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Fool Me Once
Kate thought she knew her neighbors. But they’ve been keeping secrets…
Kate’s quiet evening at home is shattered when a car crashes into a neighbor’s fence. The police and emergency services are quickly on the scene.
Kate saw the crash. The neighbors saw it too. So why is everyone saying it never happened? And how is it possible that the neighbor’s fence doesn’t have a scratch?
Is Kate going crazy or is everyone lying?
Strange things start happening in Kate’s life. A man follows her home after work. An intruder tries to break into her house in the middle of the night.
Kate is convinced these events are connected to the crash. Someone wants to silence her. But why? Who was in that car on Saturday night?
And what is the deadly secret that everyone is trying to hide?
Fool Me Once – the gripping psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Lost Girl.
Kate’s quiet evening at home is shattered when a car crashes into a neighbor’s fence. The police and emergency services are quickly on the scene.
Kate saw the crash. The neighbors saw it too. So why is everyone saying it never happened? And how is it possible that the neighbor’s fence doesn’t have a scratch?
Is Kate going crazy or is everyone lying?
Strange things start happening in Kate’s life. A man follows her home after work. An intruder tries to break into her house in the middle of the night.
Kate is convinced these events are connected to the crash. Someone wants to silence her. But why? Who was in that car on Saturday night?
And what is the deadly secret that everyone is trying to hide?
Fool Me Once – the gripping psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Lost Girl.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2024
502 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Mark Gillespie
51 books144 followersThese days, Mark Gillespie writes psychological thrillers, suspense and horror. Previously, between the years 2016-2020, he wrote a lot of apocalyptic/dystopian fiction.
Mark is a former professional musician from Glasgow, Scotland, who nowadays lives in Auckland, New Zealand with his wife Íde and a small menagerie of four-legged rescue creatures.
Favourite books: I am Legend, The Razor's Edge, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Body (Stephen King), I'll Be Gone in the Dark, Trainspotting...
Favourite films: Jaws, Ikiru, The Invitation, Vertigo, The Thing, Eyes Without a Face, Seven Samurai, The Wicker Man...
You can find him on Facebook as Mark Gillespie's Writing Stuff. He's also on Twitter as MarkG_Author.
Website: www.markgillespieauthor.com
Mark is a former professional musician from Glasgow, Scotland, who nowadays lives in Auckland, New Zealand with his wife Íde and a small menagerie of four-legged rescue creatures.
Favourite books: I am Legend, The Razor's Edge, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Body (Stephen King), I'll Be Gone in the Dark, Trainspotting...
Favourite films: Jaws, Ikiru, The Invitation, Vertigo, The Thing, Eyes Without a Face, Seven Samurai, The Wicker Man...
You can find him on Facebook as Mark Gillespie's Writing Stuff. He's also on Twitter as MarkG_Author.
Website: www.markgillespieauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
September 29, 2024
This thriller is a wild, twisted, and shocking ride from start to finish. The premise drew me in and the outcome didn't disappoint. I was blown away! I would have never predicted all of the jaw-dropping twists and turns. This story definitely makes a statement. It's original, entertaining, and had me on the edge of my seat. This is the first book I have read by this author but most certainly will not be the last. Thank you Inkubator Books and Booksprout for my copy.
October 4, 2024
Now this is a thriller! After getting through the first part, I flew through the end.
Kate wakes up after an evening of drinking to a car crashing into her neighbors fence… the next day, the fence is fixed and the neighbor tells her it didn’t happen.
A VERY wild ride!
Kate wakes up after an evening of drinking to a car crashing into her neighbors fence… the next day, the fence is fixed and the neighbor tells her it didn’t happen.
A VERY wild ride!
October 10, 2024
If you are looking for a book with a unique theme, then this is it! There are so many books about domestic abuse that I am constantly looking for something with a different theme. I can’t say anything without giving something away. Just know that weird things are witnessed by Kate, and no one will believe her. I wouldn’t read the blurb. Just give it a go!
October 16, 2024
I just loved the cover of this book and the blurb really intrigued me.
Kate likes a drink and one night, when her partner has gone to bed, she’s woken up by a car smashing into her neighbours fence. But the next day, there’s no evidence of the accident and her neighbours say it never happened. From the moment I met Kate and the strange way her neighbours behaved I knew this was going to be a very twisty turny read. Her fear and apparent paranoia slowly builds the tension and I enjoyed the way how hints about Kate’s past were drip fed, keeping me hooked as I gradually began to work out what could be happening. There were a few shocking moments and in a way I did feel sorry for one of the other main characters. For me this was a relatively slow burner until when the action ramped up, then it really ramped up and I found myself racing through the pages until the book’s climax.
I’ve read a few books by Mark and so far this has to be my favourite and so I have no hesitation in saying I would definitely recommend Fool Me Once.
Kate likes a drink and one night, when her partner has gone to bed, she’s woken up by a car smashing into her neighbours fence. But the next day, there’s no evidence of the accident and her neighbours say it never happened. From the moment I met Kate and the strange way her neighbours behaved I knew this was going to be a very twisty turny read. Her fear and apparent paranoia slowly builds the tension and I enjoyed the way how hints about Kate’s past were drip fed, keeping me hooked as I gradually began to work out what could be happening. There were a few shocking moments and in a way I did feel sorry for one of the other main characters. For me this was a relatively slow burner until when the action ramped up, then it really ramped up and I found myself racing through the pages until the book’s climax.
I’ve read a few books by Mark and so far this has to be my favourite and so I have no hesitation in saying I would definitely recommend Fool Me Once.
October 20, 2024
Okaaaaay, whilst I have no idea WTAF I've just read, in which direction it was going to take me and what the outcome would be, I do know is that the book was a fantastic intro to Gillespie's writing for me and has 100% piqued my interest into reading more from him.
It's a fast paced thriller that will have you questioning your perceptions of reality alongside Kate. Twisty beyond belief, Gillespie has created a compelling and addictive read in Fool Me Once...it certainly had me!
The characters are fantastic, the plot insane and you won't want to stop until you've devoured every last word.
It's a fast paced thriller that will have you questioning your perceptions of reality alongside Kate. Twisty beyond belief, Gillespie has created a compelling and addictive read in Fool Me Once...it certainly had me!
The characters are fantastic, the plot insane and you won't want to stop until you've devoured every last word.
October 2, 2024
Kate witnesses a car crash outside her home, alongside her neighbors. Soon after, it becomes apparent that someone is trying to cover up the accident and erase it from memory. As Kate's life takes a dramatic turn, strange events begin to unfold: someone breaks into her and her fiancé's home, and a man follows her home from work.
Fool Me Once opens with the car crash and maintains a fast pace, hardly letting up until its thrilling conclusion. The tension keeps you on your toes, leaving you fearful for Kate’s safety as you unravel the mystery behind the attempts to silence her.
However, I found the dialogue challenging at times since it lacks quotation marks, which made it harder to follow. Additionally, the characters didn't stand out as particularly extraordinary. Nonetheless, it’s an engaging, quick read with an interesting premise.
Overall, Fool Me once was a quick, psychological thriller that keeps you on your toes up until the very end. Fans of thrillers will highly enjoy this read.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Fool Me Once opens with the car crash and maintains a fast pace, hardly letting up until its thrilling conclusion. The tension keeps you on your toes, leaving you fearful for Kate’s safety as you unravel the mystery behind the attempts to silence her.
However, I found the dialogue challenging at times since it lacks quotation marks, which made it harder to follow. Additionally, the characters didn't stand out as particularly extraordinary. Nonetheless, it’s an engaging, quick read with an interesting premise.
Overall, Fool Me once was a quick, psychological thriller that keeps you on your toes up until the very end. Fans of thrillers will highly enjoy this read.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
October 8, 2024
Fast paced psychological thriller. Kate wakes up after an evening of drinking to a car crashing into her neighbors fence… the next day, the fence is fixed and the neighbor tells her it didn’t happen. Is she losing her mind, or is something sinister at play? I was genuinely confused until I got the second part. The ending was perfect.
September 26, 2024
I enjoyed this book, it’s full of creepy events and at first you’re left wondering what is going on, but as the story unfolds it all starts making sense. The only let down was the end part I didn’t feel like it was explained properly and there was probably more that could have been written.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 27, 2024
Is Kate losing her mind? She witnesses a car crash and the next day there is no sign it ever happened and no one is admitting to witnessing it. A lot of unexpected events occur that turn into an unraveling. You never know what someone is capable of. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this before published on Oct 6, 2024.
October 15, 2024
When I read most thrillers I can usually see which way the plot is going but this one kept me guessing. I really felt for Kate when it felt like the world around her was crumbling and the level of self doubt that crept in. I really wanted to read on to find out what happened next and I enjoyed every twist and turn. At times I even started to doubt what was real! I will be recommending this to my friends who love a good thriller.
October 26, 2024
This book was a roller coaster....if you want a book, that is different and will keep you guessing..this is it.....I cant say to much without giving it away....very good book!!
October 11, 2024
I really enjoyed Mark Gillespie’s previous book,The Lost Girl, and was eager to review another book by him.
Fool Me Once is immediately immersive and it made me constantly wonder what was true and what wasn’t. I was disconcerted by the accident and by Sarah. I thought she and Kate were well fleshed out characters I was thinking “Wow! What just happened?” I was wanting to discover the truth right away.
I was caught up in the story and the plot of neighbours not being who they seem is always one I enjoy.
Thanks to Mark Gillespie.
Fool Me Once is mysterious, gripping and enjoyable.
5 stars
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fool Me Once is immediately immersive and it made me constantly wonder what was true and what wasn’t. I was disconcerted by the accident and by Sarah. I thought she and Kate were well fleshed out characters I was thinking “Wow! What just happened?” I was wanting to discover the truth right away.
I was caught up in the story and the plot of neighbours not being who they seem is always one I enjoy.
Thanks to Mark Gillespie.
Fool Me Once is mysterious, gripping and enjoyable.
5 stars
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 3, 2024
This is a well written psychological thriller with a cast of strong characters centering on Kate. The author does a great job developing the story and pulled me in , keeping me turning the pages with all the twists and turns. It's a suspenseful story with revenge and secrets, moves fluidly with her descriptive writing and perfectly painted scenes. I enjoyed reading this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and are freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and are freely given.
November 9, 2024
What was that?
This book was weird. The writing was fine, the premise was interesting, but I'm not sure it connected for me. I definitely would not brand it as a psychological thriller. The book was ABOUT psychological warfare, but it didn't read as a psychological thriller. It was like The Truman Show: Revenge/ Justice. I was a little bored. I think if it would have had only Kate's/ Haley's POV, it would have worked better.
This book was weird. The writing was fine, the premise was interesting, but I'm not sure it connected for me. I definitely would not brand it as a psychological thriller. The book was ABOUT psychological warfare, but it didn't read as a psychological thriller. It was like The Truman Show: Revenge/ Justice. I was a little bored. I think if it would have had only Kate's/ Haley's POV, it would have worked better.
