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Never Look Back
Reminiscent of the bestsellers of Laura Lippman and Harlan Coben—with a Serial-esque podcast twist—an absorbing, addictive tale of psychological suspense from the author of the highly acclaimed and Edgar Award-nominated What Remains of Me and the USA Today bestselling and Shamus Award-winning Brenna Spector series.
When website columnist Robin Diamond is contacted by true crime podcast producer Quentin Garrison, she assumes it's a business matter. It's not. Quentin's podcast, Closure, focuses on a series of murders in the 1970s, committed by teen couple April Cooper and Gabriel LeRoy. It seems that Quentin has reason to believe Robin's own mother may be intimately connected with the killings.
Robin thinks Quentin’s claim is absolutely absurd. But is it? The more she researches the Cooper/LeRoy murders herself, the more disturbed she becomes by what she finds. Living just a few blocks from her, Robin’s beloved parents are the one absolute she’s always been able to rely upon, especially now amid rising doubts about her husband and frequent threats from internet trolls. She knows her mother better than anyone—or so she believes. But all that changes when, in an apparent home invasion, Robin's father is killed and her mother's life hangs in the balance.
Told through the eyes of Robin, podcaster Quentin, and a series of letters written by fifteen-year-old April Cooper at the time of the killings, Never Look Back asks the question:
How well do we really know our parents, our partners—and ourselves?
When website columnist Robin Diamond is contacted by true crime podcast producer Quentin Garrison, she assumes it's a business matter. It's not. Quentin's podcast, Closure, focuses on a series of murders in the 1970s, committed by teen couple April Cooper and Gabriel LeRoy. It seems that Quentin has reason to believe Robin's own mother may be intimately connected with the killings.
Robin thinks Quentin’s claim is absolutely absurd. But is it? The more she researches the Cooper/LeRoy murders herself, the more disturbed she becomes by what she finds. Living just a few blocks from her, Robin’s beloved parents are the one absolute she’s always been able to rely upon, especially now amid rising doubts about her husband and frequent threats from internet trolls. She knows her mother better than anyone—or so she believes. But all that changes when, in an apparent home invasion, Robin's father is killed and her mother's life hangs in the balance.
Told through the eyes of Robin, podcaster Quentin, and a series of letters written by fifteen-year-old April Cooper at the time of the killings, Never Look Back asks the question:
How well do we really know our parents, our partners—and ourselves?
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 2, 2019
527 people are currently reading
12360 people want to read
About the author
Alison Gaylin
44 books1,768 followersUSA Today and international bestselling author Alison Gaylin has won the Edgar and Shamus awards, and has been nominated for many more, including the L.A. Times Book Prize, the ITW Thriller, the Strand Book Award, the Anthony and the Macavity. She is currently at work on her 15th novel.
Series:
* Samantha Leiffer Mystery
* Simone Glass Mystery
Series:
* Samantha Leiffer Mystery
* Simone Glass Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 662 reviews
August 7, 2019
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
What a fantastic read!!!!
“Never Look Back” started off strong and stayed strong. With no shortage of drama and suspense, this gripping page-turner held my attention until I turned the very last page.
June 1976:
April Cooper is working on an assignment for her ninth-grade Social Studies class. The assignment is “A Letter to My Future Child”. The students are supposed to talk about their lives and predict what the world might be like in the year 2000. At first, April was excited about this assignment, but now EVERYTHING has changed. She knows she won’t be able to turn it in… “School is out in less than a week. And one way or another, I will be gone by sunrise.”
The assignment turns into a diary of sorts as April continues to write to Aurora Grace, the daughter she hopes to have one day. April tries to imagine what that life might be like, “when everything is better”.
April had returned from school earlier that day when she heard what sounded like gunshots. She knew that something terrible happened.
Present Day:
Quentin Garrish is the co-host of a popular true-crime podcast. He’s working on a new podcast. “Closure” is about teenager killers, April Cooper and Gabriel LeRoy also known as the Inland Empire Killers. Forty years ago the teens went on a rampage and killed a dozen people in Southern California. Gabriel and April’s reign of terror ended when they died in a fire. Well, that is what MOST people believe.
This podcast will be different from other podcasts Quentin has been a part of. This time it’s personal.
What is Quentin’s connection to these horrible crimes?
After a disastrous interview, Quentin considers canceling the podcast but changes his mind after he and Summer meet with a new source who tells them one hell of a story.
Could what this person is saying be true?
Robin Diamond is a film columnist in New York City. Robin receives a call from Quentin who explains that he is working on a podcast about the Inland Empire Killers. He tells Robin he would really like to get in touch with her mother and asks if she will do him just one favor…
“Ask your mother about April Cooper. Ask her if she’s ever heard of her.”
Robin doesn’t realize just how much this phone call will change her life.
I REALLY enjoyed this compulsive and thrilling read from Alison Gaylin!
The majority of the story is told from Quentin and Robin’s point of view, but a good portion of the story is also told through April Cooper’s letters. These letters are interspersed throughout the novel and we learn more about April’s life, her relationship with Gabriel, and details of what happened during the pairs crime spree.
With its complex plot, well-developed characters, and well-timed revelations, this psychological suspense novel was EXTREMELY hard to put down.
An addictive and gripping story about family, murder, and deception, that I highly recommend!
I'd like to thank William Morrow for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
July 4, 2019
I loved If I Die Tonight by Alison Gaylin and was really excited when I got my hands on this one! There might have been some dancing going on. After reading Never Look Back there was definitely some dancing going on with my Traveling Sister Kim who read this one with me. We both really enjoyed this one.
Never Look Back is a fast-paced, fun twisty and action-packed story that had me on the edge of my seat trying to piece together how everyone was connected to our teenage couple serial killers here in this story.
Alison Gaylin delivers quite the fun entertaining read here with each twist to the story as she delves into each character’s psyche. The story does have a predictable feel to it right from the start however Alison Gaylin has a way with those well-plotted twists that kept it feeling exciting. Each twist kept me guessing and doubting everything right up to the very end. I highly recommend for a tension-filled, entertaining read with some unsettling dark to it to keep you on edge. I highly recommend.
I received a copy from the publisher.
Never Look Back is a fast-paced, fun twisty and action-packed story that had me on the edge of my seat trying to piece together how everyone was connected to our teenage couple serial killers here in this story.
Alison Gaylin delivers quite the fun entertaining read here with each twist to the story as she delves into each character’s psyche. The story does have a predictable feel to it right from the start however Alison Gaylin has a way with those well-plotted twists that kept it feeling exciting. Each twist kept me guessing and doubting everything right up to the very end. I highly recommend for a tension-filled, entertaining read with some unsettling dark to it to keep you on edge. I highly recommend.
I received a copy from the publisher.
August 1, 2019
"Is there a way to stop something that's meant to be, even if it's something you don't want?"
In 1976, teenagers April Cooper and Gabriel LeRoy went on a killing spree in the Inland Empire area of Southern California. Twelve people—some known to the killers, some random victims—were killed before the couple died in a fire at a religious compound.
While the story of the murderers was tabloid fodder for a while and they even were the subjects of a made-for-television movie, they soon faded into the peculiar history of serial killers and were mostly forgotten. But not by Quentin Garrison, who has a personal connection to Gabriel and April's crime spree years ago, and he believes that was responsible for his lousy childhood.
Quentin is now a podcast producer focused on true crime, and both his husband and his best friend/co-producer convince him he should tie up the whole story as a way to bring himself closure. Yet when he receives a call from what appears to be a reliable source, saying that April Cooper is actually still alive and living in New York, Quentin is unsure whether closure will ever really be possible. Does he want April to be alive after all these years?
Meanwhile, Robin Diamond is a controversial film reviewer for a popular entertainment website. She's never afraid to ruffle the feathers of their readers with her opinions, even if it brings crackpots to the surface. She's having doubts about her husband lately, but isn't sure if she really wants to know what has him working late and texting at all hours of the day and night. Regardless of all she's going through, she's not prepared for a phone call from Quentin asking about her mother's identity. And when a home invasion leaves her mother fighting for her life, she doesn't know what to believe.
How well do we know our parents? Are they entitled to have secrets from us about their lives before we born, no matter how bad those secrets might be, or do we deserve full honesty? Can the truth really set us free, and is closure really possible?
I loved Alison Gaylin's new thriller, Never Look Back . As I've stated many times before, I tend to be really hard on thrillers because I suspect everyone and over-analyze everything, so it takes a lot to surprise me. Gaylin definitely threw some twists and turns into her plot, and while not everything was shocking, the combination of mystery, suspicion, emotions, and character development really made this a compelling read.
The book shifts narration between Quentin, Robin, and 15-year-old April (told in letters). There are lots of interesting connections that fall into place and lots of questions to answer. It's sad to see just how destructive secrets can be, potentially hurting not only those who have been keeping those secrets, but also having a ripple effect on others.
Gaylin is a highly regarded thriller writer, but this is the first of her books I've read. I'm definitely going to read some of her earlier books, because I love the way she tells a story, and the plot and her characters were so well-developed. This book starts on a slow burn, but as it picks up steam, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2018 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2018.html.
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
In 1976, teenagers April Cooper and Gabriel LeRoy went on a killing spree in the Inland Empire area of Southern California. Twelve people—some known to the killers, some random victims—were killed before the couple died in a fire at a religious compound.
While the story of the murderers was tabloid fodder for a while and they even were the subjects of a made-for-television movie, they soon faded into the peculiar history of serial killers and were mostly forgotten. But not by Quentin Garrison, who has a personal connection to Gabriel and April's crime spree years ago, and he believes that was responsible for his lousy childhood.
Quentin is now a podcast producer focused on true crime, and both his husband and his best friend/co-producer convince him he should tie up the whole story as a way to bring himself closure. Yet when he receives a call from what appears to be a reliable source, saying that April Cooper is actually still alive and living in New York, Quentin is unsure whether closure will ever really be possible. Does he want April to be alive after all these years?
Meanwhile, Robin Diamond is a controversial film reviewer for a popular entertainment website. She's never afraid to ruffle the feathers of their readers with her opinions, even if it brings crackpots to the surface. She's having doubts about her husband lately, but isn't sure if she really wants to know what has him working late and texting at all hours of the day and night. Regardless of all she's going through, she's not prepared for a phone call from Quentin asking about her mother's identity. And when a home invasion leaves her mother fighting for her life, she doesn't know what to believe.
How well do we know our parents? Are they entitled to have secrets from us about their lives before we born, no matter how bad those secrets might be, or do we deserve full honesty? Can the truth really set us free, and is closure really possible?
I loved Alison Gaylin's new thriller, Never Look Back . As I've stated many times before, I tend to be really hard on thrillers because I suspect everyone and over-analyze everything, so it takes a lot to surprise me. Gaylin definitely threw some twists and turns into her plot, and while not everything was shocking, the combination of mystery, suspicion, emotions, and character development really made this a compelling read.
The book shifts narration between Quentin, Robin, and 15-year-old April (told in letters). There are lots of interesting connections that fall into place and lots of questions to answer. It's sad to see just how destructive secrets can be, potentially hurting not only those who have been keeping those secrets, but also having a ripple effect on others.
Gaylin is a highly regarded thriller writer, but this is the first of her books I've read. I'm definitely going to read some of her earlier books, because I love the way she tells a story, and the plot and her characters were so well-developed. This book starts on a slow burn, but as it picks up steam, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2018 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2018.html.
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
February 10, 2020
BEST THRILLER of the SUMMER!!!
Alison Gaylin completely sucked me in with this tense absorbing dark story. 1976 California the Inland Empire ( fun fact is where I live). Two teenagers go on a killing spree that ends with them both dying in a fire. Present day quinton a crime podcaster is investigating these serial killers whose actions had a direct impact on his life. In the course of his investigation he happens across a film journalist living in New England who also has a tie to the story. What transpires is a tents and disturbing search for the truth. The book is told from the perspective of Quinton, Robin, and a young April Cooper (one of the teenagers). I found each of these characters perspectives unique and compelling. Aprils story was told to us in letters written to her future child, this was both chilling and endearing. Not going to lie I really liked April as well as Quinton and Robin and as things began to unravel I was shocked. This was a book that really made you question how well do you know the people in your life? Your parents? Your significant other? Your coworker? And the twists kept coming! As soon as I thought aha I got this figured out the book slammed me and said not so fast inspector Berit! This was just a brilliantly told story that kept me invested and on the edge from first page to last! If you love thrillers, books about serial killers, crime podcasts then this is a can’t miss!
🎧🎧🎧
Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie, James Fouhey
Both narrators did a wonderful job with the narration of the story. As always getting a voice to extremely well develop characters just adds another dimension to the story. You can listen to the narrator’s as they present this scripted podcast of what Quinton was working on during this book.
https://m.soundcloud.com/harperaudio_...
*** Big thanks to William Morrow for my copy of this book ***
Alison Gaylin completely sucked me in with this tense absorbing dark story. 1976 California the Inland Empire ( fun fact is where I live). Two teenagers go on a killing spree that ends with them both dying in a fire. Present day quinton a crime podcaster is investigating these serial killers whose actions had a direct impact on his life. In the course of his investigation he happens across a film journalist living in New England who also has a tie to the story. What transpires is a tents and disturbing search for the truth. The book is told from the perspective of Quinton, Robin, and a young April Cooper (one of the teenagers). I found each of these characters perspectives unique and compelling. Aprils story was told to us in letters written to her future child, this was both chilling and endearing. Not going to lie I really liked April as well as Quinton and Robin and as things began to unravel I was shocked. This was a book that really made you question how well do you know the people in your life? Your parents? Your significant other? Your coworker? And the twists kept coming! As soon as I thought aha I got this figured out the book slammed me and said not so fast inspector Berit! This was just a brilliantly told story that kept me invested and on the edge from first page to last! If you love thrillers, books about serial killers, crime podcasts then this is a can’t miss!
🎧🎧🎧
Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie, James Fouhey
Both narrators did a wonderful job with the narration of the story. As always getting a voice to extremely well develop characters just adds another dimension to the story. You can listen to the narrator’s as they present this scripted podcast of what Quinton was working on during this book.
https://m.soundcloud.com/harperaudio_...
*** Big thanks to William Morrow for my copy of this book ***
July 4, 2019
Wow! Just flipping wow! This book captivated me from the very first page and never let up. Sometimes a book starts out with a bang and you think that surely the author will not be able to keep up that type of intensity all the way through the book, well this one does. This book was not on my radar and yet it is one of the best I have read so far this year!
How well do you know those closest to you? Perhaps you think you know everything about your loved ones, but you may be surprised. Everyone has their secrets, but just how dark are they? The 1970's string of grisly murders by a Bonnie and Clyde type couple April Cooper and Gabriel LeRoy were the furthest thing from Robin's mind. She wasn't even born yet and why would she have any concern with the so called Inland Empire Killers? 40 years later they are all she can think about. Every single waking moment she thinks about them.
Quentin Garrish has a popular true crime podcast and he has reason to believe that Robin's mother Renee may in fact have a connection with the killing spree. Even though April and Gabriel have been long gone for 40 years after they met their demise in a fire, Quentin is determined to convince Robin that her living mother Renee is deeply involved.
Talk about not being able to put a book down! This book had so many dark, twisted turns it kept me guessing until the end. I thought I had it figured out and then a new shocking twist would come to light. I can't recommend this book enough! I read this with one of my best book buddies Brenda at Two Sisters and a Coulee and this was a fantastic buddy read. I can't thank William Morrow enough for sending this ARC print copy my way. I have just found a new favorite author and will be reading her other books! This book is a must read in my opinion! I highly suggest you get your hands on a copy now!
How well do you know those closest to you? Perhaps you think you know everything about your loved ones, but you may be surprised. Everyone has their secrets, but just how dark are they? The 1970's string of grisly murders by a Bonnie and Clyde type couple April Cooper and Gabriel LeRoy were the furthest thing from Robin's mind. She wasn't even born yet and why would she have any concern with the so called Inland Empire Killers? 40 years later they are all she can think about. Every single waking moment she thinks about them.
Quentin Garrish has a popular true crime podcast and he has reason to believe that Robin's mother Renee may in fact have a connection with the killing spree. Even though April and Gabriel have been long gone for 40 years after they met their demise in a fire, Quentin is determined to convince Robin that her living mother Renee is deeply involved.
Talk about not being able to put a book down! This book had so many dark, twisted turns it kept me guessing until the end. I thought I had it figured out and then a new shocking twist would come to light. I can't recommend this book enough! I read this with one of my best book buddies Brenda at Two Sisters and a Coulee and this was a fantastic buddy read. I can't thank William Morrow enough for sending this ARC print copy my way. I have just found a new favorite author and will be reading her other books! This book is a must read in my opinion! I highly suggest you get your hands on a copy now!
June 9, 2019
Five Stars all the Way!
In June 1976, teenage couple, April Cooper and Gabriel LeRoy went on a 13 day killing spree in California, ending in them both perishing in a fire.
Quentin Garrison is working on a podcast called Closure, based on the idea that even though the murders occurred more than forty years ago they still impact the lives of the survivors and their descendants. And, Quentin is one of them – his aunt was one of the victims.
Film columnist, Robin Diamond receives a strange phone call from Quentin. He's been contacted by a man claiming to have recognised her mother, Renee, from a Mother's Day video Robin posted for her column. The witness is convinced that Renee is April Cooper, that he knew her personally after she was presumed dead in a fire. Robin dismisses the notion as preposterous, but soon after her parents are victims of a home invasion. Could Renee Diamond really be notorious serial killer April Cooper?
Quentin and Robin each conduct their own investigations, determined to get to the truth. But doing so, will place their own lives in danger.
Tense, horrifying, fast-paced, and emotionally affecting, I quickly devoured this psychological suspenseful read. There were twists aplenty, and they keep on coming until the last page. Protagonists, Quinten and Robin, narrated the present, with the 1976 events unfolding via chilling, journal-style, "Letters to my Future Child", written by April Cooper. The opening pages, April's first entry, a written assignment for her freshman social studies class, hooked me immediately, and chapter two in Quentin's POV quickly endeared me to his character, and I felt the same way when Robin was introduced. The premise reminded me a of a novel I read last year, but that's where the similarities ended, this one was a lot better.
Content wise, there is nothing overly graphic or gruesome, no blow-by-blow of the murders April and Gabriel committed together. Instead, April's journals focus on her destructive and controlling, co-dependent relationship with Gabriel, and her secretive nature. I was expecting more of a focus on the podcast aspect, but the fact that there wasn't didn't make me feel like there was anything missing.
Alison Gaylin's 2018 novel, If I Die Tonight, was a huge hit for me, and Never Look Back will likely make my 2019, end-of-year, top favourites list. This one's out 2nd July, 2019, so make sure to mark your calendars, as it's not to be missed.
I'd like to thank Edelweiss, William Morrow Paperbacks, and Alison Gaylin for the e-ARC.
In June 1976, teenage couple, April Cooper and Gabriel LeRoy went on a 13 day killing spree in California, ending in them both perishing in a fire.
Quentin Garrison is working on a podcast called Closure, based on the idea that even though the murders occurred more than forty years ago they still impact the lives of the survivors and their descendants. And, Quentin is one of them – his aunt was one of the victims.
Film columnist, Robin Diamond receives a strange phone call from Quentin. He's been contacted by a man claiming to have recognised her mother, Renee, from a Mother's Day video Robin posted for her column. The witness is convinced that Renee is April Cooper, that he knew her personally after she was presumed dead in a fire. Robin dismisses the notion as preposterous, but soon after her parents are victims of a home invasion. Could Renee Diamond really be notorious serial killer April Cooper?
Quentin and Robin each conduct their own investigations, determined to get to the truth. But doing so, will place their own lives in danger.
Tense, horrifying, fast-paced, and emotionally affecting, I quickly devoured this psychological suspenseful read. There were twists aplenty, and they keep on coming until the last page. Protagonists, Quinten and Robin, narrated the present, with the 1976 events unfolding via chilling, journal-style, "Letters to my Future Child", written by April Cooper. The opening pages, April's first entry, a written assignment for her freshman social studies class, hooked me immediately, and chapter two in Quentin's POV quickly endeared me to his character, and I felt the same way when Robin was introduced. The premise reminded me a of a novel I read last year, but that's where the similarities ended, this one was a lot better.
Content wise, there is nothing overly graphic or gruesome, no blow-by-blow of the murders April and Gabriel committed together. Instead, April's journals focus on her destructive and controlling, co-dependent relationship with Gabriel, and her secretive nature. I was expecting more of a focus on the podcast aspect, but the fact that there wasn't didn't make me feel like there was anything missing.
Alison Gaylin's 2018 novel, If I Die Tonight, was a huge hit for me, and Never Look Back will likely make my 2019, end-of-year, top favourites list. This one's out 2nd July, 2019, so make sure to mark your calendars, as it's not to be missed.
I'd like to thank Edelweiss, William Morrow Paperbacks, and Alison Gaylin for the e-ARC.
July 17, 2019
Favorite Quotes:
When someone is that close, you don’t just hear a whisper. You feel it.
She clutched a skittish little terrier in her arms that yapped and yapped, as though it had been born into the wrong life and was desperately trying to alert the world about it.
And then I saw it happen: Officer Nelligan recognized us. I knew it before he said anything, just in the way he stopped talking, the way his back straightened, and he seemed to change shape, growing bigger and taller and meaner than he’d been just two seconds earlier. I pictured buttons popping on his uniform, his rage turning him into a giant, a monster that could, would kill Gabriel and me…
Time froze into a still photograph. I was standing at one end of a tunnel and Officer Nelligan was at the other and there was no one else in the world but the two of us.
I think that spending all this time with Gabriel has made me turn a little, like when you leave a glass of milk out in the sun… Every day, I will do something good for a person or an animal. I won’t go to sleep until I’ve made someone’s life better. And all those good deeds will turn me back.
Life rides some of us harder than others.
The sky here is so beautiful— like someone spilled a jar of silver glitter over a black velvet cape.
Summer glanced up to see the waitress standing over her, a look in her eye like they’d drawn straws back in the kitchen and she was the loser.
My Review:
After reading If I Die Tonight, I was aware of Ms. Gaylin’s uniquely devious style of slowly weaving seemingly unrelated yet mind-tickling events together into an ingeniously intriguing and complex tale of tragedy and secret lives. The characters were compelling yet deeply damaged and brimming with recalcitrant secrets and incongruence. The storylines were diabolically captivating and maddeningly paced, keeping my curiosity on a sharp edge. And to my unbridled delight, the last hundred pages exploded with twist after twist, it was brilliant. Alison Gaylin is an exceptional talent and has mad skills, but I can’t help but feel a bit fearful for her neighbors…
When someone is that close, you don’t just hear a whisper. You feel it.
She clutched a skittish little terrier in her arms that yapped and yapped, as though it had been born into the wrong life and was desperately trying to alert the world about it.
And then I saw it happen: Officer Nelligan recognized us. I knew it before he said anything, just in the way he stopped talking, the way his back straightened, and he seemed to change shape, growing bigger and taller and meaner than he’d been just two seconds earlier. I pictured buttons popping on his uniform, his rage turning him into a giant, a monster that could, would kill Gabriel and me…
Time froze into a still photograph. I was standing at one end of a tunnel and Officer Nelligan was at the other and there was no one else in the world but the two of us.
I think that spending all this time with Gabriel has made me turn a little, like when you leave a glass of milk out in the sun… Every day, I will do something good for a person or an animal. I won’t go to sleep until I’ve made someone’s life better. And all those good deeds will turn me back.
Life rides some of us harder than others.
The sky here is so beautiful— like someone spilled a jar of silver glitter over a black velvet cape.
Summer glanced up to see the waitress standing over her, a look in her eye like they’d drawn straws back in the kitchen and she was the loser.
My Review:
After reading If I Die Tonight, I was aware of Ms. Gaylin’s uniquely devious style of slowly weaving seemingly unrelated yet mind-tickling events together into an ingeniously intriguing and complex tale of tragedy and secret lives. The characters were compelling yet deeply damaged and brimming with recalcitrant secrets and incongruence. The storylines were diabolically captivating and maddeningly paced, keeping my curiosity on a sharp edge. And to my unbridled delight, the last hundred pages exploded with twist after twist, it was brilliant. Alison Gaylin is an exceptional talent and has mad skills, but I can’t help but feel a bit fearful for her neighbors…
January 1, 2020
For Quentin Garrison, his podcast, entitled Closure, is truly about just that--closure. It centers on a series of murders in the 1970s committed by teens Gabriel LeRoy and April Cooper. The victims included Quentin's mother's little sister and his grandmother. As a result, Quentin has spent most of his life raised by a neglectful, drug addict mom. For Robin Diamond, a columnist, the podcast causes only confusion. When Quentin contacts her about it, asking specifically about April Cooper and tying her to Robin's own mother, Robin is bewildered. But the more she delves into the murders, the more she starts to wonder. Then there's a terrible home invasion at her parent's house, killing her father and leaving her mom unconscious. What exactly happened back in the '70s--and, now, in the home invasion?
This was an excellent thriller that had me hooked from the first page. It's dark, gritty, and utterly mesmerizing. When I started it, I was thinking to myself, not another podcast mystery, but little did I know... this book is totally addictive and brings in the podcast element in a seamless, fresh way.
It's told from the perspective of several of our main characters--particularly Robin and Quentin. We also get excerpts from a school assignment of April's when she was fifteen: letters to her future child. These slowly reveal what happened during the killings, and they are told in a spot-on voice of a fifteen-year-old girl. The way everything is woven together is perfect: I found myself completely captivated and read basically the last half of the book in one breathless setting, staying up past my bedtime to finish it.
We learn that both Gabriel and April died in a fire at the site of their last attempted murder. So when Quentin receives a tip claiming that April Cooper is still alive, it changes everything, including the focus of his podcast. When he starts to believe that Robin's mother is April, things get even more interesting. I loved the suspense--constantly wondering if April was alive and if she was, who she could be. And then, there's the aspect of was April "good" or "bad" during the killings. So many people blamed her for the deaths of their loved ones, and nothing is black or white in this book.
Even Quentin. Since his past is strongly affected by the murders, we find ourselves wondering if we can trust him, too. Quentin's grandfather basically gave up raising his daughter, Kate--Quentin's mother--after the death of his wife and young daughter. As such, Quentin's own mother wasn't much of a parent to him. Quentin's own bitterness and anger shines through--a strong theme in the book. Can we rely on someone so angry, we wonder? I felt for him, and his devoted husband and loving best friend and podcast partner. So many of the characters are intense, and each is so well-crafted and unique. Each flew off the page.
This is often a dark book, and there are many scenes of violence. But, for me, it was the emotional scenes that were the toughest to read. There are many touching moments, too, and I found myself attached to several of the characters. Reading young April's letters was quite a feat. Gaylin is such an excellent writer, and she just pulls you into the story so effortlessly--you feel as if you are there with her characters. Throw in some great twists and turns and this is an excellent and suspenseful novel.
The ending was a tough one, but I get it. Overall, I really enjoyed this dark psychological thriller. I am just loving Gaylin's recent books and need to go back and read some of her previous works (there's a little Brenna Spector shoutout in this one for those of you who are fans). Definitely recommend! 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from William Morrow and Edelweiss in return for an honest review.
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This was an excellent thriller that had me hooked from the first page. It's dark, gritty, and utterly mesmerizing. When I started it, I was thinking to myself, not another podcast mystery, but little did I know... this book is totally addictive and brings in the podcast element in a seamless, fresh way.
It's told from the perspective of several of our main characters--particularly Robin and Quentin. We also get excerpts from a school assignment of April's when she was fifteen: letters to her future child. These slowly reveal what happened during the killings, and they are told in a spot-on voice of a fifteen-year-old girl. The way everything is woven together is perfect: I found myself completely captivated and read basically the last half of the book in one breathless setting, staying up past my bedtime to finish it.
We learn that both Gabriel and April died in a fire at the site of their last attempted murder. So when Quentin receives a tip claiming that April Cooper is still alive, it changes everything, including the focus of his podcast. When he starts to believe that Robin's mother is April, things get even more interesting. I loved the suspense--constantly wondering if April was alive and if she was, who she could be. And then, there's the aspect of was April "good" or "bad" during the killings. So many people blamed her for the deaths of their loved ones, and nothing is black or white in this book.
Even Quentin. Since his past is strongly affected by the murders, we find ourselves wondering if we can trust him, too. Quentin's grandfather basically gave up raising his daughter, Kate--Quentin's mother--after the death of his wife and young daughter. As such, Quentin's own mother wasn't much of a parent to him. Quentin's own bitterness and anger shines through--a strong theme in the book. Can we rely on someone so angry, we wonder? I felt for him, and his devoted husband and loving best friend and podcast partner. So many of the characters are intense, and each is so well-crafted and unique. Each flew off the page.
This is often a dark book, and there are many scenes of violence. But, for me, it was the emotional scenes that were the toughest to read. There are many touching moments, too, and I found myself attached to several of the characters. Reading young April's letters was quite a feat. Gaylin is such an excellent writer, and she just pulls you into the story so effortlessly--you feel as if you are there with her characters. Throw in some great twists and turns and this is an excellent and suspenseful novel.
The ending was a tough one, but I get it. Overall, I really enjoyed this dark psychological thriller. I am just loving Gaylin's recent books and need to go back and read some of her previous works (there's a little Brenna Spector shoutout in this one for those of you who are fans). Definitely recommend! 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from William Morrow and Edelweiss in return for an honest review.
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September 6, 2019
A dark...brutal....thrilling nightmare! Wow...I have been missing out! Alison Gaylin is top notch and knows how to throw in some surprising twists. I’m a fan of this extremely talented writer!
The more I read, the more questions I had. Since this was a buddy read, I wrote down my thoughts and questions. On paper, it sounded like a soap opera, lol! But it definitely didn’t read like one.
Thank you to Goodreads, William Morrow and Alison Gaylin for this ARC, received through a Goodreads Giveaway, in exchange for my honest review!
Lies and betrayal, between complex characters, interlaced through painful secrets and events. By destiny or misfortune? I’m not sure.
April and Gabriel, two young teenagers, on a killing spree in the 70’s, that ends with both dying. During this time, April writes letters to her future daughter.
Robin is a website columnist and film reviewer. Her father is a forensic psychiatrist. Her mother doesn’t work, but volunteers her time and loves helping others.
Quentin is a true-crime podcaster, who is doing a podcast on the 70’s killing spree. He thinks April is still alive and living under another name. He also has a personal connection to the crimes.
The book is told from Quentin and Robin’s POV, in addition to the letters April wrote to Aurora Grace. The letters were my favorite part! And April and Robin were my favorite characters.
Thank you Ceecee for being such a great buddy read partner!
My Rating: 4.25 ⭐️’s
Published: July 2nd 2019 by William Morrow Paperbacks
Pages: 368
Recommend: Yes
The more I read, the more questions I had. Since this was a buddy read, I wrote down my thoughts and questions. On paper, it sounded like a soap opera, lol! But it definitely didn’t read like one.
Thank you to Goodreads, William Morrow and Alison Gaylin for this ARC, received through a Goodreads Giveaway, in exchange for my honest review!
Lies and betrayal, between complex characters, interlaced through painful secrets and events. By destiny or misfortune? I’m not sure.
April and Gabriel, two young teenagers, on a killing spree in the 70’s, that ends with both dying. During this time, April writes letters to her future daughter.
Robin is a website columnist and film reviewer. Her father is a forensic psychiatrist. Her mother doesn’t work, but volunteers her time and loves helping others.
Quentin is a true-crime podcaster, who is doing a podcast on the 70’s killing spree. He thinks April is still alive and living under another name. He also has a personal connection to the crimes.
The book is told from Quentin and Robin’s POV, in addition to the letters April wrote to Aurora Grace. The letters were my favorite part! And April and Robin were my favorite characters.
Thank you Ceecee for being such a great buddy read partner!
My Rating: 4.25 ⭐️’s
Published: July 2nd 2019 by William Morrow Paperbacks
Pages: 368
Recommend: Yes
September 16, 2019
Teenagers Gabriel and former girlfriend April Cooper go on a killing spree in 1976 in California. Both were thought to have died in a religious compound but is April still alive and assuming another persona? Quentin Sharkey, a journalist investigates these killings as they have have links to his mother. The book starts well and the story unravels effortlessly and keeps my interest. Part is narrative in the present day and the other part of the storytelling is letters written by April to her future daughter during the killings. This is a useful technique as we see into April’s mind although I feel that she is not truthful, she diverts blame to Gabriel and yet she is clearly as monstrous and they are full of contractions. Towards the end, I question the purpose of the letters and the plot seems to get very convoluted and so hence 4 rather than 5 stars.
On the whole, it’s a good story, full of twists and turns, with interesting characters.
On the whole, it’s a good story, full of twists and turns, with interesting characters.
June 27, 2019
Alison Gaylin, you are an amazing writer. Kudos to writing such a beautifully told mystery/thriller—
Never Look Back
is a fun, dark, ride! In the same vein as the podcast Serial or the Six Stories series by Matt Wesolowski, we are taken on a podcaster's journey to find the truth. Quentin Garrison has begun producing his podcast, Closure, where it will center around murderous couple April Cooper and Gabriel LeRoy—a duo that invoked multiple murders during the 1970s, including April's own father!
Without giving much away, Quentin and his partner Summer investigate the murder closely and he stumbles over mysterious footage linking the murders to another woman—a woman still alive to this day—to these crimes. Quentin reaches out to Robin Diamond, daughter of this mysterious woman, to find out more information linking the puzzle pieces of this mystery together. Robin is hesitant to believe Quentin at first, but as the story begins to unravel, Robin can't help but see similarities. What Quentin and Robin are about to uncover will shock everyone.
Never Look Back is definitely one of the best told mysteries that I've read this year. I was completely gripped from the first chapter, and I couldn't put this book down. I really enjoyed reading Quentin and Robin's point of views, and I was curious to see how the story would unfold. Alison Gaylin gets right to the point with this story—no fluff or secondary plot holes thrown in to keep the story going. Action-packed from the beginning, this story is fast and direct. It's focused on a centralized story and each page continues to craft that mystery further. In fact, I would have probably given this book 5 stars, but I felt that it was more predictable than I would've liked. I was able to figure out the ending about halfway into the story, but even as I was figuring the story out, I still couldn't put it down. Alison Gaylin is a new author for me, but Never Look Back will not be the last book I read from her.
Without giving much away, Quentin and his partner Summer investigate the murder closely and he stumbles over mysterious footage linking the murders to another woman—a woman still alive to this day—to these crimes. Quentin reaches out to Robin Diamond, daughter of this mysterious woman, to find out more information linking the puzzle pieces of this mystery together. Robin is hesitant to believe Quentin at first, but as the story begins to unravel, Robin can't help but see similarities. What Quentin and Robin are about to uncover will shock everyone.
Never Look Back is definitely one of the best told mysteries that I've read this year. I was completely gripped from the first chapter, and I couldn't put this book down. I really enjoyed reading Quentin and Robin's point of views, and I was curious to see how the story would unfold. Alison Gaylin gets right to the point with this story—no fluff or secondary plot holes thrown in to keep the story going. Action-packed from the beginning, this story is fast and direct. It's focused on a centralized story and each page continues to craft that mystery further. In fact, I would have probably given this book 5 stars, but I felt that it was more predictable than I would've liked. I was able to figure out the ending about halfway into the story, but even as I was figuring the story out, I still couldn't put it down. Alison Gaylin is a new author for me, but Never Look Back will not be the last book I read from her.
January 19, 2022
Audible 5 Stars
Story - 3.5 Stars
Story - 3.5 Stars
May 24, 2020
Many thanks to William Morrow for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
Holy moly... that was a rollercoaster!
From the first chapter, I was invested. This book perfectly hit every bit beat. I was fully invested in the characters (especially the gay one -oop). The ending was so tense and I absolutely loved it! Overall, a thrilling novel that I'd highly recommend!
--------------
Wow that ending
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September 17, 2019
Totally enjoyed this book! I really needed a good suspenseful book and this one hit the mark!
“ You never truly know anyone. Every human being who has lived long enough to make mistakes has secrets stashed away in the back of a locked closet or stored in a cloud or crouching in the darkest depths of the brain, moments of weakness that they’ve worked their whole lives to hide, even from those the love most. Especially from those they love most.”
This book is filled with secrets. The secret at the heart of the book is : “Is April Cooper alive? In 1976, April and Gabriel Leroy went on a killing spree. Both are thought to be dead.
This book had an underlying tension that kept me reading. I love trying to figure out who dun-nit and based on a few clues dropped, I did seem to get to the right conclusion, but this did not detract. It’s amazing the secrets people are able to live with! I loved the intricate plotting.
The author’s afterword is worth reading, as this story is loosely based on a true event.
This was a perfect suspenseful read!
“ You never truly know anyone. Every human being who has lived long enough to make mistakes has secrets stashed away in the back of a locked closet or stored in a cloud or crouching in the darkest depths of the brain, moments of weakness that they’ve worked their whole lives to hide, even from those the love most. Especially from those they love most.”
This book is filled with secrets. The secret at the heart of the book is : “Is April Cooper alive? In 1976, April and Gabriel Leroy went on a killing spree. Both are thought to be dead.
This book had an underlying tension that kept me reading. I love trying to figure out who dun-nit and based on a few clues dropped, I did seem to get to the right conclusion, but this did not detract. It’s amazing the secrets people are able to live with! I loved the intricate plotting.
The author’s afterword is worth reading, as this story is loosely based on a true event.
This was a perfect suspenseful read!
April 1, 2019
2.5 stars. Another true-crime-podcast book that doesn't really have much to do with the true crime podcast phenomenon. While it doesn't have transcriptions of a podcast (phew) it does have a much worse and completely unnecessary device that continues throughout the book. The jumping between characters seemed to be methodical at first but gets too sporadic by the end. Generally, a lot of the pieces here felt to me like they'd been wedged together and forced to fit rather than meshing organically. This just never really worked for me and if I hadn't needed something to speed through I probably wouldn't have finished it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2019
Really enjoyed this even though I guessed the ending. Liked the way it jumped between the past and the present.
July 19, 2019
Website columnist Robin Diamond is shocked when crime podcast producer Quentin Garrison contacts her and implies that Robin's mother was involved in a couple of murders back in the 70s. Robin is quite sure that this is impossible, but she can't help wondering why she knows so little about her mother's past. There is no way her mother could have participated in a murder spree. And, beside both killers are dead, so there is no way her mother could be a killer. Then, tragedy strikes when someone breaks in and shots both her parents. Could this have something to do with the old murder case?
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
July 19, 2019
Thank you William Morrow and Harper Collins for the free copy of Never Look Back in exchange for an honest review.
Quentin has a connection to a couple of murdering teens who ripped through Southern California in the late 70's. Determined to find Closure to what happened, he decides to embark on a podcast to investigate the survivors of the people who lost their lives all those years ago. Also, Robin Diamond's parents are recent victims of a home invasion making her question how well she knows her parents. And Quentin has her wondering if her mother may be connected to the same teen murderers that he's investigating.
You know that meme of the woman with all the math equations floating in front of her face? I think it's from a movie or a tv show. That's how I felt while I was reading this. I had trouble keeping track of who was who and how they were connected. The story wasn't hard to follow, but the characters were very difficult to keep straight. It didn't help that some of them had alias's. Thus, giving me two names to remember for the same person. I felt like I was slugging through this one. It was interesting to read, but slow going. And, I felt bogged down trying to keep myself up to speed on who was who and what was what.
I think that the letters written by April, one of the teen murderers, was the most interesting part of the book. It was a nice respite from all the analyzing when there was one of her straightforward diary entries that leads us through the reveals.
I expected this to be more podcast driven. But, it turned out to just be the reason behind the actual story. As in, Quentin is making a podcast, so this happens because of it. I thought that the story was going to be following him through his podcast investigation. But, it turned out that the podcast is just a side note in the real story.
I didn't ever want to dnf the book, so I feel like it deserves at least 3 stars. But, I'm not sure who I would recommend it to. It's not a typical thriller. It is slow moving and investigative with characters who are a bit difficult to follow.
Quentin has a connection to a couple of murdering teens who ripped through Southern California in the late 70's. Determined to find Closure to what happened, he decides to embark on a podcast to investigate the survivors of the people who lost their lives all those years ago. Also, Robin Diamond's parents are recent victims of a home invasion making her question how well she knows her parents. And Quentin has her wondering if her mother may be connected to the same teen murderers that he's investigating.
You know that meme of the woman with all the math equations floating in front of her face? I think it's from a movie or a tv show. That's how I felt while I was reading this. I had trouble keeping track of who was who and how they were connected. The story wasn't hard to follow, but the characters were very difficult to keep straight. It didn't help that some of them had alias's. Thus, giving me two names to remember for the same person. I felt like I was slugging through this one. It was interesting to read, but slow going. And, I felt bogged down trying to keep myself up to speed on who was who and what was what.
I think that the letters written by April, one of the teen murderers, was the most interesting part of the book. It was a nice respite from all the analyzing when there was one of her straightforward diary entries that leads us through the reveals.
I expected this to be more podcast driven. But, it turned out to just be the reason behind the actual story. As in, Quentin is making a podcast, so this happens because of it. I thought that the story was going to be following him through his podcast investigation. But, it turned out that the podcast is just a side note in the real story.
I didn't ever want to dnf the book, so I feel like it deserves at least 3 stars. But, I'm not sure who I would recommend it to. It's not a typical thriller. It is slow moving and investigative with characters who are a bit difficult to follow.
July 15, 2019
So good!!!!
July 14, 2019
3.5 Stars
I am giving this unique thriller/ coming of age novel 3.5 Stars rounded up to 4.
SUMMARY
The book opens with a letter written by April Cooper in 1976 to her future daughter explaining that her ex-boyfriend, Gabriel killed her stepfather and pressured an unwilling April to go into hiding with him. Unsurprisingly, Gabriel is way more unstable than 15 year old April could have ever imagined. It wasn’t long before their “laying low and hiding” turned into an infamous killing spree through Southern California and Death Valley. The police and public considered them to be a modern day Bonnie and Clyde, assuming April both approved of and participated in these murders. The press even gave them a name, dubbing them The Inland Empire Killers.
In the present day, Quinton Garrison, a true crime podcast reporter/ producer is working with his production partner, Summer, on a podcast about The Inland Empire Killers and how the killings still affect the lives of the victims families. This podcast is to be called Closure because Quinton has a painful connection to the story and needs to put that chapter of his life to rest. When a man calls Summer to say he thinks April is still alive and living in a small NY town, Quinton hops on a plane to see if this woman could actually be April.
Meanwhile, in Tarry Ridge, NY, journalists Robin Diamond receives a call from Quinton. Quinton wants to meet with her to discuss his upcoming podcast and the fact that his source led him to her mother, Renee. Robin tells Quinton she thinks he’s off base and opts not to meet him. Yet, in the back of her mind, Robin cannot help but consider his story... after all, she really knows nothing about her mother’s life before her parents met. Less than 24 hours later, someone enters her parents house and shoots both of them.
The book flips back and forth between April’s letters to her future daughter in 1976, Quinton’s podcast research and Robin desperately trying to figure out what happened to her parents and who her mother really is. The three story lines converge eventually, creating a hard to forget tale with many layers.
WHAT I LOVED
I was fascinated from page one! The “letters to a future daughter” were so sad, sweet, hopeful and deeply disturbing. They really did sound like a fifteen year old girl’s voice. She sounded young, vulnerable and in over her head. It was so interesting to watch how everything April had been through gradually changed her. How she went from being a very innocent, sweet girl to becoming a strong woman who had seen way too much and is quite capable of taking care of herself.
All three of the story lines were very compelling. Interestingly, the majority of the main characters were journalists. This profession worked for the story because each character had some investigating to do and journalists tend to be equipped with all the skills necessary for investigations. Each of the characters had some sort of issue or disappointment related to their parents and had deeply suffered from it, yet each character handled the suffering in vastly different ways.
I was able to sympathize with and understand each of the main characters, even when they were not on their best behavior. Everyone, with the exception of Gabriel, had at least something likable about them. They were not just black or white, which was kind of the whole theme of the book; nobody is just one thing or act but the sum of all their parts and actions.
While this book was not specifically based on a true story, it was inspired by a similar true crime from the 1950’s. That crime inspired several books and movies. I highly recommend reading the authors short blurb at the end of the book explaining all this. It is quick and quite informative.
WHAT I DIDN’T LOVE
The ending was a little disappointing to me. I don’t want to explain what I didn’t love about it, it would ruin the ending for anyone who reads my review. I will say, however, the ending knocked it from a 4 Star to a 3.5 for me.
OVERALL
This one is a real ‘thinker,’ I’m finding myself unable to stop thinking about it. In fact, I may head over to my parents house and see if my mother is hiding anything in her dresser drawers...
I am giving this unique thriller/ coming of age novel 3.5 Stars rounded up to 4.
SUMMARY
The book opens with a letter written by April Cooper in 1976 to her future daughter explaining that her ex-boyfriend, Gabriel killed her stepfather and pressured an unwilling April to go into hiding with him. Unsurprisingly, Gabriel is way more unstable than 15 year old April could have ever imagined. It wasn’t long before their “laying low and hiding” turned into an infamous killing spree through Southern California and Death Valley. The police and public considered them to be a modern day Bonnie and Clyde, assuming April both approved of and participated in these murders. The press even gave them a name, dubbing them The Inland Empire Killers.
In the present day, Quinton Garrison, a true crime podcast reporter/ producer is working with his production partner, Summer, on a podcast about The Inland Empire Killers and how the killings still affect the lives of the victims families. This podcast is to be called Closure because Quinton has a painful connection to the story and needs to put that chapter of his life to rest. When a man calls Summer to say he thinks April is still alive and living in a small NY town, Quinton hops on a plane to see if this woman could actually be April.
Meanwhile, in Tarry Ridge, NY, journalists Robin Diamond receives a call from Quinton. Quinton wants to meet with her to discuss his upcoming podcast and the fact that his source led him to her mother, Renee. Robin tells Quinton she thinks he’s off base and opts not to meet him. Yet, in the back of her mind, Robin cannot help but consider his story... after all, she really knows nothing about her mother’s life before her parents met. Less than 24 hours later, someone enters her parents house and shoots both of them.
The book flips back and forth between April’s letters to her future daughter in 1976, Quinton’s podcast research and Robin desperately trying to figure out what happened to her parents and who her mother really is. The three story lines converge eventually, creating a hard to forget tale with many layers.
WHAT I LOVED
I was fascinated from page one! The “letters to a future daughter” were so sad, sweet, hopeful and deeply disturbing. They really did sound like a fifteen year old girl’s voice. She sounded young, vulnerable and in over her head. It was so interesting to watch how everything April had been through gradually changed her. How she went from being a very innocent, sweet girl to becoming a strong woman who had seen way too much and is quite capable of taking care of herself.
All three of the story lines were very compelling. Interestingly, the majority of the main characters were journalists. This profession worked for the story because each character had some investigating to do and journalists tend to be equipped with all the skills necessary for investigations. Each of the characters had some sort of issue or disappointment related to their parents and had deeply suffered from it, yet each character handled the suffering in vastly different ways.
I was able to sympathize with and understand each of the main characters, even when they were not on their best behavior. Everyone, with the exception of Gabriel, had at least something likable about them. They were not just black or white, which was kind of the whole theme of the book; nobody is just one thing or act but the sum of all their parts and actions.
While this book was not specifically based on a true story, it was inspired by a similar true crime from the 1950’s. That crime inspired several books and movies. I highly recommend reading the authors short blurb at the end of the book explaining all this. It is quick and quite informative.
WHAT I DIDN’T LOVE
The ending was a little disappointing to me. I don’t want to explain what I didn’t love about it, it would ruin the ending for anyone who reads my review. I will say, however, the ending knocked it from a 4 Star to a 3.5 for me.
OVERALL
This one is a real ‘thinker,’ I’m finding myself unable to stop thinking about it. In fact, I may head over to my parents house and see if my mother is hiding anything in her dresser drawers...
June 27, 2019
I became a huge fan of Alison Gaylin's when I read her novel What Remains of Me, my adoration only grew when I read If I Die Tonight and now, Never Look Back has turned me into a raving super-fan. Gaylin does an excellent job of driving the plot, creating true suspense and tension and not meandering from the story at hand.
Told in dual timelines, we learn about teenage murderers April Cooper and Gabriel LeRoy, via April's journal. In present day, we learn that podcast host Quentin Garrison thinks Cooper may be alive and seeks out the truth, bringing us to chapters with Robin Diamond, a celebrity pop culture columnist. Each perspective brings it's own unique voice and drives the plot forward.
Gaylin in an extremely talented voice in a genre that is over-saturated at the moment and truly stands out in the crowd. I have yet to rate any of her novels lower than 5 stars and this one certainly fits that bill as well.
Thank you to William Morrow for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Told in dual timelines, we learn about teenage murderers April Cooper and Gabriel LeRoy, via April's journal. In present day, we learn that podcast host Quentin Garrison thinks Cooper may be alive and seeks out the truth, bringing us to chapters with Robin Diamond, a celebrity pop culture columnist. Each perspective brings it's own unique voice and drives the plot forward.
Gaylin in an extremely talented voice in a genre that is over-saturated at the moment and truly stands out in the crowd. I have yet to rate any of her novels lower than 5 stars and this one certainly fits that bill as well.
Thank you to William Morrow for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
September 10, 2019
A middling thriller that pulled too many punches for my taste and relied a tad to heavily on concepts like "everyone's really into true crime podcasts now!" to take the place of a clever, edge of your seat story, which this definitely had the potential to be.
A podcast producer begins looking into whether one half of a crime spree Romeo and Juliet really did die in a firey blaze of glory years ago or reinvented herself as another person far from the crimes she may or may not have committed. Unfortunately this truly interesting premise gets pretty lost in subplots involving failing marriages, the #metoo movement, family conflict, and way too much serious mental illnesses for one book.
I will say this is fast paced and pretty well written but I never really connected to any of the characters and thus never really invested in what they were doing. If a quick, shallow thrill is what you're after this isn't the worst thing you could read.
A podcast producer begins looking into whether one half of a crime spree Romeo and Juliet really did die in a firey blaze of glory years ago or reinvented herself as another person far from the crimes she may or may not have committed. Unfortunately this truly interesting premise gets pretty lost in subplots involving failing marriages, the #metoo movement, family conflict, and way too much serious mental illnesses for one book.
I will say this is fast paced and pretty well written but I never really connected to any of the characters and thus never really invested in what they were doing. If a quick, shallow thrill is what you're after this isn't the worst thing you could read.
January 15, 2020
I won this book in exchange for an honest review.
Mild spoiler alert...not specific spoilers, however there are a few suggestive remarks in my review so I added the warning to be safe!
4.5 stars for this one! I actually really enjoyed this read! I got swept up into the complicated story line and was constantly trying to remember specific details to keep the amateur detective in me satisfied. I was definitely surprised by some of the events, but some were really predictable. I knew something was up with “Nicola” right from the moment she was introduced to us!
All in all an awesome book that pulls you in right away and keeps you guessing until the very end!
Mild spoiler alert...not specific spoilers, however there are a few suggestive remarks in my review so I added the warning to be safe!
4.5 stars for this one! I actually really enjoyed this read! I got swept up into the complicated story line and was constantly trying to remember specific details to keep the amateur detective in me satisfied. I was definitely surprised by some of the events, but some were really predictable. I knew something was up with “Nicola” right from the moment she was introduced to us!
All in all an awesome book that pulls you in right away and keeps you guessing until the very end!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2020
Full review to follow but spoiler alert I LOVED THIS BOOK.
I read it in three days and was totally hooked. Multiple POVs. Podcast vibes. Past mystery impacting the present. And SO MANY SECRETS. This was so dark and twisted and Alison Gaylin held nothing back.
If you're looking for a gritty story that will grab hold of you and not let go then this one is for you.
I read it in three days and was totally hooked. Multiple POVs. Podcast vibes. Past mystery impacting the present. And SO MANY SECRETS. This was so dark and twisted and Alison Gaylin held nothing back.
If you're looking for a gritty story that will grab hold of you and not let go then this one is for you.
April 23, 2020
Never Look Back looks into the question - do you really know your loved ones? It's definitely a scary thought if the answer could be no and that's exactly what Robin Diamond is faced with.
I liked the set up of the novel, even though it did take me a couple of chapters to figure out who everyone was. You got to know Quentin first who is a podcaster investigating his next case when someone reaches out to him saying that killer April Cooper is still alive. Then we got to know Robin. Quentin reaches out to Robin since he thinks that Robin's mother is connected with April Cooper.
The novel did have a lot of twists and I was back and forth if Robin's mother was involved and if she was in what capacity. I like it when a novel causes the reader to have doubts on who they can trust.
I liked the set up of the novel, even though it did take me a couple of chapters to figure out who everyone was. You got to know Quentin first who is a podcaster investigating his next case when someone reaches out to him saying that killer April Cooper is still alive. Then we got to know Robin. Quentin reaches out to Robin since he thinks that Robin's mother is connected with April Cooper.
The novel did have a lot of twists and I was back and forth if Robin's mother was involved and if she was in what capacity. I like it when a novel causes the reader to have doubts on who they can trust.
December 5, 2024
Never Look Back is a thrilling, twisty ride that had me hooked from start to finish. With its dark secrets, suspenseful pacing, and engaging multiple perspectives, it’s a psychological suspense gem that will keep you guessing. The story centers on Robin Diamond, a columnist who’s thrust into a chilling investigation after a true crime podcast producer claims her mother may be connected to a series of murders from the 1970s. What begins as a seemingly absurd claim quickly unravels into a web of secrets and lies that shakes Robin’s understanding of her family—and herself.
Alison Gaylin masterfully weaves together the story with a podcast-style format, alternating between Robin’s perspective, the voice of the podcast host, Quentin, and eerie letters from one of the killers, April Cooper. These layers of narrative create a tense and immersive atmosphere, adding depth to each character’s psyche. The plot feels predictably tense at times, but Gaylin knows exactly how to craft those unpredictable twists that keep you on edge, doubting everyone and everything.
Even though I had a feeling about where things were headed, the twists were still executed in such a way that they felt fresh and exciting. The tension is palpable, and I couldn’t stop reading, eager to see how everything connected. If you love psychological thrillers that are both dark and entertaining, Never Look Back is a must-read. It’s the kind of book that will make you question how well you really know the people around you—and leave you with a lingering sense of unease. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a fast-paced, twisty, and suspenseful read!
Alison Gaylin masterfully weaves together the story with a podcast-style format, alternating between Robin’s perspective, the voice of the podcast host, Quentin, and eerie letters from one of the killers, April Cooper. These layers of narrative create a tense and immersive atmosphere, adding depth to each character’s psyche. The plot feels predictably tense at times, but Gaylin knows exactly how to craft those unpredictable twists that keep you on edge, doubting everyone and everything.
Even though I had a feeling about where things were headed, the twists were still executed in such a way that they felt fresh and exciting. The tension is palpable, and I couldn’t stop reading, eager to see how everything connected. If you love psychological thrillers that are both dark and entertaining, Never Look Back is a must-read. It’s the kind of book that will make you question how well you really know the people around you—and leave you with a lingering sense of unease. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a fast-paced, twisty, and suspenseful read!
September 22, 2019
The current obsession with True Crime Podcasts in America is alive and real. Alison Gaylin has taken this obsession and spun it into this smart, modern, psychological thriller. I admit I am definitely part of the podcast mania. (I have my set of “favorite” true crime podcasts). So for Gaylin to acknowledge this obsession we’ve all gotten mixed up in, is absolutely awesome. I literally had to force myself to put it down (why do you need dinner tonight family?!? I just want to READ this book!) Gaylin has crafted this intense modern thriller while moving back and forth between the past and present. A modern Bonnie & Clyde with dark family secrets that run so deep I had to pick my jaw up off the ground more than once! Never Look Back is a modern fast-paced thriller that is a perfect read for the current times in which we are living. I highly recommend!
5-stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5-stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 11, 2020
I'm a big fan of epistolary stories and multiple points of view so this worked for me. There is a lot going on and two timelines but I think it's easy enough to follow. We start with Quentin who is trying to put together a podcast series called Closure. His mum was murdered by a Bonnie and Clyde style pair of teenage killers. The podcast is as much for him as the listeners. The other main character Robin who's mum may or may not have been one of these killers. The big question is how well do we really know our parents. It's not just Robin's mum that has secrets. In between all this we have the letters from killer April to her unborn child which details the events of the teen killers.
I found it quite gripping and a fast read and quite the page turner. I really enjoyed it.
I found it quite gripping and a fast read and quite the page turner. I really enjoyed it.
January 8, 2020
4...Nothing like this novel to make any family seem normal! I mean what the hell??? So much going on...so many twist and turns. Even if some are easily figured out a couple were illusive! Unhealthy friendships and relationships...mental health issues at their scariest!
December 29, 2020
Damn, this was good!
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