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How Will I Know You?
A page-turner about the murder of a teenage girl, from the author of Lacy Eye.
On a cold December day in northern upstate New York, the body of high school senior Joy Enright is discovered in the woods at the edge of a pond. She had been presumed drowned, but an autopsy shows that she was, in fact, strangled. As the investigation unfolds, four characters tell the story from widely divergent perspectives: Susanne, Joy's mother and a professor at the local art college; Martin, a black graduate student suspected of the murder; Harper, Joy's best friend and a potential eyewitness; and Tom, a rescue diver and son-in-law of the town's police chief. As a web of small-town secrets comes to light, a dramatic conclusion reveals the truth about Joy's death.
On a cold December day in northern upstate New York, the body of high school senior Joy Enright is discovered in the woods at the edge of a pond. She had been presumed drowned, but an autopsy shows that she was, in fact, strangled. As the investigation unfolds, four characters tell the story from widely divergent perspectives: Susanne, Joy's mother and a professor at the local art college; Martin, a black graduate student suspected of the murder; Harper, Joy's best friend and a potential eyewitness; and Tom, a rescue diver and son-in-law of the town's police chief. As a web of small-town secrets comes to light, a dramatic conclusion reveals the truth about Joy's death.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 16, 2016
217 people are currently reading
4336 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Treadway
16 books230 followersJessica Treadway is the author of four novels and three story collections, with a fourth, I FELT MY LIFE WITH BOTH MY HANDS, coming out in Spring 2026 from Cornerstone Press. Her collection PLEASE COME BACK TO ME received the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction; her novels are AND GIVE YOU PEACE; LACY EYE; HOW WILL I KNOW YOU? and THE GRETCHEN QUESTION. She teaches in MFA program at Emerson College in Boston.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews
February 7, 2017
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
This is my first novel from Jessica Treadway. I've had "Lacy Eye" on my list for quite some time but for some reason I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. However, after enjoying this novel, I am excited to get my hands on her previous books as soon as possible.
When sixteen year old Joy Enright's body is found in the woods, it's not long before an arrest is made. Martin Willett is a black graduate student at the local art college and is accused of killing Joy. Susanne Enright, Joy's mother is a professor at the same school and Martin is her teaching assistant.
The book begins after Joy's body is found. We are introduced to Harper Grove. Harper was Joy's best friend and the police are there to ask her some questions about what happened the last time she was with Joy. She's nervous as she wants to please the police by saying the right thing...but she's also holding something back. The police are eager to close this case. Especially Police Chief Doug Armstrong.
Tom owns "The Shack" a store near the pond where the kids hangout. He's also a rescue diver and the son-in-law of the police chief, Doug Armstrong. Tom's wife, Alison was one of Joy's teachers. Alison is a bit of a daddy's girl which causes some strain in their relationship as Tom already feels like Doug doesn't respect him.
Next is the man accused of killing Joy. Martin Willett is sitting in jail having just been arrested. He seems to be in shock. We learn more about his life and some of his interactions with other characters in the book.
Who could have done such a horrible thing. Who killed Joy Enright? Was it Martin Willett? Or was is someone else? A stranger? Other strange things had been happening in town...could those things have anything to do with her murder?
At first I had a hard time getting a good grasp on what was happening or had happened. It was a bit confusing as it's broken into parts (before and after). It's also told from the four different points of view..... Suzanne Enright. Martin Willett, Harper Grove, and Tom Carbone.
It wasn't always clear whose point of view I was reading. It didn't take a long time to figure out but it slowed me down a bit at first. At the same time it was really interesting hearing the different perspectives.
Definitely a character driven novel, but I found them all interesting. I think the author did a great job developing each of the characters, their relationships, and how they related to each other. Whether it was mother and daughter, teenagers, husband and wife etc. I felt like I was in their heads as the investigation unfolded. What their motivations were for doing what they did. I felt for the most part that things rang true although there were a couple of times that I wondered how something could possibly have gone that way.
This was a great psychological suspense book that I read in just a few sittings. I will definitely be reading more from Jessica Treadway.
Thank you NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Jessica Treadway for providing an advanced readers copy of this book for me to read in exchange for my honest review.
This is my first novel from Jessica Treadway. I've had "Lacy Eye" on my list for quite some time but for some reason I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. However, after enjoying this novel, I am excited to get my hands on her previous books as soon as possible.
When sixteen year old Joy Enright's body is found in the woods, it's not long before an arrest is made. Martin Willett is a black graduate student at the local art college and is accused of killing Joy. Susanne Enright, Joy's mother is a professor at the same school and Martin is her teaching assistant.
The book begins after Joy's body is found. We are introduced to Harper Grove. Harper was Joy's best friend and the police are there to ask her some questions about what happened the last time she was with Joy. She's nervous as she wants to please the police by saying the right thing...but she's also holding something back. The police are eager to close this case. Especially Police Chief Doug Armstrong.
Tom owns "The Shack" a store near the pond where the kids hangout. He's also a rescue diver and the son-in-law of the police chief, Doug Armstrong. Tom's wife, Alison was one of Joy's teachers. Alison is a bit of a daddy's girl which causes some strain in their relationship as Tom already feels like Doug doesn't respect him.
Next is the man accused of killing Joy. Martin Willett is sitting in jail having just been arrested. He seems to be in shock. We learn more about his life and some of his interactions with other characters in the book.
Who could have done such a horrible thing. Who killed Joy Enright? Was it Martin Willett? Or was is someone else? A stranger? Other strange things had been happening in town...could those things have anything to do with her murder?
At first I had a hard time getting a good grasp on what was happening or had happened. It was a bit confusing as it's broken into parts (before and after). It's also told from the four different points of view..... Suzanne Enright. Martin Willett, Harper Grove, and Tom Carbone.
It wasn't always clear whose point of view I was reading. It didn't take a long time to figure out but it slowed me down a bit at first. At the same time it was really interesting hearing the different perspectives.
Definitely a character driven novel, but I found them all interesting. I think the author did a great job developing each of the characters, their relationships, and how they related to each other. Whether it was mother and daughter, teenagers, husband and wife etc. I felt like I was in their heads as the investigation unfolded. What their motivations were for doing what they did. I felt for the most part that things rang true although there were a couple of times that I wondered how something could possibly have gone that way.
This was a great psychological suspense book that I read in just a few sittings. I will definitely be reading more from Jessica Treadway.
Thank you NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Jessica Treadway for providing an advanced readers copy of this book for me to read in exchange for my honest review.
December 29, 2016
This was an interesting read for me. I found myself putting this one down and picking up other books, not because it was boring, but because it allowed me to do so. There were no cliffhanger chapters (for the most part), and it flowed at a nice steady pace. I was drawn in by the plot and was pleasantly surprised by the killer. I've seen a few reviews stating the reveal seemed a bit out of left field, but I appreciated that as I've grown tired of predictable endings in my mysteries.
One thing I've struggled with over the course of this book is the portrayal and plot progression in the line of racism and race in general. While I felt the attacking of Martin had some realistic qualities, the fact that any other person of color in the book was absent felt wrong. I'll be the first to agree that POC in America have been treated the very way that Martin was in this book, so my issues weren't with showing the ugliness and horrors of racism, but the fact that somehow putting one black person in a book "covered the bases" to make this "diverse". I'm growing weary of reading books that include the "token black person" and only to use them as a scape goat. Even his mother is white in the book. I didn't mean to turn this into a rant, as this was really overall a well written mystery, I just would have liked to see more diversity in the cast.
Aside from my issues listed above, I do applaud the author for attempting to shine a light on the ugliness of racism and bring up questions of what happens when group mentality takes over and all sense of reason has left us. This book will keep me thinking for a good while longer and I'm interested in other's thoughts on the issues raised.
Many thanks to Grand Central Pub for providing a finished copy!
One thing I've struggled with over the course of this book is the portrayal and plot progression in the line of racism and race in general. While I felt the attacking of Martin had some realistic qualities, the fact that any other person of color in the book was absent felt wrong. I'll be the first to agree that POC in America have been treated the very way that Martin was in this book, so my issues weren't with showing the ugliness and horrors of racism, but the fact that somehow putting one black person in a book "covered the bases" to make this "diverse". I'm growing weary of reading books that include the "token black person" and only to use them as a scape goat. Even his mother is white in the book. I didn't mean to turn this into a rant, as this was really overall a well written mystery, I just would have liked to see more diversity in the cast.
