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I Know What I Saw
She lost her sister. Now someone is making sure she loses her mind.
Four years after witnessing her sister Beth disappear without a trace, Maya Brennan is still drowning in the aftermath. The guilt and isolation of a small Irish coastal town forces her to believe she could have imagined it all. But when a mysterious laptop appears in her home, everything changes.
Because the first email she reads was sent from Beth's long-dead account.
As more messages arrive, Maya becomes certain that someone is watching her. Someone who knows all about her weaknesses and her past. Soon, neighbours think she's relapsing into alcoholism, colleagues keep their distance and even the people she trusts the most begin to look like suspects.
Someone wants to terrify her. Someone wants the truth to stay buried. But now Maya can't ignore what she saw that fateful day.
In a town full of secrets, Maya must face the haunting What if Beth really is out there? And what if the biggest threat of all is the one she's already let in?
I Know What I Saw is a twist-filled psychological thriller about obsession and guilt, and is perfect for fans of Andrea Mara and Alice Feeney.
Four years after witnessing her sister Beth disappear without a trace, Maya Brennan is still drowning in the aftermath. The guilt and isolation of a small Irish coastal town forces her to believe she could have imagined it all. But when a mysterious laptop appears in her home, everything changes.
Because the first email she reads was sent from Beth's long-dead account.
As more messages arrive, Maya becomes certain that someone is watching her. Someone who knows all about her weaknesses and her past. Soon, neighbours think she's relapsing into alcoholism, colleagues keep their distance and even the people she trusts the most begin to look like suspects.
Someone wants to terrify her. Someone wants the truth to stay buried. But now Maya can't ignore what she saw that fateful day.
In a town full of secrets, Maya must face the haunting What if Beth really is out there? And what if the biggest threat of all is the one she's already let in?
I Know What I Saw is a twist-filled psychological thriller about obsession and guilt, and is perfect for fans of Andrea Mara and Alice Feeney.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 13, 2026
A woman who witnessed her sister’s disappearance years ago is still living in the shadow of that night, especially since no one ever believed what she said she saw. Then something shifts, suggesting the past isn’t as settled as everyone thinks, and she’s pulled right back into it, forced to question what was real then and what’s real now.
This book delivers psychological suspense, playing with memory, doubt, and a feeling that you’re never quite sure who or what to trust. The tension builds with just enough turns to keep you rethinking things as you go.
If you like thrillers that sit in your head and make you question everything, this new release is for you!
Thanks to the author & publisher for the eARC copy, and LBT for bringing me on tour ❤️
This book delivers psychological suspense, playing with memory, doubt, and a feeling that you’re never quite sure who or what to trust. The tension builds with just enough turns to keep you rethinking things as you go.
If you like thrillers that sit in your head and make you question everything, this new release is for you!
Thanks to the author & publisher for the eARC copy, and LBT for bringing me on tour ❤️
April 13, 2026
⭐️ 4 5
This was such an intriguing and addictive read with a premise that immediately pulled me in. The idea of two sisters out cycling, only for one to vanish without a trace, sets the tone perfectly and the mystery around Beth’s disappearance lingers over every page.
Four years later, Maya is still living in the shadow of that day, and when Beth’s old email account suddenly becomes active the tension ramps up instantly. Is Beth alive, or is someone deliberately trying to unravel Maya?
This book absolutely nails the “trust no one” vibe. I found myself constantly second-guessing everyone. Some characters felt like obvious red herrings, but there were still plenty of suspects to keep me questioning everything. I loved how the story kept shifting my suspicions without ever fully settling.
The tension builds brilliantly throughout, with the truth unfolding slowly and deliberately until the final reveal. The pacing is strong, with plenty happening to keep you hooked, and that creeping sense of paranoia and claustrophobia really comes through. You feel Maya’s isolation and desperation so clearly.
Maya herself is a compelling and emotional character. Her grief, compounded by further loss and her struggle with alcoholism, adds real depth to the story. Watching her fight to regain control of her life while chasing the truth made her incredibly easy to root for.
I did manage to guess one of the twists early on, but not the final reveal, which is always a win for me.
That said, while everything is tied together neatly, I was left slightly wanting more from the conclusion. Without spoilers, I’d hoped for a stronger motivation behind the events and perhaps a different direction for the reveal. The scale of what happened felt a little disproportionate to the reasoning, when there was potential for something even more impactful.
Also—special mention to Chunk, Maya's tabby cat, who completely stole my heart!
Overall, a tense, twisty psychological thriller with strong atmosphere and emotional depth—definitely one to keep you guessing.
This was such an intriguing and addictive read with a premise that immediately pulled me in. The idea of two sisters out cycling, only for one to vanish without a trace, sets the tone perfectly and the mystery around Beth’s disappearance lingers over every page.
Four years later, Maya is still living in the shadow of that day, and when Beth’s old email account suddenly becomes active the tension ramps up instantly. Is Beth alive, or is someone deliberately trying to unravel Maya?
This book absolutely nails the “trust no one” vibe. I found myself constantly second-guessing everyone. Some characters felt like obvious red herrings, but there were still plenty of suspects to keep me questioning everything. I loved how the story kept shifting my suspicions without ever fully settling.
The tension builds brilliantly throughout, with the truth unfolding slowly and deliberately until the final reveal. The pacing is strong, with plenty happening to keep you hooked, and that creeping sense of paranoia and claustrophobia really comes through. You feel Maya’s isolation and desperation so clearly.
Maya herself is a compelling and emotional character. Her grief, compounded by further loss and her struggle with alcoholism, adds real depth to the story. Watching her fight to regain control of her life while chasing the truth made her incredibly easy to root for.
I did manage to guess one of the twists early on, but not the final reveal, which is always a win for me.
That said, while everything is tied together neatly, I was left slightly wanting more from the conclusion. Without spoilers, I’d hoped for a stronger motivation behind the events and perhaps a different direction for the reveal. The scale of what happened felt a little disproportionate to the reasoning, when there was potential for something even more impactful.
Also—special mention to Chunk, Maya's tabby cat, who completely stole my heart!
Overall, a tense, twisty psychological thriller with strong atmosphere and emotional depth—definitely one to keep you guessing.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
First, I want to thank NJ Cracknell and Bloodhound Books for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
WOWZERS!!! NJ Cracknell took us on a wild rollercoaster ride of emotions trying to find out what actually happened to Maya’s sister Beth in I Know What I Saw. This storyline was written creatively outside of the box from the other psychological thrillers out there. It is gripping, fast paced, addicting, binge readable, suspenseful, mysterious, has shock value, and heart ache as well. I would suggest it for your tbr pile.
After reading I Know What You Saw about Maya and Beth I had to call my sister and tell her how much she meant to me! Stories like this pull on my heart strings! Throughout the book when Maya kept getting messages from Beth I was praying they were actually from her. In fact, I could not put this book down until I knew what was actually going on with Beth!! There were so many twists, turns, deep secrets and jaw dropping revelations.
Like Maya I too get anxiety attacks and I appreciated learning about the mindfulness of making tea and how it can help relax your breathing. I do like tea so I will have to try this technique next time I make some. Thanks NJ.
I chuckled that Beth kept a checklist of qualities of men when she started dating someone. They had to have their own place, their own car, no psycho exes, and no kids. Hair. Be close with their mum.
The climax of I Know What I Saw was intense and building up to the shocking revelations that I didn’t see coming! It was good!!
WOWZERS!!! NJ Cracknell took us on a wild rollercoaster ride of emotions trying to find out what actually happened to Maya’s sister Beth in I Know What I Saw. This storyline was written creatively outside of the box from the other psychological thrillers out there. It is gripping, fast paced, addicting, binge readable, suspenseful, mysterious, has shock value, and heart ache as well. I would suggest it for your tbr pile.
After reading I Know What You Saw about Maya and Beth I had to call my sister and tell her how much she meant to me! Stories like this pull on my heart strings! Throughout the book when Maya kept getting messages from Beth I was praying they were actually from her. In fact, I could not put this book down until I knew what was actually going on with Beth!! There were so many twists, turns, deep secrets and jaw dropping revelations.
Like Maya I too get anxiety attacks and I appreciated learning about the mindfulness of making tea and how it can help relax your breathing. I do like tea so I will have to try this technique next time I make some. Thanks NJ.
I chuckled that Beth kept a checklist of qualities of men when she started dating someone. They had to have their own place, their own car, no psycho exes, and no kids. Hair. Be close with their mum.
The climax of I Know What I Saw was intense and building up to the shocking revelations that I didn’t see coming! It was good!!
Read
March 13, 2026I imagine there is nothing quite like the specific, stomach-churning panic of a sibling just... vanishing, is there? One minute you’re out on a bike ride, probably arguing over something petty, and the next, four years have ticked by and your life is just a series of "what ifs".
In I Know What I Saw, Maya is living that exact nightmare until she starts getting these cryptic emails that suggests her sister might actually be back. It’s that classic, desperate hope that makes you do slightly unhinged things. NJ Cracknell is absolutely magic at pulling the rug out from under you—just when you think you’ve got a handle on the truth, she gives it a sharp shove and sends you sprawling.
It’s a properly tense, twisty bit of storytelling that captures that frantic, obsessive search for closure. If you like your thrillers with a side of "wait, what the hell just happened?", then this is the one for you.
In I Know What I Saw, Maya is living that exact nightmare until she starts getting these cryptic emails that suggests her sister might actually be back. It’s that classic, desperate hope that makes you do slightly unhinged things. NJ Cracknell is absolutely magic at pulling the rug out from under you—just when you think you’ve got a handle on the truth, she gives it a sharp shove and sends you sprawling.
It’s a properly tense, twisty bit of storytelling that captures that frantic, obsessive search for closure. If you like your thrillers with a side of "wait, what the hell just happened?", then this is the one for you.
Review of advance copy
Genre: Psychological Thriller | Thriller
Publisher: Bloodhound Books
Rating 4.5/5 stars
Wow! The adventure I just went on reading this book was jaw droppingly amazing. And I loved every single minute of it. Sisters Maya and Beth went biking 4 years ago and Beth disappeared without a trace, presumed dead. Flash forward 4 years and Beth has been reaching out to Maya, leaving notes and emails saying she is in danger. Is it really Beth as Maya hopes or someone else playing a cruel joke? And if it is in fact Beth, where has she been? Why is she in trouble? And how can her sister help her? Maya is determined to find out. I love a good psychological thriller that keeps me guessing until the bitter end, and this one did exactly that. Definitely worth the read if you are into twisty, guessing game thrillers.
Publisher: Bloodhound Books
Rating 4.5/5 stars
Wow! The adventure I just went on reading this book was jaw droppingly amazing. And I loved every single minute of it. Sisters Maya and Beth went biking 4 years ago and Beth disappeared without a trace, presumed dead. Flash forward 4 years and Beth has been reaching out to Maya, leaving notes and emails saying she is in danger. Is it really Beth as Maya hopes or someone else playing a cruel joke? And if it is in fact Beth, where has she been? Why is she in trouble? And how can her sister help her? Maya is determined to find out. I love a good psychological thriller that keeps me guessing until the bitter end, and this one did exactly that. Definitely worth the read if you are into twisty, guessing game thrillers.
Review of advance copy
I really enjoyed reading this tense psychological thriller. Maya has really been through it the last few years - losing her sister in mysterious circumstances and then her boyfriend of ten years leaves her for another woman - all of this takes its toll on Maya and she finds herself drinking away her troubles. She is finally sober and moving on with her life when she starts receiving strange messages from someone who could be her missing sister.
This is a real rollercoaster of emotions and you definitely don’t want to read this late at night if you are home alone. Who is sending the messages? Who is creeping round Maya’s flat whilst she is asleep? Maya feels like she is going mad. Maya is a great main character because there is always that doubt that maybe she is losing her mind. It’s a well written and engaging thriller.
This is a real rollercoaster of emotions and you definitely don’t want to read this late at night if you are home alone. Who is sending the messages? Who is creeping round Maya’s flat whilst she is asleep? Maya feels like she is going mad. Maya is a great main character because there is always that doubt that maybe she is losing her mind. It’s a well written and engaging thriller.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A great book by NJ Cracknell.
I don’t think I was the only one that at times questioned myself and wondered if Maya was finally totally loosing the plot after loosing her beloved sister, Beth, 4 years previously.
Thankfully she was not however discovering the truth and then actually getting others to believe her could have been enough to make Maya question what difference would it make and maybe it would be easier just to walk away or drown herself in alcohol.
Maya also trusted one person who turned out to be completely false but luckily Maya did find one unassuming person who was willing to help her and together they finally got Beth the justice she deserved and Maya finally got the closure she needed.
Thank you NJ Cracknell & Bloodhound Books.
I don’t think I was the only one that at times questioned myself and wondered if Maya was finally totally loosing the plot after loosing her beloved sister, Beth, 4 years previously.
Thankfully she was not however discovering the truth and then actually getting others to believe her could have been enough to make Maya question what difference would it make and maybe it would be easier just to walk away or drown herself in alcohol.
Maya also trusted one person who turned out to be completely false but luckily Maya did find one unassuming person who was willing to help her and together they finally got Beth the justice she deserved and Maya finally got the closure she needed.
Thank you NJ Cracknell & Bloodhound Books.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a riveting read all the way through. Maya is still just about coping since the disappearance of her sister a few years before who has been presumed dead. The sudden arrival of a laptop in her apartment and an email to her from her sister sets Maya on a spiral where she doesn't know who to trust or if she is losing her mind. For a time, I wasn't sure myself if that was what was happening.
This was very well-written and the tension was palpable throughout. Schull is a small place and that vibe was well conveyed where everyone knows everyone and what is going on. The level of mistrust aimed at Maya added to the suspense. I flip-flopped as to who was really behind things several times but the reveal did catch me by surprise. A great read.
This was very well-written and the tension was palpable throughout. Schull is a small place and that vibe was well conveyed where everyone knows everyone and what is going on. The level of mistrust aimed at Maya added to the suspense. I flip-flopped as to who was really behind things several times but the reveal did catch me by surprise. A great read.
Review of advance copy
Maya has never come to terms with the mysterious disappearance and presumed death of her sister, Beth. The two sisters were cycling along a coastal road when Beth suddenly disappeared, though her bike was found abandoned near to a sheer precipice. Then her boyfriend, Spencer, leaves her for another woman, Claire. When both Claire and Spencer start popping up near to her home, Maya’s equilibrium is disturbed, but they accuse her of stalking them. As Maya had previously suffered from mental health problems, brought on my the stressful events in her life, it is easy for suspicion to fall upon her. Fortunately, she is believed and supported by Eoin. Slowly, the two of them unravel the mystery and lay to rest the uncertainties which had plagued her. An intriguing story, which I enjoyed.
April 9, 2026
ARC copy!!
WHAT HAPPENED TO BETH?!
What would you do if one day your sister disappeared just a half a mile in front of you? Would you assume she's dead? Would you just give up hope? Would you listen to the crazy town that never stops talking?
For Maya her sister Beth has never really felt gone...and one day things start happening that make Maya think she was right all along. With the help of a few friends (new and old) and while trying to avoid not only her x and his new gf but the gossips at work Maya is out to find out not only what happened to Beth but also who's watching her?!
NJ Cracknell did an amazing job with this thriller it will keep you turning pages and on your toes! Please read this book trust me its worth it!
WHAT HAPPENED TO BETH?!
What would you do if one day your sister disappeared just a half a mile in front of you? Would you assume she's dead? Would you just give up hope? Would you listen to the crazy town that never stops talking?
For Maya her sister Beth has never really felt gone...and one day things start happening that make Maya think she was right all along. With the help of a few friends (new and old) and while trying to avoid not only her x and his new gf but the gossips at work Maya is out to find out not only what happened to Beth but also who's watching her?!
NJ Cracknell did an amazing job with this thriller it will keep you turning pages and on your toes! Please read this book trust me its worth it!
April 9, 2026
4.5⭐️
This book was such an easy read. It had me hooked from the early chapters and every time I had to put it down … because apparently just sitting and reading all day isn’t allowed 😂 … I found myself thinking back to the story and wondering which characters to believe.
A rollercoaster of trying to identify who might be guilty and involved, the author has you doubting each character multiple times. Some I’d figured out early on but others swapped from friend to enemy on more than one occasion.
Highly recommended if you like a psychological thriller, and a must as holiday session starts. I can imagine many people reading this around the pool in the months to come.
This book was such an easy read. It had me hooked from the early chapters and every time I had to put it down … because apparently just sitting and reading all day isn’t allowed 😂 … I found myself thinking back to the story and wondering which characters to believe.
A rollercoaster of trying to identify who might be guilty and involved, the author has you doubting each character multiple times. Some I’d figured out early on but others swapped from friend to enemy on more than one occasion.
Highly recommended if you like a psychological thriller, and a must as holiday session starts. I can imagine many people reading this around the pool in the months to come.
April 24, 2026
I Know What I Saw is a bruise of a thriller: salty coastal town vibes, slow burn paranoia, and a guilt soaked heroine who’s convinced she’s losing her mind, and maybe she is. The ghost in an email setup is pure nightmare fuel, and the book paces its reveals like someone peeling bandages slowly and with intent. Twists hit hard enough to make you double back and squint at earlier scenes, though a couple rely on tidy coincidences. Still, the emotional truth of Maya’s grief and the claustrophobic distrust of small-town life keep this one lodged in your chest. Grubby, twisty, and properly unsettling.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I haven’t enjoyed reading a page-turner this much in years. I was totally engrossed in the mystery and kept trying to guess what the twists might be, only to be enjoyably surprised at every turn. Beyond the great story, the writing is really impressive - I felt I was totally ‘there’ in Ireland, trying to piece the mystery together myself. The writing was so atmospheric, I actually kept picturing this as a film. I really hope it does become a film one day. So good. Even better than Cracknell’s last novel, which was already a high bar. Loved it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A small Irish coastal town provides a perfect backdrop for this tense and unsettling psychological thriller.
I loved this book from the very beginning with its dark and devious plot; a host of characters I kept hoping were mostly red herrings; and a constant sense of impending terror as any number of unexpected twists and turns shifted the pointing finger of guilt.
The writing is utterly compulsive with nail-biting tension (an absolute masterclass in page-turning pacing) as each little piece of the puzzle is revealed.
This really is a riveting read from start to finish.
I loved this book from the very beginning with its dark and devious plot; a host of characters I kept hoping were mostly red herrings; and a constant sense of impending terror as any number of unexpected twists and turns shifted the pointing finger of guilt.
The writing is utterly compulsive with nail-biting tension (an absolute masterclass in page-turning pacing) as each little piece of the puzzle is revealed.
This really is a riveting read from start to finish.
April 7, 2026
This is a good thriller that grips you from page one. This is a real page turner that I read in a weekend.
This book has great characters and a good storyline that is full of what ifs.
This is a story of Maya that has a sister that disappeared four years ago. It’s a good job that she didn’t lose her mind. The story really takes a turn when a laptop appears with messages about Beth’s disappearance . Well worth a read.
This book has great characters and a good storyline that is full of what ifs.
This is a story of Maya that has a sister that disappeared four years ago. It’s a good job that she didn’t lose her mind. The story really takes a turn when a laptop appears with messages about Beth’s disappearance . Well worth a read.
April 7, 2026
I Know What I Saw by N.J. Cracknell was an excellent suspenseful and chilling psychological thriller
that will just pull you in from the very beginning. It was a brilliant page turner especially as it was fast paced throughout and full of excellent twists and turns and great characters. I ended up reading it in 2 sitting and this is a book not to be missed! A fantastic read for your holidays.
that will just pull you in from the very beginning. It was a brilliant page turner especially as it was fast paced throughout and full of excellent twists and turns and great characters. I ended up reading it in 2 sitting and this is a book not to be missed! A fantastic read for your holidays.
March 5, 2026
Maya’s sister went missing while they were out on a bike ride four years previously but she now suspects that Beth is back. Mysterious emails and messages lead her to start searching again but things aren’t what she thinks they are. A great novel with twists and turns.
April 7, 2026
I love a thriller with lots of twists and this book certainly had those, it had me hooked pretty quickly and it was hard to put down, a throughly thrilling read.
I loved the mix of characters with plenty to like and dislike with plenty of suspense.
I loved the mix of characters with plenty to like and dislike with plenty of suspense.
April 23, 2026
2,5 🌟
This story unfortunately wasn't anything outstanding or revolutionary. It was an easy read and perfect for passing the time.
The writing was simple and engaging enough to keep me reading. However, story wise, it was a disappointment till the very end.
This story unfortunately wasn't anything outstanding or revolutionary. It was an easy read and perfect for passing the time.
The writing was simple and engaging enough to keep me reading. However, story wise, it was a disappointment till the very end.
March 1, 2026
This was absolutely inspired! Lots of twists and turns. A very clever book. It’s a good read
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A good suspenseful thriller with well written characters and an interesting plot.
A decent twist at the end was the icing the cake for me.
A decent twist at the end was the icing the cake for me.
April 4, 2026
This book was an ARC! It was very good! New author for me. I lived this author! I'm going to check out her other books!
Great read
Great read
April 12, 2026
pretty good read
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is my first book by this author, and it won't be my last.I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.
It had me guessing, suspecting, and changing my mind.. The clever twists sent me thinking in the wrong direction. I was captivated straight away into the mysterious goings on.
This is a gripping, well written storyline and plot with revelations you don't expect and t wists and turns.
Along with strong characters, some to like, and some to hate.
My thanks to Bloodhound books for the advanced copy.
. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
It had me guessing, suspecting, and changing my mind.. The clever twists sent me thinking in the wrong direction. I was captivated straight away into the mysterious goings on.
This is a gripping, well written storyline and plot with revelations you don't expect and t wists and turns.
Along with strong characters, some to like, and some to hate.
My thanks to Bloodhound books for the advanced copy.
. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
April 7, 2026
A well deserved 5 stars ✨ from me!
It had everything a thriller girlie could ask for.
A absolutely devoured this book 📖 in one sitting!! It hooks you in from the beginning. I also found the story line a very interesting read itself.
The author also does a great job at building the characters up in the novel. I also loved the mental health aspects in the book it was nice to read more about them and see how this author portrayed them.
But thank you for the twists and turns I didn’t see coming !! I was shocked 😳 but it made for a great thrilling read.
Overall, loved 🥰 this book 📖 for its storyline, twists and end !!
It had everything a thriller girlie could ask for.
A absolutely devoured this book 📖 in one sitting!! It hooks you in from the beginning. I also found the story line a very interesting read itself.
The author also does a great job at building the characters up in the novel. I also loved the mental health aspects in the book it was nice to read more about them and see how this author portrayed them.
But thank you for the twists and turns I didn’t see coming !! I was shocked 😳 but it made for a great thrilling read.
Overall, loved 🥰 this book 📖 for its storyline, twists and end !!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the first book I've read by this author and if they are all this suspenseful and gripping then I definitely want to read more.
I was invested from the beginning. The opening chapters were rather eerie and pulled me into the story. Four years after Maya's sister disappears, she receives a creepy happy birthday email from her. This is just the beginning of a string of increasingly worrying messages and events.
There are a lot of people in Maya's life - neighbours, friends, colleagues and she really doesn't know who, if anyone, to trust. Any of them could be messing with her or maybe Beth really is back. The storyline kept me guessing and firmly kept me on edge. It's tense throughout and very cleverly comes together at the end.
I was invested from the beginning. The opening chapters were rather eerie and pulled me into the story. Four years after Maya's sister disappears, she receives a creepy happy birthday email from her. This is just the beginning of a string of increasingly worrying messages and events.
There are a lot of people in Maya's life - neighbours, friends, colleagues and she really doesn't know who, if anyone, to trust. Any of them could be messing with her or maybe Beth really is back. The storyline kept me guessing and firmly kept me on edge. It's tense throughout and very cleverly comes together at the end.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I thought that the writing was strong but the main character was a bit annoying at times and quite easily led. The whole thing about thinking it was the Landlord seemed to come from nowhere and she went all in with the theory.
Worth reading but not sensational.
Worth reading but not sensational.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews