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Accident or Murder?
Obsession, secrets, revenge…a tense, suspenseful story where the past intrudes on the present. One plot twist after another keeps the pages turning. I could NOT stop reading.” - Ivanka Fear, author of The Dead Lie
Eliza has lived half her life haunted by the memory of her sister, Sasha’s, suspicious death. The police ruled her death an accident, but Eliza is certain that Sasha’s boyfriend, Kristian, got away with her murder. Over the years, Eliza’s grief has morphed into obsession. She’s determined to make Kristian pay, no matter the cost.
Kristian has moved newly married to Adrianna, he’s trying to balance a fractured marriage with the dangerous ties he maintains to a criminal organization. Meanwhile, Adrianna struggles to step out of her husband’s oppressive shadow and gain her independence.
Both are blind to the danger that's closing in, unaware that their every word, action, and weakness is being studied by someone determined to destroy them.
A dark psychological thriller, Michelle Godard-Richer's ACCIDENT OR MURDER? is a twisted tale of guilt, obsession and vengeance.
Eliza has lived half her life haunted by the memory of her sister, Sasha’s, suspicious death. The police ruled her death an accident, but Eliza is certain that Sasha’s boyfriend, Kristian, got away with her murder. Over the years, Eliza’s grief has morphed into obsession. She’s determined to make Kristian pay, no matter the cost.
Kristian has moved newly married to Adrianna, he’s trying to balance a fractured marriage with the dangerous ties he maintains to a criminal organization. Meanwhile, Adrianna struggles to step out of her husband’s oppressive shadow and gain her independence.
Both are blind to the danger that's closing in, unaware that their every word, action, and weakness is being studied by someone determined to destroy them.
A dark psychological thriller, Michelle Godard-Richer's ACCIDENT OR MURDER? is a twisted tale of guilt, obsession and vengeance.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
3 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Godard-Richer
15 books467 followersMichelle Godard-Richer is a multi-award-winning and Amazon bestselling author living in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada. With her degree in Criminology, she writes edge-of-your-seat, suspenseful stories with strong protagonists and diabolical villains.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 18, 2025
This novel has it all. Suspense, secrets, a mysterious death and revenge! A non-stop read for me! The twists towards the end had me rethinking the characters and their motives. Loved this one!
January 11, 2026
Eliza's life was forever changed the day her sister never came home. Three weeks later she learned her life would never be the same when her sisters body was discovered. How could her smart and beautiful sister simply be gone? Who did this to her? Eliza had only one person in mind. Sasha's rich and cocky ex boyfriend. With no evidence to link her ex Kristian to the murder he is released and he resumes living his life. Eliza on the other hand will not stop until justice is served. How can he just live his life having murder on his conscious? Or was there something Eliza was missing hidden behind her hurt and anger? Was Kristian telling the truth when he said he was innocent the whole time?
Review:
This book kept me hooked from the beginning. The suspense and the tension kept me engaged in Eliza's journey to seek justice for her sister. I thought it was so sweet that she kept hearing her sister speak to her encouraging to continue seeking the truth. I burned through this book reading about the hurdles Eliza went through and how calm she was about it. What do you mean poison, kidnapping, fake ids and bugged houses? She was determined and I loved that! At the end of the book I was so happy she made peace with the truth and she was able to move on with her life. She deserved to have that and to have a real life and not one consumed with her sisters death. This is definitely a must read if you love a good suspenseful book or if you need a little action in your life!
Review:
This book kept me hooked from the beginning. The suspense and the tension kept me engaged in Eliza's journey to seek justice for her sister. I thought it was so sweet that she kept hearing her sister speak to her encouraging to continue seeking the truth. I burned through this book reading about the hurdles Eliza went through and how calm she was about it. What do you mean poison, kidnapping, fake ids and bugged houses? She was determined and I loved that! At the end of the book I was so happy she made peace with the truth and she was able to move on with her life. She deserved to have that and to have a real life and not one consumed with her sisters death. This is definitely a must read if you love a good suspenseful book or if you need a little action in your life!
October 28, 2025
This story completely consumed me from beginning to end—a dark and deeply emotional exploration of vengeance, grief, and the lengths people will go when justice slips through their fingers. From the very first chapter, I knew this wasn’t your ordinary thriller. It’s bold, raw, and unflinchingly honest about the darker sides of love and loss. Michelle poses a powerful, lingering question: When justice fails, what would you do to make things right? It’s a question that echoed in my mind long after I turned the final page.
