What do you think?
Rate this book
Follow Me Down
Mia Haas has built a life for herself far from the North Dakota town where she grew up, but when she receives word that her twin brother is missing, she’s forced to return home. Once hailed as the golden boy of their small town, Lucas Haas disappeared the same day the body of one of his high school students is pulled from the river. Trying to wrap her head around the rumors of Lucas’s affair with the teen, and unable to reconcile the media’s portrayal of Lucas as a murderer with her own memories of him, Mia is desperate to find another suspect.
All the while, she wonders, if he’s innocent, why did he run?
As Mia reevaluates their difficult, shared history and launches her own investigation into the grisly murder, she uncovers secrets that could exonerate Lucas—or seal his fate. In a small town where everyone’s history is intertwined, Mia will be forced to confront her own demons, placing her right in the killer’s crosshairs.
Follow Me Down is a rare find—a gutsy, visceral, and beautifully crafted psychological thriller.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
All the while, she wonders, if he’s innocent, why did he run?
As Mia reevaluates their difficult, shared history and launches her own investigation into the grisly murder, she uncovers secrets that could exonerate Lucas—or seal his fate. In a small town where everyone’s history is intertwined, Mia will be forced to confront her own demons, placing her right in the killer’s crosshairs.
Follow Me Down is a rare find—a gutsy, visceral, and beautifully crafted psychological thriller.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published March 21, 2017
31 people are currently reading
3182 people want to read
About the author
Sherri Smith
17 books163 followersSherri Smith has previously written two historical fiction novels for Simon & Schuster UK. When not writing she spends time with her family, three rescue dogs and restores vintage furniture that would otherwise be destined for the dump. She lives in Winnipeg, Canada where the long, cold winters nurture her dark side. FOLLOW ME DOWN (Forge Books, March 2017) is her first thriller.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
April 9, 2017
I'm fully confident this will be one of the most talked about book of the Spring 2017 season, and why shouldn't it be? It was a deliciously compulsive read, has an attention grabbing cover, and even the title hints at dragging us down the rabbit hole of deceit and despair alongside the characters. It's almost as if it taunts the reader to come along for the ride, if you dare. Anyone who knows me well knows that I love dark and twisty psychological thrillers, yet it's been really hard to find ones that tickle my fancy since the Gone Girl frenzy of the 2010's. RIP unique and original books. While I cringe at even making this comparison, I must admit this book is the first in awhile to give me the same feeling I received when stumbling upon Gone Girl many years ago. The plot is entirely different; it had that dark feeling of spiraling down a funnel where you start out slow and steady on the wide brim and gain momentum as you draw closer to the grand finale. I love stories that are structured this way and think they are a staple in suspense fiction; while it seems mostly police procedurals are tailored this way, I found it refreshing to happen across the formatting in Follow Me Down without all the cumbersome details from the law enforcement side of things.
"The past was crammed down your throat everywhere you turned here; you could never escape it."
The entire premise and plot surrounding this story is dark. The characters are unlikeable and there are copious amounts of drinking alongside the recreational use of prescription drugs. Without getting spoilery, there are dark subjects riddled throughout this book from just about every angle imaginable. My point is, many times I just can't connect with a book that has so many unlikable and heavy aspects; most books that sound similar from the points mentioned above I have ended up not finishing due to the distracting nature of being bombarded with so many unpleasant details. Not so with this book! Even though she was flawed and highly irritating at times, I found myself cheering Mia on in the search for answers regarding her brother and poor Joanna. Smith infused just enough snarky attitude and dark humor into the narrative to lighten the mood where I could fully relax into this mid-western world that almost featured a noir-like atmosphere. I think Mia was purposefully written this way to give her flesh and bones, allowing her to come alive and walk alongside us instead of just sitting as another two-dimensional wilting flower we want to throw a book at. Maybe also a shoe. My point is, these characters are massively flawed and highly dysfunctional and all my dark tingly recesses LOVED IT.
"Mimi would go around, ice clinking in her glass, saying she was estranged from her family, drawing out the word "estranged" like it was a sophisticated, glittery term."
I completely and unashamedly adored Mimi's character! I know she was rotten and all kinds of screwed up (and clearly a full on narcissist as gleaned from above), but there's something refreshing about a character who takes her issues and plays them up for the sheer drama of it all. While there is the overall big mystery surrounding the disappearance of Lucas, there were tiny nugget mysteries as well surrounding Mia's mother, Mimi, and the question of who the twin's father really is. I've always enjoyed novels that contain a family tree of secrets, so when this one revealed itself as such, in part, I became elated at the possibilities of the who's, the why's, and how it would pertain to the bigger picture. I really enjoyed how everything wrapped up in the end; the major questions were answered, but things were left a little messy in places and everything wasn't magically fixed to perfection.
Again, I truly believe we'll be hearing lots of buzz surrounding this debut throughout 2017. What more do you need besides an endorsement from both Chevy Stevens and Diane Chamberlain on the front cover? I'd highly recommend this to fans of the psychological thriller; this truly had the feel of a classic whodunnit while adding in fresh, modern, and unique traits to separate it from the traditional suspense novels that are being touted left and right. I want to emphasize that while there are twists and turns, the brilliance of this novel isn't based on a single plot element; this was a well rounded read that is fully capable of standing on it's own without being compared to other books or marketed as the next (fill in the blank). The cover only begins to touch at how haunting and disturbing of a read this was; you'll want to go ahead and snag your copy to discuss with your friends so you aren't the last one in on what a highly delectable book this was.
*Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing my copy; it was a delight to review my honest thoughts on my blog.
"The past was crammed down your throat everywhere you turned here; you could never escape it."
The entire premise and plot surrounding this story is dark. The characters are unlikeable and there are copious amounts of drinking alongside the recreational use of prescription drugs. Without getting spoilery, there are dark subjects riddled throughout this book from just about every angle imaginable. My point is, many times I just can't connect with a book that has so many unlikable and heavy aspects; most books that sound similar from the points mentioned above I have ended up not finishing due to the distracting nature of being bombarded with so many unpleasant details. Not so with this book! Even though she was flawed and highly irritating at times, I found myself cheering Mia on in the search for answers regarding her brother and poor Joanna. Smith infused just enough snarky attitude and dark humor into the narrative to lighten the mood where I could fully relax into this mid-western world that almost featured a noir-like atmosphere. I think Mia was purposefully written this way to give her flesh and bones, allowing her to come alive and walk alongside us instead of just sitting as another two-dimensional wilting flower we want to throw a book at. Maybe also a shoe. My point is, these characters are massively flawed and highly dysfunctional and all my dark tingly recesses LOVED IT.
"Mimi would go around, ice clinking in her glass, saying she was estranged from her family, drawing out the word "estranged" like it was a sophisticated, glittery term."
I completely and unashamedly adored Mimi's character! I know she was rotten and all kinds of screwed up (and clearly a full on narcissist as gleaned from above), but there's something refreshing about a character who takes her issues and plays them up for the sheer drama of it all. While there is the overall big mystery surrounding the disappearance of Lucas, there were tiny nugget mysteries as well surrounding Mia's mother, Mimi, and the question of who the twin's father really is. I've always enjoyed novels that contain a family tree of secrets, so when this one revealed itself as such, in part, I became elated at the possibilities of the who's, the why's, and how it would pertain to the bigger picture. I really enjoyed how everything wrapped up in the end; the major questions were answered, but things were left a little messy in places and everything wasn't magically fixed to perfection.
Again, I truly believe we'll be hearing lots of buzz surrounding this debut throughout 2017. What more do you need besides an endorsement from both Chevy Stevens and Diane Chamberlain on the front cover? I'd highly recommend this to fans of the psychological thriller; this truly had the feel of a classic whodunnit while adding in fresh, modern, and unique traits to separate it from the traditional suspense novels that are being touted left and right. I want to emphasize that while there are twists and turns, the brilliance of this novel isn't based on a single plot element; this was a well rounded read that is fully capable of standing on it's own without being compared to other books or marketed as the next (fill in the blank). The cover only begins to touch at how haunting and disturbing of a read this was; you'll want to go ahead and snag your copy to discuss with your friends so you aren't the last one in on what a highly delectable book this was.
*Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing my copy; it was a delight to review my honest thoughts on my blog.
March 16, 2017
FOLLOW ME DOWN by author Sherri Smith is her first thriller…and a psychological thriller, my favourite! This novel packed a punch and kept me guessing until the very end. I was so involved in this story that I resented any interruptions. Just leave me alone and let me read! I loved this book!
“LOCAL TEACHER PERSON OF INTEREST IN STUDENTS MURDER.”
