Who To Believe • By Edwin Hill
✨Mystery✨Psychological Thriller✨Crime
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Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Netgalley Arc - Jan 23

This book is definition of don’t judge a book by its cover, not the prettiest of covers but boy was it a fast page turner of a thriller !

Laurel Thibodeau was found in her home asphyxiated with a plastic bag, told in 7 parts The Shrink, The Patient, The Cop, The Boyfriend, The Daughter, The Minister & The Dog we are woven through lies betrayals cheats and murder.

Everyone has their part to play, everyone has a secret to hide but who’s willing to kill to protect theirs.

As you’re told bit by bit of the storyline you try guess the ending but as the POV switches and gained new insight you’re easily switching back and forth of suspects.
This is the first novel I’ve read by Edwin Hill and I’ll definitely be picking up more!

Monreith, Massachusetts is rocked by the death of Laurel Thibodeau, the owner of a local restaurant🍰. Laurel was found violently murdered, and the evidence suggests her husband, Simon, is guilty.

Due to the nature of their professions, there are plenty of secrets hidden amongst the local minster, Georgia Fitzhugh, police chief, Max Barbosa, and psychiatrist, Farley Drake. There are also plenty of agendas...but who saw what really happened?

💡𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀💡
This was another new author for me📚. I’ve really enjoyed reading from authors I haven’t tried before and I've found some great new favorites.

I listened to the audio book for this one, and it was fun switching between character perspectives to see what each person knew about the others because it made guessing who it was really tense! One perspective at the end was very unique. I don’t think I’ve read something like it before, but without giving too much away, it was fun but also seemed a little deus ex machina .
While brave and interesting, this end felt a bit disappointing for me (though I’m sure plenty of people will love it!!)

This novel takes place in Monreith, Massachusetts a small community on the coastline. When Laurel Thibodeau, owner of a popular upscale restaurant in town, ends up murdered in her home, suspicion falls on her husband Simon. However, there may be more to the story than an open and shut case. As friends gather to celebrate Alice Stone’s 40th birthday, the seven all seem to have their own ideas about the murder. As the book progresses, each character’s viewpoint is given..showing more than one may have a motive for murder. And as the party comes to a close, another person will be found dead. I enjoyed this read and the twists, but found all of the characters hard to like and therefore I wasn’t fully invested in the story.

This pulled me in rather quickly. I love when a book does that right off the bat. They’re lots of PoVs going on which got a little jumbled just a couple of times. Developed characters that I just couldn’t figure out “whodunnit”. Good writing. Fun mystery.

Interesting start to the novel. It does a good job of pulling you on right away and I enjoyed the narrators. The various characters tell the same story of the happenings over a few days time from their own points of view, with each also adding extra info they are only privy to. After a bit though, even with the added info from the different characters, the story seemed a bit tedious because of the repetition. Some great twists, however not I can't imagine it's too likely to have that many murders in the same small town, let alone the same friend group. Overall, I did enjoy the story, with a few caveats.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for this advanced audio.

Thank you to RB Media and NetGalley for a free audio arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was perfectly described as a ‘claustrophic’ thriller which sees the same story told from multiple POVs with each adding new elements, twists and even murders. There is not one character who’s own POV paints them well and, for that reason, Hill does an excellent job at weaving multiple plot lines together and creating slip ups and admissions that the reader could never possibly see coming.

The cast of narrators do an excellent job and each is perfectly suited to the character they embody, really bringing a voice to life rather than simply reading words on a page.

However an honorary mention needs to be given to the last POV which truly took me by surprise. A really solid tactic by the author and the only POV which truly made me believe the character.

High 3.5/5

This book looked like it would be great. It has an intriguing premise with interesting characters. It seemed - for me - to move slowly and I didn't like Farley at all so I found myself getting irritated as he was narrating. Actually, none of the characters were very likely to me and all the mysteries one after another got to be rather confusing. It turned out to be an ok book but not really what I expected.

Thanks to RB Media and NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had such promise: a murder, a small New England town, a group of friends at a summer party, then - shockingly - another murder, this time of one of the friends. Alas, the execution is lacking. 7 different POVs, lots of intrigue, and I know that small towns are supposed to be hotbeds of nefarious doings, but it seems unlikely that a town this small can support numerous murderers, one of whom is a serial killer.

If you like stories in which all of the characters have MAJOR problems, and not very many redeeming characteristics (it's weird for me when my favorite characters are a teenager and a DOG ffs, and yes, the dog gets a chapter, too. For some reason the female dog is voiced by a man? And it sure sounds like the same voice actor who did another character in the same book? Well, it's a choice I guess), then maybe this book is for you. I know that Edwin Hill has been nominated for the Agatha for previous books, and hopefully this title is not representative of his usual work.

2.5 stars rounded up

A strong story told with a clever and intricate twist which will keep you guessing all the way! Suspense and deception

Love, love, love this one! The murder of a woman in a small town has devastated the community. They try to pull together but no one seems to trust anyone else and they all have their own secrets to protect. This small town whodunit kept me guessing over and over. Every time I thought I’d figured it out, something new happened to lead me in another direction. I cannot praise the audio for this story enough. There are six characters that each have their own perspective of the town and murder, and I loved that each of them had their own voice actor! It drew me deeper into the story. Highly recommend! Available now in print, ebook, and on Kindle Unlimited!

Thank you @NetGalley, @EdwinHill, all of the narrators, and #RBMedia for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

5 out of 5 stars! I wasn't expecting that ending at all! A very enjoyable audiobook! I thought it would be hard to keep up because of how many different characters there were, but it wasn't. I like how there were different "Parts" or "Acts" that separated each POV. It definitely kept me guessing until the very end!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this audiobook. 3.75 stars.

Is there a serial killer running amock in this small town? So many characters to keep track of. I knew one part early on and felt happy to have it confirmed.

There were several sections told from different perspectives. So we are presented with some of the same stuff but from a different prerogative. It was a fun ride.

Very fun mystery book, always changing who I thought the killer was. Enjoyed all of the narrators but the last narrator was a male for a female character which seems like an oversight from the publisher. Despite that, I definitely recommend this book.

Unfortunately this one didn’t work for me. Sorry, I DNF. I had a hard time connecting to the characters and the writing. It didn’t keep my attention and I was bored. I’m sure there is an audience for this book but it wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for approving my request.

Whoa!! Secrets and lies in a small town is one thing, going above and beyond to keep those secrets is another. Moral Vigilantes or Murderers?? How do all the pieces fit together?

This is a twisty tale of backstabbers, liars, cheaters, and morally bad people and I loved every minute of it!

I easily could have read this in one sitting if I had the time. There are no graphic scenes (violence or sexual).

The style of writing was very interesting as well. There is a chapter(s) from every characters' POV and you got into each of their heads. The last chapter was by far my favorite POV!!

Definitely recommend for fans of Liane Moriarty and Sandie Jones.

Thank you, NetGalley, Kensington, and RB Audio for an advance copy of this book/audiobook.

As I reflect on Edwin Hill's mystery thriller, "Who to Believe," I must commend the author for crafting a gripping narrative that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. Hill's ability to blend intricate plotting with well-developed characters created a truly immersive reading experience.

One aspect that particularly stood out was the protagonist, Hester Thursby. Her complexity and sharp wit made her a compelling amateur sleuth, driving the story forward with her determination and intelligence. However, I believe there is room to further explore her character development, perhaps delving deeper into her motivations and backstory to enhance reader connection.

Hill's exploration of trust and deceit within the narrative was expertly executed, keeping me on edge and questioning the authenticity of each character's intentions. This aspect of the novel was its greatest strength, and I would encourage the author to continue honing this skill in future works.

While the pacing of the story was generally well-maintained, there were moments where the tension could have been heightened even further to sustain reader interest. Additionally, I found some sections of the prose to be slightly verbose, which occasionally detracted from the overall pacing and flow of the narrative.

Furthermore, while the social commentary woven throughout the story was thought-provoking and relevant, there were instances where it felt somewhat heavy-handed. Balancing these themes more delicately could further enrich the narrative and resonate more deeply with readers.

In conclusion, "Who to Believe" is a commendable mystery thriller with a captivating premise and well-executed plot. With further refinement in character development, pacing, and thematic exploration, Edwin Hill has the potential to continue delivering compelling and thought-provoking stories in the future.

Unfortunately this one didn’t work for me. Sorry, I DNF at 38%. I had a hard time connecting to the characters and the writing. It didn’t keep my attention and I was bored. I’m sure there is an audience for this book but it wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for approving my request.

There are 2 sides to every story! (And then there's the TRUTH!)

The aptly titled, "Who to Believe" had me guessing until the very last page! If you love books that are told by multiple characters and multiple perspectives, then this one is a must-read!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC audiobook!

<b><font face="roboto" size="12pt">TW: Language, drinking, sexual abuse (mention), cheating, suicide (mention), violence, guns, fat shaming, cheating, grief, bullying, family drama, divorce, homophobia, gambling, mourning</font></b>

<b><big>*****SPOILERS*****</b></big>
<b>About the book:</b>
Monreith, Massachusetts, was once a small community of whalers and farmers. These days it’s a well-to-do town filled with commuters drawn to its rugged coastline and country roads. A peaceful, predictable place—until popular restaurateur Laurel Thibodeau is found brutally murdered in her own home. Suspicion naturally falls on Laurel’s husband, Simon, who had gambling debts that only her life insurance policy could fix. But there are other rumors too . . .

Among the group of six friends gathered for Alice Stone’s fortieth birthday, theories abound concerning Laurel’s death. Max Barbosa, police chief, has heard plenty of them, as has his longtime friend, Unitarian minister Georgia Fitzhugh. Local psychiatrist Farley Drake is privy to even more, gleaning snippets of gossip and information from his patients while closely guarding his own past.

But maybe everyone in Monreith has something to hide. Because before this late-summer evening has come to a close, one of these six will be dead. And as jealousy, revenge, adultery, and greed converge, the question becomes not who among these friends might be capable of such a thing, but—who isn’t?
<b>Release Date:</b> January 23rd, 2024
<b>Genre:</b> Thriller
<b>Pages:</b> 320
<b>Rating:</b> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

<b>What I Liked:</b>
1. I liked the writing style
2. The chapter breaks
3. The characters were interesting
4. Pov of Harper the dog was fun

<b>What I Didn't Like:</b>
1. Very slow beginning
2. Farley is poop
3. Some parts felt repetitive

<b>Overall Thoughts:</b>
<b><u>The Therapist:</u></b>
The book starts off with the murder of Laurel Thibodeau. We follow the therapist, Farley Drake. Who we find out is the someone that has already killed some of the locals;
• Steve Alabiso - was selling drugs to anyone and cheating.
• Jeanine Geller - was giving her daughter stuff to make her sick
Farley would find these terrible people through his clients and then kill them. The twist is that Farley didn't kill Laurel.

<b><u>The Patient:</u></b>
We then jump to the pov of Alice Stone. Alice knew that her husband, Damian. Alice found out that Damian was sleeping with Laurel. We find out that she has killed some people of her own;
• Hans - her 27 year old teacher that was sleeping with teenagers. She killed him with a syringe between his toe
• Father Jean-Marc - for taking advantage of sad and grieving women. She drugged and drowned him.

Awe Max remembering that Alice is vegetarian and getting vegan marshmallows. So nice.

Finally Alice tells Damian that she knew he was cheating and Damian dropped a bomb - he was going to leave her for Laurel. So I guess this dude just cheats and then marries the women he cheats with.

Oh the phone got a text and it's from Richard saying <i>"Meet me at the dock."</i> sent 10 minutes earlier. Who's phone is this? At first I was thinking it was Laurel’s but it can't be because Richard knows that she's dead.

<b><u>The Cop:</u></b>
We get to Max the cop that kissed Alice in her kitchen. The cop that brought her ambrosia salad with vegan marshmallows. What a choice that was... Ew though. (mentions he had vegan marshmallows on hand)

Omg I didn't see that coming. Now Farley is dead.... Omg.

<b><u>The Boyfriend:</u></b>
Now we can get Richard's pov. He also has a secret account where he is sending money because he's going to leave Georgia.

I don't know why Richard said he would get back to the house conversation when Farley already said that Richard bought half the house.

Richard mentions that he signed papers for the house and to be in the will for Farley's house then says he's <b>still</b> married to Georgia, so she'd get the property too. Hmmmm.

We end the chapter on a bombshell that Richard is being arrested for the murder of Farley and Damian - - Damian is dead????

<b><u>The Daughter:</u></b>
Onto Chloe's pov.

I liked being able to find out what happened to her at school with the fight. Taylor is terrible. She called her father a f*g insult. Gross.

Chloe does hate Farley despite what Farley's pov where he made out they were great together. She actually wants her family back together.

The night of the murders she snuck out to the phone back from Noah. When she comes home is when he her father is "waking" her up for the police.

<b><u>The Minister:</u></b>
Now we hear from Georgia. Ah so Damian asked Georgia to pick up the cake for him. Why did he not mention that? That's why she randomly showed up with the cupcakes.

Ohhhhhhhhhhh the burner phone belongs to Georgia!!!

So now Georgia is the one that approached Laurel about stolen items and seeing why she's stealing things from the old people

And then get to the reveal. Georgia killed Laurel because she didn't want Damian and the tow to know that she was tormenting him via a phone. How very random. How could they prove it was really her behind it? Why would the town turn on her after 15 years of being in the town for two people that were cheating on their spouses? She also decides to frame Farley for the murder. Seems silly because he wasn't on camera showing up and he is her therapist - easily explained that she must have picked the hair up when she was in his office at an appointment. She gets worried that Damian will turn over his phone because there is a photo of Laurel with a bag over her head on it. Why send it to him if you are worried? Again how would it be traced to her?

She also killed Damian with her car because he knows too much. She didn't kill Farley. So what happened to him?

<b><u>The Dog</u></b>
Interesting pov from the dog. So Alice and Max are together now. Georgia is arrested - Chloe turned her mother in.

Alice & Harper were out that night when it was raining and they passed Georgia without knowing it. Georgia had dropped the mallet but then Farley was stalking Alice because he knew he had to kill her. Alice attacked him with the mallet. She threw it in the water. The last scene we get us Harper almost bringing the mallet back to Max to play fetch with.

I kept thinking Chloe and Noah killed Laurel and Farley because they wanted their parents to stay together. Honestly it seems like everyone hated Farley. This book is keeping me guessing I seriously don't know who killed them. We know that Laurel didn't kill herself because the case is still open. She had a bag over her head and Simon, her husband found her. He has an alibi but the town insists on treating him like he did it.

I think the detective is over stepping in his investigations. Forcing him to talk to Richard's daughter is not legal. Unless you are arrested you don't have to talk to the detective.

<b>Final Thoughts:</b>
My biggest issue with the book is that there are two killers in this small town both killing people in the name of revenge. Not only that but the more you learn about Farley it seems so out if character for him to even care enough about people to take out vengeance in their name.

I had <i>so</i> much fun with this murder mystery book. The characters all passing one another without knowing it but interlinked into one another's lives was absolutely wonderful.

I kept thinking the killer must be this person and then a new character pov proved that not possible.

I would love to other books from this author.

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Thanks to Netgalley,
Kensington for the ebook, and Recorded Books for the audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

✨ Book Review ✨
📖 Who to Believe

⭐⭐⭐⭐
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This book kept me on my toes each time I thought I knew who did it I was then directed to another person. Love how everyone had their part in their POV but honestly, this book had me so confused and kept me guessing. It is worth a read.
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I enjoy books having different narrators for each section. It brings life to the book.
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listened to a murder mystery in quite a few months and I’m thankful that the NetGalley let me read/listen to this book and audio.