Talk about dark and twisted!! However, I am not complaining at all! This was a fast, single sitting read that I could not get enough of. This was one heck of a thriller with so many unexpected twists and turns. I was on the edge of my seat with this book and I’m still thinking of the ending, which I didn’t see coming at all. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The plot was very well developed and so were the characters. This was a very suspenseful book that will be a big hit once it’s released.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Three women stay friends after going to camp together as youth. Girls trip to Hamptons involves them as murder suspect. 1st 75 pages of book was boring, over describing their youth. Story is good once the murder investigation begins and the actual murderer is a surprise ending. Book is worth reading once you get to the “note” and suspect for the murder.

My new favorite Alafair Burke book and I am already looking forward to her next thriller. While I did find the main characters annoying, this book was a page turner with all of the twists and lies. A girls trip to the Hamptons gone wrong led to many revelations and a test of 3 women's friendship.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ARC review | pub date 01.24.25

three friends - all completely different from each other - find themselves in the middle of a police investigation after a prank gone wrong while on a girl’s trip away.

This is a legal thriller that involves some heavy subjects, including lots of pandemic/cancel culture talk. To me, that’s a turn off because I read to get away and don’t typically enjoy books that are covid-heavy and have zero likeable characters. It wasn’t for me but may be for you.

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for my ARC

This book is a slow starter but the pace picks up toward the end. Three women in a toxic friendship, a revenge prank gone wrong, several clever twists - this makes a fast, enjoyable read.

The Note by Alafair Burke. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3 friends are reunited for a girls trip. The trip includes a note, a stolen parking spot and a death. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book! The 3 main characters weren’t always likeable but they were relatable. I found myself unsure who to root for and the plot twist was (almost) expected. I am looking forward to reading more by author Alafair Burke.

I’m new to thrillers and this book was a good read! I love the suspense and thriller vibes! The characters were written so good!

As someone who appreciates a well-crafted suspense novel, I found myself initially testing my patience with Burke's latest thriller, "The Note." The story's deliberate pacing in the first quarter of the book nearly had me setting it aside, but I'm grateful I persevered, as what follows is a masterfully woven tale of friendship, secrets, and consequences.

The story centers on May Hanover, a former DA turned law professor, whose reunion with longtime friends Lauren and Kelsey in the Hamptons takes an unexpected dark turn after a seemingly harmless prank. Burke expertly peels back the layers of their shared history, revealing how their childhood bond has weathered various storms of tragedy and scandal. As a delightful aside, I particularly enjoyed the detail of May working on the NY Times Spelling Bee daily with her friends, something I share with my wife – it's these small touches that make the characters feel real.

While the novel's strength lies in its intricate plot twists and gradually revealed secrets, I found myself occasionally frustrated with May's character. Despite her legal background, she often jumps to conclusions without considering alternative possibilities, which seems at odds with her professional training. However, this could be interpreted as a clever illustration of how personal involvement can cloud even the sharpest legal mind.

What starts as a slow burn transforms into an engaging page-turner that keeps readers guessing until the end. Burke demonstrates her mastery of the suspense genre by skillfully doling out revelations about each character's past, ensuring that every disclosure adds another layer to this complex narrative.

A big thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was an okay mystery - I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. I think part of my issue was it was hard to like May, Lauren and Kelsey. I also figured out the twist way before it was revealed. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

The Note by Alafair Burke follows three friends post COVID on vacation in the Hamptons. May and Kelsey have been friends since that were preteens after meeting at summer camp. Lauren. was the music teacher and camp counselor. They have always been there for each other and now is no different. While out on the town May and Lauren both write innocent notes on a cocktail napkin as a joke for the jerk that took their parking spot. The next day the guy driving the car has gone missing. Kelsey tells May and Lauren that she had went back to the hotel where they were having drinks to put the note that Lauren wrote on the car. It was just an innocent prank wasn't it? Now May who was a former DA prosecutor is now in lawyer/ sleuth mode into why and how Kelsey is involved in all of this. Will Kelsey just use her father's wealth to get off on the charges like before or is Kelsey really telling the truth? The Note was a true page turner that had you guessing until the very end. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Knopf for an advanced copy of this novel.

Release: Jan 6
Publisher: knopf, pantheon, vintage, and anchor
 
Rating:  4/5 ★ 
 
 
 
The Note is a gripping psychological thriller that dives deep into the complexities of family dynamics and the secrets that can fracture relationships. The story centers around the sudden death of a beloved family member, which sends shockwaves through the lives of those left behind. As the protagonist navigates her grief, she uncovers a mysterious note that hints at long-buried truths and potential betrayals. 
Alafair Burke’s writing is engaging and fluid, drawing readers in with rich character development and an intricately woven plot. The exploration of the protagonist’s emotional turmoil and her quest for answers adds depth to the narrative, making it not just a mystery but also a poignant reflection on love and loss. 
The pacing is excellent, with suspenseful twists that keep you on your toes. Just when you think you’ve figured things out, Burke introduces new layers that complicate the story in intriguing ways. The tension builds steadily, leading to a satisfying and unexpected conclusion that ties together the various threads of the narrative. 
Overall, The Note is a well-crafted thriller that expertly balances mystery and emotional resonance. It’s a compelling read for fans of psychological suspense, as it challenges perceptions of truth and loyalty within the context of family. Burke has delivered a thought-provoking story that will linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page. 

Favorite Quote: 
"Truth can be a fragile thing, easily distorted by the lens through which we view it."

Pretty underwhelming. The plot had promise but fell flat. All of the characters were insufferable.
Pretty disappointed.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Three women come together after finding themselves in unfavorable light. Two mysterious deaths from the past are brought up when a man goes missing.

This took me a long time to read. I found it to be a bit boring and didn’t keep me intrigued. The twist left me thinking there was something more to come.

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy.

I almost DNF'd this one, and I RARELY DNF, but as someone who has read many a thriller, I have found that the slow burn thriller really doesn't often work for me. The concept itself is an oxymoron, I pick up thrillers for the quick hooks and the fast pacing, not for drawn out cliches and failed attempts at suspense.

Well, failed for me at least. There are SOME cases where slow drawn out tension and suspense can work, but that was just not the case here. Another thing I hate in books is distinct modernization that takes me out of the story. Personally I don'y like when authors choose to mention various names of things from the real world, facebook, twitter, tiktok, etc, I'm sure the author hopes for relatability but for me it just comes off as cheesy and jolting.

It was cringey, and cliche, and not the absolute worst thing I've ever read which is why I'm giving it 2 stars and not 1, the writing is acceptable, but overall I had to trudge thru till the end and it took me way too long to read. this had none of the typical page-turning compulsion driving me to pick it up.

” by Alafair Burke is a compelling legal thriller that challenges the
moralities of the justice system.
The story is about 3 so called friends who went to camp together when they were young and then lost touch
. They each decide to have a reunion after many years of no contact. The reunion starts out good then due to there desire for a joke these 3 girls play on a stranger ends tragic and the girls start to question each other. Revelations are revealed ethical decimal are are added to this story of suspense and drama. There are alot of twists and turns.

I love Alafair Burke and her writing but this was not my favorite as it started out slow and all the characters were so unlikeable.

In The Note, Alafair Burke delivers a captivating psychological thriller that explores the intricacies of secrets and the pursuit of truth. Burke’s sharp prose and well-drawn characters create an engaging narrative that keeps readers guessing until the very end. With its blend of suspense and emotional depth, The Note is a compelling read that will resonate with anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking mystery. Highly recommended for fans of the genre!

Thank you to the publisher for and NetGalley for the ARC!

Burke is such a great writer and I always enjoy his book. Getting approval for this one was exciting and I hope everyone picks this one up on Jan 7th.
What are the secrets May and Kelsey are hiding? As the story unfolds, it just keeps you reading and reading to find out what's happening.
This book had me guessing the entire time!

This was quite a page turner! I was absorbed start to finish and while I guessed a few twists, it was a gripping read. Recommended!

Engaging and entertaining. A recommended purchase for collections where crime and thrillers are popular.

When May, Lauren, and Kelsey meet at a gorgeous beach house for a girls getaway, a prank goes wrong and a body turns up. Secrets will be revealed and truths will be discovered that go back decades, but will their friendship survive?
Alafair Burke does an excellent job of building her characters slowly by inserting little tidbits chapter by chapter. Once the twist hits you'll wonder how you missed it.