“Mia Haas has built a life for herself far from the North Dakota town where she grew up, but when she receives word that her twin brother is missing, she’s forced to return home. Once hailed as the golden boy of their small town, Lucas Haas disappeared the same day the body of one of his high school students is pulled from the river. Trying to wrap her head around the rumours of Lucas’s affair with the teen, and unable to reconcile the media’s portrayal of Lucas as a murderer with her own memories of him, Mia is desperate to find another suspect.”
But why did he run?
Mia Haas, the protagonist worked as a pharmacist in Chicago, while her twin brother, Lucas was a local teacher in a small town Wayoata, North Dakota. But when her brother is named by the police department as a person of interest, Mia confronts her past and returns to her hometown to prove Lucas’s innocence. The victim, Joanna was a student of Mr. Haas and only sixteen years old.
But Mia tells the police that her brother is not responsible for Joanna’s murder. “Lucas is a kind and gentle person, incapable of violence. Whoever did this is still out there and needs to be brought to justice.”
Mia comes from her own difficult past, but now her strength is reactivated and she must investigate the murder and prove her brother’s innocence. She is one gutsy lady!
I will not give away any more of the plot, for risk of spoilers. I can just recommend highly this mystery thriller. Any fan of mystery or whodunits will love this book.
One of the best thrillers I have read in 2017!
Many thanks to Sherri Smith, Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
“LOCAL TEACHER PERSON OF INTEREST IN STUDENTS MURDER.”
“Mia Haas has built a life for herself far from the North Dakota town where she grew up, but when she receives word that her twin brother is missing, she’s forced to return home. Once hailed as the golden boy of their small town, Lucas Haas disappeared the same day the body of one of his high school students is pulled from the river. Trying to wrap her head around the rumours of Lucas’s affair with the teen, and unable to reconcile the media’s portrayal of Lucas as a murderer with her own memories of him, Mia is desperate to find another suspect.”
But why did he run?
Mia Haas, the protagonist worked as a pharmacist in Chicago, while her twin brother, Lucas was a local teacher in a small town Wayoata, North Dakota. But when her brother is named by the police department as a person of interest, Mia confronts her past and returns to her hometown to prove Lucas’s innocence. The victim, Joanna was a student of Mr. Haas and only sixteen years old.
But Mia tells the police that her brother is not responsible for Joanna’s murder. “Lucas is a kind and gentle person, incapable of violence. Whoever did this is still out there and needs to be brought to justice.”
Mia comes from her own difficult past, but now her strength is reactivated and she must investigate the murder and prove her brother’s innocence. She is one gutsy lady!
I will not give away any more of the plot, for risk of spoilers. I can just recommend highly this mystery thriller. Any fan of mystery or whodunits will love this book.
One of the best thrillers I have read in 2017!
Many thanks to Sherri Smith, Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
March 29, 2017
Small town secrets.
High school teacher Lucas stands accused of rape and murdering one of his students in a small town in North Dakota. And now he’s missing.
Lucas’s twin sister Mia refuses to believe that he could ever be capable of these crimes. She hops the first flight from Chicago to help find her brother and clear his name.
After graduating high school, Mia had left North Dakota far behind, never looking back. She and Lucas were raised by an alcoholic mother, now in a care home due to a brain injury. Mia has always carried the heavy burden of guilt and sadness over her mother's condition. Returning home is just reopening the wounds from her past. The deeper she searches for her twin brother and the truth, the old, ugly, dark family secrets once again surface.
You can never go home.
Told through Mia's perspective, she battles her own demons with the help of her happy little red make-up case. (Adderall, Klonipin, Percocet, Ativan, Ambien, Xanax, Provigil). Ouch! Even though she is a career pharmacist she spends more time sampling these drugs than dispensing them. Anything to dull the pain.
With plentiful misdirection as to motive and where Lucas could be, I started thinking everyone in that sleepy town could be guilty. Clever curves to keep you guessing right up to the twisted, shocking end. Highly recommend
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Sherri Smith for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
High school teacher Lucas stands accused of rape and murdering one of his students in a small town in North Dakota. And now he’s missing.
Lucas’s twin sister Mia refuses to believe that he could ever be capable of these crimes. She hops the first flight from Chicago to help find her brother and clear his name.
After graduating high school, Mia had left North Dakota far behind, never looking back. She and Lucas were raised by an alcoholic mother, now in a care home due to a brain injury. Mia has always carried the heavy burden of guilt and sadness over her mother's condition. Returning home is just reopening the wounds from her past. The deeper she searches for her twin brother and the truth, the old, ugly, dark family secrets once again surface.
You can never go home.
Told through Mia's perspective, she battles her own demons with the help of her happy little red make-up case. (Adderall, Klonipin, Percocet, Ativan, Ambien, Xanax, Provigil). Ouch! Even though she is a career pharmacist she spends more time sampling these drugs than dispensing them. Anything to dull the pain.
With plentiful misdirection as to motive and where Lucas could be, I started thinking everyone in that sleepy town could be guilty. Clever curves to keep you guessing right up to the twisted, shocking end. Highly recommend
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Sherri Smith for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2017
4.5 stars
Normally the singular POV stories bore me to death, but I enjoyed this one because it was the perfect concoction of unlikable characters versus the most unlikable characters and written very well! Sure, Mia's thoughts flip-flopped as she spent much of her time constantly ruling her twin brother in and out of tragic scenarios. Between her chemical dependency issues and unfocused thoughts, she was at times annoying, even silly, and had a questionable spree of TSTL moments. But I liked her all the more for her weaknesses because she kept me laughing. A lot!
This book was so much fun to read and I never anticipated that a pill-popping and pill-pushing narrator would be so entertaining! Jeez! And it only took 16 days for Mia to raise hell in her old community...
Quick rundown?
✰ Great writing style
✰ Singular perspective
✰ Colorful side characters
Minor issues?
The ending wrapped up a bit too neatly and I wasn't a huge fan of that conclusion.
▷First time reading this author's work and looking forward to reading more. Enjoyed!
Normally the singular POV stories bore me to death, but I enjoyed this one because it was the perfect concoction of unlikable characters versus the most unlikable characters and written very well! Sure, Mia's thoughts flip-flopped as she spent much of her time constantly ruling her twin brother in and out of tragic scenarios. Between her chemical dependency issues and unfocused thoughts, she was at times annoying, even silly, and had a questionable spree of TSTL moments. But I liked her all the more for her weaknesses because she kept me laughing. A lot!
This book was so much fun to read and I never anticipated that a pill-popping and pill-pushing narrator would be so entertaining! Jeez! And it only took 16 days for Mia to raise hell in her old community...
Quick rundown?
✰ Great writing style
✰ Singular perspective
✰ Colorful side characters
Minor issues?
The ending wrapped up a bit too neatly and I wasn't a huge fan of that conclusion.
▷First time reading this author's work and looking forward to reading more. Enjoyed!
July 26, 2017
I think I'm officially in a book slump. I'm BEYOND annoyed with reading all these psychological thriller duds :(.
I'm not exactly sure if I'm ridiculously picky with my thrillers but MAN what is with these books lately?
I did enjoy the quirky personality of our main character Mia Haas. She was pretty funny... I have to give the author that. BUT, I almost felt like this had a feel of the Breakdown by B.A Paris. DUDE, the paranoia has GOT TO GO. That does not make the reader want to continue reading. Or at least, for me it doesn't. Yet again, this book was dragging to the end.
AND, wow just wow when the killer was revealed? Really? You've got to be kidding me. This just did not add up at all did not make sense to the storyline. I feel like authors are trying SO hard to have a surprise/shock factor ending that they pretty much will throw anything together. NO, it was just bad.... like super bad.
Too many duds in a row and I need a break from this genre.
I'm not exactly sure if I'm ridiculously picky with my thrillers but MAN what is with these books lately?
I did enjoy the quirky personality of our main character Mia Haas. She was pretty funny... I have to give the author that. BUT, I almost felt like this had a feel of the Breakdown by B.A Paris. DUDE, the paranoia has GOT TO GO. That does not make the reader want to continue reading. Or at least, for me it doesn't. Yet again, this book was dragging to the end.
AND, wow just wow when the killer was revealed? Really? You've got to be kidding me. This just did not add up at all did not make sense to the storyline. I feel like authors are trying SO hard to have a surprise/shock factor ending that they pretty much will throw anything together. NO, it was just bad.... like super bad.
Too many duds in a row and I need a break from this genre.
March 27, 2017
This is what a psychological thriller is all about!
Such a great combination of red herrings, twists and turns, and flawed characters, all woven together to make this one heck of a mystery to try to figure out.
The cover art is what first drew me to this book, throw along an enticing synopsis and I was in!
Again we have the running thriller theme of small town girl who gets murdered, but the author did a great job going above and beyond the usual stereotypes that this theme so often presents. All the loose ends were tied up neatly at the end, I felt as if everything came together and I had no unanswered questions.
For me, this was a heart pounding, can't put it down, have to know what happened NOW kinda book. I recommend it to fans of psychological thrillers - this one delivers!
A high 4 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Such a great combination of red herrings, twists and turns, and flawed characters, all woven together to make this one heck of a mystery to try to figure out.
The cover art is what first drew me to this book, throw along an enticing synopsis and I was in!
Again we have the running thriller theme of small town girl who gets murdered, but the author did a great job going above and beyond the usual stereotypes that this theme so often presents. All the loose ends were tied up neatly at the end, I felt as if everything came together and I had no unanswered questions.
For me, this was a heart pounding, can't put it down, have to know what happened NOW kinda book. I recommend it to fans of psychological thrillers - this one delivers!
A high 4 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2017
This is my first read of a Sherri Smith novel and her first psychological thriller. The story was well paced and showed plenty of promise.
The novel is about a High school teacher named Lucas who is accused of rape and murdering one of his students in a small town in North Dakota. His case is not helped by the fact that he is now missing disappearing on the same day the body of one of his students is pulled from the river. Rumours of Lucas’s affair with the dead student also don't help his case but Mia is desperate to find another suspect.
Lucas’s twin sister Mia refuses to believe he is guilty and is determined to clear his name. Lucas and Mia were raised by an alcoholic mother who now resides in a care home due to a brain injury.
This is a very readable thriller and with the strong characters and the well paced plot it will certainly be a success.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The novel is about a High school teacher named Lucas who is accused of rape and murdering one of his students in a small town in North Dakota. His case is not helped by the fact that he is now missing disappearing on the same day the body of one of his students is pulled from the river. Rumours of Lucas’s affair with the dead student also don't help his case but Mia is desperate to find another suspect.
Lucas’s twin sister Mia refuses to believe he is guilty and is determined to clear his name. Lucas and Mia were raised by an alcoholic mother who now resides in a care home due to a brain injury.
This is a very readable thriller and with the strong characters and the well paced plot it will certainly be a success.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2023
Don't you love a book that really keeps you guessing?This is one such book. Even my best book detective skills didn't have me uncovering the twists and reveals before their time. This one kept me captivated.
Mia heads back to the small "hick" town she was brought up in from her life in Chicago because her twin brother Lucas has been accused of murder. Nobody can find Lucas and Mia just can't accept that he's murdered a young woman in cold blood. The town on the other hand are ready to lynch him.
With each character that gets introduced more questions get raised and before long you are looking at everyone closely and trying to figure out how they fit into the picture. Author Sherri Smith does a fabulous job of giving us some fascinating characters, more than one with distinct personality disorder traits that give us a sense of unease in their company.Mia is quickly turned on by the town that is hunting for her brother.
I liked Mia a lot. She's incredibly imperfect, has a load of issues but is gutsy and determined. If the police are not going to listen to her theories then stuff them - she will find answers herself. It's heartbreaking at times watching her uncover secrets, stories and clues. Surely Lucas didn't kill this young woman. Did he?
The characters combined with the plot and it's hidden twists and turns make for hugely addictive reading.I picked this novel up every spare chance I got and fell asleep a few times with my glasses on, Kindle in hand as I tried to stay awake to milk a bit more from the book. I was with Mia, I HADto know if Lucas murdered in cold blood.
I formed opinions many times to change them a few chapters on and by the time I'd decided how it would finish I got to the end of the book to be proven terribly wrong. I love it when a book beats me. It's one of those. There is some solid back story interwoven into current day events.
Characters have depth and realism, the plot is paced solid from page one and the writing is excellent. Throw in great twists and one heck of a final reveal and you have a book you are going to want to read and tell others about. So here I am, telling you about it.
I'm giving this book 4 stars and highly recommend. The dark psychological undertones and damaged characters give this an edge over other "is he guilty or not" stories. I was right there, in the town, in Mia's head and as determined as she was to find the truth which was NOT what I expected. Pop this one on your to-read list, Super fiction!
I read an ARC of this book received via the publisher through NetGalley. All review opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
Mia heads back to the small "hick" town she was brought up in from her life in Chicago because her twin brother Lucas has been accused of murder. Nobody can find Lucas and Mia just can't accept that he's murdered a young woman in cold blood. The town on the other hand are ready to lynch him.
With each character that gets introduced more questions get raised and before long you are looking at everyone closely and trying to figure out how they fit into the picture. Author Sherri Smith does a fabulous job of giving us some fascinating characters, more than one with distinct personality disorder traits that give us a sense of unease in their company.Mia is quickly turned on by the town that is hunting for her brother.
I liked Mia a lot. She's incredibly imperfect, has a load of issues but is gutsy and determined. If the police are not going to listen to her theories then stuff them - she will find answers herself. It's heartbreaking at times watching her uncover secrets, stories and clues. Surely Lucas didn't kill this young woman. Did he?
The characters combined with the plot and it's hidden twists and turns make for hugely addictive reading.I picked this novel up every spare chance I got and fell asleep a few times with my glasses on, Kindle in hand as I tried to stay awake to milk a bit more from the book. I was with Mia, I HADto know if Lucas murdered in cold blood.
I formed opinions many times to change them a few chapters on and by the time I'd decided how it would finish I got to the end of the book to be proven terribly wrong. I love it when a book beats me. It's one of those. There is some solid back story interwoven into current day events.
Characters have depth and realism, the plot is paced solid from page one and the writing is excellent. Throw in great twists and one heck of a final reveal and you have a book you are going to want to read and tell others about. So here I am, telling you about it.
I'm giving this book 4 stars and highly recommend. The dark psychological undertones and damaged characters give this an edge over other "is he guilty or not" stories. I was right there, in the town, in Mia's head and as determined as she was to find the truth which was NOT what I expected. Pop this one on your to-read list, Super fiction!
I read an ARC of this book received via the publisher through NetGalley. All review opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
April 14, 2017
Follow Me Down came highly recommended from several of my book friends, and after reading it, yeah!!! This is an engrossing, suspenseful book! Mia's brother is a teacher accused of murdering one of his students. From the very beginning, you don't know who to believe- who's really guilty of the murder? A red herring here, a twist there; this book consumed me until I figured it out. Sherri Smith is a new powerhouse of suspense! Cannot wait to read what she writes next! Thanks to Caryn, the Book Whisperer, the author, and the publisher, for a complimentary copy. This was my unsolicited review.
February 25, 2017
Big fan of this one. I seem to be on a run of really excellent books at the moment.
Follow Me Down is a taut and atmospheric psychological thriller/small town drama which is enhanced by its main protagonist, Mia, who is divisive and multi faceted – as she hunts for the truth surrounding her brother’s disappearance she will challenge your ability to sympathise with her whilst absolutely making sure that you do.
Set in its majority over 16 days, each day brings Mia new challenges, both personally and in her search for Lucas, that will keep you utterly gripped as events unfold. The author writes so beautifully, both in her portrayal of a sibling relationship haunted by the secrets of an unstable mother and in the deep seated mystery elements surrounding the death of a teenager – all levels of Follow Me Down bring something new to the table.
The character dynamics are all hugely fascinating – from the tiger mother to the pot head student who nobody pays attention to, all of those you will meet within these pages whether peripherally or more deeply have emotional resonance – in a town full of secrets Mia faces down a wall of assumptions. Her own actions are informed by her own demons, her familial relationships and the small town vibe she thought she had left behind her – as the puzzle begins to unravel Sherri Smith takes you on a twisted and eloquent road to the truth.
Nuanced and riveting, Follow Me Down intrigues and enthralls from first page to last.
Highly Recommended.
Follow Me Down is a taut and atmospheric psychological thriller/small town drama which is enhanced by its main protagonist, Mia, who is divisive and multi faceted – as she hunts for the truth surrounding her brother’s disappearance she will challenge your ability to sympathise with her whilst absolutely making sure that you do.
Set in its majority over 16 days, each day brings Mia new challenges, both personally and in her search for Lucas, that will keep you utterly gripped as events unfold. The author writes so beautifully, both in her portrayal of a sibling relationship haunted by the secrets of an unstable mother and in the deep seated mystery elements surrounding the death of a teenager – all levels of Follow Me Down bring something new to the table.
The character dynamics are all hugely fascinating – from the tiger mother to the pot head student who nobody pays attention to, all of those you will meet within these pages whether peripherally or more deeply have emotional resonance – in a town full of secrets Mia faces down a wall of assumptions. Her own actions are informed by her own demons, her familial relationships and the small town vibe she thought she had left behind her – as the puzzle begins to unravel Sherri Smith takes you on a twisted and eloquent road to the truth.
