Member Reviews
A fun, short, twisty thriller. The pacing on this one fit the page count and was a fun, quick read. I love a book within a book plot device. Some of the twists and all of the pop culture references were a little distracting but at the end of the day I don't let that bother me bc I look at did this book entertain me and yes it very much did! I will be ordering and recommending to my customers!
I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.
So many twists! It was a really good read, twists and suspense, finally finding out what happened all those years ago. I like how the excerpts from the fictional book were included in the actual novel-i haven't come across that before! Definitely a mood read, and really makes you question the friendships you had in high school.
This book was SO GOOD. I was seriously glued to my kindle the entire time. My jaw dropped and stomach clenched several times
One of the more creative and interesting starts to a murder/mystery that I’ve read. Petal finds herself the main character in a recently published and incredibly successful novel. All the other characters have pseudonyms however it is partly her story, one she has tried to suppress since her teenage years. The tricks and traps are clever and the construction of a tightly managed series of event are worthwhile. I didn’t see the end coming ,not sure if that meant I missed some clues or that to be honest it could have been anyone. Thanks to @netgalley for an advance copy to read and review
Thank you to NetGalley, Cayce Osborne and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Petal (Petta) finds a book that is dedicated to her, using her full name. The book tells about what happened to her and two friends when there were in high school. Only the book does not tell the truth and she doesn't know who wrote it. Petta finds herself traveling back to her hometown to find answers about who wrote this book and why.
As a Wisconsinite, I loved that this book took place in Madison. It was a quick read with twists and turns throughout. I loved the original premise of the book and it kept me guessing while reading.
What would you do if you came across a popular book that not only included your REAL NAME as one of the characters, but also showcased one of your biggest secrets as the plot? A secret that only 2 other people know and one of them is dead. Thats the plot of this book by Cayce Osborne and I was very intrigued from the beginning. As the story went on and you think you're uncovering the truth, it began to drag on and I began to lose some interest. While I didn't guess the ending, it seemed predictable once it was became known where it was going. I didn't love it, but I definitely didn't hate it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Cayce Osborne and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was grabbed by the title initially but the blurb had me intrigued. I can honestly say I was hooked in the first half of the book but it became a slow burn not long after. I was too invested to put it down though, I was dying to find out why all signs were pointing to Petta. I didn’t love it entirely but it was still a good read. I typically hate a slow burn but it kept me on the edge enough to keep on going.
I had so much fun reading this story. It’s a quick read with plenty of suspense, and it kept me guessing. Osborne wrote a unique book-within-a-book novel, unlike any I’ve read. I’ve also never read a book with a main character quite like Petal, and I loved her. Petal’s personality, her junk food, amateur sleuthing… I loved all of it. I Know What You Did is a page turner from start to finish and the Wisconsin references were amazing!
4.5 ⭐️’s
Years ago three fourteen year old friends went into the woods and only two came out. Covering their tracks, Petal (now Petta) and Jenny don’t tell the truth about being there that night, but a new best selling book just might have the answers to what really happened that night. Petal has no desire to read the book, but everywhere she turns it’s staring her in the face. When she finds out one of the characters actually has her name, while all the others are fictionalized, she buckles and starts to read the book. It’s a good thing the book is fiction because while there’s a lot of truth, the outcome is all wrong. The author remains anonymous and Petal is desperate to find out just who knows so much about the trio and why they are pointing fingers at her. Petal decides she must go back to Madison to find the answers. Back in Madison, Petal digs in deeper, but the more she digs the more questions arise, but when Petal hears that Jenny has been murdered, she knows that her days are numbered and she must find the answers before it’s too late. This book was very hard to put down once the first page was turned and I found it hard to believe that it was a debut novel! Osborne has quite the career ahead of her and I will be standing in line for her next one. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
This book was so good! It was a quick read, and unputdownable. So so good! I was immediately intrigued by it and kept on the edge of my seat. I liked the various formats included in the books (normal story, book excerpts, and even interviews). Super cool!
While at the gynecologist's office, an overly chatty substitute doc recommends a book to FMC Petta which shockingly has a rather sinister dedication to her, using her full name! As much as she tries to avoid the book, she grudgingly starts to read and realizes that someone close to a story buried in her past is bringing the story to light and in a twisted way that blames Petta for her friend's death. Thus begins a desperate search for the author and clearance of her name for good.
Having met the author in person, I enjoyed the book even more. She writes a brash lady who isn't afraid of who she is who will stop at nothing to figure out the mystery of the book. I was drawn into the story and couldn't wait to find out how it ended.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the early review copy of this book.
This was such a fun mystery, different from everything else I've read.
The plot is unique, while I've read a large amount of "books within the books" and unhinged authors, this story brought something new to the table. I connected the dots early on, except for why and why now, so the ending was satisfying and closed the loop.
The main character was real and simple, she is not your usual society pleaser and I was here for it.
The book got very creepy towards the end and had the most amazing WI references. I will definitely read future books written by Cayce Osborne.
My feelings regarding this book are very mixed. Did I enjoy it? I think so. Did I only like it because it takes place in Madison, Wisconsin (where I went to college)? Maybe. Was it entertaining? Yes. Did it hold my attention? Sure (after I switched to the audiobook).
But all the same - I'm just not sure. I will probably know better after my book club discussion and talking about it out loud for a while. Or - more likely - listening to why other people liked it or disliked it and seeing which side I relate to more.
rating: 3.5 STARS
genre: mystery, suspense
format: digital + audiobook
The audiobook really saved this for me. For some reason, physically reading the book made it hard for me to relate to or like the MC. But once I switched the audio, the. narrator made her more likable for me and suddenly I was racing through the book to see what would happen next.
I suspected SO MANY different people in this novel. There are so many characters who seemingly have a motive OR would be a crazy twist to be the antagonist. And I'm proud to say - I did kind of guess who the bad guy was. GO ME.
Read if you like:
The Midwest
Unreliable narrators
Dual POV
Multimedia chapters
MCs who are a complete and total mess
“I Know What You Did” by Cayce Osborne is a gripping and thrilling mystery novel that takes readers on a journey of secrets, lies, and self-discovery. Petal Woznewski, content with her quiet life in New York City, is thrown into turmoil when she discovers her name in the dedication of an anonymously written thriller that uncovers a buried secret from her past. As she delves into the mystery, she realizes the story is connected to the tragic death of her friend, Megan, from thirty years ago. Armed with the book and her suspicions, Petal returns to her hometown to unravel the truth and find the mysterious author.
The plot is intriguing and well-structured, with twists and turns that keep readers engaged and guessing. The use of a book within the book adds an extra layer of complexity to the story, making it a unique and enjoyable read. Petal, the main protagonist, is a relatable character with her snarky and witty commentary. As an introvert, she faces her fears and ventures outside her comfort zone to confront her past, which adds depth to her character. The writing style is humorous and engaging, drawing readers into the story from the beginning. The author’s ability to create a nostalgic and throwback atmosphere adds to the overall enjoyment of the book.
While some aspects of the plot may have been predictable, the overall experience of reading “I Know What You Did” is thrilling and entertaining. It keeps readers on their toes and invested in Petal’s journey to clear her name and solve the mystery. Overall, this novel is an enjoyable thriller that offers a good balance of mystery, humor, and suspense. Despite some predictable moments, the book keeps readers entertained and engaged throughout. If you’re looking for a thrilling mystery with relatable characters and a touch of nostalgia, “I Know What You Did” is worth a read.
At her recent Pap-smear peda finds out there’s a book that is written and cheese in it after all how many Petal Kowalski‘s are there? The book is called No one Suspects and it is written by someone called ME Littleton and Petta has no idea who that is. She is haunted by the book everywhere she goes in her little New York neighborhood but the existence of the book pushes her too far when her boyfriend/good friend/hook up tries to tell her all about it when she investigates the book she learned it is about the tragic event that happened to her best friend when she was 14 living in Madison Wisconsin it was an accidental death but in the book it says pedal murdered her. And to make matters even worse everyone’s name is different except hers. When she goes back to Madison to figure out who wrote the book and why they blamed her she immediately starts getting stalked with notes Pages from Megan‘s diary and even a recording of her other friend telling the story of petals actions on that horrible night but who’s doing it could it be her other friend Jennifer? She wants to know why someone is doing this and who but when one of the people involved is murdered there’s not just her pride on the line but her life. I kind of had a love-hate relationship with petta but in the end I totally loved her especially her with Gus! I found this book to the Uber interesting and it had me from the very first page with Pettas inner dialogue that had me laughing out loud because she had some really funny comments about life and all that that encompassed having said that they do have some parts of the book that has you having to suspend belief but this is one of those books that’s so good you’re willing to do it I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend that if this is her first novel then I cannot wait for the next one. I do hope the author read this review because I want to tell her son Reese thanks for haunting my dreams. I cannot get the thought of the trees having eyes out of my head. This is not only a funny book but a great mystery thriller I want to think crooked lane books and Net Galley for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
Petal Woznewski had done a pretty good job of moving on from the deaths of her parents and her childhood friend, Megan. Despite all the years that had passed, Petal finds that her past isn't quite done with her. A bestselling book comes out of nowhere and is dedicated to Petal, as well as includes her in the fictionalized events of Megan's death. However, the book doesn't tell it exactly right and paints Petal as the murderer. Petal returns to the town where it took place in order to find out who wrote the book and why. Overall, an interesting mystery that makes the reader think Petal is an unreliable narrator and that there's more to what happened the night of Megan's death. The book is told in two timelines with one part being the fictionalized version and the other part in the present with Petal's investigation.
This book captured my attention right away and held it the entire time. I really enjoyed the premise and how real the main character was.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I thought this was such an original premise for a novel. Petta was a complex character. I loved her humor, although at times her snarkiness made her a bit unlikable. The story was a well-written slow burn. However, at the end the characters did that thing I hate where they start monologuing instead of getting on with finishing the job. Overall, this was entertaining and intriguing, but I probably won’t remember it for long.
My rating: 3.5/5
Thank you Cayce Osbourne, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC e-book. Authors can write about anything... sometimes they bring in their own experiences, sometimes they base it loosely off of others. But what if you read a book that used your whole name and happened to blame you for a horrific murder of your childhood best friend? What if this same book also threatened more secrets lied buried but would be brought to light???? This book definitely sucked me in and had me trying to figure out who and why the whole time. Definitely a book I had to finish in one sitting.