September 18, 2024
Kate witnesses a crash outside her home, but when she wakes up realizing her neighbors, even her husband, believe nothing happened? Is it a mental episode, a drinking problem, or is there a secret government cover-up happening?
I went in without reading descriptions or reviews, my usual choice, and I was absolutely enthralled by Kate & Jimmy’s parts detailing the crash that never happened. When Hayley’s part came, everything fell into place and made sense, and I was still hooked to a point, wondering what was going to happen next.. -but then the explanations and details, especially in Helen’s part, just became a redundant and unnecessary blob, and even when it changed back to original perspectives, I mostly skimmed the last 30-40% of the book.
It’s a decent read, had amazing potential, but fizzled out.
Thank you Inkubator for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I went in without reading descriptions or reviews, my usual choice, and I was absolutely enthralled by Kate & Jimmy’s parts detailing the crash that never happened. When Hayley’s part came, everything fell into place and made sense, and I was still hooked to a point, wondering what was going to happen next.. -but then the explanations and details, especially in Helen’s part, just became a redundant and unnecessary blob, and even when it changed back to original perspectives, I mostly skimmed the last 30-40% of the book.
It’s a decent read, had amazing potential, but fizzled out.
Thank you Inkubator for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
November 21, 2024
★★★★.5
This book is a wild ride full of twists and turns you definitely won’t see coming. I’m speechless—in the best way possible!
Kate wakes up on her couch to strange noises outside. When she checks, she witnesses a car accident right in front of her house. There’s significant damage to a neighbor’s property, and the noise draws people from all along the street. Soon, emergency services arrive. After checking in with their neighbors, Sarah and Jack, Kate and her boyfriend Tommy head to bed. But when Kate wakes the next morning, she’s shocked to find no trace of the accident from the night before. Confused, she decides to check in with her neighbors again. When she asks Sarah if everything’s okay and mentions how surprised she is that the damage was cleaned up so quickly, Sarah looks completely confused. When Kate brings up the accident, Sarah insists there wasn’t one.
And that’s just the beginning of the weirdness. When Kate tells Tommy about her conversation with Sarah, he looks confused too—he swears there was no accident. He even takes the opportunity to make a snide comment about Kate’s drinking habits. Kate, feeling extra groggy and hungover, admits she probably needs to slow down. But wait, there’s more! After work, a strange man seems to be following her. Later that night, someone tries to break into her house. Kate becomes convinced that the accident really did happen—and that someone’s trying to intimidate her and everyone else from admitting it...
The story unfolds in five parts, each from a different POV. It’s tough to review without giving away too much, so instead, here are my thoughts as I read through each section:
Part I: I was hooked. I had no idea what was happening, but I was loving every second. Kate’s doubts about her sanity? I was right there with her, spiraling too.
Part II: Things finally started making a little more sense. I still had a million questions though!
Part III: I finally began to appreciate the masterful plotting! I was so immersed, the world around me ceased to exist. The reveal? Stunning. I was floored.
Parts IV and V: Oh. Boy.
There’s so much to unpack! This book is a sharp commentary on society’s obsession with attention and fame—no matter the cost. I highly recommend checking it out. Trust me, you won’t see the twists coming!
Thank you, NetGalley, Mark Gillespie, and Inkubator Books, for providing an early copy of ‘Fool Me Once’.
This book is a wild ride full of twists and turns you definitely won’t see coming. I’m speechless—in the best way possible!
Kate wakes up on her couch to strange noises outside. When she checks, she witnesses a car accident right in front of her house. There’s significant damage to a neighbor’s property, and the noise draws people from all along the street. Soon, emergency services arrive. After checking in with their neighbors, Sarah and Jack, Kate and her boyfriend Tommy head to bed. But when Kate wakes the next morning, she’s shocked to find no trace of the accident from the night before. Confused, she decides to check in with her neighbors again. When she asks Sarah if everything’s okay and mentions how surprised she is that the damage was cleaned up so quickly, Sarah looks completely confused. When Kate brings up the accident, Sarah insists there wasn’t one.
And that’s just the beginning of the weirdness. When Kate tells Tommy about her conversation with Sarah, he looks confused too—he swears there was no accident. He even takes the opportunity to make a snide comment about Kate’s drinking habits. Kate, feeling extra groggy and hungover, admits she probably needs to slow down. But wait, there’s more! After work, a strange man seems to be following her. Later that night, someone tries to break into her house. Kate becomes convinced that the accident really did happen—and that someone’s trying to intimidate her and everyone else from admitting it...
The story unfolds in five parts, each from a different POV. It’s tough to review without giving away too much, so instead, here are my thoughts as I read through each section:
Part I: I was hooked. I had no idea what was happening, but I was loving every second. Kate’s doubts about her sanity? I was right there with her, spiraling too.
Part II: Things finally started making a little more sense. I still had a million questions though!
Part III: I finally began to appreciate the masterful plotting! I was so immersed, the world around me ceased to exist. The reveal? Stunning. I was floored.
Parts IV and V: Oh. Boy.
There’s so much to unpack! This book is a sharp commentary on society’s obsession with attention and fame—no matter the cost. I highly recommend checking it out. Trust me, you won’t see the twists coming!
Thank you, NetGalley, Mark Gillespie, and Inkubator Books, for providing an early copy of ‘Fool Me Once’.
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October 19, 2024
This book captivated me right from the cover and tagline, even before I noticed the author’s name. Gillespie's writing immediately pulls you in; I was immersed from the first page.
The story was fast-paced, exciting, and tinged with creepiness. I raced through it, eager to discover how things would unfold for Kate.
Kate’s character evoked strong sympathy.
Witnessing a traumatic accident and then being surrounded by people denying they saw anything would be deeply unsettling. As strange things continued happening around her, her fear and paranoia felt all too real. I could easily see myself feeling exactly as she did in such a situation.
The author skillfully taps into the theme of gaslighting, where Kate's growing isolation and the disbelief of others add to the tension. The story not only questions the reality of the crash but also Kate’s sanity, making readers wonder if she is seeing the truth or descending into delusion.
The plot is filled with twists and turns that kept me on edge, frustrated yet hooked, wanting explanations. This psychological thriller was a wild, twisted ride from start to finish, with a storyline that constantly kept me guessing.
There were jaw-dropping moments I couldn’t have predicted, which made the experience that much more satisfying.
The tension and suspense built steadily, fueled by hints about Kate’s past. As the action ramped up, I found myself flying through the pages. The story left me questioning what was real, and I loved how it made me doubt everything.
The conclusion was satisfying while leaving a bit of mystery, exactly what I needed from a psychological thriller. Kate is a complex, flawed, and relatable protagonist, and her unreliable narration—fueled by her drinking habits and complicated relationship with Tommy—adds layers to the suspense. The parts involving the crash that never happened were particularly enthralling, and by the time Hayley’s part emerged, everything clicked into place.
This book was a great read It kept me on the edge of my seat, and I’ll definitely be looking for more by this author. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller.
The story was fast-paced, exciting, and tinged with creepiness. I raced through it, eager to discover how things would unfold for Kate.
Kate’s character evoked strong sympathy.
Witnessing a traumatic accident and then being surrounded by people denying they saw anything would be deeply unsettling. As strange things continued happening around her, her fear and paranoia felt all too real. I could easily see myself feeling exactly as she did in such a situation.
The author skillfully taps into the theme of gaslighting, where Kate's growing isolation and the disbelief of others add to the tension. The story not only questions the reality of the crash but also Kate’s sanity, making readers wonder if she is seeing the truth or descending into delusion.
The plot is filled with twists and turns that kept me on edge, frustrated yet hooked, wanting explanations. This psychological thriller was a wild, twisted ride from start to finish, with a storyline that constantly kept me guessing.
There were jaw-dropping moments I couldn’t have predicted, which made the experience that much more satisfying.
The tension and suspense built steadily, fueled by hints about Kate’s past. As the action ramped up, I found myself flying through the pages. The story left me questioning what was real, and I loved how it made me doubt everything.
The conclusion was satisfying while leaving a bit of mystery, exactly what I needed from a psychological thriller. Kate is a complex, flawed, and relatable protagonist, and her unreliable narration—fueled by her drinking habits and complicated relationship with Tommy—adds layers to the suspense. The parts involving the crash that never happened were particularly enthralling, and by the time Hayley’s part emerged, everything clicked into place.
This book was a great read It kept me on the edge of my seat, and I’ll definitely be looking for more by this author. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller.
November 29, 2024
This will be the third book that I've read by this author over theast year or so and having loved the others, when I spotted this new release, I had to grab it too!
This cover first caught my attention and with that and the tag line, I was already sold before seeing the author name.
I really enjoyed Gillespie's writing style whichnsucks you in right from the first few pages and then keeps you immersed throughout.
This was fast paced and exciting - as well as a little creepy - and I raced to the end, needing to know just how things would turn out for Kate.
I really felt quite sorry for Kate. Having seen the accident happen then to be up against everybody else denying that they saw anything - but after already feeling on edge from these events, to have other strange things go on around you.
I think I'd have felt exactly the same way Kate did here.
I was completely invested in this storyline and felt so frustrated and on edge - I needed things to be explained, yet there were so many twists and turns.
A great read - but I finished it so fast and now I need more of the same - looking forward to my next read by this author!
This cover first caught my attention and with that and the tag line, I was already sold before seeing the author name.
I really enjoyed Gillespie's writing style whichnsucks you in right from the first few pages and then keeps you immersed throughout.
This was fast paced and exciting - as well as a little creepy - and I raced to the end, needing to know just how things would turn out for Kate.
I really felt quite sorry for Kate. Having seen the accident happen then to be up against everybody else denying that they saw anything - but after already feeling on edge from these events, to have other strange things go on around you.
I think I'd have felt exactly the same way Kate did here.
I was completely invested in this storyline and felt so frustrated and on edge - I needed things to be explained, yet there were so many twists and turns.
A great read - but I finished it so fast and now I need more of the same - looking forward to my next read by this author!
October 19, 2024
Thank you @zooloosBT for letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. Fool Me Once is a psychological Thriller genre and the story is about Kate who thinks she's having a quiet night in when a car crashes into a neighbours fence. When Kate tries to talk about it to people they don't know what's she's talking about. Is Kate going crazy or not. There is a fantastic twist in the book that I never would have guessed was coming. Love it when that happens. Fool Me Once is easy book to get into straight the way and is very hard to put down because you need to know what's going to happen at the end. This is a gripping read that will hook you in from start to finish. The plot is great, and I did like Kate character but did feel sorry for her because the poor thing didn't know if she was going crazy or not that must be horrible feeling to have. A brilliant read 5 stars
October 22, 2024
Fool Me Once By Mark Gillespie.
I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I really did enjoy this book. It was gripping and twisty. I read it in two sittings. I wasn't sure how I felt about the characters in this book. I didn't have any favourite. I did like the writing style and the story. This was definitely a wild and jaw-dropping read. I never predicted the outcome. Completely shocked. This is the 3rd book I have read by this author. He has not disappointed me once. I would definitely recommend this book
I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I really did enjoy this book. It was gripping and twisty. I read it in two sittings. I wasn't sure how I felt about the characters in this book. I didn't have any favourite. I did like the writing style and the story. This was definitely a wild and jaw-dropping read. I never predicted the outcome. Completely shocked. This is the 3rd book I have read by this author. He has not disappointed me once. I would definitely recommend this book
October 16, 2024
Here is my review for Fool Me Once by Mark Gillespie
I got into this book straight away right from the start and really enjoyed reading it. It was an easy read and so easy to get into. Kate always thought she was sane and never had a problem until now. One quiet Saturday evening at home, she’d had at least a couple of bottles of wine and her boyfriend Tommy was asleep upstairs in bed. She was on the couch downstairs watching telly, when Tommy yelled down to turn the noise down, She said the tv wasn’t that loud and muted it. Then she heard the car revving its engine excessively and then it came speeding down their street. She’s at the window by this point, looking out, it appears the car is speeding towards their house then veers towards their neighbour’s metal fence at the last minute. There was a loud bang as the car crashed into the fence and all the neighbours started to drift out to see what had happened and to check on the occupants of the car. The driver was out in seconds jumping around and seemed excited. A little while later, one of the passengers stumbled out and sat by the wheel but the back seat passenger wouldn’t get out no matter what anyone said or did. Eventually, Kate and Tommy went back indoors, there was nothing else they could do and Kate was freezing. They went to bed and finally got to sleep. The next morning, Kate remembered about the crash and looked out the window and saw their neighbour’s fence had been fixed. She went outside for a better look and was looking all over for a sign that something had happened but there was nothing. She saw her neighbour come out to the bin so asked her about the crash, her neighbour denied the crash. When she saw Tommy, he denied the crash as well, and said she’d had a bad dream. What was going on? It wasn’t a dream, it had happened, hadn’t it? This was a tremendous read, really well written and excellently plotted. The suspense was there and you could feel it in the air, it wasn’t only Kate in the dark. It was a brilliant storyline, never read anything like this before and such a good use of the author’s imagination. I like reading this author’s work.
Blurb :
Kate never had any doubts about her sanity. Until now.
Kate’s quiet evening at home is shattered when a car crashes into a neighbor’s fence. The police and emergency services are quickly on the scene.
Kate saw the crash. The neighbors saw it too. So why is everyone saying it never happened? And how is it possible that the neighbor’s fence doesn’t have a scratch?
Is Kate going crazy or is everyone lying?
Strange things start happening in Kate’s life. A man follows her home after work. An intruder tries to break into her house in the middle of the night.
Kate is convinced these events are connected to the crash. Someone wants to silence her. But why? Who was in that car on Saturday night?
And what is the deadly secret that everyone is trying to hide?
Fool Me Once – the gripping psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Lost Girl.
I got into this book straight away right from the start and really enjoyed reading it. It was an easy read and so easy to get into. Kate always thought she was sane and never had a problem until now. One quiet Saturday evening at home, she’d had at least a couple of bottles of wine and her boyfriend Tommy was asleep upstairs in bed. She was on the couch downstairs watching telly, when Tommy yelled down to turn the noise down, She said the tv wasn’t that loud and muted it. Then she heard the car revving its engine excessively and then it came speeding down their street. She’s at the window by this point, looking out, it appears the car is speeding towards their house then veers towards their neighbour’s metal fence at the last minute. There was a loud bang as the car crashed into the fence and all the neighbours started to drift out to see what had happened and to check on the occupants of the car. The driver was out in seconds jumping around and seemed excited. A little while later, one of the passengers stumbled out and sat by the wheel but the back seat passenger wouldn’t get out no matter what anyone said or did. Eventually, Kate and Tommy went back indoors, there was nothing else they could do and Kate was freezing. They went to bed and finally got to sleep. The next morning, Kate remembered about the crash and looked out the window and saw their neighbour’s fence had been fixed. She went outside for a better look and was looking all over for a sign that something had happened but there was nothing. She saw her neighbour come out to the bin so asked her about the crash, her neighbour denied the crash. When she saw Tommy, he denied the crash as well, and said she’d had a bad dream. What was going on? It wasn’t a dream, it had happened, hadn’t it? This was a tremendous read, really well written and excellently plotted. The suspense was there and you could feel it in the air, it wasn’t only Kate in the dark. It was a brilliant storyline, never read anything like this before and such a good use of the author’s imagination. I like reading this author’s work.
Blurb :
Kate never had any doubts about her sanity. Until now.
Kate’s quiet evening at home is shattered when a car crashes into a neighbor’s fence. The police and emergency services are quickly on the scene.
Kate saw the crash. The neighbors saw it too. So why is everyone saying it never happened? And how is it possible that the neighbor’s fence doesn’t have a scratch?
Is Kate going crazy or is everyone lying?
Strange things start happening in Kate’s life. A man follows her home after work. An intruder tries to break into her house in the middle of the night.
Kate is convinced these events are connected to the crash. Someone wants to silence her. But why? Who was in that car on Saturday night?
And what is the deadly secret that everyone is trying to hide?
Fool Me Once – the gripping psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Lost Girl.
October 16, 2024
Fool Me Once opens with Kate’s seemingly ordinary night taking a chaotic turn when a car crash rattles her sleepy street. The eerie atmosphere builds immediately as Kate, hungover and confused, witnesses a car lose control and slam into her neighbors' fence. But when her neighbors and even her fiancé, Tommy, seem to deny what she clearly saw, reality begins to slip. From the outset, the novel plunges readers into a spiral of paranoia and suspense that doesn’t let up.
Mark Gillespie crafts a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers questioning what’s real and who can be trusted. Kate’s growing sense of unease is palpable as she struggles to make sense of the strange events that follow the crash. A man stalks her after work, her home becomes the target of break-in attempts, and she can't shake the feeling that everyone, including her neighbors, is hiding something sinister. The tension between Kate’s perception and the world around her is expertly maintained, drawing readers deeper into her unraveling psyche.
The plot is fast-paced and layered with enough twists and red herrings to keep even seasoned thriller readers guessing. Gillespie uses small-town boredom and the mundanity of suburban life as a stark backdrop for the mounting dread, making the bizarre occurrences all the more jarring. Kate is a well-drawn, relatable protagonist whose flaws—her tendency to drink alone, her complicated relationship with Tommy—make her an unreliable narrator, amplifying the suspense.
What makes Fool Me Once especially compelling is how Gillespie plays with the theme of gaslighting. Kate’s growing isolation as those around her dismiss her experiences taps into a deep fear of being disbelieved. This makes the mystery not just about the car crash but about Kate’s own sanity. Readers are left questioning whether Kate is the only one seeing the truth or if she’s spiraling into delusion.
For fans of psychological thrillers like Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, Fool Me Once offers an edge-of-your-seat experience, full of unexpected twists and dark secrets. Gillespie’s skillful storytelling ensures that the novel’s final revelations will leave readers reeling long after the last page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mark Gillespie crafts a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers questioning what’s real and who can be trusted. Kate’s growing sense of unease is palpable as she struggles to make sense of the strange events that follow the crash. A man stalks her after work, her home becomes the target of break-in attempts, and she can't shake the feeling that everyone, including her neighbors, is hiding something sinister. The tension between Kate’s perception and the world around her is expertly maintained, drawing readers deeper into her unraveling psyche.
The plot is fast-paced and layered with enough twists and red herrings to keep even seasoned thriller readers guessing. Gillespie uses small-town boredom and the mundanity of suburban life as a stark backdrop for the mounting dread, making the bizarre occurrences all the more jarring. Kate is a well-drawn, relatable protagonist whose flaws—her tendency to drink alone, her complicated relationship with Tommy—make her an unreliable narrator, amplifying the suspense.
What makes Fool Me Once especially compelling is how Gillespie plays with the theme of gaslighting. Kate’s growing isolation as those around her dismiss her experiences taps into a deep fear of being disbelieved. This makes the mystery not just about the car crash but about Kate’s own sanity. Readers are left questioning whether Kate is the only one seeing the truth or if she’s spiraling into delusion.
For fans of psychological thrillers like Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, Fool Me Once offers an edge-of-your-seat experience, full of unexpected twists and dark secrets. Gillespie’s skillful storytelling ensures that the novel’s final revelations will leave readers reeling long after the last page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 19, 2024
It really took me some time to figure out how to label this book. I had a feeling that I MUST assign some label to it. I needed it for myself, to put it into some category of sorts. I needed a way to think about it beyond a basic exclamation of “wow!”.
At first, I was thinking, hmm, I guess I’m sticking with thinking about it as a dystopian story, except I’m not really sure how much of a dystopian story this one is. Plain and simple, it is because it feels way too real to be called a dystopian story.
Then I remembered that there is the label of speculative fiction, and yes, this one fits the bill. This is it. Speculative fiction. This is what I’m labeling this book.
It dives deep into the world where at first everything seems to be painted in very extreme colors. Capitalism ruling the world. A very select few making all the big decisions. But then, if you are like me, you realize that the book’s reality isn’t really that far-fetched. It’s kind of sort of already here. And all you (me, that is) can do is sit back, brace yourself for one wild ride, and watch the world burn. Literally and figuratively, when it comes to this book. Dark. Twisted. Extra and extremely horrible in its possibility to be a real-life scenario. The way the story is told and the way it unfolds adds an extra layer of eerie suspense that’s borderline creepy, as the pieces start fitting together and the story makes more and more sense, you can’t help but be weirded out by the realization that we are juuuust one teeeeeny tiny step away from this reality. Or are we already there?
At first, I was thinking, hmm, I guess I’m sticking with thinking about it as a dystopian story, except I’m not really sure how much of a dystopian story this one is. Plain and simple, it is because it feels way too real to be called a dystopian story.
Then I remembered that there is the label of speculative fiction, and yes, this one fits the bill. This is it. Speculative fiction. This is what I’m labeling this book.
It dives deep into the world where at first everything seems to be painted in very extreme colors. Capitalism ruling the world. A very select few making all the big decisions. But then, if you are like me, you realize that the book’s reality isn’t really that far-fetched. It’s kind of sort of already here. And all you (me, that is) can do is sit back, brace yourself for one wild ride, and watch the world burn. Literally and figuratively, when it comes to this book. Dark. Twisted. Extra and extremely horrible in its possibility to be a real-life scenario. The way the story is told and the way it unfolds adds an extra layer of eerie suspense that’s borderline creepy, as the pieces start fitting together and the story makes more and more sense, you can’t help but be weirded out by the realization that we are juuuust one teeeeeny tiny step away from this reality. Or are we already there?
September 26, 2024
Kate's quiet evening at home is shattered when a car crashes into a neighbour's fence. The police and the emergency services are quickly on the scene. Kate saw the crash. The neighbours saw it too. So why is everyone saying it never happened? And how is it possible that the neighbour's fence doesn't have a scratch? Is Kate going crazy, or is everybody lying? Strange things start happening in Kate's life. A man follows her home after work. An intruder tries to break into her house in the middle of the night. Kate is convinced these events are connected to the crash. Someone wants to silence her. But why? Who was in that car on Saturday night? And what is the deadly secret everyone is trying to hide?
Kate witnessed a car crash outside her house late one Saturday night. The emergency services all attended. Her neighbour's fence was destroyed by the crash. The neighbours all witnessed it. But the next morning, everything was back to normal. Her neighbour's fence didn't even have a scratch on it. Kate's husband and her neighbours all deny there was a crash.
This story is creepy, horrifying, shocking, chilling, has unexpected events happening, and it's very well written. It's also complex, twisted, and thought-provoking. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #InkubatorBooks and the author #MarkGillespie for my ARC of #FoolMeOnce in exchange for an honest review.
Kate witnessed a car crash outside her house late one Saturday night. The emergency services all attended. Her neighbour's fence was destroyed by the crash. The neighbours all witnessed it. But the next morning, everything was back to normal. Her neighbour's fence didn't even have a scratch on it. Kate's husband and her neighbours all deny there was a crash.
This story is creepy, horrifying, shocking, chilling, has unexpected events happening, and it's very well written. It's also complex, twisted, and thought-provoking. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #InkubatorBooks and the author #MarkGillespie for my ARC of #FoolMeOnce in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2024
As an avid reader, it's always a delight to find a book with a plot that feels fresh and new. I couldn't think of any other book with a premise quite like this one, which was such a pleasant surprise. Hats off to Mark Gillespie for attempting something unique! This was a wild ride right from start to finish.
When Kate witnesses a car crash in her neighborhood, she's shocked to wake up the next day and find no evidence that the crash ever occurred. Even stranger, the neighbors who were with Kate that night deny the crash ever happened. Kate starts to question her sanity as she faces a number of bizarre scenarios. Is she losing her mind, or is there something else going on that she doesn't yet understand?
The book starts off strong, introducing Kate’s life and the situations she keeps finding herself in. It’s when we see the viewpoints of other characters and go back in time to see how the whole plot unfolded that the story starts to drag. We only get three different character perspectives, but it still feels like too many. Filling in Kate’s background is tedious—her chapters set in the past take forever to get through. Although necessary for our understanding, it doesn’t take long to have the "a-ha" moment when the pieces fit together, but then the author continues on anyway. Jimmy's perspective could have been cut altogether, as it runs parallel with Helen's. At least Helen adds something to the plot, whereas Jimmy feels entirely unnecessary.
With better pacing and trimming some bulk, this would have been higher on my list. The longer I read, the more tedious it felt. As crazy as the story is, it wouldn’t surprise me if something like this could happen in the not-so-distant future, given how our society uses the internet. Elaborating any further might spoil some of the plot, which would be a disservice, since the plot is 100% the reason to read this book. If you're seeking a thriller about fame, justice and the far-reaching consequences of one's actions, then this is for you!
Thank you to Inkubator Books for providing me a free copy via Booksprout in exchange for my review.
When Kate witnesses a car crash in her neighborhood, she's shocked to wake up the next day and find no evidence that the crash ever occurred. Even stranger, the neighbors who were with Kate that night deny the crash ever happened. Kate starts to question her sanity as she faces a number of bizarre scenarios. Is she losing her mind, or is there something else going on that she doesn't yet understand?
The book starts off strong, introducing Kate’s life and the situations she keeps finding herself in. It’s when we see the viewpoints of other characters and go back in time to see how the whole plot unfolded that the story starts to drag. We only get three different character perspectives, but it still feels like too many. Filling in Kate’s background is tedious—her chapters set in the past take forever to get through. Although necessary for our understanding, it doesn’t take long to have the "a-ha" moment when the pieces fit together, but then the author continues on anyway. Jimmy's perspective could have been cut altogether, as it runs parallel with Helen's. At least Helen adds something to the plot, whereas Jimmy feels entirely unnecessary.
With better pacing and trimming some bulk, this would have been higher on my list. The longer I read, the more tedious it felt. As crazy as the story is, it wouldn’t surprise me if something like this could happen in the not-so-distant future, given how our society uses the internet. Elaborating any further might spoil some of the plot, which would be a disservice, since the plot is 100% the reason to read this book. If you're seeking a thriller about fame, justice and the far-reaching consequences of one's actions, then this is for you!
Thank you to Inkubator Books for providing me a free copy via Booksprout in exchange for my review.
September 20, 2024
Read ARC on netgalley.
Tdlr:
Pros: excellent story, plot and writing. Fleshed out characters. I finished the book in like 2 days despite working full time
Cons: first part is a slog to go through. Slight repetition.
long:
There is a grammar mistake in the prologue.
Starting part is a bit hard to read because you curse at the protagonist who makes stupid decisions from the moment we are introduced but later it pays off. Even kate and tommy's relationship seema off and that turns out to be masterful writing!
The book is excellent. The multiple parts nicely tie together to form the overall story.
A character works in a project which he is slightly put off by and makes up his mind thunking of his kid. Who else won't change their world view because they think of their kids!
Makes a good point that protests online offline don't matter as long as general public is happy. Boycotts don't work.
It also speaks on the influencer culture that we suffer through currently.
The title and prologue don't do justice to this amazing story!
Tdlr:
Pros: excellent story, plot and writing. Fleshed out characters. I finished the book in like 2 days despite working full time
Cons: first part is a slog to go through. Slight repetition.
long:
There is a grammar mistake in the prologue.
Starting part is a bit hard to read because you curse at the protagonist who makes stupid decisions from the moment we are introduced but later it pays off. Even kate and tommy's relationship seema off and that turns out to be masterful writing!
The book is excellent. The multiple parts nicely tie together to form the overall story.
A character works in a project which he is slightly put off by and makes up his mind thunking of his kid. Who else won't change their world view because they think of their kids!
Makes a good point that protests online offline don't matter as long as general public is happy. Boycotts don't work.
It also speaks on the influencer culture that we suffer through currently.
The title and prologue don't do justice to this amazing story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2024
If you are looking for a superb psychological thriller that stays with you from beginning to end then Fool Me Once was all it claimed to be and more. Kate is bewildered when nobody else reports seeing a terrible car crash into a neighbour's fence and even wonders if the fence was impacted.
The author is great at creating the tension, gradually turning up the screws from the minute you start reading. Unexpected twists are always turning things upside down, and before you know it you think you have a grasp on what's going on. The dynamics between the neighbors; along with Kate’s growing distrust are always enticing.
The author's skill in conjuring confusion and dread comes sharply through this fast paced and tight book. So if you like your stories full of psychological thrills, fear and mystery, make sure you pick up a copy of Fool Me Once. Prepare to hold your breath until the last minute of the last page.
Thank you to Zoé from Zooloo’s Book Tours and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.
The author is great at creating the tension, gradually turning up the screws from the minute you start reading. Unexpected twists are always turning things upside down, and before you know it you think you have a grasp on what's going on. The dynamics between the neighbors; along with Kate’s growing distrust are always enticing.
The author's skill in conjuring confusion and dread comes sharply through this fast paced and tight book. So if you like your stories full of psychological thrills, fear and mystery, make sure you pick up a copy of Fool Me Once. Prepare to hold your breath until the last minute of the last page.
Thank you to Zoé from Zooloo’s Book Tours and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.
November 25, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was quite interested in reading this book just from reading the description. Well this turned out to be a very different story than what I was expecting. Without regurgitating the same book description I can tell you that Kate and her boyfriend witness a car accident where the vehicle drives into the neighbour's fence one evening and all the neighbours rush outside to see if they can help with any injuries that might have happened. All is good until the next morning when Kate seems to be the only one to remember this accident. Not even her husband remembers the accident. Is she losing her mind? Oh but wait....there is so much more going on here and I am kind of stuck in the middle as to how I feel about the direction this story went. Is it too crazy and far fetched or is this just how things go nowadays with the high tech world we live in......I will leave that up to you to decide.....enjoy!!!
October 24, 2025
🚨 Fool Me Once by Mark Gillespie
💭 How do you prove what you saw… when no one else believes it happened?
Kate’s peaceful evening shatters when a car crashes into her neighbor’s fence. Sirens. Lights. Witnesses. She’s certain of what she saw.
But by morning… the fence is untouched.
The neighbors deny everything.
The police say there’s no record of a crash.
Now Kate’s being watched. Followed. Her house is broken into. Everyone thinks she’s losing her mind—but she knows the truth is out there. Someone will do anything to keep her quiet.
Because what really happened that night isn’t just strange… it’s deadly.
A chilling, paranoia-fueled psychological thriller that will make you question everything—and everyone.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Twisty, eerie, and impossible to put down.
Hashtags:
#FoolMeOnce #MarkGillespie #PsychologicalThriller #DomesticThriller #TwistyReads #UnreliableNarrator #MindBendingThriller #BookstagramThriller #FreidaMcFaddenFans #EdgeOfYourSeat #PageTurner #BookRecommendations #ThrillerAddict
💭 How do you prove what you saw… when no one else believes it happened?
Kate’s peaceful evening shatters when a car crashes into her neighbor’s fence. Sirens. Lights. Witnesses. She’s certain of what she saw.
But by morning… the fence is untouched.
The neighbors deny everything.
The police say there’s no record of a crash.
Now Kate’s being watched. Followed. Her house is broken into. Everyone thinks she’s losing her mind—but she knows the truth is out there. Someone will do anything to keep her quiet.
Because what really happened that night isn’t just strange… it’s deadly.
A chilling, paranoia-fueled psychological thriller that will make you question everything—and everyone.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Twisty, eerie, and impossible to put down.
Hashtags:
#FoolMeOnce #MarkGillespie #PsychologicalThriller #DomesticThriller #TwistyReads #UnreliableNarrator #MindBendingThriller #BookstagramThriller #FreidaMcFaddenFans #EdgeOfYourSeat #PageTurner #BookRecommendations #ThrillerAddict
September 15, 2024
Kate witnesses an accident that takes place right in front of her house.
The neighbours rush out of their houses to try and assist, and the scene is teeming with police and ambulance workers.
The next morning, there is no sign at all that there was an accident, and the neighbours deny that anything took place.
Kate is convinced that there is a cover up.
Wow, this is some book! The plot got me thinking that revenge is sweet, but not on this scale!
The consequences of revenge are deadly.
I was glued to this book, I had to see exactly what was the point of the revenge taken against "Kate".
What a fabulous tale of obsession, secrets, and revenge!
Thanks to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the opportunity to read this book.
The neighbours rush out of their houses to try and assist, and the scene is teeming with police and ambulance workers.
The next morning, there is no sign at all that there was an accident, and the neighbours deny that anything took place.
Kate is convinced that there is a cover up.
Wow, this is some book! The plot got me thinking that revenge is sweet, but not on this scale!
The consequences of revenge are deadly.
I was glued to this book, I had to see exactly what was the point of the revenge taken against "Kate".
What a fabulous tale of obsession, secrets, and revenge!
Thanks to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the opportunity to read this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews