This was a really good and suspenseful thriller. I detested Nathan so, so much. I found the relationship between the sisters to be really interesting as it was so nuanced.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Publishers, and Kate Alice Marshall for an ARC of No One Can Know! This book really shows how far someone will go to keep a secret because it about destroyed Emma’s life. Emma and her sisters, Juliette and Daphne, parents were murdered and they became estranged. 14 years later, Emma finds herself going back to where it all started after her husband loses his job and they are running low on money. Oh and also, Emma is pregnant 🫣. Her arrival back in Arden Hills starts stirring everything back up from where it left off and everyone thinks Emma killed her parents. All Emma wants to do is live her life and move on - but she can’t help but start asking questions about what really happened. How far would you go to keep a secret that may destroy everything you thought you knew. I did really enjoy the book and trying to figure out what’s actually true or a lie. It was hard keeping track of what was going on but overall, very enjoyable book!

Wasn’t a big fan of KAM’s first novel, what lies in the woods, but this one was sooo much better. The pacing was better and I enjoyed the premise more. It was a lot less predictable

This one really sucked me in to the story from page one. I loved the multiple POVs combined with timelines of past and present. But man, that ending just left me disappointed? I don’t know what I was wanting, but it felt rushed and I felt a little deflated like.. all this build up was for that? I typically love this author’s writing style and have read 2 of her other books. I guess I just wanted something wild and explosive that felt in keeping with the rest of the story for the ending of this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Alice Marshall and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley and Flatiron Books, for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book for review.

The author masterfully conceals the truth, skillfully scattering breadcrumbs of clues through the three sisters, creating a suspenseful narrative that intrigues the reader from one page to the next.

In their teenage years, the sisters - Juliette, Emma, and Daphne - were devastated by the discovery of their parents' lifeless bodies in their family home. Emma, positioned as the middle sister, was implicated as the culprit, but the absence of concrete evidence left the case unresolved and cold. This traumatic incident splintered the sisters, with Juliette fleeing without looking back, while Emma and Daphne were thrust into separate foster homes. Emma’s financial issues lead her back to their childhood home, unearthing the truth about that dreadful night and setting the stage for a poignant reunion of the sisters.

Each sister is meticulously developed and is convincingly relatable. Despite the parents being portrayed as detestable characters, the sisters evolve uniquely. Juliette, the eldest, conceals her resentment towards her parents under the guise of the ideal daughter, embodying the journey of a young woman coming into her own, particularly in terms of her sexuality. Emma, the temperamental and artistic middle sister, aspires to escape her parents' clutches. The loss of her sisters, however, transforms her into a more subversive character. Daphne, the youngest sister, harbors the most significant secret. Her evolution from a timid teenager into a self-assured woman is a captivating journey to behold.

The narrative employs unreliable narrators as the sisters' perspectives cannot be entirely trusted. Just when you believe you've deciphered the truth, the author ingeniously surprises you with a divergent rendition of reality, keeping you on your toes until the very last page. The task of determining the veracity of the story is left to the readers, inviting them to choose which sister to believe.

The novel's conclusion offers an optimistic contrast to its beginning, a rare occurrence in the realm of thrillers or mysteries. The happy ending is believable enough to be conceivable, providing a satisfying resolution that readers can fully embrace.

I like this author and was really excited for her latest novel. I finished this in 2 days because I just had to get to the bottom of this whodunnit. However, there is a lot of back and forth between past and present so it’s probably best not to rush it. It was good, def kept me guessing. & the end was surprising. Not a favorite of mine but still enjoyable. I think it just had too much going on.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
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No One Can Know is the second of Mashall’s books I’ve read and it is just as addicting, thrilling and twisty as What Lies In The Woods. I devoured this in one day and my head was spinning from all the secrets, revelations and twists.
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Told in multiple points of view through the three Palmer sisters, Emma, Juliette and Daphne. In the beginning I felt like I was a bit confused as to who was who, but that only lasted briefly. With each sister comes a new secret, one that once revealed will have you gasping. It’s also told in a dual timeline between the past, (before and leading up to their parents murder) and in the now.
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This was totally gripping right from the start keeping my attention up until the end. I loved this fast paced, twisty and shocking story! There are a ton of twists at the end that will have you second guessing yourself. Be prepared to be unable to put this one down once you pick it up.
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I was able to read and listen to this one. Karissa Vacker did a great job at narrating all three sisters, though I do wish this was a full cast. I thought the audio was well done and definitely recommend it.
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No One Can Know comes out 1/23/24, but is available as a prerelease via BOTM. Be sure to check this one out! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Kate Alice Marshall, Macmillan Audio and Flatiron Books for my ALC and eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Having just completed this captivating book, I find myself immersed in a world where the past echoes loudly, and every page holds the promise of rediscovery. The protagonist, a resilient woman, takes center stage in a narrative that skillfully weaves together elements of nostalgia, tragedy, and heartfelt moments.

The author's ability to paint vivid scenes through words made the journey back to the old house and hometown a sensory experience. Each chapter unfolded with a perfect blend of suspense, emotion, and nostalgia, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

The characters, a diverse ensemble, are expertly crafted, eliciting a spectrum of emotions from empathy to frustration. The ending, while bittersweet, adds a layer of authenticity to the story, leaving me with a profound sense of reflection.

Returning to one's roots is a theme expertly explored, turning the protagonist's life upside down in a way that felt both relatable and profound. The narrative's pacing is impeccable, allowing for a seamless flow that kept me engaged from start to finish.

In conclusion, this book is a literary gem that invites readers to embark on a soul-stirring journey of rediscovery. Highly recommended for those who appreciate rich character development and evocative storytelling.

My thoughts on…

THE STORY: The story itself was wild. Imagine your spouse loosing their job as you find out your pregnant; the house you were going to buy is now off the table as a result, and you paid all of your saving in earnest money, so that is now gone. That’s our main character’s life as the story opens.

The only option to keep a roof over their heads is to return to the home where Emma’s parents were murdered.

This is such a contentious part of the story because Emma does NOT want to go. It’s important that readers know that from the start; there are secrets - which is what the book explores - that Emma “wants” to know but is afraid to know.

While Emma seems to be the main character, the story itself is told from the viewpoint of all three sisters. It also goes back and forth between “Then” and “Now,” which I enjoyed because it gave me a glimpse of what each sister experienced, and things were not always as they seemed to others.

Readers will find themselves guessing about the truth throughout the story. There are so many twists and turns, and just when we think we have it figured out, there’s another missing piece (that we didn’t know was missing) to the puzzle that shows itself.

The ending is a jaw dropper, especially for those that are still fairly new to thriller reads. But even I dropped my jaw, and I’ve been reading for 40 years.

THE CHARACTERS: There is so much complexity around each sister.

Emma is the one everyone in the town thinks did it. While she’s trying to navigate all that the universe has handed her, so is not only returning to a home where her parents were murdered but also to a town that believes she was the culprit. This was masterfully done.

Did I mention Emma is the middle child? Talk about middle sibling syndrome. For those familiar with this term, you will see this as part of Emma’s characterization.

Juliette is the oldest sibling, but she prefers to go by JJ. She was the apple of her parents’ eye until the murder, and then she leaves for college afterward. She does not live her life under suspicion in the way Emma does, but she does carry secrets that weigh her down. Readers will feel this weight the entire novel, even when the truth is revealed.

And then there’s Daphne, the youngest. Daphne is the carrier of secrets. She carries more secrets than her two older sisters because Daphne, being the youngest, learned how to make herself invisible.

I don't even want to talk about Emma’s husband Nathan because as a character, I just wanted to fight him the entire time he was on the page. He is the spouse we all hope we do not end up with. When you read, you’ll know why VERY quickly. The author does not make us work for that.

There are other characters that are brought in to create intrigue, doubt, hope, but I will save those for you when you read this.

THE ATMOSPHERE: This does not have a single atmosphere. It shifts throughout the novel, depending on the time we are in (Then or Now), and depending on where we are. Each character brings a different atmosphere with them, and I liked that. It didn’t let me get comfortable and cozy. I was on my toes the entire read because I was not sure where I was going to be or how I was going to feel (gotta love the use of mood in a thriller).

OVERALL IMPRESSION: I absolutely loved the story, I loved the sisters, and I loved the twists and turns that kept me turning the page. I did not read this in one sitting because I had to put it down and chew on parts of the story, but I can see many seasoned thriller readers zipping right through until the very end.

But we warned, this is a book you will want to discuss, so I heavily recommend having a reading buddy if you can.

WHO WILL WANT TO READ THIS: This book will appeal to thriller readers. If you are new to thrillers, this is a fantastic choice because it brings to the page all the things thriller lovers tend to enjoy.

Following the journey of three sisters whose parents were murdered in their home when they were kids, No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall slowly unwinds through each sister's perspective. Each chapter is told from a different POV and pieces together what happened on that fateful night all those years ago. Emma has always been held as a suspect in the eyes of local law enforcement and the town even though she was never convicted. Once she left town she vowed never to return. Years later a pregnant Emma and her husband must move into her parents old house. With her arrival and the return of her sisters JJ and Daphne, the three must work together to figure out what really happened to their parents.

Overall, No One Can Know is a solid entry into the mystery thriller genre. The plot twists we unexpected and the characters were developed enough to tell them apart during their respective chapters. While no new territory was entered, I really enjoyed the pacing of the book and would recommend it, especially the audiobook.

This thriller takes you through a journey with three sisters, two murders, and a ton of secrets, and overall I liked this book. The aspects of this book I enjoyed were: the flashback to the murders at the very beginning, the three sisters' POVs with dual timelines, and the narrator of the audiobook. The part I did not love was the second tragedy that happens in the middle of the book. It felt far fetched and unnecessary, in my opinion.

feel like as compelled as I was to find out the main mystery resolution this was a little slow moving overall. I did like how I didn't completely guess the ending but overall not my favorite.

So twisty and kept me guessing to the end. I love the multiple perspectives and thought this book unfolded in such a way that left me trusting everyone and no one at the same time. I really enjoyed this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Apparently I have been sleeping on Kate Alice Marshall. I randomly picked up What Lies in the Woods earlier this year and *devoured* it, so clearly I was floored when I saw No One Can Know on NetGalley and snagged an ARC. This book had everything! Strict parents who are murdered in cold blood? Check. Strained relationship between sisters? Check. Moody abandoned estate? Check. And the list goes on.

Told in alternating perspectives and timelines, this was definitely the epitome of a domestic drama/thriller. However, I also thought there was a bigger overarching theme of sisterhood, which resonated with me having two sisters of my own.

Do not sleep on this book!

What Lies in the Woods was one of my favorite books last year, so I was VERY excited to read No One Can Know. Unfortunately, this one didn't really work for me. The pace felt very slow, and I couldn't quite get a handle on the characters or what was happening, and the whole thing ended up being kind of boring.

That said, they can't all be winners, and I'm still going to be first in line to read whatever Marshall writes next.

"The author of What Lies in the Woods returns with a novel about three sisters, two murders, and too many secrets to count.

Emma hasn't told her husband much about her past. He knows her parents are dead and she hasn't spoken to her sisters in years. Then they lose their apartment, her husband gets laid off, and Emma discovers she's pregnant - right as the bank account slips into the red.

That's when Emma confesses that she has one more asset: her parents' house, which she owns jointly with her estranged sisters. They can't sell it, but they can live in it. But returning home means that Emma is forced to reveal her secrets to her husband: that the house is not a run-down farmhouse but a stately mansion, and that her parents died there.

Were murdered.

And that some people say Emma did it.

Emma and her sisters have never spoken about what really happened that night. Now, her return to the house may lure her sisters back, but it will also crack open family and small-town secrets lots of people don't want revealed. As Emma struggles to reconnect with her old family and hold together her new one, she begins to realize that the things they have left unspoken all these years have put them in danger again."

Kate Alice Marshall has become a must read author for me.

Anything Kate Marshall writes I will read and I know I will love. This is a great horror/suspense/mystery and I could not get enough of it. This book had me sitting on the edge of the couch biting my nails I was so absorbed in it. Stunning book! Absolutely loved it!
I just reviewed No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall. #NetGalley
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[4.5 stars]

Every family has their secrets, but not all families have secrets that could harm their loved ones. Emma and her sisters, Juliette (JJ) and Daphne, are the secret keepers of their family. After 14 years, and a number of setbacks that lead her here, Emma returns "home" to her family house. Where her mother and father were murdered all those years ago. As Emma and her husband begin going through the house and its relics, Emma begins to question her memory of that night. Although he was deemed the prime suspect, she knows she did not play a part in her parents' murder. But if she didn't, then who did? And why are all of the sisters hiding something about that night? However, as Emma keeps digging into the past, the more dangerous her search becomes. Everyone in Arden Hills is convinced Emma had a part in that night and are unhappy she has returned to town. Some residents more angry (and motivated for revenge) than others. Emma must reconnect with her estranged sisters to finally put this night to rest. As they recall their memories of the night, more questions arise. Who really killed their parents and are they still out there?

Kate Alice Marshall does it again! I could not put this one down and stayed up way too late finishing the book - lol. There were twists upon twists and just when you thought you had it all figured out, you were completely wrong. I even found myself audibly reacting to events in the story; which is something I rarely do. All I have to say is, what a wild ride. My only complaint is that sometimes with the dual timeline and multiple viewpoints, I found myself getting confused. But, it wasn't anything a quick look back couldn't fix. This will keep you on the edge of your seat from the very first page. If you loved What Lies in the Woods, you will absolutely devour this one.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review. Kate Alice Marshall is becoming a new favorite author of mine. I really enjoyed this story. The ending was full of twists and I absolutely did not guess what was going to happen!

4.5 stars
The premise of Marshall’s book drew me in immediately. I read the book and listened to the audio both provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
Emma and her sisters are estranged after the death of their parents years earlier. But Emma and her husband are forced to move back to the house where her parents were murdered, and where she was the main suspect.
Emma begins asking questions about what happened years ago and old suspicions arise again.
There were lots of twists that kept the plot moving quickly and the reader engaged. I highly recommend this book to fans of suspense and thrillers. With a TA for abuse.