Aside from my issues listed above, I do applaud the author for attempting to shine a light on the ugliness of racism and bring up questions of what happens when group mentality takes over and all sense of reason has left us. This book will keep me thinking for a good while longer and I'm interested in other's thoughts on the issues raised.
Many thanks to Grand Central Pub for providing a finished copy!
December 2, 2016
"How Will I Know You?" is a study in deception and nuance. Do we really know our friends and family or do we present a facade to those around us? This suspenseful read addresses questions of trust and betrayal.
Joy Enright, a high school student and budding artist, has disappeared. She was last seen arguing with a friend at The Shack, a convenience store near Elbow Pond. Search parties and rescue and dive teams find a large square hole in the ice with Joy's scarf nearby. It is assumed that she drowned. Things are not what they seem. Joy's strangled body is found in the woods.
Harper Grove, Joy's best friend, had noticed changes in Joy. She dyed her hair black, chose new friends and spent most of her time in her room. When asked by the police, Harper reported seeing a black man wearing a black ski mask while sitting in his car near The Shack.
Suzanne Enright, Joy's mother was an art teacher. Martin Willett was Suzanne's teaching assistant. She felt exhilarated viewing Martin's brilliant art work. She invited Martin to a barbecue where Martin and Joy exchanged artistic thoughts and ideas.
Martin Willett's artistic dreams derailed when he was accused of strangling Joy. Witnesses placed him at The Shack at the time of the disappearance, the police found a black ski mask in his kitchen drawer, and Martin was one of the only black men in the area.
Interim police chief Doug Armstrong was the arresting officer. He had his own agenda. Doug was determined to get a conviction. Perhaps the town board would then appoint him permanent chief. Martin maintained his innocence alleging that Doug planted the ski mask while the upstairs of the house was being searched.
The story unfolded mainly through these four distinct voices. Small town practices and prejudices were exposed as well as teenage angst. Relationships were tested. Do the characters really know each other? Looking back, did they really know Joy?
"How Will I Know You?" by Jessica Treadway is a very well written character study as well as a mystery. Each character's reality is tested as they try to navigate their lives after Joy's death. An excellent read.
Thank you Grand Central Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "How Will I Know You?"
Joy Enright, a high school student and budding artist, has disappeared. She was last seen arguing with a friend at The Shack, a convenience store near Elbow Pond. Search parties and rescue and dive teams find a large square hole in the ice with Joy's scarf nearby. It is assumed that she drowned. Things are not what they seem. Joy's strangled body is found in the woods.
Harper Grove, Joy's best friend, had noticed changes in Joy. She dyed her hair black, chose new friends and spent most of her time in her room. When asked by the police, Harper reported seeing a black man wearing a black ski mask while sitting in his car near The Shack.
Suzanne Enright, Joy's mother was an art teacher. Martin Willett was Suzanne's teaching assistant. She felt exhilarated viewing Martin's brilliant art work. She invited Martin to a barbecue where Martin and Joy exchanged artistic thoughts and ideas.
Martin Willett's artistic dreams derailed when he was accused of strangling Joy. Witnesses placed him at The Shack at the time of the disappearance, the police found a black ski mask in his kitchen drawer, and Martin was one of the only black men in the area.
Interim police chief Doug Armstrong was the arresting officer. He had his own agenda. Doug was determined to get a conviction. Perhaps the town board would then appoint him permanent chief. Martin maintained his innocence alleging that Doug planted the ski mask while the upstairs of the house was being searched.
The story unfolded mainly through these four distinct voices. Small town practices and prejudices were exposed as well as teenage angst. Relationships were tested. Do the characters really know each other? Looking back, did they really know Joy?
"How Will I Know You?" by Jessica Treadway is a very well written character study as well as a mystery. Each character's reality is tested as they try to navigate their lives after Joy's death. An excellent read.
Thank you Grand Central Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "How Will I Know You?"
September 13, 2018
I want to say that I would have loved this book but I didn't it wasn't a page turner whatsoever & it was one that I could put down & come back to at a later date, I just found this boring for the first half of the book the second half was better & the killer a surprise as I look at the different ratings for this one would rate 3, there was no wow moments the plot kept going at the same pace which drives me absolutely insane.
The premise sounded interesting a girl killed by a black man in a town where white people don't tolerate black people very kindly Joy's best friend Harper is picked up for interrogation by the local police knew something more than she let on I didn't believe Harpers character at all for me the author played the race card to much it was for me a he said she said type of story. not sure if I will read more from this author was more a psychological than mystery. I know I am in the minority again but this was not for me.
The premise sounded interesting a girl killed by a black man in a town where white people don't tolerate black people very kindly Joy's best friend Harper is picked up for interrogation by the local police knew something more than she let on I didn't believe Harpers character at all for me the author played the race card to much it was for me a he said she said type of story. not sure if I will read more from this author was more a psychological than mystery. I know I am in the minority again but this was not for me.
February 1, 2017
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read "How Will I Know You?" in return for a fair and honest review.
Joy Enright, a high school senior has gone missing. After the search begins, they find her scarf and a hole in the ice on the lake where she was last seen. The dive team is called in to search the lake but to no avail. Joy is finally found strangled to death not to far from the lake in the woods. WHO killed Joy and Why?
The story is being told from four different character viewpoints.
Suzanne Enright, Joy's mother and art teacher at a local college.
Harper Grove, Joy's very best friend up until Joy started acting strange and hanging out with some not so nice girls.
Tom, the rescue diver who feels guilty about his rescue efforts related to Joy.
Martin Willett, the "black" art assistant to Suzanne Enright who is accused of Joy's murder.
To be honest, the four character narratives seemed to be a bit to much. I found it difficult to keep each character and their personality traits in order as I read. My mind was racing to remember all the intricate details of each character as the story progressed.
The one character that truly stood out for me was Doug Armstrong, the acting police chief. He had me so angry, I think my blood was boiling. His only objective was to close this case and what better person to blame than the "black man". Proper police procedures were not followed, evidence may have been planted, witnesses tampered with... WHY? All because he wanted this case closed, than he would definitely get the police chief position that he believes he deserves.
The story moves along at a steady pace, however there were very few cliffhangers. If I had to stop reading, it was very rare that I felt compelled to get back to reading it. I truly was hoping that the ending would bring this story full circle and make it a "WOW" finale, however sorry to say it was just an ending. Mystery solved.
Joy Enright, a high school senior has gone missing. After the search begins, they find her scarf and a hole in the ice on the lake where she was last seen. The dive team is called in to search the lake but to no avail. Joy is finally found strangled to death not to far from the lake in the woods. WHO killed Joy and Why?
The story is being told from four different character viewpoints.
Suzanne Enright, Joy's mother and art teacher at a local college.
Harper Grove, Joy's very best friend up until Joy started acting strange and hanging out with some not so nice girls.
Tom, the rescue diver who feels guilty about his rescue efforts related to Joy.
Martin Willett, the "black" art assistant to Suzanne Enright who is accused of Joy's murder.
To be honest, the four character narratives seemed to be a bit to much. I found it difficult to keep each character and their personality traits in order as I read. My mind was racing to remember all the intricate details of each character as the story progressed.
The one character that truly stood out for me was Doug Armstrong, the acting police chief. He had me so angry, I think my blood was boiling. His only objective was to close this case and what better person to blame than the "black man". Proper police procedures were not followed, evidence may have been planted, witnesses tampered with... WHY? All because he wanted this case closed, than he would definitely get the police chief position that he believes he deserves.
The story moves along at a steady pace, however there were very few cliffhangers. If I had to stop reading, it was very rare that I felt compelled to get back to reading it. I truly was hoping that the ending would bring this story full circle and make it a "WOW" finale, however sorry to say it was just an ending. Mystery solved.
March 16, 2020
Confession time! I could not finish Lacy Eye by Jessica Treadway. I read half the book, and I could not for the life of me to enjoy the story. So, I was a bit worried about how this book would turn out. But, I was instantly drawn into this sad and tense story about a young girl that turns up murdered and the impact it has on the community, from her family to her friends not to mention the man accused of killing her.
What I like about the story is that it moves between the time before and after the murder. Both storylines are intriguing as we get to follow the investigation of the murder at the same time we slowly get a picture of what is going on with and around Joy Enright before she is murdered. I came to like Joy, especially when I found out her big secret, why she was acting so differently before she was killed. The book is well written and heartbreakingly sad.
I think this book's strength is that it keeps surprising the reader and that the characters are so well developed with flaws and all. Everything that happens has consequences and that is something that this story shows.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
What I like about the story is that it moves between the time before and after the murder. Both storylines are intriguing as we get to follow the investigation of the murder at the same time we slowly get a picture of what is going on with and around Joy Enright before she is murdered. I came to like Joy, especially when I found out her big secret, why she was acting so differently before she was killed. The book is well written and heartbreakingly sad.
I think this book's strength is that it keeps surprising the reader and that the characters are so well developed with flaws and all. Everything that happens has consequences and that is something that this story shows.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
December 7, 2016
The body of high school senior is found in the woods at the edge of a pond after she had gone missing leading everyone to believe that Joy had drowned. After further investigation though it's found that Joy had actually been strangled so the search begins for a killer in northern upstate New York.
Interviewing witnesses and conducting an investigation leads police to Martin, a black graduate student who is immediately placed under arrest but did Martin really have motive to kill Joy or is he being targeted due to the color of his skin?
How Will I Know You? is told from changing POVs throughout the book between Susanne, Joy's mother and a professor at the local college, Martin the black graduate student who is the number one suspect, Harper who had been Joy's best friend for years but the friendship had been on the rocks but who had been with Joy at the pond and is a potential eye witness and Tom, a rescue diver and son in law of the town's police chief. The story also is told from alternating timelines giving the before the murder and the after during the investigation.
For me this story just focused a bit too much on race all throughout the investigation. Perhaps I'm a dreamer but I really wish race wasn't an issue in the world although I know it still can be but I felt like we will never get there if even fiction revolves around the color of someone's skin so I never felt comfortable with the story the way I normally would. This also made it fairly obvious that the killer wouldn't be the one being pointed at in the start and the twists and turns just didn't drag me in and get me involved the way some other thrillers seem to do.
Unfortunately, this one just wasn't a favorite of mine. In the end I decided on 2.5 stars for How Will I Know You? Just not my cup of tea but some do seem to really enjoy this one so it would be one I'd urge to decide for yourself as the writing was good enough I just wasn't a fan of the story.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Interviewing witnesses and conducting an investigation leads police to Martin, a black graduate student who is immediately placed under arrest but did Martin really have motive to kill Joy or is he being targeted due to the color of his skin?
How Will I Know You? is told from changing POVs throughout the book between Susanne, Joy's mother and a professor at the local college, Martin the black graduate student who is the number one suspect, Harper who had been Joy's best friend for years but the friendship had been on the rocks but who had been with Joy at the pond and is a potential eye witness and Tom, a rescue diver and son in law of the town's police chief. The story also is told from alternating timelines giving the before the murder and the after during the investigation.
For me this story just focused a bit too much on race all throughout the investigation. Perhaps I'm a dreamer but I really wish race wasn't an issue in the world although I know it still can be but I felt like we will never get there if even fiction revolves around the color of someone's skin so I never felt comfortable with the story the way I normally would. This also made it fairly obvious that the killer wouldn't be the one being pointed at in the start and the twists and turns just didn't drag me in and get me involved the way some other thrillers seem to do.
Unfortunately, this one just wasn't a favorite of mine. In the end I decided on 2.5 stars for How Will I Know You? Just not my cup of tea but some do seem to really enjoy this one so it would be one I'd urge to decide for yourself as the writing was good enough I just wasn't a fan of the story.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
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February 16, 2017No rating. I only got to page 95. It was enough to know that I can't stand ANY of these characters. Not a one. They are all so insipid, selfish, and just plain weird. So much so that I have no embedded interest in who killed Joy or why. The writing is within varying narrators and seems, to me, like a teen arguing with herself/himself over a void of what they want, like, enjoy- you name it.
I really liked Lacy Eye as it created a mood. This one doesn't have a single character that is fully formed or of concentrated self-identity in a realistic sense of how humans are/exist, IMHO.
This following is a spoiler. When someone sleeps with both the mother and the daughter, is that incest? LOL! And does such a Mother dither within the dead daughter's room within 2 days of losing her to murder, in order to find something "appropriate" for her casket? HUH!
I really liked Lacy Eye as it created a mood. This one doesn't have a single character that is fully formed or of concentrated self-identity in a realistic sense of how humans are/exist, IMHO.
This following is a spoiler. When someone sleeps with both the mother and the daughter, is that incest? LOL! And does such a Mother dither within the dead daughter's room within 2 days of losing her to murder, in order to find something "appropriate" for her casket? HUH!
October 26, 2016
Really enjoyed this tense and cleverly twisted psychological thriller - the multiple viewpoint works extraordinarily well in this story, with a range of people affected by the death of Joy Enright giving us the hints and clues that will ultimately reveal the truth about what happened.
Small town secrets abound- Jessica Treadway makes the connections and shows the things that bubble under the surface of seemingly normal lives. It is strangely emotional, utterly compelling and often surprising, a quiet slow burner of a tale that grips utterly.
It is true that this type of novel is popular still and will likely continue to be popular - with How Will I Know You the author shows why that is. Other peoples lives, the darkness within, all that human nature stuff is entirely fascinating and as readers we can't get enough.
Excellent stuff. Recommended.
Small town secrets abound- Jessica Treadway makes the connections and shows the things that bubble under the surface of seemingly normal lives. It is strangely emotional, utterly compelling and often surprising, a quiet slow burner of a tale that grips utterly.
It is true that this type of novel is popular still and will likely continue to be popular - with How Will I Know You the author shows why that is. Other peoples lives, the darkness within, all that human nature stuff is entirely fascinating and as readers we can't get enough.
Excellent stuff. Recommended.
January 17, 2019
Some good nuggets about race, but overall a jumble of too many perspectives and WAY too many characters. The author’s attention to detail is disorienting; wondered if this was intentional, to throw me off the track, or just overkill.
March 1, 2021
One star, rounded up.
Compelling premise, poor execution.
My reasons for selecting this book were twofold: 1) I loved Jessica Treadway's "Lacy Eye" and was excited to listen to another book by this talented author and 2) I was intrigued by the book's "Did an African American graduate student REALLY kill a high school honor student in the woods?" plotline.
This book was a disappointment, from beginning to end. Overall, the book was tedious, dragged, and featured waaaaay too many characters required to convey the book's "nuts and bolts".
The author's attention to detail focused on needless information that zapped excitement from the pages and failed to bolster the likeability/believability of any of the characters.
The story unfolds from the POVs of different characters and alternating timelines. Since there were so many characters/timelines it frequently became difficult and disconcerting to keep things straight. Many times, the book seemed too disjointed and I had to push myself to continue listening.
Also, it's important to note that this book was published in 2016. However, the way the African American suspect was treated by both the police and the community was something out of the 1960s
SPOILER ALERT: The murderer was FINALLY revealed in the last 5 minutes of the book and guess what? The murderer was a character that the author casually mentioned and spent 5 minutes talking about. Yes, I was surprised that the murderer was not one of the many, many, many characters that the author dedicated sooooo many pages describing. (HUH?)
I listened to this book's audio version and the book's narrators were excellent. Even superb narrators could not save this book.
Compelling premise, poor execution.
My reasons for selecting this book were twofold: 1) I loved Jessica Treadway's "Lacy Eye" and was excited to listen to another book by this talented author and 2) I was intrigued by the book's "Did an African American graduate student REALLY kill a high school honor student in the woods?" plotline.
This book was a disappointment, from beginning to end. Overall, the book was tedious, dragged, and featured waaaaay too many characters required to convey the book's "nuts and bolts".
The author's attention to detail focused on needless information that zapped excitement from the pages and failed to bolster the likeability/believability of any of the characters.
The story unfolds from the POVs of different characters and alternating timelines. Since there were so many characters/timelines it frequently became difficult and disconcerting to keep things straight. Many times, the book seemed too disjointed and I had to push myself to continue listening.
Also, it's important to note that this book was published in 2016. However, the way the African American suspect was treated by both the police and the community was something out of the 1960s
SPOILER ALERT: The murderer was FINALLY revealed in the last 5 minutes of the book and guess what? The murderer was a character that the author casually mentioned and spent 5 minutes talking about. Yes, I was surprised that the murderer was not one of the many, many, many characters that the author dedicated sooooo many pages describing. (HUH?)
I listened to this book's audio version and the book's narrators were excellent. Even superb narrators could not save this book.
February 10, 2017
How Will I Know You?
By
Jessica Treadway
What it's all about...
This book is one of those really complicated books...every detail is crucial to truly understanding what is happening here. There are lies and affairs and mean and awful things that many of the characters in this story do. Drugs and alcohol also play a big part in this book. The story is told really from four different characters...all involved in the murder of a young teenage girl...Joy.
Why I wanted to read it...
I was fascinated by the four characters who really tell this story. Susanne...Joy's mother...Martin...a black student having an affair with Joy's mother...Harper...Joy's best friend for a while...and...Tom...who has a complicated relationship with his wife and her father...the police chief.
What made me truly enjoy this book...
I think I liked this book because it was so intense. There was always something surprising from each of the four characters telling the story.
Why you should read it, too...
Readers who love intense and complex books that sort of have unique endings and really make you think about the characters and their actions...should enjoy this one.
By
Jessica Treadway
What it's all about...
This book is one of those really complicated books...every detail is crucial to truly understanding what is happening here. There are lies and affairs and mean and awful things that many of the characters in this story do. Drugs and alcohol also play a big part in this book. The story is told really from four different characters...all involved in the murder of a young teenage girl...Joy.
Why I wanted to read it...
I was fascinated by the four characters who really tell this story. Susanne...Joy's mother...Martin...a black student having an affair with Joy's mother...Harper...Joy's best friend for a while...and...Tom...who has a complicated relationship with his wife and her father...the police chief.
What made me truly enjoy this book...
I think I liked this book because it was so intense. There was always something surprising from each of the four characters telling the story.
Why you should read it, too...
Readers who love intense and complex books that sort of have unique endings and really make you think about the characters and their actions...should enjoy this one.
June 24, 2019
“When people get themselves into a hole,
other people like to watch them try to get out.”
Susanne Enright – age 42, is an accomplished sculptor turned college art instructor. Susanne’s husband, Gil has squandered their nest-egg in an ill-advised investment. Now his business is floundering. As a way of paying him back for his betrayal of her, she has an affair with one of her graduate students.
Martin Willett – a twenty-four year old, black, mixed-race art student and accomplished artist. He was one of very few people of colour living in this predominantly white upstate New York town. Greatly attracted to his instructor, Susanne Enright, he is more than receptive to her advances. They have an affair.
When Susanne’s daughter is murdered, Martin is pointed out by a witness and is framed by the power-hungry, racist, police-chief.
Harper Grove – is Joy Enright’s best friend, or she was… Friends since they were in pre-school, Joy now seems distant and has a new clique of friends. Unsavory friends. Harper is the youngest child of a dysfunctional family. She has a penchant for baking.
When Joy is murdered, Harper is interviewed by the police and finds herself lying in her witness statement for reasons that make sense only to her.
Tom Carbone – is married to Alison, who just happens to be the daughter of the interim police-chief. He runs a convenience store once owned by his late father. Also, he works as an ‘on-call’ rescue diver. After Alison has several miscarriages, Tom knows that his marriage is crumbling…. The fact that Alison is a closet alcoholic and a real ‘Daddy’s girl’ doesn’t bode well for Tom’s future.
The Victim, Joy Enright – the teenage daughter of Susanne and Gil. Bright and extremely artistically talented, Joy dreams of one day attending a prestigious (and expensive) art school. When her father loses his savings, she realizes that those dreams will come to naught. Also, she learns that her mother, with whom she was once very close, is having an affair with a black graduate student.
Who killed Joy Enright?
MY THOUGHTS
A few years ago I read this author’s “Lacy Eye” which I thoroughly enjoyed. For this reason I was confident I would like this book – and I wasn’t disappointed.
I really like Jessica Treadway’s writing style. She writes at a steady pace with fully fleshed-out characters that makes the reader invested in their plight and interested in how events will pan out. She seems to have an innate understanding of human nature, encompassing strengths and weaknesses, talents and character flaws, vices and self doubts, decisions and consequences.
With themes of parenting, substance abuse, justice, racism, blackmail, guilt, and loss, this novel will be favored by many readers. It eloquently asks the age old question “Can you really ever know another person?” Also, it explores the many secrets inherent in most small towns – as they serve as a microcosm of society as a whole. It explores the idea that one event can be interpreted many different ways according to the viewers perspective.
If you haven’t yet tried this author, then I would highly recommend you do so. This was a book that will probably make my ‘Best Reads of 2019’ list. An entertaining and thought-provoking character-study with a poignant conclusion.
I received a complimentary digital copy of “How Will I Know You” from Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in consideration of my providing a candid review.
other people like to watch them try to get out.”
Susanne Enright – age 42, is an accomplished sculptor turned college art instructor. Susanne’s husband, Gil has squandered their nest-egg in an ill-advised investment. Now his business is floundering. As a way of paying him back for his betrayal of her, she has an affair with one of her graduate students.
Martin Willett – a twenty-four year old, black, mixed-race art student and accomplished artist. He was one of very few people of colour living in this predominantly white upstate New York town. Greatly attracted to his instructor, Susanne Enright, he is more than receptive to her advances. They have an affair.
When Susanne’s daughter is murdered, Martin is pointed out by a witness and is framed by the power-hungry, racist, police-chief.
Harper Grove – is Joy Enright’s best friend, or she was… Friends since they were in pre-school, Joy now seems distant and has a new clique of friends. Unsavory friends. Harper is the youngest child of a dysfunctional family. She has a penchant for baking.
When Joy is murdered, Harper is interviewed by the police and finds herself lying in her witness statement for reasons that make sense only to her.
Tom Carbone – is married to Alison, who just happens to be the daughter of the interim police-chief. He runs a convenience store once owned by his late father. Also, he works as an ‘on-call’ rescue diver. After Alison has several miscarriages, Tom knows that his marriage is crumbling…. The fact that Alison is a closet alcoholic and a real ‘Daddy’s girl’ doesn’t bode well for Tom’s future.
The Victim, Joy Enright – the teenage daughter of Susanne and Gil. Bright and extremely artistically talented, Joy dreams of one day attending a prestigious (and expensive) art school. When her father loses his savings, she realizes that those dreams will come to naught. Also, she learns that her mother, with whom she was once very close, is having an affair with a black graduate student.
Who killed Joy Enright?
MY THOUGHTS
A few years ago I read this author’s “Lacy Eye” which I thoroughly enjoyed. For this reason I was confident I would like this book – and I wasn’t disappointed.
I really like Jessica Treadway’s writing style. She writes at a steady pace with fully fleshed-out characters that makes the reader invested in their plight and interested in how events will pan out. She seems to have an innate understanding of human nature, encompassing strengths and weaknesses, talents and character flaws, vices and self doubts, decisions and consequences.
With themes of parenting, substance abuse, justice, racism, blackmail, guilt, and loss, this novel will be favored by many readers. It eloquently asks the age old question “Can you really ever know another person?” Also, it explores the many secrets inherent in most small towns – as they serve as a microcosm of society as a whole. It explores the idea that one event can be interpreted many different ways according to the viewers perspective.
If you haven’t yet tried this author, then I would highly recommend you do so. This was a book that will probably make my ‘Best Reads of 2019’ list. An entertaining and thought-provoking character-study with a poignant conclusion.
I received a complimentary digital copy of “How Will I Know You” from Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in consideration of my providing a candid review.
December 7, 2016
From the author of Lacy Eye Jessica Treadway delivers her latest: HOW WILL I KNOW YOU, a haunting look at a family torn apart by dark secrets.
Joy, the budding artist. The girl everyone assumed drowned on Friday, the 13th of the previous month had in fact been murdered. The victim of a homicide: autopsy results showed she had actually, died of strangulation, after which the killer dumped her body in the woods.
What could have happened? Was someone following her, stalking, watching?
An intense mystery, we hear from four different characters with contrasting views, weaving back and forth in time.
• Susanne Enright: Joy's mother and a professor at the local art college
• Martin Willett: Black graduate student suspected of the murder- Suzanne's teaching assistant.
• Harper Grove: Joy's best friend and a potential eyewitness
• Tom: a rescue diver and son-in-law of the town's police chief
Instead of hidden under the surface, she had been right in plain sight the whole time, or what should have been plain sight. Sometimes what people were looking for was right in front of them, and they missing it because they were paying attention to something else.
Interim police chief Doug Armstrong was the arresting officer, determined to get a conviction with racial injustice. He had his own agenda.
Blackmail, drugs, secrets, guilt, betrayal, deception, fear, and lies. Love and loss.
Dark small town secrets which threaten to destroy. Was Susanne ultimately responsible for her daughter’s death, even though she may not have been the one to strangle her? What about her father Gil’s financial failures? How does each person’s action play a part in this unraveling? What goes on behind closed doors?
Compelling! Jessica Treadway delivers a rich character driven psychological suspense, with a literary twist. A slow burning intense mystery, keeping your turning the pages of this complex domestic saga, while slowly unraveling everyone’s dirty secrets. The author cleverly conceals the murderer's identity and the motive, until the novel’s explosive conclusion.
I enjoyed After-The Last with the “Souls on Board” Art Exhibit which parallels to the characters in the novel. Separate experiences of the same story. Revealing crucial details not originally noticed, as with the characters. Each contains critical pieces of information.
“We’re all souls on board this flight. Nothing is too small to matter, and even when we think we have the whole picture, there is still more to see.”
A special thank you to Grand Central and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
Joy, the budding artist. The girl everyone assumed drowned on Friday, the 13th of the previous month had in fact been murdered. The victim of a homicide: autopsy results showed she had actually, died of strangulation, after which the killer dumped her body in the woods.
What could have happened? Was someone following her, stalking, watching?
An intense mystery, we hear from four different characters with contrasting views, weaving back and forth in time.
• Susanne Enright: Joy's mother and a professor at the local art college
• Martin Willett: Black graduate student suspected of the murder- Suzanne's teaching assistant.
• Harper Grove: Joy's best friend and a potential eyewitness
• Tom: a rescue diver and son-in-law of the town's police chief
Instead of hidden under the surface, she had been right in plain sight the whole time, or what should have been plain sight. Sometimes what people were looking for was right in front of them, and they missing it because they were paying attention to something else.
Interim police chief Doug Armstrong was the arresting officer, determined to get a conviction with racial injustice. He had his own agenda.
Blackmail, drugs, secrets, guilt, betrayal, deception, fear, and lies. Love and loss.
Dark small town secrets which threaten to destroy. Was Susanne ultimately responsible for her daughter’s death, even though she may not have been the one to strangle her? What about her father Gil’s financial failures? How does each person’s action play a part in this unraveling? What goes on behind closed doors?
Compelling! Jessica Treadway delivers a rich character driven psychological suspense, with a literary twist. A slow burning intense mystery, keeping your turning the pages of this complex domestic saga, while slowly unraveling everyone’s dirty secrets. The author cleverly conceals the murderer's identity and the motive, until the novel’s explosive conclusion.
I enjoyed After-The Last with the “Souls on Board” Art Exhibit which parallels to the characters in the novel. Separate experiences of the same story. Revealing crucial details not originally noticed, as with the characters. Each contains critical pieces of information.
“We’re all souls on board this flight. Nothing is too small to matter, and even when we think we have the whole picture, there is still more to see.”
A special thank you to Grand Central and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
November 2, 2016
This was a great story, thoughtfully told. It was about the murder of a teenage girl and the aftermath of the crime—but this was much more than just a crime story. It was also a deep psychological exploration of interesting characters; a portrait of a small town where people know much about each other's business, for better or worse; a description of the difficulties of overcoming racial differences, even when people want to; a picture of the complicated, often agitated lives of teens; and a fast-paced mystery. Major characters—a teenage girl, a black graduate student, a middle-aged art teacher, and a cop—narrate the story from different vantage points. Each of these characters is in a "hole" of sorts, and has to find a way out. It was truly absorbing to see how each of them did it. This book was really good at depicting people's often messy lives—and how they just keep trying to figure things out, as best they can.
January 31, 2017
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this book. This is a story about a teenage girl who has gone missing and has been found murdered. A suspect is in custody but nothing is what it seems. This story is told from multiple viewpoints by different people in the community and is labeled before, during, and after the murder. I really enjoyed this multilayered story and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
December 27, 2016
Review via http://audiothing.blogspot.com.au/
The victim is Joy Enright, a young girl who goes missing, they all believed that she had drowned by accident, that is until her strangled body is discovered in nearby woods.
Four characters are each telling the story from their own viewpoint.
Suzanne, her mother, who seems determined to blame herself because she has been up to no good.
Harper, once Joys closest friend, spends her time wondering how and why their relationship went so wrong.
Tom, the rescue diver who had a strange experience when looking for Joys body in the pond.
Martin, the “black guy,” art student arrested for the murder of Joy.
Doug Armstrong is the stand-in chief of police, and he is determined to get a quick arrest and conviction Not bothering with a by the book investigation, he quite simply, arrests the “black guy” as Martin is referred to. He achieves the arrest by leading the witness and, possibly, by planting evidence.
To be honest, I couldn’t get past the racist attitude of the police. The author presented them as stereotypical racist haters, they called him names, jeered at him at every chance and showed him no respect whatsoever. Does this really happen? Fixing someone up for murder merely because he is black? I wouldn’t have thought so, not in these times.
Much of the story consists of the psychological meanderings of these four giving me the feeling that I was reading more a study in psychology than a murder mystery. I tended to lose interest in these people.
I am sorry to say that I also found the ending a little disappointing, after ploughing through the rest of the book I was rather hoping that a really good denouement would justify the time spent reading.
Review copy provided by Hachette Australia
The victim is Joy Enright, a young girl who goes missing, they all believed that she had drowned by accident, that is until her strangled body is discovered in nearby woods.
Four characters are each telling the story from their own viewpoint.
Suzanne, her mother, who seems determined to blame herself because she has been up to no good.
Harper, once Joys closest friend, spends her time wondering how and why their relationship went so wrong.
Tom, the rescue diver who had a strange experience when looking for Joys body in the pond.
Martin, the “black guy,” art student arrested for the murder of Joy.
Doug Armstrong is the stand-in chief of police, and he is determined to get a quick arrest and conviction Not bothering with a by the book investigation, he quite simply, arrests the “black guy” as Martin is referred to. He achieves the arrest by leading the witness and, possibly, by planting evidence.
To be honest, I couldn’t get past the racist attitude of the police. The author presented them as stereotypical racist haters, they called him names, jeered at him at every chance and showed him no respect whatsoever. Does this really happen? Fixing someone up for murder merely because he is black? I wouldn’t have thought so, not in these times.
Much of the story consists of the psychological meanderings of these four giving me the feeling that I was reading more a study in psychology than a murder mystery. I tended to lose interest in these people.
I am sorry to say that I also found the ending a little disappointing, after ploughing through the rest of the book I was rather hoping that a really good denouement would justify the time spent reading.
Review copy provided by Hachette Australia
March 2, 2017
This was one of those novels that I could put down and walk away from but the story stayed with me until I picked it back up again. There were no cliffhangers, no urgent need to go to the next chapter yet I was draw to found out what really happened to Joy the day at the pond and who was responsible for her murder. The minute someone played the race card and arrested Martin, I had this doubt in my mind that he was the one responsible. I couldn’t find any reason why this man would want to harm Joy and how were they connected? Then all the stories began surfacing, the Now stories and the Before stories, different individuals telling me their versions of their story now and in past. It was my turn to begin piecing it all together, in my own time and in my own way.
When Joy goes missing, her small community comes together to search for her. When her body is found, the community comes together to search for the killer. When the police make an arrest, the stories that spread throughout the community are divided. Did the police arrest the correct individual? What secrets are hiding behind the doors in this small town? As the author uncovers the truth behind Joy’s murder, we read this account in chapters from many different individuals in this town and we view the events that are now occurring and some that had occurred in the past. When the truth is finally spoken, I was surprised at the finding. I found this novel interesting, lots of individuals with their own stories, their own drama and secrets. I enjoyed it. I'm between a 3.5 and 4 stars. I liked the novel but the ending, I am not so sure of.
I won a copy of this novel from Chic Lit Plus. This review is my own opinion.
When Joy goes missing, her small community comes together to search for her. When her body is found, the community comes together to search for the killer. When the police make an arrest, the stories that spread throughout the community are divided. Did the police arrest the correct individual? What secrets are hiding behind the doors in this small town? As the author uncovers the truth behind Joy’s murder, we read this account in chapters from many different individuals in this town and we view the events that are now occurring and some that had occurred in the past. When the truth is finally spoken, I was surprised at the finding. I found this novel interesting, lots of individuals with their own stories, their own drama and secrets. I enjoyed it. I'm between a 3.5 and 4 stars. I liked the novel but the ending, I am not so sure of.
I won a copy of this novel from Chic Lit Plus. This review is my own opinion.
December 5, 2016
First of all, I want to say that I requested this book because of the description and the fact that the author's last name is my maiden name. Of course I had to read it. There's not that many people with that last name.
Now, to the book. Wow, there were so many secrets and so many suspects. It was very, very sad what happened to Joy, but you never really got to see what the extent of her actions were until the end of the book. There were a lot of people's lives changed due to Joy's death, mostly for the bad. I can see, in Joy's mind where she was going, but she was so young and naive that she was way in over her head.
There was a bad ending for pretty much everyone in this book. You really couldn't see it coming, but it happened. I truly felt for a lot of these characters and this was yet another book I could not put down. I found myself reading this during the timing of my Thanksgiving recipes, I just could not put it down. I think I even made excuses to make time to read it in between what needed to be done for the recipes. Eeks, hopefully they will turn out. I know I read a great book, so my friends are going to have to suck it up on the turkey day side dishes. HA!!
Thanks Grand Central Publishing and Net Gallery for hitting me up with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I found this book riveting and definitely entertaining!
Now, to the book. Wow, there were so many secrets and so many suspects. It was very, very sad what happened to Joy, but you never really got to see what the extent of her actions were until the end of the book. There were a lot of people's lives changed due to Joy's death, mostly for the bad. I can see, in Joy's mind where she was going, but she was so young and naive that she was way in over her head.
There was a bad ending for pretty much everyone in this book. You really couldn't see it coming, but it happened. I truly felt for a lot of these characters and this was yet another book I could not put down. I found myself reading this during the timing of my Thanksgiving recipes, I just could not put it down. I think I even made excuses to make time to read it in between what needed to be done for the recipes. Eeks, hopefully they will turn out. I know I read a great book, so my friends are going to have to suck it up on the turkey day side dishes. HA!!
Thanks Grand Central Publishing and Net Gallery for hitting me up with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I found this book riveting and definitely entertaining!
February 3, 2017
The story of the book was not bad, I was interested in finding out what all was happening and how each person was involved. However, I was really frustrated by the jumping between timelines and between narrators. There was often little to no indicator as to who was now narrating after a change, and the timeline went back and forth even from paragraph to paragraph at times. It was just not a cohesive read for me, and it took me longer to want to get through it than normal for a book of this nature.
August 26, 2017
This book took me a long time to read. I only finished reading the book because I don't like leaving books unread. After reading about half of the book, I skimmed through the rest just to see the conclusion. I didn't connect with any of the characters and I didn't like the format of the book. It was written in the voices of 4 of the main characters and the author switched back and forth in time, both before and after the murder, which became very confusing and boring. There was a character, Martin, who is the only black man in a town that is mostly populated by whites. I mention this because Martin seemed to be "the token black character" who ended up becoming a suspect in the murder of Joy. I didn't feel comfortable with this part of the book because it was written as so overtly racist. Some reviewers stated that the author did this to "cast a light on racism in the criminal justice system". I can see that as a way to see that, but the author didn't write the story to highlight his character and his situation for the reader to see that as the absolute reason for Martin's situation. I would have rather have had some more firm confirmation on highlighting racism somewhere in the novel.
I don't think I would necessarily recommend this book. I would say to take a pass and grab something better. 3 stars.
I don't think I would necessarily recommend this book. I would say to take a pass and grab something better. 3 stars.
July 16, 2019
I have had this book on my to-read shelf forever, so when I saw it on super sale, I had to buy a copy. Unfortunately for me it was a disappointment. The story follows a mother understandably distraught and heartbroken after her daughter is murdered. The mother is having an affair with a man much younger than she, and the daughter is caught up in dealing pills. There is no big aha! moment. There is no smoking gun. The ending isn't even very salacious, and the authors attempts to weave together two completely different families doesn't connect.
What happens is that ancillary character Tom the PI's father-in-law (the police chief) covers up his pregnant, alcoholic daughter's DUI. Joy finds out and the police chief murders her. It's not a successful union of characters, nor was the book of any interest. Two stars was a liberal rating.
What happens is that ancillary character Tom the PI's father-in-law (the police chief) covers up his pregnant, alcoholic daughter's DUI. Joy finds out and the police chief murders her. It's not a successful union of characters, nor was the book of any interest. Two stars was a liberal rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2017
This story started out slow and the transition between characters was choppy and hard to keep track of. I pushed through the first few chapters and I'm glad I did. The character transition became smoother and the story picked up, becoming enthralling. Each page raised more questions and intrigue. Every character was on my suspect list, except the parents, so in the end I wasn't necessarily surprised although this person was low on my list. This book exquisitely details the fault lines between all relationships: husband and wife, parent and child, in-laws, or friends. Trauma can increase those fault lines where two people can pull together or tear apart. I would recommend this book.
September 21, 2019
2.5 - that's the best I can come up with :-/
April 16, 2017
Treadway’s latest is another attention-grabber, but though enjoyable, didn’t have quite the same addictive pull as its predecessor.
Treadway delivers this tale through a number of her characters, including Harper and Susanne as well as Martin and the police chief’s son-in-law (and occasional investigator) Tom.
I normally don’t mind head hopping however here – in retrospect – although the novel started with Harper as a lead, it became more about Tom and Susanne. And Martin in fits and starts. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I would have liked to see Harper playing more of a continuing role – particularly given her relationship with Joy and the backstory and happenings around her own mother.
There’s a lot bubbling away under the surface in this novel and Treadway introduces racism, mental illness, drugs, thwarted passion (the romantic AND creative kind) and fidelity into her tale.
I think Treadway’s first novel probably influenced my perception of this as I expected a little more than was delivered, but it’s still a very good read.
Read the full review on my site: http://www.debbish.com/books-literatu...
3.5
Treadway delivers this tale through a number of her characters, including Harper and Susanne as well as Martin and the police chief’s son-in-law (and occasional investigator) Tom.
I normally don’t mind head hopping however here – in retrospect – although the novel started with Harper as a lead, it became more about Tom and Susanne. And Martin in fits and starts. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I would have liked to see Harper playing more of a continuing role – particularly given her relationship with Joy and the backstory and happenings around her own mother.
There’s a lot bubbling away under the surface in this novel and Treadway introduces racism, mental illness, drugs, thwarted passion (the romantic AND creative kind) and fidelity into her tale.
I think Treadway’s first novel probably influenced my perception of this as I expected a little more than was delivered, but it’s still a very good read.
Read the full review on my site: http://www.debbish.com/books-literatu...
3.5
March 14, 2017
Holes become situations that you did'nt want to be in, that threatened you some how. We become stories that depicted characters trapped in holes of our own making, but you could all fall in as the result of other people pushing you, or because of fate-circumstances you had no control over.
When ever I pick up a read, the title is what attracts me and later as I am reading thru, I try to figure out the author's intend with this title. The title represents something deep with the victim-Joy, a senior that was tragically murdered and her relationship with her parents and the town she lived in. The author weaves a thread of intrigue, guiding and pulling you along to the demise of a young woman who in the end was trying to make things right. How her death lies in the responsibilities of so many and how tied everyone in the town are. The secrets of the town and the keeping of the secrets lead to circumstances that became eventually became deadly and haunting. From racism, infidelity, drugs and peer pressure. Relationships between mother/daughter and husband/wife, how we really miss who the ones we love are. Especially when we are in the hole trying to get out. The question How Will I Know You becomes Who Are You!
A Special Thank You to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
When ever I pick up a read, the title is what attracts me and later as I am reading thru, I try to figure out the author's intend with this title. The title represents something deep with the victim-Joy, a senior that was tragically murdered and her relationship with her parents and the town she lived in. The author weaves a thread of intrigue, guiding and pulling you along to the demise of a young woman who in the end was trying to make things right. How her death lies in the responsibilities of so many and how tied everyone in the town are. The secrets of the town and the keeping of the secrets lead to circumstances that became eventually became deadly and haunting. From racism, infidelity, drugs and peer pressure. Relationships between mother/daughter and husband/wife, how we really miss who the ones we love are. Especially when we are in the hole trying to get out. The question How Will I Know You becomes Who Are You!
A Special Thank You to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
March 1, 2017
On a cold December day, the body of high school senior Joy Enright is discovered in the woods at the edge of a frozen pond. Her death looks like a tragic drowning accident at first, but an autopsy reveals something sinister -- the teenager's body shows unmistakable signs of strangulation. The discovery upends an otherwise uneventful small town, as police grapple with a rare homicide case and those closest to Joy wonder how she could have been taken from them -- and by whom. Susanne, Joy's mother, tries to reconcile past betrayals with their wrenching consequences. Martin, an African-American graduate student, faces ostracism when blame is cast on him. Tom, a rescue diver and son-in-law of the town's police chief, doubts both the police's methods and his own perceptions. And Harper, Joy's best friend, tries to figure out why she disappeared from Harper's life months before she actually went missing.
In a close-knit community where everyone knows someone else's secret, it's only a matter of time before the truth is exposed. In this gripping novel, author Jessica Treadway explores the ways in which families both thrive and falter, and how seemingly small bad choices can escalate—with fatal consequences.
My Thoughts: In small town life, it is hard to keep secrets, despite the efforts of the rich and powerful to hold onto their own.
How Will I Know You? is a story that unfolds in unexpected ways. We follow the lives of Doug Armstrong, a cop who is determined to insure his position as permanent Chief of Police; a teenager, Joy Enright, desperate to help her family finances and reduce conflicts; another teenager, Harper Grove, caught up in the ordinary struggles of life, when the inability to win friends seems too much to handle; and finally, we watch the grown-ups, like Susanne Enright and Martin Willett, or Tom and Allison Carbone, make bad choices and then try to dig themselves out of the consequences. All of these moments set up the drama that unfolds during one winter when a confluence of bad choices takes them all too far and a life is lost.
Multiple narrators show us the before and after moments, gradually revealing bits and pieces of lives in a downward spiral. On the surface, the characters seemed very sure that they could turn things around, dig out of their individual holes, and make everything right again. As they grow increasingly desperate, we are reminded that sometimes, “if you have gone too far, then you cannot go back again.”
A thoroughly engaging novel that could have benefited from a “less is more” approach did keep me captivated until the final page. 4.5 stars.
In a close-knit community where everyone knows someone else's secret, it's only a matter of time before the truth is exposed. In this gripping novel, author Jessica Treadway explores the ways in which families both thrive and falter, and how seemingly small bad choices can escalate—with fatal consequences.
My Thoughts: In small town life, it is hard to keep secrets, despite the efforts of the rich and powerful to hold onto their own.
How Will I Know You? is a story that unfolds in unexpected ways. We follow the lives of Doug Armstrong, a cop who is determined to insure his position as permanent Chief of Police; a teenager, Joy Enright, desperate to help her family finances and reduce conflicts; another teenager, Harper Grove, caught up in the ordinary struggles of life, when the inability to win friends seems too much to handle; and finally, we watch the grown-ups, like Susanne Enright and Martin Willett, or Tom and Allison Carbone, make bad choices and then try to dig themselves out of the consequences. All of these moments set up the drama that unfolds during one winter when a confluence of bad choices takes them all too far and a life is lost.
Multiple narrators show us the before and after moments, gradually revealing bits and pieces of lives in a downward spiral. On the surface, the characters seemed very sure that they could turn things around, dig out of their individual holes, and make everything right again. As they grow increasingly desperate, we are reminded that sometimes, “if you have gone too far, then you cannot go back again.”
A thoroughly engaging novel that could have benefited from a “less is more” approach did keep me captivated until the final page. 4.5 stars.
October 23, 2017
“How Will I Know You?”
Written by Jessica Treadway
Review written by Diana Iozzia
“How Will I Know You?” is a murder mystery fiction novel that surrounds the strangulation and eventual abandonment of the body of a high school senior named Joy. The story is told in four, sort of five, perspectives. Susanna tells her story of her affair with another character, and her devastation as a result of her daughter’s murder. Martin, her lover, is also the prime suspect. Tom, a renaissance man in the town, feels guilty that when diving for her body, his leg was grabbed, or caught. He worries it was Joy, still alive, but the autopsy later absolves his guilt. His wife is an alcoholic. And pregnant after years of heartbreaking miscarriages. We also hear the story through the perspective of Harper, Joy’s once best friend. This book has a great concept, but the execution of the plot is absolutely disappointing. Two out of four perspectives are just boring. I felt very apathetic towards Susanna, even though her daughter is dead and her mother is dying and has Alzheimer’s. Her character does not regret her affair and absolutely persecutes her husband for little reason. Martin is the totem “black guy wrongly accused of killing a young white girl”. This is very “To Kill a Mockingbird”, and with a character named Harper, you could see where the author was going with this.
Nowhere is this book ever mentioned to be similar to “Mockingbird”. It’s branded with buzz words such as “suspenseful”, “quiet, small town”, “web of deceit”, “fatal consequences”, “poignant conclusion”. WHERE? The only label that rings true is the “quiet, small town”. This book is “To Kill a Mockingbird” with the quirky, unusual fleshed out characters of “Fargo”. This isn’t funny, or sad, or scary. I found myself bored, practically skimming through the narratives of most of the characters. The funeral isn’t sad. The murder isn’t sad. Tom’s narrative with his wife is very sad, but that’s not even related to the murder! He’s mainly involved as the noisy son-in-law of the police chief, and he’s the most interesting character (Out of a bad bunch, the most interesting character, take this with a grain of salt). There are some red herrings, one good one, the rest are bad eggs. I continued to read the book, desperate to see it improve, but my goodness gracious, it probably went to a “I could actually set this book on fire” to “I see where the book was going, and it was just a sad fail”. So, page 220 or so out of 391, I finally got to a point where the book wasn’t completely painless. I really wanted it to be an underdog. I’ve read books where they’ve started out strange, but became amazing after the BIG TWIST. The big twist of “How Will I Know You” comes in the last five pages.
I really think that the author found herself with a plot that wasn’t planned enough for, so she had to include things to bulk up the book. Joy’s grandmother’s dementia wasn’t great. It wasn’t interesting. Like I said before, I felt very apathetic. You’d think for a book with four perspectives, that there would be enough to say. Martin’s life history of his beloved (but annoying) grandmother, Grandee was not at all necessary. If I ever see the word Grandee again, I will be nauseated. It’s like Beetlejuice, it keeps getting said, and her history keeps popping up. I don’t care at all about Martin. I did like the unexpected plot line of Tom and his wife, but I think this had to be originally planned. I don’t think it was bulk, but hey, yeah, something I actually could bear in the book.
As I mentioned before, the “To Kill a Mockingbird” parallels are almost painful. I like Harper Lee’s book, but in no way, did I want to read a reimagining like this. I was hoping for a creepy psychological murder book, but I received nothing of the sort. “Mockingbird” was creepier than this! You have young Harper, the character, being a spitting example of Scout, the curious, inquisitive girl trying to solve the murder. Tom is similar to Boo Radley, a weird member of the community who people don’t really like. Of course, you have the wrongly persecuted man, Martin, who is similar to Tom Robinson of “Mockingbird”. Okay, I had to look up his character’s name, but ANOTHER TOM. WOW. WHAT A SIMILARITY. Such a coincidence. Okay, looking at the IMDB page, Dill / Delaney? There's a character named Violet in both books. Can we make that connection? I dunno. I might be grasping at straws now, but I don't think I am...
I finished the book last night and absolutely raged after reading who finally killed Joy. This book was in no way worth the time I spent reading this. I don’t like to have to completely annihilate a book like this, but well, yeah. Done.
I received a complementary review copy from the publisher.
Written by Jessica Treadway
Review written by Diana Iozzia
“How Will I Know You?” is a murder mystery fiction novel that surrounds the strangulation and eventual abandonment of the body of a high school senior named Joy. The story is told in four, sort of five, perspectives. Susanna tells her story of her affair with another character, and her devastation as a result of her daughter’s murder. Martin, her lover, is also the prime suspect. Tom, a renaissance man in the town, feels guilty that when diving for her body, his leg was grabbed, or caught. He worries it was Joy, still alive, but the autopsy later absolves his guilt. His wife is an alcoholic. And pregnant after years of heartbreaking miscarriages. We also hear the story through the perspective of Harper, Joy’s once best friend. This book has a great concept, but the execution of the plot is absolutely disappointing. Two out of four perspectives are just boring. I felt very apathetic towards Susanna, even though her daughter is dead and her mother is dying and has Alzheimer’s. Her character does not regret her affair and absolutely persecutes her husband for little reason. Martin is the totem “black guy wrongly accused of killing a young white girl”. This is very “To Kill a Mockingbird”, and with a character named Harper, you could see where the author was going with this.
Nowhere is this book ever mentioned to be similar to “Mockingbird”. It’s branded with buzz words such as “suspenseful”, “quiet, small town”, “web of deceit”, “fatal consequences”, “poignant conclusion”. WHERE? The only label that rings true is the “quiet, small town”. This book is “To Kill a Mockingbird” with the quirky, unusual fleshed out characters of “Fargo”. This isn’t funny, or sad, or scary. I found myself bored, practically skimming through the narratives of most of the characters. The funeral isn’t sad. The murder isn’t sad. Tom’s narrative with his wife is very sad, but that’s not even related to the murder! He’s mainly involved as the noisy son-in-law of the police chief, and he’s the most interesting character (Out of a bad bunch, the most interesting character, take this with a grain of salt). There are some red herrings, one good one, the rest are bad eggs. I continued to read the book, desperate to see it improve, but my goodness gracious, it probably went to a “I could actually set this book on fire” to “I see where the book was going, and it was just a sad fail”. So, page 220 or so out of 391, I finally got to a point where the book wasn’t completely painless. I really wanted it to be an underdog. I’ve read books where they’ve started out strange, but became amazing after the BIG TWIST. The big twist of “How Will I Know You” comes in the last five pages.
I really think that the author found herself with a plot that wasn’t planned enough for, so she had to include things to bulk up the book. Joy’s grandmother’s dementia wasn’t great. It wasn’t interesting. Like I said before, I felt very apathetic. You’d think for a book with four perspectives, that there would be enough to say. Martin’s life history of his beloved (but annoying) grandmother, Grandee was not at all necessary. If I ever see the word Grandee again, I will be nauseated. It’s like Beetlejuice, it keeps getting said, and her history keeps popping up. I don’t care at all about Martin. I did like the unexpected plot line of Tom and his wife, but I think this had to be originally planned. I don’t think it was bulk, but hey, yeah, something I actually could bear in the book.
As I mentioned before, the “To Kill a Mockingbird” parallels are almost painful. I like Harper Lee’s book, but in no way, did I want to read a reimagining like this. I was hoping for a creepy psychological murder book, but I received nothing of the sort. “Mockingbird” was creepier than this! You have young Harper, the character, being a spitting example of Scout, the curious, inquisitive girl trying to solve the murder. Tom is similar to Boo Radley, a weird member of the community who people don’t really like. Of course, you have the wrongly persecuted man, Martin, who is similar to Tom Robinson of “Mockingbird”. Okay, I had to look up his character’s name, but ANOTHER TOM. WOW. WHAT A SIMILARITY. Such a coincidence. Okay, looking at the IMDB page, Dill / Delaney? There's a character named Violet in both books. Can we make that connection? I dunno. I might be grasping at straws now, but I don't think I am...
I finished the book last night and absolutely raged after reading who finally killed Joy. This book was in no way worth the time I spent reading this. I don’t like to have to completely annihilate a book like this, but well, yeah. Done.
I received a complementary review copy from the publisher.
April 13, 2023
This book was okay….it’s told from too many perspectives and jumps back and forth too much with the time line too. I get what she was trying to do, but sometimes it just felt very jumbled. Especially because the chapters aren’t labeled by who is telling the story so you have to start reading it and guess who is telling it. A white woman writer writing from the perspective of a black man is also kind of icky. The person who was the killer…honestly anti climatic. An interesting read but overall just an average book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2017
How Will I Know You by Jessica Treadway is a compelling read that will leave you with so many thoughts that you'd be thinking about this book for days even after it is over.
When I started reading this book I had this idea that this book will revolve around a murder and then it'll turn out to be a fast-paced who-dun-it kind, but as I got into the book I realized that I completely started forgetting about the actual murder as the story focused on the people and the relations Joy was surrounded with when she was alive. This book shows so transparently the truth about how exactly the things would be like if a murder of this kind happens in real life of a normal teenager.
This book shouldn't be misinterpreted as a Thriller, but it is a realistic approach of the author towards the situation on the whole. After reading this book (actually, while reading this book) I realized how easily we form an opinion about someone whom we've never really known. How easy it is for everyone, including the parents and the best of friends, to misinterpret the actions of someone and come up with their own theories about how things would have played out and what might have happened and how they start believing and, in a way, living in those theories. Human nature is such a tricky and immensely complex thing that you never know what might happen in the next few minutes.
The writing was really good and had an easy flow to it that made reading this book a good experience and the slow-to-medium pace of the story was completely in sync with the story itself.
The characters were so real and full of life that I was able to connect with each and every single one of them. And I'm really thankful for it because this book is, in all respects, a character-driven story and these strong characters served the purpose perfectly well.
The beginning was great and I was pulled into the story right from the first chapter. The ending doesn't fail to tell the readers about what really happened on the day of the murder and who did it, so in a way it served as a beautiful closure because otherwise, I'm sure it would have been a really gut-wrenching read.
I'd recommend this book to all the mystery and suspense lovers and also to all those readers who don't mind reading about dark subjects such as depression and coping with the loss of a loved one.
You can also read this review at The Reading Bud.
When I started reading this book I had this idea that this book will revolve around a murder and then it'll turn out to be a fast-paced who-dun-it kind, but as I got into the book I realized that I completely started forgetting about the actual murder as the story focused on the people and the relations Joy was surrounded with when she was alive. This book shows so transparently the truth about how exactly the things would be like if a murder of this kind happens in real life of a normal teenager.
This book shouldn't be misinterpreted as a Thriller, but it is a realistic approach of the author towards the situation on the whole. After reading this book (actually, while reading this book) I realized how easily we form an opinion about someone whom we've never really known. How easy it is for everyone, including the parents and the best of friends, to misinterpret the actions of someone and come up with their own theories about how things would have played out and what might have happened and how they start believing and, in a way, living in those theories. Human nature is such a tricky and immensely complex thing that you never know what might happen in the next few minutes.
The writing was really good and had an easy flow to it that made reading this book a good experience and the slow-to-medium pace of the story was completely in sync with the story itself.
The characters were so real and full of life that I was able to connect with each and every single one of them. And I'm really thankful for it because this book is, in all respects, a character-driven story and these strong characters served the purpose perfectly well.
The beginning was great and I was pulled into the story right from the first chapter. The ending doesn't fail to tell the readers about what really happened on the day of the murder and who did it, so in a way it served as a beautiful closure because otherwise, I'm sure it would have been a really gut-wrenching read.
I'd recommend this book to all the mystery and suspense lovers and also to all those readers who don't mind reading about dark subjects such as depression and coping with the loss of a loved one.
You can also read this review at The Reading Bud.
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