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I Swear I'm Not Insane
A present-day tension-building thriller: a tale of friendship, crime, murder, mystery, misery, and more. Cut the suspense with a knife and find yourself lost in the road trip adventure of Mark and Stanley.
Thriller, Road Trip, USA
Mark and Stanley navigate the unknown, exploring their surroundings as well as their pasts. Mark's desire to keep moving is as strong as Stanley's determination to experience everything in his path, like a dog being taken for a walk by his owner. But who's leading who?
"Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away"
This mismatched duo doesn't know where they're going, and they won't talk about where they've come from. But whatever path they take, one thing is certain: they'll leave a trail of destruction in their wake. However, all of this changes when they cross paths with a young girl. When she joins them on their road trip, Mark and Stanley are forced to face their traumatic pasts — and make hard decisions about their future
Thriller, Road Trip, USA
Mark and Stanley navigate the unknown, exploring their surroundings as well as their pasts. Mark's desire to keep moving is as strong as Stanley's determination to experience everything in his path, like a dog being taken for a walk by his owner. But who's leading who?
"Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away"
This mismatched duo doesn't know where they're going, and they won't talk about where they've come from. But whatever path they take, one thing is certain: they'll leave a trail of destruction in their wake. However, all of this changes when they cross paths with a young girl. When she joins them on their road trip, Mark and Stanley are forced to face their traumatic pasts — and make hard decisions about their future
318 pages, Paperback
Published July 11, 2021
15 people want to read
About the author
C.M. Petersen
1 book11 followersA half Dutch, half Dane: Petersen was born in London - making her feel nomadic and never settled. She currently lives in Amsterdam with her boyfriend in their tiny apartment, travelling provides her both excitement and comfort. Petersen was the one who terrified her friends with tales of murder and mystery at sleepovers; the girl in drama club who would recite poems in the most dramatic and compelling ways; the teenager who wrote plots for the best sellers she wanted to see on new releases for that year. And, now the woman and author of a new twisting fictional thriller "I SWEAR I'M NOT INSANE".
Find out more at www.cmpetersen.com and follow her on Instagram @amsterdamauthor
Find out more at www.cmpetersen.com and follow her on Instagram @amsterdamauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 11, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
That was quiet a ride.
Mark and Stanley go on a road trip together but I have to say something is definitely off about this duo from the very beginning. I needed to know what it was.
This book had me thinking the whole time it was like a puzzle I just had to solve, it had me hooked from the first few chapters, and although I was confused as to where the story would end up, I never doubted that I would finish the book. I loved the banter between Stanley and Mark and was in suspense through most of the book especially the second half which is where you really start to see the whole picture of what is going on. It was definitely worth the read I really enjoyed it.
The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of five was because it was a little slow in the first half of the book, when I was reading chapters that wouldn't make sense until the second half of the book other than that it was pretty fast pace.
Happy Reading 📚📙📚📗📘📕📙📒📚📚📗📕📖📚📓📘📔📒📖
That was quiet a ride.
Mark and Stanley go on a road trip together but I have to say something is definitely off about this duo from the very beginning. I needed to know what it was.
This book had me thinking the whole time it was like a puzzle I just had to solve, it had me hooked from the first few chapters, and although I was confused as to where the story would end up, I never doubted that I would finish the book. I loved the banter between Stanley and Mark and was in suspense through most of the book especially the second half which is where you really start to see the whole picture of what is going on. It was definitely worth the read I really enjoyed it.
The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of five was because it was a little slow in the first half of the book, when I was reading chapters that wouldn't make sense until the second half of the book other than that it was pretty fast pace.
Happy Reading 📚📙📚📗📘📕📙📒📚📚📗📕📖📚📓📘📔📒📖
August 2, 2021
Mike and Stanley are on a road trip ... from Massachusetts to Mexico. This is not a normal road trip filled with the normal sight-seeing one might do on such a trip. Instead, their trip is filled with bodies in their wake.
The story is told from in the third person point of view, with back and forth stories of weeks and months leading up to their adventure. It was a bit of a slow starter for me, but when things heated up, it got much more interesting... and intriguing.
They use aliases, so part of the fun of watching this duo is learning who they really are, where each of them came from, what they have envisioned for the future.
And then they cross paths with a young girl .. forcing the two men to re-evaluate their lives.
It's fast-paced, a real page turner. The characters are deftly drawn ... their relationship is at the heart of this story. It checks the boxes for mystery, crime, relationships, and highly elevated suspense.
Many thanks to the author / Booksirens for the digital copy of this debut thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
The story is told from in the third person point of view, with back and forth stories of weeks and months leading up to their adventure. It was a bit of a slow starter for me, but when things heated up, it got much more interesting... and intriguing.
They use aliases, so part of the fun of watching this duo is learning who they really are, where each of them came from, what they have envisioned for the future.
And then they cross paths with a young girl .. forcing the two men to re-evaluate their lives.
It's fast-paced, a real page turner. The characters are deftly drawn ... their relationship is at the heart of this story. It checks the boxes for mystery, crime, relationships, and highly elevated suspense.
Many thanks to the author / Booksirens for the digital copy of this debut thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
August 5, 2021
Are you ready for a wild road trip?
Mark and Stanley are on a road trip across the United States. The two friends have no set destination, stopping where the feel like it, and trying to run fast and far from their pasts. But everywhere they stop, trouble seems to follow. One day they encounter a young girl, and she becomes the newest member on the road trip. The men feel obligated to take care of her, and soon they both form a bond with her and put her needs above everything else, changing the whole dynamic of the road trip. The little girl makes Mark and Stanley face some of the trauma from their past, while continuing to move forward and make the best, and hardest, decisions for all their futures.
Mark and Stanley are quite possibly the most humorous characters I’ve ever encountered in a thriller. They added such an extra element to this book, and it was so unique and fun to watch their relationship change. The entire book was full of little tidbits of knowledge that Stanley had picked up over the years, and the biting sarcasm and wit weaved into the story was the cherry on top.
I really enjoyed the friendship between Mark and Stanley, but I was completely enamored with the way they took to the little girl, Haley. Watching the two of them melt under her presence to make sure she was safe, warm, and fed tugged at my heart strings.
Overall, this book was wild, and I didn’t expect anything that happened. Everything was a surprise to me, and it kept me on my toes the entire time. It was a bit confusing in the beginning because there were a lot of twists throughout, but just stick with it because it all comes together at the end.
4 stars, a wonderfully unique and twisty debut.
Mark and Stanley are on a road trip across the United States. The two friends have no set destination, stopping where the feel like it, and trying to run fast and far from their pasts. But everywhere they stop, trouble seems to follow. One day they encounter a young girl, and she becomes the newest member on the road trip. The men feel obligated to take care of her, and soon they both form a bond with her and put her needs above everything else, changing the whole dynamic of the road trip. The little girl makes Mark and Stanley face some of the trauma from their past, while continuing to move forward and make the best, and hardest, decisions for all their futures.
Mark and Stanley are quite possibly the most humorous characters I’ve ever encountered in a thriller. They added such an extra element to this book, and it was so unique and fun to watch their relationship change. The entire book was full of little tidbits of knowledge that Stanley had picked up over the years, and the biting sarcasm and wit weaved into the story was the cherry on top.
I really enjoyed the friendship between Mark and Stanley, but I was completely enamored with the way they took to the little girl, Haley. Watching the two of them melt under her presence to make sure she was safe, warm, and fed tugged at my heart strings.
Overall, this book was wild, and I didn’t expect anything that happened. Everything was a surprise to me, and it kept me on my toes the entire time. It was a bit confusing in the beginning because there were a lot of twists throughout, but just stick with it because it all comes together at the end.
4 stars, a wonderfully unique and twisty debut.