As the narrative tightened its focus on Adrianna and Kristian, the emotional stakes soared. Their pain, desperation, and moral uncertainty felt so real that I couldn’t help but empathize with them—even when their choices blurred the line between right and wrong. The writing is layered and suspenseful, keeping you guessing at every turn. Just when I thought I had the secondary characters figured out, another revelation would completely upend my theories.
What truly sets this book apart is how much it makes you feel. Every emotion—rage, sorrow, guilt, and fleeting hope—seeps through the pages. It’s both haunting and mesmerizing, a story that stays with you like an echo you can’t quite shake. Long after finishing, I found myself replaying scenes in my mind and reflecting on the choices each character made. This is psychological suspense at its best—intense, thought-provoking, and utterly unforgettable.
As the narrative tightened its focus on Adrianna and Kristian, the emotional stakes soared. Their pain, desperation, and moral uncertainty felt so real that I couldn’t help but empathize with them—even when their choices blurred the line between right and wrong. The writing is layered and suspenseful, keeping you guessing at every turn. Just when I thought I had the secondary characters figured out, another revelation would completely upend my theories.
What truly sets this book apart is how much it makes you feel. Every emotion—rage, sorrow, guilt, and fleeting hope—seeps through the pages. It’s both haunting and mesmerizing, a story that stays with you like an echo you can’t quite shake. Long after finishing, I found myself replaying scenes in my mind and reflecting on the choices each character made. This is psychological suspense at its best—intense, thought-provoking, and utterly unforgettable.
October 20, 2025
rounding up from 4.5 stars
I loved this tale of obsessive vengeance! How far would you go to avenge the death of a loved one when you feel justice hasn't been served?
This book thoroughly occupied my mind, especially when the viewpoints narrowed down to Adrianna and Kristian. I had so many suspicions about the secondary characters and I was wrong in so many instances! You know it was a great book when you're still thinking about it afterwards.
I loved this tale of obsessive vengeance! How far would you go to avenge the death of a loved one when you feel justice hasn't been served?
This book thoroughly occupied my mind, especially when the viewpoints narrowed down to Adrianna and Kristian. I had so many suspicions about the secondary characters and I was wrong in so many instances! You know it was a great book when you're still thinking about it afterwards.
October 30, 2025
Packed with secrets, vengeance, and heart-stopping suspense, this story gripped me from the very first page.
Dark and powerful, it explores grief, loss, love, and the fragile complexities of human relationships. The emotions felt raw and real — I could truly feel the pain and intensity behind every moment.
The twists were absolutely shocking, leaving me questioning everything I thought I knew. Just when I believed I had it all figured out, another revelation pulled the rug from under me.
I loved the fast-paced, clever plot and the way it kept me hooked right until the end. I can’t wait to read more from Michelle Godard-Richer — her storytelling is truly captivating.
Thank you so much to Michelle Godard-Richer for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Dark and powerful, it explores grief, loss, love, and the fragile complexities of human relationships. The emotions felt raw and real — I could truly feel the pain and intensity behind every moment.
The twists were absolutely shocking, leaving me questioning everything I thought I knew. Just when I believed I had it all figured out, another revelation pulled the rug from under me.
I loved the fast-paced, clever plot and the way it kept me hooked right until the end. I can’t wait to read more from Michelle Godard-Richer — her storytelling is truly captivating.
Thank you so much to Michelle Godard-Richer for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 6, 2025
Amazing terror filled read with twists and turns
Ms. Godard-Richer has crafted a page-turner where the terror and diabolical scheming leap off the page in a way that outshines even Frieda McFadden. If revenge truly is a dish best served cold, the fifteen year lag between Sasha's death and her sister taking revenge should make for a very satisfying revenge. The descriptive prose pulls you into the story as it knits together multiple points of view of the hunter and the hunted. The twists and turns at the end of the book I didn't see coming, but should have if I'd followed the clues woven through the story. I've read other books by this author and I would say she continues to raise her writing to even higher, more spine-tingling levels. Highly recommended.
Ms. Godard-Richer has crafted a page-turner where the terror and diabolical scheming leap off the page in a way that outshines even Frieda McFadden. If revenge truly is a dish best served cold, the fifteen year lag between Sasha's death and her sister taking revenge should make for a very satisfying revenge. The descriptive prose pulls you into the story as it knits together multiple points of view of the hunter and the hunted. The twists and turns at the end of the book I didn't see coming, but should have if I'd followed the clues woven through the story. I've read other books by this author and I would say she continues to raise her writing to even higher, more spine-tingling levels. Highly recommended.
October 29, 2025
A deliciously twisted, clever & entertaining psychological thriller that is dark & distressing. The characters are damaged, toxic & unlikeable, but that is what makes the story great.
If you like smartly paced books, gritty plots, obsession, secrets, revenge & murder served up cold, then this book is for you.
Favorite Line: “When people asked how you were, they didn’t want the real answer. They were simply moving through the motions of polite society.”
If you like smartly paced books, gritty plots, obsession, secrets, revenge & murder served up cold, then this book is for you.
Favorite Line: “When people asked how you were, they didn’t want the real answer. They were simply moving through the motions of polite society.”
October 14, 2025
Honestly? I often read more than one book at a time, and in this case I had begun a Freida McFadden novel alongside Accident or Murder? It didn’t take long for me to set aside McFadden for Godard-Richer’s gripping domestic suspense featuring a husband and wife whose superficial relationship undergoes a major trial when the past intrudes on their lives. There’s a thin line between accident and murder, love and hate. This psychological thriller explores the complexity of emotions triggered by other peoples’ actions. I’m already a big fan of author Godard-Richer, but this book blows it out of the water (in a really good way). Obsession, secrets, revenge…a tense and suspenseful story where the past intrudes on the present. One plot twist after another keeps the pages turning. I could NOT stop reading.
None of the main characters were likeable, but I found myself relating to each of them. Eliza can’t get over the grief of losing her sister, Sasha, years ago. Although it was ruled an accident, she is convinced her boyfriend, Kristian, murdered her. Unresolved grief and the need for vengeance is a powerful driving force. Kristian’s wife, Adrianna, loves her husband, but also detests him for his views on a woman’s place in society. Part of me detested Adrianna, as well, for allowing herself to be treated like a common house drudge, but I also respected her for pursuing her own career and seeking independence from a controlling husband. And Kristian, a man who has more wealth than he can spend, a thriving career, a gorgeous home, and a beautiful trophy wife, takes everything for granted as if life owes him all that. Even though he uses people for his own purposes and deserves no pity, I found myself rooting for him as one problem after another destroys his utopia. This is a character-driven thriller reflecting strong emotional struggles on top of being a well-plotted mystery with plenty of intrigue. What really happened to Sasha? Author Godard-Richer is an expert at showing the many sides of her characters, blurring the line between protagonist and antagonist.
From the start, I was drawn into Eliza’s need to avenge her sister’s untimely death and shocked by the lengths she goes to in order to find justice. But her need for revenge remains unquenched, driving her to destroy everything Kristian loves. The plot moves at a fast pace, slipping from one point of view to another. Adrianna and Kristian’s happiness is already threatened as marriage, home, and career issues come to a boil. When it becomes clear that they are also in danger from outside forces, the couple must decide what is most important to them and how far they are willing to go to protect it.
Dark, twisted, and filled with secrets, Accident or Murder? smacked me in the face several times with revelations I did not see coming. Things aren’t always what they appear to be. I love great husband/wife domestic suspense, and this one kept me glued to the pages right through to the final big reveal. A masterpiece of a thriller that you’ll want to put on the top of your TBR list!
None of the main characters were likeable, but I found myself relating to each of them. Eliza can’t get over the grief of losing her sister, Sasha, years ago. Although it was ruled an accident, she is convinced her boyfriend, Kristian, murdered her. Unresolved grief and the need for vengeance is a powerful driving force. Kristian’s wife, Adrianna, loves her husband, but also detests him for his views on a woman’s place in society. Part of me detested Adrianna, as well, for allowing herself to be treated like a common house drudge, but I also respected her for pursuing her own career and seeking independence from a controlling husband. And Kristian, a man who has more wealth than he can spend, a thriving career, a gorgeous home, and a beautiful trophy wife, takes everything for granted as if life owes him all that. Even though he uses people for his own purposes and deserves no pity, I found myself rooting for him as one problem after another destroys his utopia. This is a character-driven thriller reflecting strong emotional struggles on top of being a well-plotted mystery with plenty of intrigue. What really happened to Sasha? Author Godard-Richer is an expert at showing the many sides of her characters, blurring the line between protagonist and antagonist.
From the start, I was drawn into Eliza’s need to avenge her sister’s untimely death and shocked by the lengths she goes to in order to find justice. But her need for revenge remains unquenched, driving her to destroy everything Kristian loves. The plot moves at a fast pace, slipping from one point of view to another. Adrianna and Kristian’s happiness is already threatened as marriage, home, and career issues come to a boil. When it becomes clear that they are also in danger from outside forces, the couple must decide what is most important to them and how far they are willing to go to protect it.
Dark, twisted, and filled with secrets, Accident or Murder? smacked me in the face several times with revelations I did not see coming. Things aren’t always what they appear to be. I love great husband/wife domestic suspense, and this one kept me glued to the pages right through to the final big reveal. A masterpiece of a thriller that you’ll want to put on the top of your TBR list!
January 5, 2026
It’s an interesting and intriguing read. I definitely appreciated that the story was written with shorter chapters, from multiple viewpoints, in a way that makes you want to continue the story. I feel like a couple of the characters did not get enough of a backstory for me to understand their history (mental state) and connect with the character. I wanted to know more about their past, their childhood… why does Kristian have such old fashioned misogynistic opinions? What would inspire Adrianna to marry him? What happened with Eliza between the incident with her sister to the current events? Who exactly are Violette, Simon and Felicity and what are their backstories - a chapter or two in their viewpoints would have strengthened the story and allowed the readers to understand why they are “important” enough to be in the story. I also feel like by the end Adrianna and Kristian’s characters were not at all similar to the personalities we were first introduced to, but we did not really see the characters develop over time with emotion and personal growth.
All in all I think the story was an entertaining quick read but lacking in character development, and the end left me unsatisfied. It’s a book that is exciting for the moment, but won’t stay on my mind for a long time.
I’d rate it 3.5 stars rounded to 4. I usually rate books a four if they are entertaining, but lack the ability to stay in my mind for a while. Thanks to the author for a free copy of the book. This review is based on my own personal opinions.
All in all I think the story was an entertaining quick read but lacking in character development, and the end left me unsatisfied. It’s a book that is exciting for the moment, but won’t stay on my mind for a long time.
I’d rate it 3.5 stars rounded to 4. I usually rate books a four if they are entertaining, but lack the ability to stay in my mind for a while. Thanks to the author for a free copy of the book. This review is based on my own personal opinions.
October 30, 2025
I love this author’s works, but this one was a little dark. Actually, very dark. In this one, a husband and wife have to face their pasts where a young woman was killed. But who killed her? Or was it an accident? There are so many twists and turns in this story—in a good way—that keeps you turning the pages. It encompasses all the issues in a psychological thriller: obsession, secrets, revenge, suspense and more, as well as delving into the past and present. Not all of the characters are someone I’d want to invite to tea, but they are relatable (to an extent).
The young woman, Sasha, died years ago and her sister Eliza has never gotten over her death. She is certain Sasha’s old boyfriend, Kristian, murdered her. It has taken years for her to exact her revenge, but she plots and plans. In her mind, he should not be free to have a wonderful life full of riches and a beautiful wife. But the way she goes about it gives me a moment. I can kind of understand her, but I would never go as far as she does.
As much as I don’t like dark thrillers, I will admit that this one drew me in and kept me turning the pages.
Recommended.
Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning t
The young woman, Sasha, died years ago and her sister Eliza has never gotten over her death. She is certain Sasha’s old boyfriend, Kristian, murdered her. It has taken years for her to exact her revenge, but she plots and plans. In her mind, he should not be free to have a wonderful life full of riches and a beautiful wife. But the way she goes about it gives me a moment. I can kind of understand her, but I would never go as far as she does.
As much as I don’t like dark thrillers, I will admit that this one drew me in and kept me turning the pages.
Recommended.
Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning t
November 6, 2025
I have to be honest: I’m a big fan of a revenge plot. I love reading a story where bad people get their comeuppance. Add in a morally gray act or two and I’m hooked.
In Accident or Murder by Michelle Godard-Richer, the death of her older sister, Sasha, leaves teenaged Eliza floating in a sea of despair and anger. The police think they know who killed Sasha but can’t prove it, allowing her killer to go free. For years, the anger grows in Eliza until it becomes a best friend.
Now, as an adult, she plots ways to bring her sister’s murderer to justice – ways that are anything but legal and moral.
Told in three revolving points of view, Eliza’s, Sasha’s then-boyfriend Kristian, and Kristian’s new wife, Adrianna, this quirky tale of revenge and murder has a fast-paced speed and cadence to it that make you want to turn the page just to see what’s going to happen next.
From a kidnapping to a murder-for-hire subplot, these three characters take you across the gamut of emotions and you’ll be surprised who you end up rooting for in the end.
I don’t like spoilers, and this story has quite a few, so I’ll leave you with this: if you’ve ever fantasized about what it would be like to exact the ultimate revenge on someone who’s done you wrong, this book was written for you.
Five stars for a deliciously wicked read.
Reviewed by: Margaret
This review first appeared: https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookhea...
In Accident or Murder by Michelle Godard-Richer, the death of her older sister, Sasha, leaves teenaged Eliza floating in a sea of despair and anger. The police think they know who killed Sasha but can’t prove it, allowing her killer to go free. For years, the anger grows in Eliza until it becomes a best friend.
Now, as an adult, she plots ways to bring her sister’s murderer to justice – ways that are anything but legal and moral.
Told in three revolving points of view, Eliza’s, Sasha’s then-boyfriend Kristian, and Kristian’s new wife, Adrianna, this quirky tale of revenge and murder has a fast-paced speed and cadence to it that make you want to turn the page just to see what’s going to happen next.
From a kidnapping to a murder-for-hire subplot, these three characters take you across the gamut of emotions and you’ll be surprised who you end up rooting for in the end.
I don’t like spoilers, and this story has quite a few, so I’ll leave you with this: if you’ve ever fantasized about what it would be like to exact the ultimate revenge on someone who’s done you wrong, this book was written for you.
Five stars for a deliciously wicked read.
Reviewed by: Margaret
This review first appeared: https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookhea...
December 10, 2025
Accident or Murder by Michelle Godard-Richer is a well-crafted devious psychological thriller. Eliza suffers long-term emotional scars after the death of her older sister Sasha. Sasha’s former boyfriend Kristian was the most likely suspect, but he came from money and his parents impeded the police investigation. Eliza never believed her sister’s death was an accident. Twelve years later, with the help of Sasha’s voice encouraging retaliation, Eliza plots revenge, determined to make Sasha’s boyfriend Kristian pay. Devious Kristian and his home-designer wife have no idea what is in store for them.
The book flowed quickly and I turned page after page to follow how Eliza would seek retribution. I’ve read several books from this author and I enjoyed the psychological intrigue a lot with this one. I won’t spoil the ending, but the last few chapters had many twists and surprises in the story line as the truth about that fateful night is revealed. Accident or Murder is a thought-provoking story that will haunt you for a long time.
The book flowed quickly and I turned page after page to follow how Eliza would seek retribution. I’ve read several books from this author and I enjoyed the psychological intrigue a lot with this one. I won’t spoil the ending, but the last few chapters had many twists and surprises in the story line as the truth about that fateful night is revealed. Accident or Murder is a thought-provoking story that will haunt you for a long time.
December 23, 2025
A fast-paced thriller filled with unexpected plot twists and compelling characters that kept me on the edge of my seat!
Eliza lost her sister Sasha years ago, and the police quickly closed the investigation into her death, ruling it an accident. But Eliza knows that her sister' s domineering boyfriend murdered her, and she is obsessed with getting revenge at any cost.
Meanwhile, Kristian--the boyfriend that Eliza is convinced murdered her sister--has married, but he is as overbearing with his new wife as he once was with Sasha. Involved with ruthless criminals whose shady money he launders, Kristian becomes trapped and resorts to extreme measures to extricate himself and protect his young wife.
As the unraveling threads from the past entwine with the present, each character is entangled in an intricate web of danger, deceit, and death.
Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers and darkly complex mysteries!
Eliza lost her sister Sasha years ago, and the police quickly closed the investigation into her death, ruling it an accident. But Eliza knows that her sister' s domineering boyfriend murdered her, and she is obsessed with getting revenge at any cost.
Meanwhile, Kristian--the boyfriend that Eliza is convinced murdered her sister--has married, but he is as overbearing with his new wife as he once was with Sasha. Involved with ruthless criminals whose shady money he launders, Kristian becomes trapped and resorts to extreme measures to extricate himself and protect his young wife.
As the unraveling threads from the past entwine with the present, each character is entangled in an intricate web of danger, deceit, and death.
Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers and darkly complex mysteries!
November 20, 2025
First off this needs to a movie... now. I was blown away by this story. A revenge story that's so intense and so MANY twist that you will never see coming. The mind can do crazy things when it is grieving. Plots of murder and revenge just to start. That epilogue... 🤯🤯🤯🤯 . This was an easy 10⭐️
December 27, 2025
Accident or Murder?
This book will keep you wondering that question over and over again. Great suspense and plot twists. I love thrillers about vengeance and obsession. If you do, too, then I highly recommend this novel.
This is the third book I've read by Michelle and plan to read more.
This book will keep you wondering that question over and over again. Great suspense and plot twists. I love thrillers about vengeance and obsession. If you do, too, then I highly recommend this novel.
This is the third book I've read by Michelle and plan to read more.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews