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No One Can Know
The author of What Lies in the Woods returns with a novel about three sisters, two murders, and too many secrets to count.
Emma hasn't told her husband much about her past. He knows her parents are dead and she hasn't spoken to her sisters in years. Then they lose their apartment, her husband gets laid off, and Emma discovers she's pregnant―right as the bank account slips into the red.
That's when Emma confesses that she has one more asset: her parents' house, which she owns jointly with her estranged sisters. They can't sell it, but they can live in it. But returning home means that Emma is forced to reveal her secrets to her husband: that the house is not a run-down farmhouse but a stately mansion, and that her parents died there.
Were murdered.
And that some people say Emma did it.
Emma and her sisters have never spoken about what really happened that night. Now, her return to the house may lure her sisters back, but it will also crack open family and small-town secrets lots of people don’t want revealed. As Emma struggles to reconnect with her old family and hold together her new one, she begins to realize that the things they have left unspoken all these years have put them in danger again.
Emma hasn't told her husband much about her past. He knows her parents are dead and she hasn't spoken to her sisters in years. Then they lose their apartment, her husband gets laid off, and Emma discovers she's pregnant―right as the bank account slips into the red.
That's when Emma confesses that she has one more asset: her parents' house, which she owns jointly with her estranged sisters. They can't sell it, but they can live in it. But returning home means that Emma is forced to reveal her secrets to her husband: that the house is not a run-down farmhouse but a stately mansion, and that her parents died there.
Were murdered.
And that some people say Emma did it.
Emma and her sisters have never spoken about what really happened that night. Now, her return to the house may lure her sisters back, but it will also crack open family and small-town secrets lots of people don’t want revealed. As Emma struggles to reconnect with her old family and hold together her new one, she begins to realize that the things they have left unspoken all these years have put them in danger again.
325 pages, Hardcover
First published January 23, 2024
About the author
Kate Alice Marshall
15 books3,613 followersKate Alice Marshall is the author of thrillers and horror for all ages. Her YA and Middle grade books include I AM STILL ALIVE, RULES FOR VANISHING, and THIRTEENS. Her adult thrillers include WHAT LIES IN THE WOODS and NO ONE CAN KNOW.
She lives outside of Seattle with her husband, two dogs named Vonnegut and Octavia, and two kids. They all conspire to keep her on her toes.
She lives outside of Seattle with her husband, two dogs named Vonnegut and Octavia, and two kids. They all conspire to keep her on her toes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,595 reviews
November 26, 2023
No one can know, not even the reader when they finish this book…
June 21, 2024
Another heart-throbbing, twisty whodunnit murder mystery meets a delicious psychological thriller concept from Kate Alice Marshall. The story lures you into the complex lives of three sisters whose world changed forever after the tragic night they found their parents brutally killed. In order to survive the incident, they formed a lie and hid the ugly truth.
The eldest daughter, Juliette, is obedient, dutiful, and a mother's pet. On that fateful night, she appears in someone else's clothes with wet hair. The younger teenage daughter, Daphne, is peculiar, observant, and shows sociopathic tendencies. She always hides behind shadows to become invisible and was the one covered in blood that night. The middle sister, Emma, discovered them in front of the dead bodies and helped them stick to a timeline while covering their tracks that might implicate one of them in the murders.
However, the strange fact is that the officers pointed at Emma as the prime suspect. They believed that she and Gabriel, her mentor's grandson, were dating and killed her parents when they disapproved of their relationship. The officers never found enough evidence to put them behind bars.
Emma and Daphne were sent to foster care, while Juliet went to college and cut off her connection with her sisters. The three sisters tried to adapt to their new lives by reinventing themselves and applying new coping mechanisms. Emma chose to marry Nathan, who proved to be loyal and supportive during another tragic incident in Emma's life. But now, she must face her dark past as a chain of unfortunate events leads them back to Arden House, where she left after being presumed innocent of the murder investigation. Nathan loses his job, and the money they collected to buy a new house, as Emma realizes she's expecting her first child.
Upon returning to her childhood home, Emma realizes that the townies are still holding grudges and have not forgotten the brutal incident. She faces vandalism and more serious threats than expected. The murder case remains open, and vindictive officers still want her to confess to the crime. Her husband's suspicious behavior and her estranged sisters' unexpected visits open a Pandora's box of secrets her entire family kept from her.
Emma, now focused on protecting her own child, has no intention of covering for her sisters this time. She embarks on a journey to find the real murderer, even if it puts her own life at risk and forces her to delve into more family secrets.
This smart, riveting, and well-executed thriller had me hooked from the beginning, especially with the dysfunctional relationship between the sisters. I connected with Emma, but at times, she frustrated me, and I wanted her to stand up for herself.
JJ and Daphne also frustrated me at times, but their struggles were understandable as they dealt with their own demons stemming from an abusive upbringing. Daphne, in particular, gave me chills, resembling a mix of Dexter and Dahmer.
Despite my dislike for some characters, the pacing was intriguing, and the conclusion was thrilling. I highly rate this book with four blazing stars and eagerly look forward to reading the author's next thrilling novel.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The eldest daughter, Juliette, is obedient, dutiful, and a mother's pet. On that fateful night, she appears in someone else's clothes with wet hair. The younger teenage daughter, Daphne, is peculiar, observant, and shows sociopathic tendencies. She always hides behind shadows to become invisible and was the one covered in blood that night. The middle sister, Emma, discovered them in front of the dead bodies and helped them stick to a timeline while covering their tracks that might implicate one of them in the murders.
However, the strange fact is that the officers pointed at Emma as the prime suspect. They believed that she and Gabriel, her mentor's grandson, were dating and killed her parents when they disapproved of their relationship. The officers never found enough evidence to put them behind bars.
Emma and Daphne were sent to foster care, while Juliet went to college and cut off her connection with her sisters. The three sisters tried to adapt to their new lives by reinventing themselves and applying new coping mechanisms. Emma chose to marry Nathan, who proved to be loyal and supportive during another tragic incident in Emma's life. But now, she must face her dark past as a chain of unfortunate events leads them back to Arden House, where she left after being presumed innocent of the murder investigation. Nathan loses his job, and the money they collected to buy a new house, as Emma realizes she's expecting her first child.
Upon returning to her childhood home, Emma realizes that the townies are still holding grudges and have not forgotten the brutal incident. She faces vandalism and more serious threats than expected. The murder case remains open, and vindictive officers still want her to confess to the crime. Her husband's suspicious behavior and her estranged sisters' unexpected visits open a Pandora's box of secrets her entire family kept from her.
Emma, now focused on protecting her own child, has no intention of covering for her sisters this time. She embarks on a journey to find the real murderer, even if it puts her own life at risk and forces her to delve into more family secrets.
This smart, riveting, and well-executed thriller had me hooked from the beginning, especially with the dysfunctional relationship between the sisters. I connected with Emma, but at times, she frustrated me, and I wanted her to stand up for herself.
JJ and Daphne also frustrated me at times, but their struggles were understandable as they dealt with their own demons stemming from an abusive upbringing. Daphne, in particular, gave me chills, resembling a mix of Dexter and Dahmer.
Despite my dislike for some characters, the pacing was intriguing, and the conclusion was thrilling. I highly rate this book with four blazing stars and eagerly look forward to reading the author's next thrilling novel.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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December 13, 2023
3.5* This wasn’t bad by any means, but definitely a bit of a letdown after how much I *loved* What Lies in the Woods. The beginning and end were good, but it kind of lost steam in the middle, I really just wanted to know who did it.
July 4, 2024
**4.5-stars**
No One Can Know is the most recent Adult release from beloved author, Kate Alice Marshall, who made her Adult Debut last January with What Lies in the Woods. I enjoyed that quite a bit, so have been anxiously awaiting this release.
Happily, it didn't disappoint for a moment. I listened to the audiobook and yet again, Karissa Vacker's stellar narration knocked it out of the park.
In this story we meet Emma, who after her husband, Nathan, loses his job, and essentially their housing, has to come clean to him about that fact that she actually already owns a home. It has the potential to save them.
As you can imagine, he's surprised, but the truth is, Emma hasn't told him much about her past. He knows her parents are dead and that she's estranged from her two sisters, other than that, he knows nothing of the bloody and tragic events that shaped Emma's life.
The situation is that Emma owns her parent's home jointly with her sisters. They can't sell it, but they can live in it.
Without having much of a choice, and trust, Emma would do anything else if she could, they move in.
Unfortunately, moving back to her hometown and into her family home means that Emma's going to have to come clean with Nathan about a few more things...
For example, like the fact that her parents were actually murdered in the home and many in the town believed that Emma was the one responsible.
Emma's sudden presence comes as a shock to the town and yet again, rumors and speculations begin to swirl. She sort of figured that would happen though, that's why she stayed away for so long.
Her being back has another, more unexpected consequence. It lures her sisters back too. The three have never actually talked about what happened. Each of them has their own thoughts and secrets regarding that fateful night.
But are their secrets continuing to put them in more danger? If Emma didn't do it, then who did? And will they ever be able to rekindle their once loving relationships?
I found this set-up so interesting. I liked Emma as a character from the start, but I hated her husband.
Those feelings continued throughout and only helped to solidify my connection to the story. My ire towards Nathan alone, kept me glued to the pages.
I felt bad for Emma, having lost her parents and then her sisters. It seemed unfair to me, as she seemed genuinely distraught by the events that had led to the family demise.
We eventually get the perspectives of Emma's sisters, Juliette, now going by J.J., and Daphne. While I didn't have the same level of feelings for them that I felt for Emma, I did find them interesting; messy, but interesting.
I loved getting the back-and-forth between the past and present. I always enjoy that, as the puzzle pieces are set in place. I love just sitting back and enjoying the ride as everything becomes clear.
I will say, this one kept me guessing for way longer than I expected. I think Marshall did a great job of keeping enough possibilities in play to keep the Reader engaged and guessing. It wasn't quite clear until almost the very end.
I suspected everyone at one time or another. I also enjoyed how the pace steadily increased the further you got along, until it was pedal to the floor, full throttle, full speed ahead!
I'm really enjoying KAM in this Adult space. I also love her YA work, so it's clear to me, she'll be successful with whatever she chooses to write. She's just that good.
If you haven't yet read Kate Alice Marshall, I feel like this could be a fun place to start. I definitely recommend this audiobook too, if that is an option for you. Karissa Vacker is one of my all-time favorite narrators and she definitely helped to bring this story to life.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
This was fantastic and certainly delivered on the tense family drama and deep dark secrets I was expecting. I can't wait to see what Marshall gives us next!
No One Can Know is the most recent Adult release from beloved author, Kate Alice Marshall, who made her Adult Debut last January with What Lies in the Woods. I enjoyed that quite a bit, so have been anxiously awaiting this release.
Happily, it didn't disappoint for a moment. I listened to the audiobook and yet again, Karissa Vacker's stellar narration knocked it out of the park.
In this story we meet Emma, who after her husband, Nathan, loses his job, and essentially their housing, has to come clean to him about that fact that she actually already owns a home. It has the potential to save them.
As you can imagine, he's surprised, but the truth is, Emma hasn't told him much about her past. He knows her parents are dead and that she's estranged from her two sisters, other than that, he knows nothing of the bloody and tragic events that shaped Emma's life.
The situation is that Emma owns her parent's home jointly with her sisters. They can't sell it, but they can live in it.
Without having much of a choice, and trust, Emma would do anything else if she could, they move in.
Unfortunately, moving back to her hometown and into her family home means that Emma's going to have to come clean with Nathan about a few more things...
For example, like the fact that her parents were actually murdered in the home and many in the town believed that Emma was the one responsible.
Emma's sudden presence comes as a shock to the town and yet again, rumors and speculations begin to swirl. She sort of figured that would happen though, that's why she stayed away for so long.
Her being back has another, more unexpected consequence. It lures her sisters back too. The three have never actually talked about what happened. Each of them has their own thoughts and secrets regarding that fateful night.
But are their secrets continuing to put them in more danger? If Emma didn't do it, then who did? And will they ever be able to rekindle their once loving relationships?
I found this set-up so interesting. I liked Emma as a character from the start, but I hated her husband.
Those feelings continued throughout and only helped to solidify my connection to the story. My ire towards Nathan alone, kept me glued to the pages.
I felt bad for Emma, having lost her parents and then her sisters. It seemed unfair to me, as she seemed genuinely distraught by the events that had led to the family demise.
We eventually get the perspectives of Emma's sisters, Juliette, now going by J.J., and Daphne. While I didn't have the same level of feelings for them that I felt for Emma, I did find them interesting; messy, but interesting.
I loved getting the back-and-forth between the past and present. I always enjoy that, as the puzzle pieces are set in place. I love just sitting back and enjoying the ride as everything becomes clear.
I will say, this one kept me guessing for way longer than I expected. I think Marshall did a great job of keeping enough possibilities in play to keep the Reader engaged and guessing. It wasn't quite clear until almost the very end.
I suspected everyone at one time or another. I also enjoyed how the pace steadily increased the further you got along, until it was pedal to the floor, full throttle, full speed ahead!
I'm really enjoying KAM in this Adult space. I also love her YA work, so it's clear to me, she'll be successful with whatever she chooses to write. She's just that good.
If you haven't yet read Kate Alice Marshall, I feel like this could be a fun place to start. I definitely recommend this audiobook too, if that is an option for you. Karissa Vacker is one of my all-time favorite narrators and she definitely helped to bring this story to life.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
This was fantastic and certainly delivered on the tense family drama and deep dark secrets I was expecting. I can't wait to see what Marshall gives us next!
January 26, 2024
Meh. Not a huge fan of the “but wait! There’s more!” ending.
Emma discovers she is pregnant right before her husband Nathan tells her that he has lost his job and with it their newly acquired mortgage and deposit. Broke, with nowhere else to go, they decide to live in Emma's family home that she inherited, along with her two now-estranged sisters Juliette and Daphne, after their parents' brutal murders. Emma has long been considered the prime suspect, and no one in the town is willing to forget that, even 14 years later. Can she clear her name once and for all?
There is a long, long setup to this novel. So much set up. So many mentions of secrets, "no one can know" and it just got tedious for me. Although it's in the third person, we are inside of Emma's head most of the time (also in Juliette's and Daphne's occasionally as well), so it felt odd that those secrets weren't revealed sooner. Once the twists started happening, the book got more interesting, but I never really warmed to or connected with any of the characters.
Trigger Warning--I don't have any triggers but this really got to me
There are just too many twists at the end though, it gives the vibe that the author just couldn't figure out which direction to go so she threw in every possibility. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Karissa Vacker, and while I don't generally vibe with her narration, this one was decent for the most part. Only a couple of instances of the low quiet whispering where I had to turn the volume way up even with my air pods.
This isn't bad necessarily, it just felt similar to so many other books out there these days.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Emma discovers she is pregnant right before her husband Nathan tells her that he has lost his job and with it their newly acquired mortgage and deposit. Broke, with nowhere else to go, they decide to live in Emma's family home that she inherited, along with her two now-estranged sisters Juliette and Daphne, after their parents' brutal murders. Emma has long been considered the prime suspect, and no one in the town is willing to forget that, even 14 years later. Can she clear her name once and for all?
There is a long, long setup to this novel. So much set up. So many mentions of secrets, "no one can know" and it just got tedious for me. Although it's in the third person, we are inside of Emma's head most of the time (also in Juliette's and Daphne's occasionally as well), so it felt odd that those secrets weren't revealed sooner. Once the twists started happening, the book got more interesting, but I never really warmed to or connected with any of the characters.
Trigger Warning--I don't have any triggers but this really got to me
There are just too many twists at the end though, it gives the vibe that the author just couldn't figure out which direction to go so she threw in every possibility. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Karissa Vacker, and while I don't generally vibe with her narration, this one was decent for the most part. Only a couple of instances of the low quiet whispering where I had to turn the volume way up even with my air pods.
This isn't bad necessarily, it just felt similar to so many other books out there these days.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
January 29, 2024
3.5⭐
Genre ~ domestic thriller
Setting ~ Arden Hills (maybe New Hampshire)
Publication date ~ January 23, 2023
Est page Count ~ 336 (then 56 chapters +now)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 15 minutes
Narrator ~ Karissa Vacker
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ dual timeline ~ then and now, murder, infidelity, child abuse
Emma, Juliette/JJ & Daphne's parents were murdered in their home 14 years ago and the house has been sitting vacant since. The sisters are estranged and the case was never solved. Some of the small town folks think Emma did it, but Emma and husband, Nathan, have fallen on hard times and decide to live there since it's free.
None of the characters were particularly likable in either the present or the past. I figured Nathan was going to be exactly who he was and frankly I'm tired of these husbands and their crap.
Overall, it was pretty predictable with a run of the mill plot. I suppose I liked it well enough, but I was bugged by when in the then timeline things were said like; on a Saturday afternoon less than 12 hours before their parents will be shot to death..., 2 months more of less before she..., 9 hours before she tells the 911 operator her parents are dead. You get my drift. This would be fine if they were having flashbacks, but the story seems to be told as they are living it in the then, so I don't like it. Now I'm wondering if it was written as a sort of heading in the actual book? Please someone confirm that has read it. I suppose if so then that would be fine~ish. BTW ~ this didn't affect my review, just pointing it out.
I enjoyed Kate's debut more than her 2nd adult novel, but will for sure read her next one.
Narration notes:
A wonderful job done as usual. There was a slight, yet noticeable, distinction between the sisters voices.
*Thanks to the author, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ domestic thriller
Setting ~ Arden Hills (maybe New Hampshire)
Publication date ~ January 23, 2023
Est page Count ~ 336 (then 56 chapters +now)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 15 minutes
Narrator ~ Karissa Vacker
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ dual timeline ~ then and now, murder, infidelity, child abuse
Emma, Juliette/JJ & Daphne's parents were murdered in their home 14 years ago and the house has been sitting vacant since. The sisters are estranged and the case was never solved. Some of the small town folks think Emma did it, but Emma and husband, Nathan, have fallen on hard times and decide to live there since it's free.
None of the characters were particularly likable in either the present or the past. I figured Nathan was going to be exactly who he was and frankly I'm tired of these husbands and their crap.
Overall, it was pretty predictable with a run of the mill plot. I suppose I liked it well enough, but I was bugged by when in the then timeline things were said like; on a Saturday afternoon less than 12 hours before their parents will be shot to death..., 2 months more of less before she..., 9 hours before she tells the 911 operator her parents are dead. You get my drift. This would be fine if they were having flashbacks, but the story seems to be told as they are living it in the then, so I don't like it. Now I'm wondering if it was written as a sort of heading in the actual book? Please someone confirm that has read it. I suppose if so then that would be fine~ish. BTW ~ this didn't affect my review, just pointing it out.
I enjoyed Kate's debut more than her 2nd adult novel, but will for sure read her next one.
Narration notes:
A wonderful job done as usual. There was a slight, yet noticeable, distinction between the sisters voices.
*Thanks to the author, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
January 27, 2024
3.5🌟
It’s been fourteen years since Emma and her two sisters went their separate ways after the murders of their parents in the family home. The sisters discovered their bodies, leaving a cloud of suspicion that followed them everywhere. There was no choice but to leave.
Recent circumstances have now brought Emma and her husband back to her childhood home. And Emma’s two sisters aren’t far behind. As secrets of the past are exposed, her marriage and her connection with her sisters will be put to the test. Not every relationship will make it to the end.
Told in both present and past timelines from the perspective of each sister.
An overall engaging read for a premise that has seems to be overly recurring in many of my reads lately.
I listened to the audio and Karissa Vacker was amazing as always, giving each sister a distinct voice. But I do enjoy audios with multiple narrators and think that would have been the perfect addition to this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio 🎧
It’s been fourteen years since Emma and her two sisters went their separate ways after the murders of their parents in the family home. The sisters discovered their bodies, leaving a cloud of suspicion that followed them everywhere. There was no choice but to leave.
Recent circumstances have now brought Emma and her husband back to her childhood home. And Emma’s two sisters aren’t far behind. As secrets of the past are exposed, her marriage and her connection with her sisters will be put to the test. Not every relationship will make it to the end.
Told in both present and past timelines from the perspective of each sister.
An overall engaging read for a premise that has seems to be overly recurring in many of my reads lately.
I listened to the audio and Karissa Vacker was amazing as always, giving each sister a distinct voice. But I do enjoy audios with multiple narrators and think that would have been the perfect addition to this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio 🎧
January 24, 2024
Fourteen years ago, the Palmer sisters’ parents were murdered—in their very own home. Following the crime, suspicion was laid at the feet of their rebellious middle daughter, sixteen year old Emma. Unable to prove her innocence yet also uncharged by the police, she moved away from the small town of Arden Hills and the vicious gossip that swirled around her with gusto. Since then she’s lost track of her sisters—Juliette and Daphne—as they’ve all struggled to move on.
Now married and living a mostly fulfilled life with her husband, Nathan, Emma is worried when she finds him home in the middle of the day. When he reveals that he’s been laid off and the newly accepted offer on their dream home has fallen through, she shares her own surprise news—that she’s pregnant. Without many options, Emma grudgingly agrees to move back to the home she ran from over a decade ago. After all, she and her estranged sisters still own it….even if she’d rather never see it again.
Once back in town, however, Emma is once again plagued by the rumors and ill will of her former friends and neighbors. On top of that, her mere presence in the house makes Emma’s sisters nervous. What if she uncovers some of their well hidden secrets? Before she knows it, the siblings are back together, forging bonds and kicking off old rivalries once again. But with the reawakened memories of the murders, Emma starts to wonder what really happened in the house fourteen years ago. Did she do the right thing by protecting her sisters? Or did she shield a killer? After all, if she didn’t do it, who did?
Oh. My. God. The queen of deception and misdirection pulled out all of the stops once again. Better still, I was shocked to find her raising the stakes even more after her utterly brilliant debut. Between the gripping family drama and the ever ratcheting suspense, No One Can Know was a thrilling hole in one. Trust me when I say that no matter how many guesses you make, this book will happily keep you in the dark until the final timely reveal.
The characters were easily my favorite piece to this brilliant story, however. Relatable and genuine but with plenty of unguessable secrets beneath the surface, I was wrapped up by each and every one. There were even a few I loved to hate, which is always a plus to any book, in my opinion. With well-developed backstories and definite weight to their personas, the sisters came to life before my very eyes. Best of all, though, was my inability to truly trust a single one of these wickedly crafty individuals.
The plot was also utterly mind-blowing with its deftly delivered twists and nonstop suspense. Narrated by the sisters’ three distinct voices via dual timelines, I was just as captivated by the sinister and ever so mysterious past as I was by the richly layered present. Then there was that amazeballs adrenaline-fueled climax that put the thrills into this psychological thriller. By the end, even the conclusion didn’t let me down, with its one final wrecking ball of a twist.
All in all, even the smallest puzzle pieces were spot on in this masterful whodunnit. Written with a fine eye for detail, the well-plotted storyline also managed to tackle serious issues with a depth often unheard of in thrillers. Even better, the addictive narrative cocktail expertly crafted that dark history and left me guessing throughout. Who was responsible all those years ago? One of the sisters? Two or more working in concert? Or someone else altogether? Despite the subtly hinted at clues, I didn’t have the faintest idea. Now all I know is, no matter what Ms. Marshall writes in the future, I will follow her to the ends of the earth. After all, I’m always guaranteed the best possible ride. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Kate Alice Marshall and Flatiron Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 23, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: controlling relationship, child abuse, harassment, drug use, death of a spouse, infidelity, mention of: fatal shooting, threatening letters
Now married and living a mostly fulfilled life with her husband, Nathan, Emma is worried when she finds him home in the middle of the day. When he reveals that he’s been laid off and the newly accepted offer on their dream home has fallen through, she shares her own surprise news—that she’s pregnant. Without many options, Emma grudgingly agrees to move back to the home she ran from over a decade ago. After all, she and her estranged sisters still own it….even if she’d rather never see it again.
Once back in town, however, Emma is once again plagued by the rumors and ill will of her former friends and neighbors. On top of that, her mere presence in the house makes Emma’s sisters nervous. What if she uncovers some of their well hidden secrets? Before she knows it, the siblings are back together, forging bonds and kicking off old rivalries once again. But with the reawakened memories of the murders, Emma starts to wonder what really happened in the house fourteen years ago. Did she do the right thing by protecting her sisters? Or did she shield a killer? After all, if she didn’t do it, who did?
Oh. My. God. The queen of deception and misdirection pulled out all of the stops once again. Better still, I was shocked to find her raising the stakes even more after her utterly brilliant debut. Between the gripping family drama and the ever ratcheting suspense, No One Can Know was a thrilling hole in one. Trust me when I say that no matter how many guesses you make, this book will happily keep you in the dark until the final timely reveal.
The characters were easily my favorite piece to this brilliant story, however. Relatable and genuine but with plenty of unguessable secrets beneath the surface, I was wrapped up by each and every one. There were even a few I loved to hate, which is always a plus to any book, in my opinion. With well-developed backstories and definite weight to their personas, the sisters came to life before my very eyes. Best of all, though, was my inability to truly trust a single one of these wickedly crafty individuals.
The plot was also utterly mind-blowing with its deftly delivered twists and nonstop suspense. Narrated by the sisters’ three distinct voices via dual timelines, I was just as captivated by the sinister and ever so mysterious past as I was by the richly layered present. Then there was that amazeballs adrenaline-fueled climax that put the thrills into this psychological thriller. By the end, even the conclusion didn’t let me down, with its one final wrecking ball of a twist.
All in all, even the smallest puzzle pieces were spot on in this masterful whodunnit. Written with a fine eye for detail, the well-plotted storyline also managed to tackle serious issues with a depth often unheard of in thrillers. Even better, the addictive narrative cocktail expertly crafted that dark history and left me guessing throughout. Who was responsible all those years ago? One of the sisters? Two or more working in concert? Or someone else altogether? Despite the subtly hinted at clues, I didn’t have the faintest idea. Now all I know is, no matter what Ms. Marshall writes in the future, I will follow her to the ends of the earth. After all, I’m always guaranteed the best possible ride. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Kate Alice Marshall and Flatiron Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 23, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: controlling relationship, child abuse, harassment, drug use, death of a spouse, infidelity, mention of: fatal shooting, threatening letters
October 23, 2023
Fourteen years ago, sisters Emma, Juliette, and Daphne’s parents were brutally murdered in their home, Arden Hills. The sisters left Arden Hills and haven't spoken to each other since. Middle sister Emma finds herself pregnant with no other options, so along with her husband she reluctantly returns to Arden Hills.
Emma never told anyone what happened the night her parents died, even when she became the prime suspect. As Emma’s return threatens to reveal secrets that have long been buried, the sisters are reunited for the first time since that terrible night. Soon after, Emma wonders what lengths her sisters will go to to keep the past buried and whether or not she did the right thing staying quiet about what happened.
No One Can Know is another twisty whodunit from Kate Alice Marshall. Not only is this a compelling thriller but it also explores the complex relationship between sisters and the lengths we go to to protect them (even to our own detriment). I really liked the pacing of the book and found it to be very entertaining. This is my second read by the author and I can't wait to read more of her work in the future!
No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall will be available on January 23, 2024. Many thanks to Flatiron Books for the gifted copy!!
Emma never told anyone what happened the night her parents died, even when she became the prime suspect. As Emma’s return threatens to reveal secrets that have long been buried, the sisters are reunited for the first time since that terrible night. Soon after, Emma wonders what lengths her sisters will go to to keep the past buried and whether or not she did the right thing staying quiet about what happened.
No One Can Know is another twisty whodunit from Kate Alice Marshall. Not only is this a compelling thriller but it also explores the complex relationship between sisters and the lengths we go to to protect them (even to our own detriment). I really liked the pacing of the book and found it to be very entertaining. This is my second read by the author and I can't wait to read more of her work in the future!
No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall will be available on January 23, 2024. Many thanks to Flatiron Books for the gifted copy!!
January 26, 2024
Three stars for three sisters who live with the aftermath of parents shot and killed in their own home. Juliette, Emma, and Daphne were separated after the murders. Their secrets went with them. Now as adults they are all reunited at their old home. This seemed like it would be a compelling read and I did want to know who was protecting whom. When all is said and done I felt a bit dizzy and a bit deceived. So many changes of direction in the last 25 percent. Did not like this one as much as What Lies in the Woods.
Thank you to Flatiron Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Flatiron Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2024
3.5 stars! I liked this one better than the authors previous book, What Lies in the Woods. I feel like there were almost too many characters in this one and towards the ending, there was just too much going on and it made it harder to follow. Overall, it was still a pretty decent read and I will continue to check out the authors future books!
October 31, 2023
the plot twists weren’t twistin.
January 1, 2024
“Yellow wallpaper. White grip. Red hand.”
Three sisters are asleep in a treehouse while their parents are brutally murdered. Juliette, Emma, and Daphne are haunted by what happened that night all those years ago. Who killed their parents? None of them can remember what really happened, but the police always suspected Emma pulled the trigger.
Fourteen years later, the sisters are estranged from each other and their childhood mansion is abandoned.
When Emma’s husband loses his job just as she finds out she is pregnant, they are unable to pay their mortgage. Forced to tell her husband about her parents’ murder, she admits to still owning her childhood home. With no other options, they move back into the abandoned mansion.
Emma’s return lures her sisters back home and secrets are revealed. When someone is murdered at the house, the sisters must investigate who killed their parents in order to save themselves.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by the amazing Karissa Vacker, while also following along with the E-book. Told in alternating timelines between then and now, the mystery unfolds very slowly, casting doubt on various characters.
After really enjoying Marshall’s previous thriller, What Lies in the Woods, I was excited to read her new book. Unfortunately, this mystery does not live up to her adult debut. All of the characters lack depth and while the the reveal is twisty, the killer is too obvious. The plot is also very similar to many other thrillers and not very memorable.
While it pains me to write a negative review, I definitely recommend reading What Lies in the Woods and skipping No One Can Know. Many other reviewers have enjoyed it, so please check out their reviews as well.
2.5/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 1/23/24
Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss, Flatiron Books, and MacMillan Audio for the ARC of No One Can Know in exchange for an honest review.
Three sisters are asleep in a treehouse while their parents are brutally murdered. Juliette, Emma, and Daphne are haunted by what happened that night all those years ago. Who killed their parents? None of them can remember what really happened, but the police always suspected Emma pulled the trigger.
Fourteen years later, the sisters are estranged from each other and their childhood mansion is abandoned.
When Emma’s husband loses his job just as she finds out she is pregnant, they are unable to pay their mortgage. Forced to tell her husband about her parents’ murder, she admits to still owning her childhood home. With no other options, they move back into the abandoned mansion.
Emma’s return lures her sisters back home and secrets are revealed. When someone is murdered at the house, the sisters must investigate who killed their parents in order to save themselves.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by the amazing Karissa Vacker, while also following along with the E-book. Told in alternating timelines between then and now, the mystery unfolds very slowly, casting doubt on various characters.
After really enjoying Marshall’s previous thriller, What Lies in the Woods, I was excited to read her new book. Unfortunately, this mystery does not live up to her adult debut. All of the characters lack depth and while the the reveal is twisty, the killer is too obvious. The plot is also very similar to many other thrillers and not very memorable.
While it pains me to write a negative review, I definitely recommend reading What Lies in the Woods and skipping No One Can Know. Many other reviewers have enjoyed it, so please check out their reviews as well.
2.5/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 1/23/24
Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss, Flatiron Books, and MacMillan Audio for the ARC of No One Can Know in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2024
3.75⭐️
When her husband Nathan loses his job, pregnant Emma Palmer returns to her childhood home – the same home where her parents were brutally murdered fourteen years ago. Emma and her sisters Juliette and Daphne were separated after the tragedy and have each gone their own way. Though they have drifted apart, together they share ownership of the family home. Emma’s return is accompanied by whispers and speculation, visits from the investigators who believe that Emma is the key to solving the cold case from fourteen years ago and the return of significant people from Emma’s past including her estranged sisters. Everyone has secrets and no one is above suspicion. Emma has never forgotten that fateful night but continues to maintain silence on what transpired on the night of the murders, not even sharing the story of her family tragedy with her husband before she returned to Arden Hills. After all, “No one can know..” and the sisters haven't yet broken the pact they made all those years ago, but it’s only a matter of time before the past comes back to haunt them.
No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall is a well-written, intriguing read that I overall enjoyed. The author deftly weaves past and present timelines into a tight-knit, suspenseful narrative shared mostly from the perspectives of all three sisters. Though the premise of the novel does not strike you as quite original (for fans of this genre), the skillful execution, excellent characterization, the twists and turns and the satisfying ending make for an engaging read. The pace does falter in parts, but this does detract from the overall reading experience. I loved that the author keeps you guessing till the very last page and I especially enjoy such reads when my predictions turn out to be wrong!
Though I didn’t enjoy this novel as much as What Lies in the Woods overall, I found it to be a satisfying read and would be eager to explore more of the author’s work in the future.
Many thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. No One Can Know was published on January 23, 2024.
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When her husband Nathan loses his job, pregnant Emma Palmer returns to her childhood home – the same home where her parents were brutally murdered fourteen years ago. Emma and her sisters Juliette and Daphne were separated after the tragedy and have each gone their own way. Though they have drifted apart, together they share ownership of the family home. Emma’s return is accompanied by whispers and speculation, visits from the investigators who believe that Emma is the key to solving the cold case from fourteen years ago and the return of significant people from Emma’s past including her estranged sisters. Everyone has secrets and no one is above suspicion. Emma has never forgotten that fateful night but continues to maintain silence on what transpired on the night of the murders, not even sharing the story of her family tragedy with her husband before she returned to Arden Hills. After all, “No one can know..” and the sisters haven't yet broken the pact they made all those years ago, but it’s only a matter of time before the past comes back to haunt them.
No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall is a well-written, intriguing read that I overall enjoyed. The author deftly weaves past and present timelines into a tight-knit, suspenseful narrative shared mostly from the perspectives of all three sisters. Though the premise of the novel does not strike you as quite original (for fans of this genre), the skillful execution, excellent characterization, the twists and turns and the satisfying ending make for an engaging read. The pace does falter in parts, but this does detract from the overall reading experience. I loved that the author keeps you guessing till the very last page and I especially enjoy such reads when my predictions turn out to be wrong!
Though I didn’t enjoy this novel as much as What Lies in the Woods overall, I found it to be a satisfying read and would be eager to explore more of the author’s work in the future.
Many thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. No One Can Know was published on January 23, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
January 8, 2024
Not as good as What Lies in the Woods
Emma and her two sisters have been haunted by a dark past, one they have tried to escape for years. They had long lost touch with each other until fate forced Emma and her husband to return to her childhood home, the very house where her parents were brutally murdered. Their killer never brought to justice. As Emma and her husband settled in, Emma's memories gradually resurfaced, leaving her questioning what exactly she had witnessed that dreadful night. Secrets that the sisters had kept buried began to unravel, and finally, the truth was exposed.
The book had a lot of promise, but I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Also, I was hoping for a more captivating and thrilling atmosphere. Overall, an okay read.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Alice Marshall, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Emma and her two sisters have been haunted by a dark past, one they have tried to escape for years. They had long lost touch with each other until fate forced Emma and her husband to return to her childhood home, the very house where her parents were brutally murdered. Their killer never brought to justice. As Emma and her husband settled in, Emma's memories gradually resurfaced, leaving her questioning what exactly she had witnessed that dreadful night. Secrets that the sisters had kept buried began to unravel, and finally, the truth was exposed.
The book had a lot of promise, but I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Also, I was hoping for a more captivating and thrilling atmosphere. Overall, an okay read.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Alice Marshall, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
January 11, 2024
The Palmer sisters are the focus of Kate Alice Marshall's latest thriller, No One Can Know. For much of the book, it was approaching a 5-star read. The transition between "then" and "now" had built incredible suspense, the sisters mesmerized me with their intimacy and distance, and the family was a nightmare that clearly was destined to combust. Every character had me wondering who was perhaps going to break down and kill the parents, but the unraveling and surprise murder in the modern "now" story totally drew me. I usually have an inkling when something like that will happen, but Marshall shocked me when the victim was found. It made no sense until it did. Unfortunately, the last 10% played a few too many games with revealing the killer, then changing the story, then another unexpected reveal followed by a final shocker in the last few pages. It made me a bit apprehensive to just accept too many flaws and disconnects, so I had to drop back to 4 stars. Still a thoroughly engaging read that gripped me right up until the final page.
February 7, 2024
2.5⭐️ Womp, womp. This was sadly a miss for me! It wasn’t a totally unique thriller and I feel as though the story was way too drawn out.
I liked the flashbacks and the chapters set in the past kept me engaged enough in the story to push through. I also enjoyed the estranged sister storyline and enjoyed seeing the three women work through some of their issues.
That being said, the characters didn’t feel well developed and I don’t really know how to explain it without giving too much away. One minute they’d have a strong opinion about something and the next they were acting totally different. It also didn’t help matters that I found every single character pretty unlikable and didn’t care to root for any of them.
The title NO ONE CAN KNOW implies there will be some secrets here. Unfortunately, I felt like the twists in the books weren’t that twisty. They were just secrets being revealed.
The first half felt way too slow and the second half was a bit redonkulous. I should note that I have already seen multiple reviews that say the book was fast paced from page one and readers loved the ending. This is what I love about reading! We can read the exact same book and have totally different experiences. Overall, this wasn’t for me but it may work well for a lot of people!
🥳PUB DAY: JAN 23rd
I liked the flashbacks and the chapters set in the past kept me engaged enough in the story to push through. I also enjoyed the estranged sister storyline and enjoyed seeing the three women work through some of their issues.
That being said, the characters didn’t feel well developed and I don’t really know how to explain it without giving too much away. One minute they’d have a strong opinion about something and the next they were acting totally different. It also didn’t help matters that I found every single character pretty unlikable and didn’t care to root for any of them.
The title NO ONE CAN KNOW implies there will be some secrets here. Unfortunately, I felt like the twists in the books weren’t that twisty. They were just secrets being revealed.
The first half felt way too slow and the second half was a bit redonkulous. I should note that I have already seen multiple reviews that say the book was fast paced from page one and readers loved the ending. This is what I love about reading! We can read the exact same book and have totally different experiences. Overall, this wasn’t for me but it may work well for a lot of people!
🥳PUB DAY: JAN 23rd
February 19, 2024
Enter my giveaway on Instagram to receive a copy of this one!
(Giveaway ends Monday, 2-19-2024)
It's one of the better family-based murd3r mysteries I've read in a while! I loved the ending, and I'm looking forward to reading everyone's thoughts as I see more and more reviews.
- I had to examine more than once if I felt like people got what they 'deserved' in this book, and I love thrillers like that. When no one seems like a good character... and they all have secrets - who's really the good guy?? Who deserves to be punished, who deserves to get away with crimes, who deserves to live a normal life?
Find Me On Instagram 🦋 || More Bookish Thoughts & Reviews Here 🖤
It's one of the better family-based murd3r mysteries I've read in a while! I loved the ending, and I'm looking forward to reading everyone's thoughts as I see more and more reviews.
- I had to examine more than once if I felt like people got what they 'deserved' in this book, and I love thrillers like that. When no one seems like a good character... and they all have secrets - who's really the good guy?? Who deserves to be punished, who deserves to get away with crimes, who deserves to live a normal life?
Find Me On Instagram 🦋 || More Bookish Thoughts & Reviews Here 🖤
April 21, 2024
So boring and repetitive. Every chapter: omg…what happened THAT NIGHT? Let’s debrief and rehash it all but at the same let’s make no progress in putting the pieces together or talk about anything that matters to the central storyline. Why don’t we instead talk in circles because we’re in a mystery book and make this feel extra drawn out and long for the readers!!! YOU FOOL🫵🏻 YOU THOUGHT YOU WOULD GET A SATISFYING ENDING🫵🏻 *BUZZER SOUND* 🚨INCORRECT🚨 I’m so annoyed but alas I didn’t completely hate it… The writing is still excellent but uhhhh What Lies in the Woods, this is not. That was so good I foolishly thought I’d love anything this author wrote. One of my mystery book pet peeves is the author at the end being like did that really happen😏😏😏 or was it THIS instead or even…THIS?!?!😉😉😉 This isn’t Fight Club!!! You can talk about exactly what happened!!!
November 5, 2023
Emma and her husband start having financial difficulties. They move back into the mansion her parents were murdered in when she was a teenager. Trouble arises because people think she was the one that killed her parents.
This book had many twists and turns and was an excellent read. I’d like to thank NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the chance to read this ARC!
This book had many twists and turns and was an excellent read. I’d like to thank NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the chance to read this ARC!
December 14, 2023
Three wealthy sisters and two murdered parents.
One sister is the prime suspect.
Did she do it?
Nobody is arrested and the case goes cold.
Yes, the book's premise was ultra-compelling.
Although I was intrigued by the book's premise, I felt that the book dragged and suffered from too much repetitive text.
I listened to the 10-hour audiobook that easily could have been an 7-hour audiobook.
Narrator Karissa Vacker did a superb job with the narration.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3 stars, rounded up.
January 18, 2024
I thought this was a really good twisty thriller. For me, the second half of the book was better than the first half due to the presence of a very annoying character that made me want to put the book down to avoid them for a while. This caused the first half of the book to take longer than usual for me to read. But once I was really engaged in the second half, the story moved quickly and was very interesting.
As I said, this one has a lot of twists. As soon as you think you have it all figured out another detail is dropped. I didn't know most of the reveals until I was meant to. I guessed at a few things, but wasn't 100% sure. I really enjoyed how it played out and the way the surprises were disclosed.
My only complaint is that there is a person in the book that is intentionally written to be unlikable. Unfortunately, they were written as too unlikable and "all bad" which made it unrealistic. It is a pet peeve of mine and makes the character very flat. Without giving anything away, this character made it very difficult to suspend my disbelief that certain things in the story ever would have happened.
Otherwise, I thought the story was well-written and I look forward to reading whatever Kate Alice Marshall puts out next.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Karissa Vacker, who did an excellent job.
3.5★
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
As I said, this one has a lot of twists. As soon as you think you have it all figured out another detail is dropped. I didn't know most of the reveals until I was meant to. I guessed at a few things, but wasn't 100% sure. I really enjoyed how it played out and the way the surprises were disclosed.
My only complaint is that there is a person in the book that is intentionally written to be unlikable. Unfortunately, they were written as too unlikable and "all bad" which made it unrealistic. It is a pet peeve of mine and makes the character very flat. Without giving anything away, this character made it very difficult to suspend my disbelief that certain things in the story ever would have happened.
Otherwise, I thought the story was well-written and I look forward to reading whatever Kate Alice Marshall puts out next.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Karissa Vacker, who did an excellent job.
3.5★
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 5, 2023
Kate Alice Marshall is really slaying the game lately. Every since she pivoted to adult mystery/thrillers, she has really made a name for herself with readers of the genre. Her newest book, NO ONE CAN KNOW is her best yet.
The story is centered around Emma and her two sisters, Juliette and Daphne. The three sisters grew up in a chaotic home life that ends up in trauma after their parents are murdered. Sadly, the parents' killer has never been found, but Emma has been blamed for it by the town. Emma has left this life behind her and found a husband in Nathan. When he loses his job, Emma and Nathan decide to temporarily stay at Emma's family home while they get back on their feet. With Emma pregnant, she knows they need to save money. However, returning home opens the floodgates for her family secrets. With the small town finding out about Emma's return, not only does she has family drama to work through, but a whole lot of enemies she and her sisters have largely ignored over this time. Now that Emma's an adult, these secrets are a lot harder to stay hidden.
This book starts off with a bang. I absolutely loved how the beginning of this book developed. One thing about Kate Alice Marshall is that she won't follow the cookie cutter thriller plotlines and I love that. I read this book in two sittings and in record time. The book starts very fast and then slows down, but my interest was piqued throughout. I was pleasantly surprised about the ending and I'm happy the author was able to stump me. I think readers who liked the author's past book and readers who like gothic mysteries will love this one.
The story is centered around Emma and her two sisters, Juliette and Daphne. The three sisters grew up in a chaotic home life that ends up in trauma after their parents are murdered. Sadly, the parents' killer has never been found, but Emma has been blamed for it by the town. Emma has left this life behind her and found a husband in Nathan. When he loses his job, Emma and Nathan decide to temporarily stay at Emma's family home while they get back on their feet. With Emma pregnant, she knows they need to save money. However, returning home opens the floodgates for her family secrets. With the small town finding out about Emma's return, not only does she has family drama to work through, but a whole lot of enemies she and her sisters have largely ignored over this time. Now that Emma's an adult, these secrets are a lot harder to stay hidden.
This book starts off with a bang. I absolutely loved how the beginning of this book developed. One thing about Kate Alice Marshall is that she won't follow the cookie cutter thriller plotlines and I love that. I read this book in two sittings and in record time. The book starts very fast and then slows down, but my interest was piqued throughout. I was pleasantly surprised about the ending and I'm happy the author was able to stump me. I think readers who liked the author's past book and readers who like gothic mysteries will love this one.
May 29, 2024
If you like a slow-burn mystery with a lot of family drama, long-held secrets, and shady characters this is for you. The premise pulled me in. Estranged sisters reuniting after the murder of their parents with one sister possibly being the murderer was intriguing. The alternating timelines and multiple POVs slowed down the plot at times. The beginning hooked me but lost me slightly halfway. I can’t say I disliked this story, but I didn't love it either. The narration of the audiobook was well done adding intensity when necessary. The conclusion was interesting and thought-provoking. Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my audiobook.
May 1, 2024
No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall is a psychological thriller with an air of mystery. The story in No One Can Know is one that is told from multiple points of view and takes place in the present timeline with some flashing back to a past timeline.
Emma, Juliette, and Daphne were raised by their parents in their home in Arden Hills until one night the girls find their parents murdered. Emma being the middle sister was suspected by the police to have commited the crime but the case never closed with the sisters seperating and moving on with their lives.
Now fourteen years later Emma is married and has just discovered that she is expecting her own child with her husband. This realization comes just as Emma and her husband are having financial difficulties so in order to save money Emma admits her old family home which she and her sisters own is sitting empty but moving back will force Emma to face her sister and the secrets they’ve kept of that night of their parents murder.
No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall was an engaging read right from first picking it up. As the story unfolds there’s no shortage of suspicions to go around for the characters as we peel back the layers to the past and present. Both timelines were intriguing as it went along and of course there were a few twists and turns to keep the pages turning. Definitely an author I’d return to after finishing this thrilling tale.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Emma, Juliette, and Daphne were raised by their parents in their home in Arden Hills until one night the girls find their parents murdered. Emma being the middle sister was suspected by the police to have commited the crime but the case never closed with the sisters seperating and moving on with their lives.
Now fourteen years later Emma is married and has just discovered that she is expecting her own child with her husband. This realization comes just as Emma and her husband are having financial difficulties so in order to save money Emma admits her old family home which she and her sisters own is sitting empty but moving back will force Emma to face her sister and the secrets they’ve kept of that night of their parents murder.
No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall was an engaging read right from first picking it up. As the story unfolds there’s no shortage of suspicions to go around for the characters as we peel back the layers to the past and present. Both timelines were intriguing as it went along and of course there were a few twists and turns to keep the pages turning. Definitely an author I’d return to after finishing this thrilling tale.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
February 20, 2024
Yesterday I reviewed a 5 Star thriller and commented that most are a dime a dozen and don’t earn more than 3-3.5 Stars from me. This is one of those countless many. The story here is about a woman who returns to the family home where her parents were murdered when she was a teen . . . murders for which she was the main suspect. In addition to sister #1, Emma, two more sisters (“JJ” and Daphne) are also thrown into the mix after being estranged for well over a decade. It’s a long way to get to the final destination of the whodunit with plenty of red herring suspects (even though the actual culprit is pretty obvious) and I kept having to check if this was a Reese’s Book Club selection because it seemed right up her alley. Basically? Meh. Great house cover, though!
2.5 Stars
2.5 Stars
January 4, 2024
This is Kate Marshall's second adult novel and frankly, I was disappointed. I loved the setting, a big colonial type house that has sat unused for years. Emma, as lead protagonist, has been carrying the burden of what actually happened the night her parents were murdered. Lots of angst between her and her two sisters, but I still felt something was missing from these relationships. The ending was ok, but it fet like there were too many unnecessary twists. Overall, just not for me.
December 10, 2023
I’m sad. This was kinda boring.
January 5, 2024
Fourteen years ago, sisters Emma, Daphne, and Juliette were asleep in their treehouse when their parents were brutally murdered in their Arden Hills home. The murderer was never found, but lots of people in Arden Hills, including the detectives in charge of the case, blamed Emma for the events of that night. Now, the sisters are estranged from one another, their childhood home sits empty and abandoned, and Emma doesn't talk about her childhood with anyone, not even her husband Nathan. But when Nathan is fired from his job and they find out Emma is pregnant, they have no choice but to make use of Emma's one remaining asset: the childhood home she still owns with her sisters. After all these years, the house and the sisters are still keeping their secrets close, but everything that's buried will eventually come to light...
I'm finding No One Can Know difficult to review, because the issues I had with it are down to my personal preference. It's a well-composed, impeccably-written thriller with interesting characters, which deftly balances multiple timelines and perspectives, and lots of reviewers have enjoyed it. But it features two of my least favorite tropes in psychological thrillers: horrible husbands and small-town corruption. (Neither of those is a spoiler; you can immediately tell that Nathan is awful from his very first scene). So it just wasn't the best fit for me, personally, because those plot elements just irritated me.
I had some issues with Kate Alice Marshall's adult debut, What Lies in the Woods, because it I found it to be somewhat predictable, but I loved the rich, evocative atmosphere Marshall created in that book. Unfortunately, that atmosphere was missing from No One Can Know, and although this wasn't quite as predictable, it was still pretty easy to figure out who the bad guy was. Also, I'm not sure I understood Marshall's choice to tell the past timeline in the present tense, and the present timeline in the past tense.
I did enjoy how Marshall explored the bonds of sisterhood, raising interesting questions about what we would sacrifice or hide to protect our loved ones.
I listened to the audio version, read by Karissa Vacker, whose performance was engaging and impeccable, as always. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the early listening opportunity.
I'm finding No One Can Know difficult to review, because the issues I had with it are down to my personal preference. It's a well-composed, impeccably-written thriller with interesting characters, which deftly balances multiple timelines and perspectives, and lots of reviewers have enjoyed it. But it features two of my least favorite tropes in psychological thrillers: horrible husbands and small-town corruption. (Neither of those is a spoiler; you can immediately tell that Nathan is awful from his very first scene). So it just wasn't the best fit for me, personally, because those plot elements just irritated me.
I had some issues with Kate Alice Marshall's adult debut, What Lies in the Woods, because it I found it to be somewhat predictable, but I loved the rich, evocative atmosphere Marshall created in that book. Unfortunately, that atmosphere was missing from No One Can Know, and although this wasn't quite as predictable, it was still pretty easy to figure out who the bad guy was. Also, I'm not sure I understood Marshall's choice to tell the past timeline in the present tense, and the present timeline in the past tense.
I did enjoy how Marshall explored the bonds of sisterhood, raising interesting questions about what we would sacrifice or hide to protect our loved ones.
I listened to the audio version, read by Karissa Vacker, whose performance was engaging and impeccable, as always. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the early listening opportunity.
January 28, 2024
I listened to the audiobook of this one and I really liked the narrator. I thought she did a great job bringing this story to life and I’ve listened to several of her books and think she is particularly well suited to thrillers. I liked that you get to see the story through multiple perspectives and in dual timelines. Emma hasn’t been home in years because when she was a teenager her parents were murdered and she was the prime suspect. And while she was never arrested the entire town was sure it was her. After the investigation her older sister left never to communicate again and when she aged out of foster care her younger sister wanted nothing to do with her. After her husband messes up and they lose their life savings with no one to go and a baby on the way Emma is forced to return to her childhood home which has been sitting empty waiting for them. But memories run long and everyone is still certain she is guilty and her husband doesn’t seem to like what he’s learning about Emma.
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