What do you think?
Rate this book
Little Threats
Both a taut whodunit and a haunting snapshot of the effects of a violent crime, Little Threats tells the story of a woman who served fifteen years in prison for murder...and now it's time to find out if she's guilty.
In the summer of 1993, twin sisters Kennedy and Carter Wynn are embracing the grunge era and testing every limit in their privileged Richmond suburb. But Kennedy's teenage rebellion goes too far when, after a night of partying in the woods, her best friend, Haley, is murdered, and suspicion quickly falls upon Kennedy. She can't remember anything about the night in question, and this, along with the damning testimony from a college boy who both Kennedy and Haley loved, is enough to force Kennedy to enter a guilty plea.
In 2008, Kennedy is released into a world that has moved on without her. Carter has grown distant as she questions Kennedy's innocence, and begins a relationship with someone who could drive the sisters apart forever. The twins' father, Gerry, is eager to protect the family's secrets and fragile bonds. But Kennedy's return brings the tragedy back to the surface, along with a whole new wave of media. When a crime show host comes to town asking questions, believing the murder wasn't wasn't as simple as it seemed, murky memories of Haley's death come to light. As new suspects emerge and the suburban woods finally give up their secrets, two families may be destroyed again.
In the summer of 1993, twin sisters Kennedy and Carter Wynn are embracing the grunge era and testing every limit in their privileged Richmond suburb. But Kennedy's teenage rebellion goes too far when, after a night of partying in the woods, her best friend, Haley, is murdered, and suspicion quickly falls upon Kennedy. She can't remember anything about the night in question, and this, along with the damning testimony from a college boy who both Kennedy and Haley loved, is enough to force Kennedy to enter a guilty plea.
In 2008, Kennedy is released into a world that has moved on without her. Carter has grown distant as she questions Kennedy's innocence, and begins a relationship with someone who could drive the sisters apart forever. The twins' father, Gerry, is eager to protect the family's secrets and fragile bonds. But Kennedy's return brings the tragedy back to the surface, along with a whole new wave of media. When a crime show host comes to town asking questions, believing the murder wasn't wasn't as simple as it seemed, murky memories of Haley's death come to light. As new suspects emerge and the suburban woods finally give up their secrets, two families may be destroyed again.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2020
210 people are currently reading
8263 people want to read
About the author
Emily Schultz
28 books261 followersEmily Schultz is the co-founder of Joyland Magazine. Her newest novel, Little Threats, is forthcoming from GP Putnam's Sons for November 2020. Her novel, The Blondes, released in the U.S. with St. Martin’s Press and Picador, in France with Editions Asphalte, and in Canada with Doubleday. It was named a Best Book of 2015 by NPR and Kirkus. The Blondes was produced as a scripted podcast starring Madeline Zima, which has also been translated into French.
Schultz's writing has appeared in Elle, Slate, Evergreen Review, Vice, Today's Parent, Hazlitt, Minola Review, Black Warrior Review, and Prairie Schooner. She lives in Brooklyn where she is a producer with the indie media company Heroic Collective.
Schultz's writing has appeared in Elle, Slate, Evergreen Review, Vice, Today's Parent, Hazlitt, Minola Review, Black Warrior Review, and Prairie Schooner. She lives in Brooklyn where she is a producer with the indie media company Heroic Collective.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews
December 28, 2020
This is really disturbing, dark, depressing, claustrophobic, slow-burn whodunit with surprisingly promising story-line embellished with lots of twists, surprises and you didn’t see it coming kind of brilliant ending.
Only thing I didn’t like was the slowness which also makes you think this is mostly psychological thriller more than action packed murder mystery and of course I easily got fooled at the end. I couldn’t guess who did it and I kept changing my mind till the last chapter and made wrong guesses for the identity of the murderer.
So let’s get a closer look at the plot: Kennedy and Carter are identical twins ( and thankfully there is no evil triplet named “Nixon” who is the murderer of the story. If I wrote this book, that would be my choice of ending but you may guess its genre would be dark comedy) benefited with wealthy, privileged life till one night drug induced Kennedy finds herself as murder suspect of her best friend Haley. She doesn’t remember anything about that night: she asks herself if she could do such a violent thing: taking her best friend’s life. Is she scapegoat or does she have dark side that she haven’t shared with anyone before?
Naturally she accepts plea bargain and after 15 years later, she is released from the prison. But there is not a great future waiting ahead of her. She doesn’t have any chance to make a fresh beginning when her own sister thinks she is a killer and she is dating with Haley’s brother. And of course a true crime podcast about her case named “Crime after crime” starts digging more about the murder, showing her as a real evil culprit.
The story is told by three POVS: sisters and Haley’s brother. It was interesting to read how a trauma shaped their lives differently. Both of the sisters would be successful business woman, having bright futures. Kennedy started studying law in the prison but when she is still accused as a cold blooded killer. And Carter’s life also ruined, dropped out from the school, depressed, is scrutinized by prying eyes because she is killer’s sister who is identically looking like her.
The book pushes your buttons, makes you keep asking: did Kennedy really do it or any of the other POVS could involve with the crime? Could the boys Haley flirted do such a thing?
Overall: Ending is mind blowing and dazzling! It was unique, high tensioned, intense story and I mostly enjoyed it. But I wish the pace would be a little faster.
Special thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP/ G. P. Putnam’s Sons for sharing this exciting ARC with me in exchange my honest review.
Only thing I didn’t like was the slowness which also makes you think this is mostly psychological thriller more than action packed murder mystery and of course I easily got fooled at the end. I couldn’t guess who did it and I kept changing my mind till the last chapter and made wrong guesses for the identity of the murderer.
So let’s get a closer look at the plot: Kennedy and Carter are identical twins ( and thankfully there is no evil triplet named “Nixon” who is the murderer of the story. If I wrote this book, that would be my choice of ending but you may guess its genre would be dark comedy) benefited with wealthy, privileged life till one night drug induced Kennedy finds herself as murder suspect of her best friend Haley. She doesn’t remember anything about that night: she asks herself if she could do such a violent thing: taking her best friend’s life. Is she scapegoat or does she have dark side that she haven’t shared with anyone before?
Naturally she accepts plea bargain and after 15 years later, she is released from the prison. But there is not a great future waiting ahead of her. She doesn’t have any chance to make a fresh beginning when her own sister thinks she is a killer and she is dating with Haley’s brother. And of course a true crime podcast about her case named “Crime after crime” starts digging more about the murder, showing her as a real evil culprit.
The story is told by three POVS: sisters and Haley’s brother. It was interesting to read how a trauma shaped their lives differently. Both of the sisters would be successful business woman, having bright futures. Kennedy started studying law in the prison but when she is still accused as a cold blooded killer. And Carter’s life also ruined, dropped out from the school, depressed, is scrutinized by prying eyes because she is killer’s sister who is identically looking like her.
The book pushes your buttons, makes you keep asking: did Kennedy really do it or any of the other POVS could involve with the crime? Could the boys Haley flirted do such a thing?
Overall: Ending is mind blowing and dazzling! It was unique, high tensioned, intense story and I mostly enjoyed it. But I wish the pace would be a little faster.
Special thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP/ G. P. Putnam’s Sons for sharing this exciting ARC with me in exchange my honest review.
November 16, 2020
So, grunge nostalgia is a thing. And apparently I have it. Like Carter and Kennedy, the presidentially-named twins at the center of this book, I was a 90s kid. The atmosphere, nostalgia and sense of time form a heady mix in a cauldron of murder, and grunge so potent you can feel the flannel.
This is less a fast-paced thriller and more a drawn-out, beautiful and morose story not unlike a favorite Nirvana track. Kennedy, the first twin, has served time for murdering her friend. She can’t remember anything from that night, including whether or not she is innocent. I had an idea whodunit from about halfway through but I still loved watching it unfold.
A totally unique story with a completely original premise that manages to marry 90s nostalgia with true crime. Though at times flow, I was always engaged. I was very impressed with the writing and will definitely be reading whatever Emily Schultz writes next.
Thanks to NetGalley, Emily Schultz and Penguin Books for the ARC of this original, creepy, and compelling story. (You don’t have to be a 90s baby, goth/former goth to enjoy it ... but it helps.)
This is less a fast-paced thriller and more a drawn-out, beautiful and morose story not unlike a favorite Nirvana track. Kennedy, the first twin, has served time for murdering her friend. She can’t remember anything from that night, including whether or not she is innocent. I had an idea whodunit from about halfway through but I still loved watching it unfold.
A totally unique story with a completely original premise that manages to marry 90s nostalgia with true crime. Though at times flow, I was always engaged. I was very impressed with the writing and will definitely be reading whatever Emily Schultz writes next.
Thanks to NetGalley, Emily Schultz and Penguin Books for the ARC of this original, creepy, and compelling story. (You don’t have to be a 90s baby, goth/former goth to enjoy it ... but it helps.)
Read
August 11, 2020DNF - no rating - will not be included in my 2020 reading challenge.
I've rolled my eyes so many times that I'm getting a headache so I think it's best if I part ways with this one. 🙄
Lovely cover, though.
Thank you to Edelweiss and G.P. Putnam's Son for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. I wish I had something more positive to say.
I've rolled my eyes so many times that I'm getting a headache so I think it's best if I part ways with this one. 🙄
Lovely cover, though.
Thank you to Edelweiss and G.P. Putnam's Son for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. I wish I had something more positive to say.
September 7, 2021
I must applaud Emily Schultz on this psychological thriller with a disturbing twist. Calculate all the must haves to make a literary suspense novel and this one qualifies!!!
The story drifts to the past and present and told in 3 POVs.
In 1993, a horrendous murder of a young high school girl, Haley, was committed. Her best friend, Kennedy, was the last to see her and charged with her murder. Although Kennedy cannot remember the night, due to the acid trip Haley and her were both on. Under the testimony of a college boy they both loved, sealed her fate, forcing Kennedy to enter a guilty plea.
Fast forward 15 years later upon her release, she returns home to her father, Gerry, and twin sister, Carter, who believes Kennedy committed this crime. The twin’s father tries to protect the family’s delicate bonds and secrets as new suspects emerge. Memories from the night are slowly resurfacing as she tries to get her life back. Then a True Crime Podcast brings new questions and opens old wounds.
This is a story of love, trust issues and the power of guilt. Get ready for a shocking ending and a haunting from the dead.
Can’t wait to read more from Emily Schultz. Thanks to NetGalley for the complimentary copy in exchange for my review!
The story drifts to the past and present and told in 3 POVs.
In 1993, a horrendous murder of a young high school girl, Haley, was committed. Her best friend, Kennedy, was the last to see her and charged with her murder. Although Kennedy cannot remember the night, due to the acid trip Haley and her were both on. Under the testimony of a college boy they both loved, sealed her fate, forcing Kennedy to enter a guilty plea.
Fast forward 15 years later upon her release, she returns home to her father, Gerry, and twin sister, Carter, who believes Kennedy committed this crime. The twin’s father tries to protect the family’s delicate bonds and secrets as new suspects emerge. Memories from the night are slowly resurfacing as she tries to get her life back. Then a True Crime Podcast brings new questions and opens old wounds.
This is a story of love, trust issues and the power of guilt. Get ready for a shocking ending and a haunting from the dead.
Can’t wait to read more from Emily Schultz. Thanks to NetGalley for the complimentary copy in exchange for my review!
December 8, 2020
Wow, I really loved this. 4.5 Rounding up!
This was a very well written thriller that successfully kept me in the dark on what would happen next. For some reason, I just knew that Ms. Schultz wouldn't lead me astray and I was definitely correct. It's possible that other readers may wonder where its going, but I not once found it boring or frustrating. With each new cookie crumb, we were finding things out just as we were meant to and the rest was left up to us to figure out.
Another aspect of this story that I liked was how it demonstrated just how much a crime can destroy both the family of the victim (obvious), but the victim of the accused as well. Reading from the perspective of Kennedy once she was released was interesting because she isn't your go-to convict. Born to an upper-middle class family with every privilege at her finger tips, Kennedy entered a guilty plea on a legal strategy that was quite puzzling. Her case was chalked up as being made an example of by the court (we convict white rich kids too), but it isn't until a popular crime show starts poking around that key people in the case start to question just what they thought they knew.
If you're looking for a break from the popular thrillers that seem to get more attention, but want something to scratch that itch, I highly suggest you pick up this one. I for one can't wait for Ms. Schultz's next book!
Thank you to GP Putnam & Sons and Emily Schwartz for providing a finished copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review Date: 12/08/2020
Publication Date: 11/10/2020
This was a very well written thriller that successfully kept me in the dark on what would happen next. For some reason, I just knew that Ms. Schultz wouldn't lead me astray and I was definitely correct. It's possible that other readers may wonder where its going, but I not once found it boring or frustrating. With each new cookie crumb, we were finding things out just as we were meant to and the rest was left up to us to figure out.
Another aspect of this story that I liked was how it demonstrated just how much a crime can destroy both the family of the victim (obvious), but the victim of the accused as well. Reading from the perspective of Kennedy once she was released was interesting because she isn't your go-to convict. Born to an upper-middle class family with every privilege at her finger tips, Kennedy entered a guilty plea on a legal strategy that was quite puzzling. Her case was chalked up as being made an example of by the court (we convict white rich kids too), but it isn't until a popular crime show starts poking around that key people in the case start to question just what they thought they knew.
If you're looking for a break from the popular thrillers that seem to get more attention, but want something to scratch that itch, I highly suggest you pick up this one. I for one can't wait for Ms. Schultz's next book!
Thank you to GP Putnam & Sons and Emily Schwartz for providing a finished copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review Date: 12/08/2020
Publication Date: 11/10/2020
December 7, 2020
In 1993, teenage twin sisters Carter and Kennedy Wynn rebel against their suburban upbringing with grunge, drugs, and dangerous guys. The night after a bad acid trip, their best friend Haley is murdered and Kennedy takes the blame, and she spends 15 years in prison wondering what really happened. In 2008, Kennedy is finally free to start her life, but soon true-crime tv show host Dee Nash comes to town intent on stirring up the past.
While it is part mystery, LITTLE THREATS is mostly a slow-burn family drama about the repercussions of a young girl's murder. The characters were difficult to like, though I thought their dilemmas were compelling. Kennedy's conviction at 16 was a stretch. Motive is important, and to me there wasn't one. She ends up accepting the charges against her though maintaining her innocence because she blacked out and couldn't remember what actually happened. What lazy police work. The victim's younger brother and Dee Nash investigate further and open a nasty can of worms. I wasn't surprised by how things turned out, though I found it intriguing, and rather depressing.
The best part of the book was the early 90s nostalgia — grunge music, doc martens with floral peasant dresses, Kurt Cobain — this story brings it all back. Fun to revisit, though so glad I didn't go through it with this disturbing crew.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
While it is part mystery, LITTLE THREATS is mostly a slow-burn family drama about the repercussions of a young girl's murder. The characters were difficult to like, though I thought their dilemmas were compelling. Kennedy's conviction at 16 was a stretch. Motive is important, and to me there wasn't one. She ends up accepting the charges against her though maintaining her innocence because she blacked out and couldn't remember what actually happened. What lazy police work. The victim's younger brother and Dee Nash investigate further and open a nasty can of worms. I wasn't surprised by how things turned out, though I found it intriguing, and rather depressing.
The best part of the book was the early 90s nostalgia — grunge music, doc martens with floral peasant dresses, Kurt Cobain — this story brings it all back. Fun to revisit, though so glad I didn't go through it with this disturbing crew.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2020
Thanks to the publisher for gifting me an e-arc via edelweiss.
Yessss yes yes! This is exactly what I wanted to read. I’ve been craving a whodunnit mystery and Little Threats did not disappoint. It was a liiitttle slow to start but it came through.
Multiple POVs, kinda dark and murder. Sign me UP! I really enjoyed it. 5 stars ⭐️
Yessss yes yes! This is exactly what I wanted to read. I’ve been craving a whodunnit mystery and Little Threats did not disappoint. It was a liiitttle slow to start but it came through.
Multiple POVs, kinda dark and murder. Sign me UP! I really enjoyed it. 5 stars ⭐️
dnf-lost-interest
October 9, 2020New US Pub Date: November 10, 2020
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
August 3, 2020
Little Threats is a slower-paced mystery/thriller that's part mystery, part character study, and part ode to the 1990s. I won't lie; the book is much slower paced than books usually are in this genre, but if you like a leisurely read that captures some extremely complicated and messed up family dynmics along with a look back at what the 1990s really were like*, then you, like me, will find Little Threats to be a good, almost throwback, read.
I loved how Emily Schultz writes about twins, and her Kennedy and Carter were fascinating. Kennedy, who went to jail before she was eighteen and has spent almost half her life there before she's released. Kennedy, I might add, is the most well adjusted character. (She's got problems but she's honest to herself and about herself, rate traits, imo) Anyway, I loved Kennedy! I felt bad for Carter sometimes and wanted to shake her at others, but as a portrait of malaise pre-the-2008-economic-bust, she's excellent. Then there's Gerry, Kennedy and Carter's dad. He's a pov narrator for about a third of the book and it's a choice that pays off not just in terms of plot but of character development, because being in Gerry's head is-- well, I can't remember the last time I reacted so strongly to a fictional character! There are, of course, other characters, but aside from Everett, most of them are pretty generic assholes or lost souls, which I was surprised by given the careful work done on Kennedy, Carter, and Gerry.
And then there's the 1990s which is practically a character itself in Little Threats, so well is the mess that was that time portrayed. *Lately, I've seen and read so many things that look back at the "grunge" era with nostalgia, but it was also another period of socioeconomic turmoil (the recession that started in 1990 lasted about a decade) and a period where the objectification of teenage girls was extremely motherducking creepy, and Schultz captures that darkness very well and to great effect.
Little Threats was a surprise; it's a thriller that moves at its own pace and it's an honest look back at a time whose problems have been glossed over in current pop culture. If you enjoy a great character and period (yes, the 1990s are a period now) study and don't mind a leisurely read, you'll definitely enjoy this like I did! 3.5 stars, rounded up.
I loved how Emily Schultz writes about twins, and her Kennedy and Carter were fascinating. Kennedy, who went to jail before she was eighteen and has spent almost half her life there before she's released. Kennedy, I might add, is the most well adjusted character. (She's got problems but she's honest to herself and about herself, rate traits, imo) Anyway, I loved Kennedy! I felt bad for Carter sometimes and wanted to shake her at others, but as a portrait of malaise pre-the-2008-economic-bust, she's excellent. Then there's Gerry, Kennedy and Carter's dad. He's a pov narrator for about a third of the book and it's a choice that pays off not just in terms of plot but of character development, because being in Gerry's head is-- well, I can't remember the last time I reacted so strongly to a fictional character! There are, of course, other characters, but aside from Everett, most of them are pretty generic assholes or lost souls, which I was surprised by given the careful work done on Kennedy, Carter, and Gerry.
And then there's the 1990s which is practically a character itself in Little Threats, so well is the mess that was that time portrayed. *Lately, I've seen and read so many things that look back at the "grunge" era with nostalgia, but it was also another period of socioeconomic turmoil (the recession that started in 1990 lasted about a decade) and a period where the objectification of teenage girls was extremely motherducking creepy, and Schultz captures that darkness very well and to great effect.
Little Threats was a surprise; it's a thriller that moves at its own pace and it's an honest look back at a time whose problems have been glossed over in current pop culture. If you enjoy a great character and period (yes, the 1990s are a period now) study and don't mind a leisurely read, you'll definitely enjoy this like I did! 3.5 stars, rounded up.
December 1, 2020
Not bad, but also not that original. It reminded me a lot of Jar of Hearts.
Best part was the amount and accuracy of all the 90s and grunge references.
I found it rather inconsistent plot wise speaking, especially when it totally forgot to portrait how all those years in prison affected Kennedy or even when it came to mention her life in jail. I'm not an expert, but I think 15 years of forced segregation with the same people make it so that bonds are created and personalities are sharpened.
Like I said, it had its moments, but could have been so much better.
Might review better later.
Best part was the amount and accuracy of all the 90s and grunge references.
I found it rather inconsistent plot wise speaking, especially when it totally forgot to portrait how all those years in prison affected Kennedy or even when it came to mention her life in jail. I'm not an expert, but I think 15 years of forced segregation with the same people make it so that bonds are created and personalities are sharpened.
Like I said, it had its moments, but could have been so much better.
Might review better later.
August 8, 2021
In 1993, twin sisters Kennedy and Carter are living the good life. That all changes one night when Kennedy's best friend Hayley is murdered at a party in the woods. Kennedy becomes a suspect when accused by a boy and since she has no memory of the night in question, she accepts a plea deal and serves fifteen years in prison. Meantime, Carter begins dating Haley's brother and questioning the sister she thought she knew. Fast forward fifteen years and it's 2008 and Kennedy is finally free. But is she? While her life stopped in prison, the world kept turning, moving forward. What kind of life can she expect when her own twin sister now questions her innocence. When a Crime Podcaster comes to town asking questions, tension builds and secrets threaten to escape. With the secrets come new suspects just as Kennedy's memories begin returning. Are any of them safe?
Little Threats pushes all the right buttons for a fantastic thriller. The twisted plot line is driven by a dark, threatening undertone with creepy vibes. The story unfolds through three points of view - that of Kennedy, Carter, and Haley's brother. I found myself burning through pages searching for answers right up until the shocker ending. Little Threats is an intense, dark, gritty family saga suspense thriller. Highly recommended.
Thank you G.P. Putnams Sons for a copy of this book.
Little Threats pushes all the right buttons for a fantastic thriller. The twisted plot line is driven by a dark, threatening undertone with creepy vibes. The story unfolds through three points of view - that of Kennedy, Carter, and Haley's brother. I found myself burning through pages searching for answers right up until the shocker ending. Little Threats is an intense, dark, gritty family saga suspense thriller. Highly recommended.
Thank you G.P. Putnams Sons for a copy of this book.
February 24, 2020
I just love the set-up for this novel - a woman is released from prison after serving a sentence for a crime she doesn't remember. After her release, the memories begin to trickle back as she tries to put together a new life from the wreckage of what she left behind. Lots of twists and turns, great writing, and a shocking ending. All the right stuff for a fantastic thriller!
October 19, 2020
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley. It does not impact my review.
Based on that intriguing synopsis, I expected Little Threats to have a little more mystery and a little more thrills than it actually produced. Unfortunately, I just found it a little – maybe a lot – disappointing.
As I read this book, two words continually came to mind. Pretentious and Familiar. I can’t even count how many thrillers out there revolve around a character not being able to remember some violent and tragic event. It’s a cliché for a reason, though, right? Some books use it really effectively and some not so much. Also, the whole “poor little rich girl” thing. The girls who have every opportunity and advantage rebel against their privilege by doing inane things like shoplifting and drugs and dating bad boys. I’ve read it a hundred times before and I found myself just really bored for so much of the book. And the characters, with the exception of Everett, were truly awful. So much of the story is just them being in their own heads and the writing was so pretentious I couldn’t really take it seriously.
I found the mystery pretty underwhelming, as well. I read some reviews that talked about multiple twists throughout the story and a shocking ending and I didn’t get any of that. I thought it was predictable and completely lacked suspense.
Overall, Little Threats was not for me. I found the plot cliched, the writing pretentious and the pace extremely slow. The book was heavily character focused, which might have saved it if I had cared anything about them. Everett was the one character that came across as sympathetic, but again, this wasn’t enough to turn the book around for me. This isn’t one that I would recommend, but I have seen some good reviews on it, so it might just be me.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 2 Stars
Based on that intriguing synopsis, I expected Little Threats to have a little more mystery and a little more thrills than it actually produced. Unfortunately, I just found it a little – maybe a lot – disappointing.
As I read this book, two words continually came to mind. Pretentious and Familiar. I can’t even count how many thrillers out there revolve around a character not being able to remember some violent and tragic event. It’s a cliché for a reason, though, right? Some books use it really effectively and some not so much. Also, the whole “poor little rich girl” thing. The girls who have every opportunity and advantage rebel against their privilege by doing inane things like shoplifting and drugs and dating bad boys. I’ve read it a hundred times before and I found myself just really bored for so much of the book. And the characters, with the exception of Everett, were truly awful. So much of the story is just them being in their own heads and the writing was so pretentious I couldn’t really take it seriously.
I found the mystery pretty underwhelming, as well. I read some reviews that talked about multiple twists throughout the story and a shocking ending and I didn’t get any of that. I thought it was predictable and completely lacked suspense.
Overall, Little Threats was not for me. I found the plot cliched, the writing pretentious and the pace extremely slow. The book was heavily character focused, which might have saved it if I had cared anything about them. Everett was the one character that came across as sympathetic, but again, this wasn’t enough to turn the book around for me. This isn’t one that I would recommend, but I have seen some good reviews on it, so it might just be me.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 2 Stars
February 22, 2025
***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of LITTLE THREATS by Emily Schultz in exchange for my honest review.***
Upon Kennedy’s release from prison, after serving fourteen years for the killing of her best friend Haley, her identical twin Carter meets Kennedy with skepticism. Kennedy believes she’s innocent, but cannot remember the events of the murder. Carter doesn’t share their father’s confidence in her sister’s honesty about of that drug-filled night so long ago. A podcast Crime After Crime takes a fresh look at the case, which may uncover truths that prove Kennedy’s guilt. Complicating matters are Carter’s relationship with Haley’s younger brother.
I’ve been a fanatic of books with twin protagonists since I was a kid, particular identical sisters so the blurb for LITTLE THREATS immediately grabbed my attention. Psychological thrillers are another favorite of mine, so Emily Schultz’s book was a must read.
Neither Kennedy or Carter, named after the presidents by their liberal, attorney father, lived up to their potential. Each could have gone to an Ivy League university. Kennedy studied in prison, Carter dropped out of college and into rehab. Their mom died of cancer shortly after Kennedy began serving her time, their father never went back to being a high powered attorney. I couldn’t imagine being in either Kennedy’s or Carter’s shoes, unsure whether I killed my best friend or unsure whether my twin, who shared my DNA, was a murderer.
LITTLE THREATS had no shortage of viable suspects from the twenty-one year old boyfriend to either twin to other young men with whom Haley flirted. The culprit surprised me, which doesn’t often happen, yet made sense.
For a psychological thriller, LITTLE THREATS started off slowly and while I was interested, I also wanted to get through the backstory and into the meat of the story. I did enjoy the writing, characters and story.
LITTLE THREATS will keep you engaged and guessing.
Upon Kennedy’s release from prison, after serving fourteen years for the killing of her best friend Haley, her identical twin Carter meets Kennedy with skepticism. Kennedy believes she’s innocent, but cannot remember the events of the murder. Carter doesn’t share their father’s confidence in her sister’s honesty about of that drug-filled night so long ago. A podcast Crime After Crime takes a fresh look at the case, which may uncover truths that prove Kennedy’s guilt. Complicating matters are Carter’s relationship with Haley’s younger brother.
I’ve been a fanatic of books with twin protagonists since I was a kid, particular identical sisters so the blurb for LITTLE THREATS immediately grabbed my attention. Psychological thrillers are another favorite of mine, so Emily Schultz’s book was a must read.
Neither Kennedy or Carter, named after the presidents by their liberal, attorney father, lived up to their potential. Each could have gone to an Ivy League university. Kennedy studied in prison, Carter dropped out of college and into rehab. Their mom died of cancer shortly after Kennedy began serving her time, their father never went back to being a high powered attorney. I couldn’t imagine being in either Kennedy’s or Carter’s shoes, unsure whether I killed my best friend or unsure whether my twin, who shared my DNA, was a murderer.
LITTLE THREATS had no shortage of viable suspects from the twenty-one year old boyfriend to either twin to other young men with whom Haley flirted. The culprit surprised me, which doesn’t often happen, yet made sense.
For a psychological thriller, LITTLE THREATS started off slowly and while I was interested, I also wanted to get through the backstory and into the meat of the story. I did enjoy the writing, characters and story.
LITTLE THREATS will keep you engaged and guessing.
January 17, 2021
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Little Threats was beyond amazing. Even though it took me two days to devour, because sometimes you just need to sleep, it was still such a great book to get lost in. I mean the whole mystery part of who did it had me guessing left and right throughout the entire book. Of course I kept to one main suspect who just ended up being a certified douche bag. Ugh, I'm the worst detective known to everyone in the world but I will redeem myself one day.
Other than that, I really enjoyed the three POVs that I got: Kennedy, Carter, and Everett. Kennedy and Carter are twin sisters and Everett is the little brother of their best friend Haley. Unfortunately, the whole mystery is revolved around who killed Haley one night. In the beginning, we see how everyone sort of coped with the murder trial and how they are coping with Kennedy out of jail.
It was interesting to see how anyone reacted towards Kennedy because it kind of seemed obvious to me that she did nothing to Haley. She loved Haley in such a way that it just didn't seem possible to me. They were family and blood sisters. No matter what, she couldn't truly hurt her or vice versa. So I really wanted to know who did it and why.
In the end, when it was revealed as to who actually did it - well, I was surprised. Really, I was. I had no idea why they never popped in my mind but I guess that means the book did the job. It kept me engaged and mystified me so that I had no idea they could be a suspect. Definitely enjoyed the heck out of this book and look forward to the next one by Emily.
Little Threats was beyond amazing. Even though it took me two days to devour, because sometimes you just need to sleep, it was still such a great book to get lost in. I mean the whole mystery part of who did it had me guessing left and right throughout the entire book. Of course I kept to one main suspect who just ended up being a certified douche bag. Ugh, I'm the worst detective known to everyone in the world but I will redeem myself one day.
Other than that, I really enjoyed the three POVs that I got: Kennedy, Carter, and Everett. Kennedy and Carter are twin sisters and Everett is the little brother of their best friend Haley. Unfortunately, the whole mystery is revolved around who killed Haley one night. In the beginning, we see how everyone sort of coped with the murder trial and how they are coping with Kennedy out of jail.
It was interesting to see how anyone reacted towards Kennedy because it kind of seemed obvious to me that she did nothing to Haley. She loved Haley in such a way that it just didn't seem possible to me. They were family and blood sisters. No matter what, she couldn't truly hurt her or vice versa. So I really wanted to know who did it and why.
In the end, when it was revealed as to who actually did it - well, I was surprised. Really, I was. I had no idea why they never popped in my mind but I guess that means the book did the job. It kept me engaged and mystified me so that I had no idea they could be a suspect. Definitely enjoyed the heck out of this book and look forward to the next one by Emily.
December 21, 2020
Psychological Fiction / Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Publication date : November 10, 2020
In LITTLE THREATS we have twin sisters Kennedy and Carter Wynn. Kennedy's teenage rebellion went wrong after a night of partying in the woods, when her best friend Haley was murdered, and suspicion fell upon Kennedy. She's unable to remeber much about the night, and this, along with the damning testimony from a college boy, was enough to force Kennedy to enter a guilty plea. 15 years later Kennedy is released from the prison and she realize that the world has moved on without her. What really happened that night? Did Kennedy kill her friend or not?
Another thriller where the main character can not remember some tragic event from her/his past. Sometimes this work, but in this one it was annoying and frustrating. I didn't enjoy all those multiple narrators. Just when you get into one POV, author decide to switch and flow gets interrupted. The story seemed to be all over the place, didn't sound plausible nor cleverly plotted. I didn't really care about any of the characters or what happened to them.
Good thriller should be intense, taut, keep you guessing and turning pages for answers but this story made me skim read to reach the end. If you want another story with teenage rebellion gone wrong, then I'd rather recommend Jar of Hearts. That story made me think and wonder, not this one.
Publication date : November 10, 2020
In LITTLE THREATS we have twin sisters Kennedy and Carter Wynn. Kennedy's teenage rebellion went wrong after a night of partying in the woods, when her best friend Haley was murdered, and suspicion fell upon Kennedy. She's unable to remeber much about the night, and this, along with the damning testimony from a college boy, was enough to force Kennedy to enter a guilty plea. 15 years later Kennedy is released from the prison and she realize that the world has moved on without her. What really happened that night? Did Kennedy kill her friend or not?
Another thriller where the main character can not remember some tragic event from her/his past. Sometimes this work, but in this one it was annoying and frustrating. I didn't enjoy all those multiple narrators. Just when you get into one POV, author decide to switch and flow gets interrupted. The story seemed to be all over the place, didn't sound plausible nor cleverly plotted. I didn't really care about any of the characters or what happened to them.
Good thriller should be intense, taut, keep you guessing and turning pages for answers but this story made me skim read to reach the end. If you want another story with teenage rebellion gone wrong, then I'd rather recommend Jar of Hearts. That story made me think and wonder, not this one.
February 16, 2021
Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
3.5 Stars
Kennedy's best friend is murdered in 1993 and she's spent the last fifteen years in prison paying for a crime she doesn't remember committing. Now, in 2008, she's returning home, to the town that hasn't forgotten, to a father who wants his children to be around again, and to a crime show host who believes there's more to the story. The world's moved forward, Kennedy is behind the times, but she's ready to let her life begin again. Except, memories are returning and she's beginning to wonder if she really did it.
Talk about a rough go of things, Kennedy's just spent 15 years in prison and upon her release even her own twin suddenly begins acting as though she did it. You expect some media and attention, but Kennedy's delivered to a home that hasn't changed since she left it as a teen, a father who is overly concerned about perfection, and a sister with a secret. I loved the interactions with the crime show team, but it took a long time to get there. First, we're treated to flashbacks, varying perspectives, romantic entanglements, and an awful lot of family drama. Kennedy and her twin, Carter, may have kept up while she was away in prison, but her return home brings back a lot of the past, and not just the part about her best friend being dead. There's exes, old friends, and an awful lot of 90's memories to sift through.
Little Threats is very slow, there's more, I guess, story than mystery. It doesn't have the thrills I typically like in my reads and, in this case, the twists that were meant to be surprising were expected. That's not to say it was poorly written, quite the opposite, it just wasn't as gripping as I'd like. That may be, however, due to the fact that crime show themed novels are all the rage right now and it does feel a bit like if you've read one you've read them all. If you've not read one yet or you're looking for a slower-paced novel full of grunge nostalgia, then Little Threats will work for you and I do recommend it.
While I think there's improvements to be made here, Little Threats is another good novel in the crime show genre. It's more of a contemporary drama novel than a crime read, but if you're looking for less mystery and more interpersonal relationship then this just might be it for you.
ARC provided.
3.5 Stars
Kennedy's best friend is murdered in 1993 and she's spent the last fifteen years in prison paying for a crime she doesn't remember committing. Now, in 2008, she's returning home, to the town that hasn't forgotten, to a father who wants his children to be around again, and to a crime show host who believes there's more to the story. The world's moved forward, Kennedy is behind the times, but she's ready to let her life begin again. Except, memories are returning and she's beginning to wonder if she really did it.
Talk about a rough go of things, Kennedy's just spent 15 years in prison and upon her release even her own twin suddenly begins acting as though she did it. You expect some media and attention, but Kennedy's delivered to a home that hasn't changed since she left it as a teen, a father who is overly concerned about perfection, and a sister with a secret. I loved the interactions with the crime show team, but it took a long time to get there. First, we're treated to flashbacks, varying perspectives, romantic entanglements, and an awful lot of family drama. Kennedy and her twin, Carter, may have kept up while she was away in prison, but her return home brings back a lot of the past, and not just the part about her best friend being dead. There's exes, old friends, and an awful lot of 90's memories to sift through.
Little Threats is very slow, there's more, I guess, story than mystery. It doesn't have the thrills I typically like in my reads and, in this case, the twists that were meant to be surprising were expected. That's not to say it was poorly written, quite the opposite, it just wasn't as gripping as I'd like. That may be, however, due to the fact that crime show themed novels are all the rage right now and it does feel a bit like if you've read one you've read them all. If you've not read one yet or you're looking for a slower-paced novel full of grunge nostalgia, then Little Threats will work for you and I do recommend it.
While I think there's improvements to be made here, Little Threats is another good novel in the crime show genre. It's more of a contemporary drama novel than a crime read, but if you're looking for less mystery and more interpersonal relationship then this just might be it for you.
ARC provided.
May 4, 2021
Little Threats is about Kennedy who is just released from jail after 15 years for murdering her best friend in their mid-teens. She can't remember that night because she was high on acid. Did she really do it or was it someone else?
I did like the early 90's nostalgia I had reading this. Dozens, if not over 100, references to 90s music, movies, celebrities, and current events. There is also a powerful statement here about the devastating impacts to both sides of a murder case.
However, the disconnect for me was in the writing. I typically avoid this criticism because I know a talented, passionate human being poured their heart and soul into putting these words on paper. But the pacing was slow, the dialogue forced, character actions over-the-top and rife with angst.
It lacked a certain authenticity to it. For example, a murder trial had to stop for the day because the courtroom was filled with loudly crying teenagers who just found out Kurt Cobain committed suicide 🙄🙄🙄🙄 Kennedy, on trial for killing her best friend, was more sad about Cobain's death than her own future 🙄🙄
There are many other examples and plotholes but can't mention without being spoilers.
A warning for those who may find this as disturbing as I do: fathers getting intimate with their own daughters, especially when they're underaged 😣🤢
I received this as part of the GR Giveaways, so cheers to GP Putnam's Sons and the author for the ARC.
I did like the early 90's nostalgia I had reading this. Dozens, if not over 100, references to 90s music, movies, celebrities, and current events. There is also a powerful statement here about the devastating impacts to both sides of a murder case.
However, the disconnect for me was in the writing. I typically avoid this criticism because I know a talented, passionate human being poured their heart and soul into putting these words on paper. But the pacing was slow, the dialogue forced, character actions over-the-top and rife with angst.
It lacked a certain authenticity to it. For example, a murder trial had to stop for the day because the courtroom was filled with loudly crying teenagers who just found out Kurt Cobain committed suicide 🙄🙄🙄🙄 Kennedy, on trial for killing her best friend, was more sad about Cobain's death than her own future 🙄🙄
There are many other examples and plotholes but can't mention without being spoilers.
A warning for those who may find this as disturbing as I do: fathers getting intimate with their own daughters, especially when they're underaged 😣🤢
I received this as part of the GR Giveaways, so cheers to GP Putnam's Sons and the author for the ARC.
December 9, 2020
A pretty underwhelming ending, very predictable but absolutely gorgeous writing so I will give it a 3 rather than a 2.
But I loved the grunge 90s vibes though...
But I loved the grunge 90s vibes though...
April 17, 2021
I enjoyed all the 90s nostalgia littered throughout this book (especially the mixed tapes). And that's pretty much all I liked about it.
October 7, 2020
I received a complimentary copy of this Ebook ARC from the author, Netgalley, and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
When twins Kennedy and Carter Wynn's best friend Haley is murdered, one of the twins is wrongfully accused and are sent to prison to serve a sentence. Can they clear the family name and set the record straight? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good murder mystery story. If you like stories like this, be sure to check this book out wherever books and ebooks are sold on November 10, 2020
When twins Kennedy and Carter Wynn's best friend Haley is murdered, one of the twins is wrongfully accused and are sent to prison to serve a sentence. Can they clear the family name and set the record straight? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good murder mystery story. If you like stories like this, be sure to check this book out wherever books and ebooks are sold on November 10, 2020
January 5, 2021
Little Threats is much slower mystery/thriller book. I just wished it has more mystery in it. I found myself a little disappointed.
We have twin Kennedy and Carter Wynn in this book but the story is much about Kennedy. Kennedy likes to party and one night the party went wrong. Her best friend, Haley was murdered. People are suspecting Kennedy is the killer but she doesn't remember much about what had happened that night.
This is another thriller where the main character cannot remember some tragic event. Some thrillers work just fine but this one is not. I read multiple reviews when the said there's a lot of plot twist and the intensity but I just didn't get that. The story itself seemed all over the place. It's quite frustrating to read until the end.
I think good thriller should be great, should give the readers feel the intensity and make them keep guessing until the end. This is just not that kind of book and it's not for me as well.
Thank you, Times Reads for sending me a copy of Little Threats in return for an honest review. This book is available at all good bookstores.
We have twin Kennedy and Carter Wynn in this book but the story is much about Kennedy. Kennedy likes to party and one night the party went wrong. Her best friend, Haley was murdered. People are suspecting Kennedy is the killer but she doesn't remember much about what had happened that night.
This is another thriller where the main character cannot remember some tragic event. Some thrillers work just fine but this one is not. I read multiple reviews when the said there's a lot of plot twist and the intensity but I just didn't get that. The story itself seemed all over the place. It's quite frustrating to read until the end.
I think good thriller should be great, should give the readers feel the intensity and make them keep guessing until the end. This is just not that kind of book and it's not for me as well.
Thank you, Times Reads for sending me a copy of Little Threats in return for an honest review. This book is available at all good bookstores.
August 18, 2020
via my blog: https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com/
𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙮’𝙨 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡, 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙙, 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙬𝙞𝙜𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙’𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙, 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙍𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙤.
𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 is the waking nightmare of teenage rebellion gone wrong. What happens when your youthful bravado blows up in your face? Kennedy Wynn is all about Manic Panic hair dye (the most wild colors on offer in the 90’s), grunge music, older boys and pushing the limits. One night is her ruin after she drops acid and can’t remember clearly everything that follows, particularly the death of her best friend Haley Kimberson. She is the prime suspect, and the horror of it all is that she doesn’t know if she is guilty. Then there is the older, college boy Berk Butler and all the secrets and lies that are between the three of them. At twenty-one, from a wealthy family, handsome with a football player’s physique and bad boy charm he is irresistible to Kennedy but has eyes only for Haley. It doesn’t stop Kennedy from ‘trying to get him to love her’ nor him from teasing her, flaming her hunger for him. Desire and foolishness ties them together, but it is Kennedy the evidence sticks to, being the last one seen with Haley. In testifying against her, he saves himself, but how innocent is he?
Carter is Kennedy’s twin, left reeling after Haley’s death (she was her friend too) and even after years have passed, and Kennedy’s done her time, she isn’t sure that her sister is innocent. Sometimes she dreams she is Kennedy, and therein lies the rub- the dream of Haley’s body being dragged and Kennedy’s story in direct conflict. Worse, Carter is involved with a man who is as damaged as her, whose hatred for Kennedy burns bright. A man who can’t stomach the bond between them, frayed as it is. This is the part of the novel that makes for an emotional read and yet would be a psychiatrist’s gold mine. Carter resents everything Kennedy has set in motion, and despite the gulf between them aches for her twin but she has secrets too, and is learning all about forbidden desire. Choices she has made as an adult that she has kept from her father Gerry have her tangled up and she isn’t ready to be there to support Kennedy.
Gerry wants nothing more than to glue his family back together, for his twin daughters to restore the love they once had for each other. He remains the protector, ashamed by his own guilt for failing to prevent everything that befell his girls. He was always their rock, available to them through any kind of mess or trouble, a lawyer himself, he would never fail to defend his girl. What did he miss? How could he have been so distracted, though he had good reason at the time with his own marriage falling apart. He never once doubted Kennedy’s innocence, but Carter can’t say the same, not even after fourteen years have passed and her sister is free. Her own life has been on hold, it may as well have been her who received a prison sentence too, despite using her mother’s last name, the past is a brand she can’t ever escape.
Berk may be older, but he seems exactly the same. The difference between them is he got to have a life while Kennedy’s stood still behind bars. Now with Dee Nash, the host of the show Crime After Crime, kicking up dust and hoping to get answers to questions police failed to ask in the past, what he thought was behind him is surfacing. Haley’s brother Everett was young when his sister was brutally murdered, destroying his mother in the process and any semblance of a normal family life. Coming of age in the shadow of such senseless tragedy, there isn’t a day his mother has been fully present in his life. It is his hope that Dee Nash and her search for the whole story could help them heal, if she could just fill in the blanks of Kennedy’s ‘memory lapses’. He knows all about the tricks the mind can play on you, so young when she died, he can’t always corral the memories he has of his big sister and it is devastating. He does remember the twins though, and Kennedy’s influence on his sister in particular.
When the full story is revealed there will be more devastation. Is the new suspect in the woods that night just speculation or was there someone else who had a hand in the murder?
Little Threats is an engaging novel about assumptions, mistakes, poor choices, family loyalty and shame. It is about the lengths people will go to protect the life they want, even if it means sacrifice. Everyone is broken and by the end life is still in tatters but the truth will out. Yes, read it!
Publication Date: November 10, 2010
Penguin Group
G.P. Putnam’s Sons
𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙮’𝙨 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡, 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙙, 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙬𝙞𝙜𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙’𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙, 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙍𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙤.
𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 is the waking nightmare of teenage rebellion gone wrong. What happens when your youthful bravado blows up in your face? Kennedy Wynn is all about Manic Panic hair dye (the most wild colors on offer in the 90’s), grunge music, older boys and pushing the limits. One night is her ruin after she drops acid and can’t remember clearly everything that follows, particularly the death of her best friend Haley Kimberson. She is the prime suspect, and the horror of it all is that she doesn’t know if she is guilty. Then there is the older, college boy Berk Butler and all the secrets and lies that are between the three of them. At twenty-one, from a wealthy family, handsome with a football player’s physique and bad boy charm he is irresistible to Kennedy but has eyes only for Haley. It doesn’t stop Kennedy from ‘trying to get him to love her’ nor him from teasing her, flaming her hunger for him. Desire and foolishness ties them together, but it is Kennedy the evidence sticks to, being the last one seen with Haley. In testifying against her, he saves himself, but how innocent is he?
Carter is Kennedy’s twin, left reeling after Haley’s death (she was her friend too) and even after years have passed, and Kennedy’s done her time, she isn’t sure that her sister is innocent. Sometimes she dreams she is Kennedy, and therein lies the rub- the dream of Haley’s body being dragged and Kennedy’s story in direct conflict. Worse, Carter is involved with a man who is as damaged as her, whose hatred for Kennedy burns bright. A man who can’t stomach the bond between them, frayed as it is. This is the part of the novel that makes for an emotional read and yet would be a psychiatrist’s gold mine. Carter resents everything Kennedy has set in motion, and despite the gulf between them aches for her twin but she has secrets too, and is learning all about forbidden desire. Choices she has made as an adult that she has kept from her father Gerry have her tangled up and she isn’t ready to be there to support Kennedy.
Gerry wants nothing more than to glue his family back together, for his twin daughters to restore the love they once had for each other. He remains the protector, ashamed by his own guilt for failing to prevent everything that befell his girls. He was always their rock, available to them through any kind of mess or trouble, a lawyer himself, he would never fail to defend his girl. What did he miss? How could he have been so distracted, though he had good reason at the time with his own marriage falling apart. He never once doubted Kennedy’s innocence, but Carter can’t say the same, not even after fourteen years have passed and her sister is free. Her own life has been on hold, it may as well have been her who received a prison sentence too, despite using her mother’s last name, the past is a brand she can’t ever escape.
Berk may be older, but he seems exactly the same. The difference between them is he got to have a life while Kennedy’s stood still behind bars. Now with Dee Nash, the host of the show Crime After Crime, kicking up dust and hoping to get answers to questions police failed to ask in the past, what he thought was behind him is surfacing. Haley’s brother Everett was young when his sister was brutally murdered, destroying his mother in the process and any semblance of a normal family life. Coming of age in the shadow of such senseless tragedy, there isn’t a day his mother has been fully present in his life. It is his hope that Dee Nash and her search for the whole story could help them heal, if she could just fill in the blanks of Kennedy’s ‘memory lapses’. He knows all about the tricks the mind can play on you, so young when she died, he can’t always corral the memories he has of his big sister and it is devastating. He does remember the twins though, and Kennedy’s influence on his sister in particular.
When the full story is revealed there will be more devastation. Is the new suspect in the woods that night just speculation or was there someone else who had a hand in the murder?
Little Threats is an engaging novel about assumptions, mistakes, poor choices, family loyalty and shame. It is about the lengths people will go to protect the life they want, even if it means sacrifice. Everyone is broken and by the end life is still in tatters but the truth will out. Yes, read it!
Publication Date: November 10, 2010
Penguin Group
G.P. Putnam’s Sons
September 18, 2020
Thank you G.P. Putnam's Sons/Penguin Group and Netgalley for the advanced copy.
This was almost a DNF for me. The premise of this initially drew me in, but the overall execution was lacking.
As this is is an ARC, these examples may be edited with the final version, but writing like this really threw me through a loop.
"Everett watched her retrieve a pale pink bra from the floor and put it around her shoulders. It was a front-loader..." A FRONT-LOADER. Please tell me how a woman, writing from a man's perspective, landed on the phrase "front-loader" to describe a bra. If this were a different book, with a different tone, or perhaps a different author, this could have come off as funny or satirical and we could have loved it, laughing at Everett together, but this was not the case and is a great example of some of the awkward word choices/writing within Little Threats.
And also, "Carter was seven years older than he was, and her body showed it. She was attractive when dressed, but when naked her torso and hips showed a quilt of wars won and lost - lovely but also loose in places." Carter is only 31 by the way. Big cringe.
Other than the weird, awkward-reading depictions of women (the men don't really get the same weird treatment, but in truth the off-putting descriptions aren't limited to the characters - it's more like the writer's style?), the story itself felt like the book had been written in pieces and not sewn together quite right. The big reveal felt empty. The pacing was slow without the pay off of experiencing a great character-driven novel. This one just really was not for me.
This was almost a DNF for me. The premise of this initially drew me in, but the overall execution was lacking.
As this is is an ARC, these examples may be edited with the final version, but writing like this really threw me through a loop.
"Everett watched her retrieve a pale pink bra from the floor and put it around her shoulders. It was a front-loader..." A FRONT-LOADER. Please tell me how a woman, writing from a man's perspective, landed on the phrase "front-loader" to describe a bra. If this were a different book, with a different tone, or perhaps a different author, this could have come off as funny or satirical and we could have loved it, laughing at Everett together, but this was not the case and is a great example of some of the awkward word choices/writing within Little Threats.
And also, "Carter was seven years older than he was, and her body showed it. She was attractive when dressed, but when naked her torso and hips showed a quilt of wars won and lost - lovely but also loose in places." Carter is only 31 by the way. Big cringe.
Other than the weird, awkward-reading depictions of women (the men don't really get the same weird treatment, but in truth the off-putting descriptions aren't limited to the characters - it's more like the writer's style?), the story itself felt like the book had been written in pieces and not sewn together quite right. The big reveal felt empty. The pacing was slow without the pay off of experiencing a great character-driven novel. This one just really was not for me.
December 19, 2020
Something that seems to be a theme lately with mystery books that I have read is A) sisters and B) one of them spending time in prison for a crime that they didn't commit. Little Threats by Emily Schultz was another one in that vein of story. The book starts with identical twins Carter and Kennedy and their new friend Hayley. Hayley was Carter's friend first, that was until Hayley meet Kennedy who was the wilder twin of the pair. Soon Hayley and Kennedy became inseparable and Carter felt like a third wheel especially when Hayley and Kennedy added a guy Berk Butler to their mix. Both of the girls loved Berk and they spent the time smoking, taking drugs, and being promiscuous in everyone's eyes. Hayley had a dark secret though and one night after an acid trip, Kennedy wakes up and finds Hayley dead. Due to the acid, she can't remember what happened but knows that she's innocent and could never harm Hayley. Sadly, of course, the court paints her out as a jealous lesbian who killed Hayley in a rage when she didn't reciprocate which is far from the truth. Fast forward fifteen years later and Kennedy is being released from prison and back into the world that found her guilty, even her own twin Carter believes Kennedy did it now. With her memories slowly coming back and new evidence is found that could clear her name, can Kennedy find out the truth about what really happened that night and finally prove she is innocent? In doing so though, what will be the consequences when the real killer is revealed and the reasoning behind it? Find out in Little Threats by Emily Schultz, a mystery thriller where everyone except the one assumed guilty has a dark secret to hide.
October 28, 2020
I really liked this book, I liked the feel and I liked every character. Kennedy was my favorite.
Kennedy is released from prison after serving 15 years for murdering her best friend, Haley, even through she doesn't remember anything about it. Now that she's out she has to navigate new relationships and the world 15 years later.
Her twin sister, Carter who stopped visiting her in prison and questions her innocence is secretly dating the murdered girls brother.
Everything is shaken when a popular crime show brings new developments to light.
A must read for anyone who enjoys a mystery, who dun it and good twist at the end.
Kennedy is released from prison after serving 15 years for murdering her best friend, Haley, even through she doesn't remember anything about it. Now that she's out she has to navigate new relationships and the world 15 years later.
Her twin sister, Carter who stopped visiting her in prison and questions her innocence is secretly dating the murdered girls brother.
Everything is shaken when a popular crime show brings new developments to light.
A must read for anyone who enjoys a mystery, who dun it and good twist at the end.
November 7, 2020
Kennedy Wynn, after serving fifteen years, has been released from prison. At sixteen years old, Kennedy was convicted of killing her best friend Haley. Although Kennedy took the plea, she doesn’t remember a thing about the night Haley died.
Her father was and is her biggest supporter. But her twin sister, Carter, has pulled away from the family, changing her last name and even starting a relationship with someone too close to the murder case.
With Kennedy out of prison, a true-crime talk show host starts asking questions of all those who were involved back in 1993. The story flips back to when Kennedy and Carter were friends with Haley as teens, to the secret notes and joints passed, and to partying in the woods with all the guys they loved. Now in 2008, as new evidence comes to light, it’s time to find out if Kennedy is the real killer.
This was an edgy, tense mystery. I liked the construct of beginning with a convicted killer and then backtracking through time to find out the truth. I loved all the ‘90s music and cultural references throughout. And of course, twins always make for complex character dynamics.
Thank you to @PutnamBooks for this #gifted book for review.
This book is available on 11/10/2020.
Her father was and is her biggest supporter. But her twin sister, Carter, has pulled away from the family, changing her last name and even starting a relationship with someone too close to the murder case.
With Kennedy out of prison, a true-crime talk show host starts asking questions of all those who were involved back in 1993. The story flips back to when Kennedy and Carter were friends with Haley as teens, to the secret notes and joints passed, and to partying in the woods with all the guys they loved. Now in 2008, as new evidence comes to light, it’s time to find out if Kennedy is the real killer.
This was an edgy, tense mystery. I liked the construct of beginning with a convicted killer and then backtracking through time to find out the truth. I loved all the ‘90s music and cultural references throughout. And of course, twins always make for complex character dynamics.
Thank you to @PutnamBooks for this #gifted book for review.
This book is available on 11/10/2020.
February 4, 2021
Longer review to come, but wow! This is such a smart, layered story. Fantastic.
January 18, 2021
"Sometimes the truth threatens us more than the fictions that have been told."
oooh, this was a wonderful mystery. I love stories focused around podcasts and the moral dilemma they raise. This one was less about the podcast and much more about the lives affected by a murder. Kennedy is our main character but not our only narrator. She was put away in prison before she was 18 and she is just getting out, now that she's 21. A lot has changed in the world and it has moved and rushed right by her. She was accused and she plead, essentially, no contest, to her best friend's murder (while high out of her mind on acid).
Our other POV are her old boyfriend, her twin sister, her dad and then the family of the murdered teen. It's a thoughtful story, showing how hard it was for all families involved and for Kennedy post prison. So many fascinating worlds tied together by this one thread - the author did a great job of weaving the story together, keeping me pulled in and my questions constantly going. I am definitely going to find more by this author and check it out!
oooh, this was a wonderful mystery. I love stories focused around podcasts and the moral dilemma they raise. This one was less about the podcast and much more about the lives affected by a murder. Kennedy is our main character but not our only narrator. She was put away in prison before she was 18 and she is just getting out, now that she's 21. A lot has changed in the world and it has moved and rushed right by her. She was accused and she plead, essentially, no contest, to her best friend's murder (while high out of her mind on acid).
Our other POV are her old boyfriend, her twin sister, her dad and then the family of the murdered teen. It's a thoughtful story, showing how hard it was for all families involved and for Kennedy post prison. So many fascinating worlds tied together by this one thread - the author did a great job of weaving the story together, keeping me pulled in and my questions constantly going. I am definitely going to find more by this author and check it out!
December 28, 2020
Little Threats is about two twin sisters and the murder of their best friend when they are all teenagers. One sister (Kennedy) is convicted of the crime and sent to prison while the other (Carter) struggles with drugs. The story picks back up 10 years later when Kennedy is released and Carter is sleeping with the deceased friend's brother. There's a new crime show digging into the history of the murder and Kennedy is slightly hopeful people will finally believe she's innocent.
It was a slow suspenseful drama with less focus on the crime than I expected. I enjoyed the story and the way the crime unraveled and the interpersonal relationships of both sisters. The end was a little unbelievable, but made sense after I thought it over.
All in all a worthwhile read!
It was a slow suspenseful drama with less focus on the crime than I expected. I enjoyed the story and the way the crime unraveled and the interpersonal relationships of both sisters. The end was a little unbelievable, but made sense after I thought it over.
All in all a worthwhile read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews