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Raveled
What’s a girl to do when her imprisoned brother begs her to delve into their father’s sixteen-year-old murder conviction? How about peel back the lies, upend the fairy tales, and roil the populace of Lavitte—a sweet apple of a town with a wormy, festering core? That’s what Allison Fennimore chooses. Despite her infamous surname and people’s wilted memories, this jaded cynic of a daughter sinks her teeth in and refuses to let go. She can practically taste the bitterness of that long-ago, twisted night when two teenagers died, linked to her father by bad luck and a few strands of rope.
Ignoring the dense local atmosphere where image trumps substance and lies become legend, Allison stirs the pot. The more layers she discards, the more elusive the truth becomes. And when a key source of information turns up dead, the dark edges of resentment coil in around her like a slowly tightening noose. As revelations get ugly, Allison may wish she’d never ventured toward the forbidden fruit of truth.
Ignoring the dense local atmosphere where image trumps substance and lies become legend, Allison stirs the pot. The more layers she discards, the more elusive the truth becomes. And when a key source of information turns up dead, the dark edges of resentment coil in around her like a slowly tightening noose. As revelations get ugly, Allison may wish she’d never ventured toward the forbidden fruit of truth.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2013
199 people are currently reading
1377 people want to read
About the author
Anne McAneny
11 books97 followersFor many years, Anne sharpened her writing skills on screenplays that often became contest finalists. Today, she lives in Virginia with her husband and children, along with a puggle and a formerly stray cat that sneaked into the basement years ago. She enjoys biking, hiking, and all manner of activity, as long as it's balanced by chocolate and Belgian beer--or a tasty combination thereof. She loves to hear from readers, so please connect with her on her Facebook Fan Page (Books by Anne McAneny) or on Twitter (@AnneMcAneny).
***Anne is excited to announce that she's just added a fourth mystery-thriller—CIRCLED—to her Crime After Time Collection, which already includes RAVELED, SKEWED, and FORETELLER. The collection revolves around everyday people who feel compelled to investigate past crimes against their loved ones. Their discoveries rewrite the past and reshape the future in exciting, twist-filled plots. All three original Crime After Time books have become Amazon Bestsellers.***
***Anne is excited to announce that she's just added a fourth mystery-thriller—CIRCLED—to her Crime After Time Collection, which already includes RAVELED, SKEWED, and FORETELLER. The collection revolves around everyday people who feel compelled to investigate past crimes against their loved ones. Their discoveries rewrite the past and reshape the future in exciting, twist-filled plots. All three original Crime After Time books have become Amazon Bestsellers.***
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
April 12, 2013
Review of Raveled by Anne McAneny
5 stars
Allison Fennimore is a woman with a bitter, wry wit, and she comes by it naturally, given her circumstances. Now a bartender in New York, when she was fifteen her father was charged, tried, and convicted of two killings. Even where circumstances couldn’t quite convict, the small town of Lavitte, North Carolina, did so; and Artie Fennimore did some prison time and then died. Allison’s older brother Kevin, deep in alcoholism, recently was involuntarily sentenced to rehab after an accident in which an also intoxicated adolescent, recklessly driving, died. Now Kevin wants their father’s name cleared, or at least, the lies of Lavitte exposed; and since he is in mandatory rehab and can’t do so himself, he wants Allison to return to Lavitte and find out, while she’s simultaneously arranging to put their mother, suffering from dementia, in assisted living, and sell Mother’s residence.
Author Anne McAneny has a true gift for delineating small town life, peeling away the layers and turning over the stones that conceal the ugly truths: a long-term Mayor with likely crime connections in New Jersey; neighbors and other citizens who leap to convict by gossip; and the life expectancy of rumours, which seems to be eternal. Her characters are delineated sentence by sentence, and almost immediately, they are sufficiently realized to be people we know or could know, not just fictional individuals drawn on a printed page. I highly recommend this engrossing mystery.
5 stars
Allison Fennimore is a woman with a bitter, wry wit, and she comes by it naturally, given her circumstances. Now a bartender in New York, when she was fifteen her father was charged, tried, and convicted of two killings. Even where circumstances couldn’t quite convict, the small town of Lavitte, North Carolina, did so; and Artie Fennimore did some prison time and then died. Allison’s older brother Kevin, deep in alcoholism, recently was involuntarily sentenced to rehab after an accident in which an also intoxicated adolescent, recklessly driving, died. Now Kevin wants their father’s name cleared, or at least, the lies of Lavitte exposed; and since he is in mandatory rehab and can’t do so himself, he wants Allison to return to Lavitte and find out, while she’s simultaneously arranging to put their mother, suffering from dementia, in assisted living, and sell Mother’s residence.
Author Anne McAneny has a true gift for delineating small town life, peeling away the layers and turning over the stones that conceal the ugly truths: a long-term Mayor with likely crime connections in New Jersey; neighbors and other citizens who leap to convict by gossip; and the life expectancy of rumours, which seems to be eternal. Her characters are delineated sentence by sentence, and almost immediately, they are sufficiently realized to be people we know or could know, not just fictional individuals drawn on a printed page. I highly recommend this engrossing mystery.
April 21, 2013
This is a very unique novel that makes you think and keeps you guessing throughout, while simultaneously drawing you into the plot. The author invokes a panorama of emotions in both the reader and in her characters to draw you through a very captivating novel that will leave a lasting impression on its audience.
This author uses a very light and flowing writing style that makes you want to keep reading. It contrasts with the content of the novel, giving the aura of greater intrigue. The very solid and well laid out storyline of this novel also melds intrigue and mystery with friendship and family to draw the reader into a very difficult and heart wrenching world that keeps you guessing and wanting more. The author also strives for accuracy in her writing. The storyline is based on events that could plausibly have happened, and the response from law enforcement and medical professionals is not made up, but rather true responses.
The author regularly switches character perspectives and time periods throughout the novel. This is a concept and technique that can be very detrimental or very instrumental in a story’s development. McAneny has nailed this technique perfectly. Not only does she differentiate between the sections by denoting the time and character at the beginning of each chapter, but she also uses various different writing techniques to further differentiate. She tactfully and subtly switches between the first and third person, as well as between the past and present tense without ever interrupting or disrupting the storyline.
The characters in this novel are quite interesting. To sum them up as a group, I’d have to say ‘holy town full of creepy people.’ This town is bound together in secrecy, based on events long past. The bulk of the character development surrounds this secrecy, aiding in the procession of the story. You begin to see how many of their actions are based on this. That said, character development does not end with this secrecy. The major characters in this novel are quite well developed. They are fully developed individuals who are dealing with real issues, even if they are events that many of us will never have to deal with. I also appreciate that the budding romance between two of the characters does not overshadow the main storyline.
It has been a very long time since I’ve read a novel with such a solidly built storyline. It draws you in and propels you forward with suspense and mystery. It was artfully done and a pleasure to read.
Please note that I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This author uses a very light and flowing writing style that makes you want to keep reading. It contrasts with the content of the novel, giving the aura of greater intrigue. The very solid and well laid out storyline of this novel also melds intrigue and mystery with friendship and family to draw the reader into a very difficult and heart wrenching world that keeps you guessing and wanting more. The author also strives for accuracy in her writing. The storyline is based on events that could plausibly have happened, and the response from law enforcement and medical professionals is not made up, but rather true responses.
The author regularly switches character perspectives and time periods throughout the novel. This is a concept and technique that can be very detrimental or very instrumental in a story’s development. McAneny has nailed this technique perfectly. Not only does she differentiate between the sections by denoting the time and character at the beginning of each chapter, but she also uses various different writing techniques to further differentiate. She tactfully and subtly switches between the first and third person, as well as between the past and present tense without ever interrupting or disrupting the storyline.
The characters in this novel are quite interesting. To sum them up as a group, I’d have to say ‘holy town full of creepy people.’ This town is bound together in secrecy, based on events long past. The bulk of the character development surrounds this secrecy, aiding in the procession of the story. You begin to see how many of their actions are based on this. That said, character development does not end with this secrecy. The major characters in this novel are quite well developed. They are fully developed individuals who are dealing with real issues, even if they are events that many of us will never have to deal with. I also appreciate that the budding romance between two of the characters does not overshadow the main storyline.
It has been a very long time since I’ve read a novel with such a solidly built storyline. It draws you in and propels you forward with suspense and mystery. It was artfully done and a pleasure to read.
Please note that I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2013
Now and then along comes a giant
Anne McAneny is that rara avis of a writer who creates a solidly entertaining story with as many unique aspects as the inside of a Faberge egg and then tells it with language that is equally as intoxicating as is the story she is weaving. There are many pages of RAVELED, a brilliantly bold mystery novel tucked inside a decaying old crotchety Southern town, that plead to be read repeatedly (or memorized) because the words are so magically strung together. From her bio we know that McAneny is a screenwriter of note (and that explains why this novel seems to plead to be adapted as a movie) but not all screenwriters can narrate strictly on the page without storyboards in head - simply dependent on the gift of writing well. Anne McAneny can.
Much of the story of New York bartender Allison Fennimore's call to return to the town of Lavitte, North Carolina is in response to her bizarre rehabbed brother Kevin's call to return to the decadent little home to re-open the case of their father Artie's conviction of murder: 16 years prior to the opening of this story (and revisited as certain chapters change time on us) their father was jailed for the murder of the mayor's son Bobby Kettrick and of a 14 year old trailer park trash girl. Though the father had died in jail before a proper trial, the town turned against him as the murderer of not only the mayor's son but of an innocent girl and the Fennimore name has been permanently besmirched. Or as Allison describes, `This was how my mind worked lately. In circles. Between my brother going to mandatory rehab, my mother dabbling in dementia, and the recent airing of `Big Crimes, Small Towns' on cable, I felt trapped on a mental merry-go-round, the gears grinding against the bone of my middle ear, the music stuck in a dissonant minor chord.'
But Allison walks the walk she talks the local sheriff into sharing the documents of the night of arrest, interrogates substance riddled Kevin, seeks out the families of the victims and the friends of Booby Kettrick, interviews one of the mothers of a friend of Bobby's, a Mrs. Smith - `Mrs. Smith came to the door with a dismissive `We gave are the church' line at the ready, until her face coated over in surprise. At least I think it was surprise. It might have been horror. Hard to tell because Mrs. Smith had clearly jumped on the Botox train and was speeding fast towards the wax museum. Her eyebrows would soon be earbrows if she wasn't careful...Her mouth moved up and down as she spoke, as if she were incapable of a pucker. I'd seen it in New York a thousand times. A hit of Botox around the upper margins of the top lip that eventually turned into a full syringe of chemical filler per visit. Helped with wrinkles but was hell on a sip of water.' - and others present on that fateful night. And we meet some strange creatures.
It is this kind of mixture of comic writing that brings light into what was actually a grisly story to begin with, a tale of how a small town with small people can poison a family because blaming the father figure clears up all possibilities of an investigation into how inherently corrupt and stinky the entire town was, is, and will be. But enough of an outline: to really unravel this mystery any more than that would rob the reader of the rocket ride through the grease and grits and grime of McAneny's priceless novel.
This is a book that glowingly reveals the talent of the writer while at the same time presenting a torqued tale that the `children' of the deceased accused murderer must unravel. It is one of those books that once started must be finished - with multiple earmarks on pages that plead to be re-read purely for the joy of the verbiage. In other words, it has everything - small town mentality and the distortion of truth and lies that mold an atmosphere that just fits so right you could swear you were there. This reader has added a new favorite writer!
Grady Harp
Anne McAneny is that rara avis of a writer who creates a solidly entertaining story with as many unique aspects as the inside of a Faberge egg and then tells it with language that is equally as intoxicating as is the story she is weaving. There are many pages of RAVELED, a brilliantly bold mystery novel tucked inside a decaying old crotchety Southern town, that plead to be read repeatedly (or memorized) because the words are so magically strung together. From her bio we know that McAneny is a screenwriter of note (and that explains why this novel seems to plead to be adapted as a movie) but not all screenwriters can narrate strictly on the page without storyboards in head - simply dependent on the gift of writing well. Anne McAneny can.
Much of the story of New York bartender Allison Fennimore's call to return to the town of Lavitte, North Carolina is in response to her bizarre rehabbed brother Kevin's call to return to the decadent little home to re-open the case of their father Artie's conviction of murder: 16 years prior to the opening of this story (and revisited as certain chapters change time on us) their father was jailed for the murder of the mayor's son Bobby Kettrick and of a 14 year old trailer park trash girl. Though the father had died in jail before a proper trial, the town turned against him as the murderer of not only the mayor's son but of an innocent girl and the Fennimore name has been permanently besmirched. Or as Allison describes, `This was how my mind worked lately. In circles. Between my brother going to mandatory rehab, my mother dabbling in dementia, and the recent airing of `Big Crimes, Small Towns' on cable, I felt trapped on a mental merry-go-round, the gears grinding against the bone of my middle ear, the music stuck in a dissonant minor chord.'
But Allison walks the walk she talks the local sheriff into sharing the documents of the night of arrest, interrogates substance riddled Kevin, seeks out the families of the victims and the friends of Booby Kettrick, interviews one of the mothers of a friend of Bobby's, a Mrs. Smith - `Mrs. Smith came to the door with a dismissive `We gave are the church' line at the ready, until her face coated over in surprise. At least I think it was surprise. It might have been horror. Hard to tell because Mrs. Smith had clearly jumped on the Botox train and was speeding fast towards the wax museum. Her eyebrows would soon be earbrows if she wasn't careful...Her mouth moved up and down as she spoke, as if she were incapable of a pucker. I'd seen it in New York a thousand times. A hit of Botox around the upper margins of the top lip that eventually turned into a full syringe of chemical filler per visit. Helped with wrinkles but was hell on a sip of water.' - and others present on that fateful night. And we meet some strange creatures.
It is this kind of mixture of comic writing that brings light into what was actually a grisly story to begin with, a tale of how a small town with small people can poison a family because blaming the father figure clears up all possibilities of an investigation into how inherently corrupt and stinky the entire town was, is, and will be. But enough of an outline: to really unravel this mystery any more than that would rob the reader of the rocket ride through the grease and grits and grime of McAneny's priceless novel.
This is a book that glowingly reveals the talent of the writer while at the same time presenting a torqued tale that the `children' of the deceased accused murderer must unravel. It is one of those books that once started must be finished - with multiple earmarks on pages that plead to be re-read purely for the joy of the verbiage. In other words, it has everything - small town mentality and the distortion of truth and lies that mold an atmosphere that just fits so right you could swear you were there. This reader has added a new favorite writer!
Grady Harp
June 14, 2015
AUDIBLE AUDIOBOOK EDITION
My Review
Sixteen years ago Allison Fennimores father stood trial for murder, but before he received judgement he hanged himself. Allison, a promising student, abandoned all hope of a career and left her small town home to move to New York to work in a bar. Her brother is in prison, now that he is clean and sober he wants Allison to revisit past events and attempt to find the real truth. Back in her home town Allison is made very aware of the antipathy towards her family, but it is her mother who has born the brunt of this hostility for so many years. Deserted by her former friends she can't even go out for a coffee in the town, such is her life now that Allison fears for her mothers mental health.
This story certainly lives up to its title, it is chock full of intrigue, layer after layer, twist after twist, just when you think you might just know what actually happened all those years ago and what's happening now it all changes. I was quite surprised at how some of the characters unfolded, again, the stripping of layer after layer reveals the true personalities that have always existed beneath whichever veneer the character had chosen to present to the world. To make it an even more satisfying read the author gives us an ending with yet more surprises. I also now have a greater understanding and sympathy for the misery and anguish the families of those who are charged with committing heinous crimes are made to to undergo at the hands of others.
Narrator
Narrated by Rebecca Roberts who, I'm happy to say, is a delightful new discovery for me. Rebecca gives her listeners a great performance with her lovely, easy to listen to voice, she does everything right, I love the cadence of her voice, and how with such seeming ease, she trajects the emotion and frustration of Allison and the craziness of others. I think her technical abilities are superb, the timing, gender changes and characterisations are masterful. A new favourite.
This audiobook was provided by the narrator at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.
My Review
Sixteen years ago Allison Fennimores father stood trial for murder, but before he received judgement he hanged himself. Allison, a promising student, abandoned all hope of a career and left her small town home to move to New York to work in a bar. Her brother is in prison, now that he is clean and sober he wants Allison to revisit past events and attempt to find the real truth. Back in her home town Allison is made very aware of the antipathy towards her family, but it is her mother who has born the brunt of this hostility for so many years. Deserted by her former friends she can't even go out for a coffee in the town, such is her life now that Allison fears for her mothers mental health.
This story certainly lives up to its title, it is chock full of intrigue, layer after layer, twist after twist, just when you think you might just know what actually happened all those years ago and what's happening now it all changes. I was quite surprised at how some of the characters unfolded, again, the stripping of layer after layer reveals the true personalities that have always existed beneath whichever veneer the character had chosen to present to the world. To make it an even more satisfying read the author gives us an ending with yet more surprises. I also now have a greater understanding and sympathy for the misery and anguish the families of those who are charged with committing heinous crimes are made to to undergo at the hands of others.
Narrator
Narrated by Rebecca Roberts who, I'm happy to say, is a delightful new discovery for me. Rebecca gives her listeners a great performance with her lovely, easy to listen to voice, she does everything right, I love the cadence of her voice, and how with such seeming ease, she trajects the emotion and frustration of Allison and the craziness of others. I think her technical abilities are superb, the timing, gender changes and characterisations are masterful. A new favourite.
This audiobook was provided by the narrator at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.
March 16, 2013
Sixteen years ago in the town of Lavitte, North Carolina two murders were committed. One victim, a fourteen year old girl from the local trailer park, the other the teen aged son of the town’s Mayor. The accused killer and father of two Artie Fennimore, committed suicide before the jury could deliver a verdict. Accepted as the obvious actions of a guilty man the case is closed and the children of the accused, forever uncertain of the real story surrounding the events of their father’s demise, leave town.
RAVELED, the new mystery thriller from Anne McAneny follows Allison Fennimore as she, at the instigation of her brother Kevin who is currently incarcerated at a medium-security rehabilitation center, returns to her hometown seeking answers as to what really happened those many years ago. What she discovers is a community unwilling to “forgive and forget” and a couple of friends of the deceased whose stories of that fateful time have as many holes as a slice of Swiss cheese.
Ms. McAneny is a lover of descriptive writing liberally sprinkling her narrative with similes and snappy dialog. With lines like, “The lighted sign for Ravine Psychiatric Hospital shined in the night as if advertising a vacancy at a cheap motel. Room available, continental breakfast and complimentary lobotomy included” or “His head seemed large for his gaunt body, like a beach umbrella about to topple in the wind” the reader is able to mentally develop a full picture of each character and every scene.
McAneny ratchets up the suspense as Allison attempts to “un-ravel” the tangled lives and events of this tale, constantly causing the reader the reappraise what is true as well as which dark and dirty secret will be unearthed next, all the while nimbly maneuvering back and forth in time to keep the tension as well as the reader’s interest running high. Suffice to say, when the truth is finally revealed both our pessimistic protagonist as well as the reader will find that some things might have been better left dead and buried along with the victims.
RAVELED, the new mystery thriller from Anne McAneny follows Allison Fennimore as she, at the instigation of her brother Kevin who is currently incarcerated at a medium-security rehabilitation center, returns to her hometown seeking answers as to what really happened those many years ago. What she discovers is a community unwilling to “forgive and forget” and a couple of friends of the deceased whose stories of that fateful time have as many holes as a slice of Swiss cheese.
Ms. McAneny is a lover of descriptive writing liberally sprinkling her narrative with similes and snappy dialog. With lines like, “The lighted sign for Ravine Psychiatric Hospital shined in the night as if advertising a vacancy at a cheap motel. Room available, continental breakfast and complimentary lobotomy included” or “His head seemed large for his gaunt body, like a beach umbrella about to topple in the wind” the reader is able to mentally develop a full picture of each character and every scene.