Nuanced and riveting, Follow Me Down intrigues and enthralls from first page to last.
Highly Recommended.
April 17, 2017
Lukas, a much-loved high school teacher, disappears on the same day one of his students is found dead. All evidence points to him being the killer. His twin sister Mia comes home from Chicago initially to answer questions about her brother. She decides to see if she can prove he is innocent.
Mia's mother is in a senior living center with a mind addled by alcohol and an accident. Talk about a dysfunctional family. The mother has really done a number on this family.
Read this book and then stay away from drugs and excessive alcohol. They really don't help us make such great decisions.
Mia's mother is in a senior living center with a mind addled by alcohol and an accident. Talk about a dysfunctional family. The mother has really done a number on this family.
Read this book and then stay away from drugs and excessive alcohol. They really don't help us make such great decisions.
March 28, 2017
Well, what to say about this one. It wasn't terrible but it was a bit of a chore to read. I struggled through it and it felt a lot longer than it was. Not one for me.
Mia Haas gets a call to say her twin brother Lucas, who lives in their home town in Dakota has gone missing. The golden boy growing up and now a school teacher there.
When Mia gets there she finds out from the police that on the same day that Lucas went missing, the body of a missing teenage girl, one of his students, was pulled from a river.
Lucas is the number one suspect as rumours around the town are rife that he was having a relationship with the girl and she had become pregnant. Mia can't believe it, won't believe it and sets out to investigate and prove her brothers innocence. The only problem is, all the clues she uncovers point more and more to Lucas's guilt. Was he the brother she knew and loved or was he a murderer who was sleeping with his young student?
And so the story unfolds. Slowly. Very slowly. Told entirely in the first person by Mia. There in lies the first problem with this book for me. Mia was a fairly uninteresting character. I never warmed to her, had much empathy with her or was particularly interested in her. She rambled on insesintly with little progress in the story being made. There seemed to be page upon page of mundaneness from her and it became a chore to read.
The book also has a mixture of extremely long chapters and then some very short chapters. It just didn't help with the flow at all for me. I still can't believe this book is under 400 pages as it feels as if I have read something twice as long.
The story could have been told in such a shorter format. I don't think the extra words added anything to the story or atmosphere for me. The story itself is a decent enough one. It's basically a whodunit and I kept reading to find out indeed whodunit, but as said it was a chore to read.
The ending was disappointing and the reveal was nearly comical. I didn't buy it all. It all ended up being a bit silly.
I'm giving this one two and a half stars. The first person narrative didn't work for me. Mia was uninteresting, with too much to say with not a lot said. I really struggled to get through this book and I guess ultimately it wasn't one for me.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Sherri Smith and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mia Haas gets a call to say her twin brother Lucas, who lives in their home town in Dakota has gone missing. The golden boy growing up and now a school teacher there.
When Mia gets there she finds out from the police that on the same day that Lucas went missing, the body of a missing teenage girl, one of his students, was pulled from a river.
Lucas is the number one suspect as rumours around the town are rife that he was having a relationship with the girl and she had become pregnant. Mia can't believe it, won't believe it and sets out to investigate and prove her brothers innocence. The only problem is, all the clues she uncovers point more and more to Lucas's guilt. Was he the brother she knew and loved or was he a murderer who was sleeping with his young student?
And so the story unfolds. Slowly. Very slowly. Told entirely in the first person by Mia. There in lies the first problem with this book for me. Mia was a fairly uninteresting character. I never warmed to her, had much empathy with her or was particularly interested in her. She rambled on insesintly with little progress in the story being made. There seemed to be page upon page of mundaneness from her and it became a chore to read.
The book also has a mixture of extremely long chapters and then some very short chapters. It just didn't help with the flow at all for me. I still can't believe this book is under 400 pages as it feels as if I have read something twice as long.
The story could have been told in such a shorter format. I don't think the extra words added anything to the story or atmosphere for me. The story itself is a decent enough one. It's basically a whodunit and I kept reading to find out indeed whodunit, but as said it was a chore to read.
The ending was disappointing and the reveal was nearly comical. I didn't buy it all. It all ended up being a bit silly.
I'm giving this one two and a half stars. The first person narrative didn't work for me. Mia was uninteresting, with too much to say with not a lot said. I really struggled to get through this book and I guess ultimately it wasn't one for me.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Sherri Smith and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2017
Mia fled the small town in North Dakota that she grew up in with her twin brother Lucas and alcoholic mother, and now has a new life in Chicago. When she gets a call from the local police telling her that her brother is being accused of having a sexual relationship and subsequently murdering of one of his underage students, she immediately returns home. Convinced that he is innocent, Mia wants to do everything she can to help her brother - she just needs to know why he ran...
Overall, I loved Follow Me Down! It was super twisty, and I was questioning everyone and everything! I had no idea who to trust and who was reliable. As the story progresses, we learn about how intertwined things can get in a small town.
I will say that it took me a little bit to get into the book, but once I got about a third of the way in, I couldn't put it down! I was dying to find out what happened and could not wait until the resolution. I loved how dedicated Mia was to her brother's case and that her support and belief in him never wavered.
Despite Mia's obvious issues and struggles, I really liked her as a narrator. She was constantly trying to figure this mystery and crime out, and let nothing stop her from doing so, even when it was apparent that she too was in danger. She felt like a strong independent character who relied on no one, and I enjoyed reading that.
There were so many twists and turns in the book, and I loved that! Each little detail that was revealed had me analyzing every character and the actions they took trying to figure out whether or not Lucas really was guilty, or if there was someone else to blame. When the resolution was revealed, I was totally blindsided! The ending was fast paced and kept me hooked until I finished the book.
Follow Me Down is a dark, twisty thriller that I'd recommend for all fans of the psychological thriller genre. It got 4/5 stars from me! Thank you to Netgalley, Sherri Smith, and Forge Books for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Follow Me Down is out TODAY (3/21/17) so be sure to pick up your copy now!
Overall, I loved Follow Me Down! It was super twisty, and I was questioning everyone and everything! I had no idea who to trust and who was reliable. As the story progresses, we learn about how intertwined things can get in a small town.
I will say that it took me a little bit to get into the book, but once I got about a third of the way in, I couldn't put it down! I was dying to find out what happened and could not wait until the resolution. I loved how dedicated Mia was to her brother's case and that her support and belief in him never wavered.
Despite Mia's obvious issues and struggles, I really liked her as a narrator. She was constantly trying to figure this mystery and crime out, and let nothing stop her from doing so, even when it was apparent that she too was in danger. She felt like a strong independent character who relied on no one, and I enjoyed reading that.
There were so many twists and turns in the book, and I loved that! Each little detail that was revealed had me analyzing every character and the actions they took trying to figure out whether or not Lucas really was guilty, or if there was someone else to blame. When the resolution was revealed, I was totally blindsided! The ending was fast paced and kept me hooked until I finished the book.
Follow Me Down is a dark, twisty thriller that I'd recommend for all fans of the psychological thriller genre. It got 4/5 stars from me! Thank you to Netgalley, Sherri Smith, and Forge Books for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Follow Me Down is out TODAY (3/21/17) so be sure to pick up your copy now!
January 2, 2020
3.5 Stars - Video Review: https://youtu.be/aEb_AMuPjKc
The premise of this story was very compelling, involving a troubled woman returning home to solve a mystery and uncover the secrets of her small town. The main character, Mia, is a strong-willed, tough female protagonist. She is a wonderfully flawed character, who reacts emotionally and then proceeds to make poor decisions. As a pharmacist, she takes advantage of her professional position to self medicate and feed her drug addiction. She is determined to prove her brother's innocence at any cost and sets out to conduct her own investigation. While trying to solve the murder mystery, Mia must also come to terms with her murky past. Growing up in an unstable home, with a difficult mother, she must face her childhood in order to uncover the buried secrets of the town.
As a mystery novel without a police perspective, this novel is fairly unique for the genre. The entire story is told from the perspective of a civilian without much access to the evidence and official records of the investigation. Instead, the main character is forced to get creative in order to obtain information and interview witnesses without any legal grounds or authority. This a great setup for a mystery novel, because it leaves the reader in the dark. Without a full picture of the investigation, readers are left questioning who to trust and who is guilty.
The writing is straight forward and readable. In terms of the pacing, the narrative is fairly slow with little action until the concluding chapters. Rather than a thriller, this is more of traditional mystery that slowly reveals the pieces of the puzzle over the course of the novel. This is not the kind of mystery that can be solved early on. Instead, the reader needs to simply enjoy the story and go along for the ride. The plot is actually quite complex with multiple subplots and a large cast of characters. The reader must be patient and follow the evidence. The author includes numerous red herrings which will keep the reader guessing, re-guessing and constantly changing loyalties. The ending is not obvious, but quite satisfying.
Given the subject matter, this book was fairly safe with very little triggering content. While there is some language and adult content, the story is not particularly gritty or disturbing. This is a good mystery to pick up for readers who enjoy mysteries without much sexual and graphic violence.
While not as dark as the mysteries I typically read, this was an entertaining story with a strong ending that I couldn't guess. I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy mysteries centered around small towns full of secrets.
I received this from Forge in exchange for an honest review. As always, my thoughts are my own.
The premise of this story was very compelling, involving a troubled woman returning home to solve a mystery and uncover the secrets of her small town. The main character, Mia, is a strong-willed, tough female protagonist. She is a wonderfully flawed character, who reacts emotionally and then proceeds to make poor decisions. As a pharmacist, she takes advantage of her professional position to self medicate and feed her drug addiction. She is determined to prove her brother's innocence at any cost and sets out to conduct her own investigation. While trying to solve the murder mystery, Mia must also come to terms with her murky past. Growing up in an unstable home, with a difficult mother, she must face her childhood in order to uncover the buried secrets of the town.
As a mystery novel without a police perspective, this novel is fairly unique for the genre. The entire story is told from the perspective of a civilian without much access to the evidence and official records of the investigation. Instead, the main character is forced to get creative in order to obtain information and interview witnesses without any legal grounds or authority. This a great setup for a mystery novel, because it leaves the reader in the dark. Without a full picture of the investigation, readers are left questioning who to trust and who is guilty.
The writing is straight forward and readable. In terms of the pacing, the narrative is fairly slow with little action until the concluding chapters. Rather than a thriller, this is more of traditional mystery that slowly reveals the pieces of the puzzle over the course of the novel. This is not the kind of mystery that can be solved early on. Instead, the reader needs to simply enjoy the story and go along for the ride. The plot is actually quite complex with multiple subplots and a large cast of characters. The reader must be patient and follow the evidence. The author includes numerous red herrings which will keep the reader guessing, re-guessing and constantly changing loyalties. The ending is not obvious, but quite satisfying.
Given the subject matter, this book was fairly safe with very little triggering content. While there is some language and adult content, the story is not particularly gritty or disturbing. This is a good mystery to pick up for readers who enjoy mysteries without much sexual and graphic violence.
While not as dark as the mysteries I typically read, this was an entertaining story with a strong ending that I couldn't guess. I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy mysteries centered around small towns full of secrets.
I received this from Forge in exchange for an honest review. As always, my thoughts are my own.
December 17, 2022
This is why I don’t read thrillers
March 16, 2017
Follow Me Down, the debut thriller by Sherri Smith, had been on my radar for a few months. When I found out that Chevy Stevens, my newest author obsession, gave a blurb on the front cover of this one, I knew I had to move it to the top of my TBR pile.
So I did. And I am thrilled to say that this was an excellent choice.
The novel opens with Mia, a struggling addict with a less than stellar childhood, receiving a call from the police. A teenage girl is dead. Her twin brother (Lucas) is missing. And he is the suspect at large. Mia, trusting in her brother’s innocence, rushes home (back to her small town life) to try to find him and clear his name while addressing her own past demons.
I found Mia, our central character and the novel’s narrator, to be an incredibly likeable character. She was strong willed and stuck to her guns. She was also very damaged and clearly held on to a lot of trauma from her childhood. I loved watching her tenacity throughout the plot. I don't have a twin, but I do have two brothers, so I felt connected to her as she fought for her sibling.
To be honest, I was finding around the midway point that this one was a little lacklustre for me, I was engaged in the story and I found that I read it easily but not much stood out for me…until the end. That’s when Sherri Smith flipped a switch and suddenly, the brilliance of her narrative came to life. That ending came out of left field for me! It was absolutely riveting. The last one hundred pages flew by and I turned the last page feeling breathless.
As I always do when I am reading a book, I did a little research on the author and I was incredibly impressed to find out that Smith had previously written two historical fiction novels and then she came out with this?? The ability to switch gears and write with such diversity, that is raw talent. AND she lives in Canada! Needless to say, hello new author obsession!!
If you want something that is easy to read, a little bit lighter but still packing a killer punch, I would definitely consider this one as your next choice! I’m calling this as something to bring to the beach and lazily enjoy.
Can’t wait to see what she will write next! Mark your calendars because this one releases next week (March 21, 2017).
So I did. And I am thrilled to say that this was an excellent choice.
The novel opens with Mia, a struggling addict with a less than stellar childhood, receiving a call from the police. A teenage girl is dead. Her twin brother (Lucas) is missing. And he is the suspect at large. Mia, trusting in her brother’s innocence, rushes home (back to her small town life) to try to find him and clear his name while addressing her own past demons.
I found Mia, our central character and the novel’s narrator, to be an incredibly likeable character. She was strong willed and stuck to her guns. She was also very damaged and clearly held on to a lot of trauma from her childhood. I loved watching her tenacity throughout the plot. I don't have a twin, but I do have two brothers, so I felt connected to her as she fought for her sibling.
To be honest, I was finding around the midway point that this one was a little lacklustre for me, I was engaged in the story and I found that I read it easily but not much stood out for me…until the end. That’s when Sherri Smith flipped a switch and suddenly, the brilliance of her narrative came to life. That ending came out of left field for me! It was absolutely riveting. The last one hundred pages flew by and I turned the last page feeling breathless.
As I always do when I am reading a book, I did a little research on the author and I was incredibly impressed to find out that Smith had previously written two historical fiction novels and then she came out with this?? The ability to switch gears and write with such diversity, that is raw talent. AND she lives in Canada! Needless to say, hello new author obsession!!
If you want something that is easy to read, a little bit lighter but still packing a killer punch, I would definitely consider this one as your next choice! I’m calling this as something to bring to the beach and lazily enjoy.
Can’t wait to see what she will write next! Mark your calendars because this one releases next week (March 21, 2017).
March 31, 2017
Review to come soon.
Quick thoughts:
Everyone is a suspect in this book. Everyone lies. Fibs. Stretches the truth.
Mia as the main character is not entirely likeable.. Nor is she entirely unlikeable. She's trying to find out the truth about her brother and what really happened with his student. But her constant pill popping blurs her take on things. She sees things and she's putting stuff together, but just not in right order. It's like she has all the pieces, but in her haze she can't see all the pieces.
When the truth is revealed... Wowza.
Quick thoughts:
Everyone is a suspect in this book. Everyone lies. Fibs. Stretches the truth.
Mia as the main character is not entirely likeable.. Nor is she entirely unlikeable. She's trying to find out the truth about her brother and what really happened with his student. But her constant pill popping blurs her take on things. She sees things and she's putting stuff together, but just not in right order. It's like she has all the pieces, but in her haze she can't see all the pieces.
When the truth is revealed... Wowza.
March 18, 2017
When Mia takes a call at her nighttime pharmacy job from the local police in her old home town enquiring if she knows where her twin brother Lucas is it sets a fantastically brilliant series of events into action.
The book centres around Mia who returns to her hometown to try and find her missing twin brother who is a "person of interest" in the murder of a popular teenage girl.
It is very rare that I have wanted to reach into a book and grab a charachter by the shoulders slap them across the face Hollywood style and tell them to get a grip....with Mia I absoloutly did! She muddles through in a pill popping fog uncovering clues and then uses the information stupidly.
I'm not going to lie. About a third of the way into the book I thought I had it all figured out...yep I sat there reading willing Mia to connect the dots and be as clever as me but man did I ever get led up the garden path. I was so far wrong that even as it unfolded in front of me I was kicking myself for not picking up on small little details dropped along the way.
This book is just fantastic it is so eloquently written and the characters really grab you. Pack the kids off for the day because once you start reading this no one is getting fed!!
The book centres around Mia who returns to her hometown to try and find her missing twin brother who is a "person of interest" in the murder of a popular teenage girl.
It is very rare that I have wanted to reach into a book and grab a charachter by the shoulders slap them across the face Hollywood style and tell them to get a grip....with Mia I absoloutly did! She muddles through in a pill popping fog uncovering clues and then uses the information stupidly.
I'm not going to lie. About a third of the way into the book I thought I had it all figured out...yep I sat there reading willing Mia to connect the dots and be as clever as me but man did I ever get led up the garden path. I was so far wrong that even as it unfolded in front of me I was kicking myself for not picking up on small little details dropped along the way.
This book is just fantastic it is so eloquently written and the characters really grab you. Pack the kids off for the day because once you start reading this no one is getting fed!!
March 12, 2017
Release Date: March 28, 2017
Genre: Murder Mystery
Follow Me Down is a well written and cleverly crafted murder mystery that kept me hooked to the pages from beginning to end. The dark atmosphere adds to the quality of the story and the unfolding of events are taught and thrilling. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and impressed with Sherri Smith's storytelling ability and based on this novel, I would gladly read more of her novels in the future.
This novel is about a dead teenage girl, a missing teacher who is being targeted for the crime, and the twin sister of said teacher who will stop at nothing to find out what really happened. Did her brother kill his student? Or is something much more sinister at play? Family secrets, and deadly consequences are the cornerstone of this edgy read and readers will continuously guess "who dun it" until the very end when everything comes together.
This is a sinister yet highly thrilling read and I honestly cannot recommend it enough to those who enjoy murder mysteries and psychological thrillers. One of the only downfalls that I found within this novel is that it's a bit long and drawn out in some parts. This is my own personal opinion though as I prefer a bit of a "lighter read". Other than this, its PERFECT.
Source: Many thanks to netgalley for furnishing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Murder Mystery
Follow Me Down is a well written and cleverly crafted murder mystery that kept me hooked to the pages from beginning to end. The dark atmosphere adds to the quality of the story and the unfolding of events are taught and thrilling. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and impressed with Sherri Smith's storytelling ability and based on this novel, I would gladly read more of her novels in the future.
This novel is about a dead teenage girl, a missing teacher who is being targeted for the crime, and the twin sister of said teacher who will stop at nothing to find out what really happened. Did her brother kill his student? Or is something much more sinister at play? Family secrets, and deadly consequences are the cornerstone of this edgy read and readers will continuously guess "who dun it" until the very end when everything comes together.
This is a sinister yet highly thrilling read and I honestly cannot recommend it enough to those who enjoy murder mysteries and psychological thrillers. One of the only downfalls that I found within this novel is that it's a bit long and drawn out in some parts. This is my own personal opinion though as I prefer a bit of a "lighter read". Other than this, its PERFECT.
Source: Many thanks to netgalley for furnishing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2017
Sherri Smith has written two historical novels, but her newest book, Follow Me Down, is a thriller.
Smith takes us to Wayouta, North Dakota. Mia and her twin brother Lucas could not wait to escape this small town, their drunken mother and the claustrophobic nature of everyone knowing you - and your business. Mia has made a life for herself in Chicago and works as a pharmacist. A pharmacist who tends to sample the product too much. Her brother went back though and works as a teacher at the local high school. Mia ends up back in Wayouta as well - but only after her brother is accused of killing the high school girl he was allegedly sleeping with. There's no way her brother could do such a thing....could he?
Smith has created one of those insular towns and filled it with people who happily jump on the bandwagon of popular theory. Lucas is guilty - they just need to find him. The police are sure that Mia knows where he is. Mia, for her part is just as determined to find him and prove his innocence. Wayouta is filled with a plethora of suspects, odd ducks, a dark underbelly and a questionable police department.
Mia is the narrator of the book, but she is distinctly unreliable."My face was splotchy; grass was in my hair. And I did look crazy. I did. For a full minute, I wondered if I was. If the pills had made my brain go runny and soft. That maybe I couldn't trust any of my own memories. That for me, reality was a multiple-choice questionnaire." Her tenacity and bullheadedness are appealing. And she has a wicked sense of humour. I quite liked her voice.
Relationships - especially those between a mother and child, play a large (and heartbreaking) part in the plotting. Sibling ties are also a focus of Follow Me Down.
I found Follow Me Down a bit slow to get started, but the story picked up speed after the initial characters were introduced and the time and place were set. Smith gives us lots of suspects and throws in some red herrings along the way. The final whodunit? Didn't see it coming! If I had to describe the feel of the book, I would say modern Gothic with a psychological twist.
Smith takes us to Wayouta, North Dakota. Mia and her twin brother Lucas could not wait to escape this small town, their drunken mother and the claustrophobic nature of everyone knowing you - and your business. Mia has made a life for herself in Chicago and works as a pharmacist. A pharmacist who tends to sample the product too much. Her brother went back though and works as a teacher at the local high school. Mia ends up back in Wayouta as well - but only after her brother is accused of killing the high school girl he was allegedly sleeping with. There's no way her brother could do such a thing....could he?
Smith has created one of those insular towns and filled it with people who happily jump on the bandwagon of popular theory. Lucas is guilty - they just need to find him. The police are sure that Mia knows where he is. Mia, for her part is just as determined to find him and prove his innocence. Wayouta is filled with a plethora of suspects, odd ducks, a dark underbelly and a questionable police department.
Mia is the narrator of the book, but she is distinctly unreliable."My face was splotchy; grass was in my hair. And I did look crazy. I did. For a full minute, I wondered if I was. If the pills had made my brain go runny and soft. That maybe I couldn't trust any of my own memories. That for me, reality was a multiple-choice questionnaire." Her tenacity and bullheadedness are appealing. And she has a wicked sense of humour. I quite liked her voice.
Relationships - especially those between a mother and child, play a large (and heartbreaking) part in the plotting. Sibling ties are also a focus of Follow Me Down.
I found Follow Me Down a bit slow to get started, but the story picked up speed after the initial characters were introduced and the time and place were set. Smith gives us lots of suspects and throws in some red herrings along the way. The final whodunit? Didn't see it coming! If I had to describe the feel of the book, I would say modern Gothic with a psychological twist.
September 23, 2016
The sins of the mother are imparted on the children… or so it seems, in this fast paced, well-written page turner! Mia nearly loses her life as she tries to find her missing twin brother, and prove his innocence in the murder of one of his teen-aged students, all the while living with her own demons and discovering long hidden truths from her past. The setting in a small town in N. Dakota where everyone knows everyone and secrets and scandals abound helps to set the tone for this exciting debut thriller.
March 29, 2017
When everyone doubts her and it seems like everyone agrees to one version of the truth, it’s a matter of will to stick to what she believes is true. In the wonderful debut, Follow Me Down, Sherri Smith brings to us a very compelling and suspenseful psychological thriller.
Mia Haas receives a very disturbing call at 6 am. The call is from Wayoata police chief. Her twin brother Lucas is nowhere to be found. Moreover, the body of Joanna, his high school student, has been discovered on the same day he had disappeared. Now Lucas is accused of killing Joanna and of having had a relation with his student.
Mia has already built a life in Chicago as a pharmacist. She had left Wayoata behind and started her life away from her mother Mimi. Mimi, the mother who had always been self-centered, is now resident in a care center after suffering a brain damage in an accident some years ago.
Mia and Lucas had always been close. Knowing Lucas more than she knows herself, Mia can’t accept any of the claims against him. Moreover, she’s worried something wrong might have happened to him. However, no one seems to listen to her. It’s like everyone is trying to frame Lucas. She takes it upon herself to dig the truth.
As Mia tries her best to think of what might had happened, scenario after scenario, she follows every lead. Not all her scenarios seem plausible. Yet each scenario she follows reveals something sinister. And some scenarios are dangerous.
Prepare for a wonderful ride on a plot packed with twists and turns and with unique characters. In this very powerful psychological thriller, everyone seems abnormal with a secret to hide. I also don’t know what’s wrong with those people. Everyone seems to be either alcoholic or on drugs, or even both.
To add to the amusement, Mia is hilariously funny. As she thinks of the possible scenarios, I can’t stop myself sometimes from laughing. She’s a very witty character with a spinning mind. A mind that can take her sometimes to unthinkable scenarios.
Follow Me Down was a very enjoyable read with a hilarious writing style. You can feel Sherri’s witty and lovely spirit behind the lines. I don’t know how she could come up with a psychological thriller that can be funny, engaging and witty all at the same time. She’s such a talented writer. With this book as her debut, I expect her next books to be even more thrilling!
**Special thanks to the NetGalley & Forge Books for supplying my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. **
For all my reviews please visit http://www.meshascorner.net
Mia Haas receives a very disturbing call at 6 am. The call is from Wayoata police chief. Her twin brother Lucas is nowhere to be found. Moreover, the body of Joanna, his high school student, has been discovered on the same day he had disappeared. Now Lucas is accused of killing Joanna and of having had a relation with his student.
Mia has already built a life in Chicago as a pharmacist. She had left Wayoata behind and started her life away from her mother Mimi. Mimi, the mother who had always been self-centered, is now resident in a care center after suffering a brain damage in an accident some years ago.
Mia and Lucas had always been close. Knowing Lucas more than she knows herself, Mia can’t accept any of the claims against him. Moreover, she’s worried something wrong might have happened to him. However, no one seems to listen to her. It’s like everyone is trying to frame Lucas. She takes it upon herself to dig the truth.
As Mia tries her best to think of what might had happened, scenario after scenario, she follows every lead. Not all her scenarios seem plausible. Yet each scenario she follows reveals something sinister. And some scenarios are dangerous.
Prepare for a wonderful ride on a plot packed with twists and turns and with unique characters. In this very powerful psychological thriller, everyone seems abnormal with a secret to hide. I also don’t know what’s wrong with those people. Everyone seems to be either alcoholic or on drugs, or even both.
To add to the amusement, Mia is hilariously funny. As she thinks of the possible scenarios, I can’t stop myself sometimes from laughing. She’s a very witty character with a spinning mind. A mind that can take her sometimes to unthinkable scenarios.
Follow Me Down was a very enjoyable read with a hilarious writing style. You can feel Sherri’s witty and lovely spirit behind the lines. I don’t know how she could come up with a psychological thriller that can be funny, engaging and witty all at the same time. She’s such a talented writer. With this book as her debut, I expect her next books to be even more thrilling!
**Special thanks to the NetGalley & Forge Books for supplying my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. **
For all my reviews please visit http://www.meshascorner.net
July 25, 2017
Follow me down to the river...
Book Title: Follow Me Down
Author: Sherri Smith
Series: Stand-Alone
Genre: Mystery
Setting: Wayoata, North Dakota
Source: Kindle eBook (Library)
SEE MY FULL REVIEW HERE AND SEE MY VIDEO FOR BOOK THEME SONG HERE
That ending had me like…
⇝My Thoughts⇜
Follow Me Down kept me guessing all the way to the end, I thought, for sure, I knew who it was, and then I flip-flopped…again and again. Right up to that ending. I believe, that's what makes for a good murder mystery. I know it does for me. I haven't been reading this genre for long, but it's one I plan to read more of in the future.
The writing is little distracting at times, but the mystery and atmosphere of Wayota, ND (made-up place, I believe) more than makes up for it. Although, my biggest issue is with the blatant OTC drug abuse going on with the MC and the blasé way it was addressed. That could have been dealt with differently or omitted completely.
⇝Ratings Breakdown⇜
Plot: 4.7/5
Main Characters: 4.2/5
Secondary Characters: 4.5/5
The Feels: 4.5/5
Addictiveness: 4.5/5
Theme or Tone: 4/5
Flow (Writing Style): 4/5
Backdrop (World Building): 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Book Cover: 4/5
Ending: 5/5 Cliffhanger: Nope.
Total: 4.3/5 STARS
Will I read more from this Author? I would!
Book Title: Follow Me Down
Author: Sherri Smith
Series: Stand-Alone
Genre: Mystery
Setting: Wayoata, North Dakota
Source: Kindle eBook (Library)
✧✧✧OVERALL RATING✧4.3/5 STARS✧A-✧✧✧
SEE MY FULL REVIEW HERE AND SEE MY VIDEO FOR BOOK THEME SONG HERE
That ending had me like…
⇝My Thoughts⇜
Follow Me Down kept me guessing all the way to the end, I thought, for sure, I knew who it was, and then I flip-flopped…again and again. Right up to that ending. I believe, that's what makes for a good murder mystery. I know it does for me. I haven't been reading this genre for long, but it's one I plan to read more of in the future.
The writing is little distracting at times, but the mystery and atmosphere of Wayota, ND (made-up place, I believe) more than makes up for it. Although, my biggest issue is with the blatant OTC drug abuse going on with the MC and the blasé way it was addressed. That could have been dealt with differently or omitted completely.
⇝Ratings Breakdown⇜
Plot: 4.7/5
Main Characters: 4.2/5
Secondary Characters: 4.5/5
The Feels: 4.5/5
Addictiveness: 4.5/5
Theme or Tone: 4/5
Flow (Writing Style): 4/5
Backdrop (World Building): 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Book Cover: 4/5
Ending: 5/5 Cliffhanger: Nope.
Total: 4.3/5 STARS
Will I read more from this Author? I would!
July 9, 2017
Follow Me Down is about a high school teacher, Lucas, who is suspected of having a relationship with one of his students and subsequently murdering her. When he disappears, his twin sister, Mia returns to her hometown to prove her brother’s innocence. Mia is hard to like at times, but I found her determination to locate her brother as well as her support for him to be endearing. Follow Me Down is a dark psychological thriller that contains quite a few twists and turns along the way and I think this would make a great summer read.
**Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and Sherri Smith for the opportunity to read Follow Me Down. It was my pleasure to write an honest review.**
**Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and Sherri Smith for the opportunity to read Follow Me Down. It was my pleasure to write an honest review.**
March 20, 2017
*** Actual rating 4.5 / 5 ***
Follow Me Down is an intoxicating circus of evidence vs instinct. We all have strong feelings about a loved one’s guilt or innocence, but how well do we really know them? Our gut tells us one thing, yet glaringly obvious circumstances suggest the person we thought we knew may be hiding more than we could ever know.
From the opening chapters I was sitting to attention straight away as there’s a colossal question mark dangling over the head of Mia’s twin brother, Lucas, who has not attended his interview with police concerning the death of one of his students. Well that was just a red rag to a bull. According to popular opinion (their ex-classmates, a blight of teenagers, random strangers) his actions are as good as confessing to the murder, which is why they asked Mia to return to her home town hoping she can shed some light on his whereabouts.
The town is instantly recognisable by its suffocating tittle-tattle and is not short of complications for the next generation to endure. It goes without saying that Mia’s arrival is met with a reception frostier than the Arctic Circle, after all she is intruding on their grief and her brother is the cause of it. While she can’t battle the entire self-elected jury or convince the police to take their blinkers off she can engage in a spot of truth-wrangling fuelled by a lot of nerve, mostly boosted by prescription medication she has acquired through dubious means during the course of her job as pharmacist.
What is it people say, “when you’re in a hole stop digging?” Between fighting her corner with the locals and letting her guard down when she really ought not to, disturbing and incriminating evidence tip toes behind her as a reminder that she could be wrong, about everything. Her less lucid or acutely buzzing moments may cloud her judgement, but this confirms just how much she relies on a random assortment of pills to resuscitate her, much like she needs air to breathe.
Elusive Lucas is conspicuous by his absence, a state that actually makes him the most intriguing character in the story! The doubt as to whether he’s a person of interest by default, or whether there is substance to the allegations, is a powerful driving force.
It takes sixteen days to unearth the ugly truth in a small town with big troubles. Mia’s blindingly realistic first person narration allowed me to vividly experience just how her predicament veered from raging hopelessness to an optimistic hallelujah in a flash – I didn’t know who or what to believe until the nerve-piercing finale of this strikingly phenomenal read.
(I received a copy of this title from the publisher with my thanks and it is my pleasure to provide an unbiased review.)
Follow Me Down is an intoxicating circus of evidence vs instinct. We all have strong feelings about a loved one’s guilt or innocence, but how well do we really know them? Our gut tells us one thing, yet glaringly obvious circumstances suggest the person we thought we knew may be hiding more than we could ever know.
From the opening chapters I was sitting to attention straight away as there’s a colossal question mark dangling over the head of Mia’s twin brother, Lucas, who has not attended his interview with police concerning the death of one of his students. Well that was just a red rag to a bull. According to popular opinion (their ex-classmates, a blight of teenagers, random strangers) his actions are as good as confessing to the murder, which is why they asked Mia to return to her home town hoping she can shed some light on his whereabouts.
The town is instantly recognisable by its suffocating tittle-tattle and is not short of complications for the next generation to endure. It goes without saying that Mia’s arrival is met with a reception frostier than the Arctic Circle, after all she is intruding on their grief and her brother is the cause of it. While she can’t battle the entire self-elected jury or convince the police to take their blinkers off she can engage in a spot of truth-wrangling fuelled by a lot of nerve, mostly boosted by prescription medication she has acquired through dubious means during the course of her job as pharmacist.
What is it people say, “when you’re in a hole stop digging?” Between fighting her corner with the locals and letting her guard down when she really ought not to, disturbing and incriminating evidence tip toes behind her as a reminder that she could be wrong, about everything. Her less lucid or acutely buzzing moments may cloud her judgement, but this confirms just how much she relies on a random assortment of pills to resuscitate her, much like she needs air to breathe.
Elusive Lucas is conspicuous by his absence, a state that actually makes him the most intriguing character in the story! The doubt as to whether he’s a person of interest by default, or whether there is substance to the allegations, is a powerful driving force.
It takes sixteen days to unearth the ugly truth in a small town with big troubles. Mia’s blindingly realistic first person narration allowed me to vividly experience just how her predicament veered from raging hopelessness to an optimistic hallelujah in a flash – I didn’t know who or what to believe until the nerve-piercing finale of this strikingly phenomenal read.
(I received a copy of this title from the publisher with my thanks and it is my pleasure to provide an unbiased review.)
