We Would Never Tell

by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

Gowns. Champagne. Murder.
Hollywood, but make it French, for twelve days straight, as the red carpet rolls out to the riviera for the Cannes Film Festival. The most famous people are all here to celebrate themselves, while the rest of the world watches in awe. And with a heavy dose of envy, at least for three young, ambitious, talented women who can’t seem to climb up from the bottom rung of the Hollywood ladder. As they swirl in the glitz of Cannes, the VIP invitations seem so hard to come by, and the A-list so far away. It's enough to drive them a little crazy. Enough to make them snap and do things they might—or definitely will—regret.
It's a good thing they’re invisible . . . until a multi-million-dollar necklace vanishes and a dead body is found floating in the Mediterranean Sea. Then, the heat of the spotlight turns up so hot that they have nowhere to hide. Now their biggest dreams are even further out of reach. Or can you get away with theft and murder if you want it badly enough?

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Adult, France

Audible Audio

Published April 14, 2026

About the author

Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau is a French-American author who has previously published novels and nonfiction books for teens, which have been translated into over twelve languages.

She now writes in multiple genres for adults. Her recent releases include the thrillers The French Honeymoon and We Would Never Tell.

She lives in New York City with her French-Australian-American family, two gorgeous cats, and a whole lot of passports. Find her on social media @asjouhanneaau.

Reviews

[L A · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5* "Gowns. Champagne. Murder.....
Hollywood, but make it French, for twelve days straight, as the red carpet rolls out to the riviera for the Cannes Film Festival. The most famous people are all here to celebrate themselves, while the rest of the world watches in awe. And with a heavy dose of envy, at least for three young, ambitious, talented women who can't seem to climb up from the bottom rung of the Hollywood ladder. As they swirl in the glitz of Cannes, the VIP invitations seem so hard to come by, and the A-list so far away. It's enough to drive them a little crazy. Enough to make them snap and do things they might—or definitely will—regret."
This book ignited in tension. Mainly over the Hollywood drive to succeed and the scandalous side of what humans are capable of to knock someone out of their place. With this much lies and deception, you can't put it down because until you find the real culprit of murder and the stealing of a multi-million dollar necklace. There are multiple POVs that put you in the front seat of all their business. The police logistics and podcasts helped to narrow the search and it is riddled with gossip. You will not know who to trust until the final curtain drops.
I loved the author's book "The French Honeymoon" and the way she creates a dynamic scene in each.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this story. I don't want to give any spoilers because this story is worth reading for yourself (and hopefully you'll be as surprised as I was). I loved the conflict, the mixed loyalties, the betrayal — and the portrayal of women in Hollywood.

Marnie, Lou, and Constance are all flawed women trying to make it in an increasingly hostile industry. They're dedicated, a bit self-absorbed, and feel like they're -just- on the cusp of making it. They all have their own secrets and petty disagreements. Their story follows them on 12 days at the Cannes movie festival from the point of view of the "almosts"-they aren't rich or famous but think they can be if they just play their cards right.

Things I loved:
-Multiple POV, which I worried would be overwhelming but wasn't.
-Rich, glamorous setting
-Unexpected villain
-Some what unreliable narrators (not entirely)
-Last-minute POV switch

If you like Taylor Reid Jenkins or The Favorites by Layne Fargo, you'll like this one!

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one that The Pulse has been eating up!! Thanks so much to Sourcebooks Landmark for letting us get a hold of this one early.

Every year for two weeks, the south of France goes full Hollywood when the Cannes Film Festival takes place. Everyone who’s everyone is there…along with the nobodies that support them hoping to one day reach star status. When an inspiring actress who was cut from her first major role, a stylist who lost her job in the most embarrassing way, and a PR assistant living in the shadow of her boss come together by chance they form a bond that will last a lifetime. Each carrying secrets and lies with them, they end up entwined in perhaps the biggest secret they’ll ever have to keep and figuring out how to navigate and trust the world where power is everything will prove to be extremely difficult and sometimes even deadly..

I really enjoyed Anne-Sophie’s thriller debut, The French Honeymoon, which came out last year, so when I saw she had another one - with a cover that looked like *that* I just couldn’t help myself and was so excited to get to it.

