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I Know You Did It
A secret from her past threatens to detonate her present... On her first day at a new school, Ruby finds a note in her locker saying I Know You Did It. She's terrified that someone has found out she was responsible for the death of a girl called Hannah in a playground when they were both toddlers - a secret she has been keeping guiltily for ten years. When other pupils at the school start suffering serious accidents, the finger of blame points at Ruby. She knows she's not the perpetrator, but who is? And what link do they have to her past...?
341 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2021
203 people are currently reading
5744 people want to read
About the author
Sue Wallman
11 books272 followersFrom eight to eighteen years, I lived in Highcliffe, Christchurch, on the south coast of England. Before that we lived in various places, including a hospital in York where my dad was a psychiatrist.
After Oxford Brookes University (I was one of the first people to do their publishing degree), I became a magazine journalist. A couple of years later, I went to live in Paris where I was editorial assistant for an American newspaper. Eventually, I returned to England via travelling around South America. I now live near Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey.
I love words. I've been a sub-editor, letters page editor and deputy features editor. In my spare time I've always written different types of fiction. In January 2007 I decided to stop faffing about and take seriously the one thing I'd wanted to achieve all my life. Five books and eight years later, I signed a book deal. Then, in May 2016, Lying About Last Summer, my debut novel, was published.
After Oxford Brookes University (I was one of the first people to do their publishing degree), I became a magazine journalist. A couple of years later, I went to live in Paris where I was editorial assistant for an American newspaper. Eventually, I returned to England via travelling around South America. I now live near Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey.
I love words. I've been a sub-editor, letters page editor and deputy features editor. In my spare time I've always written different types of fiction. In January 2007 I decided to stop faffing about and take seriously the one thing I'd wanted to achieve all my life. Five books and eight years later, I signed a book deal. Then, in May 2016, Lying About Last Summer, my debut novel, was published.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 357 reviews
June 4, 2021
A girl, a secret, a new school… and murder! This was a really great thriller and I enjoyed it a lot!
I am always on the lookout for a new YA thriller to read and when I saw this one I knew I had to pre-order it and read it. I flew through the book, it was just so good that I didn’t want to stop reading.
Meet Ruby, a girl who, when she was small made a wrong mistake and that haunts her for all time. She is now at a new school and we see that things are OK in the beginning (well, except that annoying clique featuring Monique and Isaac), but quite soon things spiral down and the past is dug up again. We see all that happens and it is A LOT. But really, you aren’t prepared for happens next, and that is murder. I found Ruby a great MC, and I really felt for her. At times I just wanted to reach out to her and give her a big hug. Because she could use that. So much happens in her life and it was just too much.
I wasn’t always agreeing with how Ruby solved situations. I mean, if people already think you are a bad egg, maybe don’t use violence back? I mean, in some cases self-defence, but in some part it was just over the top. And that also made me wonder if Ruby was truly so innocent as she said she was.
The murders? Well, while they were shocking, I don’t know it also missed something as we are never near when they happen. We just hear that x person has died. I also had expected more murder given the blurb. That is all I will say. While I found it heartbreaking for Ruby that people point fingers to her as she was near those people before they went, I did think it was well-written how the murderer made sure that Ruby was nearby, that the cameras weren’t working, and others. I mean, dang. That is some next level revenge plan. Yes, I say revenge, because hello, why else would someone try to frame Ruby? I just didn’t know exactly who was making the plans. But I had ideas, and as the story continued I could see a clearer image on who it could be!
What happened when Ruby was younger? It was horrible, and so sad. BUT, I also couldn’t see why everyone was so hurtful towards Ruby. I mean, yes, she caused the death of a kid and that is HORRIBLE. But she was also barely 4 years old. She made a mistake. She did something that she shouldn’t have, but it was an accident. It was just heartbreaking to see how she feels constantly guilty. Is constantly afraid someone may find out and that the pain and hurt will start. People will hate her. I mean, that is just no life. At times it just seems too much in my eyes, and throughout the book I kept also waiting for that twist, because given how people reacted each time it just felt like there was more to the story than that Ruby told us. That it wasn’t an accident or something. But I will just say it, no. Hannah kept pushing and Ruby just pushed back. Sadly… a real push and in the wrong way.
I wasn’t a fan of Ruby’s sister. She constantly kept calling/constantly texting. And one time, well I just wanted to shake her. Ruby is having a hard time at school and her mom helps her out a lot, which is normal if you kid is 15-year old. Instead of being supportive the sister tells Ruby to not do things because their mom has troubles at work for all the free time she has to take due to Ruby. WTF? Your sister is bullied at school, things are going WAY wrong, and you say that? I mean really? If it was for something silly, sure, but this is serious, and it seemed like the sister didn’t give a damn.
The romance that is in this book? I loved it. It gave some light-hearted moments to the book and I was happy for those reprieves. I was definitely shipping the two together and hoped that they would get dating.
The ending was OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY, and I really loved it. It was exciting and a perfect ending to this story. I do hope that in the future people are a bit kinder to Ruby. Less judgmental over a mistake she made years and years ago. I would highly recommend this fast-paced and exciting read to all.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I am always on the lookout for a new YA thriller to read and when I saw this one I knew I had to pre-order it and read it. I flew through the book, it was just so good that I didn’t want to stop reading.
Meet Ruby, a girl who, when she was small made a wrong mistake and that haunts her for all time. She is now at a new school and we see that things are OK in the beginning (well, except that annoying clique featuring Monique and Isaac), but quite soon things spiral down and the past is dug up again. We see all that happens and it is A LOT. But really, you aren’t prepared for happens next, and that is murder. I found Ruby a great MC, and I really felt for her. At times I just wanted to reach out to her and give her a big hug. Because she could use that. So much happens in her life and it was just too much.
I wasn’t always agreeing with how Ruby solved situations. I mean, if people already think you are a bad egg, maybe don’t use violence back? I mean, in some cases self-defence, but in some part it was just over the top. And that also made me wonder if Ruby was truly so innocent as she said she was.
The murders? Well, while they were shocking, I don’t know it also missed something as we are never near when they happen. We just hear that x person has died. I also had expected more murder given the blurb. That is all I will say. While I found it heartbreaking for Ruby that people point fingers to her as she was near those people before they went, I did think it was well-written how the murderer made sure that Ruby was nearby, that the cameras weren’t working, and others. I mean, dang. That is some next level revenge plan. Yes, I say revenge, because hello, why else would someone try to frame Ruby? I just didn’t know exactly who was making the plans. But I had ideas, and as the story continued I could see a clearer image on who it could be!
What happened when Ruby was younger? It was horrible, and so sad. BUT, I also couldn’t see why everyone was so hurtful towards Ruby. I mean, yes, she caused the death of a kid and that is HORRIBLE. But she was also barely 4 years old. She made a mistake. She did something that she shouldn’t have, but it was an accident. It was just heartbreaking to see how she feels constantly guilty. Is constantly afraid someone may find out and that the pain and hurt will start. People will hate her. I mean, that is just no life. At times it just seems too much in my eyes, and throughout the book I kept also waiting for that twist, because given how people reacted each time it just felt like there was more to the story than that Ruby told us. That it wasn’t an accident or something. But I will just say it, no. Hannah kept pushing and Ruby just pushed back. Sadly… a real push and in the wrong way.
I wasn’t a fan of Ruby’s sister. She constantly kept calling/constantly texting. And one time, well I just wanted to shake her. Ruby is having a hard time at school and her mom helps her out a lot, which is normal if you kid is 15-year old. Instead of being supportive the sister tells Ruby to not do things because their mom has troubles at work for all the free time she has to take due to Ruby. WTF? Your sister is bullied at school, things are going WAY wrong, and you say that? I mean really? If it was for something silly, sure, but this is serious, and it seemed like the sister didn’t give a damn.
The romance that is in this book? I loved it. It gave some light-hearted moments to the book and I was happy for those reprieves. I was definitely shipping the two together and hoped that they would get dating.
The ending was OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY, and I really loved it. It was exciting and a perfect ending to this story. I do hope that in the future people are a bit kinder to Ruby. Less judgmental over a mistake she made years and years ago. I would highly recommend this fast-paced and exciting read to all.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2021
Całkiem fajny kryminał typowo młodzieżowy. Zakończenia można się domyślić ale czytało się to w miarę dobrze.
January 18, 2022
Zakończenie cud miód.
June 2, 2021
What a rollercoaster of a read...
We know that Ruby is moving to a new school in year eleven, and that things were tough at her previous school - though we don’t learn all the details until later. Her first day seems to suggest a fairly typical experience and I wondered where the twist would come. Right at the end of her first day she finds a note pinned to her locker saying ‘I Know You Did It’...and then we learn that some believe her to have killed a girl.
With such a shocking start, how could you not want to know more? The story is not quite what it seems...and it is very clear that Ruby is struggling to work out how to move on from events in her past and the behaviour of some of those who should have helped her.
The incident in Ruby’s past is bad - but it definitely seems a tragic accident. Unfortunately, someone seems to believe otherwise and this appears to be behind some awful events taking place at her new school.
We follow Ruby as she tried to adjust to a new school. Clearly scarred by her experiences it’s hard not to feel sympathy for Ruby...particularly when we start to get suspicious deaths of students whose last known contact was Ruby.
From the moment we get the first death it’s fascinating to see the reactions of those around Ruby. A rather scary tale showing just how easily some can be manipulated...and just how dangerous unresolved anger can be. So many people could be blamed for how things panned out here, but this was a fantastic read.
We know that Ruby is moving to a new school in year eleven, and that things were tough at her previous school - though we don’t learn all the details until later. Her first day seems to suggest a fairly typical experience and I wondered where the twist would come. Right at the end of her first day she finds a note pinned to her locker saying ‘I Know You Did It’...and then we learn that some believe her to have killed a girl.
With such a shocking start, how could you not want to know more? The story is not quite what it seems...and it is very clear that Ruby is struggling to work out how to move on from events in her past and the behaviour of some of those who should have helped her.
The incident in Ruby’s past is bad - but it definitely seems a tragic accident. Unfortunately, someone seems to believe otherwise and this appears to be behind some awful events taking place at her new school.
We follow Ruby as she tried to adjust to a new school. Clearly scarred by her experiences it’s hard not to feel sympathy for Ruby...particularly when we start to get suspicious deaths of students whose last known contact was Ruby.
From the moment we get the first death it’s fascinating to see the reactions of those around Ruby. A rather scary tale showing just how easily some can be manipulated...and just how dangerous unresolved anger can be. So many people could be blamed for how things panned out here, but this was a fantastic read.
June 22, 2022
This just kept getting worse
To begin with, this was just like a typical Wattpad story written by a teen who has no experience in writing. It’s a book, where of course you have a new girl, she has a dark past, she has bullies and she has a boy that’s she likes very much.
Ugh. But the murders and the person who did it? It was so predictable and the murders were just so ridiculous I barely got through the end of the book. They just didn’t make sense to me and the brief conversation with each characters was even worse, the author clearly just made a couple of school characters based on the most popular stereotypes and didn’t really get into much detail about any of them, they were all very shallow. I thought I would never read a book that was that bad but, here we are. Please don’t read it.
To begin with, this was just like a typical Wattpad story written by a teen who has no experience in writing. It’s a book, where of course you have a new girl, she has a dark past, she has bullies and she has a boy that’s she likes very much.
Ugh. But the murders and the person who did it? It was so predictable and the murders were just so ridiculous I barely got through the end of the book. They just didn’t make sense to me and the brief conversation with each characters was even worse, the author clearly just made a couple of school characters based on the most popular stereotypes and didn’t really get into much detail about any of them, they were all very shallow. I thought I would never read a book that was that bad but, here we are. Please don’t read it.
