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Il volto dell'assassino
In seguito a un drammatico incidente, Sarah ha cominciato a soffrire di un disturbo neurologico molto particolare: ha perso in parte la memoria, ma soprattutto non riesce più a riconoscere i volti delle persone. Da allora vive con la sorella vedova e con il nipote. Fino a quando, una sera, qualcuno si introduce a casa loro e, mentre Sarah guarda la televisione, la sorella viene pugnalata a morte. Sarah accorre sentendo delle grida provenire dalla cucina, e vede un uomo accanirsi sul corpo della sorella.
Ma lei sa che il ricordo di quel viso si perderà per sempre nella nebbia della sua mente e che arrivare capire cosa è successo sarà un’impresa praticamente impossibile.
Eppure deve provarci…
Ma lei sa che il ricordo di quel viso si perderà per sempre nella nebbia della sua mente e che arrivare capire cosa è successo sarà un’impresa praticamente impossibile.
Eppure deve provarci…
360 pages, Hardcover
First published November 28, 2019
17 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 15, 2020
An accident left Sarah with face blindness. She started living with her sister, when an attack by an unknown person killed her sister and left her barely living. She was the prime suspect of her sister's murder. And it was up to Sarah to prove herself innocent.
My first book by this author, I rushed through the pages to get to the killer. I wanted to know the who and why. The curiosity killed me. Though I couldn't connect with Sarah, I liked her better when she took charge of her life.
The story went through twists and left me grappling with the truth. A thrilling read.
My first book by this author, I rushed through the pages to get to the killer. I wanted to know the who and why. The curiosity killed me. Though I couldn't connect with Sarah, I liked her better when she took charge of her life.
The story went through twists and left me grappling with the truth. A thrilling read.
October 22, 2022
This novel is filled with many twists and turns.
Beautiful writing and excellent characters.
A great psychological thriller
Beautiful writing and excellent characters.
A great psychological thriller
February 10, 2020
Remember Me is a pacy psychological thriller featuring a character with face blindness whose Sister is murdered pretty much right in front of her yet she cannot identify the killer...
I enjoyed it for the most part- Amy Mclellan has a way of drawing you into a story, her writing is sharp and insightful- I read it easily in one sitting, wanting to know the outcome.
My one issue, which is definitely my own and nothing to do with the quality of the read, is that I was really irritated by main protagonist Sarah...I really wanted to stab her at various intervals- just way too whiny.
That aside though the story is clever, the ending satisfying and overall I'd recommend for fans of psych thrillers everywhere.
I enjoyed it for the most part- Amy Mclellan has a way of drawing you into a story, her writing is sharp and insightful- I read it easily in one sitting, wanting to know the outcome.
My one issue, which is definitely my own and nothing to do with the quality of the read, is that I was really irritated by main protagonist Sarah...I really wanted to stab her at various intervals- just way too whiny.
That aside though the story is clever, the ending satisfying and overall I'd recommend for fans of psych thrillers everywhere.
September 2, 2020
Brilliant, sharp, evocative
This is the kind of novel that lures you in with a simple premise and then takes twist after unexpected twist to a truly satisfying conclusion. I stayed up way too late it finish it, so don’t be tempted to start late at night, but well worth it. Beautiful writing, finely drawn characters and clever use of dual time frames. A brilliant first novel.
This is the kind of novel that lures you in with a simple premise and then takes twist after unexpected twist to a truly satisfying conclusion. I stayed up way too late it finish it, so don’t be tempted to start late at night, but well worth it. Beautiful writing, finely drawn characters and clever use of dual time frames. A brilliant first novel.
June 15, 2022
I am not really sure why I enjoyed this book as all the core characters were horrid. I had decided who was the mother and who was the murderer but hadn’t solved some of the side issues which linked it all together. I did find it rather too melodramatically long but all in all it was a good read.
May 13, 2020
Today I have a book review for Remember Me by Amy McLellan with her debut novel published by Orion Publishing.
Plot
Sarah was in a car accident which she developed a lasting brain injury known as Prosopagnosia, which means she can’t recognize faces. Her sister is murdered, and the police think she is the prime suspect of the murder.
This imaginative plot is astounding and cunningly constructed, what you think it is, undeniably is not. Truly brilliant debut novel which I shall be looking out for lots more books by Amy McLellan (Subtle hint!). An Author to look out for who I predict will have a good future as a writer.
Characters
Sarah is an intriguing character especially due to her brain issues, called prosopagnosia. I have personally never heard about such a long causing brain injury. But she defiantly a love/hate character, sometimes you feel so much empathy, her frustrations, and get a wonderful insightful view into who she is and how her prosopagnosia affects her everyday life. Then comes to times you want to slap her with a wet fish or you have the stabby feelings repeatedly.
Writing Style/Pacing
Amy’s writing style is unambiguous, wonderful, flawless and written beautifully. She knows how to draw her readers into a book full of twists and turns, secrets and lies, multiple characters with motive, and sending us back to the past to experience Joanne’s and Sarah’s relationship, and how Joanne used to Support Sarah etc.
Also, I would like to mention about wonderfully detailed and sensitively Amy portrayed anxiety. And the way she explained, got you intrigued about Prosopagnosia and giving us enough details and information throughout about the condition and the affects this has on suffers. The pacing started of slowed but soon went at 150 MPH until the unveiling, shocking, twisting, thrilling end.
Themes/Settings
The main themes are centered around Sarah and Joanne’s Relationship and Sarah Brain injury and anxiety. How she copes with the murder of her sister. Proving her innocents. And how she is going to carry on without her Sisters support, how she will cope with her face blindness and her anxiety.
Overall Thoughts
Ah what to say about this unambiguous, wonderful, flawless and beautifully debut novel. She knows how to draw her readers into a book full of twists and turns, secrets and lies, multiple characters with motive, and sending us back to the past to experience Joanne’s and Sarah’s relationship, and how Joanne used to Support Sarah etc.
This imaginative plot is astounding and cunningly constructed, what you think it is, undeniably is not.
The pacing started of slowed but soon went at 150 MPH until the unveiling, shocking, twisting, thrilling end.
A Truly brilliant novel which I shall be looking out for lots more books by Amy McLellan. An Author to look out for who I predict will have a good future as a writer.
Plot
Sarah was in a car accident which she developed a lasting brain injury known as Prosopagnosia, which means she can’t recognize faces. Her sister is murdered, and the police think she is the prime suspect of the murder.
This imaginative plot is astounding and cunningly constructed, what you think it is, undeniably is not. Truly brilliant debut novel which I shall be looking out for lots more books by Amy McLellan (Subtle hint!). An Author to look out for who I predict will have a good future as a writer.
Characters
Sarah is an intriguing character especially due to her brain issues, called prosopagnosia. I have personally never heard about such a long causing brain injury. But she defiantly a love/hate character, sometimes you feel so much empathy, her frustrations, and get a wonderful insightful view into who she is and how her prosopagnosia affects her everyday life. Then comes to times you want to slap her with a wet fish or you have the stabby feelings repeatedly.
Writing Style/Pacing
Amy’s writing style is unambiguous, wonderful, flawless and written beautifully. She knows how to draw her readers into a book full of twists and turns, secrets and lies, multiple characters with motive, and sending us back to the past to experience Joanne’s and Sarah’s relationship, and how Joanne used to Support Sarah etc.
Also, I would like to mention about wonderfully detailed and sensitively Amy portrayed anxiety. And the way she explained, got you intrigued about Prosopagnosia and giving us enough details and information throughout about the condition and the affects this has on suffers. The pacing started of slowed but soon went at 150 MPH until the unveiling, shocking, twisting, thrilling end.
