Ok, now having read this and thought about it, it is gimmicky and not entirely logical and overly convoluted and the plot may not hold up to real scrutiny and it tricks the reader, but…when you’re in it, it really grabs you. The novel is as the author and her protagonist both intended is unputdownable. In fact if not for food, I’d have gone through it straight in one sitting or does food even count? Because if not, then it was a one sitting read. It had that addictive hypnotic quality that some thrillers manage to achieve…that ok and then what thing going on. So basically you have your female authored female lead narrative (at least there’s no girl or woman in the title, look at that) and this lead egogoogles herself to some seriously disastrous results. The novel is set in 2006 for the most part when egogoogling was…well, novel. So she finds out that her beloved twin sister is actually dead and had died some 8 years ago, although she’s convinced they had only spoken recently, and this revelation understandably sends her spiraling out of control and she tries to find out which parts of her identity are real, which are made up and just how much of her perfect life is fiction and this latter thought will play out in the most interesting way as the prerequisite ending twist. But anyway…this one came out originally to some acclaim 4 years ago, I vaguely remembered it and was glad for a chance to check it out on Netgalley. There is no shortage of similar stories on the market, what sets this one apart is its pinwheeling quality, you know how in a slapstick comedy someone slips and starts to go down, but try to right themselves desperately by pinwheeling their arms? Well, that’s what the protagonist here is doing the entire novel pretty much, this crazy balancing act of trying to maintain appearances and commitments of a perfect mother and wife while psychologically coming undone in the most spectacular way. So it’s that sort of fun, even laugh out loud funny at times. And while I started figured out plot details frustratingly early on, there were so many twists, turns, zig zags that it still managed to be a very exciting read. Aberrant psychology is always fascinating and this one’s got plenty of it and (in this case) refreshingly estrogen driven too. In the end it offers book club questions and I was thinking about how much fun this book might be to discuss. The more I ponder it, the more I find to ponder, that sort of thing. But then again, a book titled Memory Box ought to be fairly memorable, right? We’ll see in time, but for now it was very entertaining, made the morning speed by straight into an early afternoon. Thanks Netgalley.

The cover intrigued me, but I wasn’t to sure about the synopsis of the book. But I am so glad I decided to download it! This was an awesome book! It’s the epitome of what happens when you assume something, and end up being wrong! How an obsession and delusion ends up with murder!

A complete and utter train wreck from beginning to end.! Reading this story was like riding a roller coaster - fast-paced and crazy! Unbelievable!

Secrets, secrets are no fun,
Secrets, secret hurt everyone...

Woah. This is...a book that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Sister, affairs, murder, deceit.

I LITERALLY can't stop thinking about this book and have already recommended it to my thriller loving friends.

I am exhausted after reading this crazy, chaotic and very clever book. The main character’s gradual disintegration is draining and yet addictive at the same time. I spent much of my reading time whirling through the pages at an uncontrolled pace, desperately trying to keep up while a part of me was screaming at Caroline to just talk to someone! It’s a crazy ride through the scrambled mind of a genuinely likeable character. Brilliant!

This one is worth the read. I enjoyed this from beginning to end. Of course there are a few unexpected twists, especially at the end but I think they are well executed. I very much enjoyed the main character. I got to like her and feel for her plight... but the ending definitely made me question my loyalties to her.
These suspense books seem to be all the rage lately. Often that means authors throw them out there hoping to make a sale when they really aren't that great, but this one is quite good.

What if you Googled yourself and didn't recognize what you found? With this premise, The Memory Box sucked me in and took me on a wild ride. Reading it made me feel really uncomfortable, but in a good way. I really felt like I was losing my mind along with the main character. I can't imagine not being able to remember that my twin sister had died (and I do have a twin . . . I am pretty sure). Once I was totally invested in the book, a twist jerked the rug right out from under me again. I am not sure how I missed reading this psychological thriller when it first came out, but I am glad that I found it now.

A heart- racing read, where you want everything to turn out well, but- well, you find out everything you need to know, certainly, with some anxiety due to the suspense of the main character’s story. Part two of the book was excellent, answered all my questions, and was quite engaging.

“Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.” Caroline Thompson, your average suburban mother of twins, who keeps everything at bay by steering away from gossipmongers — until the unstoppable happened. At first glance, The Memory Box has an eye-catcher of a concept, its contemporary catch to it has drawn me into reading the book. Google may be one of the most overlooked pop culture gears we have, which had me thinking: if Google magically disappears, are we going to finally discover its worth? In the case of Caroline, Google didn’t have to disappear for her to realize its power over lives in the twenty-first century.

