4 and 1 / 2 stars

We first meet Emma at Beatrice Johnson Greene’s funeral. She is devastated, but also admits to killing her. Next, she tells of their initial meeting and their becoming friends. During a very boozy lunch, Beatrice tells Emma that she will help with her novel – the one she hasn’t looked at in years.

Beatrice then gets the idea that Emma should publish one of her novels as her own. It is a different genre than her usual crime fiction and she is anxious to have someone else’s name on it to see how it does. Reluctant at first, Emma finally decides to do it.

As the book gets published, Emma begins to feel that the book is hers – literally. It is her name on the cover. It is dedicated to her own husband after all. Emma enters dangerous territory. She gets so wrapped up in all the excitement and the thrill of being “famous” that is goes to her head. With a failing marriage to ignore, she feels excited and fulfilled. The women seem to get along as great friends – until they don’t. Emma thought Beatrice was her good pal. But is she really?

One can almost understand how and why she killed Beatrice. But then she goes off the deep end. The reader takes away one message and that is “Don’t cross Emma.”

This is a very well written and plotted novel. It is like a tale of friendship – until it isn’t. The suspense builds slowly, and releases in a horrifying explosion. Emma is one sick puppy. This is my first Natalie Barelli novel, but it sure won’t by my last. I immediately went to Amazon to look for other books by her. It looks as though there is a sequel. Sign me up!!

I want to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for forwarding to me this wonderful book to read.

Until I met her….But you wish you hadn’t!

Beatrice Hodgson-Green a renowned author of crime fiction, dies tragically from a fall from the top of a staircase. The books begins at her funeral where Emma Fern is morning the loss of her dear friend and mentor. We are told a story from Emma’s perspective of the events that have led up to this moment.

In a chance meeting Emma met Beatrice in the previous year and sets off in a world wind friendship and mentoring relationship. Beatrice extends an invitation to place Emma’s name as front a book she has written in another genre. At the acceptance of this invitation, Emma is unaware of how her life will be caught up in the limelight and a web of deception. How far will she go to protect the lies?

This is a well written psychological thriller with an intriguing plot with well developed characters and relationships. I loved seeing Emma’s transformation from an unassuming character to all out force to be reckonned with. I highly recommend this book by Natalie Barelli!

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A fast moving book but all the characters were unlikeable.

Beatrice Johnson Greene is a successful crime writer who wants to take her career in a different direction, but for that, she’s ll need Emma Fern. Emma is only to happy to help, and to take credit for the new book that takes the publishing world by storm. Beatrice has created a monster. Emma is loving all the attention, after all, everyone thinks she wrote the book, everyone except Beatrice that is and there’s an easy solution to that… A creepy and snarky look at the high stakes publishing game