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Before She Knew Him
Before She Knew Him: A Novel | Peter Swanson
Catching a killer is dangerousespecially if he lives next door From the hugely talented author of The Kind Worth Killing comes an exquisitely chilling tale of a young suburban wife with a history of psychological instability whose fears about her new neighbor could lead them both to murder . . . Hen and her husband Lloyd have settled into a quiet life in a new house outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Hen (short for Henrietta) is an illustrator and works out of a studio nearby, and has found the right meds to control her bipolar disorder. Finally, shes found some stability and peace. But when they meet the neighbors next door, that calm begins to erode as she spots a familiar object displayed on the husbands office shelf. The sports trophy looks exactly like one that went missing from the home of a young man who was killed two years ago. Hen knows because shes long had a fascination with this unsolved murderan obsession she doesnt talk about anymore, but cant fully shake either. Could her neighbor, Matthew, be a killer? Or is this the beginning of another psychotic episode like the one she suffered back in college, when she became so consumed with proving a fellow student guilty that she ended up hurting a classmate? The more Hen observes Matthew, the more she suspects hes planning something truly terrifying. Yet no one will believe her. Then one night, when she comes face to face with Matthew in a dark parking lot, she realizes that he knows shes been watching him, that shes really on to him. And that this is the beginning of a horrifying nightmare she may not live to escape. . .
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Elizabeth2
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Pickpick

Good psychological thriller. Hen and her husband just moved in and have met the couple next door, Matthew and Mira. But during a friendly dinner, Hen believes she spots something that is connected to a murder she was obsessed with. So begins a game of cat and mouse. Full of suspense, interesting twists and a fast paced read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

33 likes1 stack add
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Elizabeth2
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Started this one late last night. Looks like it‘s going to be an edge of the seat, fast read! ❤️📚

CoffeeNBooks I enjoyed this one. 1y
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EadieB
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Pickpick

#BeforeSheKnewHim #PeterSwsnson #BookSpinBingo

I totally loved this book. Hen and her husband, Lloyd, moved into a quiet life in a suburban house outside of Boston. Her neighbor invites them over for dinner. She spots a familiar object in the husband's office that is connected to a killing that happened years ago. She immediately claims that he is a murderer. Could her neighbor Matthew be a killer?

EadieB Then one night, when she comes face-to-face with Matthew in the dark, she realizes that he knows she's been watching him, that she is on to him. And that this is the start of a horrifying nightmare she may not live to escape. There are lots of twists that happen and make me read to the very shocking end. 2y
EadieB A tantalizing story of obsession and manipulation and is sure to please a lover of psychological suspense. I'm looking forward to my next Peter Swanson book. 2y
CoffeeNBooks I really enjoyed this book, too! I need to read more of Peter Swanson's books. I've read 2 of his books and they were both really good! 2y
See All 7 Comments
EadieB @CoffeeNBooks I've read 3 now and The Kind Worth Killing is my favorite but you are right as they are all good. 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! Swanson's writing is always so addictive!! 2y
EadieB @TheAromaofBooks Yes it is! 2y
CoffeeNBooks @EadieB The Kind Worth Killing is the other book of his I've read- so good! 2y
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NikkiKey94
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Pickpick

I‘ve had this one on my TBR shelf for a while and decided to read it when I was invited for a buddy read on StoryGraph. I can‘t believe I waited so long to read it! I‘ve read a few other books by Peter Swanson and like those this one did not disappoint! It was full of crazy twists and edge of your seat thrills!

Cathythoughts I really enjoyed this one too 👍🏻 2y
NikkiKey94 @Cathythoughts His books are so enjoyable! So many twists! 2y
15 likes2 comments
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Cathythoughts
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Pickpick

Another excellent thriller/serial killer ! Just what I needed , not a dull moment … Peter Swanson is good 👍🏻😱

TrishB I have 5 of his on my kindle and only read one. Have this one- good to know it‘s a good read 👍🏻 (edited) 2y
Cathythoughts @TrishB I think it‘s my 3d one .. he hasn‘t let me down yet 👍🏻😁 2y
TrishB A good recommendation 👍🏻 2y
Octoberwoman If you have The Kind Worth Killing I highly recommend it, my favorite of his. 2y
Cathythoughts @Octoberwoman I did read that one .. this one is equally good , I think 👍🏻😃 2y
71 likes5 comments
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DarkMina
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Pickpick

134 of 2021. Hen and her husband Lloyd move into a new home. They are invited to dinner at their new neighbor‘s house. Hen becomes convinced there is more than meets the eye with Matthew, the husband. She is determined to discover what he is hiding. Good psychological thriller.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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brittanythebookdragon
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Pickpick

YES to this book! If you‘re a psychological thriller fan, then YES! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time just wondering where Swanson was taking us. YES!

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Amoon
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Pickpick

2 unique, fascinating main characters. Hen, the Bi-polar super talented children‘s book illustrator and Matthew, a Dexter like murderer who lives next door.
Hen can be totally obsessed with whatever she‘s involved in, so when she recognizes a fencing trophy on Matthew‘s mantle, she is sure that he murdered a molester from the school where he teaches. Great POVs and plot twists

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CoffeeNBooks
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This is the first afternoon in awhile that it hasn't rained, so I got to spend some time in the pool and reading in the sun.

Thanks for this book Misty, I'm really enjoying it so far! I always forget how much I like thrillers until I read them! @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

ShelleyBooksie What a gorgeous pool! 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks You‘re very welcome 😊 3y
76 likes2 comments
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Night_Reader
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Pickpick

4.5/5 🌟

The perfect winter long weekend read!

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Barbie.Hudson
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I love his writing! I really enjoyed this book.

Hen is suspicious that her neighbor is a killer and she is determined to find out the truth. Peter Swanson is full of surprises I didn‘t see coming! 💫

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jessijames
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Pickpick

This book was WILD in the best type of way. I was left guessing and shocked so many times throughout the book that I lost count. This was a super easy read that I finished in one day. I loved it.

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AudiobookingWithLeah
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Overall Rating 4½⭐ | Narration 😁 = Very Good
This relies on coincidence or happenstance and as long as you can go with that then this book will totally work for you. The author sets it up in a way that makes feel believable...so just go with it and don‘t question it too much and it might surprise you. It totally worked for me. I thought it played out brilliantly.

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Mccall0113
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I am posting one book a day from my extensive collection of books. I have so many books! No explanation why I have this book. Join in the fun! #tbrpile. Day #18

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Babyjo
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Pickpick

Overall very enjoyable thriller, things start off immediately and suspenseful throughout the book.
Lots of twists and is carried out until the end of book. Ending was good, would love to read more about the main characters and what they‘re up to now. I feel this could be a really entertaining movie as well.

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Babyjo
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Hello , I‘m Jo and new to the app. I just started to read this yesterday, I‘m currently on chapter 4, and it‘s already starting off with some interesting stuff... can‘t wait to read what happens next! #firstpost #newbie #thrilled

Andrea4 How are you liking it so far? 3y
Babyjo At the beginning I thought it was already interesting now I‘m fully involved in the main characters, and I‘m hoping for a good plot twist! @Andrea4 did you enjoy this book? What other books would you recommend? 3y
rather_be_reading welcome to litsy 📚☕📚 #litsywelcomewagon 3y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🥳🎈🤗 3y
9 likes5 comments
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GidgetsTreasures75
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11-18-20: My 95th finished book of 2020! When artist Hen and her husband move into their new home, they decide to befriend their next door neighbors but soon after, Hen realizes something is not quite right about her neighbor, Matthew. Is it her bipolar disorder or is Matthew hiding a double life? This book was really well done. Lots of suspense and interesting plot twists. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #beforesheknewhim #peterswanson 👍🏼📖#️⃣9️⃣5️⃣

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Andrea4
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2nd Peter Swanson and I think I enjoyed All The Beautiful Lies more if only because I could slightly stomach it more. This started off with less detail but part way through we get a new perspective and it gets a little harder to deal with. Not unlike AtBL, TW for sexual assaults etc.
I wasn't expecting the ending and while I enjoyed it I still wonder what impression this gives about mental health issues.

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Rissa1
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Pickpick

Finished reading this by the fire, on a beautiful day. 3.5⭐
15 pt read for #TeamSlaughter #Scarathon2020 #October20in4 #OutstandingOctober @Clwojick @Bookgoil @Andrew65
Time 3:47:52

Bookgoil Lovely view! 3y
Andrew65 Great start 👏👏👏 3y
18 likes2 comments
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Rissa1
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Read as much as I can. #OutstandingOctober @Andrew65

Andrew65 Good luck, great to have you with us. 😊👍 3y
17 likes1 comment
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heyitsMacall
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Pickpick

Omg! This book was a trip. It was recommended by a local indie bookseller and I‘m so thankful! I‘ve been stuck in a few slow books recently but I tore through this story.

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KristenDuck
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Mehso-so

Before She Knew Him follows a woman who believes her neighbor is a murderer. But is it all in her head?

I appreciated the short chapters and the storyline. I just saw two of the plot twists coming from a mile away. I had been hoping I was wrong and would be more surprised.

If you are looking for an easy summer read, this might be the one for you. Kind of like a twist on Dexter with more insight into other characters.

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TerriGreen
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Pickpick

Great beach read! A woman notices something in her neighbor‘s house that may link him to a murder. Not as twisty as The Kind Worth Killing, but it will still keep you wondering what will happen next. A page turner. Book 57 4⭐️

Tracyantoon I need to read one of his books. On my TBR! 4y
13 likes1 comment
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Amor4Libros
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Pickpick

5⭐️!!! I don‘t know why I waited so long to read this, it was amazing! Now I must read all his books.

JenReadsAlot They are all good! 4y
Amor4Libros @JenReadsAlot Great to know because I loved this one! 4y
21 likes2 comments
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Amor4Libros
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I should be cleaning my apartment, but this book has got me hooked!

JenlovesJT47 That one is really good!! 4y
Amor4Libros @JenlovesJT47 It is, I can‘t put it down! 4y
20 likes2 comments
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Amor4Libros
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Starting this today!

LiteraryinLawrence This one was goooood! 4y
22 likes1 comment
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veritysalter
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Mehso-so

This book was ok (for me), not as good as other Peter Swanson books I‘ve read.

veritysalter I‘ve come to realise I really don‘t like books written from the perspective of a serial killer. 4y
TheAromaofBooks This wasn't my favorite book of his, either. I'm also a little over “the plot twist“ always being that the husband is cheating on his wife and PS if you think your marriage is happy it's only because you haven't realized yet that your husband is cheating on you. 🙄 4y
8little_paws Yeah great review!!! I need to get real picky w/my Thrillers I've decided. 4y
51 likes3 comments
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Kappadeemom
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Sresendez12
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Pickpick

Woah. This was a page turner for sure. I definitely didn‘t see the first twist and I for sure didn‘t see the last twist coming. It was so hard for me to put this down.

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8little_paws
Mehso-so

OK. Well I liked how we had a MC here who had a mental illness but was treated respectfully by the author--how she had to fight for credibility with the other characters in the book. But the ending, COME ON 🙄 🙄 🙄 🙄 Also I think perhaps I am just done reading thrillers that involve disgusting men (which is basically all thrillers?). Anyways it was indeed a decent escape book but I'm ready to move on to other reads.

veritysalter Thank you for your review, I felt exactly the same way about this book. I wish I‘d read your review first. 4y
27 likes1 comment
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8little_paws
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Today while I read in bed I brought my baby right next to me! He had fun watching, waving his arms and legs, kicking blankets around, the usual baby stuff.
Think I'm going to finish this book tonight.

kspenmoll What a sweet photo! Big smile on my face! Enjoy enjoy your little one! 4y
SaturnDoo How sweet ❤❤❤ 4y
merelybookish He is adorable! 4y
See All 7 Comments
Megabooks So cute!! 💕💕 4y
BarbaraBB There‘s nothing like that ❤️ 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💙💙💙 4y
robinb Such a cutie pie! 💙 4y
52 likes7 comments
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8little_paws
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I just think of the state of the world, and of the US, and I want to scream. So I'm reading this mindless thriller instead.

kspenmoll Glad it helps you escape for awhile!!!! 4y
BarbaraBB It is frightening indeed. Stay safe 🍀 4y
52 likes2 comments
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Reading_Beyond_The_Book_Cover
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Winding down before another busy week. I have one more day to borrow this library loan. 🤞🏾I hope I can finish it tonight.

5 likes1 comment
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Come-read-with-me
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Pickpick

This is the first time I‘ve read this author and based on this effort I‘ll read more by him. The story is well-paced, has characters that are interesting but not always likable, and has a good twist at the end. I‘ve been going in to mysteries a bit skeptical lately, so this one was a great surprise!

BookishMe This is the first book I read by him and its my top recc it to those who enjoy this genre 4y
Come-read-with-me @BookishMe Thanks for letting me know! 4y
jordanremington Hello there, How you doing today? 4y
Come-read-with-me Hi! I have a cold and am frantically trying to put all of my classes online (our university stopped face-to-face because of COVID19) so my students will still get the promised education, but other than that I‘m pretty great! How about you? (edited) 4y
86 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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rather_be_reading

Last line: It was nothing more than background noise, she thought, and pretty soon she might not even notice it.

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rather_be_reading
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Mistake "She couldnt just out and out ask...."

audraelizabeth Come out and ask would have been better 4y
rather_be_reading @audraelizabeth exactly what I was thinking 4y
brittanythebookdragon This might be regional. Not only have I heard out and out ask but I‘ve also said it. 4y
See All 8 Comments
Cuilin I‘ve said that exact sentence. I grew up in Ireland. I say and pronounce things in the US on a daily basis that confuse people though. 4y
tracey38 I've heard it before as well. 4y
rather_be_reading @Cuilin ty for shedding some light! 4y
43 likes8 comments
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rather_be_reading

First line: The two couples met at a neighborhood block party, the third Saturday in September.

PaperbackPrincess19 How do you do a post without selecting a book? 4y
Rina_Black @Paperback.princess19 You can just choose Untitled | Unknown instead of a specific book 😉 Welcome! 4y
rather_be_reading @Rina_Black thx for answering! 4y
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rather_be_reading
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Pickpick

This book sucked me in from the beginning! Just when I thought okay where is the twist bc it was all too easy..BAM never saw it coming!! The writing was so good that you never get bored waiting for the twist. Def worth the hype.

MySharonaK Sounds good from your review! I‘m gonna try and read it soon 4y
Purple Poodle This book is on my “wish list:, glad you've convinced me to leave it on there :) 4y
rather_be_reading @Purple Poodle haha my job is done! 4y
89 likes5 stack adds4 comments
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rather_be_reading
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More soup for lunch even tho its quite warm here.

runswithscissors007 I🧡 soup 4y
allureofbeauty I liked that one and also that soup looks amazing. 4y
ShelleyH @rather_be_reading I'm jealous of your warm weather, wherever you are! 😄 4y
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TheHeartlandBookFairy It looks delicious, I love soup 😋 Enjoy your book and your soup 😁 4y
JodiPM Soup is delicious anytime! 4y
rather_be_reading @ShelleyH haha!! im in so cal! 4y
ShelleyH @rather_be_reading Northern New York 😩 4y
88 likes12 comments
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rather_be_reading
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Lunch time.

Velvetfur Looks yummy! What were you dipping into that sauce? 😊 4y
rather_be_reading @Velvetfur it was actually veggie soup 4y
Velvetfur @rather_be_reading hehehe, I'm so silly! Sounds fab though 😊 4y
74 likes3 comments
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rather_be_reading
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Only 35 pages in and Im sucked in! Also one of the "bad guys" name is Matthew which is my husbands name. Def giving me the creeps.

CBee This one is good too! 4y
Amor4Libros I‘ve been meaning to pick that one up and always get distracted with something else! 4y
rather_be_reading @CBee thx for the rec! 4y
See All 9 Comments
rather_be_reading @Amor4Libros haha i know the feeling! 4y
CBee @rather_be_reading 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 4y
Come-read-with-me Sounds good! You have to tell me where it would fall on my creepy meter! 4y
rather_be_reading @Come-read-with-me will brief u tomoro! 4y
Sargar114 @rather_be_reading me too on both counts 😂🤣😂🤣. I ended up enjoying this one more than I expected, hope you enjoy it. 4y
77 likes4 stack adds9 comments
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rather_be_reading
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And my next read is....Before She Knew Him. Ive been wanting to read this one.

Cinfhen Amazing graphics 🥰🤩 4y
Nute Super cool post! 4y
sblbooks Wow, how did you do that? 4y
See All 8 Comments
rather_be_reading @sblbooks used an app called spin the wheel app 4y
sblbooks I might have to check that out for myself. 4y
BookishMe Ahhh, saw the app name! 👍🏽👍🏽 4y
72 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Greenebean
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This is my first time reading Peter Swanson and I'm diving right in!

Edit: Definitely a page turner! Many people said they could guess the ending, and I like to think I'm pretty good at guessing things, but I didn't see this twist coming!!

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JenlovesJT47
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Pickpick

I started this a couple of nights ago right before bed — and let me tell you, I had some FREAKY dreams that night! There‘s not much mystery here, didn‘t see the twist coming but it didn‘t surprise me. An excellent psychological thriller, it truly gave me the creeps and now I want to go read something happy. 4⭐️

#BOTM
#Suspense
#Thriller

vivastory I was planning on picking this up at the library yesterday, but was thwarted by an ice storm. Will definitely be checking it out Monday. 4y
JenlovesJT47 @vivastory I hope you like it! I‘ve been thinking about it constantly since I finished it! 😱 4y
69 likes2 comments
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Jenken1998
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Pickpick

Took a break from books through the holidays. First read of the year was pretty good. I read it in one sitting despite figuring it out early on. The characters and plot were intriguing enough to keep me reading and second guessing myself. Hen thinks her neighbor Matthew is a murderer and finds herself in danger trying to prove it. Will she get the police convinced or will they choose to ignore her due to her past mental health history?

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mnjacques
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Pickpick

Great way to start the new year. I was a little skeptical at first, but it picked up fast. I found myself intrigued by the story line and I liked the fact that it was written in different point of views. I didn't guess the twist until close to the end.

Bookwormjillk And it matches your blanket! 4y
19 likes1 comment
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Sargar114
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Pickpick

This one was a bit slow for me to start. But I like the early reveal and thought I had it figured out, but not quite. So a great twist for me and a solid finish. Plus when you get a little #ssdgm and #fuckpoliteness you can‘t go wrong go for me.