This was weird. Novel and weird. At some point I felt really frightened. Like how is this going to pan out? How will they escape this? What could be the possible solutions? Strangely enough, I couldn't help but feel bad for the antagonist. I suppose that's how you know there's still a good dose of humanity still left in you.

A homage to some of the classical mysteries from the past, this engaging and clever novel looks at what happens when the lives of a famous detective, a mysterious writer, and a woman whose childhood was marked by the murder of her mother (which occurred, as the famous detective deduced. at the hands of her father) unexpectedly intersect.

In the process, the reader is taken on a mystery solving journey which will satisfy the most avid fan of the genre! If the idea sounds appealing, do check this one out - it gets 3.5 stars.

This thriller really resonated with me. I'm always looking for books that challenge my perspective, and this one did it beautifully. What I appreciated most was the way it encouraged me to look beyond surface-level assumptions and dig deeper into my own beliefs and the world around me. It wasn't preachy, but rather thought-provoking, and I found myself having some really interesting internal dialogues while reading. It's the kind of book that sticks with you, prompting you to question things long after you've finished the last page. If you're ready to have your mind opened a bit, Assume Nothing is definitely worth picking up.

This read a bit young for my taste. I’m not sure if it was intended for YA readers and maybe it would e been better suited that way?

This book was really engaging. It kept my interest and attention throughout. I liked the characters. It was a win for me.

The pleasure of mystery books often lies in discovering who did it. This book turns that premise on its ear by giving us a plucky young heroine who discovers truths about who she can and can't trust. This reads very much like a YA novel but is still interesting enough for adult readers.

3.25 stars! This story follows Kat, whose life was shattered when her father was convicted of her mother's murder, a case solved by the brilliant detective Alik Lisser. Years later, Kat meets Lisser and forms a surprising friendship, but things aren't as simple as they seem. This was a fun read that I recommend.

3.5* rounded up

Having totally fallen behind on my TBR list, I’ve been effectively selecting books off random first-few-pages tasters.
So that’s the first good thing about ‘Assume Nothing’; in those first few pages, we’re pulled back to the ‘90s, to AOL, to chat rooms, and to a time when meeting someone off the internet was the ‘stranger with sweets’ in our childhoods.
Kat is an interesting character; raised by her abusive uncle and wonderful but long-suffering aunt, she is a huge fan of mystery novels. In particular, she’s a big fan of a woman who wrote a novel about Kat’s mother’s murder by her father.
I really enjoyed the sections that took place in the chatroom; it brought me back to hours spent on movie forums and whatever else I followed at the time.
The plot mixes a coming-of-age story with a mystery to be solved by our heroine and her chatroom friend, Dev, and school crush, Pedro. I don’t want to give away anymore than the book jacket does, suffice to say that I really enjoyed this.
It’s undoubtedly written for a slightly(!) younger audience than myself but the elements of ‘90s nostalgia had me hooked right from the start.
The voice of Kat, who narrates in first person, is also very strong and we can certainly get a sense of her world and how she navigates it; we recognise both the street smarts and naivete of her age, and she’s an easy character to root for.
I also enjoyed the other main character, that of famous detective Alik Lisser – a kind of anti-Jesscia Fletcher (depending on where you fall on JF’s ability to turn up at EVERY murder ever) whose pompousness and pride are his fatal flaws.
There’s a bit of suspension of disbelief, for sure, but it’s more in the line of ‘ooh, that’s unlikely but stranger things have happened’ style of disbelief.
I did find the ending a little rushed, with little in the way of follow-up. We don’t get any real update on certain ancillary characters, and it was a little bit of a let-down.
But mostly, a really enjoyable little read with strong characterisation.

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer, via NetGalley for the eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Quiet, bookish Kat McCann is an unassuming teenage girl living with her aunt and uncle in Boston, Massachusetts. She isn’t shy, exactly, but she doesn’t like to draw attention to herself either. She’d had enough of the spotlight after her artist mother was brutally murdered and her father arrested for the crime.

She doesn’t have any friends at school but, this being the 1990s, has found a community of like-minded individuals on the internet:

QUOTE
The chat room was the closest thing I had to a place where I could be myself. I didn’t have to keep my mouth shut in the chat room. Not like in school, out of fear my classmates might think I was too dumb for my own good. And not like at home, out of fear my uncle might think I was too smart for my own good. The regulars in the chat room were my friends. We had running jokes. For example, whenever someone new showed up and tried to wow us with some iota of trivia about Carissa Miller, we all played along and pretended to be astonished [...] It was all in good fun.
END QUOTE

Her hangout space of choice is devoted to the works of Dame Carissa Miller, the celebrated novelist whose murder mysteries were often based on true crimes. After a lifetime of fame and fortune, Carissa disappeared at the age of seventy-five, leaving a note urging her loved ones and fans alike not to look for her. But it isn’t just this intrigue that has Kat hooked on discussing Carissa’s life and career. The case of Kat’s parents was actually the subject of one of Carissa’s books. The murder was solved by Alik Lisser, the real-life investigator Carissa modeled her most popular detective on. Kat even remembers being interviewed by Alik when she was six, and how kind he was to her as they played cards.

So when she hears that he’s flying over from England to give a guest lecture at Harvard, she knows that she can’t pass up the opportunity to speak with him again. She’s agonized over her memories of her parents for so long, and still can’t believe that her loving father would slaughter her devoted mom. The topic of Alik’s speech, on wrongful convictions, further convinces her that she needs to talk to him about her mother’s death.

To her surprise, he agrees that there was something odd about the case. Even more astonishingly, he invites her and her family to come visit him in London so that he can show her his evidence instead of just telling her about it. Kat’s aunt is a huge Anglophile but both she and Kat know that Kat’s uncle needs to be handled carefully if the trip is to happen for them:

QUOTE
We were going to London! I still had trouble believing it. Most unbelievable of all: my uncle wasn’t standing in our way, wasn’t putting up a fight, nothing. At the time I didn’t question it [...] Only later did I realize my aunt had been strategizing. She called all those people to brag (including her priest) so she could set up a fail-safe. What happened behind closed doors was one thing, but now these people were telling other people, and if my uncle turned around and said no to London, he’d be turning all these other people into liars.

So smart. So sneaky. So brave.

I’ll bet my uncle probably thought he had beaten all the bravery out of my aunt. But he was wrong.
END QUOTE

And so Kat and her aunt travel to England to learn the truth about what happened to her mother… which turns out to be the beginning of Kat’s nightmare, as she finds out that nothing, as the title implies, is as she’s believed for so long.

Saying any more would be spoiling this terrific rollercoaster of a murder mystery, as Kat’s already less than perfect life careens towards greater disaster. Joshua Corin expertly writes jaw-dropping twists that have readers like myself feeling deeply invested in Kat’s seemingly impossible struggle. The 90s setting is perhaps uniquely perfect for this. Alik rails against modern technology getting in the way of good detective work – he would definitely loathe the advances of the 21st century – but the relatively primitive technology of the era is what allows this plot to work so well.

As a 90s kid myself, I was deeply nostalgic for Kat’s experiences online, as well as her devotion to the Agatha Christie-like Carissa. But it isn’t just nostalgia or even the undeniable ingenuity of the plot that carries this novel. Kat’s relationships with the people she cares about – even when she can’t confide in them or, even worse, when they don’t believe her – make for the most compelling reading. You’ll be rooting for courageous, clever, kind-hearted Kat till the very last, satisfying page.

This was a difficult book for me to get through. I am going to need to try the audiobook, but even that may be difficult with no chapters.

I am going to need to give it a second chance and I am giving it 3 stars because everything came together from what I can remember.

great book and I loved the action and the romance . I loved seeing the friends and family. I loved that they were able to figure things out. Overall a great book .

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"Assume Nothing" by Joshua Corin is a relentless, adrenaline-pumping thriller that grabs you by the throat from the very first page and doesn't let go until the stunning conclusion. Corin's narrative is a masterful blend of suspense, intricate plotting, and psychological depth, making this a must-read for any thriller enthusiast.

The novel follows the journey of Esme Stuart, a former FBI agent who has left her high-stakes career to lead a quieter life with her family. However, her past comes rushing back when she is drawn into a case involving a deadly and elusive adversary known only as "The Stranger." As Esme delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers a series of chilling connections and is forced to confront her darkest fears and deepest secrets.

Corin's writing is sharp and evocative, with a keen eye for detail that brings each scene to life. The pacing is impeccable, with the tension ratcheting up with every chapter. The plot is meticulously crafted, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing and on the edge of their seats. Corin deftly balances action-packed sequences with moments of introspection, creating a well-rounded and immersive reading experience.

One of the novel's standout elements is its protagonist, Esme Stuart. Corin has created a strong, multi-dimensional character whose resilience and intelligence shine through in every situation. Esme's internal struggles and determination make her a relatable and compelling heroine. The supporting cast is equally well-developed, each adding depth and complexity to the story.

"Assume Nothing" excels in its exploration of themes such as trust, deception, and the cost of keeping secrets. Corin delves into the psychological intricacies of his characters, making the stakes feel real and the suspense all the more intense. The novel's setting, with its atmospheric descriptions, adds another layer of tension and enhances the overall sense of danger and urgency.

"Assume Nothing" is a masterfully crafted thriller that showcases Joshua Corin's talent for creating gripping and thought-provoking narratives. It is a standout entry in the genre, offering readers a roller-coaster ride of suspense, action, and psychological intrigue. This novel is a must-read for fans of intense, high-stakes thrillers and anyone looking for a book that will keep them up late into the night.

For those that need chapters, this has none, and while it doesn't bother me since a story is a story, it may bother some. This was more young adult but still worthy of an adult read and very nostalgic of the 90s. While some of the protagonist's actions may be a bit hard to believe, again, it is a story and an entertaining one at that. With a steady pace and surprising twists, this was a solid four star for me.

Thank you, Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer, for this ARC.

3.5 rounded down

Basic Premise: When Kat was young, a famous detective solved her mother's murder pinning it on her father. We meet Kat as a teen who has read all of the novels that were inspired by the detective's cases. Not surprisingly, Kat and Alik Lisser cross paths again and the story ensues from there.

I enjoyed this book, but it felt was geared more to Young Adults. Definitely nothing wrong with that, but I was hoping for a little more. I did recommend this book to my 14-year old. I appreciated the 90s references and each one brought a smile. It mostly kept my interest, but I had to suspend disbelief as some of the plot was pretty contrived. Sometimes I'm able to suspend disbelief and others not. This was one of those times where it was more challenging.

I'm interested to read more Joshua Corin as I did like his writing style once I had decided this was more YA in nature (and is possibly not categorized as such). I also appreciated the length was just under 300 pages, which makes it a nice quick read for me! The last ~25% had me the most intrigued compared to the build up.

Thank you to Joshua Corin, Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The storyline is unique and original. The mystery is really entertaining. I liked the pacing. There's no actual chapters which I didn't mind but if it's something that you are very particular about that might bother you. Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend it. Special Thank You to Joshua Corin, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Assume Nothing is an engaging story about a very well known detective (Adrian Lescher), a prolific thriller writer (Carissa), and a teenager (Kat) who had her mother killed (and her father condemned for it). Kat lives with her aunt and uncle in Boston and all her communication with her father ended when she left California, she'll only know that her father wrote her letters after he passes away in prison and they'll only add to her loneliness and need to understand whar happened. She's also a huge fan of Carissa's thrillers which are based upon Adrian Lescher's cases and their paths will once again cross. Kat will get to know the detective and his quirks in depth and her life will be turned upside down until she's able to devise a plan and reach vengeance for her parents' death. Captivating, well-written, it keeps on building tension and mystery till the end.
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

If you grew up in the '90s, you can probably still hear the sounds of AOL dial-up internet and remember an embarrassing chatroom username or two. Those elements give Joshua Corin's Assume Nothing, a fun murder-mystery novel, its unique flavor.

Full review at Eulalie Magazine: https://eulaliemagazine.com/2024/12/assume-nothing-is-a-quirky-thriller-with-90s-nostalgia-book-review/

This was a quick read with some crazy plot twists. Kat was only 6 when her father was convicted of murdering her mother, the crime solved by the dazzling detective Alik Lisser. Since then, she has devoured mystery novels to cope with the loss of both parents - especially those written by an author styled after Agatha Christie - who writes about the cases Lisser solves. When Kat has the chance to meet the detective 10 years after her mother’s murder, she is awed. When she gets the chance for a friendship with him? She is in thrall. However, not everything is as it seems in this novel and Corin absolutely keeps you on your toes until the very end.

Kat, fifteen, develops an unlikely relationship with a famous detective Alik Lisser. She's a little obsessed with him for a few reasons. He is the model for a fictional detective from one of her favorite mystery writers. Oh yeah and he's the one who solved her mother's murder when Kat was six years old.

This story is kind of a Kat and mouse (ha ha), almost a cozy but not quite, could be considered YA (it's told from Kat's perspective and her thoughts are, well, those of a fifteen year old). It's a fun read that is all over the place with nutty twists and turns. Were there plot holes? Big ones. Did I stay glued to the story? Certainly.

My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the digital ARC.

Assume Nothing by Joshua Corin is an intriguing and compelling mystery.
I really enjoyed reading this story. I was compelled to race through it and truly enjoyed it.
I love the writing style of Joshua Corin and found his storyline easy to follow.