I loved this book. I began reading it one night and finished it the next. Joanna finds herself in the midst of a mystery that she wishes she hadn't learned about or mentioned to anyone. Solving it begins to consume her and she finds herself googling a person's name when she isn't busy. This opens up a big can of worms that turns out even uglier because the answer ends up being far too close to home.

A well-written thriller that focuses on complicated (or false) friendships and family situations, with multiple generations trying to learn how to fit into society while maintaining one's own messy uniqueness. The plot is so twisty that I almost got whiplash, but I found this book more entertaining and believable than many of the "shocking secrets" books I have read. Perfect summer reading.

Have you ever accidentally said something that you did not intend people to take seriously, however next thing you know it’s all that they seem to talk or care about? Well that’s exactly what happens in this fast paced, satisfying thriller.

Joanna Critchley is a transplant real estate broker who has found herself in a little town called Flinstead. She and her son Alfie moved to be closer to her mother, who has resided in the town for many years. After hearing a rumor at the school amount the gossipy morning drop off mothers, Jo quickly begins to fixate on what she heard, “ Sally McGowan, the child killer is living in this town, under a new identity and has been for years”.
This author does a magnificent job of introducing different characters and revealing just enough about them to make the reader question their true identity. With every turn of the page, another mysterious situation arises and Joanna must try and figure out the truth for the sake of her own sanity. Filled with smoke and mirrors, this story sends the reader on their own private detective hunt as they try and identify just who Sally McGowan may or may not be.
Bravo to Lesley Kara for her brilliant first novel. Can’t wait to read more from her!

Kept me guessing until the end! I would be sure I had it figured out and then I would change my mind. Love books that keep you guessing!

WOW. Just wow. This was something else!!
I wish I had read the author's original version which sounds like it was set in London. I think that would have been even better! This one felt a bit awkward in places, but seriously still loved the story!!
I mean...we've all done it. We've all passed along a rumor we had no business passing along. We did it to be in with the cool kids, or to sound more 'in the know' than we truly were...or any number of other ridiculous reasons. Typically, it's never really hurt anyone...right?!? BUT, this one spirals quickly out of control and in the most interest way!
This one keeps you turning the pages and second guessing everything.
Actual Stars: 4.25

This was a terrific mystery! Fast paced, interesting premise and characters- all the great ingredients for a winner!!!

A single mother dropping her son off at school overhears the other mothers discussing a rumor. Having recently moved back to her hometown with her son because of bullying at his last school, Joanna has not taken the time to make friends with the other mothers. The rumor is that an infamous murderer who killed a little boy when she was only ten decades earlier may be living in their very own town under an assumed name. While the other mothers are outraged, Joanna plays devil's advocate and implies that embarking on a witch hunt isn't a good idea.

Later, at her book group she tries to save another woman from the unwanted personal questioning of another by changing the subject. She asks if anyone else has heard the rumor. Joanna immediately regrets spreading the rumor, but can't help herself from Googling everything she can find on Sally McGowan. She even mentions it to her son's father who is a freelance journalist and he is intrigued and wants to write a book about Sally-let her tell her side of the story.

Joanna starts mentally comparing the faces of all the women she encounters to that of the sullen ten-year old during her trial. She tries to dismiss it because everything has gotten out of hand when she is the go-to person for scoops on Sally. Things turn dark when Sally McGowan starts following her on Twitter and posting cautionary quotes about the spreading of rumors. When her son becomes the target of a frightening prank, her paranoia knows no bounds, but no one seems to take it seriously.

I liked this book. The setting was in the United States, but it was obvious in subtle ways that the author is British. Since so many books in this genre are being written by British authors these days, it didn't bother me but others might find the little things jarring. Joanna's son is named Alfie which isn't very common in the US and an odd turn of phrase here and there as well as everyone's propensity to put on a kettle for tea whenever company arrives all screamed British to me.

It did seem like this town was mostly populated by white ladies in their late fifties since every woman Joanna encountered could have been Sally. I think there were three male characters and one of them was the husband of one of the other mothers who disappeared into another room whenever the mommies and kids were around.

I kind of guessed who Sally was about half-way through but discarded that notion as another character started acting kind of shady. Then another one looked kind of suspicious and then another, so that when Sally was truly revealed, it was a bit of a surprise.

An absolute page turner!! This is a fast paced psychological thriller. I read this book in one night. I could not put this book down once I started reading it. A definite must read!!
Highly recommend!!

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was a quick, enjoyable read. It kept me guessing with enough twists and turns up until the very end.

OMG I LOVED this book a perfect psychological thriller for me as that is my go to genre.
I usually have all the twists and turns figured out but this one got me and I was amazed and shaking my head at the outcome(s).
It definitely has me on the edge of my seat and wanting to read faster.
I'd say great debut book from this Author and I'll surely follow her and look for more of her work.

Great book! The story centers around Jo, who learns that a murderer who is in witness protection may be living in her small town. She then proceeds to spread that rumor, and the story revolves around the fallout from that - where everyone becomes suspected of harboring a secret. Very good book, fast paced, likeable and believable characters, and a nice surprise ending.

This book gave me chills the whole time I read it. It has a really creepy vibe. The writing is good. That being said, I’m not sure why it was taken from the English version and spun to take place in America. The language, slang and amount of tea kettles don’t speak to America. If you read British authors like I do you will notice this pretty quickly. It doesn’t take away from the story but it is a small nitpick.

The characters were aplenty. Some of them I lost a bit along the way but found that they weren’t really important in the end game (never mentioned again). I liked the narrator and felt for her upon seeing her son ostracized. Did she go about things the wrong way? Yes, but haven’t we all done things we’re not proud of, spread or listened to gossip?

Did I expect the big twist? Yes, after a while I started to think it but there are so many little twists and red herrings that I wasn’t completely sure. The last reveal was excellent, breathtaking. This was a quick read, highly entertaining and I would recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a copy in exchange for a review.

The Rumor by Lesley Kara

Pub date: June 18,2019
Ballentine Books
Genre: fiction, mystery
Rating: 4/5

I received a digital copy of this ARC from NetGalley and Random House in exchange for an unbiased review.

A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes—Mark Twain.

A cautionary tale of how rumors can develop a life of their own. Similarly, it explores how easily people can be misinterpreted and judged. Do people deserve to protect their privacy and life events? It seems that everyone is subject to interrogation for being too quiet and isolated or being a boisterous busybody!

“He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster. And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee.”—Friedrich Nietzsche

Joanna Critchley, a real estate agent moved back to her hometown of Flintstead with her young son Alfie. She lives closer to her mother and hopes that her son will escape bullying and find some friends. She feels partly responsible as she has been reluctant to engage with the other mothers. She never married Alfie’s father, Michael Lewis, who is still very involved in their lives. She fears they don’t blend into the neighborhood being a single mom raising a mixed race child.

In an attempt to socialize with the other mothers at drop off at Perrydale Elementary, she questions a rumor repeated by Cathy who does not hesitate to express her option. Thus, the rumor becomes topic amongst the mom’s group who eventually embrace Joanna when they believe she has information regarding the rumor. She reluctantly accepts an invitation to join their Babysitting Circle in attempts to help Alfie’s social situation. The group consisting of Debbie Barton,Teri Monkton, Karen from book club, Fatima and her “neighbor and honorary mother” Kay.

Apparently, a woman named Sally McGowen, who served time for stabbing five-year-old Robbie Harris to death when she was ten-years-old, has relocated to their quiet seaside community. It was a sensational news story back in 1969 and she seemed to remain off the grid until reporters tracked her down six years following her release in 1981. The resurrection of this story ignited the interest of the town who are trying to uncover the truth of the rumor she may be living among them. It also stirs controversy regarding whether people who commit heinous crimes and if they are capable of reform.

At the urging of her mother, Jo joined a neighborhood book club where her circle of acquaintances widens. At the fourth meeting she struggles observing persistent questioning of the the newest member. She feels like people are allowed a live life without broadcasting it to the whole town. In Liz Blackthorne’s dining room,
with Maddie, Jenny, Barbara and Karen, Joanna interjects with the rumor she had heard at school much to the surprise of everyone. She succeeded in changing the conversation but soon regrets sharing this with women she barely knew.

The story did get a bit confusing for me to keep track of the many characters involved with Joanna and how she knew them. The story maintains mystery and raises questions as it unfolds and people become paranoid about whether a killer is living in Flintstead. Many question why her identity should matter and others are eager to condemn raising suspicion and unrest in the quiet town. The truth is that we don’t have any control over other people and what they perceive their truth to be. Often, the people pointing their fingers at others are merely trying to distract attention from themselves.

That ending was a punch to the gut. I love when a book makes me rethink everything I thought I knew. Quick read. Interesting plot and seriously the ending had me a little sick to my stomach in a good way. Great beach read that will keep you glued to your beach chair!

How I love a good rumor! This is very telephone game-ish. I really enjoyed this and took me down memory lane with the theme. Loved this book! Such a great thriller! And love the cover art!

For a debut novel, this was good writing. There were a few parts that felt kind of slow, but I pushed through & glad that I did. This book sure has truth to it. One small rumor in a small town can spread like wildfire!
I look forward to seeing more from Lesley Kara!

This was a solid suspense read, with some nice twists in the middle that kept my attention and a stand out third act. As I approached the mid-point I was afraid there wasn't enough to sustain it, but then it delivered some pleasant surprises. Overall A+ read if you like cozy coastal settings and true crime underpinings to your suspense novels.

But I will say that while I really enjoyed the book, I wish I could compare it to the UK (original) edition. The acknowledgments thank the US publishing team for helping the author adapt it for the US market and I have so many questions:
Was the book originally set in the UK?
Was it set a few years ago?

OK those are my only two questions lol. Because I did have some issues where I kept being pulled out of the book because of how painfully obvious it was that a British person wrote it. I honestly wish it weren't set in the US because it just felt so so so British. There are phrases that come out of characters' mouths that completely took me out of the story--things an American would never say, colloquialisms. (I believe one that jumped out at me was "putting the kettle on")

And there's a point where the 34-year-old allegedly American MC and her partner (assumed to be the same age) remark they remember the media coverage of a child killer and artwork done about her, and I was so confused. I had to look up if it was a real person. And it is: a British case that an average American Millennial WOULD NOT KNOW or remember. I am 35--same ballpark as the protagonist, and I'm media/pop culture/art savvy (and morbid enough that I love learning about serial murderers and other killers, including when I was a literal teenager) and it was not something I heard "as a teenager." I looked up the painting--it came out in 1995, when I was 12--so the MC and her partner acting like it was total normal pop culture knowledge when they were "teens"? Took me out of the book. And remember back in 1995 we didn't have widely available Internet or social media--a hyper localized UK story like that wouldn't have and clearly did not travel across the pond to me, an American pre-teen the same age as the protagonist who allegedly is from the same country as me. Honestly I could have forgiven the colloquialisms, but this kind of broke me. As a reader, I hate when an author is clearly older than her characters and inserts their own pop culture knowledge into the head of a character who couldn't possibly have it. (this happens in YA a lot)

I would have happily read the same book but set in the UK--would have worked just fine, if not better? If it WAS going to be set in the US, the colloquialisms (things like putting the tea on, etc., nipping out for things) should have been changed, and the Myra art thing better contextualized.

BUT, still a 4-star read. Love the third act--the book lands incredibly well. I can see suspense readers really loving it.

This was a very good read. I did not figure out who the childhood killer was. Each character plays a part in this book. Some more than others. The writing flowed and the suspense factor is there. Good read. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my review.

This book was really, really good! I loved the interweaving of the characters’ points of views and how even the hints of who the mystery person was really still kept you guessing. Loved it!!!

I feel this one had a lot of potential but had way too many red herrings. It was hard to follow at times and ultimately very predictable.