Peighton Claiborne’s perfect world is built on perfectly crafted lies. When the sudden death of her husband destroys everything she worked so hard to create, Peighton finds herself struggling to cope.
As the police begin digging into the mysterious death, they uncover secrets her husband had spent years trying to keep buried. The people Peighton believed she could count on, and the ones she needs more than ever, begin to turn on her, leaving Peighton to pick up the remaining pieces of her life alone.
When a police officer assigned to her husband’s case, Clay Nealson, takes a special interest in her, Peighton thinks they may finally uncover the truth she so desperately seeks. Together, Peighton and Clay search for answers. In a moment of weakness, she finds herself falling for a man she barely knows. But, when Peighton discovers Clay may have his own hidden motivations to finding out the truth of her husband’s death, she is forced to realize the only person she can truly trust is herself.
As the world she once knew spirals around her, Peighton must uncover the truth about her husband, his secrets and his death, before it’s too late. And, in an effort to protect those she loves, she must reveal a few secrets of her own—ones that threaten to destroy everything she worked for.
KIERSTEN MODGLIN is a #1 bestselling author of psychological thrillers. Her books have sold over two million copies and been translated into multiple languages. Kiersten is a member of International Thriller Writers, Novelists, Inc., and the Alliance of Independent Authors. She is a KDP Select All-Star and a recipient of ThrillerFix's Best Psychological Thriller Award, Suspense Magazine's Best Book of 2021 Award, a 2022 Silver Falchion for Best Suspense, and a 2022 Silver Falchion for Best Overall Book of 2021. Kiersten grew up in rural western Kentucky and later relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where she now lives with her family. Kiersten's readers across the world lovingly refer to her as "KMod." A binge-watching expert, psychology fanatic, and indoor enthusiast, Kiersten enjoys rainy days spent with her favorite people and evenings with her nose in a book.
While The Beginning After was a decent story, I had a problem with how long it took to get to the point. Until perhaps the last 20% of the novel, it's not entirely clear what's driving the story. As readers, we are following people through their lives after the death of the patriarch of the family. Different things are happening, but there's no compelling mystery being laid out, nothing to keep the reader invested. I spent much of this meandering novel wondering when (eventually) there might be a revelation, something that would answer the big question we didn't yet know we needed to ask.
Was it: "Who killed the husband?" "Who is Clay?" "Who is Frank?" "Who is Kyle's father?" People are likely hiding things, for sure. By the time you figure out what the big mystery is supposed to be, you have to have already figured out the conclusion. You have to figure out the who and the why, and then you smack your head and think," Ahh, that's where this was heading!" Cart before the horse, and it doesn't work, at least not from this reader's standpoint.
As well, for the audio version, I'm baffled why an overly-dramatic senior (sounding) gentleman was chosen to narrate a book that predominantly follows a middle-aged woman. The narrator makes everything sound like a formal pronouncement rather than simple dialogue. I felt like he was auditioning for a dramatic Broadway play rather than reading a casual American fiction novel. I kept getting distracted, thinking "Get over yourself. You sound pompous AF."
I can see that this is not a new author, so perhaps I need to go back and read some earlier works, something which may be constructed more carefully. I see good potential here, especially in characterizations, so this novel may not be representative of the kind of mystery Modglin can produce.
Once again this author delivers another fantastic thriller. For me it's hard to keep my finger nails, with all the suspense. I love Kiersten's style because of how well this author writes. It seriously makes you feel like your also part of these characters.
Peighton lost her husband. Clay comes into the picture. They are now working together. I loved this book.
It's hard leaving a review because I don't like giving anything away. So read this for yourself. Buckle up people this is one bumpy ride you don't want to miss.
3.5 stars • I LOVE Kiersten Modglin, but this one seemed a little all over the place compared to her other novels. While it all came together at the end, I was a bit confused for much of the book as to how it would play out…confused more than intrigued. With that said, I still wanted to know how it would end.
I like this author but I didn't care for this book. I thought it was more of a comedy than a thriller. It sure did have a lot of twists, too many. In the end it was predictable.
The Beginning After by Kiersten Modglin deserves six stars honestly, I don’t have words strong enough to explain how this one got to me. It’s more than just a thriller. It’s grief, secrets, love, and betrayal all wrapped up in these heavy small-town vibes where everybody knows everybody… or at least you think they do.
Peighton’s story hit so close to home for me, I wasn’t ready for it. The feeling of losing someone you thought you knew, only to have your entire world spiral as you start uncovering things you never expected, it made me cry, it made me angry, and it made me sit there just staring into space after certain chapters.
The drama is intense. Just when I thought I had it figured out, there was another twist waiting. And the small-town setting added so much to that, whispers, side-eyes, everyone having their own version of the truth. It felt so real, almost like I was right there walking those same streets with Peighton.
And I have to say: Clay is absolutely my favorite book boyfriend this year. There’s just something about him, the steady patience, the quiet strength, the way he shows up when it counts. He wasn’t just a love interest, he was exactly the kind of person you hope for when everything in your life is falling apart.
This book left me with so many mixed feelings. I cried, I was pissed, I smiled through tears. If you love a thriller with real heart, small-town secrets, and twists that will knock the air out of you, The Beginning After needs to be at the top of your list.
This was my first ever book by K.Modglin. I can honestly say I was blown away! I barely have a fingernail left. It had me on the edge of my seat from the very start. This book had absolutely everything. Even the dedication was beautiful. I cannot wait to read more of this amazing authors work.
Peighton's world comes crashing down when her beloved Senator husband has an "accident" on the stairs and is killed.
Her son. Kyle blames her for his Dad's death and is pushing her away at a time when they should be caring for each other.
There are other men in Peighton's life, Frank the bodyguard(for her husband) Clay, the cop, who is on the case (which he tells Peighton maybe suspicious,) but turns out he has a hidden agenda and Drew who may or may not have been a lover and the biological father to Kyle.
Kyle is acting up and staying away from home causing Peighton more problems. Both Frank and Clay try to calm Kyle and bring him home to reconcile with his Mum.
MEANWHILE The hidden agenda, we find out is that Clay's wife was murdered by an on-line woman predator he, (Clay) met whilst in a football chatroom. It turns out that the Senator was also having an online "affair" with her. Clay wants to try to track down this woman and charge her with the murder of his wife and he suspects the Senators's murder also.
MEANWHILE Peighton and Clay start up a cosy relationship. Frank has told them all now that the Senator is dead he no longer works for them and maybe moving to another city.
There are several other plot twits running through all the other stories, including paternity, affairs, relationships and sexuality. The ending was very surprising
J Scott Bennett's narration is excellent, he manages to make all the males voices individual and even his Peighton is pretty good.
Her husband died with his secrets...can she live with hers?
Just that tagline alone had me wanting to read this book. This is the first time I have a book by this author and I was completely blown away.
It was a slow day at work today, seen this on my kindle so I thought I'd give it a try. Didn't read the blurb, just dove on in. Well, I started and finished it before I left work for the day. Seriously it was such an engrossing tale of the intertwining web of lies that is spun to keep the secrets that could do irreparable damage.
Peighton Claiborne’s life is on the edge of collapsing when the police start digging into the mysterious and untimely death of her husband and Senator Todd Claiborne. They start to uncover secrets that could topple the tower of lies their life is based on.
Police Officer, Clay Nealson is assigned to the case and Peighton very quickly begins to rely on him and things go from friendly to much more in a very short time and then she discovers he has his own motivations for uncovering the truth about her husband's death.
This book will have on on the edge of your seat on one hell of a roller coaster ride. There are so many twists and turns and you'll be trying to decipher the whodunit in this story filled with mystery and intrigue.
I really liked this book, it had a lot of twists and turns and I had no idea what to expect. I had no idea who to believe Frank, Drew, Clay.....Good story line and great ending.
I haven't read any of this author's other books, but I was quite excited when I first heard about this book and saw the cover! The synopsis had me intrigued and wanting to find out more! The author then spoke to me about ARCs, so I signed up to request one! I started this book as soon as I received my ARC, and after reading, I can say that I enjoyed this book! The plot developed at a really good pace and it only took me a few sittings to read! I knew that the plot was going to have some mystery in it after reading the synopsis too, and it really did! I wasn't sure who to trust right from the first chapter and I actually found myself doubting characters more and more as the plot progressed lol! The plot had plenty of twist and turns in it too and there were actually a lot more than I was expecting lol! The plot had secrets too and these really had an impact on the plot! I loved the romance in the plot too! The characters were also amazing and made this book even better! Peighton was the main female character, and in this book she went through a lot, especially at the beginning! She lost someone that she really loved and this was bound to have an impact on her! I will be honest and say that I didn't agree with all of Peighton's actions in this book, but she was going through a lot of emotions and I understood it more as the plot progressed and secrets came out! Peighton was also very protective of her son and it was easy to see that she wanted what was best for him! Clay was the main male character and love interest of Peighton! Clay was a character that intrigued me as soon as he was introduced! I wasn't sure if I could really trust him or not and it did take quite a bit of the book for me to actually start trusting him! Clay had also experienced a huge amount of loss and this meant that I felt very sorry for him! I respected Clay a lot too because he had a good job and he was protective of Peighton! It was easy to see his feelings for her develop too! This book was written in third person! I have to be honest and say that I didn't think that it was going to be written in third person before I started reading it, so I was surprised! I'm not normally a fan of books that are written in third person, but I read quite a few books last year that were written this way and enjoyed them, so I'm getting better at reading them lol! This book was still mainly written from both Peighton and Clay's point of views, which I was really happy about! I was also still able to connect with the two of them and it allowed for more things to happen in the plot too! I can also completely understand why this book is a standalone! I'm kinda sad that it is because I enjoyed reading it and I'm going to miss Peighton and Clay! I can't wait to check out this author's other books that have already released though and find out more about what she's going to release next! The cover for this book is also absolutely perfect for it! It drew me to the book and made me want to read the story behind it! The cover suits the mystery/suspense aspect of the plot too! Big thank you to Kiersten for an ARC of The Beginning After!
"She recognized the handwriting immediately, and all at once the cold fear she'd known so well a year ago was back."
Wow. Just wow. This was my first read of Kiersten Modglin and I'm so upset with myself for not finding her before now! What a ride this book was!! Talk about secrets, twists, suspicion, romance and betrayals!! I can't tell you the amount of times I thought I had it all figured out, boasting to myself, only to be thrown in to questioning everything all over again!
Peighton Claiborne had the perfect life. The perfect family. An image she worked hard to protect. When her husband mysteriously dies, the investigation threatens to bring out all the skeletons she had so carefully hidden in the closet. But who might be behind her husband's death? Is there anyone she can trust anymore? With suspicion surrounding her and those close to her, is anyone on her side? As more secrets are uncovered, will she have to reveal the ones she's kept so close?
Clay Nealson is investigating the death of Senator Todd Claiborne. What he uncovers leads him to an unexpected connection with the victim's widow. Working together, can they find the answers to both of their questions? With his feelings for Peighton growing, can he keep deceiving her without ultimately losing her?
As I said, this one was a roller coaster!! A "you think you know someone" story that kept me guessing until the very end!! Absolutely loved it and can't wait to read more from Ms. Modglin!!
Second book by author Kiersten Modglin, sometimes that's when you really know if you've found a new author that you will always want to read and Modglin is one of those authors!
So, of course I went into this book as blind as can be. I managed to avoid reading the blurb and teasers, only reading the tagline. It was hard because I have seen this book a time or two around social media and the cover is intriguing enough.
I have to say that I burned through these pages at a crazy speed. The twists and turns unraveling to such an impactful story are enough to keep anyone hooked. It was hard to put down.
I loved that the story had more than the "normal" two points of view and we were able to see into the minds of quite a few characters. I also loved the themes (I know, I know, bring out the literacy student in me) that pop up throughout the book. So many of them that are so important in the world we live in.
So, that tagline I was talking about above... "Her husband died with his secrets… can she live with hers?"
If that doesn't intrigue you, than I am not sure what will! That is the perfect way to tell you you're in for a good story.
I can't even begin to tell you how amazing this book is. in typical Modglin style it is full of suspense and twists and turns along the way. It is also an emotional rollercoaster that addresses real issues in a true but sensitive way.
I was guessing and theorizing the whole way through the book but continued to be surprised at every turn. At one point I felt quite frustrated, thinking is that it? And that can't be all! Then bam so much more! I commend the author, well played.
In typical Modglin style this book is written in a way that is easy read and immerses the reader into the story. The characters were likable and believable.
There is something about Modglin's writing that captures me so much into her books, I struggle to put them down! I literally couldn't do anything until I finished it!
This is an amazing work of true love, loss and the secrets left behind. I was hooked within the first page and had to read it one sitting. Ms.Modglin has and amazing talent to pull you in and keep you wanting more. I can honestly say I’ve never read a book that I’ve been so enthralled in and felt so many emotions. Peighton our leading lady was devastated at the sudden loss of her husband and then having to deal with her son, Kyle who blames her. As she starts to heal and move on is when you start your rollercoaster ride, of lies,secrets and so much more. I don’t want to give away what happens as I could write for days on this book. You must pick up a copy or download a copy and read this book today, you will not be disappointed! I can’t wait to see what Kiersten has in store for us next... but I know it will be amazing❣️
I must say I FLOVE The Beginning After. It is full of suspense and keeps you guessing until the very end. The story is full of unpredictability and a lot of twist. I so enjoyed the ride Kiersten took me on in this book and I can not wait for her next book.
After the sudden death of Peighton's husband Todd, she has a lot to work through. She must uncover the truth about her husband, his secrets, and his death before it is too late. While she is doing this she is also having to protect those she love and relearn show she is and find happiness again.
This was my first read by Kiersten Modglin and she blew me away with this story. The story felt so real and it dealt with some situations many have gone through in real life. the book has compassion, love, deceit, heartache, and unconditional love. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, this is a must read and be ready for a book hangover.
Are you ready to have your mind blown? Trust me you'll be left picking up the pieces at the end. The Beginning After was A-MAZ-ING!! Holy s*** this book is going to take you on a rollercoaster ride of twist n turns, drama and one heck of a mystery. I lost count of how many times I needed to pick my jaw up off the floor. Just when you think you have something figured out *BOOM*, Kiersten takes it up a notch. That's all I am going to give you because if I go on any further I am afraid I'll give something away. The Beginning After is a MUST read. I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could.
What can I say? From the very first chapter right the way through to the final sentence this book had me gripped in an amazing rollercoaster of a ride. There was LITTERALLY nothing left out... passion, crime, suspense, darkness, twisty turns, romance and Just plain, pure fear... Amazing.....Highty recommend this to everyone!
Im new to the Kiersten Modglin world...As always when starting a journey with a new author i was filled with that nervousness feeling you get when venturing into the unknown but one thing is for definite I will now be planting myself firmly into the dark and twisty depths which Kiersten brought to us in The Beginning After...
My thoughts:📱30% 2:12:58 Chapter 15 (16 in the audio chapter list) - Meh, I'm probably not going to play this again; it's okay not suspenseful, though.
This is one of her earlier novels, it was okay overall but I didn't like it and the reveals were lackluster. Unfortunately for me, I bought this one and will likely never play it again.
Recommend to others: Maybe, if you can get it from a library.
WOW...Blown away by The Beginning After. Written as only Kiersten Modglin can. Once you start it, you won't be able to put it down. You will be compelled to find out how all the twists and turns get resolved. Love the personalities of her characters. There is so much going one but yet it feels as if its real. So many lies and secrets with every page turn as the story deepens. Will Peighton ever know the truth of what really happened to her husband, Or will a cop hide it under a rug? this book was awesome and I look forward to reading many more works by this author.
Wow! Where do I begin?! This was my first read by this author and I loved it! The story revolves around Peighton, a woman in love with her husband, Todd, a Senator who she runs his campaign for. After a tragedy happens, so many secrets come to light. Did she really know her husband? This book had so many twists and turns that kept you guessing throughout! Every time I thought I had it figured out, the story too another turn! I was constantly kept on the edge of my seat! If you love mysteries, then this book is for you! I look forward to reading more by this author.
I wasn't sure how I felt about the mom, but once the secrets began to unravel, I realized how the mom was able to do some things early on. Everything began to click and the twist was so good! I didn't have that one figured out all the way. This one has a great cast of narrators, Marni Penning, Graham Halstead, Gary Furlong, and Mhairi Morrison. They all did a great job portraying the cast in the story. The tones and inflections used were great!
A very special thanks to High Gravity Productions for the gifted ALC.