Huge thanks to Morgan Richter’s team and NetGalley for letting me read this arc! I give this 4.5/5 stars.

This book was fantastic! It starts off with a woman named Jenny getting a visit from the police about the murder of Hollywood director that she worked with on his film, The Divide. The police say someone thought that she was director’s ex wife in hiding - apparently they look remarkably similar. Very shortly after Boots, the missing ex-wife’s friend, shows up asking Jenny for her psychic help to find Gena. Jenny quickly finds herself in the circle of Gena and Serge’s friends to try and use her abilities.

I loved this book the whole similar looking women and recreating your own life part was very cool. Obviously the murder wasn’t the best but it didn’t introduce the characters and their arcs very well. I wanted to know every answer right from the start and it kept my attention the whole time. I really love the cover it’s gorgeous and colorful

I liked the premise and the Hollywood angle. Jenny's intuitive thinking and her way of puting information together to make connections was done well I thought. It did feel a bit slow at times and I (without any spoilers) I want more information on Gena.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

OOHHH GIRLYYY. This book is a YES. Say yes to the dress? No Say Yes to this book. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. I had a lot of fun.

The divide is right up my alley. A little mystery. some Hollywood and add in a little psychic power. sort of.

what I liked
The thought the plot was something different, which I always appreciate.
I liked Jenny, the main character
I loved the background characters.
I loved how we weren't sure Jenny has psychic powers - she thought she didn't , but I am not sure. She was pretty intuitive

What I didn't like as much
I thought it dragged a bit at times. Especially since it was full of action. I found myself skipping and skimming once in a while.
I thought it had more potential - I just felt like something was missing.

With 3 stars being average, I will give this a strong 3 - but not quite a 4. Would I recommend reading it? Sure. But maybe borrow it from the library?

I do want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my opinion.

With comparisons to Double Indemnity and The Big Lebowski, film industry adjacent and set in Los Angeles, this book was right up my alley and did not disappoint! This modern day noir unfolds on the page with plenty of twists and turns, making you question what you think you know about the characters you meet along the way. Everyone’s a suspect, nobody’s innocent, and things are definitely not what they seem.

What a fun read! I thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review The Divide by Morgan Richter!

The Divide somehow magically contains every element I love in a thriller:
- An usual premise
- A fascinating protagonist who, despite not being a detective, slowly unravels a mystery
- Great supporting characters
- An atmospheric setting
- Endless twists leading to an unexpected ending
- A lasting emotional resonance that isn't just connected to the mystery, but the story itself.

Many thrillers aren't as good as their marketing blurb. This one far, far exceeded it. Jenny's story was so intriguing and I love how she used her skillset at different points. Even the climactic scenes in the book were unpredictable. I don't know what else to say other than I utterly loved this book and I'm so sad I finished it.

Morgan Richter crafts a compelling, slow-burn neo-noir set in the backdrop of Los Angeles - who I'd argue is co-star to this tale.

Jenny St John, a nearly destitute fake psychic ... sorry 'intuitive counsellor' becomes embroiled in a murder investigation involving Serge, her ex-lover and director of The Divide, her first and only film. To her shock his missing ex-wife Gena, could be her doppelgänger and claims to have starred in The Divide. Jenny finds herself enmeshed in Gena and Serge's social circle, trying to find Gena and whoever murdered Serge.

This was neo-noir in the best way. Though at times I sometimes found it a teensy bit too slow, it was well written with strong characters and plot development. I loved Jenny and hoped her luck turn would around. She was relatable and self-aware about her motivations for getting involved. The case forced her to start dealing with unresolved grief over her failed career and a violent attack as a teenager. For her, Gena being a successful artist represented the life that Jenny wished she had. I got to the end of The Divide and was immediately greedy for knowing what happens next for Jenny St John. I could easily see this as a series of books and as a TV series. I really hope this happens. Either way Morgan Richter is now an auto-buy.

Thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, Knopf and NetGalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this! I couldn’t put it down and loved every second of it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.