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Say My Name
SAY MY NAME is a true-crime story about a crime that never happened—or did it?
On the heels of a divorce, a midlist mystery writer returns to his hometown in Central CT and is dragged back into a decades-old, unsolved case involving former missing classmates to expose the horrific secrets of a quaint, idyllic New England town.
Fusing the modern domestic psychological thriller with popular unsolved mysteries ( Girl on the Train meets In Cold Blood ), this meta blend of true crime and fiction plays with expectations and perspective before its mind-blowing conclusion.
On the heels of a divorce, a midlist mystery writer returns to his hometown in Central CT and is dragged back into a decades-old, unsolved case involving former missing classmates to expose the horrific secrets of a quaint, idyllic New England town.
Fusing the modern domestic psychological thriller with popular unsolved mysteries ( Girl on the Train meets In Cold Blood ), this meta blend of true crime and fiction plays with expectations and perspective before its mind-blowing conclusion.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2023
About the author
Joe Clifford
59 books314 followersJoe Clifford is the author of several books, including Junkie Love, the Jay Porter Thriller Series, Say My Name, All Who Wander, as well as editor of Trouble in the Heartland: Crime Stories Based on the Songs of Bruce Springsteen and others. Joe’s writing can be found at www.joeclifford.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
July 29, 2023
This was an interesting premise. Set up from the MC’s POV (Main character’s point of view), this is heavily laden with inner monologue about his own life and experiences.
We follow a writer who is being somewhat like an investigator journalist to find out what he can about the disappearances of twin girls back in his hometown when he was younger. The new disappearance of another set of twins in the here and now are eerily similar to the girls from his past childhood and now he wants to figure out the mystery and write all about it.
As our MC starts to uncover details and connections surround the disappearances, he finds himself in precarious positions that could have life threatening consequences. As we unravel the story, we slowly piece together what could be happening but there are some mild twists involved here.
Overall, I would say this is a decent read that kept my interest for the most part. I did find some character flaws for the MC but since that builds on who he is, that seemed to hit the mark. I took off one star for story development as I felt certain things could have been less predictable. Other than that, this was an entertaining read that easily passed the time while I had to wait in lines or in Dr.’s offices.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
We follow a writer who is being somewhat like an investigator journalist to find out what he can about the disappearances of twin girls back in his hometown when he was younger. The new disappearance of another set of twins in the here and now are eerily similar to the girls from his past childhood and now he wants to figure out the mystery and write all about it.
As our MC starts to uncover details and connections surround the disappearances, he finds himself in precarious positions that could have life threatening consequences. As we unravel the story, we slowly piece together what could be happening but there are some mild twists involved here.
Overall, I would say this is a decent read that kept my interest for the most part. I did find some character flaws for the MC but since that builds on who he is, that seemed to hit the mark. I took off one star for story development as I felt certain things could have been less predictable. Other than that, this was an entertaining read that easily passed the time while I had to wait in lines or in Dr.’s offices.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Did Not Finish
June 10, 2023Say My Name by Joe Clifford was just ok for me. I really couldn’t connect with anything Joe was doing or saying so for that reason I’m giving it 2 stars. Sorry Joe! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release.
June 7, 2023
Say My Name (2023) is Clifford’s latest novel. It is a novel about a writer who is writing (or at least researching) a true crime story about two fifteen-year-old girls, Annabelle and Ana Rodgers, who disappeared from the mall back when the author was fifteen too. Indeed, one of the missing girls had been his first big childhood crush, although he always believed she was out of his league. The character who is the author in this book is sort of Joe Clifford and sort of not. They are both writers. They both grew up in Berlin, Connecticut, and lived in San Francisco, before returning. Both are it seems introspective writers. So it is a part true crime story about a writer writing about a writer about a place where both the writer and the writer character grew up. Also, there are a few references to the Jay Porter series Clifford wrote (but as if the main character wrote the series) set on Lamentation Mountain about a handyman.
Beginning with the author’s note at the front of the book, it is hard to determine whether it is a true crime story or not or whether the “author” speaking at the front is Clifford or the character in the novel. We are told that the twins disappeared from the mall in 1985 and forty years later had never been found and it remained a black mark on the idyllic New England town and was still shocking to those who grew up there and knew the two girls. The other major point scored in the introduction by the “author” is that perhaps monsters do not just life in closets and under beds. Perhaps monsters are hiding in plain sight in our home towns, shopping at the same stores, eating at the same restaurants. “We don’t recognize them, Because they look just like us.”
Coming off a bitter divorce, the narrator returns to his hometown (where his only living relative is an oddball uncle Iver), he intends to write a true crime story about the missing twins from 1985 and maybe, just maybe, come up with answers to the town’s leading mystery. Much of the novel is introspective thoughts about a writer often lost in his own thoughts and disconnected to the outside world. He investigates though and is warned off the investigation and beaten till he was hospitalized, but doggedly still thinks he can resolve this old matter.
