No Rhyme, Nor Reason

by Deborah White

Moving to Rhyme Island sounded like an escape for Rachel and Dean but their perfect escape quickly turns into a nightmare when Dean realises Rachel’s new job offer is too good to be true.

As Dean tries to unravel the mysteries of this gilded world created by Hunter he discovers nothing is as bright as it seems. But as the darkness comes creeping then screaming to the surface of Rhyme Island Dean learns his wife has already been swallowed up by materialism and is now entangled in a web of deception trapped by psychological manipulation.

Will Dean unravel the web created by Hunter? Will they become prisoners of their own needs and wants? Or will their daughter, Fiona, provide an alternative solution?

Get ready for a heart-pounding ride in this psychological thriller that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew.

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2023

Reviews

[Barbara Behring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what a fantastic, twisty ,absolutely compelling book. Fiona is quite a character and I loved the story. I can't wait to read more from Deborah White.

[Tara Cavanaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Rachel and Dean lose one of their twin daughters, Sienna, Rachel has received a new job offer that Dean believes is too good to be true. They think that moving to Rhyme Island would be the perfect for new beginnings. The job comes with a mansion and luxury cars, all thanks to Hunter. Dean is on to Hunter from the start. Something is off about the guy and Dean is determined to figure out what it is. Rachel thinks that Dean is crazy and that Hunter is just a good guy. With his wife falling into the promises and lies of Hunter, Dean reaches out to his daughter, Fiona, for help. He tells her of the cult that Hunter has created and names the people responsible in a letter to her. Will they get to the bottom of this? Will they be able to escape off the island alive?

This book is told from multiple characters POVs, which I found I have a harder time starting. However, once I got the who’s who down I flew through it in a day! Deborah White knows how to grab your attention! Just when you think you have it figured out BAM! another twist. I was guessing right to the end. I honestly didn’t want this one to end! I can’t wait for the next book.

[Tomi King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to beta read NO RHYME NOR REASON by Deborah White. A psychological thriller set in Northern Ireland which keeps you guessing until the very end.

Fiona’s parents move to Rhyme Island, “the heart and soul of the community”, 12 years after their daughter Sienna accidentally dies. Soon after they move Fiona receives a letter from her father explaining things aren’t as they seem on the island and is now missing. Fiona knows her dad would never leave and heads to the island to discover it’s secrets. Will she learn the truth of the islands residents and what happened to her father or will she fall victim to the mystery’s it holds.

I loved this book and thought I had it all figured out until the very end. When this book gets released I recommend you to read it! @authordeborahwhite
🥰🖤🥰🖤 #betareader #bookstagram #deborahjeanwhite

[Amanda Ham · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Rhyme Nor Reason, a newly released suspenseful, psychological thriller that beholds many surprising, gruesomely dark twists! This novel is written from multiple viewpoints, which unfolds more of the big picture mystery as you read each chapter, and leaves you waiting for the second book in this series to be published!!

This author, Deborah White, knows how to keep you turning the pages! This novel starts you on a journey of family, love, and grief, but suddenly you find yourself roaming through the the constant suspense of so many gruesome twists and such darkness, revealed through her characters, which you would not have imagined!! Enjoy the ride, or the read!!

[Bekah's Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Deborah White book, and it won't be my last - especially on that cliffhanger ending.

Rachel and Dean are heading to Rhyme Island to start a new life together after Rachel was offered her dream job.

This book is written in multiple POVs, including Rachel and Dean, their daughter Fiona and an array of other characters from the Island.
All is not as it seems, and believe me, I thought I had it figured out.

I'll definitely be purchasing the sequel for this corker!

Thanks to Deborah White herself for giving me the opportunity of an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tianna Sheets · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did not disappoint! It kept me guessing til the very end and loved all the different POVs!

[Tiffany Loebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pick for a book club, so I really didn’t know what to expect. I only knew it was a thriller. The story was very weird but in a good way. It was a compelling read. It gave me “Don’t Worry Darling” vibes with the seemingly perfect community that has something sinister going on behind the scenes. I enjoyed it for the most part. I definitely think it needs some editing. There were many grammatical/punctuation errors that got on my nerves.

[Amy Sharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit that i was unsure at the start, i don't know why, but at some point, it grabbed me and pulled me into the twisty, turny world of Rhyme Island, with its strange goings on and mystery... I had to keep reading.
It's definitely one you need to concentrate on because of all the POVs, but what a psychological ride! Can't wait for the next book.
I recommend this book if you like psychological thrillers

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Rhyme Nor Reason follows an island full of characters, allowing each of their viewpoints to fill the chapters. I love that Deborah Jean White has included a playlist of songs that fit each chapter - the little peek into how she views each of her authored chapters makes the entire read even better.
The book is full of multiple twisty bits that add to the psychological thriller aspect, which, in my opinion, makes for a quick, enjoyable read.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and captivating read! Nothing is ever really as it seems in life and that is definitely true in this story. The characters are well written and dynamic and the plot seems deceptively simple at first but becomes a bit complicated as the mirage wears off. I can't wait for the next book in the series! I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy of this book.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this is the first time I read from this author and with this setting. It was a bit confusing at first with all the pov and time pacing but once I got it, it well really well. I connected with some characters and fell increasingly curious about where this was going. All in all, I would totally recommend this book

[Alexis Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good read for me… definitely mind blowing good!

I enjoyed:
The writing style
The multiple POVs
The TWISTS AND TURNS!!!!
THE END🙃

looking forward to more reads from This author for sure!

[Angie R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!! I have read all 3 in the series and this one was my favorite. The setting is a quaint Irish island, and the mayhem unleashed on that island is nuts. This will reel you in from the first page, and the twists throughout are delicious. 5 stars.

[Kerry Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow was not disappointed with this book at all, plenty of twists, turns and omg moments.
This is my fist book from this author but will not be my last.
Characters are very interesting and realistic. Plot keeps you on the edge of your seat. Light bedtime reading this is not!! Kept me wanting to read just one more chapter each time as the chapters are written from each character’s prospective, you just keep needing to know.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book had some interesting twists

[sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this series

Hooked from beginning couldn't put it down
Keeps you on the edge of your seat absolutely love the series !!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this last night. Well, this morning. I couldn't stop! I needed to know what happened next! And next, and next! Told from various characters views, it jumps to and from them and time. Absolutely recommend reading this

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A psychological suspense thriller from a brand new author to me No Rhyme Nor Reason had a blurb that drew me in and just made me want to read it and read it as soon as I could.

Told from multiple perspectives, with every chapter being told from a different character, I found I had to really take note of the chapter headings. This made it a little slow to start for me. What I will say is, once I had my head around it, I just flew through it!

Deborah White certainly knows how to grab a reader. One minute, I was getting used to the different perspectives, and the next, I was invested so much. If you, like me, love a story that's more twisty than a rollercoaster, this is the one. Don't expect to like these characters, not all of them anyway. There are some evil ones in this book. That's for sure.

Then, there is the emotional side. The author has managed to grab my heart and squeeze it so hard! The loss of a child hits hard, and she captures this perfectly. From the parents to a sibling. The grief that ricochets down the years almost poured out of the pages as I read Dean, Rachel, and Fiona's chapters. This made them all the more realistic, along with their flaws that certainly show themselves as the story unfolds.

Don't be lulled into any false sense of security as you turn the pages. Deborah White certainly knows how to do that with style. Just as you think it's all over and every question is answered, bang! Another twist arrives! One thing is for sure, Deborah White beats the buses for being consistent!

