Member Reviews
A powerful novel ! The story shows how one man can convince gullible people into killing in the name of a god. Utterly distressing, disturbing and inhuman, these events really happened and were not acknowledged for many years. Thanks to a few children who survived the massacre and others who admitted to the crime, we know what happened... The plot is convincing, concentrating around four women who were present either as victims, a Mormon mother or a Native American girl. I found it particularly interesting to read this story through their very different lives and cultures. A story to be told, to acknowledge all the victims with names. I will not forget.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
“Based on True Events None Left to Tell is the story of the Mountain Meadow Massacre” This book was very well written, written from three women’s POV. I went in blind to this book, due to Noelle is an automatic read for me. It’s more of a historical fiction than the thriller. I had never heard of this tragedy and did read Wikipedia after reading the book. The author does a wonderful job of immersing the reader into this landscape. The soundtrack attached created an even more compelling read. If you love a historical fiction thriller, give it a try. It really gave me a range of emotions, yes I cried. It’s unimaginable to think the basis of this story actually happened. Thank you to NetGalley, Dynamite Books and Noelle W Ihli for the opportunity to read this arc for an honest review
This book was amazing. Everything I have read by this author surpasses expectations. Definitely recommend to anyone wanting a new thriller/historical fiction book.
I went into this book completely blind. I knew with Noelle Ihli as the author it was going to be a book I wanted to read regardless!
I would not classify this one as a thriller but rather a historical fiction. Strongly based on true events, Noelle really did her research for this one. Such heartbreak and tragedy truly had me in tears. Baffled at how I had never heard of such a huge historical event in the very country I reside. Each character story was presented in a way that made me feel like I knew them and was hearing the story first hand. Beautifully adapted into a fictional novel.
The beginning was a bit difficult for me to follow. I had a hard time distinguishing the three different groups of people that the story was about. It wasn't until about 30 or so percent into the book that I felt like I knew what was going on. I did have to stop and research the true story so I could follow on a little easier.
Overall, emotional and captivating read!
Thanks to NetGalley, Noelle Ihli, and Xpresso Book Tours for this ARC and chance to give my honest opinion.
"None Left to Tell" is a harrowing tale that is not for the faint-hearted. By the end, I was left in tears and feeling unsettled. It definitely took me a little bit to get into the book. Departing from Ihlis's usual thriller style, this novel delves into the tragic true events of a massacre that claimed the lives of men, women, and children in the 1800s—an episode I was previously unaware of.
The first half of the book presents the perspectives of three women from diverse backgrounds. Katrina travels west with her husband and children on a wagon train, while Lucy, a Mormon wife, grapples with the constant displacement forced upon her family due to their beliefs. Meanwhile, Kahpeputz (Sally), a Bannock Indian who was kidnapped as a child, faces her own tumultuous journey after being passed among families and becoming the fourth wife of Chief Kanosh.
In the second part, the focus shifts to Lucy, Sally, and a young girl named Emma Wllis. If you’re a fan of historical fiction, this powerful narrative is a must-add to your TBR list!
Thank you Dynamite Books and Noelle ihli for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
None Left to Tell by Noelle W. Ihli is a book that will stay with me forever. In my book reviews, you won't see me saying 'this book had me gasping/yelling/laughing out loud', 'this book had me in tears', etc. I absolutely love reading books but they just don't have that effect on me. Well, THIS ONE DID! I actually got tearful a few times throughout this book! While reading, you will be able to imagine the characters, their pain/happiness and their surroundings. The book is very emotional, thought provoking and educational. The reader will become fully invested in the story. This is an excellent book.
After the story, the author included an afterword. She tells you how the book affected her, the amount of work that was put into it, a bit about the true stories behind the book, and so much more. It is very touching!
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Wow!!! I am SUCH a fan of Noelle w ihli!! When I saw that this was available on netgalley, I HAD to make an account and try to get approved for it! Boy am I GLAD I did!!!
This book is absolutely nothing like I was expecting. It BLEW MY MIND. It's not her usual type of writing, but in true Noelle fashion she nailed getting your feelings involved and having amazing character development. This definitely had some thrilling aspects to it, but it's really more of a historical fiction. It follows 3 women and I don't want to give too much away, but your feelings will be involved! Just get the book, and start reading and you'll see what I mean. You won't want to stop until you finish it!
Noelle is, in my opinion, the BEST thriller writer. She's now written an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING historical fiction. Now, what I REALLY would love to see her write is a horror novel!!! Noelle, if you're reading this I hope you consider writing a horror novel!! I just know you would absolutely kill it!
None Left to Tell offers a compelling portrayal of the Mountain Meadows Massacre through the perspectives of three women, but I was a little disappointed that the title suggested that this book is a thriller, which it wasn't. While the historical detail and character depth were well done, the story focused more on emotional and moral dilemmas than the suspense I had expected. The research done on this book was very through. I had never heard about this event and found it very informative. Such a terribly sad story.
This haunting true story of death and survival was one I had never heard of before. It happened in 1857 when an emigrant wagon train headed to California was brutally attacked. It’s devastating that such terror and bloodshed happened because of a simple misunderstanding. Noelle did an incredible job telling this heartbreaking story. It was a little on the depressing side when such topics arose of children and animals dying, but I continued reading as it is a piece of history that needed to be told. It took about 70 pages for the action to really start, but once it did, it was hard to put down. Noelle’s style of writing had me thinking I was watching a movie, not reading a book. Sadness aside, this was an incredible read and definitely recommend! Thank you, NetGalley and Dynamite Books for letting me read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
I don’t think I’ve ever finished a book where I felt like I had a million things to say, yet speechless at the same time. Every single word I read from this book, I could tell that Noelle Ihli carefully chose everything written with care and passion for the subject she was writing about. The main characters really made this story come to life. I felt as if I was right there with them experiencing everything they were experiencing. This book was absolutely heartbreaking, but was written so beautifully. I found myself crying during several parts of the story (yes Noelle, I’m writing up the bill now for the tissues you’ll be buying me LOL), the emotion in this book just really leapt off the page. I absolutely loved the afterword section where Noelle talks about how this story relates to her and her ancestors. I also love how she really kept the characters in the book as close as she could to the real people that went through this tragic event. Had I not read this book, I would have never known about this tragedy. I’m so grateful that Noelle did all of the research she did to give us this beautifully tragic story, I believe the people who went through this would be so proud of what Noelle has done with their story. I didn’t think it was possible to love this author more than I already do, but after this one my love and respect for her has grown to new extremes. If you love historical fiction, or thrillers, read this. It will really open your eyes to things you may have never thought about before. This if definitely going to be my favorite book of the month, I already know it! Check this book out when it releases on 10/11/24!
I was so excited to get the opportunity to read an early copy of Noelle West Ihli's newest book, None Left to Tell.
I have enjoyed every book I have read by her, but this one...just wow! This one is my favorite of hers so far! Definitely a 5 star.
It is a historical fiction book about The Mountain Meadows Massacre that took place in Utah in 1857. I don't want to get into too many details because I don't want to ruin the story for anyone else, but suffice it to say this story hits hard. It is sad that not many people know about this tragedy, but I'm glad this book was written and will enlighten people. I highly recommend this book, especially to lovers of historical fiction.
Now I'm off to do my own research into The Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Thank you NetGalley and Dynamite Books for allowing me to read this ARC.
Noelle W. Ihli is one of my "auto buy" authors! Every book that I have read from her has been a solid 5 stars. Although this isn't your "typical" thriller, this story is still a page turner!
Before starting this book, I had never heard of The Mountain Massacre, and being a history nerd, I love reading stories based on real events that make me want to learn more about what actually took place.
I can't wait to read Noelle's next book!
Wow wow wow wow!!! I’ve read a few of Noelle’s other books, and I can palpably see and feel the growth in her writing with this book. I want all my friends to read it!!
‘None left to Tell’ is labeled as a thriller, but reads a lot more like historical fiction/horror to me. I had never heard of the events that occurred and I’m so glad I learned about them, even though they are shocking and heartbreaking. This book was based on true events- Good reminder that our fellow man can be the cruelest monster out there.
This book follows three women in the 1850s who are all connected by one of the most brutal mass killings to ever occur on American soil. There was a really helpful character list in the beginning that I bookmarked for reference. We follow Lucy, Katrina and Sally as they navigate the hardships of being in Utah, being wives, mothers and understanding themselves and their faith and trying to do what’s best for each of their own respective families.
