I Know You Were There

by J.D. Pullan

What would you do if someone else’s secret past threatened to destroy your own future happiness?

For the first time in months Emily is excited about life, until a fun-filled weekend on Dartmoor with her children turns into a nightmare and she accidentally finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. She returns home, desperate to forget their frightening ordeal, but it soon transpires that someone else has other ideas. Before she knows it, she is embroiled in a terrifying web of crime.

As the buzz and excitement of the 2012 Olympics grip the country no one, not even the police, believes her version of events and Emily has no option but to take matters into her own hands. In a race against time, she realises that a class of 1987 school reunion - which took place just days before her fateful visit, with devastating consequences - is key to finding out what really happened.

Not knowing who to trust, Emily’s life spirals out of control, but she will stop at nothing to unravel the truth… and ensure what should have been an idyllic weekend doesn’t become a lifetime of regret.

368 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2024

About the author

J D Pullan, after a career in finance and HR, gave up work in 2018 to concentrate on her life long love of books and creative writing. She grew up in Devon and now lives in Monmouthshire with her husband and their two lassie collies.

I’M GOING TO FIND YOU was published in 2021 and had great success in New Zealand, Canada and Australia as well as the U.K.

Her second book, I KNOW YOU WERE THERE, is “tense, utterly compelling and believable” and “perfect for fans of Gillian McAllister, Claire Douglas and C.L.Taylor”.

Reviews

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A follow up to 'I'm Going to Find You', this twisty story finds Emily again becoming embroiled in another mystery with links to the past. Believable characters, a nice mix of nostalgia, a cosy crime setting and tension. Well written and possibly even better than the first book, the plot kept me guessing until the satisfying end.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Know You Were There follows Emily, whose weekend away with her children turns into a nightmare when she accidentally finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Back home, as the 2012 olympics captivate the nation, no one believes her story - not even the police. Forced to investigate alone, she realises that a class of 1987 school reunion holds the key to the truth. Not knowing who to trust, Emily’s life spirals out of control, but she will stop at nothing to unravel the truth… and ensure what should have been an idyllic weekend doesn’t become a lifetime of regret.

I Know You Were There is a gripping, intricately plotted thriller that kept me hooked throughout. Told through multiple perspectives and timelines, it weaves together a clever, complex narrative full of red herrings, twists, and mystery.

Emily‘s tenacity was probably my favourite thing about this book. She’s a relatable and determined protagonist whose refusal to accept easy answers drives the story forward. Her vulnerability and persistence makes her easy to root for - even if some of her choices left me feeling slightly frustrated at times!

The writing itself is beautiful and descriptive. Dartmoor is vividly brought to life in all its breathtaking yet eerily claustrophobic beauty, creating the perfect atmosphere for the suspense and mystery that unfolds throughout the story.

I also have to say that I never saw the ending coming. The twist was unusual, surprising, and completely caught me off guard, which is exactly what I want from a thriller. I’m definitely going to have to read I’m Going to Find You now!

Thank you so much to J D Pullan for sending me this copy to read and review. My opinions are my own.

[Andrea Hulme · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable and twisty read. The opening chapter grabbed me instantly, when we meet our main protagonist, Emily and her children who are travelling to go on holiday. Not least because Emily's car breaks down, and funnily enough that happened to me last week, so I quickly felt her pain and this situation sets the scene for the rest of the book.

The story is told from multiple points of view, which I always like and it certainly helped to keep the pace of this book going as we flipped between different characters. We also get a dual timeline, which is another favourite of mine as we jump back to 1987 and then to 2012, when the novel is set. I loved going back to the 80's, all the different music that was mentioned was fun. I also loved the 2012 setting as we are introduced to the build up and excitement of the London Olympics. This works well and I enjoyed flipping back and forward. It was well written as we see how events from the past tie into the current time.

I enjoyed meeting Emily, who turns out to be an amateur sleuth who helps to unravel the multi-layered mystery as we follow her alongside a great cast of characters. This is a 2nd novel involving Emily and I hadn't read the first. It worked perfectly fine as a standalone.

A really great read, tense and atmospheric, especially the scenes set on Dartmoor. The plot is exciting and well written.

Thank you to J.D. Pullan for sending me a signed copy of this fantastic book.

[Shawna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It starts with her car breaking down on the highway, children in tow, setting off a series of events casting suspicion on Emily.

She was on her way to a weekend getaway with her kids, partly to see the Olympic torch come through the countryside for her kids' school project. Meeting up with a friend, things start to go sideways. The friend she was meeting had recently attended his 25 year high school reunion and finds that some things just don't change.

Fast forward to a missing person, break ins in an otherwise quite town, and a dead body... this all seems very familiar with the way she begins obsessing over finding the truth - which is pushing her estranged husband away from her - AGAIN.

I appreciate the tenacity of the main character - never giving up in what she believes despite pressure and appearances.

Thanks to NetGalley, Troubadour Publishing Ltd., and JD Pullan for the eARC.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

J D Pullan’s 2nd book highlighting the exploits of Emily is another pacey page turner. She manages to find herself in the wrong place at the wrong time for a second time and events unfold in front of her. The plot gives the reader red herrings to negotiate but there are also several hints in the backstory…….once you know what they are!!! The twist reveal at the end is unusual to say the least, but ties everything together very neatly with a lightbulb moment when the jigsaw pieces fit to form the overall picture.. It’s an easy read with believable characters who have enough depth to make the story work without being overly detailed. The protagonist has flaws which make her human, if slightly annoying at times. The detail comes from the author’s knowledge and appreciation of the landscape and nature specific to the area.
In summary, an intriguing and unusual plot twist at the end of a really enjoyable book. I would definitely recommend it.

[Nadine Ledanois Ikin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved reading this psychological thriller till the end. It has a nice twist at the end and while I thought I knew what happened, I got it really wrong!! There are lots of false clues leading the reader down some incorrect paths to resolve this mystery. A near perfect murder and a pleasure to read! I read her first book and this is a very different format: I also very much enjoyed her first book due to the two parallel stories written together, as it kept a very fast rhythm throughout the book. This latest book is just one story, but it does send you wondering many times what happened that evening! Enjoy it!

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Know You Were There is a stand-alone read but appears to be the second book with the same character.

Emily is taking the kids away for the weekend to see the Olympic torch come through the countryside for a school project. She meets up with a friend and as things usually do, things start to go upside down. After returning home strange occurrences begin to seem familiar which causes more discord with her estranged husband,

Interesting book with a good premise. It felt as if I should have read the first one before this, but still worth reading.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.

[Tracey Beal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book as a present and I’m so glad I did!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, it gripped me from the start, in fact, I couldn’t put it down.

It has a clever, tightly woven plot full of twists and turns. The Dartmoor setting adds a wonderfully sinister and isolated atmosphere that heightens the tension throughout. The characters felt believable and deeply human. A fantastic and enjoyable read.

[Davinia Hinde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book from JD Pullan and this one was just as good if not slightly better. It's linked to the first book but is also a complete standalone.

Full of mystery, full of twists and turns and packed with suspense. You won't want to put it down once you've started it.

The plot is sublime and the characters are mostly likeable. I highly recommend

[J.D. Pullan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently had the time to read this book and it was a real joy to meet the characters again and see how their stories unfolded.

I wrote it (so clearly I am biased!) and loved every second while I was writing it - if you decide to read I KNOW YOU WERE THERE, thank you for doing so and I sincerely hope you enjoy it just as much.

[Rachel Axford · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me it was a slow burner, but when it kicked in I couldn’t put the book down!
I had no idea who the bad guy was or the method that was used, I was kept guessing until the end.
This has the potential to be a series with Emily as the main character.

[A.M. Winfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set on beautiful Dartmoor, this book is full of descriptions that drew me in and made me feel as if I was actually there, and the exciting plot that kept me guessing until the end! A truly great read that is impossible to put down!