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As Far as She Knew
Not yet published
Expected 1 Apr 26A devoted wife and mother unravels her late husband’s secret life in an emotional and suspenseful novel about betrayal, lies, love, and loss.
For twenty-three years, Amira Abadi believed she had a strong, loving marriage. But when her husband, Ali, dies suddenly, that certainty shatters with the discovery of a house she never knew existed. As whispers of betrayal spread through their tight-knit Arab American community, Amira refuses to let others define her husband’s legacy—or her path forward.
Diving into an investigation of Ali’s final days, Amira uncovers decades-old secrets that challenge everything she thought she knew. With her children struggling to process their father’s death, Amira must balance protecting her family with pursuing the truth, even as each revelation brings her closer to danger.
As Amira peels back layers of lies, she discovers that the greatest mystery isn’t what her husband was hiding—it’s how far she’ll go to uncover the truth.
For twenty-three years, Amira Abadi believed she had a strong, loving marriage. But when her husband, Ali, dies suddenly, that certainty shatters with the discovery of a house she never knew existed. As whispers of betrayal spread through their tight-knit Arab American community, Amira refuses to let others define her husband’s legacy—or her path forward.
Diving into an investigation of Ali’s final days, Amira uncovers decades-old secrets that challenge everything she thought she knew. With her children struggling to process their father’s death, Amira must balance protecting her family with pursuing the truth, even as each revelation brings her closer to danger.
As Amira peels back layers of lies, she discovers that the greatest mystery isn’t what her husband was hiding—it’s how far she’ll go to uncover the truth.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 1, 2026
1661 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As Far As She Knew by Diana Awad is one of those psychological thrillers that quietly pulls you in—and then refuses to let you go.
This story is layered with tension, secrets, and the kind of emotional depth that makes you question every character’s motives. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another twist shifted everything. The pacing was steady but intense, building suspense in a way that felt natural rather than forced.
What really stood out to me was how human the characters felt. The fear, the doubt, the guilt—it all felt believable. Awad does an incredible job exploring how far someone will go to protect the life they believe they know… and what happens when that reality begins to unravel.
If you love domestic suspense with psychological depth and twists that actually surprise you, this one is absolutely worth the read.
Highly recommend for thriller lovers!
This story is layered with tension, secrets, and the kind of emotional depth that makes you question every character’s motives. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another twist shifted everything. The pacing was steady but intense, building suspense in a way that felt natural rather than forced.
What really stood out to me was how human the characters felt. The fear, the doubt, the guilt—it all felt believable. Awad does an incredible job exploring how far someone will go to protect the life they believe they know… and what happens when that reality begins to unravel.
If you love domestic suspense with psychological depth and twists that actually surprise you, this one is absolutely worth the read.
Highly recommend for thriller lovers!
February 27, 2026
Amira gets the dreaded knock at the door to find out her husband has died in a car accident. She has two college age children and she goes numb. As a 1st generation Muslim American, the couple follows their heritage, more for their families. This is a large part of the story and I enjoyed learning about the culture and how the characters handle the history and the future.
This book is a great reminder that we won’t live forever and people will find our secrets after we are gone. They won’t have the context from you so you can send your loved ones down rabbit holes very quickly. I enjoyed the suspense, the character relationships, and Amira being forced through circumstances to question her past and shape her future. A great domestic thriller that I didn’t want to put down!
This book is a great reminder that we won’t live forever and people will find our secrets after we are gone. They won’t have the context from you so you can send your loved ones down rabbit holes very quickly. I enjoyed the suspense, the character relationships, and Amira being forced through circumstances to question her past and shape her future. A great domestic thriller that I didn’t want to put down!
March 8, 2026
Man, that dragged on and on. I liked the characters, the plot was okay. But sheesh, it took FOREVER for the author to get to the point.
March 8, 2026
Since Mindy Kaling started getting into the literary world I have come across “her” authors a few times a year. I’ve wondered a bit at her ability to pick good manuscripts as all of them have been off- they need editing, the story doesn’t flow, plot holes, etc. This book, though, is the first book that went through her that I feel is totally solid! That gives me a lot of hope for the increased representation of women of color and their various cultures in the popular fiction world. Mindy Kaling might be falling into her stride as a literary powerhouse. I love to see it.
This book was great. It was subdued in many ways but that made it feel real. There were no hysterics, there were no theatrics. It was like what I imagine a socially conservative family would be like in the face of a tragedy. Could the kids’ personalities been stretched beyond “whatever” comments? Sure. But the other characters were fully realized. I knew who each of them were, what they were like and their place in the story. I find that some authors struggle with character creation a lot. This author does not struggle except with the kids. I liked the twists, I liked the ending, I liked the pacing and the mystery. It was really good and I’d like to read this author again!
This book was great. It was subdued in many ways but that made it feel real. There were no hysterics, there were no theatrics. It was like what I imagine a socially conservative family would be like in the face of a tragedy. Could the kids’ personalities been stretched beyond “whatever” comments? Sure. But the other characters were fully realized. I knew who each of them were, what they were like and their place in the story. I find that some authors struggle with character creation a lot. This author does not struggle except with the kids. I liked the twists, I liked the ending, I liked the pacing and the mystery. It was really good and I’d like to read this author again!
March 9, 2026
Okay, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Not only is the main characters Muslim, but it also includes Arabic throughout the book, which was super neat!
It honestly kept me guessing the whole way through. I loved how Awad built up the story line and did not disappoint!!! So many thriller books are just “meh” when it comes to the storyline *cough cough McFadden cough*
I received this book for free through Amazon First Reads for March. It was a breath of fresh air.
It honestly kept me guessing the whole way through. I loved how Awad built up the story line and did not disappoint!!! So many thriller books are just “meh” when it comes to the storyline *cough cough McFadden cough*
I received this book for free through Amazon First Reads for March. It was a breath of fresh air.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As Far as She Knew was a captivating read from start to finish. Diana Awad crafts richly layered characters who feel authentic and emotionally raw. As the story unfolds, it explores grief, anger, and every complicated emotion in between, pulling at your heartstrings in the best way.
There were moments that had me rapidly turning the pages, needing to know what would happen next. And that twist? 😱
Put on your detective hat and prepare to uncover the truth alongside Amira. This one will keep you guessing.
There were moments that had me rapidly turning the pages, needing to know what would happen next. And that twist? 😱
Put on your detective hat and prepare to uncover the truth alongside Amira. This one will keep you guessing.
March 8, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars
I got this as a freebie from Book Digest, and obviously I love an advanced reader copy.
This was a quicker read for me, and I finished it over a weekend. It was a different pace from the heavier historical fiction I usually read, which made it feel a little lighter and easier to move through.
As a woman of color, I really connected with Amira. I appreciated her reflections as a mother and the way she thought about the life she built with Ali. That emotional thread felt grounded and real to me. I also really enjoyed Adam’s storyline, and I loved the family connections on both sides of Amira’s family, along with the cultural lens throughout the book. That part felt refreshing and added heart to the story.
The way Ali died, along with some of the twists, definitely kept the book moving and made it a flowing read.
That said, this one didn’t fully come together for me. Lizzie’s storyline didn’t really work. It felt clipped in, almost like pieces cut out at random and then awkwardly pushed back into place. It never felt smooth or fully woven into the larger story. Bill’s storyline also felt a little strange to me and didn’t quite land.
I also had a harder time connecting with Ayla’s character. She felt a bit uneven on the page, especially compared to how much more clearly Adam came through.
I think part of my confusion was that I never fully knew what lane this book wanted to stay in. Is it family drama? Suspense? Something in between? That uncertainty made the reading experience feel a little uneven for me.
Overall, I appreciated the cultural perspective, Amira’s voice, and the family-centered emotional core, but some of the side storylines felt messy and kept this from being a stronger read for me.
I got this as a freebie from Book Digest, and obviously I love an advanced reader copy.