August 13, 2021
I would first like to start by saying I had no idea what this book was about when I started reading it. I was just along for the ride which turned out to be a really wild ride. Anyways, this book gives me A Gentleman in Moscow vibes although they are not the same genre at all so I almost confuse myself with this comparison to be honest lol. But no really, at times, there seems like there's not much of a plot but you just get sucked in by the vivid descriptions of the characters and their strange and comical relationship (similar to the portrait that Amor Towles paints with delightful life of Count Alexander Rostov in the Metropol). I definitely had laugh out loud moments when reading this book especially when it came to Stanley to whom I grew really fond of with his over the top antics. Moral of the story, this book is solid although I would have to rate it more as like a 3.5 purely for the fact that the Kindle version I downloaded wasn't great and the different section breaks didn't exist on my version so sometimes I figured out too late that I was reading about a different character in the middle of a chapter.
July 17, 2021
I Swear I’m Not Insane is C.M. Petersen’s debut novel. This book is a road trip, fast-paced thriller featuring a pair of friends Mark and Stanley. Told from the third person this book is compelling and interesting. Mark and Stanley are on a road trip from Massachusetts to Mexico and we follow their week-long journey.
The concept of this book was very interesting and had so many layers. The layout of this book is interesting to note. There was a back and forth during their week-long journey as week as months prior. This confused me a bit, but was necessary for the story.
Mark and Stanley are not who they seem and as you read you come to realize there is so much more going on that you initially expected. These characters are well developed, and the plot is fascinating.
The start of the book was a bit slow for me as I wasn’t fully invested in Mark in Stanley’s story until roughly 15-20% in, but after that this book was a wild ride and had me on the edge of my seat. This was an amazing physiological thriller, sprinkled with suspense, intrigue, and sarcasm.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The concept of this book was very interesting and had so many layers. The layout of this book is interesting to note. There was a back and forth during their week-long journey as week as months prior. This confused me a bit, but was necessary for the story.
Mark and Stanley are not who they seem and as you read you come to realize there is so much more going on that you initially expected. These characters are well developed, and the plot is fascinating.
The start of the book was a bit slow for me as I wasn’t fully invested in Mark in Stanley’s story until roughly 15-20% in, but after that this book was a wild ride and had me on the edge of my seat. This was an amazing physiological thriller, sprinkled with suspense, intrigue, and sarcasm.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 16, 2021
I read I Swear I'm Not Insane when its author, C.M. Petersen, contacted me a couple weeks ago offering a free copy of her e-arc in exchange for an honest review. I'm giving it 3.5/5 stars.
I Swear I'm Not Insane was described by the author as a thriller, but I don't think it quite fits into that genre. Sure, there are a couple of shootings, but it doesn't have the fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat quality that thrillers have.
I'll tell you what it does have, though. Top-notch character development and marvelous wit. I found myself getting very attached and invested in Mark, Stanley and Haley as the story progressed. The author also introduced some colorful new phrases into my daily vocabulary. (If you haven't compared an awkward or jarring moment to "a fart at a funeral," you will, now.)
Mark and Stanley are not who they seem at the beginning of the book. They are not good people, but they are not bad people. They are realistic people with their own respective flaws and strengths, and when they find a young, deaf girl malnourished and nearly drowned, their humanity and compassion truly shines as they care for her and try to find a way to get her to safety (without incriminating themselves, of course).
I would have given the book a higher rating, but the prose was a little awkward at times, and the flip-flopping timeline took me a little while to get used to. I also don't want to give any spoilers, but a couple scenes struck me as pretty unrealistic. There were a couple times when the author got past and present tenses crossed, too, and that just drives me nuts, anyway. But, really, if my only complaints about the book are some syntax flaws and a plot hole or two, I'd say this is a solid book, and I'm interested in what else Petersen puts out in the future. (That self insert at the end got a big grin out of me, too.)
Overall, I'd describe this book as both hilariously entertaining and a poignant reminder that there are still stigmas and misconceptions about the disabled and the mentally ill. Definitely worth the read.
I Swear I'm Not Insane was described by the author as a thriller, but I don't think it quite fits into that genre. Sure, there are a couple of shootings, but it doesn't have the fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat quality that thrillers have.
