I have a love/hate relationship with true crime, as I find a lot of it incredibly disrespectful of the victims. It tends to cross a line quite often and glorifies the predator while forgoing any honourable coverage of the people they hurt. How many serial killers can you name? How many of their victims?

I was intrigued by this as it delves into that very issue. Teddy explores a Subreddit page regarding her sister (Angie), seeing for herself the ways in which people discuss Angie and her family. Through this she developed a friendship that very much played with my head: is it instinct or paranoia?

While exploring the lore around her sister's disappearance and navigating the grief over her father’s recent death, she finds herself going down many rabbit holes determined to find answers. I was unsure about the ending at first, but it’s been a week since I finished it, and with that, I’ve come to appreciate it. If you haven’t yet, I think you should give it a try – it was a quick read, and I appreciated what Brody had to say.

A huge thank you to @netgalley and @sohopress for my copy!

After a strong start, this one fizzled for me. I loved Ms. Brody's writing style and her clear empathy for her characters. The way she entwined grief and obsession was truly masterful. However, the novel never really delivered on the central mystery.

On the ten year anniversary of her sister Angie's disappearance, Teddy Angstrom’s father commits suicide bringing back all the trauma and heartbreak it originally caused. She finds her father was involved with a Reddit community fixated on Angie, and Teddy can’t help but get caught up in it all. Teddy’s fixation leads her to Mickey, an amateur sleuth, with a resemblance to her sister and a connection to her own father and together she searches for answers. Teddy becomes consumed and acts in self destructive ways and it's easy to see how this loss has shaped her life.

I loved the premise and was excited to read the book. I found parts of it to be a bit confusing, especially towards the end. The pacing was a bit slow at times and felt like the book could have used a bit more editing. Overall, I enjoyed the story and writing.

Published by Soho Crime on January 2, 2024

The value of Rabbit Hole derives from its focus on the public’s obsessive interest in true crime (or possible crime), particularly when a pretty white girl goes missing. Speculative theories are presented as absolute fact by people who substitute their invented realities for objective truth.

Angie Angstrom disappeared shortly before she was to start classes at a community college. Angie’s half-sister, Theodora (Teddy) Angstrom, is two years younger than Angie. Teddy and Angie have the same mother, Clare Angstrom. Teddy's father is Mark Angstrom. Angie's father was Mark's brother. Clare married Mark after his brother died.

Angie attended a party on the evening of her disappearance. She told people she was getting a ride from her boyfriend. Whether Angie actually had a boyfriend and the possible boyfriend’s identity are part of the mystery. Teddy saw Angie when she briefly returned home after the party. Teddy is the last person known to have seen Angie, although she was slow to admit that fact to her parents and the police.

A subreddit is devoted to Angie’s disappearance, giving fools the opportunity to assign blame. That seems to be a favorite American pastime. Many people who comment on internet forums think Mark is creepy because he married his brother’s widow. Since they regard him as creepy, they assume he killed Angie or did something that drove her into hiding. Why anyone would think Mark’s choice of marital partners is a reason to judge him, much less evidence of murder, is a mystery equal to Angie’s disappearance.

As Rabbit Hole begins, Mark has just committed suicide by driving off a bridge on the tenth anniversary of Angie’s disappearance. He had a substance abuse problem that predated Angie’s fate.

Teddy’s father was conducting his own investigation into Angie’s disappearance. As Teddy goes through his papers, she finds some notes that apparently relate to investigative leads. One is the phone number of a landscaper who Angie thought was hot (so did Teddy, although she wouldn’t admit it to Angie). A text on Mark’s phone leads Teddy to her brother’s ex-wife. Blurry photographs might or might not prove that Angie is still alive. Examining Angie’s old social media accounts (who knew that MySpace still exists?) provides more clues but no definitive answers.

Mark was in touch with Mickey Greeley, a woman who, as an apparent hobby, investigated Angie’s disappearance. Whether Mickey resembles Angie at the age of her disappearance seems to be a matter of opinion. Maybe Mark hung out with Mickey because of that resemblance. Maybe Mark was sleeping with Mickey. Angie can’t be sure, although Angie and Mickey become attached in a clingy way that might have been similar to Mickey’s relationship with Mark.

The story is told in the third person from Teddy’s perspective. Teddy is a high school teacher. She has an empty apartment but she spends most of her time with her mother, with whom she has a strained relationship. Teddy has no boyfriend. A shrink told her that Angie’s disappearance has made her fear happy endings. She has taken herself off the dating apps again, although she knows she will return when she wants sex or a good restaurant meal.

Kate Brody does an impressive job of planting real and misleading clues to keep multiple mysteries in play throughout the novel. What happened to Angie? Which supporting characters are disguising their true stories? Did any of them play a role in Angie’s disappearance and, if so, why are they making themselves part of Teddy’s life?

Teddy is such a mess that she’s almost a sympathetic character, if only because she loves and is caring for Angie’s old and dying dog. She’s also maddening in ways that make it difficult to sustain sympathy. Teddy makes bad decisions. When she’s doxxed on Reddit, she buys a gun, starts carrying it with her, forgets she has it and brings it to school. The choices she makes about sex partners range from questionable to awful and become more dangerous (at least psychologically) as the novel nears its end.

I give high marks to the subreddit transcripts, which perfectly capture the idiocy of Reddit discussions. I also appreciated Teddy’s questions about her father when she begins to suspect he might have been a bad guy. Should she stop loving and missing him if her suspicions prove to be true? Does the part of him she loved just disappear if she learns that another part of him was creepy?

A good many readers are uncomfortable with ambiguous endings. They want all their questions answered. But like many “true crimes” that are discussed on blogs, internet forums, and bad television shows, the truth isn’t always knowable. The information Teddy acquires points to a plausible explanation of Angie’s disappearance, but definitive answers are elusive. The novel’s purpose is not to solve the mystery but to explore the impact of “true crime” speculation upon a family that has no answers. In some respects, that makes Rabbit Hole a more interesting novel than it might have been if the mystery had been neatly resolved, although I recognize that readers who demand certainty will be frustrated with the way the story ends.

RECOMMENDED

Rabbit Hole shows the dark path grief and obsession will lead you down. Brody writing is clear and haunting but it was missing a true mystery element and meandered in places.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Rabbit Hole by Kate Brody is, as the title suggests, the written depiction of what it is like to go down the rabbit hole in modern day. Teddy is dealing with some dark and challenging circumstances - her sister went missing ten years ago and now her dad has killed himself. As she explores to see what led to his death she finds that he was involved in some Reddit threads focused on Angie. This launches Teddy into the rabbit hole.

Overall, this book didn’t work for me personally. I enjoyed the premise and concept but the execution didn’t hook me. I think a lot of readers will enjoy it, though!

Thank you to NetGalley and SoHo press for the ARC. Rabbit Hole is out now!

Unfortunately, not for me. I liked the set up and don't mind dark. books, but this was bleak to the point of depression. I also hated that the dog had to die in such a sick way. I'd try the author again, but this was too much for me.

A taut, twisty novel on the vortex of grief that we must navigate, and the devastating consequences of obsession. Darkly compelling, Rabbit Hope showcases the ways in which true crime sensationalism, social media, and societal pressures place more stress on victims of loss and trauma, and how uncertainty is fueled by the whims and discretions of others. It is a chilling reminder that the subjects of theories, chat threads, video essays, were real people with real friends and families, who often push themselves to extremes in the pursuit of answers, justice. Hauntingly sad with a faint core of hope, this novel is a winding trip into the whirlpool of coping mechanisms, the chase of information, the peeling back of layers, an examination of hard truths, of crossroads.

Ten years ago Teddy’s sister Angie disappeared and the unsolved case deeply impacted her family. When her father commits suicide Teddy becomes obsessed with the Reddit rabbit hole about Angie’s disappearance her father had been reading and posting on. What happened to Angie? While I overall enjoyed reading this book it was, at times, difficult to continue as the main character slowly becomes unhinged in her investigation. There is a lot of unresolved grief for the characters and I can see the argument that her actions stem from that grief, but for me some choices felt a bit unbelievable. I also felt the ending, while unexpected, was pretty unsatisfying after the rollercoaster of the rest of the novel.

Rabbit Hole is being marketed as a twisty mystery, but that just isn’t right. This is not your average page turning thriller, or even a typical novel of suspense. This is a portrait of grief, and a deep dive into how the hole someone leaves behind can sometimes widen as the year go on.

Kate Brody is not afraid to be visceral in her descriptions; there is no looking away from the ugliness of Teddy Angstrom’s struggle as she falls down the same rabbit hole of research that ended with her father ending his own life. Teddy isn’t always likable - she makes terrible choices, steers into her own destruction, and allows herself to get carried away. I loved the rawness of her portrayal; I felt as close to her as you can get with a fictional character.

But again, this isn’t really a mystery. It is truly a character study of how Teddy copes with the disappearance of her older sister and the way that event had ripple effects throughout her family. There are elements of mystery that kept me glued to the page, and I found myself spiraling into different theories right alongside Teddy at times.

As a light trigger warning, there are some upsetting moments with animals. One of the key storylines is about an aging dog who has just been diagnosed as terminal. None of it is gratuitous, but if you’re sensitive to stuff like that tread carefully.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book and will be eagerly awaiting whatever Kate Brody writes next.

If you loved THE GUEST, like me and if you are fans of EILEEN and FLEABAG you may want to add Rabbit Hole to your TBR!

This hits me in the literary fiction space with beautiful prose and the emotional downward spiral being the thrill (we all love to read/watch a crash).

RABBIT HOLE is a literary thriller about a woman who falls into a Reddit conspiracy around her sister's disappearance. Author @allierowbottom (AESTHETICA) called it “blistering, sexy, and concentric.”

Grieving the loss of her troubled father and haunted by family secrets, Teddy embarks on a journey of self-discovery, wrestling with depression and making questionable decisions. Despite her flaws, she remains a compelling protagonist, her emotional journey mirrored by the setting's blend of beauty and decay (plus a nod to Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart”).

The setting, a blend of majestic Maine forests and seedier urban landscapes, mirrors Teddy's internal landscape, reflecting her struggles with darkness and redemption. Brody's keen eye for detail, particularly in capturing human movement and subtle nuances, lends an almost cinematic quality to the storytelling.

The interspersed Reddit interactions serve as a reminder of the harsh realities of online anonymity. Brody's masterful storytelling delves into the labyrinth of human emotions, creating a captivating and thought-provoking read.

I fell down the rabbit hole myself with this one. Rabbit Hole is exactly that-a very fast fall down into an obsession only to desperately try to seek answers! Kate Brody weaves a story about an unhinged, self-destructive main female character, Teddy, who becomes obsessed with her sister's murder that went completely cold and why her dad/uncle killed himself all the while making friends with a stranger that inserted herself into Teddy's life that is unstable herself. Rabbit Hole is a great read all around!

I had trouble with this book. It was too slow burn, dark, and basically about a disturbed woman making horrible decisions. I can’t deal with the animal part. I was just not a fan of this one, unfortunately.

Wow I absolutely loved this book! It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. At times, I caught myself holding my breath! Definitely highly recommend this!

This book was slightly different from what I was expecting. I expected a literary thriller along the lines of Notes of an Execution but instead it was more an unhinged main character story with a side of mystery. I personally was more interested in the mystery than the self destructive behaviour of Teddy Angstrom.

I didn't like a lot of the decisions Teddy made, I didn't like her unhealthy relationship with Micky or Bill and I didn't like the relationship between her and her mother. Whilst I enjoyed the plot at first, focusing on the disappearance of Teddy's sister Angie, her Dad's struggles and the Reddit rabbit hole she found herself drawn into, the second half seemed to focus less on that and more on Teddy's spiral into depression.

It's difficult to read about such self destructive behaviour and I found the book quite frustrating at times and became tired of all the decisions Teddy was making. It was quite draining to read. The ending I felt was just a bit ridiculous.

From now on, if a book is described as being about an unhinged main character, obsession and grief I'll probably give it a miss.

Read this if you enjoyed I'm a Fan, Motherthing or Death of A Bookseller

Have you seen bookstagram go up in arms this week?

That's because they are all buzzing on what I promise will be the next bestseller...

Rabbit Hole

Although the content at times can have you cringing, the way the story comes together for an explosive ending will have it all making sense.

I have seen a few people mention the trigger warnings, and although I say I can't stomach animal cruelty I was happy to have been provided the warning and I skipped around those parts without getting lost. (I still wish they weren't included but also understand it assists with character development)

This is a mind bending, slow burn, psychological thriller that digs deep into female friendship and will have you doubting everything you once thought you knew. Don't believe me? See for yourself..

check out this teaser :

Ten years ago, Theodora “Teddy” Angstrom’s older sister, Angie, went missing. Her case remains unsolved. Now Teddy’s father, Mark, has killed himself. Unbeknownst to Mark’s family, he had been active in a Reddit community fixated on Angie, and Teddy can’t help but fall down the same rabbit hole.

Teddy’s investigation quickly gets her in hot water with her gun-nut boyfriend, her long-lost half brother, and her colleagues at the prestigious high school where she teaches English. Further complicating matters is Teddy’s growing obsession with Mickey, a charming amateur sleuth who is eerily keen on helping her solve the case.

Bewitched by Mickey, Teddy begins to lose her moral compass. As she struggles to reconcile new information with old memories, her erratic behavior reaches a fever pitch, but she won’t stop until she finds Angie—or destroys herself in the process.

Rabbit Hole is an outrageous and heart-wrenching character study of a mind twisted by grief, a biting critique of the internet’s voyeurism, and an intriguing exploration of the blurry lines of female friendship.

The perfect edge of your seat, can’t stop turning page of a psychological thriller. Haven’t had a book like this in awhile. Will definitely recommend to my audience.

Rabbit Hole will have you wading through a miasma of raw thoughts and feelings. A well crafted debut.

Full Murder in Common review available here: https://murderincommon.com/2024/01/07/kate-brody-rabbit-hole/

💻BOOK REVIEW💻

Rabbit Hole - Kate Brody

Thank you @recordedbooks for my ALC and @soho_press for my printed copy!

“Conspiracy theories from Reddit seduce a disaster-prone woman into an obsession with solving her older sister’s cold-case disappearance

Ten years ago, Theodora “Teddy” Angstrom’s older sister, Angie, went missing. Her case remains unsolved. Now Teddy’s father, Mark, has killed himself. Unbeknownst to Mark’s family, he had been active in a Reddit community fixated on Angie, and Teddy can’t help but fall down the same rabbit hole.

Teddy’s investigation quickly gets her in hot water with her gun-nut boyfriend, her long-lost half brother, and her colleagues at the prestigious high school where she teaches English. Further complicating matters is Teddy’s growing obsession with Mickey, a charming amateur sleuth who is eerily keen on helping her solve the case.

Bewitched by Mickey, Teddy begins to lose her moral compass. As she struggles to reconcile new information with old memories, her erratic behavior reaches a fever pitch, but she won’t stop until she finds Angie—or destroys herself in the process.

A biting critique of the internet’s voyeurism, Rabbit Hole is an outrageous and heart-wrenching character study of a mind twisted by grief—and a page-turning mystery that’s as addictive as a late-night Reddit binge.”

I am so torn on this one. I LOVED the writing style and immediately was drawn into the story. I loved the character driven story and the Reddit/true crime aspect. I found the relationship between Teddy and Mickey very odd and slightly predatory. The ending was so unsatisfying and unresolved though! Which I guess is the honest hard reality of some missing persons cases.

Also CW: there was a graphic unnecessary death of a pet that almost made me stop reading.

Recommend if you like:
- True crime rabbit holes
- Character driven stories
- Unsolved mysteries
- Unreliable narrators
- Exploring grief/unanswered questions