The Truth About Gretchen by Alretha Thomas
Synopsis from the book:

Gretchen Holloway, in her final year of graduate school, is in the throes of auditioning actors for her thesis film, inspired by a murdered young football star who has haunted her dreams for two years. Gretchen believes making the movie will be cathartic. But instead of freeing her, embarking upon the film production unleashes a sequence of events that lead Gretchen to conclude that she’s the reincarnation of the young man.

Regina Wilson has always wanted to be an actress. When her agent gets her an audition for a role in Gretchen’s film, which eerily mirrors one of the worst events of her life—the unsolved murder of her older brother, Robert—she’s hard-pressed to go through with it. Upon fleeing, she leaves behind a keepsake that features Robert’s photo. Gretchen sees the picture and recognizes Robert from her dreams. She tracks down Regina, and after being rebuffed and called crazy, Gretchen’s unexplainable knowledge of events in Robert’s life eventually convinces Regina that Gretchen is Robert reincarnated.

The two decide to have his case reopened, but their significant others are dead set against it, and the police, who believe that Robert’s death was gang-related, are less than cooperative. However, Gretchen is desperate to get justice for her former self, and Regina wants justice for her brother. The women piece together the final week of Robert’s life. And the deeper they delve into his past; one shocking revelation follows another, leaving them wondering who they can trust and if they’ll live long enough to find Robert’s killer and bring him to justice.

While it can feel as though the entire plot of the story is told in the synopsis, what isn't revealed is just how engrossing the story is or how well thought out and written it is. Alretha Thomas does an excellent job of building a world where reincarnation is not only possible but plausible. The reader doesn't have to suspend huge amounts of belief to follow and accept the storyline. The dual points of view from both Gretchen and Regina enables the reader to really know Robert and to understand his last days. The story is suspenseful, emotional and worth a read. I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys suspense, mystery, and the supernatural.

I was unable to download this audiobook in time as I didn't realize it was on my shelf. It was archived too quickly from the time I requested it.

I enjoyed this original story filled with suspense and intrigue. It really drew me in and kept me hooked throughout.

Step into the world of Gretchen and you might wonder how you got here. Stepping in her mind is quite fascinating to see what it is like to have her world change upside down and try to come out on top of all of it. You always need to be true to your self and never let anyone tell you are something that you are not.

This is the kind of book that you will stay up all night reading, because its just that good. This was so well written, and such a unique book. I highly recommend it!

The Truth about Gretchen started off and really had high hopes of being an excellent book . The back and forth , the reincarnation , all the shocking twists and turns . But somewhere it just stopped being that , it was rushed and the ending was thrown together . Justice was served so quickly and the death of another character really did it for me . It could of been a little longer and that would of been ok .


Over all I enjoyed the book , it was a quick read .

Loved everything about this read, beginning with the cover and then all the way through to the ending. The premise of the book is clearly shown in the cover art…fascinating to me. On her 24th birthday Gretchen begins having nightmares involving a murder. She is inspired to make a movie for graduate film school about the murder. Regina, an actress, goes to an audition for a role in Gretchen’s film and leaves behind a water bottle with her brother’s photo on it. Thus begins this suspenseful and intriguing mystery about the murder.
The tale is told from both Gretchen’s and Regina’s points of view. Little clues are divulged which keep you engaged in trying to solve the mystery right along with them Alretha Thomas has a knack for keeping the reader engaged and kept me reading well past midnight.
This was a totally engaging and intriguing read, quite different than anything I have read before. Many many thanks to Alretha Thomas, Diverse Art Collective, and NetGalley for affording me the pleasure of reading this unique story.

The Truth About Gretchen, by Alretha Thomas, was one of those books that while I wasn't actually reading it I was thinking about the story. I believe in reincarnation (which is a major part of the plot) and wish there were more of these kinds of stories to read. Ms Thomas does an excellent job of describing the events and scenes, making the reader feel they are where the action is taking place. I want to thank NetGalley and Diverse Arts Collective, Inc. for a copy to review.

Gretches’s life is been dowhill since the nightmares started two years ago, a black man dead in a pool of blood. Now she is going to make a short film about them as a graduate project. But as the project progress she realise that the nightmares might be from something horrible happened more than twenty years ago And trying to find the truth is going to be dangerous. Great thriller

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

I thought this book sounded so very good. Unfortunately I could not get into this book. It was confusing at times. This was a pass for me.

I read this book in less than 24 hours - it was that interesting. I set everything else aside and just read this book. I don't know how I feel about reincarnation or the spirit world but it certainly sounded logical the way it all played out in this story. I would definitely recommend this book.

Interesting concept on reincarnation. A really gripping read. The story is so well written and the characters really came to life for me. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend.

I received this book free from Netgalley. . What a story! This book kept me on the edge of my seat!!! I finished this book in 1 day!!! A must read!

I liked the premise of this book, interesting concept and liked the two woman working together, actually the three woman working together to solve a murder of one of the women's brother. The style didn't work for me though, it both felt a little naive and a little overdramatic and not realistic. The conclusion and the racism just wasn't explored in a way that worked for me

I thoroughly enjoyed this book even though its subject isn't one I would normally choose. The story is strange but very well written and the characters are great. I would certainly recommend this to my friends as a good read. I will be looking out for more books by Alretha Thomas

The story is a page-turner and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The twists and turns are amazing. One of the best thrillers I've read in a long time.

Enjoyed the book until about 75% reading and then found it rather sophomoric. Picked this book as was so different than the normal suspense novels and that it was. Good until the "girls/ladies/women" became ridiculous in their dialogue and actions as was the ending. Would recommend as a different light read.

Errors/Issues found:

Chapter 12: glace should be glance
Chapter 24: What are looking for should be What are you looking for.
Chapter 28: In chapter 27 it was 10 AM
Chapter 31: "I'm parking out front" but she was supposed to be taking a rideshare from the hotel.
Chapter 35: Need to identify whom "She" is. Assuming it is Agent Bradley.

This book was very unique and not like any other story I can think of. While it was necessary to suspend belief, I really enjoyed the story. The book was very well written and keeps you in suspense. I recommend this book.

Reincarnation, would you believe that your family member was. Half of another person? Would you think they were crazy or trust them to know what was happening within there own mind?
Gretchen Holloway was doing a film on a murdered football player. Here to come find out there was a young football murdered exactly like in her dreams.
Regina Wilson, the murdered young football sister becomes an actress and comes across the auditions Gretchen is holding.
The women get together and try and figure out who and why Robert was killed. This journey is fraught with danger and suffering for them and their families and close friends. This book could be taken right out of the newspaper headlines today!

I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

Wow. This book gave me a heartache for Vanessa, as well as Regina. I did NOT see it coming! It was an overall great read.