I'll tell you what it does have, though. Top-notch character development and marvelous wit. I found myself getting very attached and invested in Mark, Stanley and Haley as the story progressed. The author also introduced some colorful new phrases into my daily vocabulary. (If you haven't compared an awkward or jarring moment to "a fart at a funeral," you will, now.)
Mark and Stanley are not who they seem at the beginning of the book. They are not good people, but they are not bad people. They are realistic people with their own respective flaws and strengths, and when they find a young, deaf girl malnourished and nearly drowned, their humanity and compassion truly shines as they care for her and try to find a way to get her to safety (without incriminating themselves, of course).
I would have given the book a higher rating, but the prose was a little awkward at times, and the flip-flopping timeline took me a little while to get used to. I also don't want to give any spoilers, but a couple scenes struck me as pretty unrealistic. There were a couple times when the author got past and present tenses crossed, too, and that just drives me nuts, anyway. But, really, if my only complaints about the book are some syntax flaws and a plot hole or two, I'd say this is a solid book, and I'm interested in what else Petersen puts out in the future. (That self insert at the end got a big grin out of me, too.)
Overall, I'd describe this book as both hilariously entertaining and a poignant reminder that there are still stigmas and misconceptions about the disabled and the mentally ill. Definitely worth the read.
July 13, 2021
I Swear I’m Not Insane
When the author of this book offered this e-arc to me in exchange for an honest review, she told me it was a thriller. Nothing prepared me for the humourous way it was written. Sarcasm was dripping off the pages and I was absolutely living for it!
I Swear I’m Not Insane opens with a morbid scene where Mark and Stanley are leisurely leaving a murder scene, and it quickly becomes clear it was a ‘necessary evil’. As the reader you are given the thought process of both characters and let me tell you, it was an insane ride.
I was sucked into the story from page one and basically binged my way through it in less than two days. I was just too curious to discover who the two men actually were and where the road would take them!
The jumping back and forth in time was a bit confusing at times, but that may just have been me since I forget to read chapter titles 😂, but it was a brilliant way to uncover Mark and Stanley’s identity. I had no clue at first, but I slowly started to suspect.
I do not want to spoil too much, but it was just too good! I loved Haley, who, being deaf, gave a whole added level of depth to the story. This novel has a really good base, and you can see the plot is very well thought through.
Speaking about release: I Swear I’m Not Insane is coming out July 16th! I highly recommend giving this one a go if you’re interested in psychological thrillers filled with plottwists! 🤩
When the author of this book offered this e-arc to me in exchange for an honest review, she told me it was a thriller. Nothing prepared me for the humourous way it was written. Sarcasm was dripping off the pages and I was absolutely living for it!
I Swear I’m Not Insane opens with a morbid scene where Mark and Stanley are leisurely leaving a murder scene, and it quickly becomes clear it was a ‘necessary evil’. As the reader you are given the thought process of both characters and let me tell you, it was an insane ride.
I was sucked into the story from page one and basically binged my way through it in less than two days. I was just too curious to discover who the two men actually were and where the road would take them!
The jumping back and forth in time was a bit confusing at times, but that may just have been me since I forget to read chapter titles 😂, but it was a brilliant way to uncover Mark and Stanley’s identity. I had no clue at first, but I slowly started to suspect.
I do not want to spoil too much, but it was just too good! I loved Haley, who, being deaf, gave a whole added level of depth to the story. This novel has a really good base, and you can see the plot is very well thought through.
Speaking about release: I Swear I’m Not Insane is coming out July 16th! I highly recommend giving this one a go if you’re interested in psychological thrillers filled with plottwists! 🤩
July 22, 2021
What a fantastic debut novel!
My favourite thing about this book is that it doesn’t just fit into one generic genre. It definitely had aspects of a thriller, also a lot of psychology going on there and so much more! It is so diverse and because of that it constantly keeps you guessing. As I read on and on I had no idea what to expect but I couldn’t wait to see how it ended.
I surprisingly grew to love the two main characters - Mark and Stanley. By the end I was totally rooting for them to make a great life for themselves. I think this was partly due to their relationship with Haley, a 5 year old deaf girl that had been kidnapped and abandoned. They took her in….I don’t want to give too much away but their actions touched me.
It is obvious from the tremendous detail in this novel that the research that went into it was vast!
I was a bit confused for the first 1/3 of the book as it does jump back and forth a lot but once I got into it and began to piece together what was going on it all fell into place and became much easier to follow.
And then we reached the end….I did find the conclusion a little rushed given the amount of detail provided in the rest of the book however it was still a fantastic read and I look forward to C M Petersen’s next book!
My favourite thing about this book is that it doesn’t just fit into one generic genre. It definitely had aspects of a thriller, also a lot of psychology going on there and so much more! It is so diverse and because of that it constantly keeps you guessing. As I read on and on I had no idea what to expect but I couldn’t wait to see how it ended.
I surprisingly grew to love the two main characters - Mark and Stanley. By the end I was totally rooting for them to make a great life for themselves. I think this was partly due to their relationship with Haley, a 5 year old deaf girl that had been kidnapped and abandoned. They took her in….I don’t want to give too much away but their actions touched me.
It is obvious from the tremendous detail in this novel that the research that went into it was vast!
I was a bit confused for the first 1/3 of the book as it does jump back and forth a lot but once I got into it and began to piece together what was going on it all fell into place and became much easier to follow.
And then we reached the end….I did find the conclusion a little rushed given the amount of detail provided in the rest of the book however it was still a fantastic read and I look forward to C M Petersen’s next book!
August 12, 2021
When the author reached out and offered a copy of her new book I was quick to say yes once hearing that the book did not only involve crime, but mystery as well.
The story line did start off a little slow for me but as I continued to read I found myself wondering who the two main characters truly were. Their relationship dynamic reminded me of George and Lennie from “Of Mice and Men” (which is one of my favorite books from high school); but as the story continues the dynamic of Mark and Stanley’s relationship showed that they were nothing like the two even though I felt they did have their moments .
When 5 year old Haley enters the story I couldn’t help but feel sorrow and love for her all at once . Seeing how she interacted with other characters in the story and vice versa regardless of the differences between them made me feel joy .
The book overall had me trying to learn who Mark and Stanley were and what their mission was. They were a mystery that I enjoyed trying to figure out. I enjoyed the relationship and bond they shared with one another. The story line is well put together and had me experiencing one emotion after the next in reading this book.
10/10 would recommend!
The story line did start off a little slow for me but as I continued to read I found myself wondering who the two main characters truly were. Their relationship dynamic reminded me of George and Lennie from “Of Mice and Men” (which is one of my favorite books from high school); but as the story continues the dynamic of Mark and Stanley’s relationship showed that they were nothing like the two even though I felt they did have their moments .
When 5 year old Haley enters the story I couldn’t help but feel sorrow and love for her all at once . Seeing how she interacted with other characters in the story and vice versa regardless of the differences between them made me feel joy .
The book overall had me trying to learn who Mark and Stanley were and what their mission was. They were a mystery that I enjoyed trying to figure out. I enjoyed the relationship and bond they shared with one another. The story line is well put together and had me experiencing one emotion after the next in reading this book.
10/10 would recommend!
October 11, 2021
Stanley and Mark are on an adventure of a lifetime, and it gets pretty interesting. About 25% in, I was honestly so confused. I asked myself, how are they, cops? What is their mission? What's up with the little girl from the beginning? I thought to myself; they sound mental.
The book's format is a bit confusing as the author switches back and forth between present and past. While the flashbacks slowly shed light on the two men and their history, it was a little confusing at first.
Halfway through the book, I was sucked in and could not stop reading. This book is about so much more than two guys on a road trip. It's about a broken system, and this story highlights the truly unbelievable results of how the system fails so many people. My absolute favorite quote is when Francis says, "a small army wanted to massacre two men, who were simply fleeing from the country that incarcerated them with an indifferent to the misdiagnosis and mistreatment of patients."
