In 1969, while playing with a group of neighborhood children, ten-year-old Sally McGowen killed five-year-old Robbie Harris. She was convicted of manslaughter and when released disappeared while Harris’s family stayed in the public spotlight, the subject of scrutiny whenever a birthday or the anniversary of his death approached. His mother and sister never understood why Sally wasn’t convicted of murder and how she was able to leave prison and live a normal life.

Decades later, single mother Joanna Critchley, having relocated to the small seaside town where she grew up, struggles with finances and raising her child, Alfie, who was bullied in his previous school and who hasn’t yet made friends. Additionally, she has a complicated relationship with Alfie’s father, Matthew, an investigative journalist.

One afternoon while waiting for Alfie outside his elementary school, Joanna hears a rumor from another mother that Sally McGowen is living in their town under an assumed identity. That night at book club, she lets the rumor slip, and a few days later, another woman from book club tells her she thinks she knows who Sally McGowen is.

Determined to make friends with the other mothers, Joanna sees this information as currency, and she tells them her secret which gains her entry into the exclusive babysitting circle and access to playdates and birthday parties for Alfie. At the same time, someone has used the information to begin a campaign of terror which soon turns on Joanna and Alfie. Joanna, with help from Matthew, must find out the true identity of Sally to protect herself and her son before it’s too late.

The Rumor is a fast, engaging read with an interesting mystery that also questions if child perpetrators can be rehabilitated and how living under an assumed identity affects a person’s mental health. At times, though, I didn’t like the style. Joanna often made pronouncements, almost like she was breaking the “fourth wall” in which she would say “Oh, no” or “Oh, well.” Additionally, I felt very unmoored when it came to the setting. I could never quite figure out where the book was taking place, wondering where a small seaside town might be close enough to a large city to make sense in the context of the narrative. Ultimately, enough clues pointed to Boston as the big city. In the acknowledgements, Kara thanks someone for helping her adapt the manuscript for an American audience. I wondered if it originally was set in the UK, which might explain why the setting seemed awkward.

This is an ideal “airplane read” for mystery lovers: low commitment, entertaining, and undemanding.

The Rumor is another hit by Lesley Kara. The story grabbed my attention from the start and didn't let go. A great summer read!

I just finished The Rumor by Lesley Kara. This is an impressive debut novel that evolves from a repeated rumor in a small town. Living in a small town myself, I can appreciate how quickly rumors can spread and the subsequent damage that can happen from them. I like that this is a somewhat original storyline and I thought this book was well written. I did guess some of the ending though - but that's what I do as an avid reader of thrillers. This book was a quick read for me and I am glad to have been introduced to this author's writing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Ballentine Books for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

The fact that the author is not an American is crystal clear. I forced myself to get past that as I slogged through this book. (There are lakes--no seaside villages here in Michigan state as mentioned as the setting--lake side towns yes-why didn't someone tell Lesley Kara to set the book in England??) I thought the pacing of the mystery was good and the final twist pushed my rating up one star.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

EDIT-ugh, I just read the original was set in England-the conversion to set it in the U.S. does not work.. Anyone who can change this???-leave the setting alone --.

Joanna is new to her old town, trying to create a fresh start for her and her young son. When she overhears gossip while dropping him off at school, she can't help wonder if it's true...a child killer who has a new identity is living in her small town. Things get worse when she inadvertently shares the rumor.

This is an unputdownable, gripping debut thriller from author Lesley Kara. I have to say I was hooked from page 1, and never saw the ending coming. Very highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Angel Eicher's review 

May 14, 2019  ·  edit


liked it


I didn't care for the plot of this book or the characters, especially the narrator who was unreliable and unlikable. There was way too much emphasis on the mixed relationship that added to my distaste with the narrator.  At less than 20% in, I was pretty sure I knew the twist, and I ended up pretty close, so far too predictable. The was not poorly written, but it was very simple and the dialogue was weak.  Several characters were mentioned and tossed away. 

No clear setting.  I was confused because I saw the title spelled as both The Rumor and The Rumour, so I assumed it was based in UK, but then there was a note about the author getting help make the book ready for US readers.  Not sure that was effective. 

This read like a poor self-published Paula Hawkins or Ruth Ware knock-off with a sprinkle of Liane Moriarty.  Would not suggest.

I loved this book! Roller coaster ride with constant twists and turns. So many potential suspects in this sweet lil enclave where seemingly everyone is your friend, but everyone has something to hide. The ending was a complete shock - I was left slack jawed.

Perfect summer read! P.S. I always know a book is great when I’m reading under the covers for hours after my husband and I go to bed :-)

An enjoyable read. This book left me thinking throughout the whole book, which in turn, had me hooked. Realistic story line and character development.

The rumor is set in a small coastal town and centers around a group of Moms. Very reminiscent of Big Little Lies.
A rumor is started about a former child killer now living in their town and the ladies all resort to gossip to try to figure out who the killer is.
This book kept me guessing until nearly the end and didn’t go the way I guessed.
I felt like there was too many characters introduced, with many not being relevant to the story.
Nevertheless, I would recommend this book.

I was provided an advanced copy for Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review.

For fans of Little Big Lies that just cannot get enough small town drama. A thoroughly engaging read that begs to be a movie. Will recommend for fans of thrillers, particularly Liane Moriarty.

The edition I read was “translated” into American English, location and idiom. The reason I gave it four stars is that, in my opinion, it lost something in the translation and relocation.

The story takes place in a very small town or suburb where almost everyone knows each other. Jo and her son, Alfie, recently moved there from a city where they had been living because the mixed race boy was being bullied there. Both were having a slow time being accepted into the town’s social life and Jo repeats a story she heard about a woman who, as a child was convicted of the death of a 5 year old boy. She spent time in a juvenile detention facility and eventually was released and put into the equivalent of witness protection. Supposedly this woman was living in their community. Jo begins to research this and it leads to more untenable situations for her and her son. I won’t go further into it because of spoilers, but will recommend it to anyone who appreciates psychological thrillers. Thanks to Net Galley and Ballantine Books for an ARC for an honest review.

I see I’m in the minority here as I had a hard time getting into this story line. I think it must be the time period it is set in as I just couldn’t relate to any of the characters. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book for my honest review.

Rumors can kill. Joanna, a single mother, hears a rumor from one of the other moms and falls into the trap of gossip. She perpetuates the rumor that a past childhood killer has moved into their community. Everyone is on edge and afraid of who it is and if they are still a danger to children. People are accused and lives are changed forever. But who is the killer and where is she? Is the community safe? Joanna is obsessed with finding out who and where this woman is. Sometimes you don't know the lives of the people close to you. This is a terrific read and will keep you guessing until the last page.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle ARC of The Rumor.

Joanna is a single mother raising her biracial son in an unnamed seaside town she has relocated to so she can be closer to her mother. When she hears a rumor about a renowned child killer who has moved into town, Joanna unwittingly spreads the possible untruth and events spiral out of control.

I didn't hate this, but I didn't like it for a number of reasons.

First, I couldn't stand Joanna. At first, she seemed okay, but then she started whining about her baby daddy, about how their relationship might be rekindled even though she was fine with being a single parent, blah blah blah.

Then, she has to remind readers that her baby daddy is black and her son is biracial. Okay, we get it. That's not a big deal, though I guess it would be if you lived in a tiny, sheltered, bigoted community.

Which brings me to my next gripe; this was obviously written by a Brit. It's meant for American readers but the tone was completely off.

The slang, the setting, dialogue no American would ever say unless he or she was an ex-pat (maybe) brought me out of the story and I found myself looking for 'fish out of water' expressions as I read.

The story was predictable and I didn't like or identify with any of the characters. There was no one I rooted for and character development was very poor.

There are plenty of red herrings, which is not a bad thing in and of itself, but the story lacked suspense and thrills. And to make it worse, I didn't care about anyone, so when each herring popped up (which I called), I just rolled my eyes and kept turning the pages just to get to the end.

This book grabs you from the first page and leaves you breathless at the end! A must read for those fans of Thrillers. I would read anything this Author wrote. Do yourself a favor and read this unputdownable story!

This book has topped the UK Amazon charts so when I received my copy on Mother’s Day weekend I settled down to read this fascinating g book on an appropriate day. A fast moving book about a fast moving rumor, said innocently, said with out thought, sets the events into motion. How often do you tell a white lie, spread gossip? Some can have deadly repercussions , some some fade away. How well do you know someone.? What if the truth you know is a lie. What if the lie is needed to keep people safe? Mothers and daughters, childhood decisions, betrayal and love. Super duper read!

When a single mother hears a shocking rumor outside her son’s school, she never intends to pass it on. But one casual comment leads to another . . . and now there’s no going back.

Rumor has it that a notorious killer, who committed a brutal crime as a child, has been living a new life under an assumed identity in Joanna’s seaside town. So who is the criminal hidden in their midst? Suspicion falls on everyone.

As Joanna becomes obsessed with the case, her curiosity will expose her son and his father to the supposedly reformed murderer—who may be ready to kill again. She will learn how dangerous one rumor can become . . . and just how far she must go to protect those she loves. She is going to regret the day she ever said a word.

WOW. This book was brilliant. Kept me guessing and striking out over and over. One great read. Deadly rumors.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of The Rumor from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Although this novel began at a relaxing pace, the twist and subsequent action hit with lightning speed! The last few chapters made it simply impossible to put this book down. Real estate employee, Joanna, tried not to spread, and soon after, even tried to quell the interesting rumor that had been started shortly following a return to her hometown. The increasing presence of Jo's reporter boyfriend, Michael, becomes a catalyst in stirring things up further. The facts and untruths connected to the disturbing rumor changed or in some way affected the lives of nearly all the inhabitants the beach town of Flinstead--some more than others. The depth of the effect on one of the characters was the best part of this novel. I was misled in several directions and suspected nearly everyone! Great book! I will read from this author again!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lesley Kara for the ARC!

Rumor has it that a notorious killer, who committed a brutal crime as a child, has been living a new life under an assumed identity in Joanna’s seaside town. So who is the criminal hidden in their midst? Suspicion falls on everyone.

As Joanna becomes obsessed with the case, her curiosity will expose her son and his father to the supposedly reformed murderer—who may be ready to kill again. She will learn how dangerous one rumor can become . . . and just how far she must go to protect those she loves. She is going to regret the day she ever said a word.


Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book it was a great experience first time reading anything from this author

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rumors can take a life of its own or your life. It's a story about a child murderer, Sally Mcgowan. The rumor is that she's living right in this very small town. However, no one seems to know if she's really there or her story of how it came about that she was deem a murderer.

The story was very slow to develop even the characters were not fully developed. There was no true back story to any characters, it's just the here and now story of what they go through. However, that leaves a gap in the life of several major characters and it seems flawed. However, the ending was worth the pushing through and reading it.