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You Must Remember This
A Knives Out-style whodunnit with a twist of Taylor Jenkins Reid, You Must Remember This is an immersive Gothic mystery, with a long-ago love affair, icy death, and a rich family gone bad, from Kat Rosenfield, the acclaimed author of No One Will Miss Her.
On Christmas Eve, eighty-five-year-old Miriam Gardiner walks onto the vast frozen river behind her home. As a younger woman, she used to steal out on winter nights to meet her lover, walking straight across the ice to their secret meeting place. She knows the way—but not the year. Miriam, her mind clouded by dementia, doesn’t hear the snap of thin ice until it’s too late.
Was it an accident? Suicide? Or worse: did someone urge the old woman onto the frozen river on purpose?
There are plenty of suspects; Miriam’s fractured and complicated family has gathered in their Bar Harbor mansion to celebrate what they already thought would likely be the matriarch’s last Christmas. The guests include Delphine, Miriam’s granddaughter, a frightened and insecure young woman who adored her grandmother, and Miriam’s live-in nurse, Adam, a handsome man from a working-class background, whom Delphine has been secretly dating. Then there’s Miriam’s children: Nicole, who hated being thrust into the role of caretaker; Diana, whose deadbeat husband has long been a family joke; and Richard, who always said they’d all be better off if Mother would just hurry up and die. But it’s Delphine who comes in for the greatest scrutiny when they learn the shocking news that Miriam’s will cut off her children, and left the entire estate to Delphine only.
As her relatives obsess over getting the will thrown out, Delphine begins to notice inconsistencies in their stories and is emboldened to start investigating…until the trail seems to lead her onto thin ice as well.
On Christmas Eve, eighty-five-year-old Miriam Gardiner walks onto the vast frozen river behind her home. As a younger woman, she used to steal out on winter nights to meet her lover, walking straight across the ice to their secret meeting place. She knows the way—but not the year. Miriam, her mind clouded by dementia, doesn’t hear the snap of thin ice until it’s too late.
Was it an accident? Suicide? Or worse: did someone urge the old woman onto the frozen river on purpose?
There are plenty of suspects; Miriam’s fractured and complicated family has gathered in their Bar Harbor mansion to celebrate what they already thought would likely be the matriarch’s last Christmas. The guests include Delphine, Miriam’s granddaughter, a frightened and insecure young woman who adored her grandmother, and Miriam’s live-in nurse, Adam, a handsome man from a working-class background, whom Delphine has been secretly dating. Then there’s Miriam’s children: Nicole, who hated being thrust into the role of caretaker; Diana, whose deadbeat husband has long been a family joke; and Richard, who always said they’d all be better off if Mother would just hurry up and die. But it’s Delphine who comes in for the greatest scrutiny when they learn the shocking news that Miriam’s will cut off her children, and left the entire estate to Delphine only.
As her relatives obsess over getting the will thrown out, Delphine begins to notice inconsistencies in their stories and is emboldened to start investigating…until the trail seems to lead her onto thin ice as well.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 10, 2023
357 people are currently reading
21157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 697 reviews
October 6, 2025
That’s the best kind of mystery you can truly enjoy! Think about a gothic family mansion named Whispers with secret tunnels, mysterious getaways, cracking floorboards, carrying its own secrets and own ghost lurking around the corridors in the middle of the night, visiting you in your own bedroom! Aren’t you intrigued enough? If your answer is yes, let’s move on!
This is great mash up of Knives out (notorious family members who wait for their old mother to die)- Gothic mystery and a little vibes of Boardwalk Empire.
It opens with Miriam Caravasios/ Mimi’s waking up in the middle of the night at her estate with a faceless man smelling and talking just like her husband. Just like their secretly dating times when they were young and reckless, he offers her to walk across the frozen reach to go to their secret meeting place: a cabin in the woods where they have been making love!
Miriam follows the man acting like her husband, forgetting her own husband has already died decades ago, suffering from dementia. As they walk in the woods, she slowly realizes she’s not the young girl in love anymore and the ground she’s walking is not frozen! She doesn’t hear the snap of the ice either. And…. She falls!!! Is everything a part of her imagination? Did she dream of the man? Was this suicide or did the mysterious man or ghost of her husband kill her?
I was thinking things will get heated sooner and i was gonna read a murder mystery but the story moved on different direction focusing on family members’ reunion and Miriam’s life story.
We see how family members gather at the family mansion Whispers which built in 1920 by Miriam’s rich and intimidating father as a wedding gift to his wife. A place : cracked and creaky and full of locked doors, cluttered rooms, no company but stacks of old books and magazines and the muttering of the wind.
Miriam’s granddaughter Delphine who is forced to leave her old life in New York moves to the estate to live with her divorced mother Dora ( she’s the youngest daughter of Miriam) to take of the estate and Miriam who is normally living in the cars house because of her dementia.
For spending a family Christmas, the facility members bring Miriam to the estate. Miriam’s sweet, gold hearted and handsome caregiver Adam joins the family gathering. We’re introduced to the other family members: elder drunk brother Richard holding a long time grudge against his mother, Diane and her creepy husband are interested more about their share of inheritance than Miriam’s health condition and Dora looks like exhausted to take care of her mother alone.
Let’s not forget Shelly Dyer who left her employment under suspicious circumstances and her creepy son who keeps visiting the estate in early hours, knowing the secret passages.
Everyone has a motive, keeping big secrets to themselves. But as we go back to their estate’s early days we learn more about Miriam’s childhood, her passionate love story with her future husband Theo, tragedies and life changing secrets that family members hiding.
I love how the past and present events collided and the jaw dropping unfolding of the mystery.I didn’t see it coming. All of those twists are smart and shocking.
Miriam’s story ached my heart and her kind granddaughter Delphine who struggles with trust issues is also one of the characters you can easily resonate with.
Overall: I literally devoured this story. Different genres blended in each other perfectly: romance, historical fiction, whodunnit mystery, gothic thriller.
I’m giving well deserved whispery geronimo stars!
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
This is great mash up of Knives out (notorious family members who wait for their old mother to die)- Gothic mystery and a little vibes of Boardwalk Empire.
It opens with Miriam Caravasios/ Mimi’s waking up in the middle of the night at her estate with a faceless man smelling and talking just like her husband. Just like their secretly dating times when they were young and reckless, he offers her to walk across the frozen reach to go to their secret meeting place: a cabin in the woods where they have been making love!
Miriam follows the man acting like her husband, forgetting her own husband has already died decades ago, suffering from dementia. As they walk in the woods, she slowly realizes she’s not the young girl in love anymore and the ground she’s walking is not frozen! She doesn’t hear the snap of the ice either. And…. She falls!!! Is everything a part of her imagination? Did she dream of the man? Was this suicide or did the mysterious man or ghost of her husband kill her?
