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Don't Ask, Don't Follow
Murder, dark family secrets, and the unwavering bond of sisterhood— regardless of the cost
Beth Ralston, a paralegal in Portland, Oregon, would rather be racking up billable hours than mingling at an office party— especially when her sister Lindsay, aka her plus one, is a no-show.
After making her obligatory rounds, Beth returns to her office to find that her boss, who she'd talked with moments before, has been murdered. She sees a woman fleeing the scene. Wait— was that Lindsay? Unable to catch up to her in time, Beth waits for the police to arrive and notices that Lindsay has left her phone behind with an unsent text message to Beth displayed on the screen: “ Don't ask. Don't follow.”
Lindsay is unreachable for days, and when Beth starts to come under suspicion for the crime, she decides that waiting is impossible. While retracing Lindsay's steps, determined to bring her home, Beth uncovers what her sister, an investigative reporter bent on changing the world, was trying to expose— corruption, secrets, and betrayal on an unimaginable level. Revealing the truth might bring back the one person she's desperate to find— but it could also destroy the only life and family Beth's ever known.
Perfect for fans of Gregg Olsen and Karin Slaughter
Beth Ralston, a paralegal in Portland, Oregon, would rather be racking up billable hours than mingling at an office party— especially when her sister Lindsay, aka her plus one, is a no-show.
After making her obligatory rounds, Beth returns to her office to find that her boss, who she'd talked with moments before, has been murdered. She sees a woman fleeing the scene. Wait— was that Lindsay? Unable to catch up to her in time, Beth waits for the police to arrive and notices that Lindsay has left her phone behind with an unsent text message to Beth displayed on the screen: “ Don't ask. Don't follow.”
Lindsay is unreachable for days, and when Beth starts to come under suspicion for the crime, she decides that waiting is impossible. While retracing Lindsay's steps, determined to bring her home, Beth uncovers what her sister, an investigative reporter bent on changing the world, was trying to expose— corruption, secrets, and betrayal on an unimaginable level. Revealing the truth might bring back the one person she's desperate to find— but it could also destroy the only life and family Beth's ever known.
Perfect for fans of Gregg Olsen and Karin Slaughter
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2024
46 people are currently reading
5562 people want to read
About the author
Mary Keliikoa
8 books752 followersMary Keliikoa is the author of DON'T ASK, DON'T FOLLOW, a domestic thriller, and the award-winning HIDDEN PIECES, DEADLY TIDES and KILLER TRACKS novels in the Misty Pines mystery series. In addition, she is the author of the PI Kelly Pruett mystery series, which includes the Shamus Finalist and Lefty, Agatha and Anthony award-nominated DERAILED for best debut.
A Pacific NW native, she admits to being that person who gets excited when called for jury duty. When not in Washington, you can find Mary with toes in the sand on a Hawaiian beach. But even under the palm trees and blazing sun, she’s plotting her next murder—novel that is.
www.marykeliikoa.com
https://www.amazon.com/author/marykel...
A Pacific NW native, she admits to being that person who gets excited when called for jury duty. When not in Washington, you can find Mary with toes in the sand on a Hawaiian beach. But even under the palm trees and blazing sun, she’s plotting her next murder—novel that is.
www.marykeliikoa.com
https://www.amazon.com/author/marykel...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
May 21, 2024
Beth Ralston is a paralegal at her family’s law firm. A hard worker who’s always happy to spend her time at her desk racking up billable hours rather than with friends, the last place she wants to be is at the firm’s office party. The fact that her older sister, Lindsay, has bailed yet again doesn’t help matters. Just the same, she plays the dutiful daughter and makes an appearance.
An introvert to the core, after being amongst her colleagues for awhile, Beth needs some air. On her way to her office, however, she catches a glimpse of someone who can only be Lindsay fleeing down the hall. When she goes to investigate, she finds her boss, Craig, behind his desk—bloody and dead. With just one look, it’s obvious that it was murder, so Beth races to catch up with Lindsay, but she seems to have vanished into thin air.
Back in her office, Beth discovers her sister’s cell phone which has an unsent text message to her: “Don’t ask. Don’t follow.” It’s the one thing that Lindsay always said to her growing up when she has been up to something questionable in the past. What business did her investigative reporter sister have with her boss? And had it somehow unbelievably led to his murder?
Determined to find out what could’ve possibly happened, Beth starts to follow the clues that Lindsay has left in her wake. What she finds will not only rock her own world, but expose unfathomable corruption, dark secrets and long-standing betrayal. Despite the police on her tail and a fear that something awful has happened to Lindsay, Beth will stop at nothing to reveal the truth. No matter the cost.
Wowzers! An intense, clever tale, Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow took me into a seedy world that felt all too believable. From the delicious cat-and-mouse chase to the complex plot, this psychological thriller not only had my heart pounding, but also presented a crime fiction edge that pulled me in deep. And while I had my suspicions about what was to come, the twists and turns nevertheless shocked me to my core right up until the final revelation.
The characters were strong, vividly portrayed and well-developed. Especially Beth. With an impressive character arc, she was a definite home run. Coming a close second were the supporting characters, some of whom were villains and others merely suspicious. All told, it made it easy for me to give them each a wary side-eye until the timely reveal, which is an addition to any novel that I greatly admire.
The storyline itself started out with a bang. While it slowed down quite a bit in the middle, my attention never wavered for a minute. Pivoting more towards a character-driven plot, the dysfunctional family dynamic and poignant themes meant for a heart-wrenching read. As the page count dwindled, however, so too did the slow burn as the action increased, leading straight into a dynamite climax. Needless to say, there was no end to the thrills.
All in all, Mary Keliikoa has earned my affection. The first I’ve read by her, it certainly won’t be my last. After all, between a host of morally gray characters and dark, long-buried secrets, this chilling and disturbing tale had everything I wanted and more. Yet another book that deftly walked the line between family drama and thriller, it’s quite simply not one to be missed. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Mary Keliikoa, Oceanview Publishing and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 4, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: adoption, stalking, kidnapping, mention of: child abduction
An introvert to the core, after being amongst her colleagues for awhile, Beth needs some air. On her way to her office, however, she catches a glimpse of someone who can only be Lindsay fleeing down the hall. When she goes to investigate, she finds her boss, Craig, behind his desk—bloody and dead. With just one look, it’s obvious that it was murder, so Beth races to catch up with Lindsay, but she seems to have vanished into thin air.
Back in her office, Beth discovers her sister’s cell phone which has an unsent text message to her: “Don’t ask. Don’t follow.” It’s the one thing that Lindsay always said to her growing up when she has been up to something questionable in the past. What business did her investigative reporter sister have with her boss? And had it somehow unbelievably led to his murder?
Determined to find out what could’ve possibly happened, Beth starts to follow the clues that Lindsay has left in her wake. What she finds will not only rock her own world, but expose unfathomable corruption, dark secrets and long-standing betrayal. Despite the police on her tail and a fear that something awful has happened to Lindsay, Beth will stop at nothing to reveal the truth. No matter the cost.
Wowzers! An intense, clever tale, Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow took me into a seedy world that felt all too believable. From the delicious cat-and-mouse chase to the complex plot, this psychological thriller not only had my heart pounding, but also presented a crime fiction edge that pulled me in deep. And while I had my suspicions about what was to come, the twists and turns nevertheless shocked me to my core right up until the final revelation.
The characters were strong, vividly portrayed and well-developed. Especially Beth. With an impressive character arc, she was a definite home run. Coming a close second were the supporting characters, some of whom were villains and others merely suspicious. All told, it made it easy for me to give them each a wary side-eye until the timely reveal, which is an addition to any novel that I greatly admire.
The storyline itself started out with a bang. While it slowed down quite a bit in the middle, my attention never wavered for a minute. Pivoting more towards a character-driven plot, the dysfunctional family dynamic and poignant themes meant for a heart-wrenching read. As the page count dwindled, however, so too did the slow burn as the action increased, leading straight into a dynamite climax. Needless to say, there was no end to the thrills.
All in all, Mary Keliikoa has earned my affection. The first I’ve read by her, it certainly won’t be my last. After all, between a host of morally gray characters and dark, long-buried secrets, this chilling and disturbing tale had everything I wanted and more. Yet another book that deftly walked the line between family drama and thriller, it’s quite simply not one to be missed. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Mary Keliikoa, Oceanview Publishing and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 4, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: adoption, stalking, kidnapping, mention of: child abduction
August 9, 2024
Beth Ralston, a paralegal in Portland, Oregon, returns to her office following an office party to find that her boss has been murdered. She thinks she sees her sister Lindsay fleeing the scene and then finds Lindsay has left her phone behind with an unsent text message to Beth displayed on the screen: “Don't ask. Don't follow.” While retracing Lindsay's steps, Beth uncovers what her sister, an investigative reporter, was attempting to expose.
Well, of course Beth is going to start asking questions and trying to find her sister. She is determined to uncover the truth relating to complaints about a specific adoption agency in the Portland area. The story is interesting but I didn't find myself too engaged with the characters. There's a mystery, some family dysfunction and quite a few deaths. There are a couple of good twists but nothing jaw-dropping in my opinion but the writing was smooth and easy to follow.
I previously enjoyed two of this author's books in the Misty Pines series but not sure if I'd read another book featuring Beth Ralston, if there is one. There's really nothing wrong with the book, it just wasn't for me.
My thanks to Oceanview Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: June 4, 2024
Well, of course Beth is going to start asking questions and trying to find her sister. She is determined to uncover the truth relating to complaints about a specific adoption agency in the Portland area. The story is interesting but I didn't find myself too engaged with the characters. There's a mystery, some family dysfunction and quite a few deaths. There are a couple of good twists but nothing jaw-dropping in my opinion but the writing was smooth and easy to follow.
I previously enjoyed two of this author's books in the Misty Pines series but not sure if I'd read another book featuring Beth Ralston, if there is one. There's really nothing wrong with the book, it just wasn't for me.
My thanks to Oceanview Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: June 4, 2024
July 10, 2025
It put me to sleep 2x, but I powered through in the light of day and was actually surprised a little by the twist. I'll try to write more of a review soon.
November 28, 2023
✰ 3 stars ✰
“Because don’t ask don’t follow implied another equally crucial directive—don’t tell.”
What saved Don't Ask, Don't Tell from being one of those typical generic mystery-thrillers was how that cliffhanger completely caught me off-guard. 😯 I was literally gob-smacked at the unexpected twist that I really appreciated. It is a credit to the author for their ability to keep the plot moving at a steady pace and still have it compelling enough to keep me going till the end.
“Don’t ask. Don’t follow. She knew how much I hated being told that. Sometimes the ask was too much.”
It's been quite awhile since I've read a thriller with a first person point of view, so it was a refreshing change, albeit one that took me a while to realize I wouldn't suddenly be immersed in someone else's mind. Beth was a strong-willed and determined paralegal. Following in her father's footsteps in practicing law at his firm, she always felt that it was something that created a wedge in the fiercely loyal and protective kinship with her older sister, Lindsay, that she held so dear. 'We weren’t a perfect family—was there such a thing?—but we’d functioned.' 😞 But, when not only a murder takes place at her father's firm and she catches her sister fleeing the scene, she gets swept up in a dangerous chase of tracking down what is the connection between her sister and the victim, why she unwittingly becomes a target, with only a message left behind that has been a trade secret between the two since they were little - 'Don't ask, don't follow'. 🤫
Her resilience towards finding out the truth behind her sister's whereabouts were a driving force to the storyline. I admit, there were moments where I found my attention span drifting - and a couple of leaps in the story's direction seemed less than plausible. But, the glue that kept it all together was this intimate portrayal of sisterhood - how much Beth was so keen and willing to help out Lindsay, despite her reservations and hesitancy. It's also a bittersweet depiction of family and the choices that we have to make - some mistakes that we never stop paying for. 😥 Beth's relationship with her parents kept me turning the page, because the mystery nut in me wanted to know why?? Why was it that all it took was one message for all of what Beth believed to be true in her life to unravel? 'Appearances might mean everything to my parents, but their lack of concern for Lindsay left me wanting answers even more.' It rankled me and it allowed me to bounce off different theories in my head as to what awaited their fates in the end; and being a shadow in her footsteps certainly made for an interesting ride. 👍🏻
“Lindsay was the investigator in the family, not me. I was only a little sister desperate to get her sibling back. But that counted for something.”
She's not a journalist like her sister, as she is painfully reminded time and time again - 'that’s right—I wasn’t my sister. And I’d never be as good as her. But I’d damn well try. That was more than he could say.' But, she had heart and brains, and I admired her steadfast courage in the line of action. She had a smart head on her and I liked how she didn't get too swayed by her emotions and tried to approach everything in a literal sense. Again, being further even more perplexed upon seeing how emotionally detached her parents were upon finding out the whereabouts of their missing child, enticed me to silently cheer her on in her detective work. 🕵🏻♀️ It was a heart-breaking plot that came into fruition, and while the villainous behaviors were slightly cartoon-ish rather than sinister, it was sadly very believable. That people do behave like that when they're fearless in their wrongdoings, so I did not fault it for its depiction. 🥺
Mary Keliikoa was an author I was not familiar with until now, but the blurb on Netgalley intrigued me - so here I am. And though it is still a rather semi-decent read, I did appreciate how smooth the writing was. Sharp and crisp dialogue, easy-to-follow transitions, and an intriguing cast of supporting characters that added enough variety to the story to make it engaging.👌🏻 Beth's narration had the distinctive feel of a noir-esque mystery, and she was a protagonist that kept my interest. If opportunity presents, I will not be remiss to check out her next work, in the hopes that it could pull off a gripping twist, as well as this one delivered. 👏🏻
*Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“Because don’t ask don’t follow implied another equally crucial directive—don’t tell.”
What saved Don't Ask, Don't Tell from being one of those typical generic mystery-thrillers was how that cliffhanger completely caught me off-guard. 😯 I was literally gob-smacked at the unexpected twist that I really appreciated. It is a credit to the author for their ability to keep the plot moving at a steady pace and still have it compelling enough to keep me going till the end.
“Don’t ask. Don’t follow. She knew how much I hated being told that. Sometimes the ask was too much.”
It's been quite awhile since I've read a thriller with a first person point of view, so it was a refreshing change, albeit one that took me a while to realize I wouldn't suddenly be immersed in someone else's mind. Beth was a strong-willed and determined paralegal. Following in her father's footsteps in practicing law at his firm, she always felt that it was something that created a wedge in the fiercely loyal and protective kinship with her older sister, Lindsay, that she held so dear. 'We weren’t a perfect family—was there such a thing?—but we’d functioned.' 😞 But, when not only a murder takes place at her father's firm and she catches her sister fleeing the scene, she gets swept up in a dangerous chase of tracking down what is the connection between her sister and the victim, why she unwittingly becomes a target, with only a message left behind that has been a trade secret between the two since they were little - 'Don't ask, don't follow'. 🤫
Her resilience towards finding out the truth behind her sister's whereabouts were a driving force to the storyline. I admit, there were moments where I found my attention span drifting - and a couple of leaps in the story's direction seemed less than plausible. But, the glue that kept it all together was this intimate portrayal of sisterhood - how much Beth was so keen and willing to help out Lindsay, despite her reservations and hesitancy. It's also a bittersweet depiction of family and the choices that we have to make - some mistakes that we never stop paying for. 😥 Beth's relationship with her parents kept me turning the page, because the mystery nut in me wanted to know why?? Why was it that all it took was one message for all of what Beth believed to be true in her life to unravel? 'Appearances might mean everything to my parents, but their lack of concern for Lindsay left me wanting answers even more.' It rankled me and it allowed me to bounce off different theories in my head as to what awaited their fates in the end; and being a shadow in her footsteps certainly made for an interesting ride. 👍🏻
“Lindsay was the investigator in the family, not me. I was only a little sister desperate to get her sibling back. But that counted for something.”
She's not a journalist like her sister, as she is painfully reminded time and time again - 'that’s right—I wasn’t my sister. And I’d never be as good as her. But I’d damn well try. That was more than he could say.' But, she had heart and brains, and I admired her steadfast courage in the line of action. She had a smart head on her and I liked how she didn't get too swayed by her emotions and tried to approach everything in a literal sense. Again, being further even more perplexed upon seeing how emotionally detached her parents were upon finding out the whereabouts of their missing child, enticed me to silently cheer her on in her detective work. 🕵🏻♀️ It was a heart-breaking plot that came into fruition, and while the villainous behaviors were slightly cartoon-ish rather than sinister, it was sadly very believable. That people do behave like that when they're fearless in their wrongdoings, so I did not fault it for its depiction. 🥺
Mary Keliikoa was an author I was not familiar with until now, but the blurb on Netgalley intrigued me - so here I am. And though it is still a rather semi-decent read, I did appreciate how smooth the writing was. Sharp and crisp dialogue, easy-to-follow transitions, and an intriguing cast of supporting characters that added enough variety to the story to make it engaging.👌🏻 Beth's narration had the distinctive feel of a noir-esque mystery, and she was a protagonist that kept my interest. If opportunity presents, I will not be remiss to check out her next work, in the hopes that it could pull off a gripping twist, as well as this one delivered. 👏🏻
*Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2024
Where have you been hiding Mary Keliikoa?
She is truly under represented and under promoted on bookstagram.
Don't Ask Don't Follow grabbed me from the first chapter and didn't let go. It's exactly how I love my thrillers. I seriously couldn't put it down.
It starts with a bang with Beth's boss found murdered. Beth furiously tries to find her missing sister, wondering if she's tied to the death of her boss. It felt like a race against the clock and Beth uncovered clues, often blocked it leading to dead ends.
I absolutely loved Beth. Told from her POV, she was a great character and so well developed.
She is truly under represented and under promoted on bookstagram.
Don't Ask Don't Follow grabbed me from the first chapter and didn't let go. It's exactly how I love my thrillers. I seriously couldn't put it down.
It starts with a bang with Beth's boss found murdered. Beth furiously tries to find her missing sister, wondering if she's tied to the death of her boss. It felt like a race against the clock and Beth uncovered clues, often blocked it leading to dead ends.
I absolutely loved Beth. Told from her POV, she was a great character and so well developed.
September 12, 2024
Don't, don't, don't!
Don't start "Don't Ask, Don't Follow" with high expectations.
Ouch, ouch, ouch!!!!!!!!!!!
If you're a fan of repetitive text and implausible eye-rolling moments, this book is for you.
I listened to the audiobook read by Emily Lawrence, who did a fine job with the narration.
June 9, 2024
4.5/5
I have officially found yet another author to love with Don't Ask, Don't Follow by Mary Keliikoa. This was a jaw-dropper if there ever was one, and I loved how wonderfully twisty it was! The quick pacing kept me on my toes, and I was thoroughly engrossed in Beth's mission to find her missing sister. There was just a tiny touch of romance to this one as well, though nothing happens on the page, but I loved that, and I wanted these characters to have a happy ending. Family drama and secrets abound, and Beth finds out some shocking revelations as the storyline progresses.
The audiobook for Don't Ask, Don't Follow is a good one, and I was a happy camper with Emily Lawrence as the narrator. She did an excellent job voicing the book and I especially loved her for Beth's character. There is plenty of action to keep the narrative going and I was completely shocked by the twists. And I wouldn't be a very good cat lover if I didn't notice the inclusion of Murphy, Craig's cat. For some reason, I just loved that Keliikoa thought to include this little guy and that Beth went to the lengths she did to keep him with her after her boss's death. This is the perfect beach read if you are in the mood for something quick and twisty!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I have officially found yet another author to love with Don't Ask, Don't Follow by Mary Keliikoa. This was a jaw-dropper if there ever was one, and I loved how wonderfully twisty it was! The quick pacing kept me on my toes, and I was thoroughly engrossed in Beth's mission to find her missing sister. There was just a tiny touch of romance to this one as well, though nothing happens on the page, but I loved that, and I wanted these characters to have a happy ending. Family drama and secrets abound, and Beth finds out some shocking revelations as the storyline progresses.
The audiobook for Don't Ask, Don't Follow is a good one, and I was a happy camper with Emily Lawrence as the narrator. She did an excellent job voicing the book and I especially loved her for Beth's character. There is plenty of action to keep the narrative going and I was completely shocked by the twists. And I wouldn't be a very good cat lover if I didn't notice the inclusion of Murphy, Craig's cat. For some reason, I just loved that Keliikoa thought to include this little guy and that Beth went to the lengths she did to keep him with her after her boss's death. This is the perfect beach read if you are in the mood for something quick and twisty!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 10, 2024
Don't Ask, Don't Follow started out on a high note. But what killed it was when the main character, Beth decided to cover for her sister in a murder investigation. It was a habit to cover for her sister that carried forward from childhood. The incident wouldn't have bothered me otherwise. But Beth is a paralegal and should know better. After that, the novel just lost all credibility with me. And my motivation to continue reading was lost. A one star DNF at 34%
This is the first novel that I've read from Keliikoa. And while I didn't care for this particular novel, it won't stop me from trying to read any of her other works.
I received a DRC from Oceanview Publishing through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.
This is the first novel that I've read from Keliikoa. And while I didn't care for this particular novel, it won't stop me from trying to read any of her other works.
I received a DRC from Oceanview Publishing through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.
December 1, 2023
I've loved ALL of Keliikoa's books, and this one is no different. Here's the blurb I did for her! I think it sums it up nicely :-)
A pulse-pounding read about truth, justice, and the unexpected secrets families keep. With the tension ramping up with every page, Keliikoa weaves a twisty, clever tale that will thrill you to the very end.
READ IT PEOPLE!
A pulse-pounding read about truth, justice, and the unexpected secrets families keep. With the tension ramping up with every page, Keliikoa weaves a twisty, clever tale that will thrill you to the very end.
READ IT PEOPLE!
June 19, 2024
Beth is at an office party when she sees her sister Lindsey fleeing the scene of her boss’s murder. Beth gets a message from Lindsay, “
Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow.
” Now a suspect in the murder, Beth is desperate to find her sister. What was Lindsay doing with Beth’s boss? Did Lindsay kill him? Why did she run? Lindsay is an investigative reporter so was she working on a story? What was the story about? Was Beth’s boss helping her?
This started off great with several unanswered questions and a few mysteries to solve. I usually love first person narrative but with Beth there’s a lot of worry and anxiety as she rehashed her concerns over and over, without enough action tied to her thoughts. It seemed as if the reader was being told how they should feel instead of the emotion being invoked. Beth’s perspective is the only one we have.
The decisions and actions Beth did make were improbable based on her intelligence and experience as a paralegal and I had trouble suspending my disbelief. She also seemed to have quite an issue with her stomach because just about everything made her acid flare or her stomach clench. Poor thing is so stressed she suffers from indigestion. I was growing to like Beth with her tenacity and fierce loyalty but I couldn’t make the emotional connection.
I solved the mysteries fairly quickly but was thinking there must be a great twist or surprise. That didn’t happen for me. There are a few reveals that many may not see coming but I got there right away. Perhaps I’ve read too many thrillers.
Thank you Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This started off great with several unanswered questions and a few mysteries to solve. I usually love first person narrative but with Beth there’s a lot of worry and anxiety as she rehashed her concerns over and over, without enough action tied to her thoughts. It seemed as if the reader was being told how they should feel instead of the emotion being invoked. Beth’s perspective is the only one we have.
The decisions and actions Beth did make were improbable based on her intelligence and experience as a paralegal and I had trouble suspending my disbelief. She also seemed to have quite an issue with her stomach because just about everything made her acid flare or her stomach clench. Poor thing is so stressed she suffers from indigestion. I was growing to like Beth with her tenacity and fierce loyalty but I couldn’t make the emotional connection.
I solved the mysteries fairly quickly but was thinking there must be a great twist or surprise. That didn’t happen for me. There are a few reveals that many may not see coming but I got there right away. Perhaps I’ve read too many thrillers.
Thank you Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 5, 2024
Don't Ask, Don't Follow has it all - mystery, an investigation, shady characters, relevant and super current issues, and a great plot.
As a paralegal at a law firm, I'm generally quick to pick up books focusing on my industry and I'm so glad I did in this case! While I had a bit of a hard time connecting with Beth because her law firm experience was so different from my own, I appreciated how it added to the story and wasn't the primary focus. I particularly loved when the story shifted gears to finding Lindsay and uncovering her latest research.
This book had so many great layers and it was important to pay attention. The Ralston sisters were smart and it was fun unraveling the mystery with Beth as she retraced Lindsay's steps into the adoption scheme. It was hard to know who I could trust and I was definitely duped a couple times! I was also completely surprised by some twists later on in the book which is always a major plus for me!
I really liked Beth's development as a character. At first, I didn't feel a strong connection to her, but as she separated herself from her father's law firm and I felt her confidence and independence growing, I felt a kindred spirit. I loved how fierce and loyal she was, and also that while she was a rule follower, she wasn't afraid to toe the line or push for the right thing.
Overall, this was a great read. It was really unique, the pace really picked up about halfway through and I didn't want to put it down, and it surprised me in all the best ways. I definitely recommend!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions, Oceanview Publishing, and NetGalley for the copy.
As a paralegal at a law firm, I'm generally quick to pick up books focusing on my industry and I'm so glad I did in this case! While I had a bit of a hard time connecting with Beth because her law firm experience was so different from my own, I appreciated how it added to the story and wasn't the primary focus. I particularly loved when the story shifted gears to finding Lindsay and uncovering her latest research.
This book had so many great layers and it was important to pay attention. The Ralston sisters were smart and it was fun unraveling the mystery with Beth as she retraced Lindsay's steps into the adoption scheme. It was hard to know who I could trust and I was definitely duped a couple times! I was also completely surprised by some twists later on in the book which is always a major plus for me!
I really liked Beth's development as a character. At first, I didn't feel a strong connection to her, but as she separated herself from her father's law firm and I felt her confidence and independence growing, I felt a kindred spirit. I loved how fierce and loyal she was, and also that while she was a rule follower, she wasn't afraid to toe the line or push for the right thing.
Overall, this was a great read. It was really unique, the pace really picked up about halfway through and I didn't want to put it down, and it surprised me in all the best ways. I definitely recommend!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions, Oceanview Publishing, and NetGalley for the copy.
December 14, 2023
This book started off quickly, with Beth Ralston, a paralegal, finding her boss dead in his office. She also saw a woman running away - and the woman looks a lot like her sister, Lindsay. Why would her sister kill her boss? Why can nobody find her now?
Lindsay is an investigative journalist, and her investigations led to a group of people who are stealing babies from disadvantaged women. The women are often told their child died, or they are coerced into giving up their children for adoption. Could this be the reason she disappeared?
As I mentioned, this book started off with a bang, but it did start to get a bit drawn out as it went along. It has a very unique, but improbable, plot. There were a few twists here and there, but this one just didn’t grab me as hard as it could have. Still, an entertaining story! 3.5 stars.
(Thank you to Oceanview Publishing, Mary Keliikoa and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on June 4, 2024.)
Lindsay is an investigative journalist, and her investigations led to a group of people who are stealing babies from disadvantaged women. The women are often told their child died, or they are coerced into giving up their children for adoption. Could this be the reason she disappeared?
As I mentioned, this book started off with a bang, but it did start to get a bit drawn out as it went along. It has a very unique, but improbable, plot. There were a few twists here and there, but this one just didn’t grab me as hard as it could have. Still, an entertaining story! 3.5 stars.
(Thank you to Oceanview Publishing, Mary Keliikoa and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on June 4, 2024.)
December 11, 2023
I finished this book in less than 24 hours. It was THAT captivating. I did not want to put it down. I loved the fast pace and the character development. The suspense was on point. Very action packed book. Lots of twists and turns.
ARC received via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
ARC received via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
April 3, 2024
Beth, a paralegal at a law firm, is at a party hosted at the firm when she has a rather odd encounter with her boss. When she hits her socialising limit, she heads back to her office where she finds her boss dead. She's sure she sees her older sister running from the building but doesn't know what this means. Beth starts looking into the murder of her boss, and the disappearance of her sister but pretty soon finds herself chasing a story that puts her own life on the line.
This one started really strong but I felt like it fizzled out a little somewhere in the middle. It became very repetitive at points. It ended on a fairly strong note too though so I'll forgive the author for losing steam in the process. This was a plot line I'd not come across before and there were plenty of twists that kept me hooked. Overall, not a bad read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
This one started really strong but I felt like it fizzled out a little somewhere in the middle. It became very repetitive at points. It ended on a fairly strong note too though so I'll forgive the author for losing steam in the process. This was a plot line I'd not come across before and there were plenty of twists that kept me hooked. Overall, not a bad read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
August 6, 2024
TITLE: Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow
AUTHOR: Mary Keliikoa
PUB DATE: 06.04.2024
Murder, dark family secrets, and the unwavering bond of sisterhood—regardless of the cost
THOUGHTS:
This is my third book from Mary Keliikoa, and every time I crack open a spine I know exactly what I’m going to be in for and that’s a thrilling read that is hard to put down. I thought this book was smart and twisty, I could never guess what is next and my fingers just could not stop turning those pages.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow may be one of my favorites from Keliiokoa for the wonderful writing of Beth Ralston’s character - not only is she relatable but she is also has heart. The story is fast paced, intense, well plotted, and incredibly fun to read. Perfect for thriller lovers who also love a good murder mystery and psychological and domestic suspense.
AUTHOR: Mary Keliikoa
PUB DATE: 06.04.2024
Murder, dark family secrets, and the unwavering bond of sisterhood—regardless of the cost
THOUGHTS:
This is my third book from Mary Keliikoa, and every time I crack open a spine I know exactly what I’m going to be in for and that’s a thrilling read that is hard to put down. I thought this book was smart and twisty, I could never guess what is next and my fingers just could not stop turning those pages.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow may be one of my favorites from Keliiokoa for the wonderful writing of Beth Ralston’s character - not only is she relatable but she is also has heart. The story is fast paced, intense, well plotted, and incredibly fun to read. Perfect for thriller lovers who also love a good murder mystery and psychological and domestic suspense.
September 3, 2024
I would like to thank Oceanview Publishing and Mary Keliikoa for granting me a copy of this book.
3⭐ - it all starts with Beth, a paralegal working at her father's firm based in Portland, Oregon. One day she finds her dead boss in the office, but wait a minute.. did she just see her sister flee the scene?
A message is left for her "don't ask, don't follow."
Beth needs more answers and decides to look for her sister Lindsay.
This story has a lot of twists and turns, overall a nice and easy thriller to follow, with likeable characters. I wasn't familiar with the works of Mary Keliikoa, but I will definitely check out more of her work.
3⭐ - it all starts with Beth, a paralegal working at her father's firm based in Portland, Oregon. One day she finds her dead boss in the office, but wait a minute.. did she just see her sister flee the scene?
A message is left for her "don't ask, don't follow."
Beth needs more answers and decides to look for her sister Lindsay.
This story has a lot of twists and turns, overall a nice and easy thriller to follow, with likeable characters. I wasn't familiar with the works of Mary Keliikoa, but I will definitely check out more of her work.
June 19, 2024
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the concept of this book! Family secrets run deep and the characters are tested throughout! I thought the writing style could’ve used a little work, but other than that I found the story enjoyable. There were lots of twists, some I saw coming and others made my head spin. I would recommend to anyone who likes mysteries and psychological thrillers!
I really enjoyed the concept of this book! Family secrets run deep and the characters are tested throughout! I thought the writing style could’ve used a little work, but other than that I found the story enjoyable. There were lots of twists, some I saw coming and others made my head spin. I would recommend to anyone who likes mysteries and psychological thrillers!
August 23, 2024
I had seen Mary Keliikoa’s name around and always wanted to read some of her work, so when I saw Don’t Ask Don’t Follow on Edelweiss, I grabbed me a review copy. I was glad I did. I quickly got attached to Beth Ralston and curious about her sister, Lindsay.
Beth’s relationship with her family members are complicated, but she is confident and can stand on her own two feet. She was the responsible one, covering for her sister when they were growing up. Lindsay was the one taking risks, telling Beth, Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow.
When Beth’s boss is found murdered, she begins an investigation that reveals secrets that affected her life and her family’s life. I consider myself a realist and I know that sometimes it is family that can hurt you the most. Beth will be discovering. Maybe, too often, I think the worst of people.
As the investigation deepens, I found people playing God. They may mean well, but who are they to play judge, jury, and executioner. What makes their decisions the RIGHT one?
Guess what? I also saw my name, Sherry, was given to a character. Will she be a good one or a bad one? I don’t care. It’s just fun to see my name in a book. Author’s don’t use it a lot.
There are Book Club Discussion questions at the end of the book, and I think this could be a good one for your book club. There are plenty of questions about the characters motivations and the dysfunctional family that Beth is part of. Mary Keliikoa threw out enough false leads for me to follow and question how I could be wrong about this or that. Red Herrings are always fun to run across, being lead down a fuzzy path of clues.
The only thing I found missing was that heart in my throat, what will happen next feeling. That’s what makes the difference between a mystery and a thriller to me, and I consider Don’t Ask Don’t Follow more mystery than thriller.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
Beth’s relationship with her family members are complicated, but she is confident and can stand on her own two feet. She was the responsible one, covering for her sister when they were growing up. Lindsay was the one taking risks, telling Beth, Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow.
When Beth’s boss is found murdered, she begins an investigation that reveals secrets that affected her life and her family’s life. I consider myself a realist and I know that sometimes it is family that can hurt you the most. Beth will be discovering. Maybe, too often, I think the worst of people.
As the investigation deepens, I found people playing God. They may mean well, but who are they to play judge, jury, and executioner. What makes their decisions the RIGHT one?
Guess what? I also saw my name, Sherry, was given to a character. Will she be a good one or a bad one? I don’t care. It’s just fun to see my name in a book. Author’s don’t use it a lot.
There are Book Club Discussion questions at the end of the book, and I think this could be a good one for your book club. There are plenty of questions about the characters motivations and the dysfunctional family that Beth is part of. Mary Keliikoa threw out enough false leads for me to follow and question how I could be wrong about this or that. Red Herrings are always fun to run across, being lead down a fuzzy path of clues.
The only thing I found missing was that heart in my throat, what will happen next feeling. That’s what makes the difference between a mystery and a thriller to me, and I consider Don’t Ask Don’t Follow more mystery than thriller.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
May 13, 2024
Don't Ask, Don't Follow has it all - mystery, an investigation, shady characters, relevant and super current issues, and a great plot.
As a paralegal at a law firm, I'm generally quick to pick up books focusing on my industry and I'm so glad I did in this case! While I had a bit of a hard time connecting with Beth because her law firm experience was so different from my own, I appreciated how it added to the story and wasn't the primary focus. I particularly loved when the story shifted gears to finding Lindsay and uncovering her latest research.
This book had so many great layers and it was important to pay attention. The Ralston sisters were smart and it was fun unraveling the mystery with Beth as she retraced Lindsay's steps into the adoption scheme. It was hard to know who I could trust and I was definitely duped a couple times! I was also completely surprised by some twists later on in the book which is always a major plus for me!
I really liked Beth's development as a character. At first, I didn't feel a strong connection to her, but as she separated herself from her father's law firm and I felt her confidence and independence growing, I felt a kindred spirit. I loved how fierce and loyal she was, and also that while she was a rule follower, she wasn't afraid to toe the line or push for the right thing.
Overall, this was a great read. It was really unique, the pace really picked up about halfway through and I didn't want to put it down, and it surprised me in all the best ways. I definitely recommend!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions, Oceanview Publishing, and NetGalley for the copy.
As a paralegal at a law firm, I'm generally quick to pick up books focusing on my industry and I'm so glad I did in this case! While I had a bit of a hard time connecting with Beth because her law firm experience was so different from my own, I appreciated how it added to the story and wasn't the primary focus. I particularly loved when the story shifted gears to finding Lindsay and uncovering her latest research.
This book had so many great layers and it was important to pay attention. The Ralston sisters were smart and it was fun unraveling the mystery with Beth as she retraced Lindsay's steps into the adoption scheme. It was hard to know who I could trust and I was definitely duped a couple times! I was also completely surprised by some twists later on in the book which is always a major plus for me!
I really liked Beth's development as a character. At first, I didn't feel a strong connection to her, but as she separated herself from her father's law firm and I felt her confidence and independence growing, I felt a kindred spirit. I loved how fierce and loyal she was, and also that while she was a rule follower, she wasn't afraid to toe the line or push for the right thing.
Overall, this was a great read. It was really unique, the pace really picked up about halfway through and I didn't want to put it down, and it surprised me in all the best ways. I definitely recommend!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions, Oceanview Publishing, and NetGalley for the copy.
January 23, 2024
Don't Ask Don't Follow is a story of two sisters. One who is determined to find the truth and one who needs the truth in order to be set free and understand who they are. The main character Beth is sent on a whirlwind hunt for her sister and her boss' murder, even though she is ill-equipped to handle the mess she has been thrown into in the pursuit of answers she never knew she wanted.
I did enjoy this book although there were many liberties taken with regards to making the plot work. The writing was good but the plot was slightly unbelievable at times that it was really dependant on the reader not to allow the immersion and interest in the story to be broken. What really kept me interested in the book was the characters of Beth and Lindsay. The writing really helped me care about them. I think the overall theme and plot was interesting. Some things were a little too obvious so there was no really big shockers for me. I think I would have really liked to see the story told from the Detective's POV, instead of Beth's but that is just me.
Overall I liked Don't Ask Don't Follow. I would recommend this to others to read looking for an interesting thriller/mystery.
I did enjoy this book although there were many liberties taken with regards to making the plot work. The writing was good but the plot was slightly unbelievable at times that it was really dependant on the reader not to allow the immersion and interest in the story to be broken. What really kept me interested in the book was the characters of Beth and Lindsay. The writing really helped me care about them. I think the overall theme and plot was interesting. Some things were a little too obvious so there was no really big shockers for me. I think I would have really liked to see the story told from the Detective's POV, instead of Beth's but that is just me.
Overall I liked Don't Ask Don't Follow. I would recommend this to others to read looking for an interesting thriller/mystery.
May 27, 2024
A decent murder - mystery novel. It was a little too long in spots but I enjoyed the twists (two actually surprised me even if it was foreshadowed and I should've guessed). Thr MC made a lot of terrible decisions and I felt even worse about the first death once I got to the end. The villains are horrible, not even an ounce of grey here. Enjoyable for a rainy Sunday.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my unbiased review.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my unbiased review.
February 7, 2024
This mystery brings us in the world of Beth Ralston, a paralegal in Portland, Oregon; she is one that prefers working rather than partying with office colleagues anytime. But she is forced to assist and after making an appearance Beth returns to her office to find that her boss who had left the party moments before murdered...waiting for the police she noticed her sister Lindsay phone’s was left behind with a text message displayed...Don’t ask. Don’t follow....What was Lindsay, an investigative journalist doing in her boss office. What happened here? Beth is set to find out the answers.
In a few words, my thoughts:
Murder, dark family secrets, and the bond of sisterhood
When it is well done the first person narrative brings you in the characters’ mind and slowly you will be following them through their heartaches and joys. This mystery starts out with a bang but slows down a bit as it went along, although it did not deter me from enjoying the story at its maximum. We have a few twists and turns keep the suspense going and push the drama forward and with its many great layers to follow, it is imperative to stay with it. I particularly loved how Beth retraced Lindsay’s steps into the adoption scheme. Trying to guess the outcome is almost impossible and what a surprise the author spring on us at the end. I made so many hypothesizes of course all of them wrong.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow”, has a unique theme with legal intricacies woven throughout and provides us with an engaging “who-done- it” plot played out by strong characters.
This is a pulse-pounding read I enjoy quite a bit.
My thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss and Oceanview Publishing for this ARC
In a few words, my thoughts:
Murder, dark family secrets, and the bond of sisterhood
When it is well done the first person narrative brings you in the characters’ mind and slowly you will be following them through their heartaches and joys. This mystery starts out with a bang but slows down a bit as it went along, although it did not deter me from enjoying the story at its maximum. We have a few twists and turns keep the suspense going and push the drama forward and with its many great layers to follow, it is imperative to stay with it. I particularly loved how Beth retraced Lindsay’s steps into the adoption scheme. Trying to guess the outcome is almost impossible and what a surprise the author spring on us at the end. I made so many hypothesizes of course all of them wrong.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow”, has a unique theme with legal intricacies woven throughout and provides us with an engaging “who-done- it” plot played out by strong characters.
This is a pulse-pounding read I enjoy quite a bit.
My thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss and Oceanview Publishing for this ARC
March 27, 2024
A twisted tale of intrigue and family drama with many moving parts that come together seamlessly. The story opens with a bang at an office party when the main character Beth finds her boss dead in his office as her sister Lindsay flees the scene. The suspense continues to build throughout the story as Beth desperately searches for her sister and the truth about who murdered her boss. I loved Beth's character and her tenacity to keep pushing for answers despite all the roadblocks put up by everyone she knows. This is one to add to your list if you're a fan of thrillers.
July 25, 2025
This one dragged for me. The ending picked up and was satisfying, but getting there felt slow. Beth and Lindsay are sisters with very different personalities—Beth prefers to keep to herself, so she invites Lindsay as her plus-one to an office party. But Lindsay never shows. Later that night, Beth returns to her office and discovers her boss has been murdered. Even more chilling, she finds her sister’s phone with an unsent message that reads: Don’t ask, don’t follow. Beth begins searching for Lindsay and, in the process, uncovers dangerous secrets her sister was trying to expose.
January 7, 2024
The complexities of sisters, alike yet different, different yet alike. Lindsay Ralston is an investigative reporter. Beth is a paralegal at their father's law firm in Portland for associate Craig Bartell. Holiday office parties are not a favorite of either sister, but their parents are big on appearances. Beth saw Lindsay hurriedly leaving Craig's office just a few minutes before finding Craig murdered in that very room. Is that why Lindsay didn't respond when Beth called her name? Why did Lindsay leave her phone behind for Beth to find with an unsent text, "Don't ask. Don't follow." That's just the beginning of the questions when Lindsay is missing, and Beth's the one left behind to answer the unimaginable.
The 1st person narrative pulled me into the story but sometimes slowed the investigation's suspenseful pace. A father's political aspirations, a mother's preference to retreat at the slightest chance conversation might become uncomfortable, secrets, and relationship entanglements that always have longer shadows than the view of their appearances.
Book Club Discussion Questions are available at the end of the novel.
p.s. I loved the character of Murphy! I hope you do too!!
Thank you to Mary Keliikoa, Oceanview Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel.
The 1st person narrative pulled me into the story but sometimes slowed the investigation's suspenseful pace. A father's political aspirations, a mother's preference to retreat at the slightest chance conversation might become uncomfortable, secrets, and relationship entanglements that always have longer shadows than the view of their appearances.
Book Club Discussion Questions are available at the end of the novel.
p.s. I loved the character of Murphy! I hope you do too!!
Thank you to Mary Keliikoa, Oceanview Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel.
April 30, 2024
Don't Ask, Don't Follow by Mary Keliikoa is a heart-pounding thrill ride of a book that grabs you from the very beginning and doesn't let you go.
Keliikoa unravels a tale of secrets, greed, dysfunctional family, exploitation, trust, and power, using a fast pace and a relatable and sympathetic main character in Beth Ralston to reel the reader in. The book is well-written, meticulously crafted, and gripping, and it's difficult to put down once you get started. The discoveries Beth makes in her search for her sister and the killer of her boss are meted out in order to maximize suspense and enjoyment.
I am thrilled to have received a copy of #DontAskDontFollow from #NetGalley.
Keliikoa unravels a tale of secrets, greed, dysfunctional family, exploitation, trust, and power, using a fast pace and a relatable and sympathetic main character in Beth Ralston to reel the reader in. The book is well-written, meticulously crafted, and gripping, and it's difficult to put down once you get started. The discoveries Beth makes in her search for her sister and the killer of her boss are meted out in order to maximize suspense and enjoyment.
I am thrilled to have received a copy of #DontAskDontFollow from #NetGalley.
December 21, 2023
The book is twisted and the revelations at the end were so heartbreaking. It’s a tangled family mystery. I loved the characters. Some characters were not that good but they were mysterious. After reading the book I felt that it is hard to trust things even if the truth is in front of you. And some truths are capable of destroying the family. It’s a perfect suspense Thriller with a tangled family mystery. I love the Author’s books. The Author never disappoints.
Thanks to the Author, Publisher and Netgalley.
June 4, 2024
Another book that sparked some great conversation over at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse!
Beth is a quiet paralegal who is perfectly happy being a borderline workaholic shut-in, unlike her sister Lindsay who is also a workaholic, but in the investigative reporter field, always out and loud trying to solve problems. So when Beth is working upstairs instead of down at the company party (because her sister bailed on her), she’s shocked to see Lindsay darting away from Beth’s boss’ office and refusing to stop when Beth calls her. When she gets back to her office, she’s shocked to discover that her boss has been murdered. She begins to pick up on little clues that her sister left behind for her, and from there she’s led into the darker side of Portland, meeting people she’s not sure she can trust (who definitely don’t trust her), being unable to trust every she’s always known, and questioning all the things she thought she knew about herself, her sister, and her affluent family.
This was an interesting story! I’ll start with the negative and get that out of the way - it dragged on probably 30-50 pages too long. Had this clocked in at around 280 pages, I think it could’ve been a five star for me. Unfortunately there was a lot of ‘tail-chasing’ that felt repetitive. And in fairness to the author, that is probably extremely accurate to how this case would’ve been in reality. Unfortunately with thrillers, it’s best to suspend reality to give us the best, fast-paced details that keep us turning pages. And for that, Mary was very successful in the first 25% and last 20%
The book does start fast and end fast, and I personally really enjoyed the payoff, so if you get to the middle and feel like it’s dragging and you want to stop…don’t! It’s rewarding to see how Lindsay’s story ends, along with everyone else we meet along the way.
We have a so many different people in this story who could be deemed unreliable based solely on their careers or life situations - paralegal, attorneys, politicians, young people suffering from addiction, a non-us citizen living in the states illegally, reporters, chief of police, rich white people - the list goes on and on. I loved that aspect, it was more than just a ‘you can’t trust this person’ but the career path or life circumstance and the stereotypes surrounding them get in your head and you can’t help wondering if they can be trusted. It was far from your run-of-the-mill unreliable story in that sense and I found it creative & refreshing.
Another thing I enjoyed is that not everything was a resolved happy ending tied up in a bow, that would be virtually impossible based on the events that unfolded; however, I did like that there were aspects of a happily ever after that you don’t always see in thrillers. I don’t mind depressing or open-ended finales, but every once in awhile I do love a warm & fuzzy feeling when I’m closing a book that has been otherwise quite bleak.
Beth is a quiet paralegal who is perfectly happy being a borderline workaholic shut-in, unlike her sister Lindsay who is also a workaholic, but in the investigative reporter field, always out and loud trying to solve problems. So when Beth is working upstairs instead of down at the company party (because her sister bailed on her), she’s shocked to see Lindsay darting away from Beth’s boss’ office and refusing to stop when Beth calls her. When she gets back to her office, she’s shocked to discover that her boss has been murdered. She begins to pick up on little clues that her sister left behind for her, and from there she’s led into the darker side of Portland, meeting people she’s not sure she can trust (who definitely don’t trust her), being unable to trust every she’s always known, and questioning all the things she thought she knew about herself, her sister, and her affluent family.
This was an interesting story! I’ll start with the negative and get that out of the way - it dragged on probably 30-50 pages too long. Had this clocked in at around 280 pages, I think it could’ve been a five star for me. Unfortunately there was a lot of ‘tail-chasing’ that felt repetitive. And in fairness to the author, that is probably extremely accurate to how this case would’ve been in reality. Unfortunately with thrillers, it’s best to suspend reality to give us the best, fast-paced details that keep us turning pages. And for that, Mary was very successful in the first 25% and last 20%
The book does start fast and end fast, and I personally really enjoyed the payoff, so if you get to the middle and feel like it’s dragging and you want to stop…don’t! It’s rewarding to see how Lindsay’s story ends, along with everyone else we meet along the way.
We have a so many different people in this story who could be deemed unreliable based solely on their careers or life situations - paralegal, attorneys, politicians, young people suffering from addiction, a non-us citizen living in the states illegally, reporters, chief of police, rich white people - the list goes on and on. I loved that aspect, it was more than just a ‘you can’t trust this person’ but the career path or life circumstance and the stereotypes surrounding them get in your head and you can’t help wondering if they can be trusted. It was far from your run-of-the-mill unreliable story in that sense and I found it creative & refreshing.
Another thing I enjoyed is that not everything was a resolved happy ending tied up in a bow, that would be virtually impossible based on the events that unfolded; however, I did like that there were aspects of a happily ever after that you don’t always see in thrillers. I don’t mind depressing or open-ended finales, but every once in awhile I do love a warm & fuzzy feeling when I’m closing a book that has been otherwise quite bleak.
November 9, 2023
Fascinating book about two sisters, Beth and Lindsay who always kept each other's secrets as kids. Now grown, investigative journalist Lindsay is missing and paralegal Beth's boss is found murdered. How are these things connected? It's a wonderfully complicated story of intrigue as Beth works tirelessly to figure out where her sister is, how her parents are involved, and how an adoption agency figures into all the chaos. It's a fast-paced story that kept me reading long into the night but kept me turning pages as I couldn't stop!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
August 17, 2024
I really enjoyed that Beth would second guess almost all of her conclusions, often with the same skeptical thoughts rolling through my mind. I also loved that many of the clues were presented in the form of mini puzzles. This really made me feel included and invested in the events of the novel.
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