This is my first book by Alafair Burke and I was obsessed with this plot when I read the synopsis. I did enjoy the quick pace, the amount of tension, and idea of secrets galore.
I enjoyed the murder mystery plot and definitely wanted to know what happened, although I didn't particularly love any of the characters. They felt a little too "forced" - like they were just a little too fake sounding to feel compelling or believable? I also had a hard time keeping each character separate and kept mixing them up, at least for Kelsey and Lauren.
Here we have May, Lauren, and Kelsey. They have a somewhat toxic and attenuated friendship but decide to spend a weekend in the Hamptons after years not seeing each other. They play a harmless prank on a couple who steals their parking spot. This note then becomes the entire plot. I was a little like "seriously, all this over a note?" I
This took me longer than most thrillers, not in a good way. I've heard great things about her other books, so maybe this was just a one off, I would read her work again!
Thank you to Knoph, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor, and NetCalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I was not disappointed. This book is a mystery with some suspense. This book is a page turner and caught my attention from the first chapter. This book is a “who done it” type of book. I really enjoyed reading it because I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next. I will definitely be reading more books by Alafair Burke.

Alafair Burke’s book, The Note, left me feelings so ambivalent. I loved the premise about an innocent prank gone awry…but was it truly innocent? I enjoyed the reconnection of the three women, May, Lauren and Kelsey after each had been “cancelled” by social media. Unfortunately I found all three women to be unlikeable. In my humble opinion, having one of the three women somewhat likeable would have had me rooting for them, thus making the book more relatable to the reader.
Each of the women has secrets which are slowly revealed. The biggest revelation about Kelsey was not a surprise to me. My mind went to that possibility immediately. May’s repeated efforts to put her relationship with Lauren and Kelsey before that of her fiancé was pivotal to the storyline while somehow not quite ringing true.
While this book kept me engaged, due to the power of Alafair Burke’s writing, something about it held me back from loving it.
Many many thanks to Alafair Burke, Knopf, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book, to be published on January 7th. Three star read.

Was so thrilled to get to read Alafair Burke’s latest novel! 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦 is a domestic mystery thriller, with themes of betrayal and childhood friendship. The characters aren’t all entirely likeable, and I found myself making assumptions that didn’t pan out, which is always a nice surprise. Would recommend if you want a steady read with flashbacks, multiple characters, and New England vibes.


𝗦𝗬𝗡𝗢𝗣𝗦𝗜𝗦: childhood friends May, Lauren, and Kelsey are far overdue for a girls’ weekend, especially after their recent upheavals in their personal lives. As far as the media is concerned, Kelsey has been branded a murderer, May a racist, and Lauren an adulteress, so a few days in an Air BnB in The Hamptons is just what the doctor ordered. But when they leave a nasty note on the windshield of an entitled parking space thief during a boozy lunch, who subsequently ends up dead in much the same way as Kelsey’s late husband, they realize that their problems are only beginning. With their careers on the line and long-buried childhood tragedies being dug up, it’s impossible to know who to trust… even amongst each other.


Huge thank you to @alafair.burke , @aaknopf , and @netgalley for my advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review! 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦 arrives next month on January 7th, and it’s totally worth grabbing a copy on pre-order!

This book was very well written with a clear plot and fleshed out characters. I found the story and characters believable and enjoyable. They could have been any of our friends. What I didn't like was that the story was fairly ordinary and easy to see the mystery, even if it was smooth and solved well without leaving the reader with questions. But it was predictable. The book was more of a slow enjoyable pace rather than the traditional shock and twist we long for. I also feel the audience will be a variety of age groups and some groups may struggle to understand the slang acronyms. I had to look up two of them; just something for publishers to consider.

This feels like a fun beach read, full of secretive female friendships and murder.

I don’t have much to say about it other than I liked it, it kept me interested, and I liked how the story ended up. Solid read.

Three friends, one weekend in the Hamptons; what could possibly go wrong? May, Lauren, and Kelsey need this time together to reconnect post lockdown. Each friend has found themselves on the wrong side of the “cancel” culture for different reasons and each entangled into a tragic childhood accident that has kept them bonded for years. After losing a parking spot and a drunken lunch, the girls toy with playing a prank on the rude driver and write a note to leave on his car. Days later the driver turns out to be a missing person and Kelsey confesses that she left the note after everyone thought it was thrown out. Did the prank go too far? Have they just put themselves in the middle of another scandal? What secrets have they been hiding from each other that this will bring to the forefront? It all starts to unravel after “The Note”.
Alafair Burke brings us along on the journey of revealing the past and facing the present in “The Note”. Burke’s characters are relatable and the relationships they share are deep and realistic. The complications that they experience fit well in scenarios that are “current”. The tensions that they have to overcome and the landscapes used are well thought out and developed fully taking place in three locations. Burke’s writing style is easy to follow. For such a short novel, I feel like she used her words well. The plot did fall short for me due to being predictable. There were a couple of twists that kept the plot interesting enough to follow through. Overall I enjoyed this read and would give it a 3.75/5 stars.

A silly prank unveils longtime secrets between three best friends. This novel took its time finding its footing, but by the second half it redeems itself. It was challenging to believe these three women would remain friends for all these years as they are incredibly toxic.

Thank you, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf

I was so excited to get an ARC of Alafair’s new book. I really enjoyed her last one, so I couldn’t wait to jump in. This story has a little bit of everything: lifelong friendships, secrets, cancel culture, and a dash of mystery.

The plot revolves around three lifelong friends, each caught up in scandals, who decide to escape to a vacation in the Hamptons. What starts as a harmless prank—one of them drunkenly leaving a note on a car—quickly spirals into complete chaos, unraveling secrets and testing their already fragile relationships. From there, we get glimpses of their past and learn more about how they are all intertwined.

I loved the idea of a prank gone horribly wrong, and I enjoyed how the twists revealed mysterious tidbits about each woman’s past. The plot itself worked for me—it was engaging, clever, and full of surprises. What didn’t land as well were the characters themselves. I found the women unlikable and wish there had been more character development to help me root for them. I also really enjoyed the end as well

That said, this was still an entertaining, twisty read with a sharp and intriguing premise.

Thanks to Knopf for the NetGalley review copy. This book comes out January 7th!

The Note by Alafair Burke is a tightly woven, emotionally gripping thriller that examines the complexities of trust, truth, and the thin line between right and wrong. It's fast-paced psychological suspense kept me on edge, drawing me into the tangled lives of its characters and exploring the consequences of a single, seemingly innocuous action.

At its heart, The Note is a story about deception and the fallout from a life-altering mistake. When a young woman, Natalie, is found dead under suspicious circumstances, a note is discovered that could either exonerate or implicate the key players involved. Burke uses this central plot device to explore the intricacies of personal responsibility, the impact of decisions, and how easily truth can be distorted by perspective. The novel dives deep into themes of guilt, memory, and the struggle for justice—offering readers a multifaceted view of morality.

The pace is relentless, as Burke expertly ratchets up the tension with every turn, keeping you hooked with a narrative that’s constantly evolving. The note, simple yet fraught with meaning, becomes a catalyst for unraveling both personal histories and larger, darker conspiracies. The suspense is so taut that it’s hard to put the book down, with the twists and turns coming at a rapid-fire pace toward an unexpected conclusion.

One of Burke’s strongest assets as a writer is her ability to craft deeply flawed, relatable characters. In The Note, no one is entirely good or bad. The characters are complex, multifaceted individuals struggling with their own demons, desires, and choices. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that even the most seemingly innocent character has their own secrets and hidden agendas, leading to a fascinating exploration of human nature.

The protagonist, in particular, is a standout—someone you'll find yourself rooting for despite their flaws. Burke does an excellent job of making her relatable, whether she’s grappling with her own moral compass or navigating the chaos surrounding the note’s discovery. The supporting cast adds further complexity, with each character revealing pieces of their past that tie back into the novel’s central mystery.

The Note is a smart, twist-filled thriller that cements Alafair Burke’s reputation as a master of suspense and psychological complexity. It’s a must-read for fans of the genre, particularly those who enjoy narratives where the boundary between right and wrong isn’t always so clear.

I loved the storyline of this book. The quick pace of the present day events mixed with glimpses into past happenings made for a good flow. I enjoyed getting to know each character and their relationships with one another. It was a relatable situation set up as a girls weekend getaway with friends who have lost touch aside from group texts. What was supposed to be a fun stress free getaway quickly turned dark. And looking into their past it seems darkness has followed these 3 girls for a long time.

What fell short for me was the constant upbringing of social issues that did not blend in well with the plot. Some chapters it really just felt like a completely separate thought was inserted into what was a good flowing story. It did not give anything to the story or the characters. It cut the flow and felt so choppy.
 
Thanks so much to Net Galley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, & Anchor for the ARC and chance to give my honest opinion!

The Note took on the difficult task of addressing big topics such as race, the pandemic, mental health, family secrets, and crime. While the story was entertaining and a relatively quick read, the subjects just didn’t really come together well for me. It was not cohesive and felt disjointed. I appreciated some exploration on the different paths three women of three different races walked because of their race/ethnicity, but it felt like it didn’t really go anywhere productive. It was almost like it was just introduced into the story for the main character, May, to try and discover some self-awareness which I’m not sure she ever really did. I am still trying to figure out the May screaming thing and how it just abruptly stopped at the end of the book. Also, the twist/whodunnit was very predictable. I had it solved early in the book. All this considered, I went through it fast and, though much of it left me confused and dissatisfied, it was a fun quick beach read with an A+ for diversity and representation. Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is a book I had high hopes for going in but was let down essentially 10% in. Which isn’t a good feeling. I enjoyed parts but wasn’t hooked like I wanted. The murder mystery plot line and secrets kept me intrigued enough to finish. I think the biggest downfall was the lackluster characters and the pacing. I felt bursts of high intense moments mixed with slow parts which lost my interest.

I’m not gonna say I recommend this book, however, check out the synopsis and decide if it would be a book for you!

I am a fan of Alafar Burke so I was very happy to receive an ARC of her soon to be released novel (January 7, 2025) The Note. While it is a satisfactory read, it is not the thrilling page turner I have grown to expect from this author. Three women who have been on-again, off-again friends since they attended and then worked together at a camp for gifted talent get together for a girl's weekend in the Hamptons. Each of the women are successful, yet each was exposed to unwanted, yet very public scrutiny and judgement for prior events: thus they refer to themselves as The Canceled Crew. May Hanover, previously a practicing attorney is currently a law professor at Fordham University and looking forward to tenure. Kelsey Ellis works for her wealthy Dad's very successful commercial real estate enterprise, and Lauren Berry is the director of the Houston Symphony. The friends are out for a night on the town and while attempting to secure parking they are cut off by a rude driver. This event, while appearing trivial, actually precipitates everything that follows. Rather than spoil the book by oversharing I won't divulge anymore of the storyline. The Note is not the tightly crafted Burke thriller that normally has me at the end of my seat waiting to see what happens; I found it to be somewhat predictable. I wasn't fond of any of the main characters; they seemed to lack any dimension. Based on her past work, I realize that I set a very high bar for Burke's writing, and while I didn't enjoy this book as much as most, The Note is a quick and satisfying read. Thanks to NetGalley, Alfred A Knopf Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Note; this review reflects my honest opinion. 3 stars.

As I approached the halfway mark of this book, I debated if I wanted to finish. It was one of those thrillers that just seemed…fine. The main character May was just soooo annoying and unlikeable, but her character traits are what drives the action and pushes the storyline through.
(Her fiancé Josh? Stomping around like a petulant toddler every time she’s on the phone? He needed to GO.)

I held on and it definitely improved as secrets are revealed and the action increases through the climax. Not a fan of the ick ending, but overall it was entertaining and a fast read.

Thanks to the Alafair Burke and Knopf for the advance copy!

May Hanover was always a good girl, raised by a first-generation Chinese single mother with high expectations. Her friends referred to her as the Little Sheriff growing up. And she has been through so much with her lifelong friends, Lauren and Kelsey. But when she finds herself at the centre of a police investigation, the limits of their friendship are tested and it is clear they are each hiding secrets. ⁣
⁣
This one drew me in from the start and was filled with lies and secrets at every corner. The complex relationships of the trio of women was intriguing, with the girls trip to the Hamptons, the investigations and a host of suspicious characters. I flew through this in a day and I could never have predicted the way in which it was heading - always something I love in a novel. ⁣
Another fabulous novel by the author. ⁣

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this gifted review copy.

This is a thriller that will keep you guessing with lots of questions and uncertainty about who can be trusted and what is really going on. A great mystery and highly recommended read!

2.75/5
I thought the premise for this book sounded very intriguing, but I found the book to fall a bit flat for me. I didn’t really buy into the friendships of the main characters, they just didn’t seem to mesh well together and they were all pretty bland. I think we needed to see them together more, or get more of a backstory. I just didn’t buy that they were these great friends. This was my first time reading from this author and I don’t think it worked that well for me. The story moved a little slowly for me and I had a hard time wanting to continue reading. There was nothing about the characters or the plot that was keeping me engaged. Something that really turned me off was towards the beginning of the book the author says one of the characters “had the rizz” and that kind of lost me…

Thank you Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable read. Kinda interesting to see how a small somewhat comical note could unravel so much for everyone involved. The lies, half truths, & twists were good! The characters could've had more depth & maturity. I had to keep reminding myself they were not college aged even though some of it read like they still were. Once the pieces started falling into place it all happened really quick.

This is my unbiased, honest review. Thank you to NetGalley & Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House for an ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for trusting me with an ARC of The Note by Alafair Burke. This is my first time reading this author. While I was drawn to this book by the description the book had a slow start for me.

This is the story of three longtime friends who go The Hamptons for a weekend. They have an encounter with a couple over a parking space that includes one of the friends putting a note on the couple’s car indicating that the man is cheating. We later learn the man is mysteriously missing and the three friends are questioned by the police and we suspect that there is more to the story, and there is…Family secrets eventually come to light bring the story to a predictable close. Overall, not a bad book just had hoped for more.