Truly Unfortunate

Welcome to Knollville #1

by C.A. King

Growing up in Knoll County wasn't easy, especially without any childhood memories. Truly spent her whole life searching for the answers her mind refused to reveal. There might have been horrors in her past, but her current existence wasn't much better than a nightmare itself. After beginning treatments with a new doctor, disturbing visions began to resurface. The stench of death surrounded her, but where exactly was it coming from?

Jeff always knew he wanted to be one of Knoll County's finest and had no problem achieving that dream. A part of his ambition stemmed from the death of a classmate at the tender age of nine. It might have been ruled an accident, but his gut told him otherwise. When people start turning up dead in the same pattern, Jeff will be forced to put everything on the line to connect the dots between past and present. But in doing so, will his own future be jeopardized?

Truly Unfortunate is a dark paranormal thriller that will leave readers with chills after answering the question: Which is stronger... the boundaries of reality or the safety of one's own mind?

Although there are no explicit or graphic scenes contained in this story, some of the subject matter may be considered more suitable for mature audience.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Fiction

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2018

About the author

2 time USA Today Bestselling Author, C.A. King, has received the following Awards/distinctions:


Hamilton Spectator Readers' Choice Award in the Best Local Author category 2017 & 2018 & 2019
Brant News Readers' Choice Award: Best Local Author 2017
Readers' Favorite International Book Awards: Best Novella/Short Story 2017 Silver medal
2017 SIBA Awards - Best Novella
2017 SIBA Awards - Best New Adult
2018 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards: Gold Medal in the Fiction - Supernatural genre
2018 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards: Bronze Medal in the Fiction - New Adult genre
2019 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Fiction - Supernatural genre
2019 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Young Adult - Fantasy - Urban genre
City of Brantford Featured Artist February 2020
Burlington Post Readers' Choice Award in the Best Local Author Category 2020
Toronto Star Readers' Choice Award in the Best Local Author Category 2020
Burlington Post Readers' Choice Award in the Best Local Author Category 2021.

"Hmmmmmm,
Who am I?…Who am I?
Silence…chews pencil…
Who am I?…Who am I?
Hmmmmmm,
I am…
a daydreamer…a hopeless romantic…an optimistic pessimist…a psychic…a childish adult…an animal lover…an over-emotional wreck…an adventurer…an artistic fool…
Aha!
I am…A Fiction Writer!
Nice to meet you!"

About the author!

I was diagnosed with clinical depression after the loss of my mother, father and husband within three years of each other; all to cancer. 24/7 in-home care, coupled with the loss I felt, left its mark on my psyche.

Depression takes up a lot of my life. Reading and writing are the only things I have found that help (in connection with regular medication), even if only for a short time. To escape to a different world can make a big difference in my mood in real time.

To put things in perspective, when I was at my lowest point, I couldn't open mail, talk on the phone, or even drive to the store. Walls of sadness surrounded me. As they closed in, tears would fall. There didn't need to be a reason or trigger.

People ask me why I started writing. My answer is simple: I wanted to create a world into which other people with similar problems could escape. I wanted to share the one place that had helped me for many years.


I have always said that as long as one person finds a little bit of happiness out of my books, I am, in my opinion, an accomplished author. The same is true for every writer out there. Please don't ever let anyone tell you different.

I read books as well as write them and have visited the worlds many different authors have created. Those worlds not only make me feel better, but give me the strength to face real life again. I want to thank everyone who writes - I want them to know they are making a difference.

Thank you for reading and writing.

Reviews

[Paul Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great debut to what promises to be a creepy (and thoroughly entertaining) series!

TRULY UNFORTUNATE is definitely a blend of genres – paranormal, horror, psychological thriller, and murder mystery. Whether there is intent or malevolence remains an open question, even as the novel reaches its closing pages, but it is certainly true (as the title coyly suggests) that one would be truly unfortunate if one was to upset Truly DeCanter, a young girl apparently suffering from repressed memories of childhood abuse.

Drawing on whiffs of the supernatural abilities of Stephen King’s eponymous character CARRIE, C.A. King places Truly at the heart of a pattern of unexplained deaths in Knollville. The police investigators acknowledge that the solution to the mystery, if it is even possible to find one, lies beyond the realm of normal human experience.

TRULY UNFORTUNATE is short and sweet but it’s a gripping page-turner and a novel that will definitely raise your eyebrows with hopes to follow up on further entries in the series. And, more than that, I’ll definitely be looking for other novels by the same author. Kudos to an up and coming Canadian author I had the good fortune to meet at a recent local book festival.

Paul Weiss

[J.B. Trepagnier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting first book in the Knollville series and the cover is gorgeous. It's part paranormal, part psychological, part murder mystery and the author manages to weave all those genres together perfectly.

The book is told third person and there were a lot of times I was wondering if the chapters told from Truly's point of view were actually real or she really was crazy like her doctors thought. The rest of the book is told from the point of view from two police officers. The door is open for more books in the series, though it's hard to tell if they will be told from Truly's point of view or the officers in the book. Truly's story is kind of closed and kind of not.

I'll be interested to see where this story goes when the next book comes out

[Bena Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Good.
I have to say that slowly - C.A. King is becoming my favourite author and this is only the second book I have read. Bullying and anti-bullying is the theme and I love it.

The Bad
The fortune telling, pens, coins... sucked me good and proper. LOVED IT.

The Ugly
Truly Unfortunate is one of those literary creations you wished you dreamed up yourself!
Must read..

5 Stars

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

Truly Unfortunate is the first book in the Welcome to Knollville Series by C.A King. It is a spooky, slightly dark, paranormal thriller. Another superb read from the talented Ms. King. She never fails to deliver a fantastic story and always hooks me right from the get-go.
This story is a little different from most of her other reads, but still entirely original, well written, and given the same attention to detail and polish, that she gives all her stories.
Truly can’t remember a huge portion of her life, and it’s assumed by the doctors who’ve treated her, that she must have repressed something terrible, which has caused the memory blockage. Try as she might, she can’t recall anything. But, it’s more than that, nothing seems to work out for her either. When she begins to have disturbing visions, and people start dying- she really starts to wonder.
Jeff is the local police officer and loves his job. He’d always known he’d become a policeman, galvanized by a tragic event back when he was nine. When strange things start happening and bodies start turning up, he will need to think outside the box to connect the dots to figure out what’s going on.
There was definitely more to this story, and character/s than first met the eye. My review is a little vague on purpose, because I don’t want to give anything away. I recommend going in to the book blind and just let the story surprise you. This was nothing like what I was expecting, but in a good way. This is a wonderfully twisted tale that pushes the boundaries of reality, and really kept me questioning what was going on.
Another great read from Ms. King’s limitless imagination!
Bring on the next book!

Thank you, Ms. King!

[Nico Genes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunate she is or maybe not.

Truly lives in Kollville, with her mother Geena and her boyfriend Edgar, at the age of nine. Unfortunately, Edgar was not a kind person at all. All the events that follow bring us to the present, when Truly, at the age of twenty-four, needs regular visits to a psychiatrist. Truly is having trouble sleeping and often has nightmares. The psychiatrist tries different therapeutical procedures to help her. Slowly, bits and pieces from her past are starting to form. At the same time, there is a series of deaths in town, connected in a way or another to Truly. There seems to be a man called Damionion, that seems to watch over her. Is Truly really unfortunate?

Sometimes life gives us traumatized events that we would like to forget. However, there is no way, most of the time. Truly is fortunate to forget about her past, and she can't recall. Her focus is on that as she would like to know who she is, to whom she belongs. If she’d know what it could reveal maybe her desire would not be that strong. Our past defines us. We are always looking for answers.

“Have you ever noticed that Knollville isn't on any map?” That is because strange things happen there.

It was a short read. To my taste, there is a lack of greater character development and events, but it makes for a fast pace that keeps your interest from the beginning till the end.

More book reviews on: https://www.nicojgenes.com/book-reviews

[Laura Furuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly Unfortunate (Welcome To Knollville Book 1)
By: C.A. King
5 out of 5 stars

The story Truly Unfortunate (Welcome To Knollville Book 1) by C.A. King is a dark fantasy/paranormal book. It is a story that I loved reading. It had me hooked from the very beginning and I found myself reading it all in one sitting. I just had to know how it ended. I enjoyed reading about the characters of Truly and Jeff. Truly is a woman who can’t seem to recall the memories of her childhood. With some help, she has begun a process to hopefully change this. What will Truly remember if those memories come back? Jeff is a detective who has seen situations from the past mirror the present. What will he find when he looks for a connection? Read this book to find out. This is a spooky story that had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. The storyline had me turning pages. It has intriguing and interesting characters. Investigating with Jeff is like trying to solve a puzzle. It had me adding up the clues to find the answer. This is an amazing story that is wonderfully written and has memorable characters. It is a story that I would highly recommend reading.

[Elena Linville-Abdo · Rating 1 out of 5]

The blurb was fun and interesting to read, the book, on the other hand, is disappointing. All characters are one-dimensional at best, walking stereotypes at worst. The characters' reactions and conclusions are so unbelievable I gave myself a headache because my eyes were rolling so much.

Seriously, a psychiatrist who talks to a cop about his patient without any warrant? Then drags her patient to the station and accuses her of being a serial killer without any proof apart from "I read him his fortune, and then he died"? Speaking of which, how can any cop arrest somebody and accuse them of murder just based on that? Really? My eyes are still rolling every time I think of this.

And to top it off, the author seems to hate the "said" dialogue tag. I have never seen so many characters cackle, shriek, huff, whine, proclaim, you name it. Sounds like the cast of a bad vaudeville in a cheep second rate theater.

So obviously, this was NOT a book for me. I prefer my characters to have more depth and my plots to be at least semi-intelligent. I will not be returning to Knollville anytime soon.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly Unfortunate by C.A. King is the first book in her Welcome to Knollville series. This is a twisted but brilliant fantastic story about Truly. She has no memories of her childhood. But sessions with a doctor start to reveal disturbing visions. Visions that leave a lingering feeling of death.
And Truly starts to wonder if there is more going on when bodies start to turn up. Is it all connected? And if so, how? What could to have to do with her kissing childhood memories?
This book is just as good as every other book I have read by this author. She has such a way of spinning a story that hooks you right from the start and does not let go. I loved the characters of Truly and Jeff. I loved the story in this book. I really enjoyed how they all worked together. I could not put this book down once I started reading and I am looking forward to seeing what comes next in this series.

[Sibyl Mory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly has had a traumatic childhood, abused by Edgar, her mother's lover, and bullied at school. Truly, now an adult, has no memory of her childhood, and has been left tormented and plagued by nightmares. Intimations of death, and chilling visions are ingredients of her daily existence. A number of deaths are being investigated by Jeff and Miranda, two detectives. The scene is set for a gripping and haunting paranormal thriller. Diverse elements are woven together in this story, from fortune-telling and other instances of magic to tightly-drawn personal relationships and the slow unravelling of the truth out of a person's nightmarish darkness. Together with some unexpected twists and turns, and last-minute revelations. Great stuff.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a dark fantasy story about a young woman you has no memories of her childhood. Then you have other forces in play here, as a killing pattern from the past seems to have popped up. What will happen when the past and the present become one and survival threatened? The characters are creative and this author brings this story to life. They took me on some twists and turns that left me sitting on the edge of my seat right along with the suspense. I highly recommend reading this book!

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly Unfortunate by C.A. King a thrilling five-star read. This is the first book in the Welcome to Knollville series and what a start, I have read this author before, but this novel seemed in a league of its own. The phycological thriller aspect of the read keeps you so hooked that your heart will be in your throat and your heart will be pumping out of your chest. Then there is the world building and drama and the plot, agggghh I don’t know what to say about that as I don’t want to spoil it for when you read this amazing story. Truly has a story that you need to hear, so go read this novel to hear it.

[SL Cuffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the start of a very good series! And one that I’ll be reading for sure! I’m not much of a superstitious girl, but this book kind of had me rethinking things. I can’t wait to get my hands on the other 3 books, to see what the future has in store for Knollville!!!

[Barbara B Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very different

If you believe in fortune telling and dreams -good luck and bad luck. This book is for you to enjoy the supernatural.

[Johanna Craven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable read - a murder mystery with a twist and the supernatural flavour that characterises CA King's books. Truly was a great main character, and the story was very engaging. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, it went in a completely different direction. Looking forward to seeing what happens next in Knollville!

[Tara Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly Unfortunate is Book One in the Welcome to Knollville Series. It is a superbly written supernatural crime book with twists and turns that will hook you and keep you reading to the end. The story centers around Truly who is seeing a doctor in the hopes of regaining her childhood memories. Her doctor feels that something terrible must have happened to Truly as a child that she has repressed for all these years. Truly’s life at present is not going well and she is struggling to make ends meet even while working three jobs. Her landlord has just increased her rent, will not do necessary repairs in her apartment, and is trying to blackmail her into sleeping with him to help pay her rent. Then, of course, she is having visions that she is unsure whether are suppressed memories coming back to her or if she is hallucinating. Each vision has her blacking out for small amounts of time and leaves her feeling like she was in a fog. To make matters worse people around her seem to be dying at an alarming rate and she was the last one to have had contact with each of the victims.

Jeff is the other character that the story focuses heavily around. He is a member of the Knoll police who is determined to solve the mysterious deaths in Knollville. He does not believe that these deaths were accidents and suspects that these are all linked. Jeff suspects that they might even be linked to when he was a child and his nine-year-old classmate died in an accident. He always felt her death was suspicious and that is what compelled him to join the police force. Jeff strongly feels that the other girl who was present during the accident of his classmate was somehow involved but he has never been able to prove it. Not only was this young girl present when the classmate, a notorious bully, died but the young girl’s stepfather and mother also died when she was young. Now this young girl, Truly, just happens to be the last person to have seen each of the victims in a recent string of mysterious deaths. Jeff is determined to prove that Truly is involved in all the deaths and that they were not accidents but were instead murders.

This book was entertaining and had me captivated from the first few pages. The author’s writing style is unique, brilliant, and masterful. The storyline was a bit dark and twisted at times as Truly’s story took center stage. The characters were engaging, lovable, and relatable. As I was introduced to Truly, I immediately felt sympathy for her because of her horrific childhood. It was obvious that she had been horribly abused and therefore her mind suppressed the memories for her to cope. Yet, at the same time, I could not help wondering if she was involved somehow in all the deaths, even those going back to her childhood. Was that the real reason behind her suppressing the memories of her childhood for so long? I also wondered about the current visions that left Truly feeling as though she had lost chunks of time. How long were these lapses and what else was going on at the time? These mysterious little tidbits kept me reading to learn more. I was intrigued by the mysterious undertones, the links between past and present, and whether Truly was involved, or if it was coincidental. The twists and turns the book took had me on the edge of my seat, well done! I cannot wait for the next book in this superbly written series. This is a great read and I highly recommend it!

[Ayla Phipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Accidents”. While this is not the first book, I have read by the amazing C.A. King it is the first book of this kind, previously read Grave Digger Academy books one and two. The mystery that seeps off the pages fills you up until you can’t take it, reading as quickly as you can to discover the next twist and how it will all end. Told mostly from the perspectives of Truly and Jeff the mystery that is fortune telling is a dangerous one to follow, especially in Knollville.
Truly is currently twenty-four years old and working three jobs to afford the psychiatrist that is trying to help her recover her memories from age nine. Jeff also twenty-four years old is a detective in Knollville, and according to his partner Miranda they get all the weird calls because of his crazy ideas. Only one day the crazy call ends up triggering a memory, which gets stranger when it happens a second time in as many days. Two men on their phones walk into oncoming traffic and killed, both after getting a “fortune” that told of their demise. Jeff thinking back to when he was nine years old remembers an identical “accident” of the class bully Priscilla. Her favorite target was Truly. Knowing she is involved he gets his partner on his side and the captain agrees to get them a meeting with the detective from fifteen years ago that covered Priscillas case and the case of Truly’s mother and her boyfriends’ death. All three separate events but all three tied to Truly when she was only nine years old. Docter Stevenson (her psychiatrist) and Doctor Sven (hypnosis specialist) begin a hypnosis study on Truly for a book. The memories they are trying to uncover are from the time frame of the accidents when she was a little girl. Damionion, a magician that Truly states meeting when she was nine told her that he would handle all her troubles all she had to do was read their fortune. Several years later and she is hearing and seeing him again.
Is Truly really handing out her enemies’ demises or is she another victim of Damionion? Can Jeff solve the “murders” with his job intact? Who is Damionion and is he a real person? One of my favorite things about this author is their attention to detail even down to the more unappealing things such as the yellow sweat stains on Bernard’s shirt. She makes sure you get an entire picture, one that you can nearly smell sometimes. I can’t wait to the next book in the series, Serendipity’s Debt and see where Jeff’s career goes next when his gut tells him something is wrong in Knollville.

[E.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly Unfortunate (Welcome To Knollville Book 1) by C.A. King was a fast moving, mind twisting, paranormally weird read, that had me hooked from start to finish.

Not my first read form this author, and I'm am fast becoming to like C.A. King's writing style and the way they delivery a chilling story. I'm still trying to piece it all together, as some things don't add up, but do all the same.

This book is something I will tell you. The ending really got me, cause, man, I don't know what was really true. What the hell was Truly? Was she paranormal, or was she, simply, crazy. With all that had happen to her I was hoping she would get a sort of happy ending, but I guess, it was sort of bitter-sweet.

But enough of that, cause I don't want to spoil a thing about this spine tingling thriller. This book, as dark and gritty, and mind twisty as it is, still has a strange message. One that fits, and one that also makes you feel so much for Truly. With such a short read, you think something like fully developing a character would slip, but not with Truly. From the jumping back to her past, matching with the present and fully diving into her hellish life. You see all her layers and wondering more and more about her, and if life had it out for her. Whatever the truth, I believe that Truly is where she belongs. Even if she pulled of, what the Doc thinks she did, I'm happy with it, because frankly, like this books said a few times; sometimes fate has a way of evening itself out.

Overall this book is a must read. The smooth dark writing mix with the cutscenes and the lurking darkness, makes this psychological thriller gripping, addicting and pulling. The tone of doom is set from the first chapter, and you can't help but root for that darkness because not everything is black and white.This book is a haze of grey and as I have said, you're not going to be rooting for the whole, "good shall conquer all" trope. No, you're going to be rooting for a unseen force, and hoping that the grey haze will pave a better way for Truly.

So please take my super high recommendation that you will get lost in the darkness that will have you questions everything around you.

Happy Reading

-E.A. Walsh

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

C.A. King is a magical storyteller. I just can’t get enough of her stories and every time that I see a new release of hers on my feed or a coming soon it is an auto-buy. No questions asked, no need to read what it is even about. Truly Unfortunate is no exception to the rule. I was blown away when I got a peek at this cover for the first time. I knew the world that King was going to take me to was going to be one that I wouldn’t want to leave.

The story behind that gorgeous eye-catching cover is quite possibly one of my favorite novels that I have read by King. This is one twist psychological thriller. I know for sure that I didn’t want to put it down, and I was thrilled to learn that there will be more to come in this series. When King builds a world for the reader, it is from the ground up and down to the very way that you would think the atmosphere feels and smells. I love how I feel transformed into the place the character is is when I am reading and in Truly Unfortunate, this was once again the case.

I am struggling with how to share things about the plot of this book and not spoil it too much for the reader. There is a few things though, expect the unexpected. Go into this novel with an open mind and be ready to learn a few things, perhaps about yourself.

Truly has no memories of her youth, her formative years. There is something missing and it has to be for a good reason is all the doctors can think. All of a sudden there are a bunch of unexplained deaths occurring around her, and its people that she knows!

A local cop on the case,Jeff, is convinced that there is more to the story than meets the eye. He is determined to get to the bottom of it and make the case just like he has always dreamed of doing. But is this all in his imagination?

Just when you think you know what is going on there is a few twist that you do not see coming, ones that will make you read this well past your bedtime! I know I did, and I still am left hanging wondering so many questions. I can’t hardly wait for book two! Thank you so much for the great read CA King!

[Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly Unfortunate is the first book in C.A. King’s Welcome to Knollville series. I have read and enjoyed a number of C.A. King’s books in the past, including her Portal Prophecies and Four Horsemen series, so knew I could expect enchanting world-building and strong, interestingly complicated characters and a thoroughly enjoyable story!
Truly Unfortunate tells the story of Truly, a young woman struggling to remember her tragic past (TW – mentions of abuse although there are no graphic descriptions). As the story progresses, she remembers more about her childhood and we begin to wonder how it might be linked to a series of unusual deaths happening in the present.
Truly is truly (haha) a great character. She is working several jobs to afford medical treatment and rent, working hard to overcome her trauma and amnesia. She is also kind and considerate to her friends, good at solving problems and willing to stand up for herself.
The supporting characters include Jeff and Miranda, the detectives trying to make sense of the series of seemingly accidental deaths. They’re clever and determined, and able to joke about the ridiculous situations they find themselves in! And there’s Stan, the bus driver, a character who will feel familiar to anyone who frequents public transport. I also particularly liked Maria, Truly’s colleague and friend who lightens the otherwise quite dark tone.
Truly Unfortunate is quite a dark book, with a wonderful and gripping story. For me it’s a five star read – I struggled to put it down! I’d recommend it to anyone who likes a mystery with a touch of magic.

[Cynthia Ayala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truly Unfortunate is a quick read for a novel, a tale about the weird and unusual in one small town following Truly, a girl who works three jobs and still is unable to make ends meet with a landlord who harasses her at any given moment. It is a relatable read, following Truly on her day to day excursions as she goes from job one to the next as she struggles to make ends meet, suffering the injustices that surround her. However, the kicker in all this, what makes this story, so riveting is the fact that it goes back in time, flashing back to the memories Truly had forgotten, memories of abuse and bullying. That is the power of the novel that injustices happen, that bad people are going to do bad things but that there is some karmic justice in the world to make everything right.

Once again, it is a short read at just under 200 pages, making it a quick one, but that is not all that makes it a quick read. The fact that the novel moves so effortlessly to build the tension and the intrigue keeps the reader on their toes. Other than that, Truly is a pretty forgettable character, her history and origins are what make her stand out, but her personality, nothing about it stands out. Jeff, on the other hand, his obsession with the weird and the connections he makes to fortune telling, now his actions and reactions, that is what makes him appealing to read. His motives and the way his arc in the narrative moves and intertwines with Truly’s from the past to the present, that makes him interesting.

Overall, it is a good read, and as a starter to something bigger, it works.

[Melissa Agena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book left me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Truly Unfortunate is the first book in the Welcome to Knollville series by C.A. King. Truly doesn’t quite remember certain things from her childhood. Her doctor’s say that she might be repressing her memories. But she doesn’t understand why and when people start dying she gets so confused. In comes Jeff…Jeff is the county’s sheriff. However, when things start to go down he has no choice but to investigate and work the puzzle that is happening in that town. The story starts to become interesting and twisted. It is also pretty dark and pretty raw. This book is considered a paranormal thriller. There are so many twists and turns that you have to continue to read in order to find out what happens. I love murder/psychological mysteries and this definitely did not disappoint. I loved the characters and the way that the author sucks you in and doesn’t allow you to leave. It had a way of thinking that Truly must be as crazy as she thinks she is. This book is definitely a page turner so be prepared to not put this book down until you are finished! You become a part of this storyline because it feels so real! I cannot wait for the next book in the series! I definitely need to find out what happens next! Definitely a home run for this author! Two thumbs up with an absolute yes on a must read!

[Beverly Finnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fortune favors no one! At least in this book. It was interesting to say the least. A lot of moving parts that come together nicely. Truly Unfortunate I would recommend to anyone that likes anything to do with psychological thrillers. It makes you think, it gives you that kind of what’s really going on aspect.
I’ve read this author before and I feel like I’m hit or miss if I enjoy the book or not. This was one of those hit moments. Which is why I keep picking books up.
Truly finds herself in a pickle. Her memories are suppressed due to traumatic events from her past. Unfortunately those types of events start to follow her again. When an old childhood friend, it seemed, came up I thought he would be on her side. Knowing her troubled childhood. Never did I expect him to be out to bring her down. To pin the unexpected on her. Even convinces her doctors to turn against her. All in the name of money.
What will she do?
Does she truly not know what’s going on?
Does the old friend prove his case?
Those questions and many more are what keep the reader ingrained within the pages. I will always recommend this author if I enjoy the book or not. This time I’ll definitely recommend the book as well. The book is not overly long and you’ll want to finish it once you start.
So what are you waiting for?
While you start this one, I’ll look forward to the next book in the series.

[Santana · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the present day, Truly has no memories of her childhood. She starts undergoing treatment to try to recover those memories all while life around her keeps getting worse and worse. She’s working 3 jobs and she still is having trouble making ends meet. When her psychiatrist suggests working with another doctor who specializes in hypnosis and zero cost, she jumps on it. Weird visions start happening to her and Truly isn’t sure if she is going crazy or if they are memories.

Meanwhile people who have been making Trulys life harder are victims of unfortunate accidents. Jeff, the detective for the recent victims, thinks there is more to it than accidents but he can’t figure out how. He witnessed a young girl in his class die from a similar ‘accident’ and he thinks that it's the same killer from back then. The only question is how are these accidents going to be proved otherwise?

I honestly love this author. Their writing style is so unique and this is another masterpiece. I was hooked as soon as I started reading it. The premise was dark and mysterious but also thrilling. You can’t help but feel sorry for Truly since nothing seems to go her way. The author wrote Truly very well. I could see everything vividly. The plot itself is so different from anything I have read and I was truly (haha) surprised with the plot twist near the end.

[K.J. Simmill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly has been having a run of bad luck. Each month is a struggle to make rent and pay for her psychiatrist. Her childhood memories have been forgotten, but within there lies a dark secret. One her psychiatrist is determined to reveal. When people around Truly start dying in mysterious ways Jeff and Miranda are called to action. Whilst they seem to be nothing more than accidents, Jeff's gut tells him there are more to these deaths than there seems. Each of the victims had been told their fortune before meeting their end. Jeff had seen something like this before. Little did he know that starting down this path would change his future forever.

Truly Unfortunate is the first book in CA King's Welcome to Knollville. I have read a few books by this author, and intend to continue to do so in the future. CA King never fails to keep the reader entertained. Great scene setting, character development, and attention to detail will drive the reader forward, rooting for the characters and hoping to see if and how Truly can turn her life around without giving in to the horrific demands being made of her. Discovery, hardship, and perseverance fill this supernatural tale and marks the start of what promises to be a gripping and engaging series.

[Erica Fish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well C. A. King you got me again with this story. Once I started I could not put it down. Warning this is a highly addictive author. She grabs you with the first couple of sentences and leaves you wanting more with the last sentence. Ms. King spins a great yarn with her stories. From the descriptions of the scenery to the characters and the roles they play, she really has the reader’s attention, but if you are not careful you may miss one small detail and then there is that curve ball and you will want to go back and see where you may have missed it. This story is a dark fantasy book. The main character is a young woman, Truly who does not have any memories of her childhood. She desperately needs to find out because there are a lot horrid acts happening around her. There is a new doctor and some of the memories are returning but Truly is having issues with some of them (for a really good reason). Jeff the sheriff in town is helping Truly but will that be enough? Will he have problems with the memories? You will have to read the story to find out the answers. I cannot wait to see what the next story has for us.

[Anna Hirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly Unfortunate (Welcome to Knollville Series) by C.A King
5 Stars

Ms. King is an excellent author who truly has a wild imagination. I have read several of her books and each one is completely unique. This is another well written original storyline. It is a twisted tale that blurs the lines of reality. It is the first book in the Knollville series and I think it’s off to a great start. It is a paranormal story with a dark fantasy flavour to it.

Truly is a woman whose childhood is a complete blank to her. She has no memories at all. She has been to several doctors who all say the same thing, that she has blocked traumatic experiences. The only luck she seems to have is bad and as memories slowly start resurfacing, death seems to be following her. Jeff is a detective whose current cases all seem to point to Truly. To uncover the truth, he needs to open his mind and think outside the box.

This story has many twists and turns that it’s addictive. It is definitely not black and white, there are many shades of grey. You will not be able to put it down. I highly recommend that you read it. This has to be my favourite book from this author.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Truly Unfortunate” is the first book in the Welcome to Knollville series by C.A King. C.A King’s newest fascinating character is Truly. She doesn’t remember anything from her childhood and works three jobs just to pay for her crappy apartment and the therapy she needs. Strange events start to occur in her small town of Knollville and Knoll County’s most skeptical police officer, Jeff, is on the case. I was so excited when this book got released since I am a HUGE fan of C.A King and her Portal Prophecies series. C.A King has an incredible talent of creating these other worlds and interesting characters that I wish I could visit. Every book I have read, and there have been several now, are wildly imaginative and unpredictable in every sense. C.A King is one of those authors whose brain I wish I could peer into and see how she sees life. Her imagination and creativity never cease to amaze me. I am so excited for more of this series to come out so I can continue to love them, as I know I will. Five obvious stars from me! Now to download a bunch more of her books to tide me over until more Welcome to Knollville books come out!!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give Truly Unfortunate (Welcome To Knollville Book 1) by C.A. King, 5 stars.

Truly has no memories of her childhood. Her doctors think she is repressing some horrible memories. All she knows is that she can't catch a break. When people she knows starts dying, she doesn't know what to think.

Jeff is a cop in Knoll County, a position he's wanted since he was a child. He tends to think outside the box, which gets him in trouble with his boss. When a group of accidents happen, he is convinced there is more going on. Is it his imagination or is there really something sinister happening?

I have read and enjoyed this author before, but I wasn't sure what to expect with this book because it seems so different than what she has done before. I absolutely loved it! The characters were great, you really feel for Truly and you can understand where Jeff is coming from too. The story is great too, there are quite a few surprises that you will never see coming. I love to be shocked just when I think i have it all figured out.

This is a suspense with a paranormal twist and I highly recommend it to every adult!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly Unfortunate
Welcome to Knollville
Book 1
C. A. King
☆☆☆☆☆
This is a full length novel that includes a paranormal, psychological murder mystery.

Truly has lost her memory of all that happened as a child. She is under Doctors care and he is trying to help her remember. The nightmares are speaking to her and she just does not understand who or why. She works 3 jobs, and still can't seem to make ends meet. Not to mention the abuse she has to put up with is getting the best of her.

Jeff is a detective, his goal is to find out about the death of a classmate at the young age of 9. Now more “accidents“ are happening. Following the fortunes the bodies are found with. Are they accidents or murder? Who is involved?

C. A. King has built this story up and kept me reading. The characters are well suited for their parts in this book. The suspense is so twisted,it even had me second guessing what is really happening. I love a story that keeps me drawn in. This will definitely make you want more. I'm looking forward to see where the next book takes us. Well Done C. A. King!

[Ellie Midwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly saw her share of misfortunes in her short life, and one of the events from her past traumatized her to the point where she’d completely lost all memories of her early childhood. Now, a young woman, she tries to piece together the broken puzzle of her past with the help of a therapist. However, it will take another couple of “misfortunes,” or, shall I say, people who cause them, to reveal who’s really been protecting Truly this entire time, and what dark secrets Truly could possibly hide. Jeff, a police inspector, is set on finding out if a chain of deaths were unfortunate coincidences or if there’s something more sinister going on with Truly.
I couldn’t help but sympathize with Truly throughout the whole narration. The sleazebags she was surrounded with, including her landlord, her boss, and certain customers definitely deserved what came their way, even from such an unorthodox source. The ending was very interesting, and I hope there will be other books in the series - it was certainly a worthy read.