April 4, 2024
Second time I read this Goodreads deleted my original review. However, luckily for me I have it saved elsewhere! As fab the second time as the first.
2018 review: This is great. I loved it. A new thriller author to watch out for.
We jump right into this story. From the beginning we are told that Lucas has disappeared and is wanted for murder. His twin sister, Mia, returns to her childhood town to help in the search to bring him back. She KNOWS he is innocent of what he’s been accused, but being a small town, with small minded people populating it, Lucas has been found guilty in the eyes of the community.
Mia has a drug problem. She has a white collar, middle class pill popping addiction, not a back alley heroin addiction – why we distinguish between the two I don’t know. Why is one more acceptable than the other? Again, I don’t know. But I found that although I wouldn’t want to be friends with Mia, I did feel empathy for what she was going through, and truly wanted her to succeed in her quest to exonerate and find her brother.
The twins' mother is in an assisted living facility following a car crash which left her brain damaged, and in a coma for some time. Mia feels guilt because of an argument that happened just before said accident, and also the fact that she only visits her mother once in a blue moon.
It’s fast paced, suspenseful. We follow Mia in her search for the truth, drifting back in to her past and meeting people she’d rather forget. There was a reason she left this place!
The scene is set well. I could feel the place I was meant to be in. The small town vibes from locals and those old school mentalities, came shining through the pages. There was suspense at every turn – each time Mia found a bit of that puzzle, I had to turn the page to know what happened with it and whether it fit into this crazy jigsaw we were trying to complete!
I was hooked, and it is the type of book you would read in one go, and I would have too, had I not had a pretty packed week. I snuck in a couple of pages at every opportunity because I wanted to know what was happening and if Mia had found anything else to help her brother.
It had a kind of claustrophobic feel at times. What should Mia do next, the dead end that led nowhere in particular and the sense of helplessness for your own family. She was trying so hard to help her brother, and yet he wasn’t helping her back, with his previous lifestyle – it was starting to look like he could be the baddie here. I loved Mia’s loyalty. Having a brother myself, we know what it is like to want to believe in them no matter what. We know the disappointment when we find something out that’s not so good. But love shines through, and that is what we see here.
The ending was great. I think it tied up all the loose ends nicely.
Well done Sherri, glad I invested in a such a thrilling read! :) Really one of my top reads this year!
2018 review: This is great. I loved it. A new thriller author to watch out for.
We jump right into this story. From the beginning we are told that Lucas has disappeared and is wanted for murder. His twin sister, Mia, returns to her childhood town to help in the search to bring him back. She KNOWS he is innocent of what he’s been accused, but being a small town, with small minded people populating it, Lucas has been found guilty in the eyes of the community.
Mia has a drug problem. She has a white collar, middle class pill popping addiction, not a back alley heroin addiction – why we distinguish between the two I don’t know. Why is one more acceptable than the other? Again, I don’t know. But I found that although I wouldn’t want to be friends with Mia, I did feel empathy for what she was going through, and truly wanted her to succeed in her quest to exonerate and find her brother.
The twins' mother is in an assisted living facility following a car crash which left her brain damaged, and in a coma for some time. Mia feels guilt because of an argument that happened just before said accident, and also the fact that she only visits her mother once in a blue moon.
It’s fast paced, suspenseful. We follow Mia in her search for the truth, drifting back in to her past and meeting people she’d rather forget. There was a reason she left this place!
The scene is set well. I could feel the place I was meant to be in. The small town vibes from locals and those old school mentalities, came shining through the pages. There was suspense at every turn – each time Mia found a bit of that puzzle, I had to turn the page to know what happened with it and whether it fit into this crazy jigsaw we were trying to complete!
I was hooked, and it is the type of book you would read in one go, and I would have too, had I not had a pretty packed week. I snuck in a couple of pages at every opportunity because I wanted to know what was happening and if Mia had found anything else to help her brother.
It had a kind of claustrophobic feel at times. What should Mia do next, the dead end that led nowhere in particular and the sense of helplessness for your own family. She was trying so hard to help her brother, and yet he wasn’t helping her back, with his previous lifestyle – it was starting to look like he could be the baddie here. I loved Mia’s loyalty. Having a brother myself, we know what it is like to want to believe in them no matter what. We know the disappointment when we find something out that’s not so good. But love shines through, and that is what we see here.
The ending was great. I think it tied up all the loose ends nicely.
Well done Sherri, glad I invested in a such a thrilling read! :) Really one of my top reads this year!
April 3, 2017
Follow Me Down has been getting a LOT of hype recently and I was thrilled to get my hands on a copy over the weekend. (sigh) For debut thriller it really is good/readable. Lucas Haas is a good looking teacher accused of having an affair with and murdering one of his students. He vanishes before the small town cops can prove his guilt but like any small town the court of public opinion already has him on death row.
Enter his twin sister, Mia, who comes home from Chicago to find her brother and clear his name.
My problems with the book were multiple beginning with the inplausibility of the ultimate killers. Really? I'm just not that stupid. I truly believe that American mystery/thriller writers are trying so hard to have a surprise twisty ending that they will do anything, regardless of how improbable, to get there.
In addition, I am fully aware there is a HUGE prescription drug problem in the US but if my pharmacist is doing the amount if drugs that this chick is doing then I want her locked up! Uppers, downers, hallucinogens - you name it, Mia had it. She needed serious help.The entire town did!
Bottom line, I'm in the minority. Everyone else "loves" this book but I'm heading back to foreign authors for a while. I need a shower and a break after this one.
Enter his twin sister, Mia, who comes home from Chicago to find her brother and clear his name.
My problems with the book were multiple beginning with the inplausibility of the ultimate killers. Really? I'm just not that stupid. I truly believe that American mystery/thriller writers are trying so hard to have a surprise twisty ending that they will do anything, regardless of how improbable, to get there.
In addition, I am fully aware there is a HUGE prescription drug problem in the US but if my pharmacist is doing the amount if drugs that this chick is doing then I want her locked up! Uppers, downers, hallucinogens - you name it, Mia had it. She needed serious help.The entire town did!
Bottom line, I'm in the minority. Everyone else "loves" this book but I'm heading back to foreign authors for a while. I need a shower and a break after this one.
March 25, 2017
Well, this went very bad. I had no empathy with Mia, in fact I hated her! I didn't like her choices, her behavior and her thoughts.
I also did not understand the choice of Smith to place so many people who did not have a well defined role in history. So many characters without any function. It has only confused the story and left many questions unanswered.
I also did not understand the choice of Smith to place so many people who did not have a well defined role in history. So many characters without any function. It has only confused the story and left many questions unanswered.
April 18, 2017
Review to come...
March 22, 2017
Mia's twin brother, Lucas, is missing and being accused of the murder of one of his students, Joanna, someone he is rumored to have been romantically involved with. Mia is forced to return home, a place she would like to keep permanently behind her. While fully believing in his innocence, she wonders why he would have fled. Putting together her own investigation to find the true killer, she sets off on a personal adventure that turns into her facing monsters of her own.
These characters are flawed. Each and every one of them. Mia is easy to not like (and we all know how much I like to hate characters sometimes), but she is fascinating. While dealing with her own history (horrid childhood and all kinds of abuse), we meet the characters around her. The cops that never really listened to her in the first place. Her own mother, Mimi (who is quite the character herself no less!), reporters and suspects amongst others in her small hometown. This is a place where your neighbors are likely to know your problems before you will. So who did kill the young girl? Was her brother really involved?
It read a little slow for me in certain areas, but at the same time it pulled me in and kept me turning the pages. And boy am I glad that I did. The author has you feeling comfortable and then side lines you with a corkscrew. There's not one big plot element that makes this book good. It's the whole build up of the world around the plot as well. Definitely would give this thriller a chance. Perfect for those nights you need a good story to lull you out of your world and into Mia's.
Big thank you to Tor/Forge books for this advanced copy in return for my honest review.
These characters are flawed. Each and every one of them. Mia is easy to not like (and we all know how much I like to hate characters sometimes), but she is fascinating. While dealing with her own history (horrid childhood and all kinds of abuse), we meet the characters around her. The cops that never really listened to her in the first place. Her own mother, Mimi (who is quite the character herself no less!), reporters and suspects amongst others in her small hometown. This is a place where your neighbors are likely to know your problems before you will. So who did kill the young girl? Was her brother really involved?
It read a little slow for me in certain areas, but at the same time it pulled me in and kept me turning the pages. And boy am I glad that I did. The author has you feeling comfortable and then side lines you with a corkscrew. There's not one big plot element that makes this book good. It's the whole build up of the world around the plot as well. Definitely would give this thriller a chance. Perfect for those nights you need a good story to lull you out of your world and into Mia's.
Big thank you to Tor/Forge books for this advanced copy in return for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews