One of Us Knows is a gripping thriller that delves into the complexities of dissociative identity disorder while weaving a suspenseful tale of mystery and survival. The protagonist, Kenetria Nash, once a promising historical preservationist, is given a second chance as a resident caretaker of a historic home on an isolated Hudson River island. After years of being dormant due to a breakdown and diagnosis, Ken is determined to seize this opportunity.

The story takes a tense turn when a surprise visit from the home’s conservation trust coincides with an impending Nor’easter, trapping Ken with a group of potentially dangerous strangers. Among them is the man who previously shattered her life, and his subsequent murder puts Ken in the crosshairs as the prime suspect.

I loved the premise of this book, and I learned a lot about how a person living with DID makes their way through the world each day. It is a good beach read, but I wouldn't call it a must read.

I honestly didn't know how to rate this book. I can only say that the premise of multiple-personality Ken fighting for her life in a castle with a past is unique. Ken's many personalities interact and it's like reading a novel with real characters instead of one woman's separate identities/alternate identities popping up here and there during the narrative.

This plethora of characters/alters that belong to one woman known as Ken made me confused overall, however, and I found the novel too long to keep my interest. Ken's multple personalities were so many and so diverse, I flipped to the ending. A shorter version of the book would have kept my attention possibly. And I really didn't understand the ending. Did Ken fall in love with one of her alternate identities?

A thriller that gives extra meaning to the title and also to the term psychological in the genre psych thriller.

This was a super unique story and I loved the idea of it, but it took me a long time to get my head around all the characters. I still really enjoyed it overall though, it was delightfully creepy, paced well, and I liked the way everything was wrapped up. I’m surprised by the negative reviews, I really did find it fascinating even if it was overwhelming. Huge Alyssa Cole fan.

A cross between Identity, Split, and Surviving the Game that ropes you in one chapter at a time.

This is my first Cole thriller, and I originally signed up unsure of what I was walking into except, thriller. I loved Cole’s Reluctant Royals and her Off The Grid series. Her jump to thrillers was a surprise, but ultimately, I believe in this author’s voice and ability to craft spectacular storytelling. One of Us Knows is a testament to writing a very complicated storyline and successfully pulling off a whirlwind ride.

I’m not going to dig too much into the plot of the story, but it’s well known that the main character, Kenetria, Ken for short, has DID (dissociative identity disorder). There are several personalities in this story, all of them in Ken’s head, and they each get a momentary chance to shine. While this element kept things interesting, it also proved frustrating. As a plot device, the main character, not always having full control over who was the main personality present, worked to drive tension and force me to keep turning the pages.

I also liked the romantic element of this story. There are plenty of twists, some more predictable than others, but there are plenty of hints that appeared masterful by the time I got about eighty percent through. There is nothing coincidental, and everything in this story connects to something else, which, in the end, I loved chasing back the details.

What slowed me down, aka kept this from a five? Ken is a tough character to like. She’s real, raw, and for a good portion of this book, I didn’t like her. Communication, or lack thereof, is used for a major portion of the conflict, which frustrated me. Finally, this book is slow. It has a slow build that often made it easy for me to put the book down until I got about fifty percent of the way through.

For readers who like twisty stories, this one may be for you. While it’s not a perfect book, I’ll say the story has stuck with me for days afterward, and that’s a good sign.

~ Landra

After being “out of it” for a few years, Ken finds herself on her way to a new job on an island where the only other inhabitant is the groundskeeper. The problem? She doesn’t remember taking the job or any of the details about the abandoned mansion she’s expected to tend to.

I read a physical copy of this book and listened to the audiobook version. I was really into the story for the first few chapters and really enjoyed it. Around the time that Ken makes it to the mansion and spends her first night there, the story began to drag, and it became a bit confusing to keep up with all of the personalities/characters/details. I felt like since there was so much information to remember, I had to notate and create tabs in order to remember everything. This caused me to become less interested in the story, because the flow was disrupted by me having to take so many notes to keep up.

I think the book had potential, but because it was too detailed and confusing, finishing the book felt a little forced.

Thank you, Partner William Morrow Books for providing an early copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the free ARC of One of Us Knows in exchange for my honest review.

One of Us Knows tells the story of Kenetria "Ken" Nash and her recent fortune of securing a caretaker position at a secluded mansion on a private island. The only problem? She didn't apply for the position; one of her other personalities did. Ken has DID (dissociative identity disorder) and when her inner world collies with the reality of her outer world problems ensue.

The premise was definitely interesting, but I'm finding it hard to give this thriller a rating. I really enjoyed the idea of the different personalities and how each had a very specific voice. I also loved the gothic setting of the mansion. I did find parts hard to follow at times with all the different "characters" and especially when the personalities would change who was most dominant at the time (sometimes even mid-moment).

This ended up just being an average read for me, but I very much applaud Cole for trying something totally different from anything else I've ever read. It even sent me on an internet search rabbit hole to learn more about multiple personality disorders, which was incredibly enlightening. I look forward to checking out more from this author in the future.

Very interesting book, I don't believe I have read a book with the main character having DID before. I do wish there had been more buildup to the book, as it moved from some spots so quickly it made it harder to feel invested in the story.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author!

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for a free copy of One of Us Knows in exchange for my honest opinion.
I dove into One of Us Knows on my flight to Savannah, listening to the audiobook while following along with my review copy. I’m glad I was able to follow along with the ebook while listening because there is a lot going on in this story. Unlike any book I’ve read before, One of Us Knows follows a main character with Dissociative Identity Disorder, where seven plus different personalities known as headmates share the action as well as a journal to keep each other aware of what they’ve done while in charge. The perspective can switch almost instantaneously, and I found it difficult to tell when conversations were inside thoughts (with other headmates) or outside thoughts (about the current situation for the physical character) without following along in written form. I had no idea where the plot was going, but I was along for the ride. The setting is creepy, as are some of the characters, and I was never quite sure if everything was going to work out okay or not - both inside the main character’s head and in the real “outer” world.
This book is available everywhere now, and I recommend it as a unique read - although I think it is easier to understand in written form (or while listening and following along).

This one is tough to rate. First, major kudos to Cole for giving us something different. Ive never read a book with multiple personality disorder featured, and for the most part it worked. I love that the headmates had distinct voices and the unsettling gothic feel. She did a great job blurring genres- if you want something different and don’t mind a story with many POV, give this a go.

This was an interesting thriller with a DID character. I think Cole really represented the DID element well! This was a fun, fast paced read though I think the beginning took a bit of time to really get started. I can’t wait to buy One of Us Knows!

Ken Nash is a woman with a split personality disorder. She winds up stuck on Kavanaugh island with a killer on the loose fighting for her life.
This book goes back and forth so much between real and other world that I had a hard time keeping up with it. Totally different from her other books.
Thanks William Morrow for this ARC!

It took me a minute to get into the flow of this book, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. The quick-paced storyline was exceptionally captivating and gripping. I ended up going down a rabbit hole trying to learn more about Dissociative Identity Disorder. The combination of psychological elements, well-crafted perspectives, and fresh ideas created a captivating and addictive read.

Alyssa Cole is one of my favorite romance authors, and I LOVED her previous thriller When No One is Watching, so I was eagerly anticipating this one. Unfortunately I had to DNF it because it was dragging and I wasn't looking forward to picking it up. (I've learned to put books down that make me feel this way or else I will quickly fall into a reading slump.) A book with this premise, in this genre, but this author shouldn't make me bored, but this one did and I'm so disappointed.

First, thank you to the publisher for the early read access. I don't read mysteries a lot so this was a fun change of pace as well as a masterfully written tale. It has Shutter Island vibes but is 100% different from that. Great characters, twists, turns, and an ending that you probably won't really guess.

I loved When No One is Watching. I was so excited to read this. I still really enjoyed Cole's writing style in this, as always. She's talented without being overly complicated. I think she represents DID really respectfully and I thought all of the characters in the system were well presented and individual but the thriller aspect was not successful for me. It seemed like too obvious of a trap and a bad situation and the mystery elements lacked the nuance and skill of her first thriller. Will absolutely read her next thriller as soon as I can though because she's phenomenal.

One of Us Knows
By: Alyssa Cole

I read and listened to the audiobook through NetGalley & Macmillan Audio. I would give this book a 4 stars. If you’ve ever watched the movie Split and liked it, then you would definitely like this story.

This follows Ken Nash who suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder (multiple personalities). She has 7 known alters, which she calls headmates. Throughout the book we get the views of each of them. Also through a group journal they keep and right notes to each other of what’s taking place. For the past 6 years Ken has been taken over by her other personalities and she’s been dormant. When she returns to her body it’s 2022 and she realizes one of her personalities has taken a job as a caretaker on a mysterious island off the Hudson that has a gothic castle that she imagines all her “inner world” or personalities live in.

Later, Ken gets trapped on this island with strangers who run the estate and one of the strangers are from her past and he somehow ends up dead and Ken is the prime suspect. Ken and all her personalities try to prove her innocence and find out how they are all connected to this island.

The beginning of the story was very slow for me, I almost didn’t finish it, but I’m glad I stuck with it, it got a lot better and I ended up really enjoying it.

Kenetria returns from a years long dormancy (after a breakdown and diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder) to an opportunity to be a resident caretaker at a historic home that they can’t afford to refuse, despite all the bad vibes they’re getting from the very start. A surprise visit from the home’s trust along with a bad storm that strands them on the island and things quickly derail as secrets and danger abound.

This is my first book by Alyssa Cole and it won’t be my last. I absolutely inhaled this thriller, which was gripping from start to finish. I loved the insight offered into each character, the alter’s differing POVs and the storylines of current and past that just helped me really GET what was going on and why. It was fascinating and honestly heartwarming - maybe because I know what it’s like to feel so very alone in your trauma.

This story explores how those with power and privilege often leverage systemic oppression to indulge cruel and sadistic violence, while claiming moral superiority and gaslighting the rest of us when we point out the horror and dissonance.

If you enjoy a fast paced, suspense-FULL story full of surprises, definitely pick this one up!

Thank you Cocoa Chapters Book Tours, William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is a good thriller. I love it when you think you know what's about to happen, and then boom, you get misled. The story is fast-paced, and the characters are very interesting. I had to read up on dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorders), which was education and helped me understand the main character better. I plan to read this book again in the fall when the vibes are right, but overall, I enjoyed this story and can't wait for another one.

Thank you to William Morrow, Cocoa Chapters, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

GENERAL INFO

One of Us Knows- a standalone

Year Pub/Re Pub: 4/16/24, Read 5/18/24

Format: eBook, 344 pages

Source: Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for this ARC💙 !  I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Setting: NY

Genre: mystery/suspense, psychological thriller

Tropes: Mental health, multiple POVs, haunted castle, myths of goblins and the Fae
 
HEA/HFN ending: HEA(maybe)

Epilogue Included: yes, not sure what it means but Ken and Solomon seem content

BOOK DESCRIPTION
Kenetria "Ken" Nash is hired to become the caretaker of a historic estate on Kavanaugh Island. The ferryman John and the grounds keeper Celeste tell her she has the job if she spends one night in the castle. Ken will have to face her past, and survive when a murderer is on the loose.

M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F, F/F

Representation: POC, LGBTQIIA+

Flashbacks: There are a lot because of the DID personalities. From Ken's childhood, teenage years, and adult life she has with her alters Della, Solomon, Empress, Keke, Mesmer, Lurk, and Rapunzel.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

Ken: the main character and narrator but she's unreliable because of her dissociative identity disorder (DID) with eight known alters. She refers to her alters as "Groupthink" in the "system" within the inner world with head mates. Ken has been absent for several years, her memories are murky with plenty of missing pieces, and at times she has no clue where she is or what she's doing.

Solomon: One of Ken's alters who takes over a lot and seems to be the voice of reason.

Landon: Ken's ex boyfriend whose father Winslow Pearson is a descent of Simon Kavanaugh and part of the conservation trust. Ken attacked Landon's father but its a mystery as to why.

John: the ferry man with a sinister aura

Celeste: the groundskeeper who treats Ken badly when they first meet, but as things get dicey, she becomes a good ally.

Simon Kavanaugh and Grace Castle: they lived in the castle in early 1900s.

OW/OM/Exes: ex boyfriend Landon

AUTHOR OVERVIEW: Alyssa Cole-I've read An Extraordinary Union and gave it 4*

PERSONAL OVERVIEW
Overall Rating: 4/5

Do You Recommend This Book: yes

Will You Re-read This Book: maybe

Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes

COMMENTS/NOTES: Even though I was confused I took the ride with Ken. I felt her despair, depression, and self hatred. The system she lives in reminds me of the movie "Glass" with James McAvoy playing a man with DID. The trauma Ken suffers having to piece together what is happening is an emotional rollercoaster. The themes of racism, misogyny, and SA make for a realistic depiction of the struggles of mental illness

I was excited about this one but it didn't really pick up until about 150 pages in which was a little rough. I think it was almost too clever of a concept?? I felt like there was a lot of time spent setting up all of the characters and what was going on that that plot was almost anticlimatic which is fine in some books but not what I expect from a mystery/thriller.. I felt like it failed with having each personality be interesting, some were not and I spent a lot of time just wishing their sections were over and none of them were that compelling.