Gosh, I’ll be thinking about this one for a while. I’m thankful to Netgalley + Xpresso book tours for the ARC - it was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
TW: violence against children, non graphic death of an animal, general violence and language.
Thank you to NetGalley, publisher Dynamite books and author Noelle W Ihl for the ARC and opportunity to review this book.
I have read Ask for Andrea by this author and loved it. I went into this one blind assuming it would be like the one I had read before. I was wrong.
This book is based on real life history of an unbelievable massacre. At some points I had to remind myself that what I was reading actually happened. This wasn’t a made up story.
While I’m not one for reading about religion and I will admit I was lost in some parts as the author described different religious aspects it didn’t take away too much of the book from me.
It is a very heartbreaking story to read.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’re here because you read and enjoyed Noelle Ihli’s Ask for Andrea, Run on Red, or Gray After Dark, please read a bit more about what this book is about so you know what you’re getting yourself into. This is not a typical thriller, but rather a historical fiction (based on true events) set in Utah in 1857. People are killed, people get sick and die, the word “massacre” is used appropriately. There is definitely some suspense (and horror) here, but overall historical fiction dealing with Mormons is not my cup of tea, so I’m not the ideal audience here. At 425 pages, this is not a short, fast book. I did like that our three main characters are all women.
This was not an easy book to read, but an important one, especially if you are curious about reading about this part of history.
Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with an advance reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
Publishes on October 10, 2024 and should be available on Kindle Unlimited.
I went into this blind, I was expecting more thriller but it was more history-y. However I loved it, I was invested very early on in this one. It was executed beautifully, very powerful.
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒌. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒚.
When I saw that this book was more historical fiction than thriller, I was a little hesitant. I don't read much from that genre, but then I reminded myself that Noelle wrote it. And ever since I read her debut, I knew that she would never let me down. I did not expect to be left emotionally devastated and going down rabbit holes at four in the morning, however.
From an NPR article: September 11 was a tragic date in American history long before the terrorist attacks of 2001. On September 11, 1857, a Mormon militia in southern Utah seized a wagon train from Arkansas and brutally murdered 120 people. Soon after, records of the event were destroyed and Mormon leaders attempted a cover-up. The "Mountain Meadows Massacre" still troubles the descendants of both the attackers and victims.
The plot follows the lives of three women: Lucy, who is sick of turning the other cheek; Katrina, a young mother of four who just wants to protect her family; and Sally, who has been given to a man she barely knows to become his fourth wife. These women are all connected by a common goal--they are doing their best to survive harsh, brutal conditions, not just in their landscape, but from the men they are surrounded by.
I am so grateful to the author for bringing this dark, disturbing story to light. These women will live in my head for a long time, and their resilience, grief, and at times, defiance, will live within me as well. Be sure to read the author's notes and be aware of the online attacks against her for publishing this story that I knew nothing about before this book. Eternal thanks to the author for providing me an early copy. At the time this review was written, this book was expected to publish October 11, 2024.
Wow. First of all, this isn’t your typical thriller. It’s a slow burn in the beginning but doesn’t take long and you’re hooked. This was hard to read because it is based on a true horrifying event in history. I had never heard about the Mountain Meadows Massacre until I read this book. It is truly horrific. Noelle did an amazing job with this one. Make sure you have a box of tissues when you sit down to read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC!
This book took me by surprise and left me emotional. I went in expecting a thriller, but instead found a deeply moving work of historical fiction. It beautifully captures the tragedy of the Mountain Meadows Massacre—a historical event I hadn’t known about before reading. The writing was slow to start, but as the story progressed, I became more and more engrossed.
The multiple POVs and alternating timelines added depth, showing how the three women, each with their own unique struggles, were all connected by a shared tragedy. Each character’s story tugged at my heart, and the book truly brings to light the human cost of violence and survival.
While it took time for the pacing to pick up, once it did, I couldn’t put the book down. The powerful writing made me want to keep reading and learning more about this tragic event.
Be prepared going into this book that the topics are very dark and depict scenes that include children. This is a very heavy book to read if you go in blind like I did. I do not regret going in blind. I do not usually read this type of book. But I do love every other book written by Noelle so I dove right in.
As always Noelle does a great job of breathing life into her characters, giving them personalities and histories full of depth and making you care about what happens to them.
This book may have sparked my “historical fiction era”