Overall, this is an incredible story with a great message, although confusing at first, and I struggled to pick the book back up in the first half. However, I am excited to see what the author publishes next!
The book's format is a bit confusing as the author switches back and forth between present and past. While the flashbacks slowly shed light on the two men and their history, it was a little confusing at first.
Halfway through the book, I was sucked in and could not stop reading. This book is about so much more than two guys on a road trip. It's about a broken system, and this story highlights the truly unbelievable results of how the system fails so many people. My absolute favorite quote is when Francis says, "a small army wanted to massacre two men, who were simply fleeing from the country that incarcerated them with an indifferent to the misdiagnosis and mistreatment of patients."
Overall, this is an incredible story with a great message, although confusing at first, and I struggled to pick the book back up in the first half. However, I am excited to see what the author publishes next!
August 3, 2021
I gave this book 3 stars because I found the first half a bit confusing and in need of more editing. I understand the need to build a character takes time and the want of adding a twist to the plotline, but it took too long for it to unfold, and there was a significant portion of the book where you're left thinking "how are they cops? what's their undercover mission? Why isn't the girl more emotional and scared? and why is Stanley so goofy, steals and a little weird, considering he has a badge and a gun? plus there are the random Doctor's notes scattered here and there.
Putting that aside, once it came together, it had my interest. Hence the reason better editing would have made it more tight and not so lengthy where you're left confused and struggling to continue. There were plenty of fun facts thanks to Stanley, highlighting of a judicial system in need of more funding and what can happen when people slip through the cracks when life and those that are appointed to be there, has failed them.
Putting that aside, once it came together, it had my interest. Hence the reason better editing would have made it more tight and not so lengthy where you're left confused and struggling to continue. There were plenty of fun facts thanks to Stanley, highlighting of a judicial system in need of more funding and what can happen when people slip through the cracks when life and those that are appointed to be there, has failed them.
July 28, 2021
I Swear I’m Not Insane is C.M. Petersen’s debut novel.
This book is a week long road trip featuring a pair of friends Mark and Stanley. They are on a road trip from Massachusetts to Mexico and we follow them on their journey.
The book was very interesting and had a lot of layers. There was a lot of back and forth during their week-long trip. At times I was a bit confused and I had to re-read it but once I got into a good groove I was able to slowly piece everything together.
Mark and Stanley are not who they seem and as you read on you come to realize there is so much more going on.
The novel slowly starts to reveal their identity which is when it gets really good! I do not want to spoil too much but the characters are really well developed and the story line is intriguing!
This book is a week long road trip featuring a pair of friends Mark and Stanley. They are on a road trip from Massachusetts to Mexico and we follow them on their journey.
The book was very interesting and had a lot of layers. There was a lot of back and forth during their week-long trip. At times I was a bit confused and I had to re-read it but once I got into a good groove I was able to slowly piece everything together.
Mark and Stanley are not who they seem and as you read on you come to realize there is so much more going on.
The novel slowly starts to reveal their identity which is when it gets really good! I do not want to spoil too much but the characters are really well developed and the story line is intriguing!
August 29, 2021
I read I Swear I'm Not Insane when its author, C.M. Petersen, contacted me a couple weeks ago offering a free copy of her e-arc in exchange for an honest review. I'm giving it 3.5/5 stars. I didn’t know what to expect from this book and it was different than anything I’ve read before. Although the character development started slow for me and was difficult to follow at first, I ended up really enjoying this book and wanting to know what was going to happen with the characters. This book has a lot of layers offers a perspective on the issues with the mental health system. The book could use a little more editing, but overall it had great character development, an thought-provoking plot, and kept me interested until the very end.
September 12, 2021
Mark and Stanley embark on a trip that weaves it way through stories of suspense, psychological thriller, best buddies, road trip and a love story. As thier trip progress the layers of thier lives are disclosed and shed until there is only thier support and trust of each other left. A glimpse into the the best of America and into the worst of American corruption. This was a hard book for me to review , growing up in an area near where the story starts, with family that has worked in an area similar to where Mark and Stanley meet , we had seen first hand some of thier story.
Life is an highway and man is the most beautiful and most ugliest of the creatures traipsing along it,and each moment it's a coin toss of which side is shown as we travel it.
Life is an highway and man is the most beautiful and most ugliest of the creatures traipsing along it,and each moment it's a coin toss of which side is shown as we travel it.
July 15, 2021
I was delighted to receive an advanced readers copy of I Swear I'm Not Insane - C. M. Petersen's debut novel!
This fast-paced thriller kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
It's a tale of two characters, Mark and Stanley, who are chipped with unfortunate circumstances, with pure destruction following them wherever they go. Were they simply dangerous or misunderstood?
I really enjoyed the dynamics that C. M. Petersen had established with the ever-changing chapter dates and times, which kept me intrigued throughout as I was piecing the characters' history together.
Prepare yourselves for an unforgettable, rip-roaring finale!
The perfect holiday read.
This fast-paced thriller kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
It's a tale of two characters, Mark and Stanley, who are chipped with unfortunate circumstances, with pure destruction following them wherever they go. Were they simply dangerous or misunderstood?
I really enjoyed the dynamics that C. M. Petersen had established with the ever-changing chapter dates and times, which kept me intrigued throughout as I was piecing the characters' history together.
Prepare yourselves for an unforgettable, rip-roaring finale!
The perfect holiday read.
July 13, 2021
CM Petersen brings societal injustices to light in her debut novel, I Swear I’m Not Insane, through the compelling journey/life stories of two misunderstood souls, Mark and Stanley. Great character development drew me in, and I didn’t want to put it down until I found out what happened to them. This novel demonstrates how Ben Franklin hit the nail on the head when he said, “Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear”. Add this must-read to your list!!
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August 3, 2021This is truly a page turner that you will not be able to set down. Set aside a nice lomg weekend when you start this book or you will be finding yourself doing an all nighter. This book had be hooked from page one. This is one of those books that you can’t quite classify as a - definitely a psychological thriller. I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to others. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 16, 2021
I Swear I'm Not Insane is a novel that takes road trips to the next level! Full of twists and turns, the story of Stanley and Mark never stopped to amaze, thrill ánd excite. It's fast-paced, incredibly funny but also serious when it needs to be. This thriller is really onto something! Can't wait for the next book (and the I Swear I'm Not Insane movie or series) from this author.
July 19, 2021
CM Petersen has written a unique and intriguing road trip novel, combined with thriller elements and fascinating characters to make a genuine page-turner. I was rooting for Mark and Stanley every step of the way...even as I wondered whether I really should be. This is a snarky, fast-paced, and fun ride across America, and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip!
July 26, 2021
4.5/5 rounded up. I loved the relationship between the two main characters (Mark/Stanley). Their weird/humorous relationships keeps your laughing as they go down a winding path of destruction. This book was written like a script which makes it fast paced and engaging to read. There are moments where you feel like you're part of the book. Great debut novel by CM Petersen!!
August 3, 2021
I was THRILLED to receive an advanced copy of this book. Though usually I like my books to be in chronological order, the way the different parts of this story pieces together was just incredible. I love how you learned the main characters life stories throughout the entire book. C.M. Peterson-Congrats on this debut novel!
September 5, 2021
At first, I rated this book 3 stars because I did not like the ending.
However, after a few days I realized that I have been thinking about this book and processing.
At first, I was confused about what was going on. I was explaining to my friend about this book and she laughed because I kept saying "I think this is what is going on". But now that the book is finished, I really enjoyed that you did not know the character's back stories. This book touches on some of the issues with society without you fully realizing it.
However, after a few days I realized that I have been thinking about this book and processing.
At first, I was confused about what was going on. I was explaining to my friend about this book and she laughed because I kept saying "I think this is what is going on". But now that the book is finished, I really enjoyed that you did not know the character's back stories. This book touches on some of the issues with society without you fully realizing it.
