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Katie Parker #1
Before She Knew
***Inspired by actual events***
She had to have him regardless of the ring on his finger.
Destroying his wife became an obsession.
Jake and Katie Parker have been married for more than two decades. Everyone thought they had a perfect life. He was a first responder and traveled the states attending motorcycle rides for the wounded, while Katie wrote and market her books. They spend most of their time at a waterfront cottage with friends who also vacation there.
So why was a stalker showing up at her book signings, and who uploaded provocative videos onto her home computer?
When she started digging for answers, the lies and betrayals were beyond anything she could imagine.
Two women. One Stalker. And a husband keeping secrets
.
The stalker didn't just want to ruin her marriage.
She wanted her gone.
Before She Knew is a twisted psychological suspense with a diabolical villain pulling you to the edge with each turn of the page. It’s perfect for anyone who saw The Undoing or read The Last Mrs. Parrish, only this story is based on actual events.
She had to have him regardless of the ring on his finger.
Destroying his wife became an obsession.
Jake and Katie Parker have been married for more than two decades. Everyone thought they had a perfect life. He was a first responder and traveled the states attending motorcycle rides for the wounded, while Katie wrote and market her books. They spend most of their time at a waterfront cottage with friends who also vacation there.
So why was a stalker showing up at her book signings, and who uploaded provocative videos onto her home computer?
When she started digging for answers, the lies and betrayals were beyond anything she could imagine.
Two women. One Stalker. And a husband keeping secrets
.
The stalker didn't just want to ruin her marriage.
She wanted her gone.
Before She Knew is a twisted psychological suspense with a diabolical villain pulling you to the edge with each turn of the page. It’s perfect for anyone who saw The Undoing or read The Last Mrs. Parrish, only this story is based on actual events.
348 pages, Paperback
Published July 4, 2021
87 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
C.R. Hiatt
16 books153 followersCR HIATT writes action-oriented stories with strong female characters as heroes. The daughter of a military veteran, CR grew up in a small town where she became an All-American athlete. CR knew early on that she wasn't cut out for the nine to five type of job - her tendency to day dream about adventures often got in the way. But, being the daughter of a Navy Veteran she also knew one had to do what was necessary to be secure, so she disciplined herself to push those dreams aside and settled on working in the entertainment legal field. When those dreams invaded her world once again, CR finally gave in and set out to write her own adventures. What the heck, right. If you can't live 'em, you might as well write about them.
The journey started after CR interviewed big city detectives about their lives on the job; then talked with some of their victims. That resulted in her first YA series: McSwain & Beck. The novels are works of fiction, only based on real life events, but you can't help but wonder while reading the books which parts are true.
When CR isn't writing, she enjoys renovating houses, spending time outdoors, catching up on her favorite books and TV shows (dedicated fan of NCIS, Justified, Southland, Blue Bloods, Person of Interest, and Big Bang Theory) and most importantly, spending time at the campfires with her family and friends.
The journey started after CR interviewed big city detectives about their lives on the job; then talked with some of their victims. That resulted in her first YA series: McSwain & Beck. The novels are works of fiction, only based on real life events, but you can't help but wonder while reading the books which parts are true.
When CR isn't writing, she enjoys renovating houses, spending time outdoors, catching up on her favorite books and TV shows (dedicated fan of NCIS, Justified, Southland, Blue Bloods, Person of Interest, and Big Bang Theory) and most importantly, spending time at the campfires with her family and friends.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 10, 2023
This book was predictable and I don’t think I would really even call it a “psychological” suspense. A lot of the main characters actions were not very realistic.
September 16, 2021
What a read!
When I catch myself yelling at the book, telling the protagonist she is a fool, change the lock stupid, then I know I am completely involved. Finally, a book worthy of the overused phrase "psychological thriller". Thank you.
When I catch myself yelling at the book, telling the protagonist she is a fool, change the lock stupid, then I know I am completely involved. Finally, a book worthy of the overused phrase "psychological thriller". Thank you.
July 20, 2022
Loved this one and couldn't put it down.
It intrigued me when it said it was based on true events! Katie is an author and her husband, Jake, is a firefighter. Twenty years of marriage and Katie is still very much in love with Jake. When he is off on trips regarding his job, she asks no questions and trusts him. She stays at home, with her loved dog, Bailey, and writes her novels. She has two best friends that are in her life.
But, now, at her book signings, someone is stalking her. She has noticed her at several of her signings, one time, she ever tried to follow the stalker and find out what she wanted. Then she started receiving emails from her.
When other messages and videos start showing up, Katie cannot believe what is happening in her life. Now she must prove to herself what this stalker wants, even though it may include her life!
It intrigued me when it said it was based on true events! Katie is an author and her husband, Jake, is a firefighter. Twenty years of marriage and Katie is still very much in love with Jake. When he is off on trips regarding his job, she asks no questions and trusts him. She stays at home, with her loved dog, Bailey, and writes her novels. She has two best friends that are in her life.
But, now, at her book signings, someone is stalking her. She has noticed her at several of her signings, one time, she ever tried to follow the stalker and find out what she wanted. Then she started receiving emails from her.
When other messages and videos start showing up, Katie cannot believe what is happening in her life. Now she must prove to herself what this stalker wants, even though it may include her life!
November 22, 2024
wow, what a crazy twist and turn of events based book lol. While I love a dual POV narration, I am not a fan of seeing/being in the mind of the perpetrator. The Stalkers POV disgusted me especially because I know there are definitely people that think like her and that just grossed me out to see her perspective. It also broke my heart to find out the reasoning behind the stalking was real and not entirely just based off delusion. I feel Katie handled things absolutely horribly like so much could have just been avoided LOL. The ending was also wild. Ugh why did Jake have to suck.
I may or may not read the second book, I am still undecided if I care enough about Katie or any of the characters to want to find out what happens next. I loved the golden retriever, Bailey, of course.
I may or may not read the second book, I am still undecided if I care enough about Katie or any of the characters to want to find out what happens next. I loved the golden retriever, Bailey, of course.
January 11, 2022
A Woman Scorned
This book will make you think twice about how well you think you know someone. I believe that people are capable of hiding another side of themselves but I am a little disappointed in how Katie handled it when it came to Jake. I think he got off way to easily after the build up leading to the final confrontation. Not enough came out about Stacy either, I wanted to know Jake’s reasoning behind that one, seemed to me more than just “sex” Yeah Jake should have suffered more.
This book will make you think twice about how well you think you know someone. I believe that people are capable of hiding another side of themselves but I am a little disappointed in how Katie handled it when it came to Jake. I think he got off way to easily after the build up leading to the final confrontation. Not enough came out about Stacy either, I wanted to know Jake’s reasoning behind that one, seemed to me more than just “sex” Yeah Jake should have suffered more.
March 22, 2022
I really liked this book! It's not a romance and not truly a suspense (although it was suspenseful), but more about self discovery. If you don't have issues with infidelity and want the female main character to have a brain and inner strength than read this book...you'll enjoy it.
The fact that it's based on a true story is a plus.
The fact that it's based on a true story is a plus.
November 17, 2022
Not for African descendants
I wish I could like this book but I had to quit. I ran into problem of stereotype descriptions of our hair. Next time have someone of color to proofread
I wish I could like this book but I had to quit. I ran into problem of stereotype descriptions of our hair. Next time have someone of color to proofread
January 13, 2023
I liked how she investigated for herself
I didn't like that her husband got away with deceiving her for twenty years. He gets to play Scott free now. She should have destroyed him like he did her.
I didn't like that her husband got away with deceiving her for twenty years. He gets to play Scott free now. She should have destroyed him like he did her.
March 4, 2024
There were so many surprises in this book and I’m excited to start reading the next one. It wasn’t a book that was so exciting I couldn’t put it down but I did enjoy it. Katie is a lovable character, Jake is infuriating but everyone knows it’s all about Bailey ;)
July 24, 2021
Stunning and fast paced!
Each turn of the page just upped the excitement! Amazing story line and vivid characters! LOVE it! Don't miss out!
Each turn of the page just upped the excitement! Amazing story line and vivid characters! LOVE it! Don't miss out!
August 2, 2021
Great read!
Great read! Books rarely capture my attention and keep it, but this one did. Great twists and turns. Kept me involved until the end!
Great read! Books rarely capture my attention and keep it, but this one did. Great twists and turns. Kept me involved until the end!
August 30, 2021
Wow!
This book really kept me hooked from the beginning! It was a really great read, and the first one I've read from this author. I'm looking forward to reading more of her work!
This book really kept me hooked from the beginning! It was a really great read, and the first one I've read from this author. I'm looking forward to reading more of her work!
November 5, 2021
Ok
It wasn't all that good but I finished it. It wasn't a thrilling page turner that is for sure. Sorry
It wasn't all that good but I finished it. It wasn't a thrilling page turner that is for sure. Sorry
April 8, 2022
Great book
I have been through something similar! It can happen to anyone and you have no clue! This was a great read!
I have been through something similar! It can happen to anyone and you have no clue! This was a great read!
July 12, 2022
Good page turner
I usually don't read "true stories" but this one kept me engrossed. I will certainty read more from this author.
I usually don't read "true stories" but this one kept me engrossed. I will certainty read more from this author.
July 21, 2022
Ehhh-
Slow and predictable. I finished it but I wouldn't call it a page turner I wouldn't rush to read another by this author.
Slow and predictable. I finished it but I wouldn't call it a page turner I wouldn't rush to read another by this author.
September 29, 2022
This was a good one. Wasn't too long or short. Creepy and keep me reading. Loved the suspense. Reading second book now.
November 10, 2022
Author is a right wing conspiracy theorist liar. I don't support trash.
November 19, 2022
once it got going I couldn’t put it down!
I liked this book but it took a little while to get into it. Once the plot was revealed it became a gripping read.
I liked this book but it took a little while to get into it. Once the plot was revealed it became a gripping read.
January 8, 2023
Good but not great? The putting off is what annoyed me most. The man was a typical man. 🙄
dnf
July 22, 2023DNF. Don't like the writing, and not a romance as there is no HEA; heroine leaves her cheating husband (as she should because he was irredeemable).
May 6, 2022
I'm so glad there is a book 2
I thought this was going to be formula-fiction in the first few chapters but I am happy to say I was wrong. While I believe most reader will have the right ending in mind during the first chapters - it doesn't matter because the the author writes so many good side plots etc..
Psych suspense \fami!y saga genre readers will love the characters and setting! I already have book 2 ready to open.
Cons - spotty editing and proofing, I highlighted words used incorrectly . Just a pet peeve but did get better.
Opening Book 2!
9
oO
O
I thought this was going to be formula-fiction in the first few chapters but I am happy to say I was wrong. While I believe most reader will have the right ending in mind during the first chapters - it doesn't matter because the the author writes so many good side plots etc..
Psych suspense \fami!y saga genre readers will love the characters and setting! I already have book 2 ready to open.
Cons - spotty editing and proofing, I highlighted words used incorrectly . Just a pet peeve but did get better.
Opening Book 2!
9
oO
O
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews