The Note is a mystery set mainly in Long Island a few years after the COVID-19 pandemic. Three estranged friends are together for a girls vacation in Montauk when on the way to dinner, their parking spot is swiped by another vehicle, leading one of the women to leave a note on the windshield of the offending driver. This incident sets in motion a wildly implausible yet fairly predictable series of events. The women became acquainted during summers spent at camp long ago, and each has memories of that time that resurface in the present to drive the plot. The book was entertaining, but it felt like it was trying to do too much. The pandemic’s effects on a New Yorker of Asian descent, the personal politics of kids v no kids and what women will do to be mothers, toxic friends that aren’t worth the time and the doting boyfriend who has finally had enough were just some of the complications that distracted me. Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Knopf for an advanced egalley of the book to review.

I would like to give this 2.5 stars because the premise of the story is wonderful - three semi estranged friends who recently reconnected spend a weekend in the Hamptons and it all goes wrong. The actual story fell flat for me because all, and I mean ALL, the characters are insufferable. They are all written to be (I assume) unique and bring their own flare but they all suck. If the unnecessary backstories and opinions of said characters weren't so drawn out and wordy, this could've worked! I also had most of the plot figured out in the first half and then had to suffer through so much extra stuff that I was burnt out by the end.

Again, all my own original thoughts and thank you to the publisher and author Alafair for my gifted copy!

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of The Note by Alafair Burke in exchange for an honest review. This book was a whole new type of murder mystery. I loved the layers and subtle cues sprinkled throughout the story that didn't become clear until the end. Nicely written and very interesting storyline.

May, Kelsey and Lauren are three friends who have known each other since summer camp. May is a first generation Chinese American raised by a single who held her to an extremely high standard. May had no room to make any errors, and became a lawyer and professor. At summer camp an incident happens and they’ve kept it under wraps for years. As they have lost touch over the years, Kelsey invites the ladies on a beach house vacation, and while things seem to be going well one mistake puts the ladies right in the middle of an investigation. An investigation that leads to opening up old wounds from their days at summer camp.

Honestly this wasn’t a read from me. I couldn’t relate to the characters and the main character May seemed very whitewashed. While the talked about her being a first generation Chinese American raised very traditionally, she didn’t present that way and she honestly her heritage was barely brought up. It felt surface level, but as if it was brought up to seem inclusive and to have a POC character in the book. I probably wouldn’t read this author again.

I really didn't care for this one. It was the slowest burn. the first 75% of the book was so boring. I wanted to DNF it so bad but i was hoping the rest of the book would redeem the beginning of it. Nope. I didn't care for the writing at all.

This is my first book by Alafair Burke and I wasn't disappointed. I love thrillers and this one kept me on the edge of my seat. I was also interested by the way the Covid lock down was brought in and how it affected May as a person. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author in the near future.

Three friends reconnect on a vacation to the Hamptons where a seemingly harmless prank reveals a tangle of lies and secrets leading the friends to realize they don’t know each other as well as they thought.

I did not particularly like the characters, but they were well developed. While they frustrated me at times it did add to the mystery. There were a lot of twists & turns wrapping up to an unexpected ending.

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.

So much drama and suspense I really had a hard time putting this one down. Maybe I need to get back into mysteries again!?

The Note is a psychological thriller that explores the complexities and consequences of a seemingly harmless prank. The story follows three lifelong friends—May, Lauren, and Kelsey—during a reunion vacation in the Hamptons. What was meant to be a rekindling of their friendships takes a dark turn when a practical joke leads to deadly consequences, ultimately testing their bonds.

Burke's novel starts as a slow burn, but as the narrative progresses, layers of depth are added to each character, allowing the plot to unfold compellingly. As the story takes a sinister spin, secrets are woven among the friends creating spiraling plot twists. Although the characters are well-developed, I found each of them unlikable in their way. Overall, "The Note" was a gripping read, and I look forward to seeing what Burke publishes next.

"The Note" by Alafair Burke is a compelling psychological thriller that hooks you right from the start. The story centers around 3 women, each with their own checkered past who are linked to a missing stranger, setting off a chain of events that explores betrayal, secrets, and trust. The plot is fast-paced, with plenty of twists and turns that keep you on edge. Burke does an excellent job developing the characters, making them feel realistic and multifaceted. While some plot elements felt a bit predictable, the tension throughout the novel was enough to keep me fully engaged. Overall, "The Note" is a captivating read that blends suspense with emotional depth, earning it a well-deserved 4 stars.

This is a very popular book right now so naturally I had to have it. I love the characters. The setting was interesting. I am just not feeling the story, or the way the people interact with one another. It is me though. I am just getting over the flu and I am not smart yet. I will likely reread this one.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh Ms. Burke, I did not like this one at all. This plot was like a game of telephone in a high school locker room. Way too much going on to be able to become invested in the actual story and characters.

2.5/5 ⭐

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of The Note by Alafair Burke! This was a solid 4-star read for me. It had me guessing way longer than I expected, and honestly, I’m a little embarrassed it took me so long to figure out the real culprit. But hey, maybe that just means I should read more thrillers.

The pacing was solid throughout, but that last 25-30%? Hooked. I had trouble putting it down because I had to see how everything played out. Between the tension in the friend group and May’s messy personal life, the drama was top-tier. Once it clicked who the murderer was, it all made sense, and from there, I was just along for the ride.

Overall, I really enjoyed it! If you love suspense with a side of juicy interpersonal chaos, The Note is definitely worth picking up.

I really wanted to love this book based on the description of it and while I enjoyed it, I didn't love it. Three friends that grew up together decide to reconnect in the Hamptons for a girls weekend. What was supposed to be an innocent prank goes awry though and the three girls find themselves under investigation. This book took me a while to get into because it started very slow in my opinion. I also found May who is the main POV to be very annoying. I would also call this more of a mystery than a thriller. There were some surprises but nothing that completely and thoroughly shocked me like I expect in a thriller. I would give this book a 3.5 rounded to 4 star rating.

Thank you, Knopf, Alafair Burke, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Meet the Cancelled Crew:
May - the talented attorney whose entire career is altered after internet trolls dub her #AsianDAKaren when a viral video surfaces
Kelsey - heiress to a real estate empire, and her husband’s presumed-guilty murderer (according to the online true crime junkies who won’t let the case rest)
Lauren - a talented musician and somehow the only “one” guilty in a consensual “two” person affair.

When these three friends reunite for a girls’ weekend in The Hamptons after years apart, it’s almost as if no time at all has passed. But after a practical joke turns into something much more sinister, doubts arise, long-held secrets bubble to the surface, and someone is definitely guilty.

This fast-paced mystery bounced easily between current and past events to flesh out each main character. I enjoyed the story - it kept me hooked! This book is good for readers who like stories with strong FMCs and female friendships. It was a quick read, almost too quick - I wanted to know the characters a bit more, and the ending felt a bit rushed.

THE NOTE published January 7th, so get your library requests in or your book orders placed ASAP!

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor, NetGalley, and author Alafair Burke for the complimentary advance copy! It was my pleasure to write this candid review.

I was excited to dive into this one as it was my first book by Alafair Burke. While not what I expected, I enjoyed that it was fast past and a quick read! Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the advanced copy of this book!

I wanted to love this book! It started out very compelling! Too slow paced, the characters were very confusing. I could not tell Lauren and Kelsey a part. The social issues are taking up a lot of time and serving what purpose? Twist is predictable. Put this book down too many times and honestly was not invested enough to keep picking it back up.

The plot moved quickly and kept my attention throughout. I was sucked in right away and flipped the pages furiously. It was on the shorter side under 300
pages so it’s definitely a fun read.

The characters were thoroughly written yet they frustrated me beyond measure. I did have a suspicion on how this book would end, but it was fun anyway.

Alafair Burke, the queen of thrillers, undisputed. Every year I await her thrillers with trepidation, even if they are sometimes a bit banal, they always have some element that confuses you and makes you doubt your thesis. Three friends find themselves in the Hamptons, on vacation, and secrets begin to surface. The protagonists are a bit unpleasant, if I can be honest, but the mystery is full-bodied and interesting. Advised!
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publishing house for this e-copy, in exchange of my honest review.

This book about 3 long-time friends and a practical joke that went awry kept me guessing until the end. I love a good mystery that is not violent and this book was not. There were several twists and just when I thought I had it figured out, I was wrong. Highly recommend.