Themes/Settings
The main themes are centered around Sarah and Joanne’s Relationship and Sarah Brain injury and anxiety. How she copes with the murder of her sister. Proving her innocents. And how she is going to carry on without her Sisters support, how she will cope with her face blindness and her anxiety.
Overall Thoughts
Ah what to say about this unambiguous, wonderful, flawless and beautifully debut novel. She knows how to draw her readers into a book full of twists and turns, secrets and lies, multiple characters with motive, and sending us back to the past to experience Joanne’s and Sarah’s relationship, and how Joanne used to Support Sarah etc.
This imaginative plot is astounding and cunningly constructed, what you think it is, undeniably is not.
The pacing started of slowed but soon went at 150 MPH until the unveiling, shocking, twisting, thrilling end.
A Truly brilliant novel which I shall be looking out for lots more books by Amy McLellan. An Author to look out for who I predict will have a good future as a writer.
June 7, 2020
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Ahimè, una lettura che non mi ha lasciato niente di particolare, anche se pensavo avesse una base interessante ed originale...ma andiamo con ordine.
La protagonista è Sarah, una donna di mezza età che una ventina di anni prima, dopo un incidente, ha iniziato a soffrire di un disturbo neurologico piuttosto strano e poco conosciuto: non riesce a distinguere i volti delle persone. Ed insieme a questo, ha perso i ricordi di qualche anno prima dell'incidente.
Per tutto questo lungo tempo ha vissuto con la sorella che l'ha accolta in casa sua. Nonostante il suo handicap ha aiutato (per quello che poteva) a crescere il nipote, poiché la sorella è rimasta vedova poco prima della sua nascita. Tutto procede di routine, fino ad una sera quando Joanna non viene aggredita da un uomo che entra in casa loro. Sarah assiste al suo omicidio e sopravvive, scoprendo ben presto che sarà la prima sospettata e un'altra cosa più inquietante: l'aggressore si è fatto vedere, quindi sapeva del suo disturbo.
La base da cui parte la storia è interessante, veloce, e mette molte curiosità al lettore.
Viene alternato il passato al presente di Sarah, permettendo di avere una visione sugli ultimi vent'anni di quella che era diventata la sua vita.
Purtroppo però la trama si arena spesso, diventando noiosa. Vengono date pochissime notizie interessanti e ci si ritrova a non sopportare questa donna.
Malata, sola, confusa e molto arrabbiata, ma che sembra non voler trovare alcun modo per sollevarsi ed andare avanti, per trovare una sua strada.
In poche parole: insopportabile.
Più andavo a fondo nella storia, più la trovavo irritante e a tratti diciamo "piagnona", poiché si è completamente lasciata andare nella sua autocommiserazione mista a scatti d'ira.
L'autrice ci mostra sia da un lato cosa può portare via questa malattia, per esempio scopriremo che la sorella si è adeguata con un abbigliamento piuttosto eccentrico per farsi riconoscere da Sarah. Ci darà una panoramica (ma troppo vaga) di ciò che scatena in lei questo disturbo, legato sicuramente ad una rabbia mai elaborata del tutto ed un senso si impotenza che vanno a braccetto; poiché senza Joanna lei non avrebbe nulla: ne casa, ne soldi, ne cibo,...
Per mio gusto però, tutto questo è la minoranza fra le pagine. C'è troppo di superfluo e noioso che accompagna tutto ciò, rendendolo poco scorrevole.
Abbiamo finalmente qualcosa di interessante dopo metà romanzo, quando alcune rivelazioni capovolgeranno ciò che sapevamo. Ovviamente non posso dirvi cosa. Alcuni erano abbastanza prevedibili, poiché viene lasciato un sentiero enorme che ci conduce ad essi: basta un poco di logica, e ci si arriva.
Un finale prevedibile che mi ha decisamente delusa e ha confermato la mia opinione generale.
Non vorrei sconsigliarlo, ma è molto probabile che se amate romanzi molti ricchi di fatti, eventi che si susseguono veloci, novità che si accalcano,...non fa per voi.
Io pensavo che il disturbo della protagonista lo rendesse interessante, invece (come ho già spiegato prima) tutt'altro. Un grande peccato!
Ahimè, una lettura che non mi ha lasciato niente di particolare, anche se pensavo avesse una base interessante ed originale...ma andiamo con ordine.
La protagonista è Sarah, una donna di mezza età che una ventina di anni prima, dopo un incidente, ha iniziato a soffrire di un disturbo neurologico piuttosto strano e poco conosciuto: non riesce a distinguere i volti delle persone. Ed insieme a questo, ha perso i ricordi di qualche anno prima dell'incidente.
Per tutto questo lungo tempo ha vissuto con la sorella che l'ha accolta in casa sua. Nonostante il suo handicap ha aiutato (per quello che poteva) a crescere il nipote, poiché la sorella è rimasta vedova poco prima della sua nascita. Tutto procede di routine, fino ad una sera quando Joanna non viene aggredita da un uomo che entra in casa loro. Sarah assiste al suo omicidio e sopravvive, scoprendo ben presto che sarà la prima sospettata e un'altra cosa più inquietante: l'aggressore si è fatto vedere, quindi sapeva del suo disturbo.
La base da cui parte la storia è interessante, veloce, e mette molte curiosità al lettore.
Viene alternato il passato al presente di Sarah, permettendo di avere una visione sugli ultimi vent'anni di quella che era diventata la sua vita.
Purtroppo però la trama si arena spesso, diventando noiosa. Vengono date pochissime notizie interessanti e ci si ritrova a non sopportare questa donna.
Malata, sola, confusa e molto arrabbiata, ma che sembra non voler trovare alcun modo per sollevarsi ed andare avanti, per trovare una sua strada.
In poche parole: insopportabile.
Più andavo a fondo nella storia, più la trovavo irritante e a tratti diciamo "piagnona", poiché si è completamente lasciata andare nella sua autocommiserazione mista a scatti d'ira.
L'autrice ci mostra sia da un lato cosa può portare via questa malattia, per esempio scopriremo che la sorella si è adeguata con un abbigliamento piuttosto eccentrico per farsi riconoscere da Sarah. Ci darà una panoramica (ma troppo vaga) di ciò che scatena in lei questo disturbo, legato sicuramente ad una rabbia mai elaborata del tutto ed un senso si impotenza che vanno a braccetto; poiché senza Joanna lei non avrebbe nulla: ne casa, ne soldi, ne cibo,...
Per mio gusto però, tutto questo è la minoranza fra le pagine. C'è troppo di superfluo e noioso che accompagna tutto ciò, rendendolo poco scorrevole.
Abbiamo finalmente qualcosa di interessante dopo metà romanzo, quando alcune rivelazioni capovolgeranno ciò che sapevamo. Ovviamente non posso dirvi cosa. Alcuni erano abbastanza prevedibili, poiché viene lasciato un sentiero enorme che ci conduce ad essi: basta un poco di logica, e ci si arriva.
Un finale prevedibile che mi ha decisamente delusa e ha confermato la mia opinione generale.
Non vorrei sconsigliarlo, ma è molto probabile che se amate romanzi molti ricchi di fatti, eventi che si susseguono veloci, novità che si accalcano,...non fa per voi.
Io pensavo che il disturbo della protagonista lo rendesse interessante, invece (come ho già spiegato prima) tutt'altro. Un grande peccato!
March 17, 2020
This book and author is the first time that I've read a book by this author and this book was great a real psychological thriller and I really enjoyed the story line.
Sarah has had things quite tough but her whole life changed after she was in a car accident and had a brain injury which has left her with a condition in which she can't recognise faces ever. After her sister gets attacked in there home Sarah is unable to recognise the man who killed her sister because of the face blindness the cops think that she had something to do with it.
Will the real killer be found or will a grieving Sarah be charged with her murder?
(NO SPOILERS).
This book is Captivating and will have you in the edge of your seat all the way through. This book has it all it's full of twists, turns and shockers with secrets and lies
This physiological thriller is absolutely fantastic and this author has written it brilliantly. It holds your attention and leaves you desperate to find out how it all ends.
I loved the story line and what you thought it was about isn't, it's something else completely that will make sure you have no nails left to bite by the end and this story is gripping totally. This author writes fantastically and I really liked the character in this book to and was hoping she can sort things out so she can properly grieve for her sister.
I will definitely recommend this book to everyone and look out for more books from this author in the future.
This book is out now on kindle.
Paperback expected 16th April 2020
Sarah has had things quite tough but her whole life changed after she was in a car accident and had a brain injury which has left her with a condition in which she can't recognise faces ever. After her sister gets attacked in there home Sarah is unable to recognise the man who killed her sister because of the face blindness the cops think that she had something to do with it.
Will the real killer be found or will a grieving Sarah be charged with her murder?
(NO SPOILERS).
This book is Captivating and will have you in the edge of your seat all the way through. This book has it all it's full of twists, turns and shockers with secrets and lies
This physiological thriller is absolutely fantastic and this author has written it brilliantly. It holds your attention and leaves you desperate to find out how it all ends.
I loved the story line and what you thought it was about isn't, it's something else completely that will make sure you have no nails left to bite by the end and this story is gripping totally. This author writes fantastically and I really liked the character in this book to and was hoping she can sort things out so she can properly grieve for her sister.
I will definitely recommend this book to everyone and look out for more books from this author in the future.
This book is out now on kindle.
Paperback expected 16th April 2020
August 19, 2021
Ottimo libro giallo ben scritto dall'Autrice, Amy McLellan. Diversi sono i punti di interesse, al di là di una trama "classica" dell'omicidio di una donna nella cucina di casa. Innanzi tutto la protagonista, Sarah, ha ucciso in un incidente stradale il cognato Robert, marito della sorella Johanna e padre del piccolo (ai tempi dell'incidente) James. Ma Sarah ha una particolarità molto "originale" nelle storie di questo genere: a causa del trauma soffre di prosopoagnosia (ovvero, non riesce a riconoscere i volti delle persone), indubbiamente un problema non da poco se Johanna è stata appena uccisa barbaramente in cucina da un uomo, che per te è "senza volto". E in più la polizia sospetta di te, avendoti trovata con l'arma del delitto in mano... Sarah dovrà farsi forza e superare i traumi e le sue paure per trovare il vero colpevole. Come dicevo, questo problema neurologico della protagonista è assolutamente originale e intrigante, non per lei ovviamente. In più lo sviluppo della trama è perfetto, il meccanismo narrativo è assolutamente coinvolgente e il climax di colpi di scena finali nelle ultime cento pagine (da circa pagina 240) avviluppa il lettore senza lasciargli requie. Un ottimo lavoro da leggere con passione!
April 20, 2020
Ever since the horrific car accident, Sarah has had no memory of her past and lives with prosopagnosia or 'face blindness' - where you cannot recognise faces even those of your nearest and dearest. She has lived with her sister, Joanna, ever since her accident and is there when Joanna is attacked and brutally killed in their kitchen. Sarah is also attacked but left alive and from some of the evidence, the police think she did it and that her injuries were from a fight between the sisters. Sarah saw the killer but she cannot recognise him even if he was right in front of her so how can she convince the police she is innocent?
Wow, I have to say that the main character in this book is quite possibly one of the worst characters I've ever had to read about. She is horrible. I know she had a bad accident but everything is 'poor me, how will it affect me, what about me'? No-one else gets a look in. It is, therefore, a testament to the author's writing ability that I actually stuck it out and read the book. It starts off quick slow but it does eventually build up into quite a good thriller. I did work out most of what was going to happen but there were a couple of surprises.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Orion Publishing Group, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Wow, I have to say that the main character in this book is quite possibly one of the worst characters I've ever had to read about. She is horrible. I know she had a bad accident but everything is 'poor me, how will it affect me, what about me'? No-one else gets a look in. It is, therefore, a testament to the author's writing ability that I actually stuck it out and read the book. It starts off quick slow but it does eventually build up into quite a good thriller. I did work out most of what was going to happen but there were a couple of surprises.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Orion Publishing Group, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
June 24, 2020
A really fascinating read. The main protagonist suffers from face blindness so when she witnesses a murder she cant describe the murderer's face and starts to worry that suspicion will fall on her. I really enjoyed the book, i'm not sure the ending was for me but the characters and the premise were excellent. It's an excellent debut novel and I would definitely read more from the author. 4.5* from me.
June 23, 2023
Bloody hell! This grips you like a vice from the beginning. I had to be wrenched away from it for fear of devouring it in one sitting and being the most antisocial person on the planet.
I hadn’t heard of this author before, but it’s quite possibly one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve ever read.
I hadn’t heard of this author before, but it’s quite possibly one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve ever read.
December 17, 2020
ספר מתח הופך דפים אך גם צפוי וחסר יחוד.
May 27, 2020
Plot/Narrative
Sarah was in a car accident in which she developed a lasting brain injury known as Prosopagnosia, which means she can’t recognize faces. Her sister is murdered, and the police think she is the prime suspect of the murder.
This imaginative plot is astounding and cunningly constructed, what you think it is, undeniably is not. Brilliant debut novel, which I shall look out for lots more books by Amy McLellan (Subtle hint!). An Author to look out for who I predict will have a wonderful future as a writer.
Characters
Sarah is an intriguing character, especially because of her brain issues, called prosopagnosia. I have never heard about such a long causing brain injury. But she defiantly a love/hate character, sometimes you feel so much empathy, her frustrations, and get a wonderful, insightful view of who she is and how her prosopagnosia affects her everyday life. Then comes to times you want to slap her with a wet fish or you have the stabby feelings repeatedly.
Writing Style/Pacing
Amy’s writing style is unambiguous, wonderful, flawless and written beautifully. She knows how to draw her readers into a book full of twists and turns, secrets and lies, multiple characters with motive, and sending us back to the past to experience Joanne’s and Sarah’s relationship, and how Joanne used to Support Sarah, etc.
Also, I would like to mention about wonderfully detailed and sensitively Amy portrayed anxiety. And the way she explained, got you intrigued about Prosopagnosia and giving us enough details and information throughout about the condition and the effects this has on the suffer. The pacing started off slowed but soon went at 150 MPH until the unveiling, shocking, twisting, thrilling end.
Themes/Settings
It centers the main themes around Sarah and Joanne’s Relationship and Sarah Brain injury and anxiety. How she copes with the murder of her sister. Proving her innocent. And how she will carry on without her Sisters support, how she will cope with her face blindness and her anxiety.
Overall Thoughts
Ah, what to say about this unambiguous, wonderful, flawless and beautiful debut novel. She knows how to draw her readers into a book full of twists and turns, secrets and lies, multiple characters with motive, and sending us back to the past to experience Joanne’s and Sarah’s relationship, and how Joanne used to Support Sarah, etc.
This imaginative plot is astounding and cunningly constructed, what you think it is, undeniably is not.
The pacing started off slowed but soon went at 150 MPH until the unveiling, shocking, twisting, thrilling end.
A brilliant novel which I shall look out for lots more books by Amy McLellan. An Author to look out for who I predict will have a wonderful future as a writer.
Sarah was in a car accident in which she developed a lasting brain injury known as Prosopagnosia, which means she can’t recognize faces. Her sister is murdered, and the police think she is the prime suspect of the murder.
This imaginative plot is astounding and cunningly constructed, what you think it is, undeniably is not. Brilliant debut novel, which I shall look out for lots more books by Amy McLellan (Subtle hint!). An Author to look out for who I predict will have a wonderful future as a writer.
Characters
Sarah is an intriguing character, especially because of her brain issues, called prosopagnosia. I have never heard about such a long causing brain injury. But she defiantly a love/hate character, sometimes you feel so much empathy, her frustrations, and get a wonderful, insightful view of who she is and how her prosopagnosia affects her everyday life. Then comes to times you want to slap her with a wet fish or you have the stabby feelings repeatedly.
Writing Style/Pacing
Amy’s writing style is unambiguous, wonderful, flawless and written beautifully. She knows how to draw her readers into a book full of twists and turns, secrets and lies, multiple characters with motive, and sending us back to the past to experience Joanne’s and Sarah’s relationship, and how Joanne used to Support Sarah, etc.
Also, I would like to mention about wonderfully detailed and sensitively Amy portrayed anxiety. And the way she explained, got you intrigued about Prosopagnosia and giving us enough details and information throughout about the condition and the effects this has on the suffer. The pacing started off slowed but soon went at 150 MPH until the unveiling, shocking, twisting, thrilling end.
Themes/Settings
It centers the main themes around Sarah and Joanne’s Relationship and Sarah Brain injury and anxiety. How she copes with the murder of her sister. Proving her innocent. And how she will carry on without her Sisters support, how she will cope with her face blindness and her anxiety.
Overall Thoughts
Ah, what to say about this unambiguous, wonderful, flawless and beautiful debut novel. She knows how to draw her readers into a book full of twists and turns, secrets and lies, multiple characters with motive, and sending us back to the past to experience Joanne’s and Sarah’s relationship, and how Joanne used to Support Sarah, etc.
This imaginative plot is astounding and cunningly constructed, what you think it is, undeniably is not.
The pacing started off slowed but soon went at 150 MPH until the unveiling, shocking, twisting, thrilling end.
A brilliant novel which I shall look out for lots more books by Amy McLellan. An Author to look out for who I predict will have a wonderful future as a writer.
September 10, 2025
The start of this book was amazing but the end felt a little bit weird
May 29, 2020
4.5
Quando ho letto la trama del Volto dell'assassino ho subito pensato che questo libro doveva essere mio. Il tema di fondo mi ha sempre affascinato sin da quando, durante i miei studi di neuropsicologia, ho letto il libro di Oliver Sacks, L'uomo che scambiò sua moglie per un cappello; una serie di aneddoti di pazienti con patologie neurologiche che potremmo considerare bizzarre e affascinanti.
La protagonista della storia scritta da Amy McLellan è Sarah, una donna che in seguito ad un brutto incidente stradale sviluppa un problema neurologico chiamato Prosopoagnosia. Tale deficit consiste nell'incapacità del soggetto di riconoscere i tratti di insieme dei volti delle persone, anche familiari. Inoltre, Sarah ha anche perso parte della memoria e per la complessità della sua condizione vive con la sorella Joanna.
Già nelle prime pagine assistiamo all'evento che sconvolgerà la vita già precaria di Sarah: una sera mentre stanno guardando la tv, la sorella apre ad una persona che si rivelerà essere un assassino. Joanna viene uccisa davanti ai suoi occhi mentre lei viene aggredita fino a perdere i sensi.
Sarah ha visto il volto dell'uomo ma data la sua condizione sa che non sarà mai in grado di riconoscerlo o fornire dettagli per la sua cattura.
Peccato che per la polizia Sarah è una sospettata e molti dubbi iniziano a insinuarsi nella mente della donna. Cosa succede quando non puoi fidarti nemmeno di te stessa? E noi, possiamo fidarci di Sarah?
Inizia così un percorso alla ricerca della verità in cui l'autrice gioca d'astuzia con il lettore lasciando le redini a Sarah, la quale per la sua condizione patologica non può fornire nessuna affidabilità.
Come si può vivere quando non riesci a riconoscere il mondo che ti circonda e tutti iniziano a sembrare sospetti? Un'angoscia costante, un'esistenza guidata dalla paura e dall'ansia di non riuscire più a vivere nel mondo coltivando normali relazioni sociali.
L'autrice ha voluto giocare con il personaggio di Sarah, la quale mi ha suscitato reazioni contrastanti. In alcuni momenti ho provato molta empatia per lei e per le difficoltà che la sua condizione le ha creato. Poi sono stata travolta dal vortice del sospetto.
Col procedere della lettura si approfondisce anche il rapporto tra le sorelle con dei flashback che contribuiscono a ricostruire il passato di Sarah e Joanna, rivelando alcune verità inattese. La loro relazione non è quella che sembra e più conosciamo il passato di Sarah e Joanna, più diventano chiari alcuni sospetti, ma l'autrice è riuscita a tenere alto l'interesse fino alla fine.
I dettagli della patologia di cui soffre la protagonista e le problematiche quotidiane, l'ansia che attanagliano Sarah sono trattate dall'autrice in maniera sensibile e di impatto. Qual è il vero rapporto tra Sarah e Joanna? Se fino ad ora la sorella si è occupata di lei, come farà adesso che è rimasta sola e non riesce a fornire nessuno aiuto per scoprire l'assassino, anzi, ne è sospettata. E sopratutto, chi è il vero assassino e qual è il movente?
Un esordio che non delude quello di Amy McLellan la quale ha dato vita ad un plot coinvolgente che tiene il lettore in costante stato di allerta. Una trama curata con dovizia, in cui i dettagli si uniscono poco alla volta per creare un effetto suspense che funziona.
Un thriller psicologico brillante, pieno di colpi di scena, svolte inaspettate, bugie e segreti scioccanti.
Quando ho letto la trama del Volto dell'assassino ho subito pensato che questo libro doveva essere mio. Il tema di fondo mi ha sempre affascinato sin da quando, durante i miei studi di neuropsicologia, ho letto il libro di Oliver Sacks, L'uomo che scambiò sua moglie per un cappello; una serie di aneddoti di pazienti con patologie neurologiche che potremmo considerare bizzarre e affascinanti.
La protagonista della storia scritta da Amy McLellan è Sarah, una donna che in seguito ad un brutto incidente stradale sviluppa un problema neurologico chiamato Prosopoagnosia. Tale deficit consiste nell'incapacità del soggetto di riconoscere i tratti di insieme dei volti delle persone, anche familiari. Inoltre, Sarah ha anche perso parte della memoria e per la complessità della sua condizione vive con la sorella Joanna.Già nelle prime pagine assistiamo all'evento che sconvolgerà la vita già precaria di Sarah: una sera mentre stanno guardando la tv, la sorella apre ad una persona che si rivelerà essere un assassino. Joanna viene uccisa davanti ai suoi occhi mentre lei viene aggredita fino a perdere i sensi.
Sarah ha visto il volto dell'uomo ma data la sua condizione sa che non sarà mai in grado di riconoscerlo o fornire dettagli per la sua cattura.
Peccato che per la polizia Sarah è una sospettata e molti dubbi iniziano a insinuarsi nella mente della donna. Cosa succede quando non puoi fidarti nemmeno di te stessa? E noi, possiamo fidarci di Sarah?
Inizia così un percorso alla ricerca della verità in cui l'autrice gioca d'astuzia con il lettore lasciando le redini a Sarah, la quale per la sua condizione patologica non può fornire nessuna affidabilità.
Come si può vivere quando non riesci a riconoscere il mondo che ti circonda e tutti iniziano a sembrare sospetti? Un'angoscia costante, un'esistenza guidata dalla paura e dall'ansia di non riuscire più a vivere nel mondo coltivando normali relazioni sociali.
L'autrice ha voluto giocare con il personaggio di Sarah, la quale mi ha suscitato reazioni contrastanti. In alcuni momenti ho provato molta empatia per lei e per le difficoltà che la sua condizione le ha creato. Poi sono stata travolta dal vortice del sospetto.
Col procedere della lettura si approfondisce anche il rapporto tra le sorelle con dei flashback che contribuiscono a ricostruire il passato di Sarah e Joanna, rivelando alcune verità inattese. La loro relazione non è quella che sembra e più conosciamo il passato di Sarah e Joanna, più diventano chiari alcuni sospetti, ma l'autrice è riuscita a tenere alto l'interesse fino alla fine.
I dettagli della patologia di cui soffre la protagonista e le problematiche quotidiane, l'ansia che attanagliano Sarah sono trattate dall'autrice in maniera sensibile e di impatto. Qual è il vero rapporto tra Sarah e Joanna? Se fino ad ora la sorella si è occupata di lei, come farà adesso che è rimasta sola e non riesce a fornire nessuno aiuto per scoprire l'assassino, anzi, ne è sospettata. E sopratutto, chi è il vero assassino e qual è il movente?
Un esordio che non delude quello di Amy McLellan la quale ha dato vita ad un plot coinvolgente che tiene il lettore in costante stato di allerta. Una trama curata con dovizia, in cui i dettagli si uniscono poco alla volta per creare un effetto suspense che funziona.
Un thriller psicologico brillante, pieno di colpi di scena, svolte inaspettate, bugie e segreti scioccanti.
November 10, 2025
עברית מתחת לאנגלית
This book? Oh, it got me. Once I committed? I devoured it. I almost smuggled it to work, almost, then I remembered I need this job.
If I compare it to Dear Daughter by Elizabeth Little who has the same back story of a family member accused of murder, that one had me rolling my eyes and rage, quitting because the main character was absolutely insufferable. But here? The accused sister felt real. Tangible. Human. Her fear, her confusion, her heartbreak, I was right there with her. And while I did guess the murderer early on, the actual why and the story behind it had me genuinely shocked. Mouth open, literally.
There’s also this strange, almost vintage vibe throughout, probably thanks to the Israeli cover art of the book with its old school clothing and hairstyles. It lulled me into thinking the story was set decades ago… until there were references to LinkedIn or Instagram.
Amy McLellan writes with this beautiful duality: elegant but easy to digest. No pretentious nonsense. Just strong, absorbing storytelling that pulls you straight into the narrative. And because everything’s told through Sarah’s POV, you’re fully immersed. You are her - confused, scared, determined. And just when you think you’re firmly on Sarah’s side, you start seeing Joanna’s perspective, then back to Sarah, then back again… until suddenly you are Joanna - meaning family is everything and the sisters connection is everything. You feel the bond, the trauma, the pain, the messed-up family dynamics, especially with that mother (ic you could even call her "mother").
The way the relationship between the sisters unfolds is what really anchored the story. That push and pull of resentment, guilt, and love it’s raw and relatable. This wasn’t just a thriller, it was an emotional story.
מהרגע שהתמסרתי לספר הזה כמו שצריך - פשוט גמעתי אותו. מצאתי את עצמי קוראת אותו איך שהתעוררתי בשש בבוקר, ולרגע שקלתי לקחת אותו לקרוא בעבודה ואז נזכרתי שאני לא עובדת באיזו חנות ספרים או עיתון הגלריה ושכנראה המנהלים שלי לא יאהבו את זה.
אם אני משווה אותו ל- Dear Daughter של Elizabeth Little אז האחרון היה בלתי נסבל. הפסקתי כי הדמות הראשית פשוט גרמה לי היתה בלתי נסבלת ובלתי אפשרית להזדהות. לעומת זאת, כאן, האחות שמואשמת הייתה כל כך אנושית, הרגשתי את הפחד שלה, את הבלבול, את חוסר האונים, את הכאב. ממש התחברתי אליה וזה שהסיפור סופר מהPOV שלה ממש עזר להרגיש שאת שם יחד איתה.
מה שמיוחד עוד יותר זה שההזדהות מתנדנדת, פעם את שרה, פעם ג’ואנה, ואז שוב שרה… עד שבסוף את פשוט ג’ואנה, ומבינה שהקשר בין האחיות הוא הלב ואת זה תמיד יש לשמר בכל מצב. במיוחד עם אמא כמו שלהן שלא מגיע לה בכלל להיקרא אמא.
ועם כל זה שניחשתי די מהר מי הרוצח, הסיפור רקע שלפני ממש הותיר אותי פעורת פה, ליטרלי פתחתי את הפה.
הספר, כנראה בגלל העיצוב של הכריכה בעברית, עם הלבוש והתסרוקות, נותן וייבים של סיפור שמרחש בשנות ה50 בערך, אבל אז מזכירים כל הזמן לינקדאין, אינסטגרם, פייסבוק וזה מגם כן מפתיע כל פעם מחדש.
התחברתי מאוד לכתיבה של איימי מקללן, מצד אחד שפה יפה, קצת אלגנטית, אבל מהצד השני, מאוד נגישה. לא מתיימרת, לא מתחכמת, לא מנסה להיות “ספרות גבוהה”. פשוט מספרת סיפור טוב.
This book? Oh, it got me. Once I committed? I devoured it. I almost smuggled it to work, almost, then I remembered I need this job.
If I compare it to Dear Daughter by Elizabeth Little who has the same back story of a family member accused of murder, that one had me rolling my eyes and rage, quitting because the main character was absolutely insufferable. But here? The accused sister felt real. Tangible. Human. Her fear, her confusion, her heartbreak, I was right there with her. And while I did guess the murderer early on, the actual why and the story behind it had me genuinely shocked. Mouth open, literally.
There’s also this strange, almost vintage vibe throughout, probably thanks to the Israeli cover art of the book with its old school clothing and hairstyles. It lulled me into thinking the story was set decades ago… until there were references to LinkedIn or Instagram.
Amy McLellan writes with this beautiful duality: elegant but easy to digest. No pretentious nonsense. Just strong, absorbing storytelling that pulls you straight into the narrative. And because everything’s told through Sarah’s POV, you’re fully immersed. You are her - confused, scared, determined. And just when you think you’re firmly on Sarah’s side, you start seeing Joanna’s perspective, then back to Sarah, then back again… until suddenly you are Joanna - meaning family is everything and the sisters connection is everything. You feel the bond, the trauma, the pain, the messed-up family dynamics, especially with that mother (ic you could even call her "mother").
The way the relationship between the sisters unfolds is what really anchored the story. That push and pull of resentment, guilt, and love it’s raw and relatable. This wasn’t just a thriller, it was an emotional story.
מהרגע שהתמסרתי לספר הזה כמו שצריך - פשוט גמעתי אותו. מצאתי את עצמי קוראת אותו איך שהתעוררתי בשש בבוקר, ולרגע שקלתי לקחת אותו לקרוא בעבודה ואז נזכרתי שאני לא עובדת באיזו חנות ספרים או עיתון הגלריה ושכנראה המנהלים שלי לא יאהבו את זה.
אם אני משווה אותו ל- Dear Daughter של Elizabeth Little אז האחרון היה בלתי נסבל. הפסקתי כי הדמות הראשית פשוט גרמה לי היתה בלתי נסבלת ובלתי אפשרית להזדהות. לעומת זאת, כאן, האחות שמואשמת הייתה כל כך אנושית, הרגשתי את הפחד שלה, את הבלבול, את חוסר האונים, את הכאב. ממש התחברתי אליה וזה שהסיפור סופר מהPOV שלה ממש עזר להרגיש שאת שם יחד איתה.
מה שמיוחד עוד יותר זה שההזדהות מתנדנדת, פעם את שרה, פעם ג’ואנה, ואז שוב שרה… עד שבסוף את פשוט ג’ואנה, ומבינה שהקשר בין האחיות הוא הלב ואת זה תמיד יש לשמר בכל מצב. במיוחד עם אמא כמו שלהן שלא מגיע לה בכלל להיקרא אמא.
ועם כל זה שניחשתי די מהר מי הרוצח, הסיפור רקע שלפני ממש הותיר אותי פעורת פה, ליטרלי פתחתי את הפה.
הספר, כנראה בגלל העיצוב של הכריכה בעברית, עם הלבוש והתסרוקות, נותן וייבים של סיפור שמרחש בשנות ה50 בערך, אבל אז מזכירים כל הזמן לינקדאין, אינסטגרם, פייסבוק וזה מגם כן מפתיע כל פעם מחדש.
התחברתי מאוד לכתיבה של איימי מקללן, מצד אחד שפה יפה, קצת אלגנטית, אבל מהצד השני, מאוד נגישה. לא מתיימרת, לא מתחכמת, לא מנסה להיות “ספרות גבוהה”. פשוט מספרת סיפור טוב.
April 10, 2020
Remember Me is a superb debut from Amy Mclellan. From its explosive beginning to its riveting climax, this thriller is suspenseful, exhilarating and well written.
Sarah suffers from anxiety and prosopagnosia (“face blindness”) after a car crash 20 years ago. She lives with her sister Joanna, who supports her whilst she continues to face daily battles with her conditions. When Joanna is brutally murdered and Sarah savagely attacked, it will take Sarah all of her strength to convince the police that a man she can no longer recognise was the perpetrator and not her...
Remember Me is a very clever and engaging thriller. Sarah is a fundamentally flawed central character that readers will verge between liking and disliking, suspecting of guilt and suspecting of innocence. Mclellan conveys a very authentic and affecting sense of claustrophobia around Sarah’s mental conditions, which really helps build the narrative to a striking crescendo. There is a string cast of supporting characters, all of whom have some element of motive for committing the crime and all take some questionable actions. Next door neighbour Alan is a cracking character, as virtually all of us have known someone like him before. He’s the essence of over-bearing friendliness that the repressed British middle-class have ingrained in them to mistrust. The constant questions raised in the plot about his past and his potential motives make him as equally a juicy character as Sarah. He’s just the right side of nice to seem sinister!
What I really enjoyed about the novel is the fact it’s like an onion, where every chapter peels back another layer until the bitter heart is exposed, leaving your eyes stinging and your senses in overdrive. I enjoyed flashback chapters that helped piece together Sarah and Joanna’s past, revealing all manner of truths and a number of red herrings. Was their relationship more toxic than first seemed? What has Joanna been hiding and what did she find out about someone? Whilst I found I guessed aspects of the final outcome, I wasn’t disappointed that the big reveals confirmed what I’d guessed. The climax of the novel is so well paced I didn’t care that I’d guessed the perpetrator...I was literally on the edge of my seat! I’m fact, I probably found the final few chapters even more suspenseful and tense feeling confident that I knew who the killer was. It’s a seriously exciting read nonetheless!
This is a very solid thriller and I applaud Amy Mclellan for writing a debut that I am going to be recommending to everyone.
Sarah suffers from anxiety and prosopagnosia (“face blindness”) after a car crash 20 years ago. She lives with her sister Joanna, who supports her whilst she continues to face daily battles with her conditions. When Joanna is brutally murdered and Sarah savagely attacked, it will take Sarah all of her strength to convince the police that a man she can no longer recognise was the perpetrator and not her...
Remember Me is a very clever and engaging thriller. Sarah is a fundamentally flawed central character that readers will verge between liking and disliking, suspecting of guilt and suspecting of innocence. Mclellan conveys a very authentic and affecting sense of claustrophobia around Sarah’s mental conditions, which really helps build the narrative to a striking crescendo. There is a string cast of supporting characters, all of whom have some element of motive for committing the crime and all take some questionable actions. Next door neighbour Alan is a cracking character, as virtually all of us have known someone like him before. He’s the essence of over-bearing friendliness that the repressed British middle-class have ingrained in them to mistrust. The constant questions raised in the plot about his past and his potential motives make him as equally a juicy character as Sarah. He’s just the right side of nice to seem sinister!
What I really enjoyed about the novel is the fact it’s like an onion, where every chapter peels back another layer until the bitter heart is exposed, leaving your eyes stinging and your senses in overdrive. I enjoyed flashback chapters that helped piece together Sarah and Joanna’s past, revealing all manner of truths and a number of red herrings. Was their relationship more toxic than first seemed? What has Joanna been hiding and what did she find out about someone? Whilst I found I guessed aspects of the final outcome, I wasn’t disappointed that the big reveals confirmed what I’d guessed. The climax of the novel is so well paced I didn’t care that I’d guessed the perpetrator...I was literally on the edge of my seat! I’m fact, I probably found the final few chapters even more suspenseful and tense feeling confident that I knew who the killer was. It’s a seriously exciting read nonetheless!
This is a very solid thriller and I applaud Amy Mclellan for writing a debut that I am going to be recommending to everyone.
July 29, 2020
I was drawn into this wonderful psychological thriller from the very first page and could not put it down! Remember Me is Amy McLellan's debut boo and focuses around Sarah who was involved in a car accident in which her brother in law died. Sarah suffered a life changing brain injury which affects every part of her life. Her brain injury resulted in Sarah being diagnosed with Prosopagnosia which is face blindness and means that Sarah cannot recognise people's faces. I have heard of this injury before but not to any extent.
Remember Me has such a clever storyline and is written so brilliantly. I loved the portrayal of the characters, so much intensity is given to Sarah and to her sister Joanne -and so many secrets unfold throughout the book. When Joanne is brutally murdered in their own home (with Sarah present), Sarah's life changes dramatically. Her sister, her friend, her support system who has been there with her ever since the accident has gone and Sarah has to cope with the loss of her sister and learn to live in a world that is completely different. She has to battle with the fact that even though she was there when her sister was murdered, she could not see her attacker and feels so helpless in trying to get justice for her sister and find her murderer. Will the police believe her when she cannot even give a description of the murderer? Will they suspect her of murdering her sister? How can Sarah prove that she did not kill her sister? She loved her sister, she would never do that?
Many issues have been tackled so sensitively in this book, particularly the issue of anxiety which Sarah understandably started to suffer from after her car accident.
Remember Me is a book full of twists and turns, which will keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you enthralled all the way through - trying to work everything out. When you think you have worked it out, you may have to rethink! I did not expect the book to end like it did - brilliant! Thank you, Amy McLellan, for a superb book. I look forward to reading your future books, which will be many I am sure :-)
Remember Me has such a clever storyline and is written so brilliantly. I loved the portrayal of the characters, so much intensity is given to Sarah and to her sister Joanne -and so many secrets unfold throughout the book. When Joanne is brutally murdered in their own home (with Sarah present), Sarah's life changes dramatically. Her sister, her friend, her support system who has been there with her ever since the accident has gone and Sarah has to cope with the loss of her sister and learn to live in a world that is completely different. She has to battle with the fact that even though she was there when her sister was murdered, she could not see her attacker and feels so helpless in trying to get justice for her sister and find her murderer. Will the police believe her when she cannot even give a description of the murderer? Will they suspect her of murdering her sister? How can Sarah prove that she did not kill her sister? She loved her sister, she would never do that?
Many issues have been tackled so sensitively in this book, particularly the issue of anxiety which Sarah understandably started to suffer from after her car accident.
Remember Me is a book full of twists and turns, which will keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you enthralled all the way through - trying to work everything out. When you think you have worked it out, you may have to rethink! I did not expect the book to end like it did - brilliant! Thank you, Amy McLellan, for a superb book. I look forward to reading your future books, which will be many I am sure :-)
March 20, 2020
Thanks to Orion Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Dark, suspenseful and oozing with menace. Its not often I get a visceral response to a thriller that not only keeps me on the edge of my seat, but brings out goosebumps on my skin and makes my heart beat that little bit faster. These are undoubtedly symptoms of a great reading experience, and a natural physical response to a true thriller that really lives up to its name. Every page was turned with anticipation, with bated breath, and with an insatiable curiosity that meant I just had to read McLellan's compelling novel in one sitting. Imagine this novel as a new spin on the creative imperative that was the impetus behind 'Memento', 'Before I Go To Sleep', or Andrew Ewart's equally brilliant, ''Forget Me'. It ticks all the boxes of a suspenseful tale where the fallibilities of memory, and its constituent parts, are intrinsic expressions of the dark heart of the human condition. The anchor of the plot in 'Remember Me' is the condition prosopagnosia, where the individual cannot recognise faces. Sarah is a sufferer, and although she 'sees' the face of the attacker that killed her sister Joanna, and attacked her, she cannot remember the face, the identity of the perpetrator. With exquisite skill, McLellan shepherds us back and forth between past and present, teasing and enthralling, until the final, stunning denouement. Addictive and compelling stuff - highly recommended.
Dark, suspenseful and oozing with menace. Its not often I get a visceral response to a thriller that not only keeps me on the edge of my seat, but brings out goosebumps on my skin and makes my heart beat that little bit faster. These are undoubtedly symptoms of a great reading experience, and a natural physical response to a true thriller that really lives up to its name. Every page was turned with anticipation, with bated breath, and with an insatiable curiosity that meant I just had to read McLellan's compelling novel in one sitting. Imagine this novel as a new spin on the creative imperative that was the impetus behind 'Memento', 'Before I Go To Sleep', or Andrew Ewart's equally brilliant, ''Forget Me'. It ticks all the boxes of a suspenseful tale where the fallibilities of memory, and its constituent parts, are intrinsic expressions of the dark heart of the human condition. The anchor of the plot in 'Remember Me' is the condition prosopagnosia, where the individual cannot recognise faces. Sarah is a sufferer, and although she 'sees' the face of the attacker that killed her sister Joanna, and attacked her, she cannot remember the face, the identity of the perpetrator. With exquisite skill, McLellan shepherds us back and forth between past and present, teasing and enthralling, until the final, stunning denouement. Addictive and compelling stuff - highly recommended.
February 11, 2020
Remember Me’ starts with forty-something sisters, Sarah and Joanna, enjoying quiet night in, when their TV period drama is interrupted by the ring of the doorbell. From the verbal exchange Sarah overhears it is clearly this visitor is not a stranger to Joanna, but as Sarah suffers a ‘face blindness’ neurological condition, she is unable to recognise this man, who subsequently attacks both women, leaving Joanna dead.
What follows is Sarah’s experience of events - the crime scene and subsequent investigation lead police to suspect she has killed her sister, and she finds herself having to defend her innocence, while also grieving for the loss of her sister and feeling terrified and vulnerable as she tries to figure out who the real attacker is, and what threat he represents to her.
As Sarah delves into her dead sisters life to find a man with a motive to kill, she discovers some disturbing truths about her own past, specifically around the time of the accident that caused her brain trauma some 20 years previously.
I really enjoyed this story, it was an easy, entertaining and satisfying read. I could dip in and out without ever becoming confused and was sufficiently intrigued to see it through to the end!
My thanks to Netgalley, publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
What follows is Sarah’s experience of events - the crime scene and subsequent investigation lead police to suspect she has killed her sister, and she finds herself having to defend her innocence, while also grieving for the loss of her sister and feeling terrified and vulnerable as she tries to figure out who the real attacker is, and what threat he represents to her.
As Sarah delves into her dead sisters life to find a man with a motive to kill, she discovers some disturbing truths about her own past, specifically around the time of the accident that caused her brain trauma some 20 years previously.
I really enjoyed this story, it was an easy, entertaining and satisfying read. I could dip in and out without ever becoming confused and was sufficiently intrigued to see it through to the end!
My thanks to Netgalley, publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2021
If this is how good Amy McLellan's debut is, I cannot wait to read more from her.
This was part of my Capital Crime Book Club subscription and it certainly did not disappoint. I had heard of face blindness before I read this book but have to admit I hadn't given much thought about how difficult it could be for someone suffering from it. The author does a wonderful job of showing the impact face blindness can have and reminds the reader of hidden disabilities and how much people judge each other.
The author creates strong character who evoke emotions in the reader, especially when you learn things about the characters that make you view them in a different light. She drops little breadcrumbs of clues throughout the novel that aren't obvious - until the end and you look back and see the significance of these things. Although I love to try and beat the author to the punch line, so to speak, I failed - but actually I like when I fail because that means the author has crafted a great story.
The ending was believable, not contrived at all and although shocking, it was also the right ending.
Go read this book.
This was part of my Capital Crime Book Club subscription and it certainly did not disappoint. I had heard of face blindness before I read this book but have to admit I hadn't given much thought about how difficult it could be for someone suffering from it. The author does a wonderful job of showing the impact face blindness can have and reminds the reader of hidden disabilities and how much people judge each other.
The author creates strong character who evoke emotions in the reader, especially when you learn things about the characters that make you view them in a different light. She drops little breadcrumbs of clues throughout the novel that aren't obvious - until the end and you look back and see the significance of these things. Although I love to try and beat the author to the punch line, so to speak, I failed - but actually I like when I fail because that means the author has crafted a great story.
The ending was believable, not contrived at all and although shocking, it was also the right ending.
Go read this book.
June 17, 2021
A really gripping read.
The book starts out a little slowly with the scene being set of the murder and the subsequent suspicion by the Police that the woman may have murdered her sister. She has prosopagnosia through being in a coma after a car accident many years ago. It means she can't remember faces from one day to the next. So even though she saw the killer she doesn't know who they are...
The woman is so susceptible once her sister is dead that I found I was really concerned for her. I feared for her safety and wondered how she was going to manage all alone. There are a few people who are on hand to help - but can she trust them?
A clever plot revealing little to begin with and then more about the characters and what happened years ago as the book progresses. I did have my own ideas which I changed a number of times but it certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book and I was waiting with bated breath to find out who the killer was.
The book starts out a little slowly with the scene being set of the murder and the subsequent suspicion by the Police that the woman may have murdered her sister. She has prosopagnosia through being in a coma after a car accident many years ago. It means she can't remember faces from one day to the next. So even though she saw the killer she doesn't know who they are...
The woman is so susceptible once her sister is dead that I found I was really concerned for her. I feared for her safety and wondered how she was going to manage all alone. There are a few people who are on hand to help - but can she trust them?
A clever plot revealing little to begin with and then more about the characters and what happened years ago as the book progresses. I did have my own ideas which I changed a number of times but it certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book and I was waiting with bated breath to find out who the killer was.
August 1, 2022
“Last night my sister was murdered. The police think I killed her. I was there. I watched the knife go in. I saw the man who did it. He’s someone I know. But he won’t be caught.
Because he knows I have prosopagnosia - I can’t recognise faces. But if I don’t find him, I’ll be found guilty of murder.”
This was a fab psychological thriller that truly had me guessing right up to the final couple of chapters. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the author does a great job of drip feeding pieces of the past so the reader can gradually build up a picture of the main characters whilst still maintaining an air of mystery about them. Although not the most likeable character, Sarah is obviously in a pretty shitty situation and I still found myself rooting for her.
All in all, a very enjoyable read, one I’ll definitely be recommending 👍🏻
⭐️4/5⭐️
Because he knows I have prosopagnosia - I can’t recognise faces. But if I don’t find him, I’ll be found guilty of murder.”
This was a fab psychological thriller that truly had me guessing right up to the final couple of chapters. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the author does a great job of drip feeding pieces of the past so the reader can gradually build up a picture of the main characters whilst still maintaining an air of mystery about them. Although not the most likeable character, Sarah is obviously in a pretty shitty situation and I still found myself rooting for her.
All in all, a very enjoyable read, one I’ll definitely be recommending 👍🏻
⭐️4/5⭐️
March 20, 2020
Sarah and her sister Joanna are relaxing when a man calls to the door. The next thing she knows, the man is in the house killing her sister and then he attacks Sarah. What makes things a bit more complicated is that Sarah has had prosopagnosia since she was in a car accident years before, a brain injury where you cannot recognise people's faces. The story changes between past and present and we slowly start to unravel the mystery of who killed her sister... and also what exactly happened all those years ago before the car accident. Sarah finds many secrets and shocks, and the story leads to a few great twists and thrills. A captivating thriller with a satisfying ending - I would recommend.
April 17, 2020
How do you find a killer when you can't recognise a face?
Last night my sister was murdered. The police think I killed her.
I was there. I watched the knife go in. I saw the man who did it.
He's someone I know. But he won't be caught.
Because he knows I have prosopagnosia - I can't recognise faces.
But if I don't find him, I'll be found guilty of murder.
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuousluy.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
Last night my sister was murdered. The police think I killed her.
I was there. I watched the knife go in. I saw the man who did it.
He's someone I know. But he won't be caught.
Because he knows I have prosopagnosia - I can't recognise faces.
But if I don't find him, I'll be found guilty of murder.
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuousluy.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
October 1, 2020
With a similar premise as 'Before I Go To Sleep' except that the Sarah, the main character, witnesses a murder but due to an earlier accident doesn't recognize faces. I found the characters refreshing and the arc of Sarah's character to be well delivered and believable. It continually keeps you guessing on who may or may not be the killer, and McLellan does a brilliant job of keeping us on tender hooks until the final reveal which is surprising but also feels completely true.
The writing is beautiful, and the disjointed reality of someone who doesn't recognize faces and doesn't know who to trust feels very real. I'd recommend this for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers and seeing the world through the eyes of someone who sees differently than we do. Great book!
The writing is beautiful, and the disjointed reality of someone who doesn't recognize faces and doesn't know who to trust feels very real. I'd recommend this for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers and seeing the world through the eyes of someone who sees differently than we do. Great book!
January 21, 2023
4,5
Davvero un bel thriller psicologico, ho cominciato a leggerlo e non sono riuscita a staccarmi finchè non l'ho finito a notte fonda.
L'assassino non avevo capito assolutamente chi fosse, l'autrice è molto brava a confondere il lettore, è stata molto abile nel nascondere gli indizi sotto altri indizi che portavano verso altri personaggi e verso altre rivelazioni.
Capisco che detto così non si capisce niente, ma non voglio assolutamente rischiare di fare spoiler, perché questo è sicuramente un libro da leggere senza essere "indirizzati" in alcun modo.
E' uno di quei libri che quando alla fine si sa tutto ti fa esclamare - Cavolo, ma certo, come non ci sono arrivata-.
Una scrittrice da tenere assolutamente sott'occhio.
Davvero un bel thriller psicologico, ho cominciato a leggerlo e non sono riuscita a staccarmi finchè non l'ho finito a notte fonda.
L'assassino non avevo capito assolutamente chi fosse, l'autrice è molto brava a confondere il lettore, è stata molto abile nel nascondere gli indizi sotto altri indizi che portavano verso altri personaggi e verso altre rivelazioni.
Capisco che detto così non si capisce niente, ma non voglio assolutamente rischiare di fare spoiler, perché questo è sicuramente un libro da leggere senza essere "indirizzati" in alcun modo.
E' uno di quei libri che quando alla fine si sa tutto ti fa esclamare - Cavolo, ma certo, come non ci sono arrivata-.
Una scrittrice da tenere assolutamente sott'occhio.
March 29, 2020
From the very start of this book I found myself glued to the page. The opening chapter is shocking, tense, and leaves readers with a lot of questions that need to be answered. We are there, on that fateful night, when everything changes for the protagonist, Sarah, when she witnesses her sister's murder. But she is not ordinary witness and getting to the root of what is was she saw will be no walk in the park for either Sarah, or the police who are investigating the murder.
Now as readers, we know something that the police don't. Sarah is most definitely innocent. However, she makes the perfect suspect too and her perceived evasiveness, at least from the Police's perspective, over what she saw, does nothing to ingratiate her with them. Given her medical condition, it is understandable, but is it also convenient?
Throughout the novel you can feel Sarah's frustration and fear building. Why wouldn't it when she can't identify anyone, even people she knows she should probably trust. Amy McLellan has done a great job of creating that growing sense of isolation that starts clouding Sarah's already fuzzy world, and of developing the panic. that would be inherent from every small action she has to take in a world that had previously been built around her sister, Joanna's support.
Suspects are drip fed to readers along the way, people from Joanna's past and present, but could any of them really have hated her enough to kill her. The more we learn of Sarah and Joanna's past, the clearer things become, but the ultimate motive is kept hidden until nearly the end of the novel. After the very dramatic opening, the pace varies as does the level of tension. As the story builds towards a really intense conclusion, you can feel the pace picking up again, leading to a breath catching moment in which Sarah finally reveals the truth.
For a debut thriller, this one really held my attention and I am looking forward to seeing what the author has to offer us up next.
Now as readers, we know something that the police don't. Sarah is most definitely innocent. However, she makes the perfect suspect too and her perceived evasiveness, at least from the Police's perspective, over what she saw, does nothing to ingratiate her with them. Given her medical condition, it is understandable, but is it also convenient?
Throughout the novel you can feel Sarah's frustration and fear building. Why wouldn't it when she can't identify anyone, even people she knows she should probably trust. Amy McLellan has done a great job of creating that growing sense of isolation that starts clouding Sarah's already fuzzy world, and of developing the panic. that would be inherent from every small action she has to take in a world that had previously been built around her sister, Joanna's support.
Suspects are drip fed to readers along the way, people from Joanna's past and present, but could any of them really have hated her enough to kill her. The more we learn of Sarah and Joanna's past, the clearer things become, but the ultimate motive is kept hidden until nearly the end of the novel. After the very dramatic opening, the pace varies as does the level of tension. As the story builds towards a really intense conclusion, you can feel the pace picking up again, leading to a breath catching moment in which Sarah finally reveals the truth.
For a debut thriller, this one really held my attention and I am looking forward to seeing what the author has to offer us up next.
February 13, 2020
A good book . Sarah has had a brain injury and it gradually becomes apparant that she isn'sure about what happens and how her sister was murdered. She gets the impression that the police thinks she did it . The story contains flashbacks as she remembers past events which contribute to the reader's understanding of the story . However there were couple of twists.....
A slow burner, I could not put it down towards the end
Thank you to Net Galley, the auther and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
A slow burner, I could not put it down towards the end
Thank you to Net Galley, the auther and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
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