There is an introspective feel to the narration similar in many respects to what is found in Clifford’s Jay Porter novels, but this is a different character and a different story.
Beginning with the author’s note at the front of the book, it is hard to determine whether it is a true crime story or not or whether the “author” speaking at the front is Clifford or the character in the novel. We are told that the twins disappeared from the mall in 1985 and forty years later had never been found and it remained a black mark on the idyllic New England town and was still shocking to those who grew up there and knew the two girls. The other major point scored in the introduction by the “author” is that perhaps monsters do not just life in closets and under beds. Perhaps monsters are hiding in plain sight in our home towns, shopping at the same stores, eating at the same restaurants. “We don’t recognize them, Because they look just like us.”
Coming off a bitter divorce, the narrator returns to his hometown (where his only living relative is an oddball uncle Iver), he intends to write a true crime story about the missing twins from 1985 and maybe, just maybe, come up with answers to the town’s leading mystery. Much of the novel is introspective thoughts about a writer often lost in his own thoughts and disconnected to the outside world. He investigates though and is warned off the investigation and beaten till he was hospitalized, but doggedly still thinks he can resolve this old matter.
There is an introspective feel to the narration similar in many respects to what is found in Clifford’s Jay Porter novels, but this is a different character and a different story.
May 6, 2024
Not quite dark and gritty. More depressing.
February 7, 2025
"Say My Name" intrigued me, but I struggled with its unconventional approach to true crime. It read differently than anything else I've encountered in this genre, which threw me off balance.
Published in 2023, I read this book some time ago, and the complexity of my thoughts made the review process a bit daunting. To jog my memory and clarify my impressions, I turned to the audiobook to refresh my memory.
When I first requested "Say My Name," it had mainly positive reviews, but now opinions seem all over the place. It appears that readers either love it or dislike it—there's not much middle ground.
I might have enjoyed the journey more if the storytelling had taken a different approach. I absolutely love mind-blowing endings that take you by surprise, and while this one had that element, it ultimately left me confused. The narrative didn't feel like a profound, thought-provoking exploration until the conclusion, at which point the author completely lost me.
Thank you to the author and Books Go Social for providing this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and are left voluntarily.
Published in 2023, I read this book some time ago, and the complexity of my thoughts made the review process a bit daunting. To jog my memory and clarify my impressions, I turned to the audiobook to refresh my memory.
When I first requested "Say My Name," it had mainly positive reviews, but now opinions seem all over the place. It appears that readers either love it or dislike it—there's not much middle ground.
I might have enjoyed the journey more if the storytelling had taken a different approach. I absolutely love mind-blowing endings that take you by surprise, and while this one had that element, it ultimately left me confused. The narrative didn't feel like a profound, thought-provoking exploration until the conclusion, at which point the author completely lost me.
Thank you to the author and Books Go Social for providing this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and are left voluntarily.
June 4, 2023
This is a true crime novel…what??? Is this a thing…Yep! With Joe Clifford as the author, anything is possible. The main character, is a writer and he has decided to write a true crime book about the disappearance of twins from his hometown. Needless to say, this does not bode well for him. He is attacked on all fronts. But why? What exactly is he exposing?
This book is intriguing from start to finish. And the ending…oh boy! You better pay attention! Now, the only reason for the 4 star rating is the main character (which I don’t think his name is ever mentioned…hence the title of the book!) is a bit of a mess. He is researching a “true crime” book but he ignores all phone calls and unplugs a great deal. But, like I said…the ending opens a lot of truths!
I have read every single one of this author’s books. And I will continue to try and read every one he writes. He is so diverse and different in every book. And this one tops the diversity list. But, my favorite is still The Shadow People.
Need a good thriller with an ending that is not at all what anyone will expect…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
This book is intriguing from start to finish. And the ending…oh boy! You better pay attention! Now, the only reason for the 4 star rating is the main character (which I don’t think his name is ever mentioned…hence the title of the book!) is a bit of a mess. He is researching a “true crime” book but he ignores all phone calls and unplugs a great deal. But, like I said…the ending opens a lot of truths!
I have read every single one of this author’s books. And I will continue to try and read every one he writes. He is so diverse and different in every book. And this one tops the diversity list. But, my favorite is still The Shadow People.