I was thinking things will get heated sooner and i was gonna read a murder mystery but the story moved on different direction focusing on family members’ reunion and Miriam’s life story.
We see how family members gather at the family mansion Whispers which built in 1920 by Miriam’s rich and intimidating father as a wedding gift to his wife. A place : cracked and creaky and full of locked doors, cluttered rooms, no company but stacks of old books and magazines and the muttering of the wind.
Miriam’s granddaughter Delphine who is forced to leave her old life in New York moves to the estate to live with her divorced mother Dora ( she’s the youngest daughter of Miriam) to take of the estate and Miriam who is normally living in the cars house because of her dementia.
For spending a family Christmas, the facility members bring Miriam to the estate. Miriam’s sweet, gold hearted and handsome caregiver Adam joins the family gathering. We’re introduced to the other family members: elder drunk brother Richard holding a long time grudge against his mother, Diane and her creepy husband are interested more about their share of inheritance than Miriam’s health condition and Dora looks like exhausted to take care of her mother alone.
Let’s not forget Shelly Dyer who left her employment under suspicious circumstances and her creepy son who keeps visiting the estate in early hours, knowing the secret passages.
Everyone has a motive, keeping big secrets to themselves. But as we go back to their estate’s early days we learn more about Miriam’s childhood, her passionate love story with her future husband Theo, tragedies and life changing secrets that family members hiding.
I love how the past and present events collided and the jaw dropping unfolding of the mystery.I didn’t see it coming. All of those twists are smart and shocking.
Miriam’s story ached my heart and her kind granddaughter Delphine who struggles with trust issues is also one of the characters you can easily resonate with.
Overall: I literally devoured this story. Different genres blended in each other perfectly: romance, historical fiction, whodunnit mystery, gothic thriller.
I’m giving well deserved whispery geronimo stars!
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
December 26, 2022
The book blurb/synopsis gives away the big twist of the book. Knowing that information ahead of time (which isn't revealed until 70% into the story) gave me an early suspect, which ended up being totally correct. So if you want any chance of being surprised, don't read the blurb first. I didn't even know that it was a major reveal until I got halfway through and it hadn't happened yet.
The first 70% of the story is so very, very slow with so much build up and back story and very few exciting parts. Delphine and her mother Dora have moved back to the family home The Whispers in order to have their mother/grandmother Miriam, "Mimi" visit for the Christmas holiday, it is probably her last Christmas. Mimi lives in a care home because she suffers from dementia. When her children all return for this holiday, there are hidden secrets that threaten to be revealed. Told in Delphine's present-day perspective and Mimi's past perspective, the secrets are slowly brought into the light. When Mimi dies out on the ice--is it an accident, suicide, or foul play?
I really enjoyed Rosenfield's previous book, but this one just fell flat. It was both predictable and boring to me, the setup is tedious and slow and there was nothing at all surprising. For as long as the setup was, the only character we really learn about fully is Miriam/Mimi. It's difficult to have any real suspects among the children or other players in the story because we never get to know any of them. Comparing this to Knives Out isn't correct in my opinion, because at least I had an idea of the suspects with that.
Others have liked this better than I did, but I just found it a slow slog to find out what I already figured out from the beginning.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
The first 70% of the story is so very, very slow with so much build up and back story and very few exciting parts. Delphine and her mother Dora have moved back to the family home The Whispers in order to have their mother/grandmother Miriam, "Mimi" visit for the Christmas holiday, it is probably her last Christmas. Mimi lives in a care home because she suffers from dementia. When her children all return for this holiday, there are hidden secrets that threaten to be revealed. Told in Delphine's present-day perspective and Mimi's past perspective, the secrets are slowly brought into the light. When Mimi dies out on the ice--is it an accident, suicide, or foul play?
I really enjoyed Rosenfield's previous book, but this one just fell flat. It was both predictable and boring to me, the setup is tedious and slow and there was nothing at all surprising. For as long as the setup was, the only character we really learn about fully is Miriam/Mimi. It's difficult to have any real suspects among the children or other players in the story because we never get to know any of them. Comparing this to Knives Out isn't correct in my opinion, because at least I had an idea of the suspects with that.
Others have liked this better than I did, but I just found it a slow slog to find out what I already figured out from the beginning.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
September 5, 2022
2.5⭐
So excited to get my copy of Kat Rosenfield’s latest release after enjoying the originality of her previous book, No One Will Miss Her.
Sad to say, this book lacked that same spark that drew me to this author in the first place. The writing style felt completely different. Susanne and I kept asking each-other, “Is this the same author?”
The Caravasios family is gathering for what they feel will be their final Christmas with Mimi, their beloved mother/grandmother who’s rapidly slipping away from the effects of her dementia.
Told from the perspectives of Delphine the granddaughter in the present. And Mimi in the past.
This book just labored along with a mostly predictable ending. I found it too descriptive at times and ended up skimming over on occasion just to move it along.
Hoping I end up being an outlier and there will be many positive reviews!
A buddy read with Susanne that left both of us underwhelmed.🙁
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow.
So excited to get my copy of Kat Rosenfield’s latest release after enjoying the originality of her previous book, No One Will Miss Her.
Sad to say, this book lacked that same spark that drew me to this author in the first place. The writing style felt completely different. Susanne and I kept asking each-other, “Is this the same author?”
The Caravasios family is gathering for what they feel will be their final Christmas with Mimi, their beloved mother/grandmother who’s rapidly slipping away from the effects of her dementia.
Told from the perspectives of Delphine the granddaughter in the present. And Mimi in the past.
This book just labored along with a mostly predictable ending. I found it too descriptive at times and ended up skimming over on occasion just to move it along.
Hoping I end up being an outlier and there will be many positive reviews!
A buddy read with Susanne that left both of us underwhelmed.🙁
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow.
January 16, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Kat Rosenfield for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 1.10!**
And the award for most ironic title goes to...
Okay, but what exactly IS so ironic about this title, you might ask?
I only finished this book a couple of weeks ago...but it was so forgettable in the grand scheme of things, I would have guessed it had been MONTHS rather than mere weeks.
The premise is (somewhat) simple: Miriam is an elderly woman who now needs care after a mysterious stroll onto thin ice that nearly claimed her life. Her live-in nurse, Adam, has caught the affections of Miriam's granddaughter Delphine, and the two are now dating on the DL. Miriam's children Richard, Nicole, and Diana also make an appearance at Miriam's home in Bar Harbor to spend the Christmas holiday with Mimi before dementia takes hold of her for good.
When Delphine gets a large lump of money from Mimi's estate, all eyes are trained on her. Yes, she was Mimi's favorite and her most frequent visitor...but why her...and why now? Has Mimi's past come back to meet her? Or is Delphine not quite as innocent as she seems?
Kat Rosenfield's last book was a stunner: sharp, visceral, intriguing, with characters that held my interest and stunning plot points that kept me entrenched in the narrative from beginning to end (let's not even talk about the end of the first chapter of that book...still one of the best chapter endings I have EVER read.) I figured that she was going down a bit of a different path with this book, but I had enough faith to give it a try, with that abrupt shift in mind.
Let's just say if her first novel was a bit of a bumpy and wild ride across uneven terrain...this one WAS as smooth, uneventful (and as flat) as the tundra itself.
I honestly forgot some of these characters were even IN the book until I went back and read the synopsis...probably because their inane comments made little difference in terms of the actual plot. The book works in two timelines, Mimi's past and Delphine's present, and neither were particularly interesting. It felt like Rosenfield was trying to write a Gothic-style mystery, a modern-day domestic suspense, a family drama, AND a historical fiction book all at once...but this ambiguity in tone took a story that was ALREADY slower in pace and brought it to a grinding halt.
The plot was so unbelievably predictable, I figured it out pretty soon after starting this book...so again, even less incentive to keep reading. Slower burns have to sizzle at the end for them to feel worth the wait for me, and this one just didn't. Because everything seemed so obvious to me, it was even MORE ridiculous that the perpetrator wouldn't have been clear to everyone involved. I kept wondering what the POINT of the book was, which is one of the worst feelings you can have as a reader.
On a positive note, I did appreciate that the book was set at Christmastime, so at least it felt timely back when I was reading it...but if that's the nicest thing I can say about it, that's not saying too much.
There's a reason I don't get along with the winter...and sadly, this book only confirmed that for me. Though I was hoping for a memorable read, the only thing I'll remember about this one is that given the choice, it's ALWAYS best to stay far away from thin ice. 🧊
2.5 stars
And the award for most ironic title goes to...
Okay, but what exactly IS so ironic about this title, you might ask?
I only finished this book a couple of weeks ago...but it was so forgettable in the grand scheme of things, I would have guessed it had been MONTHS rather than mere weeks.
The premise is (somewhat) simple: Miriam is an elderly woman who now needs care after a mysterious stroll onto thin ice that nearly claimed her life. Her live-in nurse, Adam, has caught the affections of Miriam's granddaughter Delphine, and the two are now dating on the DL. Miriam's children Richard, Nicole, and Diana also make an appearance at Miriam's home in Bar Harbor to spend the Christmas holiday with Mimi before dementia takes hold of her for good.
When Delphine gets a large lump of money from Mimi's estate, all eyes are trained on her. Yes, she was Mimi's favorite and her most frequent visitor...but why her...and why now? Has Mimi's past come back to meet her? Or is Delphine not quite as innocent as she seems?
Kat Rosenfield's last book was a stunner: sharp, visceral, intriguing, with characters that held my interest and stunning plot points that kept me entrenched in the narrative from beginning to end (let's not even talk about the end of the first chapter of that book...still one of the best chapter endings I have EVER read.) I figured that she was going down a bit of a different path with this book, but I had enough faith to give it a try, with that abrupt shift in mind.
Let's just say if her first novel was a bit of a bumpy and wild ride across uneven terrain...this one WAS as smooth, uneventful (and as flat) as the tundra itself.
I honestly forgot some of these characters were even IN the book until I went back and read the synopsis...probably because their inane comments made little difference in terms of the actual plot. The book works in two timelines, Mimi's past and Delphine's present, and neither were particularly interesting. It felt like Rosenfield was trying to write a Gothic-style mystery, a modern-day domestic suspense, a family drama, AND a historical fiction book all at once...but this ambiguity in tone took a story that was ALREADY slower in pace and brought it to a grinding halt.
The plot was so unbelievably predictable, I figured it out pretty soon after starting this book...so again, even less incentive to keep reading. Slower burns have to sizzle at the end for them to feel worth the wait for me, and this one just didn't. Because everything seemed so obvious to me, it was even MORE ridiculous that the perpetrator wouldn't have been clear to everyone involved. I kept wondering what the POINT of the book was, which is one of the worst feelings you can have as a reader.
On a positive note, I did appreciate that the book was set at Christmastime, so at least it felt timely back when I was reading it...but if that's the nicest thing I can say about it, that's not saying too much.
There's a reason I don't get along with the winter...and sadly, this book only confirmed that for me. Though I was hoping for a memorable read, the only thing I'll remember about this one is that given the choice, it's ALWAYS best to stay far away from thin ice. 🧊
2.5 stars
January 10, 2023
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
What a fantastic read to start off the new year!
This is NOT just another domestic suspense thriller about memory loss. Told in alternating timelines between 2014 and 1940-1960, this Gothic tale spans generations of the Caravasios family. With parallels to The Great Gatsby, a Christmas family reunion will expose hidden secrets and someone will not survive.
After a bad break-up with her boyfriend, Delphine moves in with her mother at The Whispers, her family’s decaying ancestral mansion. Attempting to forget her troubles, she visits her grandmother, Mimi, at her nursing home. Mimi suffers from dementia, but Delphine is intrigued by her stories of love and romance. Secretly hoping to find love for herself one day, she develops a new found relationship with Mimi.
Fearing that Mimi might be close to the end of her life, the family reunites for the Christmas holiday at The Whispers.
What comes next is truly bizarre. While I did guess a few twists, I did not see the last one coming!
Rosenfield’s phenomenal character development and outstanding storytelling will compel you to finish this book in one sitting.
You Must Remember This is a book I will DEFINITELY remember!
4/5 stars
Expected publication date: 1/10/23
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow publishing for the ARC of You Will Remember This in exchange for an honest review.
What a fantastic read to start off the new year!
This is NOT just another domestic suspense thriller about memory loss. Told in alternating timelines between 2014 and 1940-1960, this Gothic tale spans generations of the Caravasios family. With parallels to The Great Gatsby, a Christmas family reunion will expose hidden secrets and someone will not survive.
After a bad break-up with her boyfriend, Delphine moves in with her mother at The Whispers, her family’s decaying ancestral mansion. Attempting to forget her troubles, she visits her grandmother, Mimi, at her nursing home. Mimi suffers from dementia, but Delphine is intrigued by her stories of love and romance. Secretly hoping to find love for herself one day, she develops a new found relationship with Mimi.
Fearing that Mimi might be close to the end of her life, the family reunites for the Christmas holiday at The Whispers.
What comes next is truly bizarre. While I did guess a few twists, I did not see the last one coming!
Rosenfield’s phenomenal character development and outstanding storytelling will compel you to finish this book in one sitting.
You Must Remember This is a book I will DEFINITELY remember!
4/5 stars
Expected publication date: 1/10/23
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow publishing for the ARC of You Will Remember This in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2022
Outlier Alert! A mystery/suspense that left a little something to be desired.
Oh, how I wanted to like this one! The atmosphere surrounding The Whispers drew me in like a moth to a flame. Having grown up in the woods of Connecticut, New England winters are something I’m quite familiar with. I could imagine the setting of Bar Harbor perfectly and was all in!
As I started reading, however, I had to suspend disbelief. Delphine (“Del”) and her mother move back to The Whispers to be near their dear Mimi (aka Miriam) who lives at nearby Willowcrest. Mimi has dementia and this Christmas just might be her last. Del visits Mimi every day and loves listening to her stories.
This Christmas, Mimi comes back to The Whispers to stay, along with her personal caretaker, Adam. The rest of the family including Del’s aunts and uncles make the trip. All are hoping it’ll be worth their while.
Unfortunately, tragedy strikes, leaving the family mourning the loss of their dear Mimi.
Was it an accident or something more?
For a family with a slew of secrets, let me just say that it wasn’t all that hard to figure out.
I guessed the who and the what, at the very beginning and simply couldn’t suspend my disbelief. The ending was wholly predictable and the book was an extremely slow burn.
This was a buddy read with Kaceey. Both of us had high expectations after reading Kat Rosenfield’s last book and were left disappointed.
2.5 Stars
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the arc.
Oh, how I wanted to like this one! The atmosphere surrounding The Whispers drew me in like a moth to a flame. Having grown up in the woods of Connecticut, New England winters are something I’m quite familiar with. I could imagine the setting of Bar Harbor perfectly and was all in!
As I started reading, however, I had to suspend disbelief. Delphine (“Del”) and her mother move back to The Whispers to be near their dear Mimi (aka Miriam) who lives at nearby Willowcrest. Mimi has dementia and this Christmas just might be her last. Del visits Mimi every day and loves listening to her stories.
This Christmas, Mimi comes back to The Whispers to stay, along with her personal caretaker, Adam. The rest of the family including Del’s aunts and uncles make the trip. All are hoping it’ll be worth their while.
Unfortunately, tragedy strikes, leaving the family mourning the loss of their dear Mimi.
Was it an accident or something more?
For a family with a slew of secrets, let me just say that it wasn’t all that hard to figure out.
I guessed the who and the what, at the very beginning and simply couldn’t suspend my disbelief. The ending was wholly predictable and the book was an extremely slow burn.
This was a buddy read with Kaceey. Both of us had high expectations after reading Kat Rosenfield’s last book and were left disappointed.
2.5 Stars
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the arc.
November 15, 2022
The book begins with eighty-five-year-old Miriam Gardiner walking out onto the vast frozen river behind her home. When she was a young woman, she used to sneak out late at night to meet her lover, walking across the ice to their secret rendezvous meeting place. Miriam has Dementia, she knows how to get to their special place, she just doesn't know he won’t be there. As she walks upon the ice, it begins to crack....
How did she get on the ice? By her own choice, was she urged to do so, was it suicide, or a terrible horrible accident?
When her family gathers it is evident that they have secrets but so did Miriam. The story progresses and readers learn about Miriam's past. The book is told through the POV of Miriam and her granddaughter, Delphine.
I loved the premise of this book, the atmospheric feel of the winter and the thin ice. There are secrets and motives in this book. Described as a "A Knives Out-style whodunnit, I had very high hopes. For me, this was good not great. It’s hard when you see a description and a comparison to Knives Out and then to have the book not be as you are expecting based on a comparison.
Others enjoyed the book more than I did, so please check out their reviews as well.
Thank you to William Morrow & Company and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
How did she get on the ice? By her own choice, was she urged to do so, was it suicide, or a terrible horrible accident?
When her family gathers it is evident that they have secrets but so did Miriam. The story progresses and readers learn about Miriam's past. The book is told through the POV of Miriam and her granddaughter, Delphine.
I loved the premise of this book, the atmospheric feel of the winter and the thin ice. There are secrets and motives in this book. Described as a "A Knives Out-style whodunnit, I had very high hopes. For me, this was good not great. It’s hard when you see a description and a comparison to Knives Out and then to have the book not be as you are expecting based on a comparison.
Others enjoyed the book more than I did, so please check out their reviews as well.
Thank you to William Morrow & Company and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
November 18, 2022
This book was so good! If you liked the movie Knives Out you’ll love this. I love whodunnits and this one was awesome. It kept me guessing till the very end and the ending shocked me.
On the evening of Christmas Eve, 85 year old Miriam wanders onto the frozen lake behind her mansion. She suffers from dementia and she doesn’t hear when the ice cracks beneath her until it’s too late. No one really knows what happened. The entire family was at the mansion to celebrate what they thought would be Miriam’s last Christmas.
Everyone in the family has secrets and start pointing fingers at each other, especially after they find out Miriam’s granddaughter was left $20 million and the other family members barely got anything. What really happened to Miriam that night?
You Must Remember This is available January 10, 2023.
Thank you to @netgalley and @williammorrow for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
On the evening of Christmas Eve, 85 year old Miriam wanders onto the frozen lake behind her mansion. She suffers from dementia and she doesn’t hear when the ice cracks beneath her until it’s too late. No one really knows what happened. The entire family was at the mansion to celebrate what they thought would be Miriam’s last Christmas.
Everyone in the family has secrets and start pointing fingers at each other, especially after they find out Miriam’s granddaughter was left $20 million and the other family members barely got anything. What really happened to Miriam that night?
You Must Remember This is available January 10, 2023.
Thank you to @netgalley and @williammorrow for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
February 10, 2023
It’s Christmas in Bar Harbor, Maine and Miriam Caravasios’s family has flown from far afield to what they all believe could be the matriarch’s last Christmas. At the very least the last she remembers as she is quickly being lost to dementia. What none of the family knows, however, is that, without a word, she will stumble out into the ice before that year’s holiday has even begun and disappear below the surface. Was it a confused woman’s mistake, a successful suicide, or something decidedly more sinister like murder?
When the family learns of her disappearance, their rather eccentric personalities begin to clamor for the family riches. You see, the Caravasios clan is obscenely wealthy with a rather blue-blood mansion on the well-to-do Mount Desert Island. And, while none of the family finds it necessary to work, more is, well…more. And they all want that pot of gold. Not that any of them other than granddaughter Delphine has spent much time with the fading Miriam.
Following the discovery of Miriam’s death, the family sits for the reading of the will. And, despite their absence in the last years of Miriam’s life, each is salivating at what could soon be theirs. From siblings Dora, Delphine’s sharp-tongued mother; to Diana, who seems particularly eager to gain her seemingly rightful share; and last but surely not least, Richard, who appears to be quite capable of cutting anyone down to size, least of all his mother. Rounding out the motley crew are insecure but loving granddaughter, Delphine; Miriam’s live-in caretaker, Adam, who also just happens to be Delphine’s secret hunky boy toy. Oh, and let’s not forget the family’s former longtime housekeeper slash nanny, Shelly Dyer, who left them in a cloud of mystery years ago. Each is just a bit too happy to hear what their individual windfalls may be.
So when they all gather at the attorney’s office to hear just what each is going to get, the truth is galling. Excluding a small inheritance to each of Miriam’s own children, the bulk sum will go to Delphine, the only member of the Caravasios family who deemed to give her grandmother the time of day. Just as quickly as the turn of fortune, however, suspicion for Miriam’s sudden, unforeseen death falls on the youngest of the family. Delphine Lockwood. Will she be able to scramble fast enough to uncover the truth? Was it accident? Suicide? Or murder? And does Delphine herself now have cause to worry? For if Miriam came to a suspicious end, they might just decide to give their luck another go.
You Must Remember This is, for the most part, not a thriller or even a mystery. Instead, it is more of a winding love story minus the sappy romance that alternates between past and present with just a bit of suspense that slowly ratchets higher and higher. While it wasn’t at all something I would normally be inclined to read, I ate it up as fast as humanly possible. Because it was excellent in nearly all aspects. And don’t worry, that mystery does come around at the end where, in the last 100 pages, I found myself nearly ripping the pages out of the binding as I flipped them. Because the ending is damned near perfect. But maybe don’t read the publisher’s synopsis (mine is missing the spoiler I found in theirs) as I would’ve enjoyed the book far more without the climax being trashed. But I’ll come back to that one flaw I did find.
Filled with hauntingly vivid descriptions and deep and well-explored characters who are every bit as eccentric as one might authentically find in an old, well-to-do, blue blood clan, the absolute best part of this novel was by far the twisted humor (the dialogue is stuffed with it). From the constantly plastered uncle to the cold, calculating aunt and brown-nosing mother, each has something to gain from the old woman’s demise making the story jam-packed with suspects (and red herrings).
The only aspect I didn’t absolutely adore was the turtle-like speed of all but the last third of the book. Slow burn would be an understatement. But for once, I decided to put my fast-pace demanding self on the back-burner and relished the superbly well-crafted plot that Kat Rosenfield masterfully wrote. Between the dual timelines (separated by nearly a lifetime) and POVs, we explore youth and old age in equal measure but focus solidly on love, especially of the illicit turned conventional in variety. So, go into this novel with your eyes wide open and you might indeed enjoy it just as much as I did. However, don’t be fooled into believing the book jacket or other reviews claiming it’s a classic mystery. Because the vast majority of it is decidedly not. It is, though, oh so good. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Trigger warning: dementia, alcohol abuse, infidelity, homophobia
When the family learns of her disappearance, their rather eccentric personalities begin to clamor for the family riches. You see, the Caravasios clan is obscenely wealthy with a rather blue-blood mansion on the well-to-do Mount Desert Island. And, while none of the family finds it necessary to work, more is, well…more. And they all want that pot of gold. Not that any of them other than granddaughter Delphine has spent much time with the fading Miriam.
Following the discovery of Miriam’s death, the family sits for the reading of the will. And, despite their absence in the last years of Miriam’s life, each is salivating at what could soon be theirs. From siblings Dora, Delphine’s sharp-tongued mother; to Diana, who seems particularly eager to gain her seemingly rightful share; and last but surely not least, Richard, who appears to be quite capable of cutting anyone down to size, least of all his mother. Rounding out the motley crew are insecure but loving granddaughter, Delphine; Miriam’s live-in caretaker, Adam, who also just happens to be Delphine’s secret hunky boy toy. Oh, and let’s not forget the family’s former longtime housekeeper slash nanny, Shelly Dyer, who left them in a cloud of mystery years ago. Each is just a bit too happy to hear what their individual windfalls may be.
So when they all gather at the attorney’s office to hear just what each is going to get, the truth is galling. Excluding a small inheritance to each of Miriam’s own children, the bulk sum will go to Delphine, the only member of the Caravasios family who deemed to give her grandmother the time of day. Just as quickly as the turn of fortune, however, suspicion for Miriam’s sudden, unforeseen death falls on the youngest of the family. Delphine Lockwood. Will she be able to scramble fast enough to uncover the truth? Was it accident? Suicide? Or murder? And does Delphine herself now have cause to worry? For if Miriam came to a suspicious end, they might just decide to give their luck another go.
You Must Remember This is, for the most part, not a thriller or even a mystery. Instead, it is more of a winding love story minus the sappy romance that alternates between past and present with just a bit of suspense that slowly ratchets higher and higher. While it wasn’t at all something I would normally be inclined to read, I ate it up as fast as humanly possible. Because it was excellent in nearly all aspects. And don’t worry, that mystery does come around at the end where, in the last 100 pages, I found myself nearly ripping the pages out of the binding as I flipped them. Because the ending is damned near perfect. But maybe don’t read the publisher’s synopsis (mine is missing the spoiler I found in theirs) as I would’ve enjoyed the book far more without the climax being trashed. But I’ll come back to that one flaw I did find.
Filled with hauntingly vivid descriptions and deep and well-explored characters who are every bit as eccentric as one might authentically find in an old, well-to-do, blue blood clan, the absolute best part of this novel was by far the twisted humor (the dialogue is stuffed with it). From the constantly plastered uncle to the cold, calculating aunt and brown-nosing mother, each has something to gain from the old woman’s demise making the story jam-packed with suspects (and red herrings).
The only aspect I didn’t absolutely adore was the turtle-like speed of all but the last third of the book. Slow burn would be an understatement. But for once, I decided to put my fast-pace demanding self on the back-burner and relished the superbly well-crafted plot that Kat Rosenfield masterfully wrote. Between the dual timelines (separated by nearly a lifetime) and POVs, we explore youth and old age in equal measure but focus solidly on love, especially of the illicit turned conventional in variety. So, go into this novel with your eyes wide open and you might indeed enjoy it just as much as I did. However, don’t be fooled into believing the book jacket or other reviews claiming it’s a classic mystery. Because the vast majority of it is decidedly not. It is, though, oh so good. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Trigger warning: dementia, alcohol abuse, infidelity, homophobia
January 24, 2023
This was much more of a historical fiction drama than what I would call a thriller. Parts of it were intriguing, but I felt that it was somewhat dull throughout, and there was little suspense up until the very end, which was very brief. Needless to say, this one didn't even come close to living up to my expectations after reading this author's debut and enjoying it. With that being said, it was still well-written, and the characters were fleshed-out and there was depth to them. Overall, I had to go with middle ground and rate it a 3 Star Read. I'll still read this author, but probably won't go out and purchase her next book immediately based on the wonderful cover, as I did with this one.
August 9, 2022
It was Christmas Eve when Miriam Gardliner took a walk out onto the frozen river behind her home. Her dementia may have clouded her judgement when she stepped out to the thin ice, but no one will ever know because she did not make it back. Mariam’s family quickly starts to squabble about the family fortune and there are inconsistencies popping up about the night of Miriam’s death.
This was my second book by Kat Rosenfield and I really enjoyed both of them. YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS is a great whodunnit told in alternating timelines. All mystery fans should check this one out!
Thanks to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
This was my second book by Kat Rosenfield and I really enjoyed both of them. YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS is a great whodunnit told in alternating timelines. All mystery fans should check this one out!
Thanks to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
November 28, 2022
This was a solid mystery, that I never saw the ending coming! Told in two timelines and two POVs really made the mystery that much more layered and enjoyable. This was a great who-dun-it mystery that any reader would love.
The opening chapter really captures your attention and makes you want to keep reading. It was a slower build in the beginning but it gained momentum at around 40%. Even though it was a slower start overall I loved this book. The ending will leave your jaw on the floor.
***** Many thanks to William Marrow and Company, Kat Rosenfield, and NetGalley for the #gifted copy as it was provided to me in turn for my honest opinion.
The opening chapter really captures your attention and makes you want to keep reading. It was a slower build in the beginning but it gained momentum at around 40%. Even though it was a slower start overall I loved this book. The ending will leave your jaw on the floor.
***** Many thanks to William Marrow and Company, Kat Rosenfield, and NetGalley for the #gifted copy as it was provided to me in turn for my honest opinion.
January 19, 2023
I really enjoyed the writing style of this story and was completely pulled into the characters and the gothic atmosphere.
As a “Knives Out style whodunnit” I found it lacking, especially because so much information is revealed in the synopsis. I would recommend not reading the synopsis if you want a surprising reading experience. Having read the synopsis, the book feels very slow as it builds to covering everything that’s revealed in the synopsis, and the “who” of the “whodunnit” is pretty obvious to a seasoned mystery reader.
Despite all of that, I really enjoyed the story for what it was- a story about a complicated family, secrets, seeing people for who they really are, and the ways in which we rewrite our own history. I would definitely pick up more from this author in the future.
Thank you to the publisher for granting me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As a “Knives Out style whodunnit” I found it lacking, especially because so much information is revealed in the synopsis. I would recommend not reading the synopsis if you want a surprising reading experience. Having read the synopsis, the book feels very slow as it builds to covering everything that’s revealed in the synopsis, and the “who” of the “whodunnit” is pretty obvious to a seasoned mystery reader.
Despite all of that, I really enjoyed the story for what it was- a story about a complicated family, secrets, seeing people for who they really are, and the ways in which we rewrite our own history. I would definitely pick up more from this author in the future.
Thank you to the publisher for granting me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2023
"Secrets, secrets, are no fun. Somebody always tells."
I don't know why, but for some reason Kat Rosenfield's novels just WORK for me, and You Must Remember This was no exception. Even though it has pretty slow pacing, I was fully engrossed in both the characters and the story, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen. The viewpoint changes between Miriam's past and Delphine in the present was pure genius, and I loved that it was the way in which the reader ends up getting the entire picture of what got us into our current scenario. I ended up crying near the end of this book which some people might find ridiculous, but it hit me SO HARD! The different family members were a hot mess, and I loved all of the drama and tension this added to the storyline.
The audiobook is narrated by Stacy Gonzalez & Katherine Conklin, and I fully believe they helped keep me fully invested in Miriam and Delphine. I did think Conklin's narration was a little off near the end of the book (weird pauses where there shouldn't be any), but other than that all the narration was spot on and they fit oh so perfectly with their characters. I was completely shocked by so many things that happened in You Must Remember This, and the gothic feel and spooky setting (I don't care what anyone says, the Whispers is a CREEPY-ass house) were icing on the cake. I highly recommend going into this book as blind as possible plus with an open mind, and if you do this, I think you will love it just as much as I did.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I don't know why, but for some reason Kat Rosenfield's novels just WORK for me, and You Must Remember This was no exception. Even though it has pretty slow pacing, I was fully engrossed in both the characters and the story, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen. The viewpoint changes between Miriam's past and Delphine in the present was pure genius, and I loved that it was the way in which the reader ends up getting the entire picture of what got us into our current scenario. I ended up crying near the end of this book which some people might find ridiculous, but it hit me SO HARD! The different family members were a hot mess, and I loved all of the drama and tension this added to the storyline.
The audiobook is narrated by Stacy Gonzalez & Katherine Conklin, and I fully believe they helped keep me fully invested in Miriam and Delphine. I did think Conklin's narration was a little off near the end of the book (weird pauses where there shouldn't be any), but other than that all the narration was spot on and they fit oh so perfectly with their characters. I was completely shocked by so many things that happened in You Must Remember This, and the gothic feel and spooky setting (I don't care what anyone says, the Whispers is a CREEPY-ass house) were icing on the cake. I highly recommend going into this book as blind as possible plus with an open mind, and if you do this, I think you will love it just as much as I did.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 2, 2023
I happily finished YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS by KAT ROSENFIELD and thoroughly enjoyed it! When I read the initial pitch of Knives Out with a twist of Taylor Jenkins Reid I was all in - no questions asked.
Set in a family estate on an island off Maine, we get old money and loads of secrets. A past and present timeline. An estranged family reunited for Christmas. And so much mystery.
The matriarch of the family, 85-year-old Miriam, her mind fuzzy with dementia, returns to the estate to celebrate the holiday with her family. One night she steps out onto the ice and by the time she hears the crack it’s too late.
With her enormous estate at stake questions arise - was she lured to her death? Was it a suicide? Or just a tragic accident?
I was invested in the mystery and the characters and loved the atmosphere of the mansion. The complicated family dynamics pulled in me and the suspect list kept me on my toes. And while I am a huge fan of our main character, Delphine, I have to say, for me, Richard really stole the show. You’ll have to read the book to find out why!
And as someone who doesn’t always get on with a historical timeline I really loved having the chance to “meet” a younger Miriam in the past timeline which spans from the 1940s - 1960s. She’s such an interesting, dynamic woman. She can be impulsive and messy and led by love, making decisions in the heat of the moment and not always foreseeing the coneqeuences.
KAT ROSENFIELD crafts a great story and I really connected with her writing. This book has moments of levity as well as weightier moments woven into the mystery. I highly recommend reading it!
Set in a family estate on an island off Maine, we get old money and loads of secrets. A past and present timeline. An estranged family reunited for Christmas. And so much mystery.
The matriarch of the family, 85-year-old Miriam, her mind fuzzy with dementia, returns to the estate to celebrate the holiday with her family. One night she steps out onto the ice and by the time she hears the crack it’s too late.
With her enormous estate at stake questions arise - was she lured to her death? Was it a suicide? Or just a tragic accident?
I was invested in the mystery and the characters and loved the atmosphere of the mansion. The complicated family dynamics pulled in me and the suspect list kept me on my toes. And while I am a huge fan of our main character, Delphine, I have to say, for me, Richard really stole the show. You’ll have to read the book to find out why!
And as someone who doesn’t always get on with a historical timeline I really loved having the chance to “meet” a younger Miriam in the past timeline which spans from the 1940s - 1960s. She’s such an interesting, dynamic woman. She can be impulsive and messy and led by love, making decisions in the heat of the moment and not always foreseeing the coneqeuences.
KAT ROSENFIELD crafts a great story and I really connected with her writing. This book has moments of levity as well as weightier moments woven into the mystery. I highly recommend reading it!
January 10, 2023
A taunt thriller that had me turning the pages deep into the night. Kat Rosenfield does it again. If you're looking for your next read, look no further.
December 20, 2025
“You Must Remember This” is a moody, character-driven novel that leans heavily into nostalgia, unresolved trauma, and the long shadow of first love. The story follows Hadley, who returns to her childhood home years after a tragic summer that left her friend Samantha dead and her then-boyfriend Charlie forever changed. What really happened that night has always been blurred by memory, guilt, and rumor, and returning forces Hadley to confront all of it.
The book does a good job capturing the haze of memory and the way the past can feel both distant and painfully present. Rosenfield excels at atmosphere: the lake setting, the suffocating summer heat, and the emotional weight of old friendships all feel tangible. The slow unraveling of the truth keeps you engaged, and the themes of grief, accountability, and self-deception are thoughtfully explored.
That said, the pacing is uneven. The story lingers for a long time in introspection, and while that fits the tone, it can feel repetitive. Some character choices are frustrating, and the emotional payoff doesn’t quite land as strongly as it promises. The mystery of what happened is compelling, but the resolution feels quieter and less impactful than expected.
Overall, “You Must Remember This” is a reflective, bittersweet read with strong atmosphere and interesting themes, even if it doesn’t fully deliver on its emotional or narrative potential. A solid, thoughtful novel, just not one that completely stayed with me.
December 31, 2022
I think I would have loved this one, had I gone in with the correct assumptions.
I thought this was a thriller, an edge of your seat mystery. I thought I'd be sucked into a story and not want to stop. Instead, this was a slow burn family drama. The mystery doesn't really get going until at about 80% and then it's just a rush to wrap it all up. To compare this with Knives Out, for me, set expectations that I was completely disappointed by.
This is the story of Mimi/Miriam. In one timeline, she's a young women learning about the world. In the other timeline, she's struggling with dementia and being taken home, with her family, for probably her last Christmas with everyone around. It really digs in, giving you a lot of back story about Mimi. But the Now POV is told from her grand daughter, Delphine. There's family drama and heartache as everyone sees Mimi's good and bad days while everyone counts down the days to Christmas.
I didn't find the mystery too compelling. I was quick to note who I thought did it and just waited for it all the play out. I wish I'd gone in to this, knowing it would be an indepth look into Mimi's life and family. I think I would have liked it.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I thought this was a thriller, an edge of your seat mystery. I thought I'd be sucked into a story and not want to stop. Instead, this was a slow burn family drama. The mystery doesn't really get going until at about 80% and then it's just a rush to wrap it all up. To compare this with Knives Out, for me, set expectations that I was completely disappointed by.
This is the story of Mimi/Miriam. In one timeline, she's a young women learning about the world. In the other timeline, she's struggling with dementia and being taken home, with her family, for probably her last Christmas with everyone around. It really digs in, giving you a lot of back story about Mimi. But the Now POV is told from her grand daughter, Delphine. There's family drama and heartache as everyone sees Mimi's good and bad days while everyone counts down the days to Christmas.
I didn't find the mystery too compelling. I was quick to note who I thought did it and just waited for it all the play out. I wish I'd gone in to this, knowing it would be an indepth look into Mimi's life and family. I think I would have liked it.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
January 13, 2023
This was an atmospheric, mysterious, creepy, heartbreaking, and, at times, even a little romantic slow-burn domestic drama.
I loved Kat's first book, it was gritty and raw, and while this one is so different, it's just as good. She's going to be someone who can write anything and bend genres. I only wish it had been released in time for Christmas.
I received an ARC so thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for that and I finished with the audio that I purchased on my own, because I've been more into that lately and the quality was fantastic.
So about the audiobook: The narration was amazing. I don't know if the narrator for Miriam is really an old lady but she sounded like one without being cartoonish, which will literally make me return an audiobook.
Side note: I don't know how KR got into the mind of an old lady because some of their jokes and banter I could just see my own Nana and her friends saying. That cracked me up while feeling very genuine.
It was beautifully written and I'm sad it's over. I miss them. I loved it so much!
I loved Kat's first book, it was gritty and raw, and while this one is so different, it's just as good. She's going to be someone who can write anything and bend genres. I only wish it had been released in time for Christmas.
I received an ARC so thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for that and I finished with the audio that I purchased on my own, because I've been more into that lately and the quality was fantastic.
So about the audiobook: The narration was amazing. I don't know if the narrator for Miriam is really an old lady but she sounded like one without being cartoonish, which will literally make me return an audiobook.
Side note: I don't know how KR got into the mind of an old lady because some of their jokes and banter I could just see my own Nana and her friends saying. That cracked me up while feeling very genuine.
It was beautifully written and I'm sad it's over. I miss them. I loved it so much!
January 17, 2023
This was a very slow burn that took a while to get going, and did not feel like a thriller to me. I loved the storyline and the family drama but I wished it moved along a little faster. It was very well done and thorough, and I enjoyed it overall.
Thank you to #partner @bibliolifestyle @williammorrowbooks for the free copy to review.
Thank you to #partner @bibliolifestyle @williammorrowbooks for the free copy to review.
January 24, 2023
3⭐
…the bullet points
➨ mystery
➨ light thriller
➨ very light gothic elements
➨ slow burn
➨ matriarch with dementia
➨ family secrets
➨ an inheritance at stake
I really enjoyed this author's debut book No One Will Miss Her, and I wish I could say the same for this…but I really can’t. It felt like it was floundering to have an actual story until the last quarter of the book. It was supposed to be gothic but it was really just an old house with the wind howling through it. The story did pick up near the end and it was even kind of good…but the rest of it was boring.
…about the narration
➨ 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️/5
➨ Stacy Gonzalez & Kathrine Conklin. I can’t believe this is the same (Stacy Gonzalez) narrator from Carrie Soto is Back…she sounded so different, still good but with a different tone altogether. Katherine Conklin was just okay, though.
