The Resemblance by Lauren Nossett 3/5

The Resemblance was a hard story to get into for me. I am not sure if it was the narrator or the story line all together. I was intrigued by the blurb of the story and am a sucker for anything mystery and thriller but this one missed the mark.

The story line was interesting and maybe this is a book that I would benefit from reading.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC.

I liked the premise of the book, but wasn’t completely blown away with the mystery. It was a little easy to see where the author was taking the story, which isn’t a bad thing per se, but I felt like it could have been hidden a bit better. The main issue I had with the story was the random section in the middle where the main character is in the hospital that felt like a completely different story, and the ending that came out of nowhere and seemed to be disjointed. If the author had given hints to the end revelation throughout the book it would have made more sense, but it was like as soon as they solved the murder, they threw a curve ball in the form of a forgotten memory to make things more interesting when there was no lead up to the reveal at all. Not my favorite, but I’d be willing to give the author another read in the future.

3.35⭐

Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, detectives, police procedural, hit and run, college, fraternity, hazing, money = power, connected parents, privileged kids, corruption, secrets, cover ups

Detective Marlitt Kaplan is visiting her professor mom on campus when there's a hit and run of a student. First on the scene, so she and her partner, Teddy, are on the case. Who is this victim, Jay Kemp (coincidence that he has the same last name as Georgia's Governor?) , and why does the driver look like he could be his twin?

I felt like Marlitt was out to prove herself and goes a little rogue, which I didn't hate per say because it just proves the corruption, but it's evident that she really hates Greek life. Of course we have a frat brother with a father that is the president of the school and one with a father that is in the political world. There was a lot of extra statistical information on Greek life, which doesn't really interest me.

Overall, an okay story that makes me scared that my child might attend the University of Georgia ~ not to say all this doesn't happen on campuses all across the country, but this is a little closer to home.

Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld for 9 hours 57 minutes and 59 seconds, easy to follow at 2x. I was pleased with her narrating skills.

Thought I was going to read a suspense/mystery but instead felt like I was reading a thinly veiled social commentary from the author.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

The Resemblance is a perfect audio for anyone who is seeking an atmospheric read for the season and enjoys murder mysteries set in privileged academic settings.

The book deals with never ending evils of fraternities/sororities. But…just because hazing is “old news”, it does not mean we should stop talking about it!

The premise intrigued me, but ultimately, the “whodunnit” fell a bit short. This debut, in my opinion, could have used some additional editing. There are quite a few “side stories” that just convoluted the storyline and did not add much to the plot.

Nevertheless, The Resemblance kept my attention, and I kept listening obsessively until the very end. While not perfect, it’s an impressive debut, and I will be looking forward to this author’s next novel.

And lastly, the narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, delivered an impeccable performance (as always!). If you do decide to check this one out, I highly recommend listening!

Rating: 3.5 stars

My thanks to McMillian Publishing, The Author, Lauren Nossett, as well as NetGalley, for the opportunity to listen and review an early audio copy of The Resemblance.

The Resemblance by Lauren Nossett (McMillian Publishing/Audio)

Set in a Southern University with a dark past of privilege, secrets, and death.
Detective Marlitt Kaplan happens to be on the University campus when a hit and run takes place. She runs outside to find the victim dead in the crosswalk. Though there are many witnesses, they can only agree on three things- the driver looked identical to the victim, he was driving the victim’s car and he was smiling.
This story is part police procedural, part general critique of the Greek system. Marlitt has a long-standing grudge against fraternities and all the avoidable tragedies that happen under their watch.

I felt that the story relied too heavily on stereotypes, leading the characters to become misrepresented at times. The flashback scenes are far and few between, not allowing the reader to fully comprehend, and possibly empathize with why Detective Kaplan distrusts of fraternities and the Greek system. I felt as a reader, not being able to connect with our Protagonist and ended up disliking her. The reveal comes out of nowhere and denies the reader of any opportunities to put the pieces together for themselves. Finally, the ending is just so abrupt. I felt like I had questions still burning in my mind. Overall, it was a fun read with some surprising twists that will keep readers on their toes. This being a debut, it is objectively a great thriller and a page turner.

Thank you, Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for the advanced audio!

Do we ever really know what goes on behind the closed doors of a fraternity house? Shrouded behind the guise of brotherhood and hidden in tradition and secrecy, Greek life has long been a curiosity for many. The Kap O house is no different, when, following the untimely and public death of a member, detectives uncover disturbing rituals and a culture of silence among brothers and alumni.

Set on the bustling campus of the University of Georgia, The Resemblance starts with the troubling death of Jay Kemp, brother and social chair of the Kap O fraternity, who is hit by a car - his car - driven by someone who looks just like him. Everyone loved Jay. Everyone is shocked by his death. At least, thats what friends, classmates, and brothers report to Detectives Kaplan and Gray. But, as the investigation gets underway, the detectives meet roadblocks at every turn; half truths, cover ups, and conflicting reports make the case frustrating and difficult to solve. Will they ever get the truth and find out who killed Jay Kemp...and why?

I loved everything about this book. As a University of Georgia alum and sorority memeber, Nossett captures the essense of North Campus in the fall, the allure and secrecy of Greek Life, and the college-town vibe of Athens, Georgia. The pacing is on point for a thriller and it is the perfect fall read. The plot left me guessing, as at any time, anyone could be the suspect. I did not expect the shocking ending, either. It was so well written and well narrated; I will read whatever Lauren Nossett writes next!

This was a solid debut and I feel like it could roll easily into a series.

We meet Detective Marlitt Kaplan, who while visiting her professor mother at the University of Georgia, hears something that causes her to runs outside. There she finds the victim of a hit and run. There are many witnesses. And they all seem to agree on two facts - the driver looked exactly like the victim, and the driver was smiling.

This book sucked me in with the odd facts about the driver. Also the university and Greek life aspects were interesting. The book touched on a lot of issues with Greek life such as hazing, classism, neoptism, and racial issues. It also touched on how being from a wealthy and powerful family keep certain people who commit crimes from paying the price.

I really liked Marlitt! And I hope this turns into a series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for an honest review!

I’m always a sucker for books that are described as being similar to The Secret History or anything by Tana French and I’m usually disappointed. I went into this book with low expectations, expecting to be scorned once again. However, I’m really glad I gave this book a chance. I’ll admit, it was a bit slow at first but by the end I was aching to know what happened. The writing is well done and the characters are interesting and flawed and the end isn’t what it seems. Overall, this was pretty darn good.

This book was delightfully creepy and I enjoyed every single minute of it! I’ll probably reread soon!

While the book was interesting and caught my attention I found that some aspects of The Resemblance weren't to my taste.

Perhaps it was the harshness of the main character or some of the external aspects of the plot that weren't to my taste but I found it kind of lost my interest at some points.

As the book progressed it did grow more interesting but then it got REALLY confusing when certain things happened (I won't share because of spoilers) and while this may have been due to listening to it as an audiobook, I just got confused about who was who etc.

Overall, not a bad book at all, but just not one that truly held my attention so much. I also felt the personal aspects of the MC's life came out a little too late - left us wondering to the end when perhaps an earlier reveal could have helped explain a few things? I also had this odd feeling like I had missed reading a book 1 but have looked and this doesn't' seem to be part of a series?

Not a bad book at all and perhaps it just wasn't to my taste but others would enjoy it.

!Note: Language in this one.


My rating: 3.5*

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Thanks to NetGalley for this gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

This is one of the BEST campus/academia thrillers I have ever read!

A twisty, cleverly crafted, and haunting debut exploring the dark side of academia, power, and privilege—THE RESEMBLANCE from author Lauren Nossett, a new voice in fiction and one to watch!

Set in November in the fall (cover love), we met Detective Marlitt Kaplan, (the novel's heroine), a 20-year-old female and the first on the scene of a fatal hit and run at the University of Georgia in Athens.

According to witnesses, Kappa Phi Omicron member Jay Kemp was crossing the street when a car driven by accelerated to strike him. The driver appeared to be smiling.

Detective Kaplan is intelligent, tenacious, driven, and dedicated. She has her suspicions, and even with threats, she is determined to uncover the secrets and corruption and how far these brotherhoods will go to protect their own.

This taut campus crime thriller uncovers menacing and sinister secrets into Greek life and the cultures of fraternities as well. How far will they go with their tactics?

Timely and relevant, THE RESEMBLANCE (a fitting title) is a captivating blending of police procedural, psychological suspense, and campus mystery.

I hope we see more of Detective Kaplan in a series and enjoyed her character! Hopefully an upcoming series.

As a resident of Atlanta for many years, I love and support all my Atlanta authors and am delighted with this new debut novelist.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Saskia Maarleveld for a superb, engaging performance and listening experience. I loved the audiobook - Highly recommend it!

Thank you to #MacmillanAudio and #NetGalley for a gifted ALC to read, review, and enjoy.

Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks | #AuthorElevatorSeries
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Nov 8, 2022
Nov 2022 Must-Read Books

A fraternity boy steps off a curve and is killed by a car whose driver looks identical to the victim. The book starts off with an interesting premise and it does a decent job of taking us along for the ride. But there is a bit too little action, a bit too much vitriol against the whole concept of fraternities and insufficient character development. Many thanks to NetGalley, Edelweiss, Macmillan Audio for my complimentary audio ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I was excited about this title and the story line, but I’m sad to say I didn’t love it. There were lots of times I wasn’t sure what the author was even talking about. There were times when the author goes on tangents that do not advance the story in any way. It was slightly redeemed by the twist at the end.

This was a good thriller. It had some good twists but wasn't really shocking. The main character cop was a good one. She had all kinds of stuff going on, so it seemed like multiple stories in one.

The Resemblance has a decent story and keeps your interest as the characters are revealed. There were a few story lines that didn't make much sense to me like the part about Marlitts' brother and speaking German. I felt they took away from the story. The narrator was good and told the story well.

The novel is set at the University of Geogia where Marlitt has spent a lot of time. A frat. brother is killed in a crosswalk and the driver, who looked similar to the victim, seemed to have a smile on his face. Detective Marlitt Kaplan hears the screams and is quickly on scene. The "accident" takes the investigation to a fraternity house where secrets are revealed and habits/rituals are questioned. Later, after questioning many of the frat. brothers and following up on some of the leads, a fire mysterious breaks out and Marlitt barely makes it out alive. Is she getting too close to the truth? Why was this particular frat brother killed.?

I received this novel as a ARC. All thoughts are my own. Thank you to the author and netgalley.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book. Who doesn’t love a campus novel, especially this time of year? Add in a murder, Greek life, and a police procedural, I was ready to jump in.

The novel opens with Marlitt, a detective, witnessing and then investigating a hit and run of Jay Kemp. The victim was a junior and member of a campus fraternity. His assailant bore an uncanny resemblance and appeared to be smiling while hitting his target.

Marlitt has no tolerance for the Greek system and it would appear the author Lauren Nossett has similar sentiments. This book is quite heavy handed with disdain for sororities and fraternities. As a person who loved my Greek life experience, it became a bit much. I know this is not the case for all, and I’m not ignorant to the problems that have occurred and will occur in the future as long as fallible humans are involved.

Otherwise, I was entertained but did think there were a few too many tangents. This is a debut by the author in a genre where it’s difficult to stand out, I look forward to seeing what she does next. This book hits shelves in November.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

When the fraternity boy named Jay Kent was hit by a car and everyone said the driver look just like the dead guy Merritt didn’t know what to think. She was at the college visiting her mom when she heard the screams. She quickly called her partner so they could be the detective on the case but after taking a few risks Truman her boss put her on probation but like most good investigators that’s not going to stop merit. I know this isn’t the best of summaries but there were things not in the summary given for the book that I don’t want to put in my review what I will say is Merritt is haunted she has nightmares and she lost someone close to her and this is why she tends to push people away but when it starts affecting her professional life and it seems it may be time to step back and take inventory she gets a call saying another boy is missing unlike any good investigator she put her self back on the case not letting on that she is on probation and shouldn’t be investigating anything this is such a good book and not only was it interesting you learn things about fraternities the brotherhood and the rules they seem to make up as they go along. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought the narrator was so so good! I wish I could say so I could spell her name right but the best I can do is say her name is Soski Honoraville she was one of the best nail raiders and he is such a great tone to her voice made the book totally enjoyable I always say a great narrator can make a good book great but with a great plot and a great narrator this book is pretty awesome I love detective stories and thought Merritt was an interesting character and I love the relationship she had with her partner I highly recommend this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I received a book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate most of my review.

I thought this was a really solid mystery! I LOVED the college setting, the sinister Greek life, and the MC being a detective. It had just enough spookiness and suspense to keep me hooked without being a full-on thriller. It was absolutely PERFECT for October. The audio narrator wasn’t my absolute favorite but I didn’t feel like it detracted from the book or made me less likely to read. There were a few plot decisions that felt odd (but also kept me on my toes so no real complaints 🤷🏼‍♀️). Overall a very enjoyable book that I recommend to anyone who loves dark academia, crime thrillers, or anything else related to those genres! I am very much looking forward to reading more from this author! (Hopefully books with a similar vibe!!🤞🏻)

Content Rating: R for some graphic descriptions of hazing/assault

Synopsis:
Never betray the brotherhood.

On a chilly November morning at the University of Georgia, a fraternity brother steps off a busy crosswalk and is struck dead by an oncoming car. More than a dozen witnesses all agree on two things: the driver looked identical to the victim, and he was smiling.

Detective Marlitt Kaplan is first on the scene. An Athens native and the daughter of a UGA professor, she knows all its shameful histories, from the skull discovered under the foundations of Baldwin Hall to the hushed-up murder-suicide in Waddel. But in the course of investigating this hit-and-run, she will uncover more chilling secrets as she explores the sprawling, interconnected Greek system that entertains and delights the university’s most elite and connected students.

The lines between Marlitt’s police work and her own past increasingly blur as Marlitt seeks to bring to justice an institution that took something precious from her many years ago. When threats against her escalate, and some long-buried secrets threaten to come to the surface, she can’t help questioning whether the corruption in Athens has run off campus and into the force and how far these brotherhoods will go to protect their own.

This is my third dark academia of the month and probably would’ve been more enjoyable had I not just read two I thoroughly enjoyed. This one just didn’t have the intensity or suspenseful atmosphere of the others and took some strange detours before returning back to the main mystery.

I will say the audio was fantastic!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this one!