As I’ve said time and time again, I am just pure trash for toxicity and rich people behaving badly, and I knew this book would be full of both. I was definitely not disappointed!

Books with toxic characters typically equate to books with unlikable characters, but in We Would Never Tell, I found myself kind of liking all of the girls, all of the characters, really. I can’t relate to their goals, I have never had a desire to be involved in Hollywood, but Anne-Sophie wrote of their desperation in such a way that I sympathized with them and really wanted to see them succeed in their goals, even if I didn’t understand why they wanted those goals.

Each of the three main female characters had interesting storylines that kept me invested regardless of the POV and after a short time I had no trouble keeping them separate. Even the side characters were well-developed and had my interest.

The one downside that I have, is that I felt like it was a tad too long, coming in at over 400 pages. There’s just very few times that I feel a thriller needs to be that long, and we could’ve probably trimmed a bit of the repetitive pieces. That said, if it were less than 400, maybe the entire cast of characters wouldn’t have been so well-flushed out and enjoyable. Hard to say!

“We told you we weren’t murderers. But no one ever listens to the girls.”

[Chelsey (a_novel_idea11) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rich. The famous. Drama. Gossip. Murder. If you live for the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the cutthroat nature of the Film industry, and stunning backdrop of the French Riviera during the iconic Cannes Film Festival, then We Would Never Tell is the book for you!

We Would Never Tell follows three women who are on the periphery of the Cannes Film Festival and are dying to get on the inside. Lou, the actress; Marnie, the personal assistant; and Constance, the stylist. Each has secrets and each has an agenda. Can they work together to get ahead (and avoid a murder charge)?

I loved the layout of this novel with the various narrators and podcast and police interviews interspersed. The novel tracks the nearly two week film festival and I was totally enthralled with the jewels, gorgeous gowns, and catty drama. I appreciated the themes of sexism and ageism woven throughout and it was interesting to see the insiders versus outsiders from such a line drive viewpoint. There were certainly moments where I had to suspend belief - missing jewels, getting into VIP parties, blowing your life savings to attend an event you weren't technically invited to - but there were also so many moments that felt wildly authentic, such as what it takes to make it in Hollywood.

This would probably translate well to an audiobook format. It was fun, entertaining, and I definitely recommend! The Pulse introduced me to Jouhanneau and I'm excited to see where she takes me next!

[Casey Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set at the Cannes Film Festival, we follow three ambitious women who are desperate to break into the spotlight. We have a glamorous setting, but a unique take with the people in the background instead of the stars. With all of this glitz, success and A-list invitee lists around them, it’s enough to make them a little crazy. One missing million dollar necklace and a dead body later and we are in for a ride! With rotating POVs, police interviews and podcast snippets thrown in, this is a super fun one. Full of gossip and drama and a mystery that keeps you hooked, at times you want to throttle these unreliable narrators. But then would you be any better than them? It’s a twisty one friends!

I don’t know what it is, but I love toxic characters and rich drama. I love that Anne-Sophie chose all women characters who are on the fringe of the spotlight! That gave this story different angles and meaning that it wouldn’t have otherwise. Throughly enjoyed this one! Huge thank you to Dennis @scaredstraightreads for putting this on my radar and for the giveaway win!

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come.

[dianas_books_cars_coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It was such a fun read and SO entertaining! I seriously couldn't put it down!

Twelve days at the Cannes Film Festival, where the red carpet is rolled out for Hollywood's elite in the French Riviera. All the A-listers are there, but there are also three young women trying to climb the ladder: Lou, the actress, Marnie, the PR assistant, and Constance, the stylist. All three are desperate to get noticed and will do whatever it takes. But when a multi-million dollar necklace goes missing and a dead body is found in the Mediterranean Sea, things start to get intense. This wasn't the kind of attention they were looking for. What ill happen to them?

Told from Lou, Constance, and Marnie's perspectives, this was an enthralling read! It was definitely one of the most entertaining books I've ever read! It was juicy and drama-filled with tons of secrets. There were cringe-worthy moments I just couldn't stop reading. All three characters were flawed and totally unhinged. I loved reading their individual stories. There were chapters of a podcast and others with police interviews that really added to the story. The glitz and glamour of the Cannes Film Festival were so well portrayed I felt like I was there. This was a captivating, immersive, twisty, page-turning popcorn thriller that I think everyone will love! HIGHLY recommend!🩷

[Bbecca_marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Would Never Tell 🛥️ Book Review 📖 thank you @bookmarked for the gifted book!

We Would Never Tell
by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
out now!

Against the glamorous backdrop of the Cannes Film Festival, three ambitious young women struggle to break into the world of Hollywood while surrounded by celebrities, wealth, and impossible expectations. Desperate to climb the social ladder, the pressure and envy begin pushing them toward dangerous choices.

But when a priceless necklace disappears and a body is discovered floating in the Mediterranean, the women suddenly find themselves caught in a web of scandal, suspicion, and secrets. In a world obsessed with fame and appearances, they’ll have to decide just how far they’re willing to go to get everything they’ve ever wanted.

💭 My thoughts:

Glamorous, layered, and full of scandal! I really enjoyed this one. While I wouldn’t necessarily call it fast paced, I actually loved the way the story unfolded. The pacing gave the drama and relationships room to build naturally, and I constantly found myself wanting to read just one more chapter, even when I had other things I should’ve been doing. The multiple POVs added depth and made the story feel layered in a way that kept me fully invested. I’m always a sucker for books filled with lies and scandal the add the messy choices and I’m all for it! This delivered all of that perfectly against a glamorous backdrop. But one of my favorite parts was seeing the women ultimately come together by the end. Beneath all the glitz and chaos, there was still something satisfying about the connections between them.

What to expect👇🏽
🔢Multiple POVs
🎬Hollywood glamour vibes
🛥️Lies + scandal
🫟Messy characters
💎Female alliances

Happy reading 📖 🎬🛥️

[Igor DelRey · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I was really enjoying this book. Really enjoying this cast of characters (shady and some of them unlikable) during the event of the Cannes movie festival. We know that there was a crime that happened after the last day of the festival, but we don't know what really happened. The chapters are divided into the 12 days the festival takes place and in between those chapters we have 'interludes' with the chief of the French Police interrogating the suspects.
I enjoyed the narrative. And how the author chose to spread the clues and small pieces of information across the chapters, like pieces of a puzzle we gotta put together.
This is not a long book. But the many characters ended up boring me after a while. Too much mystery and almost every single character was not appealing to my personal taste. I liked them first. I was curious. Intrigued. But then as they were being developed I started to lose interest.
By the time the conclusion hit, I no longer cared.
Nothing essentially wrong with this book. I just didn't connect with the characters. I did love the Cannes scenario. That was my favourite thing about this book.
I personally very much prefer this author's previous novel. The French Honeymoon was an easy 5-star read for me.
Yet, I'll look forward to what this author might write in the future.

*the audiobook was really good, though. A nice and decent cast of narrators*

[Samantha (bookstasamm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the Cannes Film Festival, three ambitious women on the fringes of Hollywood will do anything to break into the spotlight—but when a priceless necklace disappears and a body turns up in the Mediterranean, their desperation pulls them into a dangerous game of secrets, lies, and murder.

This was such a fun, glamorous thriller with a dark edge. The Cannes Film Festival setting was everything—glitzy, chaotic, and full of ambition—and I loved how it contrasted with the underlying tension building throughout the story. The three women were all messy in their own ways, and watching their desperation to break into the Hollywood elite unfold kept me completely hooked.

The pacing kept things moving, and I was especially drawn to the secrets, shifting dynamics, and just how far each of them was willing to go to get what they wanted. It had an addictive energy with a sharp, almost cinematic feel that made it hard to put down.

Thank you Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Cin (cinsnextchapter) · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Would Never Tell had me locked in from the start. The setting at the Cannes Film Festival felt glamorous and chaotic in the best way, and I loved the shifting perspectives between the girls. Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau really leaned into the drama, and I was here for every bit of the lies, gossip, and tension building throughout the story.

It was such a perfect mood read for me, fast-paced and full of jaw-dropping moments that kept me flipping pages. Add in a murder and some high-stakes secrets, and I was completely absorbed from start to finish.

[Mari · Rating 1 out of 5]

“What was the purpose of being in love, if it didn’t make you feel like you were flying high?”

Thank you to the publisher for this ARC!

I want to start with the positives of this book, because I do have a few!

Constance says, “in some messed up way, my ex boyfriend had led me to the greatest professional opportunity.” This book is tagged in multiple genres such as Adult fiction, mystery/thrillers (which i am BIG on), and women’s fiction. I think this book was mostly great on the women’s fiction part. For example, this quote and her situation shows that although she was hurt and went through a lot (more in depth in the novel), that women don’t need their relationships with men to work out, no matter how important it is to them—a man’s absence in your life can bring more presence than you could ever need. The women in this novel were strong, smart women (mostly) who were NOT stuck up on old loves and romances or desperately throwing themselves at men’s feet (for the most part) and worked hard in Hollywood to put THEMSELVES at the top, as a woman should. respectable.

“i felt the urge to unleash all my frustrations, to go on a rant about the hell that awaits women who don’t support other women.” This book brings so much feminist ethics and morality into play in the narration that really causes a woman to sit back and think for a moment and revel in its truth. Admirable.

I also really enjoyed Liza’s small betrayal (that I won’t get into because it’s a tiny spoiler). I think it was a great portrayal of real Hollywood business and how women just want to be on top in Hollywood, because they have to work twice as hard. The cutthroat gossip and betrayals are so real and surprising.

I also liked the plot twist between Ben and what happened with Marnie (spoiler so i can’t explain) and it really did shock me. it was so interesting and shows that a man will really throw under the bus any woman, even a long term partner, just for their own success—especially in Hollywood, or when they’re deep in failure. or both.

Now, don’t get me wrong, as for some negative aspects: I really disliked that Marnie was lying to Ben. Everyone (according to the novel) knows how horrible Ben is at writing and her thought process is: “If my long term boyfriend is so passionate about this, then i’ll just lie to him to stroke his ego and maybe he’ll give up,” which inherently defies the thought process in the average man looking for a spot in Hollywood film business, even if it’s a career behind the screen. It made literally zero sense and I had to pause reading for an hour just because of how irritating her mind is.

I also disliked some of the phrasing such as the reference to the “Since you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” etc. Nothing was surprising about the plot until about 25% of the book was over, and even then, it was just petty little social plot twists, and the main plot had just started. It was a lot of background setup for the first quarter of the book, which felt dragged on.

I also disliked Constance chasing down Dorian at the restaurant he posted at because she wanted a chance with her celebrity crush. You have a 20 year age gap. Leave him alone. (For the people that will have read this book: I know. But still. She should’ve left him alone.) I felt embarrassed for her.

I think it shouldn’t be listed as a thriller. Adult Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and it’s bordering on mystery. Mystery, by definition, but not by piece.

I think if someone is picking this up looking for a similar vibe to Malibu Rising or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, you’ll definitely (probably) love this book. For me, though, it dragged a bit and was not very turn-y or surprising. Or suspenseful.

There’s good aspects to every book, but it depends on the reader.

[Lu thrillskillsandchills · Rating 3 out of 5]

We Would Never Tell by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau is a glossy, slow-burn story of ambition, envy, and desperation set against the sun-drenched chaos of the Cannes Film Festival.

The premise immediately hooked me — twelve days in Cannes, champagne flowing, VIP lists just out of reach, a missing multimillion-dollar necklace, and a body found in the Mediterranean. But I’ll be honest, I struggled to settle into the book early on. The three POVs are introduced quickly, each with detailed personal and professional plotlines, and it took some time to properly ground myself in who was who and how their roles intersected.

Once I got the gist of each woman — Lou, Marnie, and Constance — and their places on the lowest rung of the Hollywood ladder, the story clicked into place. From around the 60% mark, the tension noticeably ramps up and the consequences of their increasingly messy decisions start to collide in much more compelling ways.

This is very much a slow-burn, character-driven read rather than a fast-paced thriller. The glamour and atmosphere of Cannes are well done, and I enjoyed following these flawed, impulsive women as ambition and proximity to fame push them toward choices they’ll regret. That said, the pacing does feel drawn out at times, and the frequent POV and timeline shifts occasionally dilute the tension instead of sharpening it.

Overall, I enjoyed this more than I expected once it found its footing. If you’re into celebrity-adjacent drama, morally messy characters, and atmospheric stories where the setting does a lot of the heavy lifting, this is worth picking up — just know it takes its time getting there.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to my partners Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse, Tonya Cornish, Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau and Sourcebooks Landmark for the eARC of We Would Never Tell and the opportunity to read and review this thought provoking and suspenseful read set at the Cannes Film Festival. If you're like me and enjoy the glitz and glamour of the rich and famous and enjoy stories set in the French Riviera or like there, then We Would Never Tell is the book for you! This book had me in a chokehold from beginning to the very final end.

[Blair Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Would Never Tell told in first person and multiple POV. I think that the book is very well set up Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau is very good at weaving together all three stories of the three specific women we are following. I will say you need to pay close attention to it all though. I really did like the twist and I really like the back drop for the enitre story. This is my first Jouhanneau and I found the writting style really did it for me as well. I would really like to read more of her work. The pacing seemed to be and keep consitstent throughout the entire book but I will say for me personally I think I would prefer this one as an audio. I looked it up and it looks like it is going to be a full cast. I think If I had to choose to do this one I would wait and I would expereience it that way. I did find my brain personally would have done thrived a little bit better having the audio for this as well. But overall still worth the read if you can’t get your hands on it!

Thank you to Sourcebook Landmark for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve become such a fan of Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau’s books, and WE WOULD NEVER TELL is my new favorite. Three women immersed in the glitzy and gutting world of entertainment collide at the Cannes Film Festival in this dazzling multi-POV suspense novel. The atmosphere in this one is irresistible—think premiere parties, luxury yachts, and iconic designers—but it’s the characters, all of them relatable and real—that you’ll remember most. I loved it and can’t wait for Jouhanneau’s next title!

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those that desire to hang with the rich and elite, this story may make you reconsider that. Several instances of jealousy, and these characters will stop nothing to get what they wanted. I enjoyed the multiple POV‘s that were told throughout the story, many times I was mislead and as the points of view switched, it immediately let me know that I was on the wrong path. It definitely had twists that I was not expecting, as the guests of the Cannes Film Festival were interrogated about an incident that occurred on their 12 day adventure. The narration in the audio was solid, the dual cast narration truly highlighted those tense filled moments. Overall, a solid read.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an eARC & ALC.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The glitz, the glamour, the ambition — We Would Never Tell is a scandalous drama set against the backdrop of Cannes Film Festival. I loved the focus on the people behind the stars: the influencers, publicists, and stylists who help them see and be seen!

Lou, Constance, and Marnie were all such well-developed characters and I was invested in each of their stories and careers. Even though their arcs were full of questionable choices, I couldn’t help but root for them - a classic case of supporting women’s rights…and women’s wrongs. The interludes with the podcasts segments and police interviews only added to the suspense, making this story so enthralling and immersive!

This was a fast-paced novel perfect for readers who love their glitz with a side of murder. It’s sure to keep you engaged from start to finish!

Thank you also to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[booked.with.julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS was so fun.
The story is set during the Cannes Film Festival, following three woman on the fringe of frame and desperate to be A-list. Underneath all the glitz and glam, a multi million dollar necklace disappears and a body washes up. Then things get crazy!!
The pacing was perfect and juicy enough to have you flipping the pages.
Glamorous, twisty, and bingeable! Another great read at Thriller Book Lovers- The Pulse.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this from start to finish. Fully immersing yourself in the Cannes Festival you will follow 3 women with 3 different stories, and watch as 12 days unfolds. I will not spoil it but this had me on the edge of my seat and rushing to the next chapter. The layout was perfect, the back and forth was appropriately spaced. Very well written. Add this to your TBR!!

[Krysta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good! Told from multiple points of view and with excerpts from a podcast and police interviews, the timeline jumps all around the 14 days of the Cannes Film Festival. You know pretty early on that someone has died, but you don't know who or how. Reading it and putting those pieces together was so good because there are so many motives!

[Catherine Linger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sharp, thrilling, fast paced, page turner with flawed characters you hate to love and love to hate weaved into a tapestry of deceit, betrayal, death and ambitious self love. Everything is a smoke screen so the main characters could attempt to claw their way to the top. Who can you trust in this world of lies? Can you even trust yourself?

[Tiffany Schulz · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC that gives you pure Hollywood betrayal and lies. All set under the spell of the Cannes film festival
We have multiple pov from actresses and assistants who are *this close* to their big break—so they think. We have the opulence of Cannes, and the backstabbing of Hollywood. When a multi million dollar necklace goes missing and a body is found floating in the ocean we see what truly makes these characters tick
Downside—I found it a bit overwhelming at first to remember who was who with all the characters an names given. Every chapter was someone knew and I had to really remember who was who. It was a bit much, but as their personalities grew in the story it was easier to place them without issue.
A fresh mystery that surprises you enough to be a devilishly fun read.

[Dea Farrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ rounded down

If you enjoy the glitz and glam of the Cannes film festival paired with a murder mystery, then this would be a great book to add to your tbr. This book is filled with drama, gossip, and three FMCs who would do anything to make it to the top. This is a very slow burn character driven story that took me a bit to get into, but once I did it was quite the enjoyable listen. I wasn't sure how Lou, Marnie, and Constance's lives were going to intersect, but when the pieces started to click together this book started to make so much sense. I enjoyed the police interviews and podcasts that were interspersed between the chapters.

The narrators did a great job with this book. They brought each character to life and this an enjoyable listen.

[Scott Lovelace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glitz, glam at Canne! Roll out the red carpet for this one! Murder and thievery are the ties that bind. Multiple point of views and a dual timeline will keep you guessing. Filled with juicy secrets and intrigue, gossip and drama. The twists will come out of nowhere and blindside you in the best way possible. These ladies are flawed and messy but you can’t not root for them. This is the perfect beach read. Totally bingeable.

[Jackie]

I tried. Three times I tried. May pick this up again since I purchased it on Audible. Not sure if it is my mindset right now, but it just wasn’t working for me.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this story. It was told in 3 POVs. I found each woman’s story interesting on its own. This wasn’t so much a thriller though. I’d probably just call it women’s fiction. The story is quirky and different - a nice change from some of the cookie cutter plots that can be found out there.

I think the police interview chapters added nothing and could have been removed completely. Also, the author used a lot of foreshadowing “I had no idea how bad the day was going to get”. That wasn’t necessary and it slowed the plot down a bit.

3.5 stars

[Michelle Justice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC and I enjoyed this book a lot. It started out a slow burn but the middle was the best part. I enjoyed multiple POVs and the story was captivating and kept my attention. Toward the end, I thought it was a little drawn out and the book could probably be about 75 pages shorter, but over all, I would recommend this book to people that enjoy celebrity entertainment.

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A murder and a theft during the Cannes Film Festival? Count me in. We Would Never Tell, Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau’s second adult thriller, takes us right to the center of one of the most famous film festivals in the world to tell a story about female ambition—and how far you’re willing to go to achieve fame and power.

Told through multiple POVs and a mix of podcast transcripts and police interviews, we follow Lou, a delusional actress hoping for her big break; Constance, a stylist to the stars trying to get back on her feet after being caught in a compromising situation with a client; and Marnie, a junior publicist dealing with both professional and personal challenges.

The story follows the current trend seen in many recent mysteries: we know from the very beginning that there’s a body, but we don’t find out who the victim is until the final chapters. With such a large cast of characters—most of them despicable and arguably deserving of an untimely end—the possibilities and theories feel endless. Although I wasn’t particularly surprised by the big reveal, I was thoroughly entertained throughout the entire book. The three main characters are well defined, and though not especially likeable, you can’t help but root for them—cringeworthy as some of their actions may be.

Another strong aspect of the novel is its setting. The author captures the essence of Cannes and the Festival perfectly, immersing the reader in the madness of nonstop parties, the red carpet, and the iconic steps of the Palais.

All in all, this is a great beach read, perfect if you’re in the mood for some rich, famous, toxic people behaving badly.