Solid writing from author. Keeps you guessing until the end. Conclusion was a bit convoluted but fans of Koryta will be satisfied with this novel.

This is my first exposure to Michael Kortya, and How It Happened made a good impression. Lots of interesting, if flawed, characters, a good bit of mystery and suspense, set on the atmospheric Maine coast. I enjoyed the read.

I never got into this book. It was not one of those page turners that you cannot bear to put down. Where you had to read just one more chapter before bed. It was well written and it wasn’t a bad book, it just wasn’t engaging. It was like all the other books in its genre. Two people are dead and an untrustworthy woman with a criminal background is trying to confess with details that don’t really align with the crime. One cop believes her and is determined to sold the crime. The entire book truly is the cop trying to figure out “How it happened”. It lacked substance and fell short.

Many thanks to the publish for providing my review copy via NetGalley.

Loved this book. Set in a small Maine town with the first chapter opening with a murder "confession" from a drug addicted young woman. First time on a murder case the FBI agent in charge believes the story. And then the twists start. Who to believe? The bad guys lurk in the background and Koryta leads you along to the point you're thinking you could figure this out if you could only remember something to put it all together. Good guys with murderous thoughts, the horror for all of drug addiction and the casualness and ease on how it could happen, and the underlying truth that the world has some very bad people in it.

Loved this! Plot kept me up late because I needed to know what happened next. Definitely recommend!

You might think that a book which starts out with a confession and explanation would be devoid of mystery and suspense, but in this case - you'd be so wrong! This book begins with a double murder confession, but manages to keep you guessing until the very end.

Kimberly Crepeaux is a local ne'er-do-well, but when she confesses to the double murder of two local "golden children," FBI agent Rob Barrett believes her. However, when parts of her story begin to unravel, like the bodies being found 200 miles away from where she swore they were located, Barrett loses control of the case and is ostracized for screwing up majorly. But he can't let the case go, and he continues to search for the truth, no matter what he has to do to find it.

Like I said, the book is chock full of suspense, even though the first chapter reveals the confession. Koryta weaves a story that works backwards and manages to keep you guessing as he slowly reveals pieces of the puzzle which build back to that main picture. It's really quite a suspenseful tale.

The setting is also really great, because Koryta manages to perfectly capture the essence of life in a small town and how things work when everyone knows everyone's business - or at least, they think they do. Being from a small town, I totally related to a lot of those things.

The ending was a little convoluted, though. I'm still trying to piece it together in my mind. But I guess it couldn't be too straightforward, or the story would be too simple.

Overall, this was a great high-suspense tale, with plenty of action. Fans of police procedurals will really enjoy it.

While reading the first half of the book, you don't know if you are reading one of Koryta's supernaturalish novels or one of his police procedurals. Which as a reader of his previous novels, this added a little bit of suspense to the story. The main character, Rob Barrett is a great character!

3.5 stars

Kimberly Crepeaux is well known in her rural hometown in Maine. She is well-known for being an addict, a teen mother, a liar and a snitch. So, when she confesses to FBI agent, Rob Barrett as to her involvement in the killings of Jackie and Ian and the disposal of their bodies - not many people believe her confession or version of events. Except for Barrett, who has been trained in telling a true confession from a false one. He believes her confession and becomes almost obsessed with his search for the bodies and the truth.

Barrett's case quickly goes downhill when the bodies are found two hundred miles from where Kimberly claimed they would be. Barrett is re-assigned, and the case is considered closed. But Kimberly sticks to her story and convinces Jackie's father that she told the truth. Barrett decides to come back to town and do some more digging. He has always believed Kimberly and will not be deterred in his quest to learn the truth.

Throughout the book, Rob Barrett is told by various characters that even if he thinks he knows what is going on that he is in fact wrong and does not know the truth at all. He MIGHT think that he knows the answers, but he doesn't. This book had a few twists and turns which kept the action and the plot moving. It becomes evident that there was more to the story and this small town in Maine than meets the eye.

This book started a little slow for me but then began to pick up steam. The title of the book is very appropriate as that was the theme of the book - How did it happen? Why did it happen? What really happened? That is what keeps the pages turning, wanting to know who is telling the truth, who has something to hide, and will Barrett ever get to the bottom of things.

This proved to be a fast-easy read which started as a police procedural and quickly turned into one man's quest to learn the truth no matter what it will cost him. The last part of the book really kicked things into gear (as last parts of books usually do) and as the answers came, everyone learns the truth and then some!

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was a bit too boilerplate for my liking. It was a bit predictable and the characters were unoriginal. That said, I still hung in there to the last page. The pace was fast which I enjoyed, I just would have like a bit more surprises. With a character like Kim there was so much potential but I felt like Koryta played it safe and didn't take any risks.

Michael Koryta is one of those writers who loves to explore various genres, sub-genres, styles, and tones within his books; no two of his novels are even remotely similar. The one constant across his oeuvre is his undeniable talent at showcasing the written word. His latest, How It Happened, is no exception; but what it just might be is his best novel to date.

How It Happened begins with Rob Barrett, an interrogation expert celebrated for his ability to elicit truthful confessions, questioning Kimberly Crepeaux about her involvement with the death of two local Maine residents – Jackie Pelletier and Ian Kelly.

The tale Kimberly tells seems straightforward enough. She recounts a night of drinking and drugs that turns to unexpected violence, after which the bodies are disposed of in a secluded lake. Rob believes her – especially the part about the involvement of Mathias Burke. You see, Rob has his own history with the Burke bully and putting him away for life would certainly feel like vindication after a lifetime of taunting and abuse.

The only problem is that after Rob stakes his career on Kimberly’s confession, the bodies turn up in a completely different location and all evidence points to a totally different suspect. Rob resigns and the wheels of justice stall. Until Kimberly reaches out to Howard Pelletier, Jackie’s father, and the two of them pull Rob back into the search for the truth. With his career over, Rob has nothing else to lose – or so he thinks. Their investigation will uncover a far greater conspiracy and not everyone will come out of this one alive.

Michael Koryta knows how to create characters that readers bond with. By keeping them realistically flawed, he allows his fans to relate to each individual – good and bad, or more accurately those who possess a combination of both – to such an extent that readers will literally worry for their safety with each new risky decision they make.

The plotting of How It Happened is stellar stuff with just the right pacing. Koryta doesn’t need to rely on reader manipulation to keep fans glued to the pages; his tale has more organic twists and turns and the natural density of a kudzu vine invasion. And yet, each new revelation seems inevitable and when the final tale is told – in the penultimate chapter – readers will sit stunned at how simple it all seems in the end.

How It Happened is a highlight on Michael Koryta’s already exceptional author journey. Readers can expect many accolades to be bestowed on this excellent novel throughout the remainder of the year.

From the beginning of Michael Koryta’s new book, readers know “How it Happened.” At least that’s how it appears. Rob Barrett returns to the small town of Port Hope, Maine where he spent his summers as a teenager and where his former girlfriend Liz lives. In his first murder case as an FBI investigator and interrogator, Rob is able to obtain a confession from Kimberly Crepeaux, something no other law enforcement officer has been able to do. Despite Kimberly’s history as a notorious liar and heroin addict, Rob is absolutely convinced she is telling the truth about how Jackie Pelletier and Ian Kelly were murdered and where their bodies were dumped. The problem is that the evidence doesn’t match Kimberly’s confession. That evidence leads to the perpetrator of the murders and the case is closed. Rob is not convinced and his continuing investigation into a closed case and determination to find out what really happened results in him being reassigned to Montana. But he’s obsessed and returns to Port Hope in secret to either find out the truth or discover that he can’t rely on his instincts and his skills at discerning true confessions from false ones.

There aren’t many authors who can begin a thriller with a confession and yet somehow maintain a high level of suspense throughout the book. But Michael Koryta has pulled this off masterfully. The plot is fiendishly clever and the last third of the book was a high tension thrill ride for me. And when I finished, it was with the conclusion that “How It Happened” was perhaps Koryta’s best book yet, and one I’ll definitely be recommending.

My review was posted on Goodreads 5/23/18.

Michael Koryta has been one of my favorite authors since I read So Cold the Water probably eight years ago. Every book since then has completely captivated me and been one of my favorites in their respective release years. This one is no different.

What IS different is that this is based on a true story (learn more here) and while this is not at all Jill Behrman's story, it's still very much a part of How it Happened. But so are two more universal things: the importance of journalism and the absolute horror of the drug epidemic (specifically opioids). 

There are a lot of moving parts to this story, but it all seems absolutely seamless and effortless. (I'm guessing that's the mark of a great author, right? It all seems easy?)

Highly recommended.

Good story. It felt comfortable from the first line in the book, like you are there and watching the conversation. I like the way the author gave us the story and made us believe it until it didn't exactly happen that way after all. I was hooked before the end of the first chapter.

Did Mathias actually kill the victims or not? Is Kimmy a liar or telling the truth about the murders? A good one to keep you coming back until you know for sure who is telling the truth about what happened.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

HOW IT HAPPENED is a tense, psychological mystery thriller in which nothing and no one is as it seems, every truth might be a lie, and the past looms darkly over the present. Just ask FBI again Rob Barrett who knows that everyone is running from something in life and he is no exception.

An expert as extracting confessions, Rob has returned to Port Hope, Maine where he spend childhood summers with his less than personable grandfather. Where local authorities have failed, he has been successful in getting an unsubstantiated admission of guilt from a druggie named Kimberly Crepeaux regarding her part in the murder of two local individuals. Her confession implicates Mathias Burke, a well- respected “up by the bootstraps” business man, as the perpetrator of the murders which most of the town-folk, aware of Kimberly’s penchant for lying, are inclined to dismiss. Rob, however, believes her but when portions of her confession begin to fall apart he becomes obsessed with proving that Kimberly is not lying (a most unwise decision on his part).

This is a book that grabs you at page one and never lets you go. It has plenty to keep the reader engrossed and guessing because just when you think you have it all figured out, along comes a twist you did not anticipate exposing yet another layer of this multi-faceted tale.

That is the extent of my revelations. You will have to find out the rest for yourself and believe me you won’t be disappointed. Author Michael Koryta has provided readers with a powerful look into the “heart of darkness” that will leave you breathless, satisfied and searching for more of his books.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company, and Michael Koryta for the opportunity to read his latest work. A great, twisty crime drama! 4.5 stars

The first chapter gives us a version of the story - a drug-fueled night that ends up with two people dead. The problem? The person telling the story, Kimmy, is an addict, a known liar and is in jail. She tells the story to FBI Agent Rob Barrett, who is making a name for himself for being able to decipher the truth - and he believes Kimmy. He's given this assignment because he has a history in the coastal Maine town where the crime occurred - his grandfather was a resident and Rob spent his summers there. As Rob begins investigating the story and trying to find the bodies where Kimmy said they would be, he finds himself on the wrong side of just about everyone. Soon his career and even his life will be in jeopardy.

This story kept me in its grips until the end - highly recommended!

To use the words of another Goodreads reviewer - How It Happened by Michael Koryta is NOT one of my favorite books by the author. I found it difficult to become engaged with the characters,[ many characters seem rather flat (hide spoiler)] and although the mystery was interesting, I missed some of the edgy, descriptive & creepy feelings that Mr. Koryta can add to his stories. The story has the hero, his past girlfriend, a sad & misunderstood character, the bad guy, and a high body count. I thought the story was more like a police procedural drama than a psychological thriller. Having said that, I have to point out that this is a complete story, leaving no loose ends or confusing story points by the end.

I wish to extend my thanks to the Publisher - Little, Brown and Company, the Author and NetGalley for a review copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

The book is currently available in multiple formats from major retailers.

For me this was a 3.25 star read which I will leave at 3 stars.

How It Happened by Michael Koryta is a highly recommended murder mystery.

The novel opens in Port Hope, Maine, with Kimmie Crepeaux confessing to Rob Barrett, an FBI investigator and interrogation specialist, how Jackie Pelletier and Ian Kelly died and where to find their bodies. She also names the killer - local respected caretaker Mathias Burke. Kimmie claims Mathias forced her and her friend Cass Odom to assist him. Kimmie tells Barrett everything that happened in exact details. The problem is Cass is dead from an overdose and the bodies can't be found where Kimmie swears they should be found. All of this increasingly points to her unreliability as a witness. Kimmie is a heroin addict who already has a reputation for committing petty crimes.

As the search for the bodies continues, Barrett's reputation is on the line. He spent summers in Port Hope with his grandfather, and apparently had an antagonistic relationship with the suspect Mathias Burk. Barrett believes Kimmie, but when all the evidence points to her lying, his reputation and career suffer. However, Jackie Pelletier's father, Howard, still wants answers and pleads with Barrett to resume his investigation.

In How It Happened Koryta has written a compelling psychological study and gripping murder mystery. This is a engrossing plot populated by well-developed characters. The quality of the writing is great; Koryta delivers expressive prose, and an unpredictable, intricate plot full of dark secrets. The character development is amazing. These are all wounded, flawed individuals who are struggling with their own secret inner turmoil and their personal backgrounds. This would be an excellent page-turning choice for summer reading.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Little, Brown and Company via Netgalley.
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This book begins with Kimberly Crepeaux, a heroin addict and jailhouse snitch, telling a highly seeming probable story of the death of a young couple. At first, when I was reading this very first part, I wasn't sure what was going on. However, I soon figured out it was the junkie's testimony. And away, the book went.

This book was outstanding! I think it is Mr. Koryta's best book yet.

You just know that the murder is solved very early in the book, but your questioning it. How can the author tell you "what happened" so early it in the book? How could Barrett get it so wrong? Or did he?

Hence, the title "How it Happened". That was the cray, cray part. My mind came up with so many scenarios. Yes, they were mostly wrong, but who wants to guess it right? And when it all came out . . . turns out that I had one thing right, but was not even in the same country as to how all of it happened.

I spent my Mother's Day deeply absorbed in this thrill ride and loved every minute of it!

Huge thanks to Little, Brown and Company and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

"I will not tell you how it happened but it is all wrong."

Years ago, I discovered Michael Koryta through his supernatural driven thriller So Cold the River. I instantly devoured his other paranormal suspense novels including The Cypress House and The Ridge. I was especially impressed with the way Koryta allowed his character's development to drive his narratives, even when they were filled with suspense that could have easily dominated the story. When I got the chance to read and review his latest effort How It Happened, I enthusiastically accepted.

Rob Barrett is an expert and finding the truth. As an FBI investigator, he is well known for extracting confessions from hard-to-crack suspects. He's recently returned to the rural seaside community that he was raised in to help find the truth behind the brutal murders of two young residents. Barrett's past includes lingering questions about his mother's untimely death years ago, the harsh upbringing by his verbally and emotionally abusive grandfather, and an unwavering commitment to discovering the truth.

Kimberly Crepeaux is not known for her honesty. With a rap sheet of teenage pregnancy, heroin addiction, and numerous stints in prison, her reputation around town couldn't be worse. It comes as no surprise to anyone who knows her when she is arrested again, but what she has to say this time stops everyone in their tracks. Kimberly tells the story of her involvement in the gruesome murders of the two young townspeople. A night of drug fueled joy riding turned dark when their car stuck a girl. Terrified of the consequences of their actions, the group brutally killed the car-stuck girl and her boyfriend and dumped their bodies in a nearby pond.

Despite her troubled reputation, Barrett believes Kimberly when she describes that night. She speaks with a sincerity or regret and shock at her actions. There is a haunted glimmer of anguish behind her tired eyes. Barrett is quick to accept the confession as fact and hinge the investigation and his entire career upon it. This is the break the case needed. This is the source of closure to two grieving families. This is how it happened. But suddenly it isn't. The pond is searched and the bodies are not there. An anonymous tip quickly leads to the discovery of the bodies some 200 miles away. Desperate to save his professional reputation and ease the disappointment of his home town, Barrett rallies to find the truth of how it happened.

On first glance, How It Happened is vastly different from the previous novels by Koryta. Gone are the supernatural elements that permeated those earlier works. Instead the characters in this novel are haunted by events that are all too real. I was immediately intrigued by the gruesome confession that Kimberly provides. The novel opens with her words, providing a chilling prelude to the dark and suspenseful events that follow. By setting the novel in Barrett's home town, Koryta allows the character to gain layers of depth from interactions with people from his past and flashbacks to his childhood. The novel deftly layers the mystery with contemplations on grief, addiction, reputation, and small town relationships. How It Happened is destined to be a must-read this summer, and serves as a legacy cementing achievement in Koryta's already stellar career.

A fascinating story based on a real-life case. I enjoyed it, although it feel it wasn't his best. It still remains a worthwhile read.