40 years later, twentysomething podcast producer Quentin Garrison blames his troubled upbringing on the murders. And after a shocking message from a source, he has reason to believe April Cooper may still be alive. Meanwhile, New York City film columnist Robin Diamond is coping with rising doubts about her husband and terrifying threats from internet trolls. But that’s nothing compared to the outrageous phone call she gets from Quentin… and a brutal home invasion that makes her question everything she ever believed in. Is Robin’s beloved mother a mass murderer? Is there anyone she can trust?

Told through the eyes of those destroyed by the Inland Empire Killings—including Robin, Quentin, and a fifteen-year-old April Cooper—Never Look Back asks the question:

How well do we really know our parents, our partners—and ourselves?

my thoughts:

Mystery-thrillers are my jam. They are always a fun read - chock full of twists and turns, crazy scenarios that terrify, and unforgettable characters. So, of course, I was super excited to get my hands on a copy of  Alison Gaylin's book, Never Look Back. A suspense-filled story to get lost in on a grey, rainy summer day (yep, that's Florida for ya) sounded perfect to me. I jumped right in and let me just say, OMG!! What a book!!

I absolutely LOVED Never Look Back!! Told in dual timelines from different perspectives, this story takes you on quite a trip. Teenage murderers went on a killing spree and then died in a fire. Fast forward to forty years later and a podcaster is starting to wonder if both teenage murderers died in that fire.  Yep, seems like something isn't quite right about their deaths and with a bit of digging the truth may finally be brought to light. The question is, at who's expense? Yikes!

Talk about a terrific story! The writing was top notch - clever and thrilling. The characters were fascinating - I didn't want to stop reading about them. And the story - unputdownable! I found myself hooked right from the start - gripping with a capital "G"!  Loved this book!

I would happily recommend Never Look Back to fans of Gaylin and anyone looking for their next mystery-thriller - you will LOVE this book to bits!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Never Look Back

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

If I Die Tonight by Alison Gaylin

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Reminiscent of the bestsellers of Laura Lippman and Harlan Coben—with a dose of Big Little Lies or Stranger Things—an absorbing, addictive tale of psychological suspense from the author of the highly acclaimed and Edgar Award-nominated What Remains of Me and the USA Today bestselling and Shamus Award-winning Brenna Spector series, in which a seemingly open-and-shut police case with a clear-cut hero and villain turns out to be anything but simple.

Late one night in the quiet Hudson Valley town of Havenkill, a distraught woman stumbles into the police station—and lives are changed forever.

Aimee En, once a darling of the ’80s pop music scene, claims that a teenage boy stole her car, then ran over another young man who’d rushed to help.

As Liam Miller’s life hangs in the balance, the events of that fateful night begin to come into focus. But is everything as it seems?

The case quickly consumes social media, transforming Liam, a local high school football star, into a folk hero, and the suspect, a high school outcast named Wade Reed, into a depraved would-be killer. But is Wade really guilty? And if he isn’t, why won’t he talk?

Told from a kaleidoscope of viewpoints—Wade’s mother Jackie, his younger brother Connor, Aimee En and Pearl Maze, a young police officer with a tragic past, If I Die Tonight is a story of family ties and dark secrets—and the lengths we’ll go to protect ourselves.


my thoughts:

I am all about suspense-thrillers lately and this one is no exception. I just loved If I Die Tonight by Alison Gaylin. What a book!

This is a slow-going story that unfolds every detail piece by piece, making you question everything left and right. Inspired by true events, this story tackles social media and the way it elevates gossip to truth in a nanosecond.  A woman claims her car was stolen by a teenager who then ran over another teenager who was trying to help her.  One boy (Liam) is in hospital fighting for his life, while the other one  (Wade) is keeping his mouth shut and refusing to provide details.  No one knows what really happened, but according to everyone on social media they know 'whodunit'.

Predictable at times, this story can appear a bit too formulaic.  However, the emotional stresses of the characters provide a layer of depth to the story that makes it all feel a bit too real.  That haunting idea that this could happen to anyone is what gives the story that extra push it needs to make it unputdownable. I absolutely gobbled it up in one sitting and loved every minute of it. Definitely a great book to settle down with during these crazy weather days - perfect for chilly/stormy nights.

I would happily recommend If I Die Tonight to fans of Alison Gaylin and anyone looking for their next great read- you will LOVE this book!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: If I Die Tonight

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!