Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Gemini Women #1

The Knowing

Rate this book
Charles, L. j.

322 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2011

3 people are currently reading
188 people want to read

About the author

L.J. Charles

42 books74 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
28 (35%)
4 stars
29 (36%)
3 stars
15 (18%)
2 stars
6 (7%)
1 star
2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for A Book Vacation.
1,485 reviews730 followers
March 25, 2014
To see my full review:

http://abookvacation.com/2014/03/31/r...

This was a fun paranormal novel surrounding a psychic connection between a young woman and a murderer. Nia struggles when the snow comes; it means that the murderer is on the prowl, and soon she’ll witness him murder again, just as she does every year… but this year she decides to do something about it. Though perhaps not the most rational of ideas, she runs to the warmest climate she can find in a pinch: Hawaii. Little does she know, this is exactly what the killer wants…
Though a little unrealistic at times, The Knowing was a good read overall. It was fun getting to know Nia; she’s a little bit spacey and flakey at times, and I definitely had my “yelling through the pages” moments as she made a few poor decisions, but with the help of unlikely friends, she stays on top of it all in this game of cat and mouse, a game that ends with a suspenseful climax that had me on the edge of my seat.

Though I didn’t necessarily find Nia’s relationships with the people of Hawaii to be too believable—they were all just a little too accepting, especially Trace and Whitney—I also have never lived in Hawaii, and I have indeed heard it is a much more laid back place. While it has it’s own share of crime, the people there tend to be just a little more understanding, so as I reflect, I have to note that yes, it actually is possible… it just isn’t be the way I personally approach people. I would have liked the relationship building here to have been a little more in-depth, I guess, because then I might have felt it was more believable as I read, but either way, in the end, it works for the story.

There is a lot of action in the novel surrounding Haitian roots, and it was fun to learn the lore as well as learn the true reason that Nia is connected to a psychopathic killer. I have to admit I wasn’t ready for the reveal—and neither was Nia—but as it’s revealed relatively early on in the story, it grew on me and as everything began to fall into place, it began to make perfect sense.
Profile Image for Adrienne Giordano.
Author 108 books862 followers
June 20, 2011
I loved the suspense in this book. Nia fought hard to catch the killer and I found myself cheering for her along the way. I'd definitely recommend this book. It had mystery plus a touch of paranormal. It was a great read.
Profile Image for Linda Andrews.
Author 67 books92 followers
December 8, 2011
Every last snowfall for the past three years, Nia De'brie has visions of murder. But not this year. When a spring snowstorm threatens she boards the first plane that will take her to a place with no snow. After a brief encounter with TSA, she finds herself in Hawaii --along with the murder and his latest victim. Telling the homicide detective in charge what she saw in her vision makes her the prime suspect.

I enjoyed The Knowing but it isn't a typical murder mystery. Nia, the heroine, is dragged kicking and screaming into the investigation. Her means of coping with being a suspect then bait and are funny and realistic. The woman's got spunk and a love of flip-flops that ground her terror when she realizes how closely tied she is to the murderer and the killings. If you're in the mood for a cat and mouse story, rather than a sleuthing one, then add The Knowing to your to be read pile.
Profile Image for Claire Reviews.
1,009 reviews40 followers
December 22, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, the second I have read by this author. The characters were well written and likeable; the plot was interesting and exciting - the hunt for a serial killer who the main character Nia has witnessed killing people in strange 'visions'; Nia's strange connection to the murderer that threatens to unravel her entire family; her friends the woman detective and the herbalist, who try to help Nia to understand and control the visions; the unlikely romance between Nia and the murderer's defence attorney. Lots of brilliant interaction between all the characters and a family secret that could tear the family apart. Fast paced and full of surprises, this first book in the Gemini Women Trilogy does not disappoint, and I'm anticipating that the next installment will be just as good.
Profile Image for Leah James.
Author 12 books86 followers
December 26, 2011
I'd never read L.J. Charles before but picked this book from one of those 99-cent ebook sales that was running within the last few weeks. I have a pile of print and Kindle books in my "to be read" pile, but after a "glimpse" at the first couple pages of THE KNOWING, I got sucked into the story and stayed up far too late on a couple nights so I could see what was coming next. I finished this morning, and had to tear myself from the preview of the next story in the series! Ms. Charles does a terrific job with conveying emotion, not just of the protagonist (it's written in first person) but of the other characters as well. I fell in love with the mother and father, wanted Whitney for my own friend, and wanted to follow Nia and Trace into the future. Wonderful job.
Profile Image for Teresa.
Author 43 books230 followers
June 24, 2011
The Knowing, by L.J. Charles, is filled with unique, diverse characters whose voices and personalities leap off the page. Her main character, Nia, has an unusual gift and the way Charles introduces it draws you into the story and the character’s life.

