This book was not what I was expecting but I am reviewing based upon what it delivered. This was a heart wrenching story about a historical event that I had no knowledge of before reading. This novel certainly falls more into the category of historical fiction rather than thriller though it was gripping with elements of shocking violence. A tremendous amount of research resulted in a well crafted story told from viewpoints of women on all sides of this story.

The afterword gave me goosebumps to read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

None Left to Tell by Noelle West Ihli is nothing I have read before and I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this wonderful book, especially as I did not know what to expect. None Left to Tell is based on true events, This book tells the story of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, in 1857.

When 3 women, connected by one of the most brutal mass slayings in US history.

Lucy is sick of turning the other cheek. Ten years ago, an anti-Mormon mob drove her family and friends from their homes in Illinois. But now, the tables have turned. Rumour has it, some of those same men are traveling through Utah on their way to California. And this time, Lucy won’t run.

Katrina knew the trek west would be difficult. But she had no idea she’d be walking straight into hell. The young mother of four is prepared to do whatever it takes to protect her family from the violence closing in, but the battle to survive will be more harrowing than anything she can imagine.

Sally has just been “gifted” to a man she barely knows—as his fourth wife. Trapped and lonely, she tries to make the best of her new life. But when her husband insists on joining a group of religious zealots’ plans for revenge, she’s forced to reconsider her loyalties. Even if it means putting her own life on the line.

This book was an amazing read and a must read.............When I finished, I was lost for words. I took my breath away and I sit back thought what I had just read over the last 2 days and think of what I had read.

WoW..........Those poor women.

Review left on Amazon UK and Goodreads

3.5 ⭐

"My grandmother's passing, and the other handful of losses we'd had on the trail, lapped at my feet like the Mississippi in winters : icy and sharp, but bearable once you warmed yourself by a fire."

I highly recommend for any history person who wants to know more about the atrocities committed in this time period, I had no idea about this massacre or even about the Mormons having such a big role in history.

I didn't expect this story to go the way it did, nor did I expect the real story behind it to go the way it did. Shocking and enraging to say the least.

The amount of research behind the book must have been massive, from the author's note you can tell all the thought put into it. Showing both sides truthfully while keeping the nuances and subtlety of each side required a really dedicated writer. The personal affiliation only reinforced this (and the weird events happening during the writing process are so intriguing)

The characters' POVs being in an order that makes sense without being frustrating is such a blessing, it's so annoying to read a POV then having to read another you don't care about. You don't get that here.

I can't say why I didn't feel as involved as I wanted to be. The facts are there, the emotions not so much, at least from me. I did have to hold back tears at the end, it got real emotional, perhaps too late.


[Arc review, honest opinion]

Curiosity about the author led me to request this book, my first encounter with her writing. While historical fiction isn't usually my preference, this historical thriller proved captivating. Initially slow, it hooked me around 23% in, becoming an irresistible page-turner. Based on real events from 1857 Utah, this heart-wrenching story is an absolute must-read
(Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this arc!)

I love Noelle Ihli's writing and this proved that she can do it all. I loved Ask for Andrea and recommend it to everyone. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about a historical thriller that was based a real event lost in history. It started slow but it was giving you a background. It was showing you the characters and how they came to be in this tragic piece of history.

The book quickly picked up and it was hard to put down wanting to know more and more of what happened in the meadow. It made me have different emotions knowing this was based on a true event. The author told this tragic story beautifully and brought to light the events of that journey and injustice.

I ended up DNFing this book. I was struggling to get invested in the story. I was not familiar with the historical event the story is based off of, and because of that I was struggling to understand what exactly was happening. And having three separate POVs to keep track of was difficult as well. I think for the right person this story is probably a good one, and I may come back to it someday myself, as I definitely don’t think it was bad.

This is nothing like I have read before by Noelle West Ihli. None Left To Tell is a historical thriller that is based on the Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857. First, I would like to point out that Noelle put a lot of time in researching what had happened. Second, there is a lot of violence in graphic detail.
This is broken out into many POVs which I feel makes you feel the overall fear that these people felt. I highly recommend this book! It was an amazing read and I loved that it was a historical thriller, which is my first.

Thank you NetGalley, Noelle West Ihli, and Dynamite Books for this advance reader.

Noelle West Ihli does NOT disappoint! Every single book I have read by her has been beautifully written, incredibly poignant, and positively bone chilling. She managed to fully make me feel immersed in this story and to feel what the people were feeling. Honestly incredibly, I will be recommending it to everyone I know. 10/10 amazing

I don't think I have the words to review this book. Brilliant writing. The story was told so well. I knew nothing about this event. The author is auto read for me, so I went in blind. Fantastic read.

I picked this book purely when I saw the author's name. I love Noelle's thrillers and it was my mistake that I didn't thoroughly read the description.

Don't get me wrong, this is a very well written historical novel about a tragic event where much research has taken place. The story and how the lives were interwoven between Sally, Katrina and Lucy. I felt for their plight and the lies that were told. As with many events in history, I just cannot believe this happened. It was shocking and brutal in parts and made me feel very angry.

However it took me a long time to read, again purely down to me preferring thrillers to more historical fiction. I'm sure many others will enjoy this book and you can really feel Noelle poured her heart and soul into it.

A very sad story and yes I'd still read anything written by Noelle. I'm a big fan.

This one was a bit of a miss for me. It was more of a historical fiction thriller which sounded pretty cool, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I was bored since the pacing was slow and I'm more of a fast-paced thriller girl. This was very different than her usual writing.

The only thing you need to know is that you must read this book. It is based on the Mountain Meadow Massacre in 1857. Which I have not heard about before. I went into this book blind, and it has become one of my favorites of the year. Thoroughly researched, every side of the story told from multiple points of view, it quite literally blew my mind. Once I started, I could not put it down. Constantly on my mind how it would end. What would happen to Lucy, Katrina, and Sally made my heart weep.

Lucy and her family moved west when the anti-Mormon movement became too much. She is tired of running and just wants to settle down and somehow prosper in this dried-out landscape. That means new wives introduced to her family, which makes a crack develop with her beloved. Katrina and her four children set out for a new life in California. She knew the trip would be long and hard, but it had become something beyond imagination. With the loss of her husband and her four children looking to her. She is at a loss and needs to keep moving forward for them. Sally was stolen from her family and traded as a servant in a Mormon household. They traded her to the local chief to be his fourth wife. She is always an outsider, and just wants to belong and wonders what happened to her family. As these three women's lives begin to unspool, their stories knock into one another's. Adding depth and had me reading as fast as I could.

The massacre is beyond anything you can imagine and do not go down the google rabbit hole until you finish. The nightmare that came to life is unimaginable and the reason is beyond horrifying. I love it when a book expands my knowledge, and this one does not disappoint. I grabbed this book on a whim, and I am beyond grateful that I did. Thank you to Noelle W. Ihli and Dynamite Books for my gifted copy.

This was not The book I . usually see from this author so, it was hard to get into. The book started very slowly and never really picked up for me. I appreciate the author's look into history but this one just didn't work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced e-copy of None Left to Tell, in exchange for an honest review.

When one thinks of thriller novels, an emotional rollercoaster isn’t typically the first expectation that comes to mind. Thrillers are often characterized by their suspenseful plots, unexpected twists, and heart-pounding action. However, Noelle W. Ihli’s gripping novel, *None Left to Tell*, defies typical genre conventions and takes readers on an emotional journey that lingers long after the final page has been turned.

*None Left to Tell* is not just a mere thriller; it is profoundly rooted in historical events that resonate with the weight of reality. Based on a true tragedy, the narrative unfolds layers of human experience that are both terrifying and heartbreaking. The fact that this story is grounded in history only amplifies its impact, leaving readers with a sense of disbelief at how such horrors could occur. It’s shocking to realize that many are unaware of the real-life events that inspired this novel, a reflection of the author’s deep research and commitment to truthfully representing the past.

From the moment the story begins, Ihli's writing elicits a visceral emotional response. As readers delve deeper into the narrative, it becomes impossible not to empathize with the characters. The author employs multiple points of view, weaving together the stories of different characters caught in the web of trauma. While initially, this might seem overwhelming, it ultimately enhances the reader's connection to each character’s plight. By shifting perspectives, Ihli allows readers to grasp the multifaceted impacts of the events on various lives, crafting a tapestry of grief, fear, and resilience.

As I went through the pages, I found myself unexpectedly moved to tears. This is particularly profound for a genre that's often designed to thrill rather than touch the heart. Nevertheless, Ihli’s ability to evoke such raw emotion is a testament to her skill as a writer. The characters and their corresponding struggles are not just mere figments of fiction; they represent fragments of humanity that many have experienced. This realness is hauntingly beautiful and deeply unsettling.

While navigating the book's emotional weight, I was also filled with curiosity. I couldn’t help but look up more details about the historical event on which the story is based. The research behind None Left to Tell is palpable, and it is evident that Noelle W. Ihli dedicated herself to accurately portraying the events that shaped the narrative. The aftermath of this research further cemented the authenticity of the emotions expressed within the story and highlighted the importance of remembering and sharing these events with future generations.

In conclusion, *None Left to Tell* is not your typical thriller; it explores human endurance in the face of incomprehensible horrors. Noelle W. Ihli has crafted a remarkably written narrative that is both terrifying and emotional, leaving readers grappling with the realities of history while empathizing deeply with her characters. It’s a powerful reminder of the stories that remain untold and the truths that must not be forgotten. If you're looking for a book that challenges the boundaries of its genre while also delivering a hauntingly emotional experience, I highly recommend diving into this compelling novel.
With a rating of 4.5 stars, it's a journey you won't soon forget.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Dynamite Books for the ARC of this novel.

This was so different from Noelle’s other novels and I was not expecting it but I was pleasantly surprised. It was a mix between thriller and historical fiction and based on true events. I didn’t even know this massacre happened and you can tell this book is well researched and well written.

I found the beginning a little slow but overall I enjoyed it much more then I thought I would.

A solid 4/5 stars

There’s historical fiction. There are thrillers. And then there’s this ...

Imagine if you will that friends of yours had gifted you a holiday, at a destination that you had never previously visited. You were delighted enough to receive the gift that you didn’t waste time doing much research, other than a quick bit of web browsing to find a few photos and thinking ‘yeah, that looks nice’.

But when you arrive … well. ‘Nice’ doesn’t even begin to do it justice, to the extent that the use of the word almost feels like an insult. What’s actually happened is that arrived in paradise. Every final detail is just perfect. Your room includes the most luxurious, comfortable bed you’ve ever slept in, the beach is the most beautiful, and has the whitest sand you’ve ever set foot on, the seawater is the cleanest you’ve ever swam in and the food – and drink – are the most delicious that you’ve ever tasted. This destination may not be one that you had previously considered. But now, you’re prepared to sell your soul if it means you can return here, year after year.

That’s a little bit like how it feels to have read None Left To Tell by Noelle W Ihli, after being made aware of its forthcoming publication by a fellow blogger. Except … it isn’t.

Because ‘paradise’ is pretty much the exact opposite of what is described in this book. What Noelle has done is taken a true event – and it’s one that, as a UK resident, I have to confess to not having previously heard of – researched it thoroughly and brought it, terrifyingly yet magnificently, tragically yet beautifully, horribly and yet perfectly, to life. She has used the voices of three women – who, on the face of it, are of different religions and on opposing sides – to tell the story of the Mountain Meadows massacre, that occurred in Utah in 1857. I’ll spare most of the details here, because if you don’t know them already I think it’s important that you, as I did, discover them through reading this book. So I’ll say only that it included the mass murder of 120 men and women under the guise of their supposed rescue.

The effort that Noelle has put into her research is obvious. But never does this get in the way of the narrative. The level of detail is horrific and harrowing, and yet the writing is some of the most beautiful that I’ve been fortunate enough to have read in a long time. I didn’t just feel like I was reading the book. Or like I was watching events as they happened. I felt as though they were actually happening to me as they took place. I could feel every single emotion that every single character was experiencing. The heat. The thirst. The determination. The desperation. The terror. And – through the added voice of the child Emma – the fear of the recurring nightmares that prevent sleep, and which are magnified by the lack of understanding as to why they are happening, and by the daily, ever-present exhaustion.

More than this, though, the book, for me reinforces a simple message. Most people that get caught up in war, whatever country they hail from and whatever side they may appear to be on, are just ordinary people. And without wanting to preach, at a time when there seems to be more atrocity happening in more of the world than perhaps ever before, I think it’s important that we all take a minute to remember this. Whether someone is Israelite or Palestinian, Russian or Ukrainian, they may well be, in every way that really matters, just the same as you.

I must also mention the afterword, which explains why the book is personal to its author. Again, I think it’s important that you read the details for yourself first-hand. So I’ll say only that it’s a real tear-inducing, lump-in-throat moment all over again.

None Left To Tell is the first book I have read by Noelle W Ihli. I can say here and now that it won’t be the last. Partly because the digital copy that I received included the first three chapters of Ask for Andrea, and I’m hooked already. But mainly because None Left To Tell is … I’m going to say it. It’s my favourite book so far this year.

My thanks to Netgalley for the digital ARC of this book, which was published by Dynamite Books on 11th October 2024. Thanks also to Daniel McBreakneck (of the ‘Avid Readers Club – Share The Love’ Facebook group) for bringing it to my attention. I will post my review on Goodreads, Amazon, my personal blog and my social media pages.

My first by this author and it won’t be my last. An incredible historical crime book based on real events that will have you googling at warp speed when it’s all said and done. It’s heartbreaking.

This book wasn’t quite what I expected and honestly it was a struggle for me to finish it. In giving it 4 stars because it’s well written and I’m sure many will enjoy it, but compared to Noelle’s other books I’ve read it was just outside the realm of genre I normally enjoy.

This book is not for me. As soon as you begin the book you are given a substantial character list. The book goes back and forth through many of the characters points of view to where I constantly had to go back and forth to the character list to figure out who was who. I was not immediately drawn in and the confusion by the multiple points of view from different characters left me unable to finish the book.

I felt this was slow to start and get into. I really struggled in the beginning. I have read Ask for Andrea, and absolutely loved it. This was a nice break from thrillers. I would love to read more by this author. After I got halfway through, it really picked up and I got into it. I didn't know about this particular point in history, and was glad I was chosen to read this as an ARC. I am a little late getting my review in, but I deem it worth the read.