Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for an ALC via NetGalley for this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Emma and her husband are in a bit of a pinch, and he pushes for them to move back to her small hometown and into her family home, which has been kept in the family but vacant since her parents died when she was a teenager. But once they arrive in town, her husband quickly sees that fixing up the house to sell is a larger task than he expected and Emma is not exactly welcome in the town.
Emma, Juliet, and Daphne are sisters - Juliet the oldest, Emma in the middle, and Daphne the youngest. In the sections of the book from the past, the sisters are in high school. After their parents’ double murder, Emma works to protect her siblings. An event like this may bond siblings in some cases, but in their case they become estranged, never discussing that night or what has happened since.
While mostly focusing on Emma’s perspective, the book alternates between the other sisters' views, with segments in the present for all three along with segments in the past. Little by little the reader learns what happened back then along with what’s happening now.
I enjoyed the author’s debut adult thriller last January, but this one left me wanting more. I don’t know if it was due to the mix of past/present chapters, as well as the different sisters’ perspectives, which made it a bit confusing. Perhaps it would have been less confusing reading an ebook or print copy? I’m not sure. It also seemed too long, as I kept checking to see how much more time was left, since I had lost interest. Even though it was long, I had some questions at the end.
Unintentionally, this was the 3rd book in a row I’ve listened to narrated by Karissa Vacker, which was a delightful coincidence. I highly recommend her narration, as she is an amazing storyteller who makes each story come to life. I think she did as much as she could with this one. The book will publish this Tuesday, with print/ebook available through @flatironbooks

This book was alright to me. I found myself struggling to get into it and found myself disappointed towards the end. I do like multiple POVs in thrillers, and I did enjoy it in this one. But it took me around 50 pages to finally get into this one. It felt like there was more to Emma that could have been shown, I was not that connected or a fan of her because it felt like something was lacking. And the ending had me reeling in confusion with the amount of twists and unnecessary things going on. This was alright, but I was not the biggest fan of this book.

This story follows three sisters who haven’t seen each other in years, after the murder of their parents.
Emma, Daphne and JJ were born into a house with very strict and hard to please parents. When their parents are murdered, everyone blames the rebellious daughter Emma. But with all the secrecy, was it Emma or someone else who killed their parents?
Years later, Emma’s husband Nathan looses his job and Emma is pregnant. They move into her parents old house with the plans of fixing it up and selling it. But with Emma being back in the town that suspects her of murder, truths start becoming uncovered.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for an ARC audiobook. I love Karissa Vacker, and would listen to any book she narrates but I do wish there would have been three narrators, one for each sister.

I really enjoyed this novel. I liked the past and present chapters and how it alters between the three sisters with Emma being the main focus. I didn’t want to put this book down, it was so gripping. And every time I thought I had it figured out, I was thrown through a loop. I loved every minute of this novel. Highly recommend!

No One Can Know how I really feel about this book…

Kidding! You know I’m going to tell you…

I read ‘What Lies in the Woods’ when it came out last year and I was so captivated by it! When I heard about this one, I was just as intrigued, but I was unfortunately let down.

Synopsis:
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.

What I liked:
- It was twisty and compelling at times.
- The beginning and ending were good! It just lost me in the middle.

What I didn’t like:
- surprisingly, I didn’t like the characters. I think that’s why it was so hard for me to like this book.
- As I said above, the middle lost me. When listening to my reviewer’s audio copy, I kept checking how far in it was because it just felt like the pacing was off.

Overall, this book wasn’t bad per say, it just was a bit of a let down because the authors previous book was just so good. I don’t like when this comparison game happens because I want to give each book a fair shot, but c’est la vie.

This thriller started off strong but unfortunately became a bit muddled. I loved the premise and stuck it out in hopes that the resolution would make the journey worth it… jury’s still out.

The audiobook was narrated by the always wonderful Karissa Vacker. She brought some much needed emotion to the story during moments that fell flat.

Typically domestic thrillers with multiple POV, especially between family members works really well but this one was quite confusing. I am all for female empowerment but all the men in this book are just god awful and read like bad caricatures.

Overall, this one was a miss but I would love to check out whatever Kate Alice Marshall does next! 3.5 stars rounded up.

This was my first book by the author and I was completely hooked from page one! A woman and her husband move back into her childhood home where her parents were killed and she was accused of their murder. I mean, the concept alone had me hooked, It is definitely for a reader who likes a thriller that is more plot driven than character, which is great, just something to note! I was impressed by Kate Alice Marshall’s ability to draw me into the story and keep me turning pages. Great work and can’t wait to read more!

I have mixed feelings about this one. The beginning was definitely more interesting than the rest of the book. I found myself losing interest quick. I thought was way longer than it needed to be and by the end I still had so many unanswered questions 🫤
I did love the setting of the book and the sisters different POV’s.

Emma is the problematic child of super controlling parents. Her older sister Juliet is the perfect daughter, doing everything her parents want, and her younger sister Daphne is the favorite of their dad. That's why when both their parents are found murdered in their living room Emma becomes the main suspect of the crime.

But nothing is as it seems. Juliet has a secret life and Daphne has a strange obsession with gore. Emma decides to take hold of the situation and protect her sisters. So, for many years all her hometown considers her to be the killer. Then, she has to go back to her old house and new questions arise.

This book is a great thriller, murder-mystery that goes from present to past revealing bits and pieces of information as we meet new characters. I found most of the characters to be extremely annoying - but I guess that's what the point. I almost skipped all pages with the husband. This man is the worst person on earth for all I care, but Emma was also annoying because a lot of her problems could be solved if she only TALKED to her sisters or to her husband. Juliet was annoying for being a self-centered ass and Daphne is annoying for making decisions without talking to others. I guess the conflict could be solved with TALK.

The characters are annoying but their lack of communication is what makes things interesting. This is definitely a page turner!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy is exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Alice Marshall, and MacMillan Audio for graciously sending me the ARC audiobook for review. All thoughts are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially in its audiobook format narrated by the always excellent Karissa Vacker. The story unfolds in a small town, blending family drama with the complexities of a police force rife with 'good ole boy' attitudes.

What captivated me most was the brilliant character development, exploring the perspectives of the three sisters, Emma, JJ/Juliette, and Daphne. The narrative's clever use of present moments and flashbacks to the past added a dynamic and suspenseful layer to the storytelling.

The story revolves around the sisters reconciling their memories of the night of the murders of their parents and, told from each sister’s POV, how each perspective eventually gives us the whole story, adding a gripping element. Emma's character faced the town's rumors and assumptions, creating a compelling tension throughout the book.

Overall, the book expertly navigates family dynamics, small-town gossip, and police intrigue. Karissa Vacker's narration enhanced the experience, making it a captivating listen. Highly recommend for those who enjoy a mix of mystery, murder, and familial relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced listeners copy in exchange for an honest review.

I had an absolute blast with "No One Can Know" by Kate Alice Marshall! This twisty thriller kept me on the edge of my seat with its secrets, and the three sisters at the center of the story added a dynamic and engaging element.

“No One Can Know” is about Emma, with a mysterious past, faces a crisis when she and her husband lose their apartment, he loses his job, and they discover she's pregnant while their finances dwindle. In a desperate move, Emma reveals a hidden asset: her parents' house, jointly owned with estranged sisters. However, returning to the mansion forces Emma to disclose dark secrets—her parents' murder, rumors of her involvement, and the family's silence on that fateful night. As Emma navigates reconnecting with her sisters and managing her new family, old secrets resurface, unraveling family and town mysteries, endangering them once more.

While the twists didn't necessarily hit me like a bolt out of the blue, mostly because they make a lot of sense based on the information we have, I found them enjoyable. The character dynamics were such a highlight. I loved the relationship between these sisters and how their parents’ abuse affected that relationship.

What truly enhanced my experience was the immersive audiobook narrated by Karissa Vacker. I credit the combination of Marshall's well-crafted writing and Vacker's excellent performance with making it such a cinematic experience.

"No One Can Know" is a journey into a world of family secrets, small-town mysteries, and the dangers that come with unspoken truths. The dual-timeline storytelling was executed flawlessly, allowing me to piece together the puzzle while being thoroughly entertained. Highly recommend if you're looking for a thrilling ride that keeps you guessing until the very end!

Overall, it was a really fun read; it was well-paced and engaging all the way through. The massive amounts of secrets that everyone is keeping from each other keeps you wondering at what twist will come next.

Rating: 4 stars.

Falls short compared to "What Lies in the Woods."

Emma and her two sisters grapple with a haunting past that has lingered for years. The siblings, who had drifted apart, find themselves brought back together when Emma and her husband return to their childhood home—the very site of their parents' unsolved murder. As Emma settles in, memories from that fateful night gradually resurface, prompting her to question the events she witnessed. Buried secrets among the sisters start to unravel, leading to the revelation of long-concealed truths.

While the book showed initial promise, I struggled to connect with any of the characters and yearned for a more gripping and suspenseful atmosphere. In the end, it proved to be an average read.

3 sisters, 2 dead parents, many suspected subjects. 👀 Emma and Nathan find out that he was laid off from his job and with a surprise baby on the way, they need to save money fast. They decide to move into Emma’s parents old home, inherited when they were murdered. Once they returned back to her hometown, the past is brought to the surface and the case for her murdered family is continuing to be investigated. This was pretty good.. but nothing to rave about. Multiple POVs with multiple time frames. Got confusing at times, but finally knew what happened by the end. 😅 Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillianaudio for this ARC!

This book ids about Emma and her husband who are in a tough financial position and to add onto that Emma is pregnant with their first child. In order to make things financially easier for them Emma's husband suggests that they move into Emma's family home that she inherited but theres a twist. This is the home her parents were murdered in and Emma is the prime suspect.

This story started off really strong and I felt had a lot of potential but sadly fell flat for me near the end. I felt the same way by this authors other book what lies in the woods as well. was very fast paced in the beginning then felt like it was being dragged on near the end of the book. Felt that it for sure could have been much shorter. I did like the the subplots thrown in which gave more insight on the characters and why they were the way they are. Overall it was a good read, I don't regret reading, but is not on my top thriller books of 2024.

NO ONE CAN KNOW
Kate Alice Marshall

Darker and edgier than her last book, which says a lot, NO ONE CAN KNOW by Kate Alice Marshall baffled and surprised me in the best of ways.

Let’s talk about it.

Emma is married to Nathan who recently lost his job. They just lost the down payment they put down on a house and Emma is pregnant. They have nowhere to live, no steady income, and no family to lean on for support. Without a lot of options, Emma tells Nathan that there is a house left to her by her parents. They can live there while they sort everything else out.

Nathan agrees and soon they’re on the front porch of not just a house, but a mansion and it is just the beginning of truths that come to light upon Emma’s return home. We follow along as secrets are revealed page after page and what you’re left with at the end is nothing close to what it resembled in the beginning.

A story as twisted as the lies we tell ourselves to let us sleep peacefully at night. I’m still surprised.

NO ONE CAN KNOW feels like swimming in muddy water. As a reader you are wading through memories and flashbacks, trying to get to the truth. It’s not always easy to navigate the reality that Marshall has built.

But it is a lot of fun!

NO ONE CAN KNOW is narrated by Karissa Vacker. Vacker and Marshall are a lethal combination. Certain passages remind me of Karin Slaughter’s books. Marshall is willing to walk the dark side to bring us a twisty, edgy thriller.

And I for one, am thankful for that.

NO ONE CAN KNOW by Kate Alice Marshall publishes on Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy!

NO ONE CAN KNOW…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed this book. Lots of twists and turns. I love a book with multiple crimes to solve. Solid 4 stars from me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me this ARC

I discovered Kate Alice Marshall when I first read an ARC of What Lies in the Woods. I absolutely loved it and I have recommended that book to everyone. I was so excited to read this one as well and it did not disappoint.
This book tells the story of three sisters and their traumatic history when their parents were murdered. It has dual timelines, moving from “now” and “then” and weaves between the POVs of the sisters. There is a lot going on and multiple characters so it can be challenging in audiobook form at first (I also had a physical copy to read along with). This one is worth going into blindly and letting Marshall surprise you with her intricately woven storylines and plot twists. No One Can Know is another suspenseful page-turner full of family drama, twists, and a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.

The fabulous Karissa Vacker narrates the audiobook and knocks it out of the park as usual. The narration holds your attention and keeps you invested in the drama of the story. Karissa Vacker is an “auto-listen” narrator for me because she can add emphasis to any author’s writing. When she narrates a well-written novel, it is pure magic! Pull up a chair and enjoy the smoke show folks because No One Can Know is true magic! 4 Stars!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy.

I really enjoyed listening to this book! It kept me guessing literally until the end. Good thriller! 4 stars!

I absolutely loved What Lies in the Woods and was very excited to read what Kate Alice Marshall came out with next! Unfortunately this one just didn't get me like the last one. It seemed so so very long and repetitive, that it just lost me. I had to quit and come back more than once because I was losing interest. The major twists were pretty good but also left me confused on a few things. I think this would have been much better if it was shortened drastically. Of course Karissa Vacker did an amazing job as narrator. Still looking forward to what she comes up with next.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kate Alice Marshall for allowing me to listen to an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC. I listened to this book via audiobook and I really enjoyed it! It is a thriller full of secrets, twists, and unreliable characters. This was my first book from the author but certainly not my last! If you are looking for a “who-dun-it” with an intriguing storyline that will keep you on the edge of your seat then look no further.

I really enjoyed “What Lies in the Woods,” so I was excited to read this new one by Kate Alice Marshall. The premise was really interesting- three sisters whose parents were murdered, but the details of the night of the murder is a fiercely kept secret. It kept my attention the whole book with a good pace and interesting compilation of the past and present. Some of the subplots were not my favorite, but didn’t takeaway from the interest of the story. The ending was a bit underwhelming until the last second. The characters were good, but slightly underdeveloped for me. The narrator was well-chosen. Overall, it was an enjoyable cozy mystery, and I’ll be on the lookout to see what Kate Alice Marshall does next!

Thank you to Netgally and Flatiron books for the ARC!