Peighton Claiborne’s perfect world is built on perfectly crafted lies. When the sudden death of her husband destroys everything she worked so hard to create, Peighton finds herself struggling to cope.As the police begin digging into the mysterious death, they uncover secrets her husband had spent years trying to keep buried. The people Peighton believed she could count on, and the ones she needs … she needs more than ever, begin to turn on her, leaving Peighton to pick up the remaining pieces of her life alone.
When a police officer assigned to her husband’s case, Clay Nealson, takes a special interest in her, Peighton thinks they may finally uncover the truth she so desperately seeks. Together, Peighton and Clay search for answers. In a moment of weakness, she finds herself falling for a man she barely knows. But, when Peighton discovers Clay may have his own hidden motivations to finding out the truth of her husband’s death, she is forced to realize the only person she can truly trust is herself.
As the world she once knew spirals around her, Peighton must uncover the truth about her husband, his secrets and his death, before it’s too late. And, in an effort to protect those she loves, she must reveal a few secrets of her own-ones that threaten to destroy everything she worked for.
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This is my first experience with Kiersten Modglin and I wasn’t disappointed. I was offered a free review copy by the narrator, J. Scott Bennett, which did not sway my opinion in any way. Scott Bennett produces quality audio books and has an easy voice to listen to. He does a good job with both male and female parts. I liked the different twist this book had. The protagonist, Peighton comes home to find her husband dead and emergency vehicles everywhere. We’re left to ponder what happened to him throughout the book and are nearly to the end when it is confirmed how he died. On top of that, we encounter another murder and are left to wonder if the two deaths are related. There are several twists and turns in this story, including the secret the son is also hiding. Throughout the book, Peighton earns my sympathy. I wanted so badly for her to find happiness. The story flows well and is easy to follow.
Wow!!! This book was so much more than I expected.. I could not put down this heart wrenching page turner. The Beginning After has loads of suspense, secrets, heartbreak, and betrayal.
Everything in Peighton, and her son Kyle’s life seems to be falling apart. It all started when her husband dies, and no matter what they believe it was ruled an accident. Her relationship slowly changes with the lead investigator on her husband’s “case”.
Peighton learns about several secrets and lies along the way of her and Clay’s secret investigation into her husband’s death.
I loved this book, I could not put it down. All of the twist and turns keep you guessing, and keep you reading to find out what will happen next.
I absolutely recommend this book!!
You won’t be disappointed with any book from Author Kiersten Modglin, but this one sucks you in and won’t let go until the last page. Enjoy the hand and heart-gripping journey of a great story in motion!
This is one of the most suspenseful books I have read in a long time! There were so many secrets kept and just when I thought we knew them all, there was a bombshell and we found out there was more. The Beginning After was fast-paced, and I had a hard time putting it down. So much so that I finished it in 24 hours time! I can’t wait to read more from this author!!
Brilliant! This story grabbed me, I couldn’t put it down. It was so full of action, amazing characters and storyline, and from the very beginning until the end you’re trying to figure out who did it, and why? This book had my mind all over the place, I couldn’t put it down. This was an amazing read, and I totally recommend this book.
The Cleaner was an amazing, suspenseful, emotional, edge of your seat read. I read this book in one sitting, couldn’t put it down!!!
The story of Reagan and Gunner is one of love, pain, secrets, just amazing. I loved how the author would take you back to the past to when they were younger and make you feel everything they went through. I have read many books that jump to the past and it feels like your bouncing around and you lose the story. This is NOT the case with this one!! Ms.Modglin fluidly takes you back and forth and you don’t miss a beat with the story.
I loved this story, the story line, the suspense, the emotions, you just can’t stop reading.
I can’t wait to see/ read what this amazing author has in store for us next!!
I recommend this 5* read to everyone. There is something for everyone in this read. Congratulations Kiersten on another truly amazing book!!!
I must say I FLOVE The Beginning After. It is full of suspense and keeps you guessing until the very end. The story is full of unpredictability and a lot of twist. I so enjoyed the ride Kiersten took me on in this book and I can not wait for her next book.
After the sudden death of Peighton’s husband Todd, she has a lot to work through. She must uncover the truth about her husband, his secrets, and his death before it is too late. While she is doing this she is also having to protect those she love and relearn show she is and find happiness again.
This was my first read by Kiersten Modglin and she blew me away with this story. The story felt so real and it dealt with some situations many have gone through in real life. the book has compassion, love, deceit, heartache, and unconditional love. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, this is a must read and be ready for a book hangover.
Amazing. I read this book in 1 night, and it was outstanding. Kirsten’s books always keep you in suspense and have you wondering what is going to happen next, and if you think to yourself what the outcome will be, guess again because you will be wrong. The ending will just blow you away, and your totally shocked!
The mystery and suspense of The Beginning After will keep you reading until you are done and the ending will be totally unexpected.
This book will have anyone hooked and have you trying to wait patiently for the next book by Kiersten Modglin. She has a true talent of keeping any reader on their toes.
Published: February 13, 2018
Kiersten Modglin
Kiersten Modglin is a suspense author who enjoys dabbling in all the sub-genres. A Netflix addict, Shonda Rhimes super-fan, psychology fanatic, and indoor enthusiast, Kiersten enjoys rainy days spent with her nose in a book. More than anything, she loves reading & creating life-changing stories.
“I never want you to feel like you have to hide any part of who you are or how you feel.”
Peighton has a full life. She is the wife of a senator, a busy mom, and she is surrounded by love and support. Or so she thinks. One morning, her intuition keeps nagging at her, so Peighton picks her teenage son up from a friend’s house and drives home. What they find will be the beginning of a sordid tale, filled with secrets, twists, turns, and lies. When everyone has a motive- who can you trust?
Whoa, nelly. Was this ever a doozy. We meet Peighton right away, and immediately we discover that she is pretty much the epitome of selfless love. She is such a genuinely compassionate character, and it is evident in every interaction she has throughout this book. Her character radiates unconditional love: self-sacrifice, selflessness, and loyalty.
I wasn’t sure about Clay at first. Because I know how these things go in a KMod book… you truly never know who you should trust or who is a “good” guy. And the breadcrumbs leading me to think Clay had ulterior motives were all there.
I enjoyed this book. It is an emotional story, driven by loyalty, love, acceptance, and truth. Losing someone you love, tragically and unexpectedly, is devastating in a way that truly has no words. Kiersten captured that feeling in such a raw, vulnerable, catastrophic way. You feel the characters breaking. You feel their raw, rough emotions. That isn’t easy to do, and it’s even harder to do well.
The emotional elements of this book are on point. And as every secret starts to be revealed, the hurt and despair begin to give way to anger… Kiersten takes us through all five stages of grief. KMod brilliantly delivers all five stages of the grieving process through each of the characters, and it is such an intricate dance that unwinds throughout this book.
The twists, turns, and the truth are so unexpected. There are so many bombshell moments that left me with my jaw on the floor. And so many lovely moments that are so beautifully written I had to take a moment to compose myself. Peighton is such a simple character. But she is also such a complex presence. She has a strength that no one realizes; she is smart, she is capable, she is giving, and she is willing to take less for herself if it means those she loves to have more.
This is a story about finding yourself, forgiveness, love, acceptance, and understanding that some secrets are just better left as secrets.
I’m really on the fence with this review, I mean I took an extra day to think on it. I am a big fan of this author but this book just didn’t do it for me in a big way. I am still flipping between 3 and 4 stars. Peighton’s crystal clean perfect life is a lie. That lie is about to come crumbling down. Here in is where it all begins. Now keep in mind this author is the queen of twist you don’t see coming so believe me when I say this plays out in a way only she can get away with. I love twist and being an avid reader I enjoy when someone catches me off guard. This author has a way with words and uses her characters to pull of things that leave you spinning. This time though it wasn’t the spins that didn’t work it was the romance. Unfortunately the romance felt like it was thrown in and although we know why by the end of the book it kinda puts the wrong taste in your mouth but. . . it’s one of her twisty things so I won’t spoil it for you. This story also doesn’t have the heavy, sit on the edge of your seat suspense factor this author really really excels at. Now don’t get me wrong the book is by no means bad and this is truly just my opinion as one who has read a number of her books. This by no means will stop me from stalking this author and grabbing the next book.
Wow!!! What a story!!Peighton had to deal with so much during her life. All the secrets she had to endure. I absolutely love her. I imediatly fall in love with Clay.there was so many secrets, so many turns of events. After the death of her husband Peighton was left with questions, she need it answers but she was not ready for what she was about to discover. Her life was about to be turn upside down. Author Kiersten Modglin has deliver a hell of a book and i would recomended hands down. I look forward to read more books from her
I really enjoyed reading this book. This story was full of danger, mystery, some twists and turns, loss, and love. Couldn’t put this book down. Highly recommend
While The Beginning After was a decent story, I had a problem with how long it took to get to the point. Until perhaps the last 20% of the novel, it’s not entirely clear what’s driving the story. As readers, we are following people through their lives after the death of the patriarch of the family. Different things are happening, but there’s no compelling mystery being laid out, nothing to keep the reader invested. I spent much of this meandering novel wondering when (eventually) there might be a revelation, something that would answer the big question we didn’t yet know we needed to ask.
Was it: “Who killed the husband?” “Who is Clay?” “Who is Frank?” “Who is Kyle’s father?” People are likely hiding things, for sure. By the time you figure out what the big mystery is supposed to be, you have to have already figured out the conclusion. You have to figure out the who and the why, and then you smack your head and think,” Ahh, that’s where this was heading!” Cart before the horse, and it doesn’t work, at least not from this reader’s standpoint.
As well, for the audio version, I’m baffled why an overly-dramatic senior (sounding) gentleman was chosen to narrate a book that predominantly follows a middle-aged woman. The narrator makes everything sound like a formal pronouncement rather than simple dialogue. I felt like he was auditioning for a dramatic Broadway play rather than reading a casual American fiction novel. I kept getting distracted, thinking “Dude, get over yourself. You sound pompous AF!”
I can see that this is not a new author, so perhaps I need to go back and read some earlier works, something which may be constructed more carefully. I see good potential here, especially in characterizations, so this novel may not be representative of the kind of mystery she can produce.
This book was awesome kept me so interested I couldn’t put it down I read it in one day. Peighton has a strange feeling and when she finally picks up her son Kyle to find out he is ok she runs home to find out her husband is not. There are a lot of players in the story which keeps you on your toes as secrets kept for years are revealed. I just loved the entire story start to finish and I will be looking forward to reading more from this author.
Wow! What a ride this book took me on! Brilliantly penned and filled with so many plot twists it was difficult to put down. So many emotions were felt as I read this great read. The characters were so real, their mannerisms and actions/reactions to situations, I felt as if I was right there beside them. I definitely recommend this as a must read.
Amazing story, the agony of not understanding so clearly expressed. Wanting the truth yet fearing what it brings to light. So many secrets all binding them all. Yet as each comes out shocking as they may be strength builds between the bonds that matter most.