This was a quicker read for me, and I finished it over a weekend. It was a different pace from the heavier historical fiction I usually read, which made it feel a little lighter and easier to move through.
As a woman of color, I really connected with Amira. I appreciated her reflections as a mother and the way she thought about the life she built with Ali. That emotional thread felt grounded and real to me. I also really enjoyed Adam’s storyline, and I loved the family connections on both sides of Amira’s family, along with the cultural lens throughout the book. That part felt refreshing and added heart to the story.
The way Ali died, along with some of the twists, definitely kept the book moving and made it a flowing read.
That said, this one didn’t fully come together for me. Lizzie’s storyline didn’t really work. It felt clipped in, almost like pieces cut out at random and then awkwardly pushed back into place. It never felt smooth or fully woven into the larger story. Bill’s storyline also felt a little strange to me and didn’t quite land.
I also had a harder time connecting with Ayla’s character. She felt a bit uneven on the page, especially compared to how much more clearly Adam came through.
I think part of my confusion was that I never fully knew what lane this book wanted to stay in. Is it family drama? Suspense? Something in between? That uncertainty made the reading experience feel a little uneven for me.
Overall, I appreciated the cultural perspective, Amira’s voice, and the family-centered emotional core, but some of the side storylines felt messy and kept this from being a stronger read for me.
Review of advance copy
I received a free copy of As Far As She Knew by Diana Awad from Amazon Prime First Reads.
I'm glad I picked this one up! The author's writing style had a nice flow and the story kept my interest, so much so that I stayed up reading for hours after I should've been asleep. I enjoy a good mystery, and this one had all the elements that made it fast-paced, intriguing, and kept me guessing right up until the end.
The characters were realistic, relatable, and had great personality depth. I appreciated the raw portrayal of their emotions, especially grief, love, and jealousy. The author executed flawlessly.
I also enjoyed learning more about the Arab-American culture through the eyes and experiences of Amira. The author inserted traditional customs, phrases, foods, etc. in a way that felt natural to the storyline and didn't distract from the plot, but instead made me more invested.
I liked the time-hop approach to the storyline as well; the "before" and "after" chapters gave good context, and became crucial to unwinding all the unknowns as the story progressed. I've read other books where this technique was used in a confusing or disjointed way, but that wasn't the case here. I thought the author did a solid job and it was the right writing strategy to use for this type of plot.
Overall, this was a great read. I look forward to picking up other books by Diana Awad in the future.
Overall rating: 5/5 ⭐️
I'm glad I picked this one up! The author's writing style had a nice flow and the story kept my interest, so much so that I stayed up reading for hours after I should've been asleep. I enjoy a good mystery, and this one had all the elements that made it fast-paced, intriguing, and kept me guessing right up until the end.
The characters were realistic, relatable, and had great personality depth. I appreciated the raw portrayal of their emotions, especially grief, love, and jealousy. The author executed flawlessly.
I also enjoyed learning more about the Arab-American culture through the eyes and experiences of Amira. The author inserted traditional customs, phrases, foods, etc. in a way that felt natural to the storyline and didn't distract from the plot, but instead made me more invested.
I liked the time-hop approach to the storyline as well; the "before" and "after" chapters gave good context, and became crucial to unwinding all the unknowns as the story progressed. I've read other books where this technique was used in a confusing or disjointed way, but that wasn't the case here. I thought the author did a solid job and it was the right writing strategy to use for this type of plot.
Overall, this was a great read. I look forward to picking up other books by Diana Awad in the future.
Overall rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a great thriller! Excellent story with twists and turns, I kept thinking I knew what was going on, but then something else would happen and I would be back at the beginning. I also really enjoyed the glimpses I got into the Arab culture and way of life. The author didn't really get deep into it, but just touched on some things that were important to the storyline. It was fascinating to see how culture and society played an important role in this mystery. I don't know much of anything about Arab or Muslim culture, so this was a fun learning experience for me. I thought the pacing was great, it was fast and kept you engaged the whole time. You just kept turning pages, to see what would happen next. I thought the characters were also excellent. Every other chapter was a glimpse into the past and we could see how the past had not only shaped the present for our characters, but how it affected the mystery. I found myself being angry right along with the main character, being sad, feeling her grief, and then finally being there when she found closure. Fantastic read, I was so happy to find this author and be able to read this book. 4.75 stars!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Do you ever truly know your partner? This enjoyable book had me asking this question after the main character, Amira, discovers secrets her husband Ali was keeping after his death. As she tries to figure out what really happened and if she can trust what she knows about herself and her husband she discovers things that put her in danger. The more she learns the more she questions. Did she know her husband at all? Did their arranged marriage lead to this? Or did they love each other like she thought they did? Told in dual timelines, after the tragedy and before, which allows readers to see the life Amira and Ali had together and what she discovers. There are so many layers to this book that made me stop and think even as I raced to figure out what really happened to Ali. The ending was a surprise I did not see coming
I highly recommend this book to readers that enjoy thrillers with multiple layers
Thanks to Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I highly recommend this book to readers that enjoy thrillers with multiple layers
Thanks to Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 9, 2026
I liked the plot of this book but the execution fell flat for me. The writing style was a bit bland and didn’t build a ton of suspense.
Amira’s world is shattered when she learns that her husband of 23 years, Ali, has died in a car accident. Ali’s death leaves Amira heartbroken and lonely and also saddles her with a lot of responsibility - including all the household finances - that she had previously been happy to let him manage. This is how she learns that Ali had purchased a second house in another state that he left to his ex-girlfriend when he died. Naturally, this sends Amira into a spiral that only gets worse when she learns that detectives are looking into Ali’s death as suspicious. She begins to feel like she didn’t know her husband and all and is determined to figure out exactly what he was up to before he died.
Again, an interesting story but overall I wasn’t very invested.
Amira’s world is shattered when she learns that her husband of 23 years, Ali, has died in a car accident. Ali’s death leaves Amira heartbroken and lonely and also saddles her with a lot of responsibility - including all the household finances - that she had previously been happy to let him manage. This is how she learns that Ali had purchased a second house in another state that he left to his ex-girlfriend when he died. Naturally, this sends Amira into a spiral that only gets worse when she learns that detectives are looking into Ali’s death as suspicious. She begins to feel like she didn’t know her husband and all and is determined to figure out exactly what he was up to before he died.
Again, an interesting story but overall I wasn’t very invested.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
SUMMARY
How well do you really know your husband? When Amira’s husband is killed in an accident, secrets start to surface. A secret house. An ex-girlfriend. A break in. How are all of these things happening after 23 years of what she thought was a great marriage? Everyone, even her two children start to doubt that Ali was the amazing man they thought he was.
REVIEW
Wow, what an amazing book! Gripping from beginning to end. I didn’t want to put this book down. The writing was fantastic, the characters were exactly what the story needed, and the story was so heartfelt. You could feel the love and hurt through the entire book. When reading a book you can usually think of something you would want to change, not this one!
Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy
3.5 stars (maybe) rounded up because I love the author's books as Diana Quincy. But unfortunately this did not work for me. the 1st person POV is my least favorite, and the writing felt really stilted because of it.
The plot was the only thing that kept me going so I could find out how it worked out.
I really struggled with Amira, and her actions. I dislike when main characters do something incredibly stupid...and she just kept at it.
I did like how the narrative touched on the roles we take on when we marry and how sometimes you can lose part of yourself in the things we let spouses take on. I enjoyed the aspects of culture that were shown and how that changes as generations grow up.
The plot was the only thing that kept me going so I could find out how it worked out.
I really struggled with Amira, and her actions. I dislike when main characters do something incredibly stupid...and she just kept at it.
I did like how the narrative touched on the roles we take on when we marry and how sometimes you can lose part of yourself in the things we let spouses take on. I enjoyed the aspects of culture that were shown and how that changes as generations grow up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a great domestic thriller! The synopsis hooked me and the author did a great job executing the plot. It had great pacing and kept me interested throughout the story. I liked how each chapter had a glimpse into the past which would explain some of the present. I also liked the s tidbits of Arab culture that were sprinkled throughout the book.