...the score
➨ 5.86/10 | Opening-5 | Characters-6 | Plot-6 | Atmosphere-5 | Writing Style-6 | Ending-7 | Overall Enjoyment- 6
…the bullet points
➨ mystery
➨ light thriller
➨ very light gothic elements
➨ slow burn
➨ matriarch with dementia
➨ family secrets
➨ an inheritance at stake
I really enjoyed this author's debut book No One Will Miss Her, and I wish I could say the same for this…but I really can’t. It felt like it was floundering to have an actual story until the last quarter of the book. It was supposed to be gothic but it was really just an old house with the wind howling through it. The story did pick up near the end and it was even kind of good…but the rest of it was boring.
…about the narration
➨ 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️/5
➨ Stacy Gonzalez & Kathrine Conklin. I can’t believe this is the same (Stacy Gonzalez) narrator from Carrie Soto is Back…she sounded so different, still good but with a different tone altogether. Katherine Conklin was just okay, though.
...the score
➨ 5.86/10 | Opening-5 | Characters-6 | Plot-6 | Atmosphere-5 | Writing Style-6 | Ending-7 | Overall Enjoyment- 6
January 12, 2023
When Miriam passes away, fingers are pointed every which way, as to who was responsible. Did someone do it on purpose or was it an accident, caused by Miriam's dementia?
This was a fantastic mystery novel! Told in alternating timelines of before and after, I was hooked from page one, as everyone's secrets were slowly revealed. The ending was also unexpected and left me shocked - in a good way! This is my first Kat Rosenfield novel but definitely will not be my last.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was a fantastic mystery novel! Told in alternating timelines of before and after, I was hooked from page one, as everyone's secrets were slowly revealed. The ending was also unexpected and left me shocked - in a good way! This is my first Kat Rosenfield novel but definitely will not be my last.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 19, 2023
It seems this book title is a jinx as, after just a few weeks since I read this, I find I don’t remember much about it at all. “You Must Remember This” is a family drama centering around the life of Miriam (Mimi), a now elderly woman afflicted with dementia. With many of her family visiting for Christmas, with the understanding that this may be her last, Miriam shocks them all by wandering out onto a frozen lake one night and plunging to her death. This is a dual timeline narrative, focused on Mimi’s long past and her granddaughter Delphine’s current reality. When Mimi dies, Delphine becomes the recipient of most of Mimi’s estate … but not all of the family agree this inheritance makes sense, and her death comes under question.
The book jacket compares this to “Knives Out” and unfortunately that was an unfavorable comparison — while this book benefits from having extra hands picking it up as a result of the name dropping, sadly in the end it pales to Knives Out. The similarities are not in the strength of a surprising story and well-developed quirky characters, but instead in what feels almost a too-similar plot line centered around a rich family's ridiculous drama and inheritance. It’s slow with forgettable characters — just not for me!
The book jacket compares this to “Knives Out” and unfortunately that was an unfavorable comparison — while this book benefits from having extra hands picking it up as a result of the name dropping, sadly in the end it pales to Knives Out. The similarities are not in the strength of a surprising story and well-developed quirky characters, but instead in what feels almost a too-similar plot line centered around a rich family's ridiculous drama and inheritance. It’s slow with forgettable characters — just not for me!
December 3, 2022
I really wanted and actually expected to love this one after really enjoying the authors last book, No One Will Miss Her but sadly, I found this one to be lacking. For me it was missing the intensity of a mystery/thriller and read more like women’s fiction with a small side of suspense. I’ll admit I was intrigued in the beginning it had a strong opening that piqued my interest but as things went on I was a little bored. What kept me reading was the atmosphere of a bitter winter and the wide variety of suspects as to whodunnit. I did know who it would be early on but I kept reading and hoping I was wrong but sadly the author went with the predictable route. So in the end this was just ok for me, if you want to read one of the authors books the one I mentioned earlier was better! I would definitely read more by her in the future though just to see if she could capture that spark that NWMH had for me.
August 10, 2022
I would like to thank edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I read the author's previous book, "No One Will Miss Her" and enjoyed it so I was looking forward to reading this one. While it does start out a bit slow, it picks up after the first 1/4. Delphine, her mom, and the rest of her family go back to her grandmother's estate to have one last Christmas with her. Tensions are high, fighting ensues and her grandmother, Miriam is found dead under the ice. Was it an accident or was it suicide? Told between more current time (2014-2015) and multiple years prior when Delphine's grandmother was young, we see these two stories tie together in one big climax. An interesting read, can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
February 7, 2023
A twisty dual timeline story about an aging woman with dementia, her gold-digging family and the granddaughter who is the only one looking out for her best interests. I really enjoyed the flashbacks in this book and didn't predict the ending at all! Great on audio and perfect for fans of rich people behaving badly stories.
April 22, 2023
This one just fell flat for me & I pretty much wish I had DNF it. It was predictable, without any surprising twists. I was actually rather bored listening to it. It had potential with the gothic mansion with secret tunnels and old family secrets. But, it gives itself away almost immediately and there’s nothing left but to slough through to the end. I was unfortunately very underwhelmed.
January 19, 2023
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this story! It starts off in the middle and then goes to the beginning, switching between Delphine and her Grandmothers point of views. Most of the Grandmothers parts are from the past, which gives great insight into her character. I loved all the twists and turns and how many of the family are both good and evil in their own ways. I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in psychological thrillers and mysteries!
I really enjoyed this story! It starts off in the middle and then goes to the beginning, switching between Delphine and her Grandmothers point of views. Most of the Grandmothers parts are from the past, which gives great insight into her character. I loved all the twists and turns and how many of the family are both good and evil in their own ways. I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in psychological thrillers and mysteries!
April 11, 2023
Read for Popsugar 2023-a book with a song lyric in title
I figured this one out about half way through and all that was left, was the why.
Delphine and her Grandmother, Mariam, alternately tell the story in different chapters. Its a slow start, with a lot of yada yada background. Grandma has dementia and comes back home to her mansion in Maine for one last Christmas with her family.
If this was bathwater, it'd be luke warm. I wanted more out of this book, instead it was just okay.
I figured this one out about half way through and all that was left, was the why.
Delphine and her Grandmother, Mariam, alternately tell the story in different chapters. Its a slow start, with a lot of yada yada background. Grandma has dementia and comes back home to her mansion in Maine for one last Christmas with her family.
If this was bathwater, it'd be luke warm. I wanted more out of this book, instead it was just okay.
January 4, 2023
I loved this book! Although I felt I was able to figure out a lot of the secrets, maybe that’s just because I’ve read a bajillion thrillers so I’m always suspicious. I loved the dual timelines that revealed two separate truths at the end. I loved the way it was written. I finished it in 2 days flat. Of course another reason I loved it is because it takes place in Bar Harbor Maine so it had those wintry gothic house on a hill vibes. Good times all around. Highly recommend it!
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