A beautifully written book about a school yard rumour about a convicted child killer living in a local seaside town. As the rumours spread and people jump to all kind of conclusions as too who the person is one woman’s life is turned upside down as we plunge head first into a chilling conclusion.

3.5

Really enjoyed this. I did figure out some of what happened (possibly because I guessed a million different scenarios! Lol) but there were still lots of surprises and it genuinely kept me guessing throughout. Great easy read, worth a read!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️An easy 5 stars. Ms. Kara didn't hold back one bit with this debut novel. It has mystery, twists, likeable characters and doesn't let up until the very last page.

I started to become very upset because I kept thinking I knew who Sally McGowan was.... But I was wrong every time. I love being wrong! What's the point in a book if I already know what's going to happen? I read for the enlightenment AND the intrigue!

I can't wait for her next book! Ms. Kara if you are reading this, please send me a copy!!!

L’ho comprato attratta dalla quarta di copertina e devo dire che, non avendo effettivamente delle aspettative, ho molto apprezzato la storia. E c’è anche da dire che, fino a più di metà non avrei mai immaginato la piega che prendono gli eventi man mano che si va avanti.
Piacevole, ben scritto - a tratti ti fa dubitare di ogni personaggio - e scorrevole come scrittura.

DNF audiobook....OK plot, pace lagged

Debut novel by British author Lesley Kara. This one surprised me. I loved the idea and even the cover of the book. I was kind of bored at the beginning. Confused about chapter sizing. But by page 60/70 I was hooked. I literally read this book in 1 day. Maybe 6/7 hours of reading in total.

It starts with a rumour. A rumour that a child murderer, Sally McGowan was living in their tiny seaside town of Flinstead, under a new identity. Sally is accused of murdering a 5 year old boy, Robbie, when she was only 10 years old. She says it was a game gone wrong. She says her father was abusive. Her parents turn against her. She goes into witness protection.

Our main character Jo overhears this rumour whilst dropping her son, Alfie off at school.
Later Jo repeats the rumour to her book club. This would be a fatal mistake.
The rumour starts to spread. A local business woman targeted. Jo starts to suspect everyone in town. She’s second guessing friendships, questioning simple behaviours, confused by harmless actions. She’s being targeted herself.

I thought I had discovered the identity of Sally about halfway through. I was wrong. But I was on the right track. Lesley Kara does an amazing job of throwing you off the scent of the truth. I second guessed my own thoughts and theories through this one. By the time we got to the truth I was shocked. I actually didn’t believe what I was reading. Surely this was a misdirect as well?

Overall this is a great debut novel by Lesley Kara. I’m very excited now to read her second novel “who did you tell?”