Following her relief that the ‘gossipistas’ found nothing significant about herself, Caroline curiously Googled her maiden name, Caroline Spencer. This unfolds the secrets of her past and present. The Memory Box is a psychological thriller that pivots on the deranged life of Caroline Spencer. The book is brimful of mysteries, secrets that are “impossible to un-know.” It delves into the nature of mental health: peculiar, infuriating, and complicated. Venturing into the story, I am unaware that this could trigger my anxiety. I was not able to anticipate that the author will place you into the shoes of the protagonist. Every time Caroline is anxious of something, I, too, am. When she’s afraid, I am also frightened of what could happen next. The mystifying disposition of the story leaves me hanging all the time that I had to stop and gather myself before reading again, and so I beg to differ; the story is not unputdownable.

The first phase of the book is quite secretive, too secretive that it leaves the reader out of place. One can literally ask: what is happening? There is no firm connection between the reader and the story; however, it will have you wanting for more: what happens next? This goes on and on until you (unaware) finish the book. That is the kind of bond you would want to see in a mystery/thriller story.

Furthermore, I love how this may help in preventing the stigma. It’s raining symbolism all throughout the story. Every character has a significant role in Caroline’s battle against her own psychological warfare.

The twins, Lilly and Tessa, are the security blanket, they are the sanctuary of sanity. “Are you going to change, Mommy?” They seem to be waking Caroline up every time her demons get the best of her.
The husband, Andy, stands like those people who are oblivious to your situation but still tries to understand you in your most complicated state.
The psychiatrist, Dr. Sullivan, serves as the shield. The person you run to when you can’t be sane anymore.
The sister, JD Spencer, the reality.
This is so close to reality. To someone who’s suffering a mental illness, this is a carbon copy of a life harassed by inner demons. It hits home.

The second phase is unnecessary. It devoid the story its mysterious aura. It is an explanation to an open ending that is quite uncalled for.

Personal thoughts. (Trigger warning: Suicide)

I, very much, nod at every familiar scene in the story except for one, and it reads: “Suicide attempts are actually a cry for help, aren’t they? Those people don’t really want to die, they want to be found and helped and hoisted up and out of the muck of misery. It’s a classic cry for help, isn’t that what they say?” Suicide attempts are simply failed suicide. It’s never a cry for attention, for help. One does not simple attempt suicide. One commits. This is a basic misconception. A cry for help starts at the very beginning of insanity and suicide is a result when no one comes for help. Suicide is a conclusion. Let us not get it all mixed up. Maybe it’s time to ask someone how their day goes. It may be the help they need. Let us not get to the point where one commits and fails before we start sending out empathy.

I have to give it 4 stars for the awareness it shares. It perfectly represents a life of a troubled one. The ending just didn’t work for me, but nonetheless, it leaves an impact. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but at least, satisfaction brought it back. Don’t tell anyone, but I have Googled myself, too!

I'm a huge fan of well done thrillers and this hit the spot. I would recommend this novel to any fans of thrillers that keep you guessing through the story.

Absolute page turner! I couldn't read this quickly enough to satisfy my curiosity. The characters were well-developed & I quickly cared about them. The plot was engrossing with unpredictable twists & turns that completely engaged me. An amazing mystery int he vein of Gone Girl. Confidently recommend!

Summary
Caroline lives in a suburban neighborhood where google is often used to drum up dirt on others and attribute to gossip. She unearths some disturbing things in her past that she has no recollection of. Wary of asking her friends, risking them thinking she has lost her mind, she embarks on a journey to out discover the truth. Has she been living a lie? Did she give birth to these two beautiful girls?

My Thoughts
This book was extremely intriguing. It held my interest from the very first page. Sometimes you read the first couple pages and you already know you are going to enjoy the book. This was one of those times for me.

We are allowed to travel along with Caroline, with insight into her innermost thoughts and allowed to feel her spiraling out of control as she desperately seeks the truth out. Or do we even know what the truth is that she is seeking? Can you stuff all your memories in a so called memory box and pull them out as you see fit?

This author spun this story into a very twisted ending. I had no idea it was going to take that direction. Fantastic turn of events. Really enjoyable, unputdownable (as Andrew would say) read!

I was immediately intrigued by the premise of this book - a woman, Caroline, who has a wonderful family and life in general, decided to Google herself (the town loves to gossip, although she never takes part) with her "secret" maiden name. What she finds tears her world apart - a past she cannot remember. As we take the journey with her to uncover the truth, we cross our fingers and hope she can keep the happy life she clings to.
I was really sucked into this story from the start - it's creepy, disturbing, intriguing and full of surprises!
Thank you to Eva Lesko Natiello, Kobo Writing Life and NetGalley for the ARC of this wonderful book!