Gudenkauf proves herself the master of the smart, suspenseful small-town thriller that gets right under your skin.” –Gilly Macmillan, New York Times bestselling author of The Nanny Everyone has a secret they’ll do anything to hide… Twenty-five years ago, the body of sixteen-year-old Eve Knox was found in the caves near her home in small-town Grotto, Iowa–discovered by her best friend, … Iowa–discovered by her best friend, Maggie, and her sister, Nola. There were a handful of suspects, including her boyfriend, Nick, but without sufficient evidence the case ultimately went cold.
For decades Maggie was haunted by Eve’s death and that horrible night. Now a detective in Grotto, and seven months pregnant, she is thrust back into the past when a new piece of evidence surfaces and the case is reopened. As Maggie investigates and reexamines the clues, secrets about what really happened begin to emerge. But someone in town knows more than they’re letting on, and they’ll stop at nothing to keep the truth buried deep.
And don’t miss Heather’s latest book, AN OVERNIGHT GUEST! You’ll be chilled and riveted from start to finish with this story of an unexpected visitor and a deadly snowstorm!
Check out these other riveting novels of suspense by bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf:
The Weight of Silence
These Things Hidden
One Breath Away
Little Mercies
Missing Pieces
Not a Sound
Before She Was Found
more
Once again Heather Gudenkauf proves herself the master of the smart, suspenseful small-town thriller that gets right under your skin… The question of who can be trusted, and how far, will have you racing to the end. I was utterly absorbed.
Utterly chilling, this is a deep, twisting mystery from a writer hitting her stride. You won’t see it coming, and you won’t be able to turn away. Heather is such a multi-faceted author, always taking chances and elevating her craft. I admit I was disturbed by certain aspects of this book, (hence… utterly chilling) and that is the highest compliment I can give. I loved the structure and the deviousness of the characters, too. A great read.
Up-all-night reading from an author who NEVER disappoints. This author is a master of small-town secrets, smart female leads, and twisty plots.
An exhilarating thriller, this is twisty, evocative tale shows the danger of secrets and the power the past has to lead us down deliciously dangerous paths. I absolutely loved it!
Twisty, atmospheric full of dark surprises — and some deliciously diabolical characters — Gudenkauf’s latest outing might be be her best yet. Which is saying something!
Heather Gudenkauf is truly the master of small-town suspense. Chilling and spellbinding, THIS IS HOW I LIED brilliantly unravels a decades-old murder with multiple gripping and complex characters who take the reader on a twisted and haunting journey to discover the truth. A magnificent read!
I could not put this one down!? Twenty-five years ago Maggie lost her 16-year-old best friend, Eve after she found her body in the nearby caves they often explored. Forever haunted by her vague memories of that day, Maggie is now pregnant and a detective, following in the steps of her father, the former Police Chief. Reopening the case, Maggie finally has a chance to track down her friend’s killer and the more she digs, the more secrets she uncovers about her neighbors. Someone knows more than they are letting on about what really happened to Eve 25 years ago and as you read through this incredible book, you can’t help but question everyone. Heather did a fabulous job of keeping me on the edge of my seat from page one – I highly recommend this book!
“This is how I lied, and now this is my truth”.
OMG….if I could just give a million stars for this one, it’s soooo good, I got hooked from the first page.
It’s a dark and chilling story. So many lies and secrets, So many evilness, that got me cringe and holding my breath, my heart racing most of the time, I need to stop to calm my heart and to just take a break from all the ugliness but I just can’t stop, I need to know what really happened on that scary night, I need to know who the real murderer is, but what makes this book more interesting for me is that there’s a victim’s point a view, the days before she got murdered, so that makes everything darker, more intense, more sorrow, it’s just breaking my heart at some parts, got me teary at some points. Amazing story, great characters, awesome twist and turns, definitely a MUST-READ for suspense mystery lovers.
Wow! This was certainly a page turner! I was hooked from page one and on the edge of my seat til the very end. It’s an unputdownable book! Definitely recommend! Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
Eh…
This story had great potential but it was missing something for me. It had a great plot that flowed and complex characters, yet I didn’t connect with any of them. Maybe if the author went a different direction writing style, I would feel differently.
Another fabulous read from Heather! Yes, I’ll be reading it again.
Very interesting story and one that is different from anything else that I have read. It is a pleasure when you find a story that is not like others. Heather is a wonderful storyteller who bring you into the lives of many different people. We have the teenagers Eve, Martha, Nola and Nick who are in high school and dealing with people and problems that they are in over their heads. Each of these young people have a story to tell and a secret that they are keeping from those around them family, friends, teachers anyone of whom could have helped them out.
This story flashes between 1995 and the present day. Each time Heather has us flash back ,we see a little more of what actually took place. When we are in the present time we see how people feel about what happened but like a game of telephone they all have different ideas of what actually took place.
Life has a way of repeating itself and many of our characters find themselves in similar situations just at an older age. We follow along trying to put the pieces together to figure out who has done what. Don’t skip to the end and use what you read to try and figure it out. I don’t think many of you will. This is definitely a must read book so curl up in front of the fire, have your drink ready and begin.
While I do think that this is a fast paced thriller, the treatment of Nola’s character by the author absolutely grated on me. Just because someone is interested in anatomy and physiology and performs autopsies on dead animals does NOT make said person someone who exhibits antisocial behavior, so that entire storyline was BS. That is called scientific intrigue and intellectual curiosity. Huge fail on the author to sit here and make us empathize with the MC Maggie who is a pregnant detective then try to turn one of the other females into a villain for having scientific interests. Nope.
Heather Gudenkauf is just so good! I read this novel from start to finish, without stopping, because I couldn’t put it down. After a shocking mid-novel revelation, I couldn’t see any way for her to make the story right. But that’s why she’s one of the best — she met her own challenge. If I say any more, I’ll give away the plot and that would be a crime. Highly recommended.
I was lucky enough to receive an autographed copy of this book from the author, Heather Gudenkauf. I had not read a book by her, but had seen and heard many good reviews. Boy were they right! The story had me hooked from the start – which is a plus for me – and kept me guessing pretty much to the end as to who killed Eve. I love cold cases and this one fit the bill since the murder happened 25 years earlier. I will be catching up now on all of her earlier books and waiting for her next one! I love her writing style!!
When I started this book I knew that is was going to be good (Heather Gudenkauf, hello!) but WOW! The way Heather Gudenkauf writes you are taken on quite the ride, I think I have whiplash from all the thrilling ups and downs and even sideways! Such a great thriller/suspense, just when you think you know, you don’t know. I was surprised right up until the end. WOW!
This story definitely kept you guessing on who the killer was. The main characters all had hidden agendas and hidden truths that kept the story moving. An enjoyable read!
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This is the first book I have ever read from this author. This book has a stunning cover depicting a girl in a jacket walking up the stairs through the woods.
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: In my eyes this is my idea of the “perfect thriller.” Twenty five years ago 16 year old Eve Knox was brutally murdered in the caves near her house. This story was told with gruesome and vivid details that gave me goosebumps and made my body shake, while sending chills down my spine. I was unable to put the book down. Heather wrote a thriller that will give you goosebumps and make your jaw drop. I was shocked by the ending. If you want a thriller that will make your heart pound, and give you nightmares, this is your book. I highly recommend this to all thriller readers!!!!!
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*Disclaimer: This book mentions abuse, so if that is a trigger, proceed with caution.*
Great book
It was difficult to get into. Great storyline, super slow build, and hard to focus the back and forth between present and past.