McAneny ratchets up the suspense as Allison attempts to “un-ravel” the tangled lives and events of this tale, constantly causing the reader the reappraise what is true as well as which dark and dirty secret will be unearthed next, all the while nimbly maneuvering back and forth in time to keep the tension as well as the reader’s interest running high. Suffice to say, when the truth is finally revealed both our pessimistic protagonist as well as the reader will find that some things might have been better left dead and buried along with the victims.
March 29, 2013
Allison Fennimore has tried to put her life in Lavitte behind her. Sixteen years ago her father was accused of killing two teenagers. He committed suicide in jail. Now Allison’s brother reaches out from rehab to beg her to dig into her father’s conviction. She knows she will not be welcomed with open arms in Lavitte bit agrees to review the case. Once she starts digging she can’t stop. One lie leads to another and then a key source of information turns up dead and the revelations start to get ugly. Alison may wish she never started down this path but she can’t stop until she knows the truth.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
When I read the Ibsen quote at the start of the book, It was then that I began to look into the seams of your doctrine. I wanted only to pick at a single knot; but when I had got that undone, the whole thing Raveled out, I knew I was headed for a suspenseful journey.
This small town is an epitome of everything that go can wrong when secrets roll out of control. Allison’s quest for the truth puts herself in danger along with those that try to help help her. All the secrets and lies are Raveled together and as she works to untangle them she starts to wish she never would have opened this can of worms.
Anne McAneny brings a unique writing style to this complex mystery. She has a very descriptive way of telling a story that gives readers a vivid picture of time and place. It could be a very dark tale but she drops little tidbits of humor in the dialogue and characterization that refreshes the scenes.
I enjoyed my first McAneny experience. This is an author I will be watching.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
When I read the Ibsen quote at the start of the book, It was then that I began to look into the seams of your doctrine. I wanted only to pick at a single knot; but when I had got that undone, the whole thing Raveled out, I knew I was headed for a suspenseful journey.
This small town is an epitome of everything that go can wrong when secrets roll out of control. Allison’s quest for the truth puts herself in danger along with those that try to help help her. All the secrets and lies are Raveled together and as she works to untangle them she starts to wish she never would have opened this can of worms.
Anne McAneny brings a unique writing style to this complex mystery. She has a very descriptive way of telling a story that gives readers a vivid picture of time and place. It could be a very dark tale but she drops little tidbits of humor in the dialogue and characterization that refreshes the scenes.
I enjoyed my first McAneny experience. This is an author I will be watching.
January 16, 2016
Allison Fennimore has tried to put her life in Lavitte behind her. Sixteen years ago her father was accused of killing two teenagers. He committed suicide in jail. Now Allison 19s brother reaches out from rehab to beg her to dig into her father 19s conviction. She knows she will not be welcomed with open arms in Lavitte bit agrees to review the case. Once she starts digging she can 19t stop. One lie leads to another and then a key source of information turns up dead and the revelations start to get ugly. Alison may wish she never started down this path but she can 19t stop until she knows the truth.
Dollycas 19s Thoughts
When I read the Ibsen quote at the start of the book, It was then that I began to look into the seams of your doctrine. I wanted only to pick at a single knot; but when I had got that undone, the whole thing Raveled out, I knew I was headed for a suspenseful journey.
This small town is an epitome of everything that go can wrong when secrets roll out of control. Allison 19s quest for the truth puts herself in danger along with those that try to help help her. All the secrets and lies are Raveled together and as she works to untangle them she starts to wish she never would have opened this can of worms.
Anne McAneny brings a unique writing style to this complex mystery. She has a very descriptive way of telling a story that gives readers a vivid picture of time and place. It could be a very dark tale but she drops little tidbits of humor in the dialogue and characterization that refreshes the scenes.
I enjoyed my first McAneny experience. This is an author I will be watching.
Dollycas 19s Thoughts
When I read the Ibsen quote at the start of the book, It was then that I began to look into the seams of your doctrine. I wanted only to pick at a single knot; but when I had got that undone, the whole thing Raveled out, I knew I was headed for a suspenseful journey.
This small town is an epitome of everything that go can wrong when secrets roll out of control. Allison 19s quest for the truth puts herself in danger along with those that try to help help her. All the secrets and lies are Raveled together and as she works to untangle them she starts to wish she never would have opened this can of worms.
Anne McAneny brings a unique writing style to this complex mystery. She has a very descriptive way of telling a story that gives readers a vivid picture of time and place. It could be a very dark tale but she drops little tidbits of humor in the dialogue and characterization that refreshes the scenes.
I enjoyed my first McAneny experience. This is an author I will be watching.
May 9, 2015
It happened 16 years ago.. Allison's dad was accused of not one murder, but two! Her mother, little known to Allison told her husband he was going to take the rap and her father agreed. Then the day the verdict was coming in, he hung himself. Now 16 years later, Allison's brother is in jail. Their fathers guilt bothering him so bad. He calls Allison to the jail and says there is something there he can't remember, but he is sure it had to do with the murder his father did and asks Allison to investigate it more. This is the last thing Allison wants to do, drudge up old feelings of the towns folk, all those looks that made her feel guilty too!
Now Allison goes back to her hometown. many faces are still the same. Many don't want her to dig up trouble, but why? Read along with this story as Allison reveals the truth from 16 years of turmoil to her family. This is an incredible story with so may twists and turns in it, it will keep you guessing into next year!
The author, Anne McAneny did a great job on this thriller / mystery. The plot was so exciting. The ending and how the story unraveled - I didn't even see it coming! The narrator, Rebecca Roberts did a fantastic job delivering this story to us in such a flawless and exciting way with all her voices and emotions. A true roller coaster of a story! I loved how the cops got things taped too to help discover the truth without anyone being the wiser!
Now Allison goes back to her hometown. many faces are still the same. Many don't want her to dig up trouble, but why? Read along with this story as Allison reveals the truth from 16 years of turmoil to her family. This is an incredible story with so may twists and turns in it, it will keep you guessing into next year!
The author, Anne McAneny did a great job on this thriller / mystery. The plot was so exciting. The ending and how the story unraveled - I didn't even see it coming! The narrator, Rebecca Roberts did a fantastic job delivering this story to us in such a flawless and exciting way with all her voices and emotions. A true roller coaster of a story! I loved how the cops got things taped too to help discover the truth without anyone being the wiser!
June 27, 2015
** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
I was drawn into this book from chapter one.....the narration is really good and quite listenable...and the story makes you want to know more and more....This is really a semi-sad story because as you listen you realize just how many lives..this horrible night changed...and how a town was so wounded, that it never really recovered.....The main heroine Allison was just a teenage girl when her father was wrongly accused of murder...and basically nailed to the cross for not just one, but 2 murders in there tiny southern town....Well this takes a toll on all of Allison's family....her mom withdraws and as she ages begins to have signs of early dementia, her brother is an alcoholic and in a secured rehab...and Allison is just passing time as a New York bartender...Well her brother asks Allison to look into her fathers case one more time....and after convincing her, she uncovers many lies and half truths...a small town cover up that ultimately ended up in not just 2 deaths....but several more! Excellent listen! well worth your time and a credit!!! I recommend!
Thank You Audiobookblast(dot)com
I was drawn into this book from chapter one.....the narration is really good and quite listenable...and the story makes you want to know more and more....This is really a semi-sad story because as you listen you realize just how many lives..this horrible night changed...and how a town was so wounded, that it never really recovered.....The main heroine Allison was just a teenage girl when her father was wrongly accused of murder...and basically nailed to the cross for not just one, but 2 murders in there tiny southern town....Well this takes a toll on all of Allison's family....her mom withdraws and as she ages begins to have signs of early dementia, her brother is an alcoholic and in a secured rehab...and Allison is just passing time as a New York bartender...Well her brother asks Allison to look into her fathers case one more time....and after convincing her, she uncovers many lies and half truths...a small town cover up that ultimately ended up in not just 2 deaths....but several more! Excellent listen! well worth your time and a credit!!! I recommend!
Thank You Audiobookblast(dot)com
April 11, 2013
I was pleased to win an e- copy of Raveled through the Library Thing Member Giveaway. Raveled was an interesting and fast paced read. It had a good mix of mystery, drama and dark humor. I liked the way the author tells the story from varying points of view and switches from the past to the present which adds to the suspense. The story was great but I was just a tiny bit disappointed in the ending which I thought could have been more suspenseful. I still felt the book deserved a 4 star rating because the writing was good and the book itself was hard to put down. Well done Ms. McAneny!
April 13, 2013
Excellent fast paced mystery set in the small town of LaVitte. Allison Fennimore could have well been wearing a Scarlet F on her shirt, as she was an outcast due to circumstances beyond her control., but she is determined to set the record straight as a favor to her brother. The Fennimore's... once part of the fabric of Lavitte until a murder unraveled the thread. This mystery has clues woven within the chapters that keeps you engaged. You think you have one figured out until the very end. I love a twist and this book has it! You will not be disappointed in this one.
October 29, 2013
Definitely a 'haunting' story as protagonist Alice recounts her family being victimized by the rest of the town after her abusive, alcoholic father was convicted of two horrible murders. He escaped by committing suicide, but the rest of his family still suffers sixteen years later. And worse, Alice's older brother sitting in rehab for his own alcohol addiction, believes they don't have the full story about the murders and begs Alice to help search for information that could prove their father wasn't guilty after all.
August 6, 2013
Raveled ended up being surprisingly good as my initial reaction was fairly negative. The tone of the writing was jarring and almost flippant which did not seem to jive with the storyline of a woman who returns to her hometown to look into the events surrounding her father's arrest and trial for the murder of an obnoxious teen. However I am happy I stuck with it as Anne McAneny delivered a novel filled with intrigue and the tone ultimately made sense. I will look for other books by this author.
September 14, 2015
3.5 stars. Solid murder mystery that kept you guessing with a few twists that kept the suspense high.
October 31, 2017
As I was reading this book the only thing I didn't like were the side bar comments of the character Allison. Towards the end of the book I got over it and realized the character Allison was just wired like that. She just had a lot on her mind and really didn't have any friends or anyone to talk to about the case so she talked and thought to herself. Bobby would have been a nightmare if he ever survived that night. He would have been more of a prude and extremely disrespectful to anyone that came in his way. I mean he was already like that but imagine him as a grown man. His parents didn't have any control over him, sad how his life ended but maybe for the better. Shelby on the other hand was a different story. Every time the author went back in the past to describe how the events lead to her demise I had this feeling that I knew how she as going to die. Reading up to that point had me on the edge of my seat but it was painful because you could see how her death happened so easily that night. The night Bobby and Shelby were killed I thought I had it all figured out. I thought I knew who killed them, who was behind the cover up and who was to blame but I was so wrong. I never would have guessed who was all behind the tragedy of Lavitte. Allison was one determined cookie but how her family had suffered from what happened all those years ago was sad. At times I wanted to jump in the book and help her or tell her to be careful, she was very brave but extremely persistent.
June 23, 2017
I love the mystery, intrigue and the who done it, and forming my own theories as I listen.
This book has everything you want in a murder mystery. Normally I don't like jumping from present to past back and forth but it was really easy to keep up with it in this book. It helped to explain what was going on instead of leading the listener to make their own assumptions. I have to say I didn't expect the ending but it all made perfect sense as it was revealed. All the twists and turns kept me guessing and I was partially right about whom killed the girl. No spoilers here! This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom
This book has everything you want in a murder mystery. Normally I don't like jumping from present to past back and forth but it was really easy to keep up with it in this book. It helped to explain what was going on instead of leading the listener to make their own assumptions. I have to say I didn't expect the ending but it all made perfect sense as it was revealed. All the twists and turns kept me guessing and I was partially right about whom killed the girl. No spoilers here! This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom
May 17, 2018
Initial Thoughts: I really loved this novel. It was surprising to me how well the element of flashbacks were utilized to convey the truth of this horrific milestone in the life of this small town. I really loved Allison's determination and the bittersweet healing that finding the truth brought her. So much pain and though the truth is hard and bitter, it was freeing. The narration was excellent. Ms. Roberts did an excellent job in portraying Allison as well as providing distinct voices for the other characters along with a touch of personality. Her narration contributed to my enjoyment of this novel. Though it is a disturbing plot line, I can see myself listening to this again. Please stay tuned for a link to my full review posted at That's What I'm Talking About blog.
November 14, 2018
Anne McAneny is a master at creating characters. She is a genius at weaving a gripping, subtle yet intense, spectacularly satisfying "whodunit" that will leave you grinning and crying at the same time. This is the second book I've read by Anne McAneny. I had picked up Circled on a whim and was so thoroughly impressed I had to see if it was a fluke. After only the first chapter, I grinned knowing I would not be disappointed. So I sat back, curled into my chair, and settled myself in for the ride I'd signed up for. It's currently 5:35 AM, I started the book at 2 PM yesterday... Best ride I've been on in a long time.
July 29, 2018
The Plot Thickens
Very interesting book. When I thought I had it all figured out, I was thrown another curve. I did not guess the ending to this story, and I was surprised, with what happened with Kevin, his mom Justine, and his dad Artie. So sit back, relax , and enjoy, a well written book. I would recommend this book.
Very interesting book. When I thought I had it all figured out, I was thrown another curve. I did not guess the ending to this story, and I was surprised, with what happened with Kevin, his mom Justine, and his dad Artie. So sit back, relax , and enjoy, a well written book. I would recommend this book.
June 6, 2019
Another excellent McAneny. I wound recommend not reading her books one right after another, though - as the voice is quite similar. Other than that, good mysteries/discoveries about the protagonists past. I find them quite satisfying and enjoyable.
July 14, 2017
Brilliant!
Absolutely loved this book, so good I couldn't put it down lol! Fantastic storyline and characters. I would happily recommend.
Absolutely loved this book, so good I couldn't put it down lol! Fantastic storyline and characters. I would happily recommend.
July 18, 2017
Once again Anne weaves a complex tale that twists and turns and ends with a bang. Anne is awesome at developing characters and creating vivid images as she builds on the story. Just love her stuff
August 6, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
November 26, 2017
Great read...accidentally came upon this book. Kept you hooked until the very end.
July 25, 2019
Raveled
What a great informative book. Passion for one's family is always honored by me. The characters were so good, story was great.
What a great informative book. Passion for one's family is always honored by me. The characters were so good, story was great.
May 16, 2021
It was hard to get into at first but after picking it back up awhile later and reading all the twists it definitely got more interesting. I enjoyed the ending.
April 18, 2018
Really enjoyed this book. The author used a juxtaposition technique where the main characters were trying to figure out what happened in a certain scenario and then there would be sort of a wayback in time where we, the readers, would be told what really happened in that particular scenario. I thought it was a clever style.
January 6, 2021
Raveled pulled me out of a reading slump. I really loved this book and it’s unpredictability. The author is also the mom a of my good friend, so her books are extra special for me to read. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a murder mystery!
January 10, 2014
Author
Anne McAneny honed her writing skills as a screenwriter for many years before turning to novels. Several of her screenplays became finalists in contests and still circulate through Hollywood on a regular basis. Her first novel, the humorous and heartening Chunneling Through Forty, became a top-selling e-book. Anne lives in Virginia with her family and several pets.
Review
This book caught my attention due to the fact that the mystery solver was a normal person not the police or someone trained for the job. If the story is well written this usually ends up in a puzzle where I as reader can puzzle along and put clues together which I enjoy. My curiosity was triggered too by the promise of intrigue the synopsis promised.
The first 50 pages were hard to read. It i clear Allison is still angry by what happened and has a lot of questions. These feelings jump of the page and really rubbed off on me as reader. I got angry and upset and that is not a feeling I search for when reading a book. Still the story was developing in an interesting way and I could not stop reading. Eventually I realized too that that anger actually worked very well with the story. It made it easier to connect to Allison and understand her choices.
The story has several flashbacks in which the other people involved tell their side of the story. The transitions between the story of Allison now and the other people with their story from the past was not always fluent. Allison was in one situation and all of a sudden you were reading her dad's story. After Allison usually picked up some of the clues that I read in her dad's story but it took the puzzle from the story for me.
The characters all play their part in the story. As soon as they are introduced it is clear where they stand including matching characteristics. The only one I was in doubt about was Enzo which made for a nice "everything is possible with him" situation.
Raveled lived up to the expectation I had from the synopsis. There as a lot of intrigue and the local atmosphere enveloped me as reader. It was possible to puzzle along with the mystery, though some pieces were given away and there is a character for everyone to like, love or hate.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book on Netgalley from the publisher in return for an honest review*
Anne McAneny honed her writing skills as a screenwriter for many years before turning to novels. Several of her screenplays became finalists in contests and still circulate through Hollywood on a regular basis. Her first novel, the humorous and heartening Chunneling Through Forty, became a top-selling e-book. Anne lives in Virginia with her family and several pets.
Review
This book caught my attention due to the fact that the mystery solver was a normal person not the police or someone trained for the job. If the story is well written this usually ends up in a puzzle where I as reader can puzzle along and put clues together which I enjoy. My curiosity was triggered too by the promise of intrigue the synopsis promised.
The first 50 pages were hard to read. It i clear Allison is still angry by what happened and has a lot of questions. These feelings jump of the page and really rubbed off on me as reader. I got angry and upset and that is not a feeling I search for when reading a book. Still the story was developing in an interesting way and I could not stop reading. Eventually I realized too that that anger actually worked very well with the story. It made it easier to connect to Allison and understand her choices.
The story has several flashbacks in which the other people involved tell their side of the story. The transitions between the story of Allison now and the other people with their story from the past was not always fluent. Allison was in one situation and all of a sudden you were reading her dad's story. After Allison usually picked up some of the clues that I read in her dad's story but it took the puzzle from the story for me.
The characters all play their part in the story. As soon as they are introduced it is clear where they stand including matching characteristics. The only one I was in doubt about was Enzo which made for a nice "everything is possible with him" situation.
Raveled lived up to the expectation I had from the synopsis. There as a lot of intrigue and the local atmosphere enveloped me as reader. It was possible to puzzle along with the mystery, though some pieces were given away and there is a character for everyone to like, love or hate.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book on Netgalley from the publisher in return for an honest review*
May 17, 2013
"Raveled" by Anne McAneny is a page-turner, a riveting read about a fictional small town in North Carolina where the secrets are dark as blackstrap molasses and just as deeply hidden at the bottom of the barrel. But even secrets abysmally deep have an astonishing way of winding their way back up to the surface, forcing their way through the cracks of confused, bothered minds and wrestling consciences.
Allison Fennimore is the protagonist in "Raveled," and she has returned to Lavitte 16 years after a grisly crime involving two teenagers truly unraveled her life, her family and the entire small town. Allison has returned to find answers. Will she find what she has come for? At what cost?
As the truth of the terrible events of 16 years prior begin to slowly resurface, you will find yourself drawn to Allison and perhaps even a few of the other believable and either likable or despicable characters. You will desperately want to find out how the story ends.
To my friends who do not or cannot read graphic descriptions, please note that there are some mild to moderate graphic descriptions within this book, though given the subject some of that is not unexpected in an adult novel involving crimes and so forth.
I give "Raveled" 4/5 stars.
Thank you to Farrington Press, the author Anne McAneny and Net Galley for a complimentary ebook copy of "Raveled." Please note that my review is original.
Allison Fennimore is the protagonist in "Raveled," and she has returned to Lavitte 16 years after a grisly crime involving two teenagers truly unraveled her life, her family and the entire small town. Allison has returned to find answers. Will she find what she has come for? At what cost?
As the truth of the terrible events of 16 years prior begin to slowly resurface, you will find yourself drawn to Allison and perhaps even a few of the other believable and either likable or despicable characters. You will desperately want to find out how the story ends.
To my friends who do not or cannot read graphic descriptions, please note that there are some mild to moderate graphic descriptions within this book, though given the subject some of that is not unexpected in an adult novel involving crimes and so forth.
I give "Raveled" 4/5 stars.
Thank you to Farrington Press, the author Anne McAneny and Net Galley for a complimentary ebook copy of "Raveled." Please note that my review is original.
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