Charles’ writing is fast paced, the story engrossing, and her voice entertaining. The humor she injects into the story had me laughing out loud.

I’ve already purchased The Calling as well. And I’m looking forward to reading the third book in the trilogy.

The Knowing is a keeper.

46 reviews1 follower
December 7, 2012
I've now read this book and the next book in the trilogy, The Calling. Each features a female protagonist with a 'gift'--a psychic gift. I'd classify these as a 'beach read'...not too intense, with just enough suspense to keep you reading while you're roasting in the sun. They aren't graphic, and well, they are just light reading. I know this isn't much of a review. I'm glad I got to read them, and I'll likely read the third book, The Healing, which focuses on Chloe (who features in each of the first two books, as well).
2,416 reviews42 followers
November 1, 2013
Great! Loved it! A fabulous suspense novel following psychic visions and including a truly unexpected twist. Her novels are always unpredictable, and the characters are wonderful. In spite of the unusual circumstance they face, they react realistically!

Nia De'Brie, nursing management consultant, flees North Dakota to Honolulu trying to escape visions of murder. Unfortunately, that didn't work to well though; not only did she "see" another murder, she ran right into the murderer face to face, a terribly unbelievable face. On to the next book in the series, The Calling.
Profile Image for Marie.
504 reviews39 followers
July 23, 2011
I received this book from a goodreads giveaway, and appreciated the opportunity to read it.
Now onto the bad side,I tried to give this book a chance, I really did. Unfortunately, I am not a fan. I'm not too fond of Nia as a character, and lots of things in the book seemed to convenient to me. I read most of it, but I never made it through the end, because it just didn't hold my attention.
Still, just because it's my cup of tea doesn't mean it's not yours.
496 reviews4 followers
December 26, 2014
This suspense romantic book left me hanging from a thread since the beginning. The mix between reality and superstitious things associated to the Voodoo religion was great. The mystery between the killer, the visions and the main character also. A lot of things could still happen, the body was not recovered because the sharks had a dinner party with it... That door is open, so everything can happen in the future.
Profile Image for Lorian Jones.
107 reviews21 followers
September 22, 2013
The Knowing (Gemini Women #1) by L.J. Charles whoa this book is so crazy and i love it i just couldn't put the book down even though i have to do my skoolwork but i have to say i love this book i want to thank the author for writing this book and giving me this book to read i gave my friend to read the beginning of the book and she want to read it she starting to like it
364 reviews4 followers
May 15, 2013
Came to The Knowing after reading another novel by this author which came free on kindle (An Everly Gray mystery), which I´d also enjoyed a lot. This one is more supernatural in theme, but a very enjoyable mystery/ romance
Profile Image for Kristina Franken.
493 reviews14 followers
September 4, 2012
I highly recommend this book for anyone

FTC: I received a free copy of this book and was not reimbursed in any other way.
Profile Image for Sharon Absher.
104 reviews3 followers
July 16, 2014
This is a really good book you never know what is going to happen next. It is constantly keeping you on your toes. Very suspenseful.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.