Debbie Herbert's Not One of Us delivers a brooding and suspenseful narrative that delves into the haunting mystery surrounding Jori Trahan's past and the perilous journey she embarks upon to uncover the truth. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of a sleepy bayou town in Alabama, the novel skillfully navigates the complexities of family dynamics, dark secrets, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

The author's adept storytelling weaves a compelling tale of suspense and intrigue, drawing readers into a web of deception and danger that unfolds with each turn of the page. Jori's unique ability to "hear" colors through synesthesia adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, offering a distinctive perspective that enhances the suspenseful atmosphere and intensifies the stakes for the characters involved.

Herbert's vivid descriptions and evocative prose create a palpable sense of tension and urgency, immersing readers in the emotional turmoil and moral dilemmas faced by Jori as she grapples with the devastating consequences of uncovering long-buried secrets. The intricate character dynamics and the intricate interplay of relationships add depth to the storyline, providing a rich and engaging reading experience.

While the novel successfully maintains a gripping pace and a suspenseful plot, a slight deduction from a perfect rating is attributed to certain pacing elements that could have been further streamlined to ensure a smoother narrative flow. Additionally, some aspects of the character development could have been more pronounced to deepen the emotional resonance of their individual journeys.

In conclusion, Not One of Us is a compelling and emotionally charged read that delves into the complexities of familial bonds, secrets, and the haunting legacy of the past. Debbie Herbert's skillful storytelling and the richly developed narrative make this a must-read for fans of gripping thrillers and those seeking a suspenseful tale of resilience and the enduring power of family in the face of adversity.

Not One of Us wraps you up tight it's mystery and never lets go. Filled with unreliable characters who keep you guessing their motives and agendas until the final bombshell drops on the last page.

Not One of Us tells the story of a woman going back to her hometown after being gone for years to care for her grandmother and her brother. Years before her boyfriend disappeared and no one has figured out why. While trying to find out the truth there are forces at play that want that mystery left alone, What do you do? Protect your family or find out the truth?

As a result, I had a difficult time comprehending what Jori was saying at first since she was explaining things in color (she hears in colors). I had trouble getting into the book because of it. Trying to find out what happened to her boyfriend's family after they went missing years ago was the focus of this story. There are three points of view in this story, and all three were well-written. I really like the mystery surrounding the last POV.

Great book. Highly recommend and will most defiantly read more by this author and suggest to others!

Although I'm not a fan of this genre, I must admit that it is a real refreshment to read something different from time to time, such as this atmospheric and swamp mystery, filled with suspense, murder, and family secrets.
The story of Jori Trahern, who returns home 13 years after her boyfriend and his family disappeared to take care of her aging grandmother and autistic brother. But her return evokes old memories, which hide many truths .... What secrets will be revealed? What danger is hidden in the required truths?
The story is told from 3 perspectives. Most of the chapters are by Jory or Tegan, but there are a few chapters by the anonymous villain. The writing style is quite simple and easy to read, but somehow it seems quite messy and confusing at times. Even after finishing the last page, I was not able to understand some of the actions, nor to get to know the characters in full. Also, I was missing a faster pace, I honestly had a desire to skip certain parts. What must be praised is the mystery element, as well as the way the author leads readers to reach the final conclusion from the actions of two different people trying to solve this case in two different ways.
If you’re looking for a book with good mystery/suspense elements, as well as the bayou setting, then read this one.

What happened to Deacon, who stood up Jorie 13 years ago and never reappeared? This is an interesting tale of old secrets jointly narrated by Jorie and the law enforcement officer who is investigating, Now that Jorie's back home and asking questions, things start to become problematic, especially when her autistic brother goes missing as well. No spoilers from me! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

The book is told by three people: Jori, Tegan, and the killer.

Jori was a teen getting ready to go to the prom with her boyfriend Deacon, until he stands her up. She sneaks to his house to find it empty looking like the family left suddenly with food still in the oven and the table set for dinner. Then she finds the wrist corsage he bought her for prom with his blood on it. . . Thirteen years later she has returned home to take care of her ailing grandmother and her autistic brother.

Tegan grew up in the area but left to start a family. She has recently returned and joined the police force and is raising a set of teenage twins. She is soon on the case of Raymond, who was just released from prison for after serving time for killing Jori's cousin Jackson. Along with realizing the case of Deacon's family and the murder of Raymond may be related, she has to overcome memories that she only told her therapist, that Jackson raped her before he was murdered.

Sprinkled between the Jori and Tegan's narratives is the mysterious murderer. Giving bits, pieces, and clues to who he/she is.

As many secrets come to light, Jori and Tegan are able to solve mysteries of the past and move forward becoming friends in the process.

I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thirteen years ago, Jori Trahan’s boyfriend vanished without a trace. Now, after moving back home to Alabama to care for her ailing grandmother and autistic brother, she comes face-to-face with the deadly mystery behind his disappearance... it hooked me from the very beginning and I did not see the ending coming. This was a great book!

Not One of Us is a very well written gothic type mystery. Great plot and character dynamics. Mystery fans will love this book.

Not One of Us
Debbie Herbert, author

A riveting, engrossing Southern Gothic tale deep in the Bayou of Alabama.

Jori Trahern, the heroine of this novel is woven with the strength and fortitude that's seldom seen anymore. She returns home to care for her ailing grandmother and younger brother with challenges. She too has challenges of her own, as returning home brings back old memories of a love lost too soon. Then, there's a murder and she just may have been the last person to see the deceased alive. Can this really be happening again? Will the murders never cease in her small town? As she begins to question if the murders from the past and present are related, strange things begin to happen to her and her family.

Read this thrilling convoluted storyline of unsuspecting villains and deep seeded secrets to find the answers for yourself. You'll definitely be taken on a colorful depictive and eerie journey.

Excellent storyline. Engaging captivating characterization. I most highly recommend this novel.

This was a pretty good mystery because it had interesting and well done characters. I liked the added synesthesia and autistic characters. They added some interesting insight and information in the story. I also liked the the way the story was told from two different perspectives. It gave a backstory to what had previously happened in the town and also the view of the investigation as it was playing out. I liked it and was well entertained.

This story involves a woman who comes back to her hometown to caretake for her family members. She is soon involved in past mysteries that involved her friends and family. My kind of thriller! Couldn't put it down!

NOT ONE OF US is a riveting mystery with a lot of twists and turns. Author Debbie Herbert takes her readers into a small town in the Alabama Bayou filled with secrets steeped with quite a bit of distrust for strangers. The characters certainly give a realistic small town, backwoods feel in conversation and actions.

Reviewed for Fresh Fiction by Annetta Sweetko

Link to complete review: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=73204

I'm on the fence with this book. There is good and interesting things in this story. But then there are also things I can't stand for. Therefor I had a hard time finishing and enjoying this book.Not the best I've read from this author.

Debbie Herbert sets her second novel in Bayou Enigma, South Alabama, a town where wealthy outsiders, Louis, Clotille, and their son, Deacon Cormier, are accusatorially described by the bayou folk as “Not one of us”. Jodi Trahan who lives with her mother, autistic brother, Zach, and grandmother, Mimi, in a modest old house is gifted with synaesthesia, “coloured hearing”.

In May 2006, their senior year, Jodi and Deacon have been going steady for eighteen months when he stands her up on their date night. His parent’s house has been left empty and silent with the lights blazing, the dinner table set and warm food ready for serving. Deacon and his parents have vanished without a trace.

Thirteen years later when Jodi returns to the small community to look after her declining grandmother and Zach, she begins to investigate the reason for Deacon’s disappearance. We discover that when she was an infant, her sixteen-year-old cousin, Jackson Ensley, was shot to death by Ray Strickland.

Back in the bayou, Strickland has recently been released from prison and returned for his mother’s funeral. When Jori confronts him, he memorably replies: “This town’s dirty as hell. If you’re from the wrong side of the tracks, you ain’t got a chance... At least I’m alive. Folks have a way of disappearin’ ‘round here. Gator feed.” The next day he’s discovered dead in his mother’s house.

When Zach is kidnapped, Jori teams up with Eric County Deputy Tegan Blackwell, as they believe the murders are linked. The closer they get to the answers, family loyalties and dark secrets are at risk of being revealed. A long concealed web of lies ripples outward with each murder committed and Jori is in imminent danger.

I love the way Herbert has created such a divergent, vivid array of characters, introduced the concept of “coloured hearing”, and built up the suspense in this novel. “Not One of Us” is an atmospheric, swamp and vine tangled southern gothic murder mystery at its best.

A huge thank you to @NetGalley and @Thomas&Mercer for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review posted on Instagram and Goodreads.

Not One of Us is the first book that I have read by Debbie Herbert but it definitely will not be my last. Great plot and intriguing story line which takes place in the south Alabama bayou area. Not long after Jori Trahan returns to her hometown to help her elderly grandmother care for her adult brother who has autism, information about her high school boyfriend and his family who disappeared 13 years ago surfaces. The information received may be connected to the past murder of a family member. Shortly after Jori receives the information, the informant is murdered, and the mysteries keep coming. Highly recommended! #NotOneofUs #NetGalley

I liked the premise of the book but feel the special ability the main character had could have been bright up more. It had several twists that kept you guessing and I will admit the ending surprised me. Overall the book was enjoyable and would read more from this author,

Very Well written and interesting. Hard to put down!
This book kept me enthralled until the last page. I loved these feel real characters throughout the book, woven beautifully together. And the suspense continued throughout.
The story was great and I enjoyed everything about this one!

Not One of Us by Debbie Herbert is a very intriguing thriller set in the bayou areas of south Alabama. Jori Trahan moves back to Alabama to assist her grandmother as she cares for Jori's adult autistic brother. Once Jori has been there a few days she notices her grandmother is having memory issues. The doctor confirms her worst fears, her grandmother has dementia and will need care, also.
Jori settles in to get her business as an event planner on track for success but she is also beset with memories of a teenage love that ended in a huge mystery. On the night of Jori's senior prom, her boyfriend Deacon, and the whole Cormier family went missing. Rumors abounded in the community that the family was involved in drug trafficking or had been affiliated with the mafia. The Cormier family home was abandoned and left Jori's broken heart wondering what happened to Deacon. Now all these years later, Jori wants to find answers for the missing family. Soon Jori is immersed in more than one mystery and one of them includes her family.
I won't post spoilers, but this is another wonderful book by Debbie Herbert!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.