AN INSTANT INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER“Wholly original. Scarily clever. Completely mesmerizing. You will never look at family road trips the same way again.”—Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling authorA most anticipated book by Hello Sunshine ∙ Cosmo ∙ Entertainment Weekly ∙ Betches ∙ Hollywood Reporter ∙ Parade ∙ PopSugar ∙ OK! Magazine ∙ Hello Giggles ∙ Bustle ∙ Yahoo! ∙ She Reads ∙ Book … Hollywood Reporter ∙ Parade ∙ PopSugar ∙ OK! Magazine ∙ Hello Giggles ∙ Bustle ∙ Yahoo! ∙ She Reads ∙ Book Page ∙ CrimeReads ∙ New York Post Best Book of the Week ∙ Goodreads
From the twisted mind behind mega hit My Lovely Wife comes the story of a family—not unlike your own—just with a few more violent tendencies thrown in….
Beth, Portia, and Eddie Morgan haven’t all been together in years. And for very good reasons—we’ll get to those later. But when their wealthy grandfather dies and leaves a cryptic final message in his wake, the siblings and their respective partners must come together for a cross-country road trip to fulfill his final wish and—more importantly—secure their inheritance.
But time with your family can be tough. It is for everyone.
It’s even harder when you’re all keeping secrets and trying to forget a memory, a missing person, an act of revenge, the man in the black truck who won’t stop following your car—and especially when at least one of you is a killer and there’s a body in the trunk. Just to name a few reasons.
But money is a powerful motivator. It is for everyone.
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A twisty, sneaking tale of greed, lies and betrayal, with each character as conniving as the next and an ending that will make your heart stop. This one needs to be on the top of everyone’s to-read list!
Wholly original. Scarily clever. Completely mesmerizing. You will never look at family road trips the same way again.
The trip of a lifetime, travelling across the US just pulls you in, but I won’t disclose the ending. You won’t believe it.
A tour de force in voice and structure. The brilliant Samantha Downing takes a glorious risk in this superbly captivating and endlessly surprising road trip from hell. It’s sibling rivalry pushed to the max — dark and crazy and twisted — and I could not put it down.
Fast-paced and whip-smart. If you don’t mind spending time in dangerous company then I highly recommend this wild ride of a thriller.
Wow! My Lovely Wife was a tough act to follow, but Samantha Downing has nailed it with this dark, jaw-dropping tale of evil, family, and greed. She is a brave and talented author, firmly on my must-read list.
HE STARTED IT
By Samantha Downing
Let me first start off by saying I started reading the first couple chapters not knowing what to expect with this being Mrs. Downing’s second novel; her first being MY LOVELY WIFE. Now I was screaming off rooftops on how fantastic this new Author I had just found and read was and was so thankful and anxious when I heard there was a brand new Book #2 on the horizon. As I was began reading HE STARTED IT, I instantly recognized the writing prose I had come to know as Mrs. Downing’s. I felt comfortable, at home and I knew I was in for an all-nighter because with her books, you make an unspoken contract with yourself that you will not stop reading until the book is done. This is how I’ve come to think of just how much her storytelling gets you in it’s grips.
This book is a thriller but it doesn’t necessarily start off that way. It’s very different than her first book but in a good way. I also enjoyed the satire & drama that was throughout the story as you would see in real life as well; considering this book is based mainly on a dysfunctional family taking a long extended road trip to replicate one in which they went on as kids with their Grandfather approximately 20 years earlier.
But on this current dysfunctional family road trip, there are some family members missing, Nicky who went missing from the 1st trip when she ran away after being tied up & Grandpa who has since passed away and the devious one who wrote it in his will that this trip must be taken exactly as it was in the past, in order to inherit the millions of dollars at stake. Also, no one must land in jail!
Eddie, Beth and Portia Morgan have not remained close or seen each other after their last road trip went askew. The one where family secrets came to light and you got to see who everyone in your family truly was; masks unveiled and it wasn’t pretty. That trip was scary, torturous and maybe even considered as a possible kidnapping. Now years later they all have needy reasons to push the past aside to acquire the money from the will, even if it means repeating the same horrifying road trip they took years ago with their siblings. Though this time, Eddie brings his annoying wife and Beth brings her husband who begins to get on her last nerve on this trip. This trip does not go uneventful…in fact it may be more corrupt and horrific than their first. From murder, to being followed, to someone playing games with them, to their missing eldest sister possibly reappearing? You cannot count or name all the adventure and terror that is in store for you. Just make sure you wear your seat belt!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher, Berkley Publishing. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Holy freaking amazeballs what did I freaking read!!!! This book has everything! Dysfunctional family, secrets and lots of them, unreliable narrator, and so many lies!!! Beth, Eddie, and Portia must recreate a road trip they took with their grandfather when they were younger. It is a condition of his will. The siblings haven’t seen each other much since they are grown, and boy oh boy is this quite the road trip! I freaking LOVED this book!!! It kept me guessing and at the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading.
A wicked-fun read with razor-sharp wit and a killer twist, He Started It is compelling, captivating, and deliciously dark. Samantha Downing writes with a wry, sparse elegance that steadily entangles you until you’re utterly addicted.
Author Samantha Downing’s debut novel, My Lovely Wife, was not a fluke. Full of diabolical, unimaginable plot twists and turns, My Lovely Wife left many readers shocked, amazed, and amused by Downing’s deliciously pernicious imagination. But that was just the beginning.
Downing’s sophomore effort, He Started It, ramps up the madness. It is a twisted tale not about a married couple locked in a compellingly dysfunctional relationship. Rather, three siblings who went their separate ways many years ago are forced to reunite if they want to claim their respective shares of their grandfather’s estate. There are fourteen days of a hellish road trip remaining when the story opens with a first-person narration from Beth, the middle child. She and her husband, Felix, sit, appropriately enough, in the middle seat of the rented SUV. Her brother, Eddie, two years her senior, drives with his wife, Krista, in the front passenger seat. And Portia, six years younger than Beth, sits alone in the back. She is not married and, according to Beth works as a dancer in Las Vegas. They are transporting their grandfather’s ashes in the trunk. They started the trip in Georgia and are en route to the California coast, stopping along the way at the same places they stopped twenty years ago when they made the same trip with their grandfather, sharing expenses and two hotel rooms per night — relegating Portia to sharing a room with each couple on a rotating basis to save money.
About their first road trip twenty years ago, Beth relates at the outset that their grandfather “wanted to show us the world, starting with as many states as possible. Instead, it turned into one of those things we don’t mention, don’t talk about. It stays in our heads, swimming around in denial, in disbelief, even in delusion.” She anticipates that the trip upon which they have just embarked will “be the trip of a lifetime. And when it’s over, everything is going to be different. Just like the first time.”
Beth’s narrative is broken up by journal entries from the summer of 1999. They consist of responses to writing prompts set forth in a diary entitled Your Feelings: A Guide — Thoughtful Questions for Thoughtful Girls.
As the days count down, Beth describes the group’s journey through several states and the places they stop. For instance, they zigzag their way through Mississippi and into Louisiana where they visit a museum dedicated to Bonnie and Clyde that features black-and-white photos of the bank robbers’ bullet-riddled bodies, as well as the men who shot them. The actual car in which they died is on display. Beth’s descriptions of their pilgrimage back to the places their grandfather insisted upon showing them are often darkly hilarious, and she compares the siblings’ current reactions with the way their responded all those years ago.
The siblings deal with being followed and having their vehicle sabotaged, the grandfather’s ashes going missing, being terrorized when they stop in seedy motels, and trying to figure out each other’s secrets. Beth reveals what transpired during their first trip — the telephone calls home to their parents, the way their grandfather treated them, and the discoveries the siblings made along the way about the real nature of the trip and their grandfather’s motives. The grudge at least one of them held. What they did when they found out the truth — which explains a great deal about what kind of adults the siblings have become. Not to mention what Eddie, Beth, and Portia never brought home from that trip, and how that omission impacted their parents.
For the most part, Beth is a reliable narrator, but Downing makes the most of the points in the story when she is not. She deftly times those moments for maximum impact and, after the first major shocking development, keeps the surprises coming fast. She skillfully makes Beth empathetic . . . to a point. The story’s initial solid pace quickly accelerates with successive grisly plot twists and revelations, each more surprising than the last. Readers learn each character’s real agenda at the same time as Beth, who plots and schemes to outsmart her siblings when she uncovers the truth.
Alliances are formed and splinter, the siblings betray each other, secrets are revealed. And it all concludes with a pulse-pounding finale that will separate readers into two camps. Some will find it brilliant, while others will be completely frustrated by its ambiguity.
Despite the controversial ending, He Started It is witty, gripping, and will keep readers guessing until — literally — the very end of the story. Downing is quickly establishing herself as a master at creating twisted, fiendish characters and compulsively readable stories filled with wickedly disquieting, but delectable surprises. He Started It is one of the best thrillers of 2020.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader’s Copy of the book.
Samantha Downing has done it again! She’s followed up her brilliant MY LOVELY WIFE with another unputdownable page-turner that will make your own family, however messed up they are, seem like the Brady Bunch. HE STARTED IT is about three siblings—Beth, Portia, and Eddie—who, according to their grandfather’s will, must recreate a road trip they took as kids in order to receive their inheritance. But each of these siblings has an agenda of their own, and it isn’t long before it seems that not everyone will make it out alive. Beth is such a fun narrator. She’s got dark humor for days, and she tells us right from the start that she is no angel in this story. It’s clear that she’ll be an unreliable narrator, but she has more tricks up her sleeve than any reader can guess. I love how Samantha Downing captured an authentic sibling dynamic in the little moments between Beth, Portia, and Eddie; the way they spoke to each other and pushed each other’s buttons felt completely realistic—even though they probably go farther than most siblings would. I also enjoyed how the road trip in the present timeline is woven through with memories of the first road trip, which took some very dark and life-altering turns. The short chapters keep this book moving at a deliciously fast pace, and the final showdown between the characters is almost dizzying in its layers of surprises. If you’re looking for a fun summer read about a highly dysfunctional family, you can’t do better than HE STARTED IT. (Oh, and I have to mention how perfect a title that is; it’s sinister while it also calls to mind the childish language of siblings—and it resonates with the overall story in a chilling way.)
You thought you and your siblings had problems? Darkly funny, smart, and engrossing.
This is the second time this week I’ve read the second book from a newish author and wondered if they could live up to their first book. The answer? Yes she can.
The story seems innocuous enough, three siblings on a road trip to fulfill their grandfather’s wishes per his will. Actually, it is the same trip they took with their grandfather as children. If you traveled as a child, you probably are thinking about a fun filled trip, well as the story goes on we learn it wasn’t quite what one would expect to experience. The crazy museums, dive hotels, and twists I did not expect.
“Because I could.”
This line is spoken by multiple characters and while it seems like a harmless statement, it is not. I can’t remember how many of the characters said this line, but I remember at least two, maybe three. It is a justification for their actions.
I think this whole family was twisted in one way or another. The family was raised playing the game Risk. If you are not familiar with this game, it is one where you strategize, create alliances, and more to take over the world in the game. You may think you can trust your family, but when it came to this game, no one trusted anyone.
“As much as I hated it, that time lying was easier because you’ve got to pick your battles. That’s a Risk thing. You can’t fight everyone all the tie, you’ll just lose your whole army. Now that I think about it, maybe I am living pretty authentically. It’s just the Risk version.”
Beth is the narrator of this story and just when I thought I understood her she would throw a curveball and challenge what I thought I knew to be true. Along with her siblings on this trip are two spouses. Eddie’s wife Krista and Beth’s husband Felix.
I can’t share too many details since I do not want to give away some of the plot twists, but just when I was settling into a groove with the story and characters, something would happen that would turn everything upside down. Then there would be another plot twist, another unexpected action by the characters, and so forth. The ending? OMG, I did not expect that to occur. I also wanted to throw my Kindle across the room because the author leaves you hanging wondering what the final outcome is with all of the characters. I have my suspicions but the author truly does leave it up to the reader.
This author is one I will continue to read and I wonder what she might be working on next that will turn us on our ears. We give this book 5 paws up.
Why would their grandfather require his grandchildren to re-live a trip they took with him when they were young in order to inherit his fortune?
They were doing it by the book because the attorney was adamant that it was the only way he would release the money.
The trip was not fun, but they did remember some of the places they went.
It was ok for the first day, but then everyone was getting on each other’s nerves, someone crashed into them and seemed to be following them, they had to stay in cheap motels, and had a flat tire.
There is also a diary one of the children shares with us that reveals secrets that everyone doesn’t know about.
The book had chapters that left you hanging, but I was getting tired of this trip too.
HE STARTED IT dragged on and on with flashbacks of the original trip and the current trip.
I kept reading because I wanted to know where this was going.
This was not a favorite book nor one that I couldn’t wait to get back to.
The ending was nothing outstanding, but since the story flowed, my rating is 3/5.
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A diabolical drive into a dysfunctional family’s past. The story is chillingly twisted, perfectly paced. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down.
All hail the new Queen of the psycho thriller!!
Once you start reading, you won’t want to stop. Dark, twisted, original, and so addictive it should come with a warning.
Three siblings on a wild road trip with Grandpa’s ashes, make this a suspenseful and bizarre thriller. And the surprising twists kept me glued until the end!
Uniquely told. This story has two timelines, past and present, along with mysterious journal entries from the past. The road trip taken by the siblings, mirrors the trip they took with their Grandfather as children. Both journeys have their intricate puzzles and betrayals, leaving me with numerous questions about the ending!
After a somewhat slow start, I was thrilled and delighted…could not put it down! The sarcasm, snarkiness and conflict between siblings made me feel right at home. This book gives us the ultimate definition of dysfunctional family! Bring on the next book, Samantha!!
Thank you to Edelweiss, Samantha Downing and Berkley, for this free digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
Another incredible group read with No Rules – Just Thrills!
My Rating: 5 ’s
Published: July 21st 2020 by Berkley
Pages: 384
Recommend: Definitely!
@smariedowning @BerkleyPub @weiss_squad
#psychologicalthriller #NoRulesJustThrills #MustRead #BestThriller2020
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Well….this story had more twists and turns than any book I’ve read, which I liked. But, I really can’t say I would recommend it. It seemed to drag on and on. All the characters are tough, not at all likeable with little to no redeeming qualities and towards the end I really didn’t care what happened to any of them. The ending just didn’t do it for me.
A road trip being recreated by 3 estranged siblings at the request of a recently deceased Grandfather who took them on the first one. They need to complete this trip to get their inheritance. Road trip from hell!
Thanks to Ms. Downing, Penguin Publishing and Edelweiss for this Copy. Opinion is mine alone.
Take a horrible family and add a big inheritance go on the road and you have a totally twisted road trip that reads like a nightmare soap opera, or rat race. Over the top, you betcha, horrendous unlikeable characters, oh yeh, crazy twists that leave you spinning, nailed it !
I had to take a breather before writing my thoughts, I was left speechless, thoughtless, stunned dumb after all those twists and that ending. Holy Smokes it was a soap opera drama where everyone sucks. I disliked all the characters. I had not one to cheer for, I didn’t care what happened to any of them but I had to know. I had too! This author is the only one that writes books with deplorable characters that I will read. I normally need a star character to rah rah for.
This is a suspense with complete family dysfunction, death, abuse, murder, and cremated remains. Try it, I recommend it for your twisted little darks hearts or it will make you grateful for your not so messed up after all family.LOL