Need a good thriller with an ending that is not at all what anyone will expect…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
May 25, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t really work for me. I felt like we spent most of the book watching the main character drink and then drive drunk, smoke and flail about, unable to make a decision about anything. I got SO TIRED of this guy drinking and driving, telling himself what a piece of garbage he was for doing it the next day, and then doing it again the next night. Gross. I was able to guess the plot twist in this one halfway through, and the main character remained oblivious until the last possible second. Half of the books issued stemmed from miscommunication, because the main character acted like a child and ignored any phone call or conversation he didn’t want to have, and just hoped his problems would go away. I had high hopes for this, but it did not deliver.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t really work for me. I felt like we spent most of the book watching the main character drink and then drive drunk, smoke and flail about, unable to make a decision about anything. I got SO TIRED of this guy drinking and driving, telling himself what a piece of garbage he was for doing it the next day, and then doing it again the next night. Gross. I was able to guess the plot twist in this one halfway through, and the main character remained oblivious until the last possible second. Half of the books issued stemmed from miscommunication, because the main character acted like a child and ignored any phone call or conversation he didn’t want to have, and just hoped his problems would go away. I had high hopes for this, but it did not deliver.
May 23, 2023
SAY MY NAME is a true crime story about a crime that never happened … or did it?
On the heels of a divorce, a midlist mystery writer returns to his hometown in Central CT and is dragged back into a decades’ old, unsolved case involving former missing classmates to expose the horrific secrets of a quaint, idyllic New England town.
Fusing the modern domestic psychological thriller with popular unsolved mysteries (Girl on the Train meets In Cold Blood), this meta blend of true crime and fiction plays with expectations and perspective before its mind-blowing conclusion.
I really enjoyed this story. I like the unique take on this thriller. My first and not last read by Joe Clifford. Will recommend to others.
On the heels of a divorce, a midlist mystery writer returns to his hometown in Central CT and is dragged back into a decades’ old, unsolved case involving former missing classmates to expose the horrific secrets of a quaint, idyllic New England town.
Fusing the modern domestic psychological thriller with popular unsolved mysteries (Girl on the Train meets In Cold Blood), this meta blend of true crime and fiction plays with expectations and perspective before its mind-blowing conclusion.
I really enjoyed this story. I like the unique take on this thriller. My first and not last read by Joe Clifford. Will recommend to others.
May 15, 2023
Another good one from Joe Clifford. This one is a great ride where we spend most of our time in the MC's headspace, and what makes this so interesting is the MC is the author, although i assume in a (somwhat) fictionalized portrayal. There is a mystery or two in this one and they are engaging, tho the conclusions are not too far out there if you have been paying attention...or are they. The ending may leave some guessing as to what was really going on.....but i really enjoyed the ride and seeing the world through this characters eyes. 4 stars
June 9, 2023
This is a book like nothing I've read before but it kept my interest the entire time! The unnamed mystery writer is working on a book combining reality and fiction, based upon unsolved mysteries surrounding the disappearances of two sets of twins set years apart. There are so many suspects, so many red herrings, so many clues that my head was spinning but it's so worth it in the end! I'll be looking at Clifford's other works in the near future as he's a wild story-teller!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
July 16, 2024
Not gonna lie. This is a quirky book to get into, but I did. It might have something to do with the positive karma tab between Joe Clifford's novels and I though. It's a jagged, ugly story about a man's diffuse sense of guilt and grief. Yep, this is another novel about grief.
It's fine, it's what he does best.
Written as a first person investigation from an unnamed narrator you assume is Clifford himself (everyone else has the name of a real world person he knows), who's investigating the disappearance of twin girls from his hometown a hair short of forty years prior. It's not just a "true crime novel". It's a story about how we're reframing our life events as our own story to try and make sense of the past. It's quite confronting, but it's also super well embodied by the character of Mel McPhee who steers our trainwreck of a protagonist towards answers she doesn't even know herself.
It's a twisty and turvy novel, but I'm still obsessing over it.
It's fine, it's what he does best.
Written as a first person investigation from an unnamed narrator you assume is Clifford himself (everyone else has the name of a real world person he knows), who's investigating the disappearance of twin girls from his hometown a hair short of forty years prior. It's not just a "true crime novel". It's a story about how we're reframing our life events as our own story to try and make sense of the past. It's quite confronting, but it's also super well embodied by the character of Mel McPhee who steers our trainwreck of a protagonist towards answers she doesn't even know herself.
It's a twisty and turvy novel, but I'm still obsessing over it.
June 5, 2023
I received a complimentary ARC of this excellent mystery novel from Netgalley, the author Joe Clifford, and publisher BooksGoSocial on June 5, 2023. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Say Miy Name of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend Joe Clifford to friends and family. He writes a fine tale, one to keep you up way too late, but worth the loss of sleep.
Our mystery takes place in the small town of Berlin, Connecticut, and our protagonist, a novelist, is newly divorced, hired at the local university to teach writing but laid off before his first day, and still pleased to be 'home' after many years in Sunny California. Winter though, that's something he had almost forgotten. Even before he finishes unpacking, he has decided to write a 'true crime' novel about the disappearance from the mall in a neighboring town nearly 40 years ago of twin girls he went to high school with. The girls have never been found, and coincidentally two sisters about the same age have just disappeared from a different neighboring small-town mall, bringing the disappearance of Annabelle and Ava back to the minds of Berlin natives. It becomes essential to him - Annabelle was the first girl to ever break his heart. He and his best buddies from those days will try to solve this crime, and find closure for the community. Yes, he will write a true crime novel. If he lives that long...
Pub date June 6, 2023
Reviewed on June 6, 2023, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, and Barnes&Noble. Not available for review at BookBub or Kobo.
Our mystery takes place in the small town of Berlin, Connecticut, and our protagonist, a novelist, is newly divorced, hired at the local university to teach writing but laid off before his first day, and still pleased to be 'home' after many years in Sunny California. Winter though, that's something he had almost forgotten. Even before he finishes unpacking, he has decided to write a 'true crime' novel about the disappearance from the mall in a neighboring town nearly 40 years ago of twin girls he went to high school with. The girls have never been found, and coincidentally two sisters about the same age have just disappeared from a different neighboring small-town mall, bringing the disappearance of Annabelle and Ava back to the minds of Berlin natives. It becomes essential to him - Annabelle was the first girl to ever break his heart. He and his best buddies from those days will try to solve this crime, and find closure for the community. Yes, he will write a true crime novel. If he lives that long...
Pub date June 6, 2023
Reviewed on June 6, 2023, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, and Barnes&Noble. Not available for review at BookBub or Kobo.
June 3, 2023
The main character finds hisself back in Berlin Connecticut after a divorce he reconnect with old friends some willingly and some clearly by accident but when he gets an amber alert for two girls that witnessing in a town a couple of cities the way from Berlin he is reminded of the twins that went missing when he was 12 he had a crush on Annabel even though they’re going missing would’ve been a loss had it just been a schoolmate it was made even more severe by his first teenage crush, he decides he’s going to write a nonfiction book about the girls going missing in the crime that took place but was is there a crime? I guess he’s left out to the readers to decide I really like the approachable feel he gave till I guess himself the main character I didn’t like the way he treated his uncle Iver who clearly cared about him but that is a small small part of the plot this was a great book if you love a great fiction book then you will Love “say my name” by Joseph Clifford I felt like we got a Flys eyeview of the behind the scenes in inner dialogue of writing and the writer. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
June 18, 2023
Say My Name by Joe Clifford
This was a strange book. It may be strange because I am an author and it was a book about an author talking to himself. I do that a lot too. He was telling a story but also talking about being an author. This purports to be a true crime story about a crime that never happened. Returning home after a decades-long hiatus reminiscing about the Rodgers twins and their disappearance, the author does a wealth of soul-searching.
Again, part of the strangeness, I, too, had a heartthrob on a set of twins as a preteen. Since the story has the author being very strange, personality disorder strange, you can imagine why I struggled not to find parallels with my own life. Of course, the author in the story sold far more books than I have so the parallels aren’t one hundred percent.
The book has arrogance, nostalgia, some action, and lots of treachery with bounteous confusion.
This was a strange book. It may be strange because I am an author and it was a book about an author talking to himself. I do that a lot too. He was telling a story but also talking about being an author. This purports to be a true crime story about a crime that never happened. Returning home after a decades-long hiatus reminiscing about the Rodgers twins and their disappearance, the author does a wealth of soul-searching.
Again, part of the strangeness, I, too, had a heartthrob on a set of twins as a preteen. Since the story has the author being very strange, personality disorder strange, you can imagine why I struggled not to find parallels with my own life. Of course, the author in the story sold far more books than I have so the parallels aren’t one hundred percent.
The book has arrogance, nostalgia, some action, and lots of treachery with bounteous confusion.
Read
June 27, 2023Say My Name begins as a mystery writer returns to his Connecticut hometown. His mind are on two classmates (female twins) who vanished from a local mall in 1985, and he's pondering a recent similar case in which two sisters also disappear. He decides to research the cases.
The narrator (does he have a name?) was clearly a bit of a quirky guy. His first person account is conversational and also a little off-putting.
Is this true crime, is it metafiction, is it a big twist book? Kind of all of the above. I don't think the ending was completely successful, but it was interesting for sure.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Read more of my reviews on JenRyland.com! Let's be friends on Bookstagram!
The narrator (does he have a name?) was clearly a bit of a quirky guy. His first person account is conversational and also a little off-putting.
Is this true crime, is it metafiction, is it a big twist book? Kind of all of the above. I don't think the ending was completely successful, but it was interesting for sure.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Read more of my reviews on JenRyland.com! Let's be friends on Bookstagram!
May 6, 2023
Hard to blame a book for what's it's not, but all the mentions of those depressing books in the snow had me wishing this was a Jay Porter novel. Instead, we are treated to a snide, self pitying version of Clifford himself, spinning out following a divorce and pondering the disappearance of twin girls in his teenage years.
It's partly way too meta and following Clifford on social media and having listened to interviews means I know too much about the real Clifford to get invested in this version of him.
On the plus side, the mystery plays out in tandem with this so you don't see the parts come together until they do.
This was a little too knowing in what it was trying to do and while I admired the concept, it didn't fully hit the mark for me.
It's partly way too meta and following Clifford on social media and having listened to interviews means I know too much about the real Clifford to get invested in this version of him.
On the plus side, the mystery plays out in tandem with this so you don't see the parts come together until they do.
This was a little too knowing in what it was trying to do and while I admired the concept, it didn't fully hit the mark for me.
June 22, 2023
It's not that this book wasn't good - I just feel like I've read so many of this type of book (some vague spoilers ahead). The premise is one we've all seen - guy investigating cold case murder, has obvious suspect - obvious suspect isn't the actual culprit - actual culprit is the guy investigating the cold case's right hand man. I knew from early on that the bad guy was the actual bad guy. I did enjoy the misdirect of the uncle being involved, that really threw a wrench in me trying to figure out what was actually going on. Ultimately, I was unable to connect with the main character and it felt like they were dragging out the story with less investigating and more background/unimportant information. It's not a bad read, decent mystery with an "unexpected" ending, just wasn't for me.
June 25, 2023
A unique mystery told from the perspective of the main character, who is an author. The author moves back to his hometown and decides to write a non-fiction true crime novel about two girls (twins) who disappeared over 40 years ago, when he was in high school.
This was a really unusual read because most of the story plays out inside the author's head. It was fast paced but also felt like I was reading a long rant or ramblings of the author. I wanted to like this book but after a depressing and confusing ending, I felt let down. I was also really frustrated with the drunk driving throughout the book.
Thank you to Joe Clifford, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for an advanced eBook in exchange for my honest review.
This was a really unusual read because most of the story plays out inside the author's head. It was fast paced but also felt like I was reading a long rant or ramblings of the author. I wanted to like this book but after a depressing and confusing ending, I felt let down. I was also really frustrated with the drunk driving throughout the book.
Thank you to Joe Clifford, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for an advanced eBook in exchange for my honest review.
June 17, 2023
A 2* ok read for me. The main character returns to his hometown to teach, having written several successful crime novels. Two twin girls disappeared when he was a teenager and upon his return, two more disappear.
Unfortunately, for me, the writing was disjointed and the protagonist really frustrating and irritating. I struggled to finish it, but, persevered. Just not for me, but, an ok read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview.
Unfortunately, for me, the writing was disjointed and the protagonist really frustrating and irritating. I struggled to finish it, but, persevered. Just not for me, but, an ok read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview.
June 27, 2023
First of all, I want to thank the author and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Say my name by Joe Clifford is coming out on June 06, 2023.
This was a hard book for me to get into and follow. I found myself stopping a lot and not ready to pick it back up. I’m not sure if it was the type of book (true crime) or if it was the way the author wrote the book. #SayMyName #NetGalley
This was a hard book for me to get into and follow. I found myself stopping a lot and not ready to pick it back up. I’m not sure if it was the type of book (true crime) or if it was the way the author wrote the book. #SayMyName #NetGalley
May 6, 2023
A brilliantly written novel with an extraordinary story about an unbalanced author trying to write a true story about a childhood crime. Impossible to put down as you journey through the twists and turns in the story that lead to a surprising finale. A highly recommended read and worthy of five stars.
August 3, 2024
The majority of the way through this book it was 2stars, the end completely ruined it for me. I struggled to enjoy the narrators thought process and I think Clifford abandoned the unreliable narrator angle very early on. Character flaws and bad habits were literally stopped in the last few chapters.
May 8, 2023
This is the first book I've read by this author and I was impressed. I love his style of writing and subject matter that kept me interested from beginning to end and these days, those types of books are few and far between.
June 22, 2025
Too rambling...
It was much too long and relationships were vague or poorly explained.The crime (s) were disjointed. There was too much self reflecting or philosophical, inward search that didn't contribute to the plot. I wouldn't recommend it.
It was much too long and relationships were vague or poorly explained.The crime (s) were disjointed. There was too much self reflecting or philosophical, inward search that didn't contribute to the plot. I wouldn't recommend it.
February 25, 2025
Say My Name by Joe Clifford took me on an intriguing journey through a true-crime story that might never have happened—or did it? The narrative unfolds through the eyes of the main character, an author who returns to his hometown after a divorce. Determined to delve into the unsolved case of two missing twin girls from his high school days, he ventures into the world of true crime writing.
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions and perspectives, blending the lines between fiction and reality. The author's mind becomes the stage where the story plays out, making it both fast-paced and introspective. While I found myself captivated by the uniqueness of the plot, it was like reading a complex puzzle or a maze of thoughts and rants from the protagonist. The book had me hooked, but the ending left me feeling a mix of emotions—disappointed and confused.
Throughout the story, I was also troubled by the recurring theme of drunk driving, which added an extra layer of frustration and disgust. Although I wanted to love this book, the ending and certain elements left me somewhat unsatisfied. Despite that, I appreciate the opportunity provided by NetGalley to read this advanced eBook in exchange for an honest review. Say My Name offers a thought-provoking and unusual take on the mystery genre, making it a must-read for fans of true crime with a twist of psychological thriller.
Merged review:
Say My Name by Joe Clifford took me on an intriguing journey through a true-crime story that might never have happened—or did it? The narrative unfolds through the eyes of the main character, an author who returns to his hometown after a divorce. Determined to delve into the unsolved case of two missing twin girls from his high school days, he ventures into the world of true crime writing.
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions and perspectives, blending the lines between fiction and reality. The author's mind becomes the stage where the story plays out, making it both fast-paced and introspective. While I found myself captivated by the uniqueness of the plot, it was like reading a complex puzzle or a maze of thoughts and rants from the protagonist. The book had me hooked, but the ending left me feeling a mix of emotions—disappointed and confused.
Throughout the story, I was also troubled by the recurring theme of drunk driving, which added an extra layer of frustration and disgust. Although I wanted to love this book, the ending and certain elements left me somewhat unsatisfied. Despite that, I appreciate the opportunity provided by NetGalley to read this advanced eBook in exchange for an honest review. Say My Name offers a thought-provoking and unusual take on the mystery genre, making it a must-read for fans of true crime with a twist of psychological thriller.
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions and perspectives, blending the lines between fiction and reality. The author's mind becomes the stage where the story plays out, making it both fast-paced and introspective. While I found myself captivated by the uniqueness of the plot, it was like reading a complex puzzle or a maze of thoughts and rants from the protagonist. The book had me hooked, but the ending left me feeling a mix of emotions—disappointed and confused.
Throughout the story, I was also troubled by the recurring theme of drunk driving, which added an extra layer of frustration and disgust. Although I wanted to love this book, the ending and certain elements left me somewhat unsatisfied. Despite that, I appreciate the opportunity provided by NetGalley to read this advanced eBook in exchange for an honest review. Say My Name offers a thought-provoking and unusual take on the mystery genre, making it a must-read for fans of true crime with a twist of psychological thriller.
Merged review:
Say My Name by Joe Clifford took me on an intriguing journey through a true-crime story that might never have happened—or did it? The narrative unfolds through the eyes of the main character, an author who returns to his hometown after a divorce. Determined to delve into the unsolved case of two missing twin girls from his high school days, he ventures into the world of true crime writing.
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions and perspectives, blending the lines between fiction and reality. The author's mind becomes the stage where the story plays out, making it both fast-paced and introspective. While I found myself captivated by the uniqueness of the plot, it was like reading a complex puzzle or a maze of thoughts and rants from the protagonist. The book had me hooked, but the ending left me feeling a mix of emotions—disappointed and confused.
Throughout the story, I was also troubled by the recurring theme of drunk driving, which added an extra layer of frustration and disgust. Although I wanted to love this book, the ending and certain elements left me somewhat unsatisfied. Despite that, I appreciate the opportunity provided by NetGalley to read this advanced eBook in exchange for an honest review. Say My Name offers a thought-provoking and unusual take on the mystery genre, making it a must-read for fans of true crime with a twist of psychological thriller.
July 21, 2024
I have had to call time on this, though I did get as far as 38%, and I rarely give up once I manage to get past 20%. The main reason is the lack of any consideration for international readers. Too many times I had to stop reading to look up some American pop culture reference, till in the end I got cheesed off having to keep interrupting my flow to do just this.
It's referred to as a true crime fiction, which in and itself is a paradox and made me roll my eyes, especially when I read in his disclaimer that 'no identification with actual persons...should be inferred'....really ? Cos' if the author can't make up his mind what category it falls into then I've sod all chance !! He persistently reminds us he's a writer as well, which got tedious. However, when he describes the crime itself I do recall something very similar being featured on a true crime podcast so I will take a look online when I finish this review and look up any developments if I'm remembering it right. The tape recorder reference I definitely recall......
He used an expression I found pretty unpleasant, and it was another of his funny little Americanisms...."choking on heart meat"......made him sound cannibalistic !! I had to look up red hats, AWP, clouding coffee and when Dan Fogelberg was mentioned and I had to yet again consult Google I just lost the will to live with it altogether. There were more of these but I didn't highlight them all.
At one point he was dropping a signed book into a police station, stating he wanted to see the local cop in person, then on the next page we're told he plans on leaving it with a secretary ! Too many times he needed to use hyphens and didn't, as with smoky boy in the cold months or print out or about face or record shops turned spas.......painful. He also wrote sheriff as sherriff.
I liked he dedicated the book to his old pal Jack. I never reached the end so I'm unsure whether he ever learned if Jack's alibi was a fiction or not, which I personally suspected.
I know some publishers release American and British English versions of books and I have often wondered why but this pretty much showed me why !!
It's referred to as a true crime fiction, which in and itself is a paradox and made me roll my eyes, especially when I read in his disclaimer that 'no identification with actual persons...should be inferred'....really ? Cos' if the author can't make up his mind what category it falls into then I've sod all chance !! He persistently reminds us he's a writer as well, which got tedious. However, when he describes the crime itself I do recall something very similar being featured on a true crime podcast so I will take a look online when I finish this review and look up any developments if I'm remembering it right. The tape recorder reference I definitely recall......
He used an expression I found pretty unpleasant, and it was another of his funny little Americanisms...."choking on heart meat"......made him sound cannibalistic !! I had to look up red hats, AWP, clouding coffee and when Dan Fogelberg was mentioned and I had to yet again consult Google I just lost the will to live with it altogether. There were more of these but I didn't highlight them all.
At one point he was dropping a signed book into a police station, stating he wanted to see the local cop in person, then on the next page we're told he plans on leaving it with a secretary ! Too many times he needed to use hyphens and didn't, as with smoky boy in the cold months or print out or about face or record shops turned spas.......painful. He also wrote sheriff as sherriff.
I liked he dedicated the book to his old pal Jack. I never reached the end so I'm unsure whether he ever learned if Jack's alibi was a fiction or not, which I personally suspected.
I know some publishers release American and British English versions of books and I have often wondered why but this pretty much showed me why !!
January 20, 2026
Joe Clifford’s book Say My Name is dark, dramatic, and intriguing, to say the least.
The story is told in the first person by a crime novel author with some parallels to author Clifford. The teller moves from the San Francisco Bay Area back to his hometown of Berlin, Connecticut, and plunges into trying to solve a cold case involving the kidnapping of twin teenage girls named Rodgers. Joe Clifford, according to Wikipedia, is a native of Berlin, Connecticut, living in the Bay Area.
The teller of the tale descends deeply into drugs and alcohol; Clifford earlier penned a novelized memoir called Junkie Love, about his own heroin addiction, though he has now been in recovery for decades.
Clifford teases us with this genre-defying tale.
The front cover insists that it’s “A True Crime Novel,” yet the back cover describes it as “A True Crime Story About a Crime That Never Happened … Or Did It?”
Is this a “true crime story?” A quick Google search reveals a kidnapping of twins named Rodgers, but they were infants, and the abduction took place in Georgia.
Is it a roman à clef, where real people and events appear with made-up names? Apparently not, though Clifford does pay homage to this genre in the final chapter, where his author/storyteller, in a therapy session, mentions Primary Colors, by Joe Klein, a thinly veiled story about Bill Clinton’s early years.
What it is, for certain, is a well-plotted noir, deeply engrossing, a bit depressing, and an excellent read.
Also … despite the title, the author character who tells us the story has no name. His friends often address him as buddy, but always with a lower-case “b,” like saying “pal” or “mate.” And we learn from the Acknowledgments that some of the characters are named for Clifford’s own buddies. Yet another tease.
Highly recommended.
The story is told in the first person by a crime novel author with some parallels to author Clifford. The teller moves from the San Francisco Bay Area back to his hometown of Berlin, Connecticut, and plunges into trying to solve a cold case involving the kidnapping of twin teenage girls named Rodgers. Joe Clifford, according to Wikipedia, is a native of Berlin, Connecticut, living in the Bay Area.
The teller of the tale descends deeply into drugs and alcohol; Clifford earlier penned a novelized memoir called Junkie Love, about his own heroin addiction, though he has now been in recovery for decades.
Clifford teases us with this genre-defying tale.
The front cover insists that it’s “A True Crime Novel,” yet the back cover describes it as “A True Crime Story About a Crime That Never Happened … Or Did It?”
Is this a “true crime story?” A quick Google search reveals a kidnapping of twins named Rodgers, but they were infants, and the abduction took place in Georgia.
Is it a roman à clef, where real people and events appear with made-up names? Apparently not, though Clifford does pay homage to this genre in the final chapter, where his author/storyteller, in a therapy session, mentions Primary Colors, by Joe Klein, a thinly veiled story about Bill Clinton’s early years.
What it is, for certain, is a well-plotted noir, deeply engrossing, a bit depressing, and an excellent read.
Also … despite the title, the author character who tells us the story has no name. His friends often address him as buddy, but always with a lower-case “b,” like saying “pal” or “mate.” And we learn from the Acknowledgments that some of the characters are named for Clifford’s own buddies. Yet another tease.
Highly recommended.
April 29, 2024
Say My Name is an interesting blend of true crime fiction and somewhat autobiographical fiction. Clifford writes of an author who, post-divorce, has returned to his childhood home to teach a summer session at a local university. When the job falls through and two girls disappear from a mall a few towns away, he begins researching/writing a true crime story, trying to connect their disappearance with that of two girls, fifteen-year-old Annabelle and Ana Rodgers, who disappeared from a mall when he was fifteen. The older case remains unsolved. The author, whose name remains unknown throughout, had his first crush on one of the girls.
This book intrigued me from the beginning. The list of potential suspects in the little town is vast: everyone from the local sexual predator to the author’s kindly elderly uncle to everyone present at the mall on that fateful day, including childhood friends of the author, and there are plenty of red herrings to keep the reader intrigued.
From the onset with the author’s note, it’s hard to tell how much of the actual author is part of the fictional author, which is an interesting idea. It becomes even more interesting when the fictional author’s therapist wonders if he is not a character in another author’s book, sort of a meta-author. The protagonist, like many of Clifford’s main characters, is a rough-around-the-edges, self-destructive guy dealing with emotional and physical problems and addictions of one sort or another, but the meta-fiction aspect raises it above Clifford’s usual works.
This book intrigued me from the beginning. The list of potential suspects in the little town is vast: everyone from the local sexual predator to the author’s kindly elderly uncle to everyone present at the mall on that fateful day, including childhood friends of the author, and there are plenty of red herrings to keep the reader intrigued.
From the onset with the author’s note, it’s hard to tell how much of the actual author is part of the fictional author, which is an interesting idea. It becomes even more interesting when the fictional author’s therapist wonders if he is not a character in another author’s book, sort of a meta-author. The protagonist, like many of Clifford’s main characters, is a rough-around-the-edges, self-destructive guy dealing with emotional and physical problems and addictions of one sort or another, but the meta-fiction aspect raises it above Clifford’s usual works.
March 30, 2025
*INCLUDES SPOILERS*
As a lifelong CT resident (and living in Berlin since 2017), I loved the references to local businesses and landmarks. This was such a fun bonus!
Say My Name was a quick, fun read. Joe is an author who mixes reality with fabrication, and blurs the line so well that you forget you’re reading fiction. I was never convinced that Iver or Danny were guilty but I didn’t suspect Jim until the narrators house was broken into (Jim “ran out to pick up a prescription”… suuure), and I was excited about that twist.
The end felt hurried, but in a good way. A lot of people tend to think a quickened ending means it lacks depth, but I loved how everything wrapped up - especially by keeping the ending slightly open-ended. Will we see Jim again? Who knows!?
As a lifelong CT resident (and living in Berlin since 2017), I loved the references to local businesses and landmarks. This was such a fun bonus!
Say My Name was a quick, fun read. Joe is an author who mixes reality with fabrication, and blurs the line so well that you forget you’re reading fiction. I was never convinced that Iver or Danny were guilty but I didn’t suspect Jim until the narrators house was broken into (Jim “ran out to pick up a prescription”… suuure), and I was excited about that twist.
The end felt hurried, but in a good way. A lot of people tend to think a quickened ending means it lacks depth, but I loved how everything wrapped up - especially by keeping the ending slightly open-ended. Will we see Jim again? Who knows!?
April 20, 2024
Say My Name
This is a story about an writer that comes back home after a painful divorce and decides to write about a 35 year old cold case involving the abduction and disappearance of 15 year old twins. The story is sold as true crime fiction and some of the characters in the story are real or were real and some are not. I had a hard time getting into this story but once I got through maybe 49 pages the book was devoured.I would say this book was maybe 3.8 stars but I gave it 4.
This is a story about an writer that comes back home after a painful divorce and decides to write about a 35 year old cold case involving the abduction and disappearance of 15 year old twins. The story is sold as true crime fiction and some of the characters in the story are real or were real and some are not. I had a hard time getting into this story but once I got through maybe 49 pages the book was devoured.I would say this book was maybe 3.8 stars but I gave it 4.
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