No Rhyme Nor Reeason is a refreshingly unique psychological suspense thriller. It got to a point where I didn't know what to expect as I turned a page, I mean, really didn't. The twists
kept ramping up the suspense almost effortlessly, and I didn't want to stop reading to go to sleep even! I am looking forward to Book Two with that conclusion!
Thanks to Deborah White for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Shazna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review

Rachel and Dean thought moving to Rhyme Island would be perfect. Rachel has a a new job offer too good to be true.
Dean suspects something's off about Hunter and tries to find out for himself. Reaching out to his daughter as his wife has fallen to the manipulation of the island, only to go missing. Will his daughter Fiona get to the bottom of this?
Will they all escape Rhyme Island safely and together?

This book is written in multiple POV (love) and contains short chapters (another love)

The way the author captured the grief of the members of the family pulled at my heartstrings.
In certain areas of the book my heart was racing followed by jaw dropping moments.
So eerily put together how nursery rhymes and the characters were connected. (You'll understand when you read the book.) Also made sense of why the book was called 'No Rhyme Nor Reason.
Great character development.

Contains gruesome un-aliving and cult vibes.
Starting off with Fiona's POV the story soon unfolds into a dark and twisty ride!

I couldn't put this book down and when I had to I was having the urge to pick up where I left off. Trying to work out where the story would go but I was wrong.
Would recommend this book to dark thriller lovers!
Can't wait for the next book!

[Tara Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story sucked me in from about the 3rd page. It was a quick read and I thoroughly enjoyed how it was set up and how it quickly unfolded. There was nothing predictable about it and it left me wanting more, which is good, considering there are more books to come!

This book invoked a rollercoaster of emotions in me. I was sad, impressed, angry, disappointed, shocked, appalled and surprised at different situations throughout the book.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an original, quick paced, well set up story. Especially if you enjoy books with different character POVs or have a thing for nursery rhymes.

[dannis_bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This psychological thriller had a lot of moving parts. Which at first had me a little anxious. I didn’t want to miss anything important. However, I’m so HAPPY I decided to read this book. It kept me guessing the whole time, and I quickly found myself deeply invested and engaged in figuring out just what the hell was going on … and I wasn’t even close. Deborah White is a new author to me. She has an incredible skill and a way of writing that not many writers possess. I was so happy when I found out there would be another book coming out in January. I can’t wait!!

[Fiona Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about a twisty winding road! What an interesting story. When you think you know what's going on the next chapter starts and proves you wrong. Definitely messed with my brain. In a good way! Many different characters and each one had their own say in the story, which I loved! The only downfall that I came across was the first half of the book was constant timeline jumps. I really had to pay attention or I would get really confused. But even saying that, the book is a must read and I can't wait yo continue the story, especially with such a cliffhanger!

[Jessica Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to revive the ARC version of this novel. Deborah White knows exactly how to draw you in and keep you once you get there. Her novel is full of twists that leave you on the edge of your seat. Once you start, you don’t want to put it down. I applaud her for adding in twists and turns that leave your stomach in knots, blood, and secrets. I can’t wait for the rest of the series to come out!!

[Amanda Estes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to read this book prior to release. It was a tiny bit slow to get my interest but once it did I was hooked. I love the twists. I did not see a lot of them coming. I have mixed feeling about Fiona. I am sad how it ended with her. Am feeling my fingers crossed there is a follow up.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good! Twists and turns and interesting characters. But there was blood and the characters and storyline unique but I couldn’t stop reading and sat there shaking my head after I was done!

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is wow! One minute you’re reading about a loving family and the next you’re riding a roller coaster full of twists and turns. If you’re looking for something you can’t put down, this book is sure to be it. Deborah White is a master of suspense.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept for sure! I’m glad I don’t know any of these people IRL 😁. It was a little confusing at the beginning, keeping all of the characters straight, but as you become more familiar with the story, it becomes easier. Enjoyable read.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Page turner

The twist at the end is something I never seen coming! Love the main character, Dean. The author has weaved so many webs that I truly had a hard time putting the book down.

[Katherine Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grabbed me from the start and didn’t let go! Great read!