Thank you NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

This is my first book by Rachel Howzell Hall and it did not disappoint! The beginning of the book just drew me in and the ending was fantastic. There were some parts in the middle were a little bit slow but I was still pretty invested in the story! This was such a unique thriller and I loved how the author incorporated themes of racism and stuff that is going on in society today. I feel like it just adds to the storyline and gives the reader a different perspective. Overall, it was definitely a good book and one that I would recommend if you are looking for a quick read!

Pretty good read. Kept my interest. Enjoyed the location for where the book took place. I guess I’m still not ready for books that deal with the pandemic. Even though it played only a minor part in the book, I just don’t feel like reading about that.

This definitely comes out of the gates strong, but was REALLY slow the last 50%. BUT this actually kept me guessing till the last minute and WOW 😯

Coco is the only survivor of a deadly home invasion on the idyllic Catalina Island. She left the island to leave behind those memories, but her ailing aunt Gwen brings her back to the place she didn’t want to return to and the memories that still haunt her. Plus, she’s fresh off a breakup and headed for divorce so not a lot of things are going her way. Oh, and there are little old widows dying mysteriously and Coco is receiving threats to her life too.

Thank you to the author, publisher and @NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Colette (Coco) survived the murders of her family on an island paradise. She ran away and tried to create a new family with her husband, Micah. But after all these years, it hasn’t worked out. Getting divorced. she doesn’t have much option but to go back to her family’s house on the island, where she’s always felt like an outsider.

But something’s amiss on the island. The old ladies know that there’s a beast in Avalon and it has it sights set on Coco. Can Colette figure out who the beast is before it’s time to write her obituary?

I found this book interesting if slow and confusing at times. The first chapter or two really reels you in and then with the different perspectives of unknown authors and the spacing of the text, it gets a little dicey in the middle. The timeline jumps around a bit and the ex-husband and therapist feature more than I thought was necessary. That being said, the ending made sense and brought everything together (although I had my suspicions all along).

The cover is gorgeous and definitely attracted me to reading the book. Overall, I gave this four stars as it was an interesting read and story. Just a little confusing at times.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to the author and netgalley for an ARC for my honest review.

Rachel Howzell Hall has a new fan. I can't wait to dive into her backlist. Fantastic thriller. Such a eerie town with danger in every corner.
Content warnings for the COVID-19 pandemic. You'll be satisfied with how this one ends.

This book starts off really good and hooks you from the beginning but it quickly tapers off and becomes very slow and difficult to keep wanting to know more. I didn’t love any of the characters and I was happy when it was over. It felt too long and it became confusing. Not for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this twisty, gothic thriller set on the exclusive and idyllic Catalina Island. There is a lot going on in this novel - lots of characters, lots of side plotlines, lots of back story - and it all weaves together seamlessly to create a dark and sinister story of racism, gentrification, entitlement, and greed.

This book made me realize that nearly every gothic thriller I have ever read was historical. There is something about the contemporary setting that makes it feel far more scary and terrifying. The writing is so descriptive that you feel like you are sitting alongside Coco, questioning your own sanity and jumping at every noise in your own home. I never would have thought that a golf cart could feel ominous or an important tool in a person’s survival…but that' is how good the writing is.

What Never Happened is a compelling, haunting, thriller that will stick with you long after you turn the last page.
Thank you the author and Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author and her stories are always enjoyable! I like how she doesn’t shy away from real issues going on in the world today like race and stereotyping. It’s refreshing to see a different take on the usual thriller/mystery and I’m definitely going to read more of her work in the future! I didn’t see the twists coming even when I thought I had it all figured out. If mysteries and thrillers are your thing, check this book out for sure!

This was a fast-paced and engaging book! Lots of twists kept the plot moving nicely! I enjoyed this book!

This book is exactly what you would expect from a thriller — it sucked me into the story from the first page and kept me turning pages until the very end.

From the start of the story, the main character has such a distinct voice, it's easy to empathize with her and what she's going through. Not giving anything away, I'll say that her unanswered questions became mine and I found myself feeling her anxiety and frustration as the story progressed. I also really loved that the main character had a therapist since that's not something you normally see in books, especially with a Black main character. I also loved the complexity of her emotions when it came to dealing with her aging aunt.

There were so many little things woven into this story that make it what it is, and I enjoyed every minute of it. This was my first time reading Rachel Howzell Hall and I can say with full confidence that I would definitely read her books again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this read. Well..that was something that was not for me. This was a bit weird and I really wanted to like this book as I liked a few of Rachel's older books but this was not for me at all. I was scratching my head a lot reading this.

I'm always quite taken with Hall's writing. Her prose is excellent, its flows cadence keeping me reading past my bedtime. The premise of What Never Happened is also excellent. Coco Weber snuck out of her family's house when she was sixteen. While she was gone, her family was brutally murdered. It's now 20 years later, and she's returning after a divorce. Bizarre events begin happening, and she receives threatening obituaries predicting her own death in the future. While I did enjoy this book, the pacing was slower than what I'm used to. I don't think that's a bad thing, just something to be aware of--it will work for some readers and not for others.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you @netgalley for the ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller. 20 years ago, Coco‘s entire family was murdered in a home invasion, and she was the sole survivor. She needs to get away from her ex and decides to returns to the island where the crime took place. Coco will write obituaries for the local paper and elderly residents are dying left and right. Who’s killing these people and why? How is this related to the tragic loss of her family? Pick up you copy today and find out. I really loved how this ended. I was not expecting that twist.

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Rachel Howzell Hall's latest suspenseful masterpiece takes readers on an enthralling journey to the picturesque yet chilling Catalina Island in "A Killer's Paradise." This gripping novel is a true testament to Hall's storytelling prowess, weaving a tapestry of secrets, danger, and unrelenting suspense that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

When Coco (Colette) Weber lost her family in a tragic home invasion on Catalina Island at sixteen, she left the place with her aunt. After two decades, she returns to work for the local paper, owned by a college roommate and close friend. Her responsibilities involve writing for community events and obituaries. As she investigates recent deaths, she starts to suspect foul play.

‘What Never Happened’ captivates readers with its unique premise and touches on themes of discrimination and hatred in a subtle yet impactful manner. The diverse characters each hold hidden motives, making them intriguing but not always likable, even Coco, the sympathetic protagonist.

The book left me with chills, making it difficult to sleep afterward. The unexpected twists and turns, along with a satisfying ending, make it a great read. Aunt Gwen’s character is a love-to-hate figure, and Coco’s internal struggles add depth to the story.

As a fan of Rachel Howzell Hall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to sharing a more detailed review soon!

Obituary writer Coco Weber left Catalina Island years ago after a tragedy. To get as away from her ex, she returns to the seemingly idyllic island. But is there murder in paradise? Coco begins to investigate after writing obituaries for several senior citizens with suspicious deaths.

This slow-burn thriller is filled with suspense as well as potential suspects and multiple motives. The pace of the first half is extremely slow. The second half has a faster pace and even seems rushed at times.

I really enjoyed this cast of characters, particularly Coco. These quirky characters had intriguing dynamics between them.

I really wanted to love this one but it was just okay for me. It had a great premise and interesting moments, but the pacing kept this one from being a great read.

3.5 stars

Colette "Coco" Weber snuck out of her parents new Catalina Island home in 2001 at 16 as a rebellion to the family's move there from LA. She re-enters after 2am, drunk and regretful, to find her parents and brother have been brutally murdered. Twenty years later Coco returns to the island after a bitter divorce intending to reclaim her salon family's home that is still rightfully hers. Bizarre events begin unfolding upon her return, including a string of unexplained deaths of elderly women. And then she receives multiple threatening obituaries describing her own brutal death a few days away....

This was definitely a unique and interesting thriller. It started off very strong, the brutal murders of her family drew me right in. After that it seemed to move at a snail's pace. I noticed that I kept putting the book down. There seemed to be so many weird sub plots, tangents, characters -- I struggled to draw it all in and make the connections. It's possible this was purposeful as the reader was meant to see it unravel through Coco (she does A LOT of unraveling herself). I found no one likeable, wasn't pulled in to anything in particular and found it kinda dragged. I was extremely invested in the family murders that never seemed to take the stage again after the book opening. Even Coco's complicated relationship with Aunt Gwen I thought could have been explored more. This was just not the thriller for me. Readers who enjoyed When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole will probably also like this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review.

When Coco (Colette) Weber was sixteen her family was killed in a home invasion at their rental on Catalina Island. After the massacre, which was never solved, she left the island with her aunt. Now, after twenty years, she’s returned to work for the local paper, owned by a college roommate and good friend. Her responsibilities include write-ups for community events and obituaries. As she documents some recent deaths she begins to suspect they weren’t from natural causes.

What Never Happened is an interesting story with an original premise. It’s also the story of discrimination and hatred. That part is subtle and sneaks up on the reader. The characters are varied but most of them seem to have a hidden agenda and many aren’t very likable. Even Coco, one of the most sympathetic characters, can be somewhat off-putting at times.

Rachel Howzell Hall is a talented writer and I enjoy her books. While this latest novel is good, it’s not one of my favorites, although I can’t really put my finger on why that is. Therefore, I would give What Never Happened 3.5 stars. NetGalley provided an advance copy.

Bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S! This story starts out so strong with a dramatic home invasion / murder, followed by the surviving daughter returning home 20 years later. Pair this with the strange deaths of elderly women and the obituaries that Coco keeps receiving in the mail? It's DANG creepy. So much is going on as we try to solve both cases, though there's a clear motivation. I wish we'd gotten to hear more from Dr. T and see more of Gwen, because I found them much more likable than Coco. And while I guessed the motive of the murder cases in both timelines, I hadn't guessed the perpetrators. At times it does start to drag and the ending didn't quite work, but I couldn't put it down.

*Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

The nitty-gritty: With colorful characters and an intriguing setting, What Never Happened is a fun mystery with some great twists.

Rachel Howzell Hall is a new author for me, and I’m so glad I had the chance to read her latest book. This was a fun, boisterous, guilty pleasure of a story. It’s not perfect, and I can’t say I liked all the characters. But as far as entertainment value goes, the mystery kept me guessing, the setting was new and interesting, and I had a lot of sympathy for the main character Coco, who is just trying to figure out her life.

Colette "Coco" Weber is returning to Catalina Island after living in Los Angeles for the past twenty years, and she’s not happy about it. Twenty years ago, when she was sixteen, her mother, father and brother were murdered during a home invasion, and Coco only survived because she snuck out to be with her friends that night. At the time, her Aunt Gwen agreed to take care of her until she came of age. Now Gwen lives alone in the house Coco inherited from her parents, and due to memory problems, she needs a caretaker. Coco agrees to temporarily move in with Gwen and keep an eye on her, with the intention of wrapping up some loose ends, selling the house, and taking Gwen back to L.A. with her. After all, there are no happy memories for Coco on the island, and she’s still dealing with PTSD from the trauma of that terrible night.

Once she settles into the creaky old house, the past comes flooding back. Gwen clearly doesn’t want her there, and even her college friend Maddy, who runs the local newspaper and has offered Coco a job writing obituaries, seems to be hiding something. And when widows around town begin dying under mysterious circumstances, Coco decides to investigate. Someone is sending her threatening notes and wants her to leave, but Coco is determined to stay and bring justice to the dead women, even if no one believes her.

So there is a lot going on in What Never Happened, maybe too much, which makes the plot a bit chaotic at times. You have the dying widows, a mystery that Coco is determine to solve. The man who was convicted of killing her family—wrongfully, it turns out—has just been released from prison, and now Coco has to face the fact that the murderer might still be out there. There’s a side romance with a man named Noah who also works for the paper. Coco is also trying to fix up the house and get it ready to sell, no easy task, it turns out, on a small island cut off from the mainland. And she’s in the middle of a divorce as well. Her soon-to-be-ex husband Micah thinks she’s stolen a valuable ring from him and is sending her threatening messages. And to top it all off, Hall sets her story in the weeks leading up to the Covid-19 lockdowns. Whew! That’s a lot to cram into one book, although the author does a pretty good job of keeping all her plates in the air.

However, the things I loved about this book make up for it’s shortcomings. Let’s start with Coco. I absolutely loved her voice. She’s feisty, excitable and very much down to earth. She’s had to cope with a lot, I mean just imagine if you had lost your family in one fell swoop like she did? Her aunt Gwen is terrible to her and is trying to get her to leave, but Coco cares for her anyway. As one of the only Black people on the island, she deals with racism on a daily basis (even her “boyfriend” Noah makes some racist comments). Coco majored in journalism at UCLA and now writes obituaries for a living, which I thought was pretty cool. We get examples of these scattered throughout the book, and they were highly entertaining. The story is told from Coco’s first person POV, so her quirky style is front and center.

The setting of Catalina Island is almost a character itself. The story takes place in Avalon, the main city on the island, and the author paints a vivid picture of a place only accessible by ferry (or helicopter), an insular place where the locals all know one another and outsiders are treated as such. I loved the combination of beauty and danger. The island is full of indigenous poisonous plants, unpredictable weather, and of course, hundreds of dangerous, free roaming buffalo. Because of the size of the island, only a certain number of cars are allowed, so most people drive golf carts instead. And in this story, there is at least one killer on the loose, which adds to the excitement. With real estate prices through the roof, a housing shortage, and a lack of resources, I can firmly state that I would never want to live there!

At first I was worried about the Covid element. Like many other readers, I’m sort of over stories that take place during the pandemic, but luckily Hall puts a different spin on hers by setting it during the very early days, when no one knew anything about the virus and everything was speculation. This added to the growing sense of dread, especially when lockdowns were put in place and Coco finds herself literally stuck on the island with a killer.

There are two main mysteries going on. First, there's the mystery of the local women who are mysteriously dying, although at first Coco is the only one who notices something fishy is going on. Hall inserts chapters from the murdered women's point of view as they are dying, which was very creepy and effective. There’s also the mystery of who is harassing Coco and sending her death threats. I thought the author did a great job of interweaving these two mysteries and keeping the reader guessing. I loved that the harasser writes fake obituaries to Coco to try to scare her, they were creepy and a bit shocking! 

The ending was over-the-top, but still a lot of fun. The author even throws in a feel-good epilogue that made me shed a tear or two. I’m very glad I took a chance on Rachel Howzell Hall, and I’ll be eagerly awaiting her next book.

Big thanks to the publisher and Sparkpoint Studio for the review copy.