It was multilayered with a lot of secrets and intrigue. The characters had a lot of emotional depth which made them relatable. This story was filled with twists and turns which made it hard to figure out where it was going. I highly recommend this to thriller lovers!
It was multilayered with a lot of secrets and intrigue. The characters had a lot of emotional depth which made them relatable. This story was filled with twists and turns which made it hard to figure out where it was going. I highly recommend this to thriller lovers!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book from start to finish. Amari looses her husband and uncovers secrets that can taint his reputation. Amari and Ali were married over 20 years, surely she knew everything about her husband. As secrets come to light, Amari is conflicted and wondering what is true and who her husband really was.
I felt all the feelings Amari felt. Diana does a wonderful job with character development and representation of culture. I loved the surprises throughout the book and those kept showing up to the end.
I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.
I felt all the feelings Amari felt. Diana does a wonderful job with character development and representation of culture. I loved the surprises throughout the book and those kept showing up to the end.
I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.
March 5, 2026
Buckle up! This is one of those books that hooks you and never lets go! Amira’s husband passed away suddenly, and in the aftermath she discovers a house she never knew existed…and more…
There are so many layers to this story! Yes there are lies and secrets and suspense (it’s so good) but we also see a mother/wife trying to understand who her husband was while also trying to support and protect her children…all under a cloud of grief.
I admit I didn’t know where the story was going - I would definitely give this a read!
✨What To Expect:
🖤Domestic Thriller
👀Dark Secrets
⁉️Suspense
🔪Betrayal & Lies
💔Grief & Loss
🌪️Twists & Turns
⏰Dual Timelines
There are so many layers to this story! Yes there are lies and secrets and suspense (it’s so good) but we also see a mother/wife trying to understand who her husband was while also trying to support and protect her children…all under a cloud of grief.
I admit I didn’t know where the story was going - I would definitely give this a read!
✨What To Expect:
🖤Domestic Thriller
👀Dark Secrets
⁉️Suspense
🔪Betrayal & Lies
💔Grief & Loss
🌪️Twists & Turns
⏰Dual Timelines
March 4, 2026
Another culture
I enjoyed the story line and the many ways it kept me guessing. What I really enjoyed was getting into the thoughts of people who are of a different culture. Their thoughts on marriage were similar to those of my parents Jewish upbringing. The part that making someone special foods as a way of calming a situation was also familiar. The idioms and expressions were interesting additions and illustrated the emotions behind the words.
I enjoyed the story line and the many ways it kept me guessing. What I really enjoyed was getting into the thoughts of people who are of a different culture. Their thoughts on marriage were similar to those of my parents Jewish upbringing. The part that making someone special foods as a way of calming a situation was also familiar. The idioms and expressions were interesting additions and illustrated the emotions behind the words.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am not a thriller fan but am a Diana fan so this was definitely on my short list to read. I really enjoyed the "my husband died and left someone else a house" plot line. I trusted no one. I had no idea who it was or why and felt like I didn't really have it figured out at all. I liked the pieces of culture woven in the story. I loved the cast of characters and friends. It was everything I want from a Diana story but in an new to me genre.
Review of advance copy
3 3/4 Stars: This book, while it did have numerous twists, felt more like a memoir than a mystery or thriller. It might have been the way it was written, peering inside one person’s perspective. It almost felt like a reality show. I was not drawn in by the back and forth of Amira’s speculations. It was a fairly interesting story, but not gripping or riveting. There were too many people with so many secrets. Overall, it was just an okay read.
March 8, 2026
Great Book!!
“As Far as She Knew” is an absolute must-read. The entire book is outstanding. Diana did an amazing job portraying Amira's journey to figure out what happened the night her husband died and who was responsible for Ali's death. It is definitely a page-turner that you can't put down because you have to know what's happening next. I can’t wait to read more books by Diana Awad.
“As Far as She Knew” is an absolute must-read. The entire book is outstanding. Diana did an amazing job portraying Amira's journey to figure out what happened the night her husband died and who was responsible for Ali's death. It is definitely a page-turner that you can't put down because you have to know what's happening next. I can’t wait to read more books by Diana Awad.
Review of advance copy
Advanced Copy Read:
Gripping from the very first page! How well do you know your husband? Dive into the secrets Amira’s husband held. Just when you think you might know, you don’t. Faced paced page turner as you go on the journey with Amira to uncover her husband’s secrets of murder plus much more!
Gripping from the very first page! How well do you know your husband? Dive into the secrets Amira’s husband held. Just when you think you might know, you don’t. Faced paced page turner as you go on the journey with Amira to uncover her husband’s secrets of murder plus much more!
March 5, 2026
This story was so well crafted, the story kept up a level of suspense until the very end. It just felt like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. The way she kept adding small hints and stuff, it just kept adding more and more until it literally…was exactly like what happened in the moment we figured it all out. No spoilers, this one is worth a read!!
March 7, 2026
As Far as She Knew by Diana Awad
I chose this free book not knowing the Author at all. Well, it was a wonderful experience. A great well thought out novel that kept you trying to figure out what next? The main character Ali and his wife Amaria were married and no one knew what was going to happen next. You found out but not before you wanted.
I chose this free book not knowing the Author at all. Well, it was a wonderful experience. A great well thought out novel that kept you trying to figure out what next? The main character Ali and his wife Amaria were married and no one knew what was going to happen next. You found out but not before you wanted.
Review of advance copy
“As Far as She Knew” is an absolute must-read. The entire book is outstanding. Diana did an amazing job portraying Amira's journey to figure out what happened the night her husband died and who was responsible for Ali's death. It is definitely a page-turner that you can't put down because you have to know what's happening next. I can’t wait to read more books by Diana Awad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I liked this more than I expected! I read it almost all in one sitting. The author did a great job creating distinct personalities for the characters; I felt like I really got to know them, especially Ali and Lulu. The story kept my interest, and the 'before' and 'after' chapters wove the story together perfectly. This isn't typically my first choice of genre, but it was great!
March 4, 2026
Excellent read, a real page turner.
Wonderful surprise to find a new and excellent author. Suspense and surprises throughout. Thoroughly recommend if you enjoy suspense as much as me.
Wonderful surprise to find a new and excellent author. Suspense and surprises throughout. Thoroughly recommend if you enjoy suspense as much as me.
March 5, 2026
Beautiful story
Took me on an emotional rollercoaster. What a ride! I was angry at so many different people through different parts of this book and I didn’t expect the twist at the end. It had a very satisfying conclusion! I read this in under a day. Five stars—!
Took me on an emotional rollercoaster. What a ride! I was angry at so many different people through different parts of this book and I didn’t expect the twist at the end. It had a very satisfying conclusion! I read this in under a day. Five stars—!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was an interesting story, with a few twists.
I enjoyed the main character Amira who is dealing with the sudden death of her husband.
After his death there are mysterious events, and various secrets and she tries to figure out what's been happening
I received this as an ARC
I enjoyed the main character Amira who is dealing with the sudden death of her husband.
After his death there are mysterious events, and various secrets and she tries to figure out what's been happening
I received this as an ARC
March 8, 2026
Intrigue
More than A mystery, A family saga, A relationship examination, this book had a bit of everything and I enjoyed this read. Easy to get into, characters you warmed up to, don't pass on this one.
More than A mystery, A family saga, A relationship examination, this book had a bit of everything and I enjoyed this read. Easy to get into, characters you warmed up to, don't pass on this one.
March 8, 2026
Excellent read!
I love the character development, the twists and turns. The book is as much of an emotional roller coaster as a mystery. Away did a great job of keeping you guessing.
I love the character development, the twists and turns. The book is as much of an emotional roller coaster as a mystery. Away did a great job of keeping you guessing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews