This is a page-turning suspense novel. I wanted to figure out how everyone was connected. I didn't love the female characters; they were kind of annoying. However...if you take it at surface level, it's pretty good.

The Note by Alafair Burke is a fast-paced, intriguing thriller that kept me guessing until the end. The story centers on Lily, a journalist who discovers a cryptic note that links to a cold case she’s never been able to shake. As she digs deeper, secrets unravel, and danger looms, pulling her into a web of lies and deception.

Burke’s storytelling is sharp and suspenseful, with twists that kept me turning the pages. I was drawn into Lily’s determination and felt the tension build with each new discovery. This is one of those thrillers that stays with you, leaving you questioning every character.

If you’re looking for a gripping mystery with complex characters and a twisty plot, The Note is a must-read.

The newest murder mystery / thriller by Alafair Burke is all about toxic friendships, consequences, backstabbing, secrets & lies.

Things escalate at a fair pace, however I felt the character development could have been stronger. They seemed to be all over the place, like they couldn’t make up their minds on who or what they wanted to be.

There is a nice twist towards the end that peaked my interest, however I feel like it’s been done one too many times.

Was this one of my favorite novels by Alafair? No, however I would still recommend to fans of a light murder mystery read.

Favorite Line: “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”

Thank you to NetGalley, Knopf Publishing & Alafair Burke for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately I found myself struggling to read this. I found it boring and the plot just failed to hold my interest. The characters were also unlikeable.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The plot was promising and the premise was good, but i found it a little predictable. The toxic female friendship trope layered on top of a healthy dose of pandemic was a lot for me. And the Note itself doesn't make sense once the "truth" comes out. Still, an enjoyable read.

Quick and easy read with twists that make you want to keep reading. The final twist was predictable but still a good read. This is my third book by this author and I will continue to read more. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

The Note started a bit slow for me but once it got to about the middle and really picked up I couldn't put it down. I was on the fence with a 3 or 4 star rating ended up with 3.5 because there was stuff about the ending I didn't love. All in all a good twisty book that I would for sure recommend. I want to thank NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this early access book. I enjoyed this one a lot. I wasn’t sure if I really liked it to start and was pretty nervous based on the reviews I read but, I’m so glad that I decided to stick with it because I loved it.

I thought I had the twist figured out but, wasn’t even close to what it was :). MIND BLOWN.

Super thankful that this was another killer thriller! ;)

I can’t wait for more people to read it once it releases to the public :)

The Note by Alafair Burke delivers an enthralling psychological suspense thriller that explores the complexities of friendship, guilt, and the often devastating consequences of a single reckless decision. This gripping novel centers around May Hanover, a rule-abiding, high-achieving young woman who has always lived under the strict expectations of her single mother. As a result, May has spent her life playing by the rules—until a fateful, seemingly harmless prank sets off a chain of events that spirals dangerously out of control.

I adore Alafair Burke’s writing so had some high expectations for this book. It’s an ok book, just fell a bit short for me. 3 friends, all 3 with some secrets and with pretty bad publicity. They gather at a vacation home and a murder happens in the town. Things start slowly unraveling. Premise was good, but delivery was a bit meh..

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This is my first book from this author. I will be reading some of her other books. This book was a very slow start for me. It was too pandemic heavy for me. But overall it had a lot of twists and turns.

I feel bad for good authors who write not so good books. This authors previous books were so good and this was...well...not. That said we all make mistakes and will continue to read her books.

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.