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You Don't Know Me
He's hiding a dark secret ... But so is she. A stunning new thriller about the burden of shame from blockbuster author Sara Foster Lizzie Burdett was eighteen when she vanished, and Noah Carruso has never forgotten her. She was his first crush, his unrequited love. She was also his brother's girlfriend. Tom Carruso hasn't been home in over a decade. He left soon after Lizzie disappeared under a darkening cloud of suspicion, and now he's back for the inquest into Lizzie's disappearance -- intent on telling his side of the story. As the inquest looms, Noah meets Alice Pryce on holiday. They fall for each other fast and hard, but Noah can't bear to tell Alice his deepest fears. And Alice is equally stricken -- she carries a terrible secret of her own. Is the truth worth telling if it will destroy everything?
288 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2019
196 people are currently reading
4976 people want to read
About the author
Sara Foster
13 books730 followersSara Foster is a critically acclaimed, bestselling fiction author with a passion for psychological suspense and a keen interest in exploring zeitgeist issues and strong female characters in her nail-biting novels. Her latest, When She Was Gone (2025), begins when an au pair and two small children vanish from a remote Australian beach, and is a race-against-time thriller, exploring themes around misogyny, wealth, power and control.
Sara is also the author of dystopian thriller The Hush and seven more bestselling novels. Two of her books have been optioned for television, and You Don’t Know Me was adapted into a chart-topping podcast series by Listnr. Sara has a PhD in creative writing (studying maternal representations in fiction) and lives in Perth, WA, with her husband, two daughters, three cats, Luna the cavoodle and Sunny the bearded dragon.
Follow Sara on Substack at Story Matters (for readers) and The Resilient Author (for writers). Or visit her website: www.sarafoster.com.au
Sara is also the author of dystopian thriller The Hush and seven more bestselling novels. Two of her books have been optioned for television, and You Don’t Know Me was adapted into a chart-topping podcast series by Listnr. Sara has a PhD in creative writing (studying maternal representations in fiction) and lives in Perth, WA, with her husband, two daughters, three cats, Luna the cavoodle and Sunny the bearded dragon.
Follow Sara on Substack at Story Matters (for readers) and The Resilient Author (for writers). Or visit her website: www.sarafoster.com.au
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
November 13, 2019
When Noah meets Alice in Thailand he is stunned, swept off his feet not only by the stunning girl, but by how much she looks like his brother's girlfriend Lizzie, who disappeared in mysterious circumstances twelve years ago. However holiday romances must come to an end, and Noah reluctantly leave Alice behind teaching English in Bangkok and return to his family's restaurant in Sydney.
All is not going well at home though, the inquest into Lizzie's disappearance is quickly coming up, and his estranged brother will be turning up for it from wherever he ran off to after he lost Lizzie.. Noah's parents are making more and more demands of him at the restaurant, selfishly not allowing him to have his own life. Then he hears from Alice, she's back in Sydney for family reasons.
Noah is feeling totally overwhelmed, not in control of his own life, and his relationship with Alice could be a blessing, or not. For Alice is hiding a secret of her own...
I did enjoy You Don't Know Me, It was easy and quick to read, yet I never felt really sucked in and invested in the plot. Alice's secret I found quite transparent, and though I wasn't entirely sure what happened to Lizzie, I narrowed the suspects down early on. I found the relationship between Noah and Alice to be realistic, yet the family situations they found themselves in simultaneously, not so much. Having said this I recommend this novel as a good beach/holiday read.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
All is not going well at home though, the inquest into Lizzie's disappearance is quickly coming up, and his estranged brother will be turning up for it from wherever he ran off to after he lost Lizzie.. Noah's parents are making more and more demands of him at the restaurant, selfishly not allowing him to have his own life. Then he hears from Alice, she's back in Sydney for family reasons.
Noah is feeling totally overwhelmed, not in control of his own life, and his relationship with Alice could be a blessing, or not. For Alice is hiding a secret of her own...
I did enjoy You Don't Know Me, It was easy and quick to read, yet I never felt really sucked in and invested in the plot. Alice's secret I found quite transparent, and though I wasn't entirely sure what happened to Lizzie, I narrowed the suspects down early on. I found the relationship between Noah and Alice to be realistic, yet the family situations they found themselves in simultaneously, not so much. Having said this I recommend this novel as a good beach/holiday read.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2023
EXCERPT: 'Lizzie?'
The search parties move through the forest shortly after dawn, flashes of neon jackets among the trees, the slumbering air stirring towards an early morning chill. They call her name again and again, then wait, hoping for something in return. But the only response is the agitated shrieks of parrots and the occasional rustle of panicked creatures in the undergrowth.
ABOUT 'YOU DON'T KNOW ME': He’s guarding a dark secret, but so is she.
Lizzie Burdett was eighteen when she vanished, and Noah Carruso has never forgotten her. She was his first crush, his unrequited love. She was also his brother’s girlfriend.
Tom Carruso hasn’t been home in over a decade. He left soon after Lizzie disappeared, under a darkening cloud of suspicion, and now he’s back for the inquest into Lizzie’s death – intent on telling his side of the story.
As the inquest looms, Noah meets Alice Pryce on holiday. They fall for each other fast and hard, but Noah can’t bear to tell Alice his deepest fears. And Alice is equally stricken – she carries a terrible secret of her own.
Is the truth worth telling if it will destroy everything?
MY THOUGHTS: What starts off as a holiday romance soon develops into a pulse-pounding thriller - psychological and otherwise. You Don't Know Me is a novel heavy on blame, shame and guilt. It is a story of love, family dynamics, mystery and manipulation. Once started, I could not put this down and fell asleep reading.
You Don't Know Me is written from the dual points of view of Noah Carruso and Alice Pryce who meet in Thailand. Noah is on holiday, Alice works as an English language teacher. It's really not the right time for a romance for either of them; Noah has commitments at home and Alice can't return home. Each has unresolved trauma in their past; secrets they are unwilling to fully reveal. But the past has a way of catching up with you, and it does - for both of them - setting off a cataclysmic chain of events.
Foster's writing is fast paced and evocative. I loved the Thailand travels, and the parts of the book set in New South Wales, particularly the Blue Mountains, made me feel nostalgic for my time there. She knows how to ramp up the tension and draw out a pivotal scene. Her characters are very real, to the point where I felt I was in the same room as them; a fly on the wall. The ending took me by surprise; it was so perfect and so unexpected.
I loved You Don't Know Me. It's the first book I have read by Sara Foster, but it won't be my last.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#YouDontKnowMe #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: I live in Perth, Western Australia, with my husband and two young daughters.
Before I was a writer I worked as a book editor, at first in-house at HarperCollins UK and then freelance.
I was born and raised in England, but I’ve always had family connections to Australia. I met my husband Matt when I was nineteen. We both love to travel, and we tend to pick places where we can pursue our passions for animal encounters and the natural world. Our highlights include four months in South-East Asia, including chartering a tiny vessel to Komodo Island and staying amongst the dragons. We got engaged on an island full of monkeys in Halong Bay, Vietnam, and for our honeymoon we visited Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, the Galapagos Islands, and travelled into the heart of the Manu Biosphere of the Amazon to see everything from capybaras to caimans. We have taken our two young girls to Japan, China, Singapore, the UK and Lapland, but Covid has meant we have spent the last couple of years exploring Western Australia – Dirk Hartog Island, Dunsborough and Walpole’s Valley of the Giants being some of the highlights. Whenever life allows, we’re always keen to have another adventure.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Simon & Schuster (Australia) for providing a digital ARC of You Don't Know Me by Sara Foster for review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The search parties move through the forest shortly after dawn, flashes of neon jackets among the trees, the slumbering air stirring towards an early morning chill. They call her name again and again, then wait, hoping for something in return. But the only response is the agitated shrieks of parrots and the occasional rustle of panicked creatures in the undergrowth.
ABOUT 'YOU DON'T KNOW ME': He’s guarding a dark secret, but so is she.
Lizzie Burdett was eighteen when she vanished, and Noah Carruso has never forgotten her. She was his first crush, his unrequited love. She was also his brother’s girlfriend.
Tom Carruso hasn’t been home in over a decade. He left soon after Lizzie disappeared, under a darkening cloud of suspicion, and now he’s back for the inquest into Lizzie’s death – intent on telling his side of the story.
As the inquest looms, Noah meets Alice Pryce on holiday. They fall for each other fast and hard, but Noah can’t bear to tell Alice his deepest fears. And Alice is equally stricken – she carries a terrible secret of her own.
Is the truth worth telling if it will destroy everything?
MY THOUGHTS: What starts off as a holiday romance soon develops into a pulse-pounding thriller - psychological and otherwise. You Don't Know Me is a novel heavy on blame, shame and guilt. It is a story of love, family dynamics, mystery and manipulation. Once started, I could not put this down and fell asleep reading.
You Don't Know Me is written from the dual points of view of Noah Carruso and Alice Pryce who meet in Thailand. Noah is on holiday, Alice works as an English language teacher. It's really not the right time for a romance for either of them; Noah has commitments at home and Alice can't return home. Each has unresolved trauma in their past; secrets they are unwilling to fully reveal. But the past has a way of catching up with you, and it does - for both of them - setting off a cataclysmic chain of events.
Foster's writing is fast paced and evocative. I loved the Thailand travels, and the parts of the book set in New South Wales, particularly the Blue Mountains, made me feel nostalgic for my time there. She knows how to ramp up the tension and draw out a pivotal scene. Her characters are very real, to the point where I felt I was in the same room as them; a fly on the wall. The ending took me by surprise; it was so perfect and so unexpected.
I loved You Don't Know Me. It's the first book I have read by Sara Foster, but it won't be my last.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#YouDontKnowMe #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: I live in Perth, Western Australia, with my husband and two young daughters.
Before I was a writer I worked as a book editor, at first in-house at HarperCollins UK and then freelance.
I was born and raised in England, but I’ve always had family connections to Australia. I met my husband Matt when I was nineteen. We both love to travel, and we tend to pick places where we can pursue our passions for animal encounters and the natural world. Our highlights include four months in South-East Asia, including chartering a tiny vessel to Komodo Island and staying amongst the dragons. We got engaged on an island full of monkeys in Halong Bay, Vietnam, and for our honeymoon we visited Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, the Galapagos Islands, and travelled into the heart of the Manu Biosphere of the Amazon to see everything from capybaras to caimans. We have taken our two young girls to Japan, China, Singapore, the UK and Lapland, but Covid has meant we have spent the last couple of years exploring Western Australia – Dirk Hartog Island, Dunsborough and Walpole’s Valley of the Giants being some of the highlights. Whenever life allows, we’re always keen to have another adventure.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Simon & Schuster (Australia) for providing a digital ARC of You Don't Know Me by Sara Foster for review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
September 20, 2019
When Noah met Alice on vacation in Thailand, they immediately clicked and he extended his holiday to spend more time with her, both hopelessly smitten. Time together all seemed so free and easy but what they didn't know then was that they both carried a dark family secret. At the time Alice was working as an English teacher in Bangkok so at the end of the holiday Noah had to return alone to Sydney to his job managing his family's restaurant and to attend an inquest into the disappearance of his brother Tom's girlfriend, Lizzie eleven years before after a lover's quarrel. However, not long after Alice must also return to Australia to face her past as her life starts to unravel.
Alternating between the voices of Noah and Alice, the events that happened in their past and in the current time soon spill out. As a contemporary touch a true crime podcast is used effectively to fill in the details of Lizzie's disappearance and to fuel public hatred towards Tom and his family. Someone does know what happened to Lizzie that night but there are one or two red herrings to point the finger in other directions before we learn the truth. However, this is not only an engaging mystery novel but a love story under difficult circumstances and a family drama with the complexities of loyalty and guilt overshadowing family dynamics. Sara Foster has made the two main characters people you can empathise with and cheer on as they navigate through their difficulties and their relationships with their families.
With thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for a digital copy to read.
Alternating between the voices of Noah and Alice, the events that happened in their past and in the current time soon spill out. As a contemporary touch a true crime podcast is used effectively to fill in the details of Lizzie's disappearance and to fuel public hatred towards Tom and his family. Someone does know what happened to Lizzie that night but there are one or two red herrings to point the finger in other directions before we learn the truth. However, this is not only an engaging mystery novel but a love story under difficult circumstances and a family drama with the complexities of loyalty and guilt overshadowing family dynamics. Sara Foster has made the two main characters people you can empathise with and cheer on as they navigate through their difficulties and their relationships with their families.
With thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for a digital copy to read.
April 13, 2020
A Tragic And Dark Romantic Mystery!
A beautiful and vibrant young, teenage girl is missing after a fight with her boyfriend and he becomes the major person of interest in her disappearance. Fast forward twelve years in Thailand a young man is waiting on a dock for a boat taxi when he suddenly sees or think he sees a young woman who looks just like Lizzie the girl who haunts his dreams and who has never been seen again after that disastrous night when she went missing.
This was a dark, fast read about an possibly doomed romance in beautiful Thailand with all the pain and anguish that goes along with the disappearance of a loved one. There are several key players in this romantic mystery and just when I thought I had all the answers, bam, a huge boulder knocked me off my feet with a crazy ending to the heartbreaking mystery that I never saw coming. There were many dark secrets within this story along with the beautiful, descriptive scenery and background settings which helped to hold my interest while reading.
I want to thank the publisher "Blackstone Publishing" and Netgalley for this advanced reading copy and any opinions expressed are unbiased and my own!
I have give this book a rating of 3 1/2 Tragic ⭐⭐⭐ Stars!!
A beautiful and vibrant young, teenage girl is missing after a fight with her boyfriend and he becomes the major person of interest in her disappearance. Fast forward twelve years in Thailand a young man is waiting on a dock for a boat taxi when he suddenly sees or think he sees a young woman who looks just like Lizzie the girl who haunts his dreams and who has never been seen again after that disastrous night when she went missing.
This was a dark, fast read about an possibly doomed romance in beautiful Thailand with all the pain and anguish that goes along with the disappearance of a loved one. There are several key players in this romantic mystery and just when I thought I had all the answers, bam, a huge boulder knocked me off my feet with a crazy ending to the heartbreaking mystery that I never saw coming. There were many dark secrets within this story along with the beautiful, descriptive scenery and background settings which helped to hold my interest while reading.
I want to thank the publisher "Blackstone Publishing" and Netgalley for this advanced reading copy and any opinions expressed are unbiased and my own!
I have give this book a rating of 3 1/2 Tragic ⭐⭐⭐ Stars!!
November 3, 2019
Another great read from another great Aussie author. You Don't Know Me was a super quick read for me. I started it on Saturday night and by lunchtime on Sunday I was finished. The story was written at a fast pace and there were plenty of twists and revelations to keep you hooked right from the very beginning. I have read one other book by Sara Foster and will be looking out for more.
Alice is an Aussie living and working as an English teacher in Thailand. Noah is an Aussie on holiday in Thailand. When they meet at a Buddhist temple sparks fly and they fall hard for each other. So much so that Noah extends his holiday to spend more time with her. Both of them have big secrets in their pasts and tell each other just enough. Eventually Noah has to return to Sydney to run his families restaurant and Alice stays, not knowing when they will see each other again. Soon though she is forced to return home for family reasons. As they try to find time to be together their family lives are in tatters.
There is a lot more happening in the story but I will let you read it find out this all out. It is told from the perspectives of both Noah and Alice. Family is important to them both but can they please everybody? Can they have everything that they want in life and be happy?
Thanks to Simon and Schuster Australia and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
Alice is an Aussie living and working as an English teacher in Thailand. Noah is an Aussie on holiday in Thailand. When they meet at a Buddhist temple sparks fly and they fall hard for each other. So much so that Noah extends his holiday to spend more time with her. Both of them have big secrets in their pasts and tell each other just enough. Eventually Noah has to return to Sydney to run his families restaurant and Alice stays, not knowing when they will see each other again. Soon though she is forced to return home for family reasons. As they try to find time to be together their family lives are in tatters.
There is a lot more happening in the story but I will let you read it find out this all out. It is told from the perspectives of both Noah and Alice. Family is important to them both but can they please everybody? Can they have everything that they want in life and be happy?
Thanks to Simon and Schuster Australia and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
October 29, 2019
Alice Pryce had been in Thailand for the past three months, teaching English to the Thai children. Noah Carruso was on holidays in Thailand, away from the family restaurant in Sydney which had always drained his energy. When Noah and Alice met, the sparks were immediate; they spent the last days of Noah’s holiday exploring; being tourists and making memories.
When Noah arrived home, the looming inquest into eighteen-year-old Lizzie Burdett’s disappearance twelve years prior had the Carruso family on edge. Tom, Noah’s older brother, had been Lizzie’s boyfriend and the suspicion that he’d had something to do with her disappearance was always there. Noah, only fifteen at the time, had long suspected that the media were right about his brother. But would they find answers at the inquest?
What could possibly be the outcome for Alice and Noah – both carrying secrets they wanted no one to know?
You Don’t Know Me by Aussie author Sara Foster is a gripping, intense psychological thriller which I thoroughly enjoyed. I found it hard to put down, wanting to know what was coming next. Family dynamics and the pressure of “doing the right thing” is blended throughout this book, while guilt has a strong part, along with plenty of twists and red herrings. A great read, I have no hesitation in recommending You Don’t Know Me to fans of the genre.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
When Noah arrived home, the looming inquest into eighteen-year-old Lizzie Burdett’s disappearance twelve years prior had the Carruso family on edge. Tom, Noah’s older brother, had been Lizzie’s boyfriend and the suspicion that he’d had something to do with her disappearance was always there. Noah, only fifteen at the time, had long suspected that the media were right about his brother. But would they find answers at the inquest?
What could possibly be the outcome for Alice and Noah – both carrying secrets they wanted no one to know?
You Don’t Know Me by Aussie author Sara Foster is a gripping, intense psychological thriller which I thoroughly enjoyed. I found it hard to put down, wanting to know what was coming next. Family dynamics and the pressure of “doing the right thing” is blended throughout this book, while guilt has a strong part, along with plenty of twists and red herrings. A great read, I have no hesitation in recommending You Don’t Know Me to fans of the genre.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2020
A Tragic And Dark Romantic Mystery!
A beautiful and vibrant young, teenage girl is missing after a fight with her boyfriend and he becomes the major person of interest in her disappearance. Fast forward twelve years in Thailand a young man is waiting on a dock for a boat taxi when he suddenly sees or think he sees a young woman who looks just like Lizzie the girl who haunts his dreams and who has never been seen again after that disastrous night when she went missing.
This was a dark, fast read about an possibly doomed romance in beautiful Thailand with all the pain and anguish that goes along with the disappearance of a loved one. There are several key players in this romantic mystery and just when I thought I had all the answers, bam, a huge boulder knocked me off my feet with a crazy ending to the heartbreaking mystery that I never saw coming. There were many dark secrets within this story along with the beautiful, descriptive scenery and background settings which helped to hold my interest while reading.
I want to thank the publisher "Blackstone Publishing" and Netgalley for this advanced reading copy and any opinions expressed are unbiased and my own!
I have given this book a rating of 3 1/2 Tragic ⭐⭐⭐ Stars!!
A beautiful and vibrant young, teenage girl is missing after a fight with her boyfriend and he becomes the major person of interest in her disappearance. Fast forward twelve years in Thailand a young man is waiting on a dock for a boat taxi when he suddenly sees or think he sees a young woman who looks just like Lizzie the girl who haunts his dreams and who has never been seen again after that disastrous night when she went missing.
This was a dark, fast read about an possibly doomed romance in beautiful Thailand with all the pain and anguish that goes along with the disappearance of a loved one. There are several key players in this romantic mystery and just when I thought I had all the answers, bam, a huge boulder knocked me off my feet with a crazy ending to the heartbreaking mystery that I never saw coming. There were many dark secrets within this story along with the beautiful, descriptive scenery and background settings which helped to hold my interest while reading.
I want to thank the publisher "Blackstone Publishing" and Netgalley for this advanced reading copy and any opinions expressed are unbiased and my own!
I have given this book a rating of 3 1/2 Tragic ⭐⭐⭐ Stars!!
October 29, 2019
You Don’t Know Me is the sixth novel by British-born Australian author, Sara Foster. When Noah Carruso first sees Alice Pryce on the deck of a river taxi in Thailand, he feels like he’s seen a ghost. Her long red hair reminds him so much of Lizzie Burdett, but Lizzie has been missing twelve years. At fifteen, Noah had an enormous crush on his brother, Tom’s girlfriend, but the last time he saw Lizzie she was distraught and walking away. There has been no sign of her, dead or alive, since then.
Fascinated, Noah follows Alice. It turns out that she is teaching English in Thailand, although that’s not the real reason she’s there, but sharing that secret with this attractive Aussie from Sydney’s Northern Beaches is not going to happen. Nonetheless, there is a mutual attraction, to which they soon can’t help but succumb. It rather too quickly starts to feel like the real thing: love.
Noah wants to stay longer, but his parents are hassling him to return to his job managing the family restaurant: the strain on his injured father is telling. And he has to be home for the upcoming inquest into Lizzie’s disappearance. Facing his brother, after Tom’s absence of eleven years, is something he dreads. Avoiding journalist Rachel Lawrence, the tenacious author of the current podcast about Lizzie, is also a priority.
Noah is missing Alice, but she has problems of her own, a situation that forces her back to Australia when it’s the last thing she wants to do. She can’t imagine how Noah would react to the secrets and trauma and guilt and shame she holds. But Noah hasn’t been entirely honest with Alice either.
A twin narrative (Noah and Alice alternating chapters) tells the story with the podcast transcript used as a (quite topical) device for providing background information about Lizzie’s disappearance. Foster deftly demonstrates the mixed power of the media: the podcast alerts potential witnesses to offer up possible evidence, but also incites mischief and malice from certain members of the public.
Foster’s sixth novel is very cleverly plotted: there are numerous red herrings and several parties try to shift suspicion away from themselves by implicating others. The agent of Lizzie’s ultimate fate is unlikely to be on the radar of even the most astute reader. This would be a five-star read but for one essential detail about the likely actions of a seventeen-year-old girl that stretches the reader’s credibility a bit too far. Still an excellent piece of Australian crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and Simon&Schuster Australia
Fascinated, Noah follows Alice. It turns out that she is teaching English in Thailand, although that’s not the real reason she’s there, but sharing that secret with this attractive Aussie from Sydney’s Northern Beaches is not going to happen. Nonetheless, there is a mutual attraction, to which they soon can’t help but succumb. It rather too quickly starts to feel like the real thing: love.
Noah wants to stay longer, but his parents are hassling him to return to his job managing the family restaurant: the strain on his injured father is telling. And he has to be home for the upcoming inquest into Lizzie’s disappearance. Facing his brother, after Tom’s absence of eleven years, is something he dreads. Avoiding journalist Rachel Lawrence, the tenacious author of the current podcast about Lizzie, is also a priority.
Noah is missing Alice, but she has problems of her own, a situation that forces her back to Australia when it’s the last thing she wants to do. She can’t imagine how Noah would react to the secrets and trauma and guilt and shame she holds. But Noah hasn’t been entirely honest with Alice either.
A twin narrative (Noah and Alice alternating chapters) tells the story with the podcast transcript used as a (quite topical) device for providing background information about Lizzie’s disappearance. Foster deftly demonstrates the mixed power of the media: the podcast alerts potential witnesses to offer up possible evidence, but also incites mischief and malice from certain members of the public.
Foster’s sixth novel is very cleverly plotted: there are numerous red herrings and several parties try to shift suspicion away from themselves by implicating others. The agent of Lizzie’s ultimate fate is unlikely to be on the radar of even the most astute reader. This would be a five-star read but for one essential detail about the likely actions of a seventeen-year-old girl that stretches the reader’s credibility a bit too far. Still an excellent piece of Australian crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and Simon&Schuster Australia
April 19, 2020
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You Don't Know Me by Sara Foster. (2019).
Lizzie was 18 when she vanished, and Noah has never forgotten her. She was his first crush, his unrequited love. She was also his brother’s girlfriend. Noah's brother Tom hasn’t been home in over a decade after leaving under a darkening cloud of suspicion, and now he’s back for the inquest into Lizzie’s death – intent on telling his side of the story. As the inquest looms, Noah meets Alice on holiday. They fall for each other fast and hard, but Noah can’t bear to tell Alice his deepest fears. And Alice is equally stricken – she carries a terrible secret of her own. Is the truth worth telling if it will destroy everything?
I quite enjoyed this novel. I really liked both Noah and Alice and was hoping they'd end up with a happy ending after all their respective troubles. The narrative alternates between Noah and Alice. Noah's family were extremely dysfunctional and sounded like a nightmare to be honest haha. I did think Alice's secret was fairly obvious, for me anyway, but I still appreciated her storyline; the love between her and her dad was really heartwarming. The plotline is a nice little mix of mystery, suspense, romance, family drama and crime; something for everyone!
I found the book really easy to read, I think it would make a perfect story to take along on a holiday.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
You Don't Know Me by Sara Foster. (2019).
Lizzie was 18 when she vanished, and Noah has never forgotten her. She was his first crush, his unrequited love. She was also his brother’s girlfriend. Noah's brother Tom hasn’t been home in over a decade after leaving under a darkening cloud of suspicion, and now he’s back for the inquest into Lizzie’s death – intent on telling his side of the story. As the inquest looms, Noah meets Alice on holiday. They fall for each other fast and hard, but Noah can’t bear to tell Alice his deepest fears. And Alice is equally stricken – she carries a terrible secret of her own. Is the truth worth telling if it will destroy everything?
I quite enjoyed this novel. I really liked both Noah and Alice and was hoping they'd end up with a happy ending after all their respective troubles. The narrative alternates between Noah and Alice. Noah's family were extremely dysfunctional and sounded like a nightmare to be honest haha. I did think Alice's secret was fairly obvious, for me anyway, but I still appreciated her storyline; the love between her and her dad was really heartwarming. The plotline is a nice little mix of mystery, suspense, romance, family drama and crime; something for everyone!
I found the book really easy to read, I think it would make a perfect story to take along on a holiday.
July 22, 2023
Melagis melavo, per tiltą važiavo... :D Viršelis skelbia, kad laukia įtemptas trileris, bet jokios įtampos čia nebuvo. Ši knyga - veikiau meilės romanas su kažkur šešėlyje likusia byla ir jos atgarsiais. Kone visi veikėjai čia gydosi praeities žaizdas ir koncentracija yra čia ir tikrai ne nusikaltime. Jis čia tik fonas, kuriame kapanojasi meilės, vaikystės traumų ir sudėtingų sprendimų kamuojami žmonės.
Prieš daug metų, du broliai neteko mylimosios. Dar jiems paaugliams būnant, kaip į vandenį dingo Lizė. Ji draugavo su Tomu, jis paskutinis su ja kalbėjosi ir neišspręsto dingimo kaltė krito ant jo pečių. Tyliai Lizę mylėjęs Nojus kaltina brolį, su juo santykių nepalaiko ir po daugelio metų vis dar ieško ramybės. Ramybe atranda Tailande sutikęs Alisą. Pora pamilsta vienas kitą be galo, be krašto, tačiau ir Alisa gydosi praeities žaizdas. Meilė didelė, tačiau Nojus sužino, kad Lizės byla atnaujinama, o tai grąžina jį baisiausias praeities dienas...
Ok, jei reiktų vertint kaip meilės romaną - labai prėskas. Jei reiktų vertint kaip trilerį, kas buvo žadėta - dar prėskesnis. Visumoj - nuobodu. Tiek buvo kalbama apie tą didžiąją meilę, verkta, kad čia "ta ir vienintelė", kad pagaliau jiedu laimingi ir nieko daug nereikia, o bet tačiau. Jei ta meilė tokia vertinga, neturėtų jos itin melodramatiški dalykai pagadint, ane? Varčiau akis ir tiesiog niekaip neradau bendros kalbos su romanu. Pabaiga pasirodė nelogiška ir tiesiog neatitiko taip vaizdžiai piešto poros įsimylėjimo :D Ne meilės romanų žmogus aš, ne meilės... :D
Prieš daug metų, du broliai neteko mylimosios. Dar jiems paaugliams būnant, kaip į vandenį dingo Lizė. Ji draugavo su Tomu, jis paskutinis su ja kalbėjosi ir neišspręsto dingimo kaltė krito ant jo pečių. Tyliai Lizę mylėjęs Nojus kaltina brolį, su juo santykių nepalaiko ir po daugelio metų vis dar ieško ramybės. Ramybe atranda Tailande sutikęs Alisą. Pora pamilsta vienas kitą be galo, be krašto, tačiau ir Alisa gydosi praeities žaizdas. Meilė didelė, tačiau Nojus sužino, kad Lizės byla atnaujinama, o tai grąžina jį baisiausias praeities dienas...
Ok, jei reiktų vertint kaip meilės romaną - labai prėskas. Jei reiktų vertint kaip trilerį, kas buvo žadėta - dar prėskesnis. Visumoj - nuobodu. Tiek buvo kalbama apie tą didžiąją meilę, verkta, kad čia "ta ir vienintelė", kad pagaliau jiedu laimingi ir nieko daug nereikia, o bet tačiau. Jei ta meilė tokia vertinga, neturėtų jos itin melodramatiški dalykai pagadint, ane? Varčiau akis ir tiesiog niekaip neradau bendros kalbos su romanu. Pabaiga pasirodė nelogiška ir tiesiog neatitiko taip vaizdžiai piešto poros įsimylėjimo :D Ne meilės romanų žmogus aš, ne meilės... :D
November 24, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
‘I realise there are lots of differences, but I’ve lived with secrets and trauma and guilt and shame, and I’ve wished I could turn back time.’
With a long and decorated list of author endorsements, including fellow West Australian based crime writer Dervla McTiernan, Sara Foster’s sixth novel, You Don’t Know Me, is thoroughly deserving of the high praise it has attracted. A story that delves deep into the concept of blame, this family drama, romance and mystery novel is able to rope the reader in from the start of this explosive thriller.
You Don’t Know Me revolves around the case of eighteen year old Lizzie Burdett, a young woman who disappeared, leaving hearts broken and plenty of confusion, in the wake of this incident. Lizzie’s family cannot get over the unexplained loss of their dear child. While Lizzie’s boyfriend at the time of disappearance has been unable to return home. Now a vital inquest reels him back. Tom must confront the suspicion that surrounds him and answer the question everyone wants to hear, did he kill Lizzie? Tom isn’t the only one in his family impacted by Lizzie’s disappearance. Tom’s younger brother Noah watched on all those years ago as his older brother reacted to his girlfriend’s disappearance. With Tom finally ready to reveal his tale of the events leading up to this pinnacle case, Noah deals with his own emotions by falling desperately in love with Alice, a woman with her own set of issues. You Don’t Know Me is a story focused on truth, guilt, blame, loyalty, lies, suppression and atonement.
The Hidden Hours is the last book I have read by Sara Foster, a British author who now resides in my home state of Western Australia. I have been waiting patiently for You Don’t Know Me to arrive on my doorstep. As soon as I started Sara Foster’s sixth book, I found myself unwilling to put this title down! You Don’t Know Me is a brilliant blend of contemporary domestic fiction, a compelling romance, a whodunit mystery and a crime, all wrapped up in the same casing. I enjoyed every moment of this novel and I firmly believe it is another remarkable achievement by one of my favourite authors.
You Don’t Know Me is structured in the form of double voice narrative. The novel alternates between the compelling voices of Noah Carruso and Alice Pryce. These two lead characters become a couple during the progression of the novel. Noah and Alice’s romance is swift and intimate. I have to admit that I got caught up in their dalliance from the onset. I appreciated the exotic setting backdrop of Thailand, which enables this heated romance to flourish. Noah and Alice are very different people, who meet at time where both are not willing, or ready to commit to love. However, the attraction is propulsive and undeniable. It reminds us that love and romance often comes looking for us when we least expect it. This is an authentic style romance that caught me off guard, I was quite taken aback by this couple. I was determined that they would find a way to be together, despite their setbacks!
At the essence of You Don’t Know Me is Lizzie Burdett’s disappearance. If you are a mystery, thriller and crime fiction fan, this novel will have you swiftly turning the pages over, in a bid to get to the truth of this perplexing case. Foster offers up plenty of possible scenarios for Lizzie’s case, all of which appeared to be completely plausible. She also casts the perfect level of doubt over a number of her key protagonists, which serves to ramp up the mystery level of this book even further. Added layers of an authentic inquest sequence and an intriguing true crime podcast, which was very here and now, provided further speculation into this baffling case. I was hanging out to solve this case! I will be upfront and mention that I did not predict the final outcome of events in any possible form, which is always welcoming! It is good to be duped by an astute writer!
The heavy weight of shame, the onus of family responsibilities, the inherent need to pursue the truth and the strains of guilt exemplify Sara’s Foster, You Don’t Know Me. With echoes of the past, lost love and ill decisions surrounding this title, mystery readers will want to add You Don’t Know Me to the top of their reading lists.
*I wish to thank Simon & Schuster Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
You Don’t Know Me is book #133 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
4.5 stars
‘I realise there are lots of differences, but I’ve lived with secrets and trauma and guilt and shame, and I’ve wished I could turn back time.’
With a long and decorated list of author endorsements, including fellow West Australian based crime writer Dervla McTiernan, Sara Foster’s sixth novel, You Don’t Know Me, is thoroughly deserving of the high praise it has attracted. A story that delves deep into the concept of blame, this family drama, romance and mystery novel is able to rope the reader in from the start of this explosive thriller.
You Don’t Know Me revolves around the case of eighteen year old Lizzie Burdett, a young woman who disappeared, leaving hearts broken and plenty of confusion, in the wake of this incident. Lizzie’s family cannot get over the unexplained loss of their dear child. While Lizzie’s boyfriend at the time of disappearance has been unable to return home. Now a vital inquest reels him back. Tom must confront the suspicion that surrounds him and answer the question everyone wants to hear, did he kill Lizzie? Tom isn’t the only one in his family impacted by Lizzie’s disappearance. Tom’s younger brother Noah watched on all those years ago as his older brother reacted to his girlfriend’s disappearance. With Tom finally ready to reveal his tale of the events leading up to this pinnacle case, Noah deals with his own emotions by falling desperately in love with Alice, a woman with her own set of issues. You Don’t Know Me is a story focused on truth, guilt, blame, loyalty, lies, suppression and atonement.
The Hidden Hours is the last book I have read by Sara Foster, a British author who now resides in my home state of Western Australia. I have been waiting patiently for You Don’t Know Me to arrive on my doorstep. As soon as I started Sara Foster’s sixth book, I found myself unwilling to put this title down! You Don’t Know Me is a brilliant blend of contemporary domestic fiction, a compelling romance, a whodunit mystery and a crime, all wrapped up in the same casing. I enjoyed every moment of this novel and I firmly believe it is another remarkable achievement by one of my favourite authors.
You Don’t Know Me is structured in the form of double voice narrative. The novel alternates between the compelling voices of Noah Carruso and Alice Pryce. These two lead characters become a couple during the progression of the novel. Noah and Alice’s romance is swift and intimate. I have to admit that I got caught up in their dalliance from the onset. I appreciated the exotic setting backdrop of Thailand, which enables this heated romance to flourish. Noah and Alice are very different people, who meet at time where both are not willing, or ready to commit to love. However, the attraction is propulsive and undeniable. It reminds us that love and romance often comes looking for us when we least expect it. This is an authentic style romance that caught me off guard, I was quite taken aback by this couple. I was determined that they would find a way to be together, despite their setbacks!
At the essence of You Don’t Know Me is Lizzie Burdett’s disappearance. If you are a mystery, thriller and crime fiction fan, this novel will have you swiftly turning the pages over, in a bid to get to the truth of this perplexing case. Foster offers up plenty of possible scenarios for Lizzie’s case, all of which appeared to be completely plausible. She also casts the perfect level of doubt over a number of her key protagonists, which serves to ramp up the mystery level of this book even further. Added layers of an authentic inquest sequence and an intriguing true crime podcast, which was very here and now, provided further speculation into this baffling case. I was hanging out to solve this case! I will be upfront and mention that I did not predict the final outcome of events in any possible form, which is always welcoming! It is good to be duped by an astute writer!
The heavy weight of shame, the onus of family responsibilities, the inherent need to pursue the truth and the strains of guilt exemplify Sara’s Foster, You Don’t Know Me. With echoes of the past, lost love and ill decisions surrounding this title, mystery readers will want to add You Don’t Know Me to the top of their reading lists.
*I wish to thank Simon & Schuster Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
You Don’t Know Me is book #133 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
April 6, 2020
As a young teenager Noah Carruso had a crush on his brother Tom’s girlfriend Lizzie. When Lizzie Burdett vanishes one night after a heated argument with Tom, Noah who has experienced Tom’s bullying and cruelty first hand, can’t help but wonder if his brother is responsible. Under the cloud of suspicion from Noah, Lizzie’s family and others Tom leaves. He has not been back for more than ten years until now and the inquest into Lizzie’s death. Meanwhile Noah, away from Sydney and the family restaurant for a much needed holiday, meets Alice Pryce in Thailand. With her red hair she reminds him of Lizzie. Noah and Alice fall very quickly for each other, but there are barriers. Noah is keeping secrets in regard to his brother and his suspicions, while Alice has a secret she dares not reveal. Will the truth come out in each case and what will the results be if that happens?
After several far from great reads, I approached this book warily. However I quickly became interested in this story. It was easy to feel for both the two main characters. Alternating between Noah’s and Alice’s past as well as the current story, I liked the way the plot uncovers what happened to Lizzie and the eventually reveal the culprit. Like all good mysteries the author throws in a few red herrings designed to distract and turn the reader’s attention away from pinpointing too early who is responsible. It’s a story of family, responsibilities, guilt and secrets, with of course the underlying romance between Noah and Alice. Add to this true crime podcasts that are used to keep the matter in the public eyes, and it all adds up to an interesting story that maintained my interest throughout. Just one small thing about Lizzie’s behaviour worried me, when the events unfold. It didn’t quite gel. But that is a minor quibble in what was a very good book.
This was my fourth novel by this author. All except one have been four star reads. This was no exception. Just the involving, intriguing read to get me out of a string of also ran books. Great characters, well developed with family complications and secrets, and a mystery to solve certainly helped maintain the interest and the tension. If you like complex stories and mystery I’d definitely recommend giving this one a go.
After several far from great reads, I approached this book warily. However I quickly became interested in this story. It was easy to feel for both the two main characters. Alternating between Noah’s and Alice’s past as well as the current story, I liked the way the plot uncovers what happened to Lizzie and the eventually reveal the culprit. Like all good mysteries the author throws in a few red herrings designed to distract and turn the reader’s attention away from pinpointing too early who is responsible. It’s a story of family, responsibilities, guilt and secrets, with of course the underlying romance between Noah and Alice. Add to this true crime podcasts that are used to keep the matter in the public eyes, and it all adds up to an interesting story that maintained my interest throughout. Just one small thing about Lizzie’s behaviour worried me, when the events unfold. It didn’t quite gel. But that is a minor quibble in what was a very good book.
This was my fourth novel by this author. All except one have been four star reads. This was no exception. Just the involving, intriguing read to get me out of a string of also ran books. Great characters, well developed with family complications and secrets, and a mystery to solve certainly helped maintain the interest and the tension. If you like complex stories and mystery I’d definitely recommend giving this one a go.
June 11, 2020
Noah Carruso is on a well deserved vacation. When he sees Alice Pryce, his first thought is that she looks eerily like Lizzie Burdette. Lizzie was 18 when she disappeared, after a huge argument with Tom Carruso, Noah's brother and Lizzie's boyfriend. She's never been found.
Tom couldn't take all the accusations and left to not return in a decade. There is now an inquest into Lizzie's disappearance and Tom is back to face the accusations once again.
Noah and Alice fall for each other hard ... but they both have secrets.
Is the truth worth telling if it will destroy everything?
This is a well written psychological thriller with a well paced plot. It starts as a love story but develops into so much more. I liked the interaction between Alice and Noah. The family dynamics were different for both, but it was the family that made them who they were. There were some twists along the way ... and the conclusion was surprising and unexpected.
Many thanks to the author / Blackstone Publishing / Legend Press /Netgalley for the digital copy of this riveting mystery. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Tom couldn't take all the accusations and left to not return in a decade. There is now an inquest into Lizzie's disappearance and Tom is back to face the accusations once again.
Noah and Alice fall for each other hard ... but they both have secrets.
Is the truth worth telling if it will destroy everything?
This is a well written psychological thriller with a well paced plot. It starts as a love story but develops into so much more. I liked the interaction between Alice and Noah. The family dynamics were different for both, but it was the family that made them who they were. There were some twists along the way ... and the conclusion was surprising and unexpected.
Many thanks to the author / Blackstone Publishing / Legend Press /Netgalley for the digital copy of this riveting mystery. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 24, 2020
The concept of keeping secrets in a fresh relationship is the key theme to this romantic, yet mysterious story. Reminding me of an unfurling flower, I watched in anticipation for how Noah and Alice’s relationship could symbolise true honesty.
Set in Australia, Alice and Noah first meet in Thailand. The exoticism and excitement associated with Thailand is reflected in the initial spark between Alice and Noah. The passion between them is undeniable and, when circumstances force the couple home, this flame continues. However, as the daily grind of life interrupts their growing relationship, so does the pressure to really know the other person. After all, Noah and Alice have a whirlwind romance and barely know one another.
How well do you truly know someone? The two characters prove that even though they admit to some of their past, it is still not the whole truth. For Alice, she is coming to terms with an attack on her father. However, Noah and his family are caught up in a fresh investigation into the disappearance of a teenage girl – whom Noah’s brother was dating, and whom was never found. Both characters carry such emotional baggage and I was desperate to see them open up and talk about their past. As they did so, their relationship subsequently strengthened.
I enjoyed this book and found the romance between Noah and Alice rather sweet (and steamy, at times!). However, I was hoping for something a bit more gritty. The writer suggests a correlation between Alice and the missing girl, especially as they have the same hair colour. Alas, this is not capitalised upon. Noah, such a sweet guy, was almost too nice for my liking. As I read the book, I wondered if the writer would throw in a surprising character development. Whilst this did not come, I guess it would not have matched the style and genre of the story. Maybe I have been reading too many gritty thrillers recently?!
Initially, I thought I was going to be grumpy with the ending that Foster establishes. However, I was satisfied at the very closing and thought this was well-suited to the rest of the story. It matched the emotions running throughout the story and added to the “holiday romance” feel of the entire story.
If you are after a sweet mystery, then I think this book will appeal. There is nothing too heavy going about it and the characters are likeable. Arguably, they are too sweet, leaving a slightly sickening feeling after reading the book. (Yes, I’m probably going to read something darker after this!) Nonetheless, it gives perfect escapism and leaves you with a feeling of hope and optimism.
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. With thanks to everyone at Legend Press and Sara Foster for allowing me to participate in this blog tour.
Set in Australia, Alice and Noah first meet in Thailand. The exoticism and excitement associated with Thailand is reflected in the initial spark between Alice and Noah. The passion between them is undeniable and, when circumstances force the couple home, this flame continues. However, as the daily grind of life interrupts their growing relationship, so does the pressure to really know the other person. After all, Noah and Alice have a whirlwind romance and barely know one another.
How well do you truly know someone? The two characters prove that even though they admit to some of their past, it is still not the whole truth. For Alice, she is coming to terms with an attack on her father. However, Noah and his family are caught up in a fresh investigation into the disappearance of a teenage girl – whom Noah’s brother was dating, and whom was never found. Both characters carry such emotional baggage and I was desperate to see them open up and talk about their past. As they did so, their relationship subsequently strengthened.
I enjoyed this book and found the romance between Noah and Alice rather sweet (and steamy, at times!). However, I was hoping for something a bit more gritty. The writer suggests a correlation between Alice and the missing girl, especially as they have the same hair colour. Alas, this is not capitalised upon. Noah, such a sweet guy, was almost too nice for my liking. As I read the book, I wondered if the writer would throw in a surprising character development. Whilst this did not come, I guess it would not have matched the style and genre of the story. Maybe I have been reading too many gritty thrillers recently?!
Initially, I thought I was going to be grumpy with the ending that Foster establishes. However, I was satisfied at the very closing and thought this was well-suited to the rest of the story. It matched the emotions running throughout the story and added to the “holiday romance” feel of the entire story.
If you are after a sweet mystery, then I think this book will appeal. There is nothing too heavy going about it and the characters are likeable. Arguably, they are too sweet, leaving a slightly sickening feeling after reading the book. (Yes, I’m probably going to read something darker after this!) Nonetheless, it gives perfect escapism and leaves you with a feeling of hope and optimism.
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. With thanks to everyone at Legend Press and Sara Foster for allowing me to participate in this blog tour.
December 2, 2019
This has a twist you will never guess :)
My View:
Sara Foster is an excellent storyteller and a nice person to boot :)
What Sara always does well:
Dialogue – always realistic, fitting of the age groups involved/the relationships, the times.
Relationships – so well developed and again, realistic.
Surprises – the twists are good and in this one I couldn’t see the revelation coming.
The writing – always engaging.
What more could you want in a book? A great read.
My View:
Sara Foster is an excellent storyteller and a nice person to boot :)
What Sara always does well:
Dialogue – always realistic, fitting of the age groups involved/the relationships, the times.
Relationships – so well developed and again, realistic.
Surprises – the twists are good and in this one I couldn’t see the revelation coming.
The writing – always engaging.
What more could you want in a book? A great read.
September 2, 2019
You Don't Know Me by Sara Foster
Enjoyable, intriguing and a page turner with a surprising twist
The story is set in Thailand and Sydney Northern beaches and is both a murder mystery and romance.
Eighteen year old Lizzie Burdett went missing over a decade ago and infatuated Noah Carruso has never forgotten her, she’s in his dreams and he's hiding a secret.
Lizzie's boyfriend is Noah’s older brother Tom. On the night Lizzie disappeared she was seen arguing with Tom. Tom left town under suspicion after Lizzie disappeared and is back in town for an inquest into her death.
Prior to the the approaching inquest Noah has met Alice on holiday in Thailand who incidentally looks similar in appearance to Lizzie and he’s fallen for her. Alice is living in Thailand to escape Australia and heal her wounds.
Noah and Alice both carry terrible secrets in their pasts and there are some interesting and complicated family dynamics thrown into the mix.
I really enjoyed this book, it was an easy read and the storyline held me captivated throughout
Thank you to Better Reading for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Enjoyable, intriguing and a page turner with a surprising twist
The story is set in Thailand and Sydney Northern beaches and is both a murder mystery and romance.
Eighteen year old Lizzie Burdett went missing over a decade ago and infatuated Noah Carruso has never forgotten her, she’s in his dreams and he's hiding a secret.
Lizzie's boyfriend is Noah’s older brother Tom. On the night Lizzie disappeared she was seen arguing with Tom. Tom left town under suspicion after Lizzie disappeared and is back in town for an inquest into her death.
Prior to the the approaching inquest Noah has met Alice on holiday in Thailand who incidentally looks similar in appearance to Lizzie and he’s fallen for her. Alice is living in Thailand to escape Australia and heal her wounds.
Noah and Alice both carry terrible secrets in their pasts and there are some interesting and complicated family dynamics thrown into the mix.
I really enjoyed this book, it was an easy read and the storyline held me captivated throughout
Thank you to Better Reading for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
May 2, 2024
When Lizzie Burdett went missing suspicion surrounded her boyfriend Tom Carruso. Twelve years later, with the mystery no closer to being solved, an inquest has been announced. Meanwhile, Tom’s younger brother, Noah, is in Thailand trying to escape the guilt and shame that have plagued him in the intervening years. But why does he feel guilty and what does he have to be ashamed of? To complicate matters, Noah has fallen for Alice, a woman who bears a striking resemblance to Lizzie and is living with secrets of her own.
Set in Thailand and Sydney’s Northern Beaches, You Don’t Know Me is essentially a love story with a number of mysteries at its heart. Ms. Foster, a Perth based writer, has previously had five mystery novels published. This is the first I’ve read but she has received high praise from both Jane Harper (The Dry) and Dervla McTiernan (The Ruin). Whilst You Don’t Know Me treads similar ground to those novels (old crimes and the burden of shame) Ms. Foster definitely has a lighter touch. The subject matter may be dark but the violence occurs off the page or through the lens of memory.
The book appears to contain the seeds of at least three different novels with the separate stories not always successfully interwoven and the huge cast of secondary characters proving to be a bit of a distraction. On the other hand, the incorporation of a True Crime podcast gave the book a truly contemporary feel and I suspect many readers will enjoy the romance between the two central characters.
I found this page turner to be a satisfying read without being particularly memorable. Maybe a little too much romance and not enough gritty drama for my liking.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Better Reading for giving me the opportunity to review a preview copy of this book. (Parts of this review appear in my more concise Better Reading review).
Set in Thailand and Sydney’s Northern Beaches, You Don’t Know Me is essentially a love story with a number of mysteries at its heart. Ms. Foster, a Perth based writer, has previously had five mystery novels published. This is the first I’ve read but she has received high praise from both Jane Harper (The Dry) and Dervla McTiernan (The Ruin). Whilst You Don’t Know Me treads similar ground to those novels (old crimes and the burden of shame) Ms. Foster definitely has a lighter touch. The subject matter may be dark but the violence occurs off the page or through the lens of memory.
The book appears to contain the seeds of at least three different novels with the separate stories not always successfully interwoven and the huge cast of secondary characters proving to be a bit of a distraction. On the other hand, the incorporation of a True Crime podcast gave the book a truly contemporary feel and I suspect many readers will enjoy the romance between the two central characters.
I found this page turner to be a satisfying read without being particularly memorable. Maybe a little too much romance and not enough gritty drama for my liking.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Better Reading for giving me the opportunity to review a preview copy of this book. (Parts of this review appear in my more concise Better Reading review).
December 22, 2019
‘As he reaches the threshold, the next words pierce him like bullets in the darkness. “I know what happened to Lizzie.”
‘You Don't Know Me’ is another great read from Aussie author Sara Foster. With good pacing and plenty of twists with well timed revelations that will keep you turning the pages. Told from the perspectives of the two leading characters - Noah and Alice - this is an absorbing family drama with a lot of mystery and a little romance thrown in for good measure.
Sara investigates the many complicated family and community dynamics after the mysterious disappearance of Lizzie both in the past and throughout the current day inquest. With little love lost between some family members, many an accusatory finger is pointed at a range of suspects as underlying regrets and old rivalries surface. The guilt and anger increase to a rather climactic ending.
The inclusion of Alice and her story is an aside and may be just a stimulus to resurface the many emotions all involved parties are feeling. It provides a good outlet for the exploration of the emotional toll such incidents can have on individuals.
“Are you listening to me? You can’t change the past, and it sounds like you didn’t have much say about it in the first place. So why are you clinging so hard ...why can’t you let it go?”
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
‘You Don't Know Me’ is another great read from Aussie author Sara Foster. With good pacing and plenty of twists with well timed revelations that will keep you turning the pages. Told from the perspectives of the two leading characters - Noah and Alice - this is an absorbing family drama with a lot of mystery and a little romance thrown in for good measure.
Sara investigates the many complicated family and community dynamics after the mysterious disappearance of Lizzie both in the past and throughout the current day inquest. With little love lost between some family members, many an accusatory finger is pointed at a range of suspects as underlying regrets and old rivalries surface. The guilt and anger increase to a rather climactic ending.
The inclusion of Alice and her story is an aside and may be just a stimulus to resurface the many emotions all involved parties are feeling. It provides a good outlet for the exploration of the emotional toll such incidents can have on individuals.
“Are you listening to me? You can’t change the past, and it sounds like you didn’t have much say about it in the first place. So why are you clinging so hard ...why can’t you let it go?”
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
Read
January 13, 2020DNF at page 93
June 20, 2020
Great writing. I had a hard time accepting the sacrifice that was made by certain characters.
And that tear-jerker ending. Lots of melodrama in this one. This may account for some of the poor reviews. I rate it a 3.8 out of 5.
And that tear-jerker ending. Lots of melodrama in this one. This may account for some of the poor reviews. I rate it a 3.8 out of 5.
October 28, 2019
“The search parties move through the forest shortly after dawn, flashes of neon jackets among the trees, the slumbering air stirring towards an early morning chill. They call her name again and again, then wait, hoping for something in return.”
For just a moment, when Noah glimpses a woman with long red hair on a ferry while holidaying In Thailand escaping the pressures of work and family, he thinks it could be his brother’s missing girlfriend, Lizzie, more than a decade later and thousands of kilometres from where she was last seen. Of course it’s not, but he is drawn to the beautiful redheaded stranger, and when he sees her next, he learns her name.
Alice is almost half way through her six month contract teaching English in Thailand, having fled Australia in search of anonymity. She’s not looking for anything that might complicate her attempt at building a new life for herself, but she finds Noah irresistible.
Though Noah has to return to Sydney in a few days, and Alice can’t leave Thailand, they embark on a passionate affair, and vow to find a way to make their relationship work, but the truth is, sometimes love just isn’t enough.
Unfolding from the perspectives of Noah, and Alice, You Don’t Know Me is an absorbing story of family drama, mystery, and romance from Sara Foster.
Foster deftly explores the complicated dynamics that has both shaped and ultimately twisted the members of the Carruso family. Meeting Alice causes Noah to question the path he has taken in life stirring up lots of family drama that is exacerbated by the return of Noah’s older brother, Tom, after an eleven year absence. With no love lost between the two brothers stemming from childhood rivalry and the uncertainty surrounding Lizzie’s disappearance, the tension ratchets, and then explodes, just as a coronial inquiry to determine Lizzie’s fate forces Noah to confront the guilt, shame, and anger he has been repressing for years.
I was intrigued by the mystery surrounding Lizzie’s disappearance, the details of which are communicated through the transcript of a podcast. Foster presents several suspects, and creates some stunning twists as the coronial inquiry plays out. I was left guessing about what happened to Lizzie, and who was responsible, until very nearly the end.
While Noah struggles with his conscience, Alice unexpectedly returns to Australia when her father is badly injured and must face her own demons. The combined drama and its emotional toll leaves its mark on Noah and Alice’s fledgling relationship, which Foster explores thoughtfully as they try to support one another through all the turmoil, and desperately attempt to hold on to the joy they find in each other.
I found You Don’t Know Me to be gripping story.
For just a moment, when Noah glimpses a woman with long red hair on a ferry while holidaying In Thailand escaping the pressures of work and family, he thinks it could be his brother’s missing girlfriend, Lizzie, more than a decade later and thousands of kilometres from where she was last seen. Of course it’s not, but he is drawn to the beautiful redheaded stranger, and when he sees her next, he learns her name.
Alice is almost half way through her six month contract teaching English in Thailand, having fled Australia in search of anonymity. She’s not looking for anything that might complicate her attempt at building a new life for herself, but she finds Noah irresistible.
Though Noah has to return to Sydney in a few days, and Alice can’t leave Thailand, they embark on a passionate affair, and vow to find a way to make their relationship work, but the truth is, sometimes love just isn’t enough.
Unfolding from the perspectives of Noah, and Alice, You Don’t Know Me is an absorbing story of family drama, mystery, and romance from Sara Foster.
Foster deftly explores the complicated dynamics that has both shaped and ultimately twisted the members of the Carruso family. Meeting Alice causes Noah to question the path he has taken in life stirring up lots of family drama that is exacerbated by the return of Noah’s older brother, Tom, after an eleven year absence. With no love lost between the two brothers stemming from childhood rivalry and the uncertainty surrounding Lizzie’s disappearance, the tension ratchets, and then explodes, just as a coronial inquiry to determine Lizzie’s fate forces Noah to confront the guilt, shame, and anger he has been repressing for years.
I was intrigued by the mystery surrounding Lizzie’s disappearance, the details of which are communicated through the transcript of a podcast. Foster presents several suspects, and creates some stunning twists as the coronial inquiry plays out. I was left guessing about what happened to Lizzie, and who was responsible, until very nearly the end.
While Noah struggles with his conscience, Alice unexpectedly returns to Australia when her father is badly injured and must face her own demons. The combined drama and its emotional toll leaves its mark on Noah and Alice’s fledgling relationship, which Foster explores thoughtfully as they try to support one another through all the turmoil, and desperately attempt to hold on to the joy they find in each other.
I found You Don’t Know Me to be gripping story.
April 27, 2023
Setting: Bangkok, Thailand and Sydney, NSW, Australia; 2006 & 2018 on.
27-year-old Noah Carruso is on holiday in Thailand, getting a break from running his family's swanky Sydney North Shore restaurant. On an excursion to a Buddhist temple, Noah sees a redheaded girl on the boat and is immediately reminded of his older brother Tom's girlfriend, Lizzie Burdett, who went missing in 2006 after having an argument with Tom and was never seen again. Noah encounters the girl on the excursion when he accidentally breaks her camera lens, but soon finds himself strongly attracted to her - and Alice feels the same about him. Launching themselves into a relationship, Alice and Noah are soon lovers - but Alice also has a dark secret, the reason she has left Australia behind to work as a language teacher in Thailand. Then Noah discovers that the inquest on Lizzie Burdett is to be held shortly and he is obliged to return to Sydney to attend this and to continue to run the family restaurant. Alice initially stays behind in Bangkok but a family tragedy soon forces her to return as well, at which point Noah and Alice rekindle their relationship. But the events surrounding Lizzie's disappearance continue to haunt Noah and the rest of the Carruso family - suspicion had turned to Tom as the aggrieved boyfriend and Noah knows from his childhood how aggressive his brother Tom can be so is himself suspicious that Tom had something to do with Lizzie's disappearance, making for an uncomfortable family reunion....
This was quite a gripping read - loved the characters and the settings, both in Thailand and in Australia, that really came to life for me. Great twists and turns, both in regard to Lizzie's disappearance and in Alice's dark past. Will be looking out for more from this author - 9/10.
27-year-old Noah Carruso is on holiday in Thailand, getting a break from running his family's swanky Sydney North Shore restaurant. On an excursion to a Buddhist temple, Noah sees a redheaded girl on the boat and is immediately reminded of his older brother Tom's girlfriend, Lizzie Burdett, who went missing in 2006 after having an argument with Tom and was never seen again. Noah encounters the girl on the excursion when he accidentally breaks her camera lens, but soon finds himself strongly attracted to her - and Alice feels the same about him. Launching themselves into a relationship, Alice and Noah are soon lovers - but Alice also has a dark secret, the reason she has left Australia behind to work as a language teacher in Thailand. Then Noah discovers that the inquest on Lizzie Burdett is to be held shortly and he is obliged to return to Sydney to attend this and to continue to run the family restaurant. Alice initially stays behind in Bangkok but a family tragedy soon forces her to return as well, at which point Noah and Alice rekindle their relationship. But the events surrounding Lizzie's disappearance continue to haunt Noah and the rest of the Carruso family - suspicion had turned to Tom as the aggrieved boyfriend and Noah knows from his childhood how aggressive his brother Tom can be so is himself suspicious that Tom had something to do with Lizzie's disappearance, making for an uncomfortable family reunion....
This was quite a gripping read - loved the characters and the settings, both in Thailand and in Australia, that really came to life for me. Great twists and turns, both in regard to Lizzie's disappearance and in Alice's dark past. Will be looking out for more from this author - 9/10.
October 3, 2021
Niekuomet nepraleidžiu progos perskaityti trilerį 🤭 Rudens vakarai, barbenantis lietus už lango.. Tarsi pati geriausia atmosfera tokio žanro knygoms skaityti. Tikrai traukiantis akį viršelis, kurio dėka taip ir norisi imti šią knygą bei skaityti.
Du broliai Nojus ir Tomas niekaip negali pamiršti įvykio, kuris nutiko prieš daugiau nei dešimt metų. Tuo metu Tomas draugavo su žavia raudonplauke Lize, kuri netikėtai dingo.. Pirmiausia, žinoma, jog įrarimas krito ant jos vaikino Tomo. Nojus merginos dingimo vakarą girdėjo kaip Lizė bei jo brolis smarkiai ginčijosi. Po viso šio įvykio Nojaus brolis išvyko iš šalies ir gimtinėje nesirodė daugybę metų..
Prabėgus dešimtmečiui atnaujinama merginos dingimo byla. Tuo metu Nojus smagiai leidžia laiką Tailande ir ten susipažįsta su mergina vardu Alisa. Tarp jo ir merginos greitai užsimezga artimas ryšys. Alisa be galo nori Nojui papasakoti savo tamsiausią paslaptį, bet vis dar nesijaučia esanti tam pasirengusi.. Taip pat ir Nojus.. Vaikinas nenurims, kol nesužinos kas nutiko tą lemtingą naktį.
Šios knygos įžanga mane truputį suglumino. Prologas mus supažindino su Lizę ištikusia nelaime, o vėliau visa istorija sukosi apie Nojų bei Alisą. Tikrai pasigedau žadėtosios įtampos, o atrodė, jog skaityčiau meilės romaną. Daugiau norėjosi sužinoti apie pačią Lizę bei galbūt net ir jos pačios lemtingosios nakties versiją.
Antroje knygos pusėje autorė sukėlė intrigėlę, tačiau mano akimis jos nepakako.. Tiesa knygos atomazga šiek tiek nustebino, tačiau mano akimis, ji istorijos labai nepagerino. Nepaisant to, skaityti nebuvo nuobodu, knyga tikrai nėra iš blogiausių, tačiau šį kartą negavau to, ko iš tokio tipo istorijos buvo galima tikėtis.
Du broliai Nojus ir Tomas niekaip negali pamiršti įvykio, kuris nutiko prieš daugiau nei dešimt metų. Tuo metu Tomas draugavo su žavia raudonplauke Lize, kuri netikėtai dingo.. Pirmiausia, žinoma, jog įrarimas krito ant jos vaikino Tomo. Nojus merginos dingimo vakarą girdėjo kaip Lizė bei jo brolis smarkiai ginčijosi. Po viso šio įvykio Nojaus brolis išvyko iš šalies ir gimtinėje nesirodė daugybę metų..
Prabėgus dešimtmečiui atnaujinama merginos dingimo byla. Tuo metu Nojus smagiai leidžia laiką Tailande ir ten susipažįsta su mergina vardu Alisa. Tarp jo ir merginos greitai užsimezga artimas ryšys. Alisa be galo nori Nojui papasakoti savo tamsiausią paslaptį, bet vis dar nesijaučia esanti tam pasirengusi.. Taip pat ir Nojus.. Vaikinas nenurims, kol nesužinos kas nutiko tą lemtingą naktį.
Šios knygos įžanga mane truputį suglumino. Prologas mus supažindino su Lizę ištikusia nelaime, o vėliau visa istorija sukosi apie Nojų bei Alisą. Tikrai pasigedau žadėtosios įtampos, o atrodė, jog skaityčiau meilės romaną. Daugiau norėjosi sužinoti apie pačią Lizę bei galbūt net ir jos pačios lemtingosios nakties versiją.
Antroje knygos pusėje autorė sukėlė intrigėlę, tačiau mano akimis jos nepakako.. Tiesa knygos atomazga šiek tiek nustebino, tačiau mano akimis, ji istorijos labai nepagerino. Nepaisant to, skaityti nebuvo nuobodu, knyga tikrai nėra iš blogiausių, tačiau šį kartą negavau to, ko iš tokio tipo istorijos buvo galima tikėtis.
August 26, 2019
I was thrilled to receive an early copy of “You Don’t Know Me” by Sara Foster from Better Reading and it didn’t disappoint!
I enjoyed this book from the outset. It’s a quick page turner and keeps you wondering which direction the story will take next. The mystery of “what happened to Lizzie Burdett” was intriguing and I was always guessing as to who the real villain was. However, when the truth was finally revealed I wasn’t expecting it all …… I love a surprising twist!
I adored two of the central characters, Noah and Alice. They have their own secrets, but their emotional love story really shines through. You find yourself hoping their love really will overcome all the secrecy, mystery and family betrayals which threatens to undo them.
I loved how this novel managed to combine mystery with the drama of complicated family relationships. This is the first book I have read by Sara Foster and I loved her style of writing, I can’t wait to read her others.
I enjoyed this book from the outset. It’s a quick page turner and keeps you wondering which direction the story will take next. The mystery of “what happened to Lizzie Burdett” was intriguing and I was always guessing as to who the real villain was. However, when the truth was finally revealed I wasn’t expecting it all …… I love a surprising twist!
I adored two of the central characters, Noah and Alice. They have their own secrets, but their emotional love story really shines through. You find yourself hoping their love really will overcome all the secrecy, mystery and family betrayals which threatens to undo them.
I loved how this novel managed to combine mystery with the drama of complicated family relationships. This is the first book I have read by Sara Foster and I loved her style of writing, I can’t wait to read her others.
July 14, 2019
I enjoyed this book, and the fast pace and intrigue helped get me out of a bit of a reading slump! Alice and Noah were pretty interesting characters, and they bounced off each other well, revealing just enough to each other to keep readers guessing about what secrets they were hiding. The relationship and family dynamics at play were the most interesting part for me, and using the podcast element to explain some of the backstory was an interesting way to contextualize what was happening in the plot. I actually didn't see the twist near the end coming either which was refreshing, and I found this to be an easy but exciting read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book
September 6, 2019
Sara Foster delivers an intriguing blend of mystery, crime and family drama in her new novel, ‘You Don’t Know Me.’
Noah Carruso knows more than he’s letting on about the night his brother’s girlfriend, Lizzie Burdett mysteriously vanished. Noah holds his secret close for over ten years until an inquest is held into Lizzie’s disappearance and Noah must decide between his conscience and family loyalty. Then to make life more tumultuous, he meets Alice Pryor who looks disturbingly like Lizzie and they fall in love. But Alice is fighting demons of her own.
Written in current tense ‘You Don’t Know Me’ is an easy story to follow with an unpredictable final twist. The characters are believable and Foster’s attention to setting and dialogue certainly adds to the story. If you enjoy reading crime without excessive emphasis on forensics, if you relish unpacking the Pandora’s box of family relationships, you will love Sara Foster’s ‘You Don’t Know Me’.
Thank you ‘Better Reading’ and ‘Simon and Schuster’ for the thrill of receiving an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review.
Noah Carruso knows more than he’s letting on about the night his brother’s girlfriend, Lizzie Burdett mysteriously vanished. Noah holds his secret close for over ten years until an inquest is held into Lizzie’s disappearance and Noah must decide between his conscience and family loyalty. Then to make life more tumultuous, he meets Alice Pryor who looks disturbingly like Lizzie and they fall in love. But Alice is fighting demons of her own.
Written in current tense ‘You Don’t Know Me’ is an easy story to follow with an unpredictable final twist. The characters are believable and Foster’s attention to setting and dialogue certainly adds to the story. If you enjoy reading crime without excessive emphasis on forensics, if you relish unpacking the Pandora’s box of family relationships, you will love Sara Foster’s ‘You Don’t Know Me’.
Thank you ‘Better Reading’ and ‘Simon and Schuster’ for the thrill of receiving an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2020
“You Don’t Know Me” by Sara Foster is the story of two people today and two people in the past; the past is different, traumatic even, and filled with secrets. Lizzie is gone, disappeared after having a fight with her boyfriend; day after day they kept searching. Twelve years later, Noah sees her in Bangkok, Thailand, but it is not her. It is someone who looks remarkably like her; it is Alice. Alice is an English teacher, and no one knows more than that.
Foster cloaks characters in mystery and structures the story in alternating narratives to give readers a global perspective. Readers find out immediately that Alice and Noah both have secrets. While they want those secrets to be starved of oxygen and die in the past, some cannot be hidden. Those secrets threaten to undermine their lives. Details emerge at an agonizingly slow pace, and produce more questions than answers. Who is lying? How could everyone be fooled for so many years? Little by little pieces of the traumatic puzzle fall into place.
Noah and Alice must eventually make decisions about the past or it will destroy everything. I received a review copy of “You Don’t Know Me” from by Sara Foster and Blackstone Publishing. It is filled with mystery, but it is really the story of two people as they move from the past and develop new relationships. It is quick to read, and the ending leaves room for another book in the future
Foster cloaks characters in mystery and structures the story in alternating narratives to give readers a global perspective. Readers find out immediately that Alice and Noah both have secrets. While they want those secrets to be starved of oxygen and die in the past, some cannot be hidden. Those secrets threaten to undermine their lives. Details emerge at an agonizingly slow pace, and produce more questions than answers. Who is lying? How could everyone be fooled for so many years? Little by little pieces of the traumatic puzzle fall into place.
Noah and Alice must eventually make decisions about the past or it will destroy everything. I received a review copy of “You Don’t Know Me” from by Sara Foster and Blackstone Publishing. It is filled with mystery, but it is really the story of two people as they move from the past and develop new relationships. It is quick to read, and the ending leaves room for another book in the future
October 11, 2021
Draugiškas patarimas - prieš pradėdami skaityti šią knygą, nusiteikit, kad skaitysit meilės romaną su kriminalo prieskoniu, bet ne trilerį. Tada ir lūkesčiai bus išpildyti ir į istoriją galėsit pažvelgt kitu kampu.⠀
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Kaip jau galit suprast, aš to nepadariau. Rinkausi, kaip lengvą ir greitą, veiksmo ir įtampos pilną trileriuką ir vis yriausi per knygos puslapius, ieškodama to, kas ten nepaslėpta. Tačiau, radau įdomią meilės liniją!⠀
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Nojus, atvykęs į Tailandą, susipažįsta su Alisa. Žavi raudonplaukė jam primena brolio merginą, kuri dingo prieš dvyliką metų ir lig šiol neatsirado. Netrukus, tarp jų užsimezga romanas. Tik ar pavyks išlaikyti santykius, abiems turint nemažai tamsių paslapčių?⠀
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Iš pradžių atrodė, kad istorijos ašis, bus minėtas Lizės dingimas. Autorė vis suko ratus, tik retkarčiais paminėdama kelias detales, bet vėliau, visą dėmesį nukreipė į Alisos ir Nojaus santykius, bei nelaimių virtinę, užgriuvusią jų šeimas. ⠀
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Antroje knygos pusėje, keletas kibirkščių intrigai atsirado, bet stogo tikrai nenunešė. O galėjo - mano nuomone, giliau pakapstyta Lizės dingimo istorija, galėjo "išnešt" visą knygą. ⠀
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Didžiausi kūrinio pliusai - Tailandas (!), dviejų brolių santykių linija ir gana netikėta Alisos ir Nojaus santykių kulminacija 👌
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Kaip jau galit suprast, aš to nepadariau. Rinkausi, kaip lengvą ir greitą, veiksmo ir įtampos pilną trileriuką ir vis yriausi per knygos puslapius, ieškodama to, kas ten nepaslėpta. Tačiau, radau įdomią meilės liniją!⠀
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Nojus, atvykęs į Tailandą, susipažįsta su Alisa. Žavi raudonplaukė jam primena brolio merginą, kuri dingo prieš dvyliką metų ir lig šiol neatsirado. Netrukus, tarp jų užsimezga romanas. Tik ar pavyks išlaikyti santykius, abiems turint nemažai tamsių paslapčių?⠀
⠀
Iš pradžių atrodė, kad istorijos ašis, bus minėtas Lizės dingimas. Autorė vis suko ratus, tik retkarčiais paminėdama kelias detales, bet vėliau, visą dėmesį nukreipė į Alisos ir Nojaus santykius, bei nelaimių virtinę, užgriuvusią jų šeimas. ⠀
⠀
Antroje knygos pusėje, keletas kibirkščių intrigai atsirado, bet stogo tikrai nenunešė. O galėjo - mano nuomone, giliau pakapstyta Lizės dingimo istorija, galėjo "išnešt" visą knygą. ⠀
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Didžiausi kūrinio pliusai - Tailandas (!), dviejų brolių santykių linija ir gana netikėta Alisos ir Nojaus santykių kulminacija 👌
October 3, 2021
Psichologinius trilerius labai mėgstų, ypač kai norisi atsipalaiduoti. Taigi ši naujiena lentynoje neužsigulėjo. Knygoje radau šiek tiek ko kito nei tikėjausi.
Nojus ir Tomas broliai, tačiau ryšio nepalaiko. Prieš 12 m. dingo Tomo mergaina Lizė, kuriai Nojus jautė švelnius jausmus. Buvo nuspręsta atnaujinti Lizės dingimo bylos tyrimą, kur Tomas buvo pagrindiniu įtariamuoju. Na, o Nojus keliaudamas po Tailandą sutinka Alisą ir įsimyli. Vis dėl to abu jie dar nėra pasirengę atskleisti visų savo praeities paslapčių.
Keista, bet romano centre buvo ne Lizės dingimo byla, bet Nojaus ir Alisos meilės istorija. Rašytoja pasistengė mus nukelti į egzotiškąjį Tailandą ir tikrai buvo įdomu apie jį skaityti. Vis dėl to, norėjosi mažiau santykių analizės, o daugiau veiksmo. Bet šis romanas patiks tiems, kas nori gilesnės analizės, letesnio veiksmo ir keliaplanės istorijos.
Trileriai dažnai lenktyniauja, kuris pateiks kuo šlykštensius ir kraupesnius įvykius. Čia vis dėl to, be didelio kraujo praliejimo buvo sukurta gana paslaptinga ir įtempta atmosfera.
Nojus ir Tomas broliai, tačiau ryšio nepalaiko. Prieš 12 m. dingo Tomo mergaina Lizė, kuriai Nojus jautė švelnius jausmus. Buvo nuspręsta atnaujinti Lizės dingimo bylos tyrimą, kur Tomas buvo pagrindiniu įtariamuoju. Na, o Nojus keliaudamas po Tailandą sutinka Alisą ir įsimyli. Vis dėl to abu jie dar nėra pasirengę atskleisti visų savo praeities paslapčių.
Keista, bet romano centre buvo ne Lizės dingimo byla, bet Nojaus ir Alisos meilės istorija. Rašytoja pasistengė mus nukelti į egzotiškąjį Tailandą ir tikrai buvo įdomu apie jį skaityti. Vis dėl to, norėjosi mažiau santykių analizės, o daugiau veiksmo. Bet šis romanas patiks tiems, kas nori gilesnės analizės, letesnio veiksmo ir keliaplanės istorijos.
Trileriai dažnai lenktyniauja, kuris pateiks kuo šlykštensius ir kraupesnius įvykius. Čia vis dėl to, be didelio kraujo praliejimo buvo sukurta gana paslaptinga ir įtempta atmosfera.
February 24, 2022
Labiau romanas nei trileris...
Nors pabaiga tikrai netikėta, nustebino. Kas išties nutiko prieš tiek metų? Jau buvau apgalvojus ir "apkaltinus" visus tik ne tą ,kas išties kaltas.
Nors pabaiga tikrai netikėta, nustebino. Kas išties nutiko prieš tiek metų? Jau buvau apgalvojus ir "apkaltinus" visus tik ne tą ,kas išties kaltas.
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