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.

[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.

[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

[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.