August 3, 2021
An interesting take on a road trip. I was a little confused at the outset and struggled to become invested in the characters initially, although by the end I was thoroughly involved in the outcome.
Some proof reading needed, so if that bothers you, you might want to give it a miss.
Some proof reading needed, so if that bothers you, you might want to give it a miss.
October 6, 2021
I found that the first half of the book was rather confusing and slow paced. However after this point, I did find that the story picked up and there was a lot more character development that made me want to continue reading
July 31, 2022
This was such an incredible story! At first I was slightly confused however everything that happened was part of a bigger picture explained later and everything made sense. Fast paced, engaging, and with a good dose of humor, this is not one to miss if you love psychological thrillers
July 13, 2021
For a debut novelist CM Petersen is a very astute writer. This book is compelling, funny and sad. I couldn’t put it down!
July 17, 2021
I received and ARC of this book for an honest review. I thought the story line was really good, definitely a thrilling ride! A great summer read!
August 6, 2021
I received this book in exchange for my honest review. Some minor spoilers in the review.
I really enjoyed this book! I don't think I would necessarily categorize it as a thriller as much as an adventure a la Of Mice and Men meets Shutter Island. I had a harder time getting into the story in the first few chapters, as it drops you right into the middle of the plot, but as the narration backtracked and the characters developed, I really enjoyed the adventures of Mark and Stanley and eventually little Haley.
While I wish there was more of an elaboration on the mental health components of each character, as well as insight into what actually happened with Mark's family, I enjoyed the authors advocacy for better mental health reform in our prison system.
I really enjoyed this book! I don't think I would necessarily categorize it as a thriller as much as an adventure a la Of Mice and Men meets Shutter Island. I had a harder time getting into the story in the first few chapters, as it drops you right into the middle of the plot, but as the narration backtracked and the characters developed, I really enjoyed the adventures of Mark and Stanley and eventually little Haley.
While I wish there was more of an elaboration on the mental health components of each character, as well as insight into what actually happened with Mark's family, I enjoyed the authors advocacy for better mental health reform in our prison system.
August 11, 2021
Two men, Mark and Stanley, have police badges, guns and a duffel bag filled with cash. They discover a six-year-old deaf girl, Haley, in the trunk of their stolen car. They say they are on a special, undercover mission, but Mark sneaks into a museum without paying and Stanley is a shoplifter.
Their story begins on day 3 of their journey from Massachusetts to Mexico. At first it’s very confusing, but as the story continues, answers slowly unfold, revealing their stories and why they are such troubled characters. We grow to love them and how protective they are of sweet Haley.
I believe the story shows how the author did her research with a sense of humor neatly sprinkled in.
My favorite character was Stanley, who had never traveled anywhere before, but was amusing, as amazing facts and bits of trivia flowed from him throughout the journey. (I never knew why NYC is called the big apple!)
I found this book to be very deep and thought-provoking, touching on some important social issues regarding mental illness. I really enjoyed it and I’m very happy I read it. Four plus stars!
Their story begins on day 3 of their journey from Massachusetts to Mexico. At first it’s very confusing, but as the story continues, answers slowly unfold, revealing their stories and why they are such troubled characters. We grow to love them and how protective they are of sweet Haley.
I believe the story shows how the author did her research with a sense of humor neatly sprinkled in.
My favorite character was Stanley, who had never traveled anywhere before, but was amusing, as amazing facts and bits of trivia flowed from him throughout the journey. (I never knew why NYC is called the big apple!)
I found this book to be very deep and thought-provoking, touching on some important social issues regarding mental illness. I really enjoyed it and I’m very happy I read it. Four plus stars!
October 31, 2021
You first meet Stanley and Mark as they leave a bar with dead bodies. The books tells their story and how they got to that point. I love how you describes the characters, you can feel what they are going through. The relationship between the grown men and the girl is special and beautifully written. What I did not like about the book was the story did. It seem to flow, at times it was hard to follow with the timeline going back and forth. A very good ending ties the story together.
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