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”

Wow. This was incredible. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Having enjoyed Ask For Andrea and Gray After Dark by Nicole W. Ihli, I knew I had to request None Left to Tell as soon as I saw it available.

This novel took a different direction from the typical psychological thrillers I'm used to from Ihli. In fact, I wouldn’t classify it as a thriller at all. Instead, it leans more towards historical fiction and mystery. Set in the mid-1800s, the story focuses on the Mountain Meadows Massacre, a horrific event I had never even heard of (thanks, US public schools). The book is told through the perspectives of several women and girls affected by this massacre—a brutal slaughter of over one hundred men, women, and children from a caravan journeying to California.

The writing was captivating, and I found myself deeply sympathizing with each character as their stories unfolded. The tragedy was heart-wrenching and senseless, and Ihli's portrayal of it was both moving and respectful.

It's clear Ihli did her homework; the research behind the novel is thorough, and she honors the memories of both those lost and the survivors of this devastating event.

A word of caution: the book doesn’t hold back on some graphic details, but given the subject matter, I’m not sure anyone would expect otherwise.

I found this story to be more of a historical fiction, true crime, than a thriller, though it did still have thriller aspects to it. This story follows 3 woman, Lucy, Katrina, and Sally, and their families during 1857. Each woman's story is unique to their experience. The story itself is based on the real life events that took place in Utah during Mountain Meadows Massacre. I had never heard of this before and appreciate Noelle bringing attention to this horrific, heartbreaking event. The Mountain Meadows Massacre was a group of Mormons that took the lives of 120 wagon train emigrants that were journeying thousands of miles from Arkansas to California in order to rebuild their lives. They then tried to lay blame to the Paiute Indians who were their allies. The lives taken consisted of men, women and children, though some children under the age of 6 was spared.
This story was so well told. I couldn't put it down. I am in awe at the amazing job Noelle did intermingling all these historical facts and making them a part of the story in a way that didn't take away from the story. This book isn't written in her usual thriller, suspense style that I was used too, but the story is very well told and detailed. It's very fast paced with a heartfelt ending.My heart still hurts for those families.

I went into this book blind but knew I loved all the previous books by this author. I was drawn in very fast due to some of the characters being from the same state as me and I recognized the places discussed. I have an appreciation for the research that was done to write this book and tell this story. I commend her for writing this and allowing this story to finally be told. I did enjoy a list of characters was given and a map of the area discussed in the book which allowed me to check back when I needed to. I also have never read a book about this time period that was written from the female perspective. This book will keep you wanting to know what happens next to the very real people this terrible event involved.
"The true scope of what happened at Mountain Meadows didn't come to light until twenty years after the event took place"

Noelle Ihli is an auto-author for me and I’m quick to read any of her books. Because of that I didn’t think to question what this book was about and was surprised to find it is very distant from her usual thrillers and reads more as a historical fiction that covers dark and disturbing subject matter based on real events in the 1800s.

The plot follows the lives of three women who are doing their best to survive and protect their loved ones during a time of history that was harsh and brutal where the weak are prayed upon by unliveable conditions and beastly men. A storm is brewing and they are about to be entangled in a savage massacre that is one for the history books.

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 😂

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.

I will say I do prefer her typical writing style that leans more into the thriller genre but it’s always nice to see authors expanding their writing palettes.

Thank you to the author and Dynamite publishers for the EARC!

Publish date: October 10th 2024

I love Noelle and her books but this one is definitely different than her others (in my opinion). I personally wouldn’t classify this as a thriller, it’s more historical fiction. It is a truly devastating event that she writes about and one I didn’t know about until reading this. I think you have to be prepared for how heavy and heartbreaking it is going into it. Overall, it’s very well written, maybe a little longer than I would have expected but I found myself struggling a bit because historical fiction just isn’t my jam.

