Medium meets Nancy Drew/The Hardy Boys in this interesting listen. Teenage twins Taylor and Hayley use their abilities to communicate with the dead, to unravel the mystery behind the death of their childhood friend found electrocuted in the bath. Accident, suicide or murder?

Written by a true crime author, it's got all of the elements of a great mystery but could do with a polish, Although that makes for some great opportunities for character development..

Olsen doesn't waste time, a death in chapter one - is it suicide or murder? The teen who's dead was being shunned by the mean girl next door, stalked on line, and living with feuding parents. The Ryan twins, having psychic skills, make it their mission to solve the mystery. A lot of plot changes keep it moving. I received this from Net Galley.

I received Beneath Her Skin as an audio book to listen to and review.

On Christmas day 15 year old Katelyns mother finds her dead in her bathtub electrocuted by an expresso maker. Initially cops feel it was an accident but those close to her noticed a change in her mood and wondered if it was suicide. However twins Taylor and Hayley who have psychic powers don't believe it was suicide. They decide to investigate themselves to find what actually happened.
This story started out ok but lost me as it was a bit slow in the making. It did have some good twist and turns and a surprise ending.

I would like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book I have read by Gregg Olsen, and I will definitely read more. I enjoyed this book, kept me guessing throughout the story on what was going to happen next. At first I thought there seemed to be too many characters, but looking back they all played a role needed for the book. I loved some of the characters and loved to hate others. I think the twins will make a good book series, and will be looking for the second book in the Port Gamble chronicles.

Rating: 3/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Swipe for synopsis.
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Beneath Her Skin is book one in the Port Gamble Chronicles. I actually had never read anything by Gregg Olson until this book and this was nothing terrible but nothing great.
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Things that were great about the book that really sparked my interest were the twins. Alright these two have some sort of psychic abilities. I thought that touch was unique and mysterious and was definitely about it. I liked the mystery surrounding the teens death and how the twins were trying to solve the case. I felt that it was a fairly fast paced book as I read this one in a few sittings. Really loved the fact that this story addresses online bullying.
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Things that didn’t really work for me was the dialogue between the teens - felt a bit too forced. There was some repetition that had me wondering if I was at the right spot. Not a huge fan of the conclusion of everything - it seemed a bit rushed or just off - but that could most definitely be a me problem. The way that the story floated between characters was a bit rocky for me, again a me problem.
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This is a YA, which I actually wasn’t aware of going in. I felt like it was a decent YA read, I have the second in the series to listen to so I am hoping I like that one a bit more.
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This book was released in 2021. It is available on Kindle Unlimited. The audiobook will be releasing on January 5th. I listened to this one and Karen Peakes was great for the story. She maintained my interest in the story and I was able to follow easily.
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Huge thank you to NetGalley, Gregg Olsen and Bookouture Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

So, the premise of this one sounded really good…and it was ok…but not what I expected.
Katelyn, a teenager, dies right at the beginning of the book.
Suicide? Murder?
No one knows.
We delve in a bit to find two teenage girls (who are twins) and were her friends. We also come to find that they were all involved in a horrific bus crash almost ten years prior…
But the twins have some type of ‘psychic ability’…although to me it was definitely NOT well defined…
The story was good, and by the end I was really looking forward to finding out what really happened…and was shocked too!!
Just felt like it could’ve been a bit clearer…and a lot shorter too.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture Audio for an ARC of the audiobook which will be released on January 5, 2024. Apparently the book was released several years ago. This is book #1 in the series.

#BeneathHerSkin by #GreggOlsen.

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me.

Checkout all my upcoming previews and reviews at Book Reviews with Elaine on FB and @ #BookReviews_with_emsr on IG.

Happy reading!! 📚📖

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest rerelease of this book by Gregg Olsen and narrated by Karen Peakes - 4 stars!

Identical twins Hayley and Taylor were in a horrific bus accident ten years ago when they were 5. They were among the few survivors. Another survivor, Katelyn, was just found dead in her bathtub. The officials are ruling it suicide, but there are still questions. Especially because the twins have a secret - they can communicate with the dead.

While I don't always read YA fiction, I do always love to read Gregg Olsen's books. I thought this was a good mystery and I liked the supernatural parts and the twin connection. There are lots of secrets and twists here, and I didn't see them coming.

I raced through this pacy thriller in two days and it was a wild ride. I had no idea where the author was taking me, but I knew I wanted to follow…..⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of Beneath Her Skin by Gregg Olsen
Published by Bookouture
Narrated by Karen Peakes
I requested this book as I liked the cover and wanted an easy story to listen to
I listened to an Audiobook of this novel, the narrator was amazing, but I found the story needed a little more depth
I had a hard time following as the story jumped all over the place and I found myself losing focus on the story
The story took a while to build as there were a lot of characters that needed to be introduced and learn their backgrounds
I don't listen to a lot of audiobooks and feel I would have rather "read" this book
The novel is about a teenage girl, Katelyn, who dies Christmas eve. It seems she was depressed and hadn't been spending time with friends any longer
The Ryan twins, Hailey and Taylor who knew Katelyn and were stunned over her death, have special powers and start to dig into Katelyn's death.

Over I did not really enjoy this audiobook, it took forever to get to the point and I think I'll hold off on the 2nd audiobook that I requested that is the sequel
I have read great reviews on other books by this author so I will have to give something else a try

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I really gave this one a chance but it was SO SLOW. The character development was painful and even at 25% it didn't seem to be going anywhere. A lot of jouvenile dialogue unfortunately

Kaitlyn has killed herself. Dropped an espresso machine into a tub of water. She was a trouble teen. Cutting herself. Everyone knew. The friends she went to school with are trying to deal with her death. Hailey and Taylor don't believe that she has killed herself. They have taken it upon themselves to search her room for clues to see if someone forced her to kill herself by ways of bullying or another reason. Or was it a boyfriend that forced her arm

Premise - A troubled teenager is found dead by suicide, but a pair of twins have a supernatural hunch that she was murdered. The book follows their investigation.

What I liked -

* The pacing was well done, I wanted to keep going and find out what happens next.

* It touches on topics relevant to teens (cyberbullying, fallible parents, creepy stepparents, etc.)

What I didn't -

* The characters all felt sort of flat. I read more adult and MG than YA, so I can't comment on whether character development matches genre expectations, but they didn't really feel like people to me.

* The twins have supernatural abilities, which (a) is not my thing, (b) did not add to the story. This exact story could have worked without the supernatural thing, as long as one had simply had a suspicion.

* Some of the reactions felt very unrealistic (after witnessing a vehicular murder the twins are just... fine? They react like nothing dramatic happened).

* We're told the twins have a very close relationship, but for that I'd have hoped to see more of the closeness sisters can have. Show me!

Thanks, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good young adult mystery. It was a quick and easy read. I really liked the Ryan twins characters.

An intriguing murder mystery for teenagers and up. I listened to the audio book which has a nice feel to it. What happened to teenager Katelyn? Twins Hayley and Taylor have a gift for sensing things, and are sure there is more to a former good school friend death than the Police believe. But as they diligently search for answers their own past in Port Gamble is likely to stir up things their parents would rather remain quietly hidden. First book in a series, but this one could be read as a stand alone. I’m sure though you will want to listen/read the next book too. Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

I listened to the audiobook of this one. I enjoyed the story although I did think it was a very slow build and a little hard to get into at first. I liked the supernatural element although that storyline took a weird turn at the end. It did leave me wanting to know more about the Ryan twins and I likely will read the next book. Katelyn dies suddenly on Christmas and no one quite gets it. At the surface it looks like she may have taken her own life, she is depressed and isolated from her best friend. But the Ryan twins have a talent of being able to know things in strange ways and they can sense that there is more to the story than what everyone is thinking. The narrator did a good job bringing the characters to life, but the writing felt stilted in conversations at times and this was highlighted more by it being read out.

This is set up so well for the next book (and hopefully a series!) the “paranormal” angle is unique and I can’t wait to see where it goes. A handful of the characters were annoying, but I believe that was intentional lol

**Review for "Beneath Her Skin" by Gregg Olsen (Audiobook Version)** *****This audiobook was provided to me in exchange for my open and honest review****

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Beneath Her Skin" by Gregg Olsen, in its audiobook rendition, offers a mixed experience that combines a compelling storyline with a few drawbacks, particularly in the narration.

The plot itself is intriguing, blending suspense and psychological depth, keeping listeners engaged throughout. However, the pacing occasionally falters, impacting the overall flow of the narrative. Some twists may be predictable, and the resolution of certain plot points may lack the desired impact.

The characters, while well-defined, could benefit from additional development to establish stronger connections with the audience. Occasionally, their actions and decisions might feel detached or lacking emotional resonance, impacting the overall immersion.

One notable aspect of the audiobook experience is the narrator's voice. Unfortunately, the choice of narrator may not resonate with everyone. Personal preferences vary, but some listeners might find the narrator's voice distracting or incompatible with the tone of the story. This could detract from the overall enjoyment of the audiobook.

Gregg Olsen's writing style is proficient, but there are moments where the narrative could be tightened for enhanced impact. Additionally, certain elements of the story may feel familiar to avid readers of the genre, potentially contributing to a sense of predictability.

In conclusion, "Beneath Her Skin" in audiobook format is a decent option for those who enjoy psychological thrillers but may not be the ideal choice for everyone, particularly due to individual preferences regarding the narrator's voice.

(Note: This review is intended to provide constructive feedback and is based on personal opinions, recognizing that audiobook experiences can vary significantly among listeners.)


*review posted on netgalley, goodreads, and will have short blurb in tik tok december monthly wrap up at Shuck Read Repeat

I really enjoyed Hayley and Taylor with all that entails.
I wish the story had focused solely on them instead of switching between so many different POV.
With so many POV and side stories, the main plot gets sort of lost in the shuffle.
There are entirely too many moving pieces to stay focused and intrigued in any one.
The story was still decent, just less immersive that it could have been.
Thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my ARC.

Love this author, love this series, love this new edit, love this book, love this narrator. Creative, voicey, suspenseful. But then what would you expect from the awesome Gregg Olsen??? Can't wait for #2 in the series. (Note: I had read the original version of this book and still loved the new one!)

I was a little disappointed to discover this book, while recently edited, is a reprint of Olsen’s book, Envy. This is a pet peeve of mine, I read so many books, and feel I have to check the copyright of each one before I read or purchase it