A fun and suspenseful audiobook!
Let it be said that the prolific and juicy writer Kiersten Modglin is not only great at suspense, but also at fantasy wish fulfillment. Here we have a story about a beautiful yet modest girl who was sought after by the two hottest guys in her high school, and by the time she returns for her reunion, she is a successful and highly recognizable-in-person author. (Does anyone really recognize authors in person? To her credit, Modglin realizes this and makes a little joke about it.) So yes, a pretty great life. Wouldn’t we all like that to be us? It’s not hard to see the author indulged a personal fantasy here, which is maybe why it works so well and is so fun.
So yeah, Kiersten - er, I mean, her narrator, Cait - appears to have a dream life as a famous author with a hot husband. But we soon learn that a tragic murder struck her high school at a hotel on prom night. Now the reunion is being held at the same location and Cait has a stalker who knows things it seems only the murder victim would know. Complicating matters is the appearance of hot ex-boyfriend number 2 while boyfriend number one (now her husband) is at home with the kids.
I was hooked on this audiobook from the start and really enjoyed the suspenseful, juicy narration and fast-moving plot. This is an addictive popcorn suspense book with fun twists and turns, lots of great suspects and red herrings, and a great plot. I was a wee bit disappointed by the ending, which I was hoping would be as messy and scandalous as the author’s previous work The Arrangement (still my favorite by Modglin!). I saw potential for a couple very shocking endings that the author waved in front of the readers to tantalize us. It wasn’t all that scandalous of an ending ultimately, but was still good and a surprise. I also wasn’t in love with the occasional diversion into bodice-ripper territory but I know other readers like this, and it didn’t happen too often so I was still caught up in the story.
All in all a very fun, easy listen — a very good and scary suspense thriller. I’m excited to keep reading more by Modglin. All her books are solid but I’m still waiting for another total excursion into crazytown like The Arrangement. Until then, though, I am really enjoying watching this author grow and explore many different creative and suspenseful thriller plots. Modglin is always fun, always engrossing and always here for you with the twists! Recommended for all suspense and audiobook fans.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the early listening copy. Would love to hear this narrator on more of Modglin’s books!