Book Review: "None Left to Tell" by Noelle West Ihli

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Noelle West Ihli’s "None Left to Tell" is a haunting and powerful exploration of one of the most brutal chapters in American history, the Mountain Meadows Massacre. This riveting novel delves deep into the lives of three women whose stories are intertwined by the violence and tragedy of the past, creating an emotionally charged narrative that is both gripping and thought-provoking.

The novel follows Lucy, Katrina, and Sally, each of whom faces her own harrowing challenges against the backdrop of a society steeped in religious fervor and intolerance. Lucy’s resolve to stand her ground after years of displacement is a powerful testament to resilience. Her determination to protect her loved ones in the face of impending danger makes her a compelling and relatable character. Katrina, a young mother, embodies the fear and determination of a woman fighting to keep her family safe amid chaos, while Sally’s struggles with her forced marriage and loyalty to her husband present a poignant exploration of agency and sacrifice.

Ihli’s prose is both evocative and stark, effectively capturing the desperation and tension of the time. The graphic descriptions of violence are not gratuitous; rather, they serve to highlight the brutal reality these women faced, adding a layer of gravity that underlines the historical significance of their experiences. Readers should be aware of the content warnings, as the portrayal of violence, especially against children, is both impactful and unsettling.

What struck me most was how Ihli weaves historical fact with fiction, breathing life into the narratives of these women while honoring the real events that transpired. The depth of research is evident, as the author paints a vivid picture of the societal pressures and conflicts that led to the massacre. The moral complexities faced by the characters, particularly Sally as she grapples with her loyalties, provoke important questions about faith, community, and the price of survival.

The pacing of "None Left to Tell" keeps you engaged throughout, with tension mounting as the women’s fates intertwine. Each chapter draws you deeper into their struggles, culminating in a heart-wrenching climax that leaves a lasting impression.

This novel is a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction that grapples with the darker aspects of human nature. Noelle West Ihli has crafted a stunning debut that not only illuminates a tragic event but also explores the strength of women in the face of overwhelming odds. "None Left to Tell" is both a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and a stark reminder of the consequences of hatred. Prepare to be moved and challenged by this extraordinary story.

Well she does it again folks. Not only did Ms. Ihli write another 5 star book, but she broke my heart all over again. This story was so beautiful and utterly heart wrenching at the same time. I’ve never had to take a break from reading a book before, but there were times reading this where I’d remember it’s based off true events and I had to step away. This was wrote with so much love and integrity, I could feel it pouring out of every page. Not only did I have a phenomenal reading experience, but I learned a lot too. I had the need to google every single aspect of this book along the way. This was such an alluring book, she really did an amazing job of putting you in scene.

Beautiful but heartbreaking read! Such a good depiction of the events that happened that tragic day. Noelle made it feel like I was living the story. Her words, her description, all of it break my heart!

I loved this book . This is a departure for this author from thriller/ horror genre but it was well worth the read . It deals with the Mormon Meadows incident and is timely in that we see how religious beliefs can justify evil if it benefits the church. It happened then and continues to happen now where people justify the mistreatment of immigrants for example and do so using scripture but it is clearly not what the Bible really says .
I will be recommending this book to everyone.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for letting me review book.

4/4.5 stars
this book was very different from her other books and not exactly what i was expecting for a historical fiction thriller. it was kind of slow at first but, after like 35% it really picked up. this book follows three women separately through the mountain meadow massacre. this was a historical event i had never heard of until this book. each woman's story is very different but you learn how they are all connected. a story of tragedy and survival.

I truly don't think I knew what I was picking up when I started this book. I found it so different from all her other books in that it was much less a thriller and much more a historical fiction (or rather slightly fictionalized version of a very true event). I didn't realize this going in and I feel like it definitely affected my feelings going in buy overall it was very well written and researched!

When I first heard the plot of this historical fiction novel, I went to Wikipedia to read facts about the Massacre. I thought that might prepare me for what would be a tragically sad book. However, nothing could have prepared me for this thoroughly researched and heartfelt reimagining of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Well written characters bring this tragedy to life.