August 18, 2021
I loved Mara until the end 💖
January 20, 2022
Nudziłam się przez całą książkę. Nie czułam totalnie żadnej grozy czy czegoś w tym stylu. Plusik za fajne rozwiązanie sprawy, bo w sumie do ostatnich stron zastanawiałam się kto jest mordercą.
July 23, 2022
3.75, rounded up.
Quick read with some good and some predictable twists. Great choice for reluctant readers with its fast pacing and easy to follow story telling.
Quick read with some good and some predictable twists. Great choice for reluctant readers with its fast pacing and easy to follow story telling.
February 25, 2024
Content warnings: death of a child (in the past), mental health, grief, murder, bullying, assault
I was hooked on this purely based on the tagline. And it was a lot of fun! There was, to be honest, eeeeever so slightly less of the thriller-y stuff than I anticipated. But I still had a lot of fun with it, and there's just something about UK YA that hits different, and I love that.
I was hooked on this purely based on the tagline. And it was a lot of fun! There was, to be honest, eeeeever so slightly less of the thriller-y stuff than I anticipated. But I still had a lot of fun with it, and there's just something about UK YA that hits different, and I love that.
May 24, 2025
Feel bad rating this low but I think 1 ⭐️ is warranted when you have to force yourself to finish… found the plot a bit boring and the twist at the end just wasn’t it
January 17, 2022
I have a couple of Sue Wallman books on my shelf, but my husband bought me this one for my birthday... Why haven't I read any of her books before?! It was so easy to fall into the narrative of Ruby, a teenage girl with a dark secret, starting at a new school, when two of her class mates are murdered, and she's one of the last people to see them both alive...
🔪
I feel I had worked out quite early on who was responsible for the murders, and was quite smug, until the twist at the end. It was such a great read, I can't wait to read more of her books!
🔪
If you're already a fan of Sue's books, you don't need me to convince you to read this, though if you're like me, and new to her books, I'd highly recommend IKYDI, especially if you like Karen McManus, and Holly Jackson.
🔪
🔪
I feel I had worked out quite early on who was responsible for the murders, and was quite smug, until the twist at the end. It was such a great read, I can't wait to read more of her books!
🔪
If you're already a fan of Sue's books, you don't need me to convince you to read this, though if you're like me, and new to her books, I'd highly recommend IKYDI, especially if you like Karen McManus, and Holly Jackson.
🔪
January 25, 2022
Po namyśle daje tej książce dnf’a. Może kiedyś do niej wrócę (raczej nie).
To jak absurdalna ona była momentami. Jakby- nie wiem jak według ciebie wyglada szkoła autorko, ale na pewno nie tak.
Oczekiwałam jakiegoś thrillera, tajemnicy, kryminału. A dostałam jakiś fatalny okropnie napisany styl życia głównej bohaterki - która swoją droga była wybitnie irytująca.
To jak absurdalna ona była momentami. Jakby- nie wiem jak według ciebie wyglada szkoła autorko, ale na pewno nie tak.
Oczekiwałam jakiegoś thrillera, tajemnicy, kryminału. A dostałam jakiś fatalny okropnie napisany styl życia głównej bohaterki - która swoją droga była wybitnie irytująca.
October 11, 2021
This wasn’t a bad little book. It was quite an easy read and I liked the twist at the end. The author writes the perspective of a 15 year old quite well
January 11, 2024
Trochę mało rozbudowana fabuła, oprócz lekkiego zwrotu akcji szału nie było. Mimo to książka nie miała zbędnych zapychaczy i fabuła ciągle szła do przodu, więc lekko wciągając, przyjemnie prowadziła do niezbyt odległego końca.
August 14, 2024
3.5 stars
It was a little bit boring but it was brought together at the end.
It was a little bit boring but it was brought together at the end.
March 19, 2024
My thoughts: I Know You Did It is a teen murder mystery novel, and while it had many positives it slightly missed the mark for me.
There was excellent characterisation, a thorough backstory and a plot that flows well throughout. We are introduced to a whole range of characters each with their own set personality. We have the old best friend, the popular group, the ‘IT’ kids and those who just don’t seem to fit in.
I felt awful for Ruby and the story of the crime she committed at only four years old - a lack of judgment leads to a cynical path of destruction for Ruby and everyone is a suspect.
I did have an idea of who the culprit was before the end of the book and this always makes me feel slightly less inclined to give a higher rating. However, it was well written and developed well.
This is definitely a teen novel; and while I appreciate a great young adult book, this definitely sits just below the bar for me.
It must be noted that Sue’s writing is brilliant, and I definitely would be interested in reading more of her work!
There was excellent characterisation, a thorough backstory and a plot that flows well throughout. We are introduced to a whole range of characters each with their own set personality. We have the old best friend, the popular group, the ‘IT’ kids and those who just don’t seem to fit in.
I felt awful for Ruby and the story of the crime she committed at only four years old - a lack of judgment leads to a cynical path of destruction for Ruby and everyone is a suspect.
I did have an idea of who the culprit was before the end of the book and this always makes me feel slightly less inclined to give a higher rating. However, it was well written and developed well.
This is definitely a teen novel; and while I appreciate a great young adult book, this definitely sits just below the bar for me.
It must be noted that Sue’s writing is brilliant, and I definitely would be interested in reading more of her work!
January 29, 2022
At first the book came across as just one of those boring high school things but as i continued to read a lot more made sense. I didn’t know how to feel when Mara was introduced I thought I liked her but I was sort of unsure. In the end I knew I should’ve hated her. I was also a massive fan of Georgia at the start but I did suspect her to be the killer- which she was- but I didn’t think she would’ve don’t that to Jim.
I do think it was very nosy of Scott to be up in everyone’s buisness but at the same time I love him and his relationship with Khalid- favourite couple in the book!
In all fairness I wouldn’t say that Issac and Monique deserved to die because they didn’t, no one deserves to die, but they were bullies who had no reason to get involved in Ruby’s personal life.
I also think that it was quite stupid that a mass majority of the school thought that Ruby was the killer- I mean just because she accidentally killer someone when she was four doesn’t mean she would do it again right?
One thing I hated was when Ruby started telling Mara the secret about the CCTV camera at Monty’s, Euan had trusted Ruby with that and I absolutely hated the face that she ruined his trust. Most definitely a Euan Stan.
Overall I think this book was pretty good, could’ve had a better starting point but the ending made up for it! I ended up being extremely invested in the book.
I do think it was very nosy of Scott to be up in everyone’s buisness but at the same time I love him and his relationship with Khalid- favourite couple in the book!
In all fairness I wouldn’t say that Issac and Monique deserved to die because they didn’t, no one deserves to die, but they were bullies who had no reason to get involved in Ruby’s personal life.
I also think that it was quite stupid that a mass majority of the school thought that Ruby was the killer- I mean just because she accidentally killer someone when she was four doesn’t mean she would do it again right?
One thing I hated was when Ruby started telling Mara the secret about the CCTV camera at Monty’s, Euan had trusted Ruby with that and I absolutely hated the face that she ruined his trust. Most definitely a Euan Stan.
Overall I think this book was pretty good, could’ve had a better starting point but the ending made up for it! I ended up being extremely invested in the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2022
I loved this. I connected with the protagonist and really felt for her throughout the story. Definitely glad I picked this up from the library.
November 24, 2021
Started out great, you can tell the author works in a school but sometimes it leaned over too far into the cultural references.
In the second half, the book kinda dragged and the shocking incidents were thrown away in end of chapter sentences.
I dont understand why Scott randomly told the protagonist so much, why we never found out how Isaac knew so much about Ruby's last school and the twists at the end were predictable and yet kinda out of the left field annoying.
It's such a shame because I enjoyed the book but it felt like there were two stories going on. Not sure if the editor made some calls here, but I think the plot was over stretched meaning that the clues were in your face.
I will always read Wallman's books - it's like a drug where I'm trying to chase that initial high, based on how good Your Turn To Die was, but if the future books are more like this one with convoluted endings, I may have to switch off at some point.
In the second half, the book kinda dragged and the shocking incidents were thrown away in end of chapter sentences.
I dont understand why Scott randomly told the protagonist so much, why we never found out how Isaac knew so much about Ruby's last school and the twists at the end were predictable and yet kinda out of the left field annoying.
It's such a shame because I enjoyed the book but it felt like there were two stories going on. Not sure if the editor made some calls here, but I think the plot was over stretched meaning that the clues were in your face.
I will always read Wallman's books - it's like a drug where I'm trying to chase that initial high, based on how good Your Turn To Die was, but if the future books are more like this one with convoluted endings, I may have to switch off at some point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2022
3.5 stars
i LOVED the second half of this book, i read the majority of it in one day! once it reached 150 pages ish it really picked up and I was consumed! i just wish it was as exciting at the beginning. i felt as if not much was really happening and it was getting a bit bland (hence the lower rating) but then the interesting stuff started and it was a lot more enjoyable!
the TWISTS in this book WOW! I guessed part of one of the twists but the rest of it came as a complete shock - it didn’t even cross my mind!!
I also loved the romance sprinkled in, i love how it added an extra element, and he’s one of my favourite characters!!
overall I did quite enjoy this but it was a bit slow at the start, i do think this is my least favourite sue wallman book that I’ve read BUT i did really like it and would recommend it 🥰
i LOVED the second half of this book, i read the majority of it in one day! once it reached 150 pages ish it really picked up and I was consumed! i just wish it was as exciting at the beginning. i felt as if not much was really happening and it was getting a bit bland (hence the lower rating) but then the interesting stuff started and it was a lot more enjoyable!
the TWISTS in this book WOW! I guessed part of one of the twists but the rest of it came as a complete shock - it didn’t even cross my mind!!
I also loved the romance sprinkled in, i love how it added an extra element, and he’s one of my favourite characters!!
overall I did quite enjoy this but it was a bit slow at the start, i do think this is my least favourite sue wallman book that I’ve read BUT i did really like it and would recommend it 🥰
June 12, 2022
Osobiście, lekka książka z elementami kryminalnymi i boziu, RUBY I EUAN TO BYŁO PIĘKNE OMG
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2025
I think that this was one of the best books I have ever read. I could not put it down. It is the perfect combination of mystery and suspense.
August 29, 2023
What, this whole book is centred about like a 2yr getting murdered by a 2yr, what.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2024
The ending was an excellent plot twist, and the characters were also developed intriguingly.
February 17, 2024
I now have major trust issues haha, but this book is so good and easy to read!!
Loved the little love story, it felt very real given the circumstances Ruby is facing.
Loved the little love story, it felt very real given the circumstances Ruby is facing.
April 11, 2022
This is a tense and compulsive book with a mystery that does an exceptionally good job of trying to pull the wool over the reader's eyes. Cleverly written and containing a well thought-out plot, it lacks a degree of depth in places but otherwise provides an impressively authentic main character and a whole host of possible suspects to keep us guessing.
For a novel primarily aimed at a young adult audience, it uses some heavy and hard-hitting concepts as the basis for the story, but these are mostly addressed in a mature way. Indeed, it is this which helps make it such an exciting read where the stakes just keep on rising, aided by a succession of surprising twists and the distinctly contemporary feel it exudes throughout.
When she was only four years old, Ruby was involved in a tragic accident that caused the death of another girl called Hannah, and the incident unsurprisingly still haunts her. Now a teenager, she moves to Robinson for her final year of secondary school after her mother starts a new job, and on her first day she sees a piece of paper stuck to her locker with the words 'I know you did it'.
She struggles to settle at Robinson and after an anonymous person spreads malicious rumours about her, the truth about Ruby's past becomes common knowledge. Although she is supported by the school's staff and becomes close to a boy called Euan, the unwanted attention she receives is too much for her deal with and just when things cannot seem any worse, she discovers that someone very close to Hannah happens to be in the year below.
After repeatedly refusing offers of help from the school newspaper editor Scott, she is stunned one day to find out that a student who has been giving her a bad time is suddenly found dead in the sports hall, and she was the last person to see him alive. With the school's CCTV system broken and most significantly a motive, Ruby immediately becomes the prime suspect.
The concept is a good one and as the crimes escalate and become more complex, the author shows a fine attention to detail to ensure that there are no plot holes, even if the lack of CCTV is somewhat convenient. Each of the main twists later in the story arrive quite abruptly with no build-up, so it really does achieve that shock factor. However, what was most outstanding is how it manages to conceal the killer's identity even when deep down, you know who it is.
Everything is told in the first person from Ruby's point of view, and she makes for both a believable and compelling narrator. Her insecurities are laid bare as there are several moments where she is faced with a fight or flight response, and the author imbues her voice with a real honesty. It is also hard not to feel for her after what happened in the past and how she is treated by some of her fellow students.
Ruby's relationship with Mara is one of the highlights of the book, even though it is much too good to be true. Mara is one of many intriguing and well developed supporting characters, making the act of predicting the identity of the killer all the more exciting. For example, Euan is very kind and supportive with the nice little twist of his brother being one of the teachers, and despite being slightly irritating, Scott is well written and adds a lot to the story.
Georgia was certainly an interesting character who along with Amber, was much more than what appeared on the surface, while Isaac was a very unpleasant individual and as such was impossible to like. The one storyline that should have been developed more was Ruby's family situation, as there were only occasional insights into her mother's condition and the absence of her father.
Settings always play a key role in Sue Wallman's books and this one is no different. At first it may seem like your average secondary school setting, but it is written with a lot of detail and in a way that many readers will find relatable. Furthermore, the writing in general is engaging and gripping from start to finish.
The ending is disarming and keeps you firmly on the edge of your seat. The build-up to it is full of trepidation as you can sense something is about to happen, and even then it continues to lull you into a false sense of security, until eventually the unescapable truth is revealed. It is a great ending that still contains surprises, and nothing is wrapped up far too neatly.
Overall, this is a bold thriller with a stirring mystery that brings a plentiful amount of twists and tension, carried by brilliantly authentic protagonist. The supporting cast was also full of depth, but the what really stands out is how it cunningly manipulates the reader and plants seeds of doubt, before landing the knockout punch. A book that deserves to be noticed.
For a novel primarily aimed at a young adult audience, it uses some heavy and hard-hitting concepts as the basis for the story, but these are mostly addressed in a mature way. Indeed, it is this which helps make it such an exciting read where the stakes just keep on rising, aided by a succession of surprising twists and the distinctly contemporary feel it exudes throughout.
When she was only four years old, Ruby was involved in a tragic accident that caused the death of another girl called Hannah, and the incident unsurprisingly still haunts her. Now a teenager, she moves to Robinson for her final year of secondary school after her mother starts a new job, and on her first day she sees a piece of paper stuck to her locker with the words 'I know you did it'.
She struggles to settle at Robinson and after an anonymous person spreads malicious rumours about her, the truth about Ruby's past becomes common knowledge. Although she is supported by the school's staff and becomes close to a boy called Euan, the unwanted attention she receives is too much for her deal with and just when things cannot seem any worse, she discovers that someone very close to Hannah happens to be in the year below.
After repeatedly refusing offers of help from the school newspaper editor Scott, she is stunned one day to find out that a student who has been giving her a bad time is suddenly found dead in the sports hall, and she was the last person to see him alive. With the school's CCTV system broken and most significantly a motive, Ruby immediately becomes the prime suspect.
The concept is a good one and as the crimes escalate and become more complex, the author shows a fine attention to detail to ensure that there are no plot holes, even if the lack of CCTV is somewhat convenient. Each of the main twists later in the story arrive quite abruptly with no build-up, so it really does achieve that shock factor. However, what was most outstanding is how it manages to conceal the killer's identity even when deep down, you know who it is.
Everything is told in the first person from Ruby's point of view, and she makes for both a believable and compelling narrator. Her insecurities are laid bare as there are several moments where she is faced with a fight or flight response, and the author imbues her voice with a real honesty. It is also hard not to feel for her after what happened in the past and how she is treated by some of her fellow students.
Ruby's relationship with Mara is one of the highlights of the book, even though it is much too good to be true. Mara is one of many intriguing and well developed supporting characters, making the act of predicting the identity of the killer all the more exciting. For example, Euan is very kind and supportive with the nice little twist of his brother being one of the teachers, and despite being slightly irritating, Scott is well written and adds a lot to the story.
Georgia was certainly an interesting character who along with Amber, was much more than what appeared on the surface, while Isaac was a very unpleasant individual and as such was impossible to like. The one storyline that should have been developed more was Ruby's family situation, as there were only occasional insights into her mother's condition and the absence of her father.
Settings always play a key role in Sue Wallman's books and this one is no different. At first it may seem like your average secondary school setting, but it is written with a lot of detail and in a way that many readers will find relatable. Furthermore, the writing in general is engaging and gripping from start to finish.
The ending is disarming and keeps you firmly on the edge of your seat. The build-up to it is full of trepidation as you can sense something is about to happen, and even then it continues to lull you into a false sense of security, until eventually the unescapable truth is revealed. It is a great ending that still contains surprises, and nothing is wrapped up far too neatly.
Overall, this is a bold thriller with a stirring mystery that brings a plentiful amount of twists and tension, carried by brilliantly authentic protagonist. The supporting cast was also full of depth, but the what really stands out is how it cunningly manipulates the reader and plants seeds of doubt, before landing the knockout punch. A book that deserves to be noticed.
July 30, 2023
I know you did it is a fiction novel, very similar to the book and tv series one of us is lying, based in a school where a series of deaths happen, it is very much a murder mystery book I would say the book would be targeted to more of a teenage audience than older adult.
I did at times find the book intriguing but also at times rather predictable, there where parts of the book where I was hooked but also parts where I thought events where being dragged out and I got bored.
Overall I would say it is an okay read. And easy read, it was slightly boring but the end of the book did get slightly more predictable.
I did at times find the book intriguing but also at times rather predictable, there where parts of the book where I was hooked but also parts where I thought events where being dragged out and I got bored.
Overall I would say it is an okay read. And easy read, it was slightly boring but the end of the book did get slightly more predictable.
September 13, 2025
I don’t know how long it actually took me to read this. But I can tell you I hated pretty much every moment of it. Unfortunately I have a disease which makes it so I have to finish every book I pick up, even if I don’t like it.
The writing was just sooo incredibly bad like I’m so sorry but this is like the quality of work I was reading on wattpad at age 13. And the mystery was soooo bland. The murderer was so predictable that I was convinced it was supposed to be an incredibly obvious red herring and then it just wasn’t? LOL. Whatever. I’m done at least !
The writing was just sooo incredibly bad like I’m so sorry but this is like the quality of work I was reading on wattpad at age 13. And the mystery was soooo bland. The murderer was so predictable that I was convinced it was supposed to be an incredibly obvious red herring and then it just wasn’t? LOL. Whatever. I’m done at least !
April 6, 2022
For some strange reason I went into this book believing it would be a mediocre novel but instead I was pleasantly surprised with plot twists and well-developed characters (some more likeable than others). All in all I rate this five fabulous stars and will be looking out for more of Sue Wallman’s books.
August 31, 2025
I liked the story.
I feel sorry for Ruby because everywhere she went they kept staring at her as if she were the murderer.
I honestly believed her and I didn't think she did it.
I give the book 4 stars because of the incredible plot twist at the end.
I was so shocked by the ending.
I feel sorry for Ruby because everywhere she went they kept staring at her as if she were the murderer.
I honestly believed her and I didn't think she did it.
I give the book 4 stars because of the incredible plot twist at the end.
I was so shocked by the ending.
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