Anyone But Her

Anyone but her by Cynthia Swanson is a great book that I am still thinking about, days after finishing it.

14 year old Suzanne, a clairvoyant, is supposed to be starting a new chapter as she enters high school, but is instead mourning her murdered mom, Alex, the owner of a record store. Her mother’s ghost warns her about her dad’s new girlfriend and Suzanne’s life changes forever, whether she realizes it or not.

As an adult she comes back home with her family and has the opportunity to buy her mom’s old store and does. Meanwhile her son has his own issues, and as Suzanne tries to deal with them she has her own problems because she thinks she is being followed. Is everything connected?

I was hooked from the beginning of this book and was sad when it ended. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing and want more!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in consideration of an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Good mystery book which I will recommend to others. Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.
Fans of mystery books will enjoy it.

I enjoy a good mystery book. And this one fit the bill. I liked it from page one to the very last page. Pick this one up.

Anyone But Her drew me in to Suzanne’s story on the first page with the news of a missing young woman. The suspense of the events in the alternating chapters – alternating between Suzanne’s teenage and adult years kept me interested – what will happen next? – and hard to put down. The simultaneous telling of the events of her life helped to understand her motivations, fears, ambivalence in her adult life.
There is the aftermath of her mother’s murder when she was 14 - its impact on and the reactions of each family member. And the stress of a move from California to Denver, Suzanne’s hometown – with a sense of foreshadowing when a rat is found on their doorstep on move in day - on her own family – her teenaged daughter (going through her own teenaged rebellions) and young son (with as yet, undiagnosed, neurodivergent behavior patterns) make this a great book discussion read. Family secrets, dysfunction, mental illness, neurodivergence are a few of the topics I wanted to discuss with another reader.



Thank you to NetGalley and Cynthia Swanson for the advanced copy of Anyone But Her.

This review was uploaded to Goodreads - link will be posted below along with Amazon (once they open it for reviews on pub day).

In 1979, 14-year-old Suzanne is mourning the death of her mother, Alex, who was shot while working at the record stores she owns. Alex’s ghost warns Suzanne about the woman her father starts dating, Peggy. Truly, Peggy gave me the heebie jeebies, but Suzanne’s younger brother loves her, because to him, she becomes a second mother.

In 2004, Suzanne returns to Colorado with her husband and her daughter, a spectacularly ornery teenager, and her 9-year-old son, who has behavioral problems but so far doctors aren’t coming up with a diagnosis that can help him. Suzanne hopes that the doctors in Denver will uncover some answers, but the waiting list for help is long. When Suzanne discovers her mother’s old record shop, which has been a number of different businesses over the years, is up for sale, she wants to buy it and turn it into a store celebrating women artists.

They caught the man who shot her mother right after the shooting, but there are still a few mysteries about what happened when Suzanne was a teenager and what is happening to her as an adult—for example, did her dog just run away and decide not to come back, or is something more nefarious at work?

I always enjoy well-written books set in my hometown of Denver, and the mysteries were compelling.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel, which RELEASES SEPTEMBER 17, 2024.

A fun mystery novel that is well written and will keep you interested while reading it!

I enjoyed this and it was a good way to spend my time

I couldn’t put this book down! This story follows Suzanne, a young girl who is mourning the loss of her mother who lost her life during the robbery of her store. Suzanne is visited by her mother’s ghost, who gives her a warning. This book alternates from Suzanne’s teen years to her adult life, where there are more secrets to uncover. I loved the alternating timeline because it kept me engaged. The author did a wonderful job of keeping me intrigued in the story as it didn’t feel like any chapter dragged on. The story was layered with suspicion, thrill, and dynamic characters.

"Anyone But Her" by Cynthia Swanson is an engaging read that skillfully shifts between 1979 and 2004. I really enjoyed how the dual timelines added depth to Suzanne's quest to uncover the truth about her mother's murder. The concept is intriguing, and the story left me wanting more. However, there were moments when the narrative dragged a bit, which slightly took away from the overall pacing. Despite this, the novel’s exploration of Suzanne’s journey and the impact of her mother’s death is both compelling and thought-provoking.

Suzanne Parry was 14 years old in 1979. Life was relatively quiet in Denver. Her parents on again/off again marriage was on. Her younger brother adored her and her artsy mom Alex owned one of the coolest stores in Denver, Zoe’s Records. One day while her mom was working late, her store was robbed and she was tragically murdered. Nothing would ever be the same again. Suzanne had to look after Chris and ward off Peggy, the absolutely wrong woman who was vying to take her mother’s place in the family. Suzanne, always slightly clairvoyant, begins to see ghosts and sense their spirit. Finally, her mother comes to her. As mom-not-mom begins to lead her down a path of discovery, Suzanne can no longer ignore the terrifying truth. In 2004, Suzanne returns to Denver with her husband Brett and their two children. Her rebellious teenage daughter is resentful of the move while Austin struggles with behavioral issues. As Brett begins a new tech job, Suzanne recreates Zoe’s as an eclectic art emporium bringing part of her childhood and memories of her mother alive. But the ghosts will not remain at bay. Someone is following her, taunting her. The mysteries of their family are not fully resolved and Suzanne will do whatever it takes to protect her children from the past. Full of musical nostalgia, ghosts and family drama - this new fall release has it all. A quick page turner I could not put down!

If you have important plans that shouldn't be postponed, don't start reading this book beforehand. It's pretty hard to put down from early on.
It's an ultra-compelling psychological thriller with a supernatural element, written in Swanson's easy style and with the sort of pacing that draws you on 'just one chapter more' at a time. The central character is Suzanne, and the chapters alternate between 1979 and 2004. In the former, she is a teenager who has recently lost her mother in a tragic shooting. In the latter, she is a mother herself, returning to her childhood hometown of Denver with two difficult children and an increasingly distant husband in tow.

The supernatural part comes from Suzanne's ability to see/sense/speak with ghosts. In 1979, teenage Suzanne receives a warning from the shade of her recently departed parent, warning her that she must prevent her father marrying his new girlfriend. 'Anyone but her' quotes the ghost. In 2004, she doesn't see so many ghosts, but she does appear to be getting stalked, maybe by someone with a link to her troubled past. Each section has its own mysteries, plus the overriding question of how the two sets of events interlink. With this sort of novel twists are standard, so it's no spoiler to say there are some, and I was pleased that I didn't work it all out in advance. It's nice when you can get a genuine surprise in a novel.

I found the teenage Suzanne a lot more sympathetic than the adult, who made some pretty bad parenting decisions. Who actually gives their child a knife and encourages them to use it in 'self defence'? Surely every sensible adult knows a child carrying a knife is far more likely to end up stabbed - probably with the same weapon - than one who doesn't? She showed very little insight into her teenage daughter's unhappiness and her lack of compassion was surprising given her own experience of being that age.

My other irritation was the perpetuation of the idea that childless women - and particularly those who have lost a child - are predators who go about trying to steal other people's children. Has that ever happened anywhere outside of fiction? Well, probably yes, as most things have happened at some point in the world, but certainly not as often as happens in stories. It is a cruel myth though, and the book would have worked just as well without needing that element. Oh, and childless men appear immune to this literary trope. For a book that made a big play on feminism it felt a jarring message.

This criticisms aside though, it's a really well written book that had me hooked from the start. A must-read for people who enjoy psychological thrillers.

The year is 1979 when Suzanne’s mother is shot and killed by an armed robber at her female-centered store, Zoe’s Records. Suzanne was only 14 at the time, and her brother, Chris, was only six. Her father moved on very quickly to his high school girlfriend, Peggy, who Chris loved and Suzanne hated (and the feelings were mutual!).

The year is 2004 when Suzanne, her husband Brett and their children, a teenage daughter named Caitlin and a cognitively impaired son, Austin, move back to Denver. Suzanne buys her mom’s old store and turns it into another female-centered studio, dealing in the arts. Being at Zoe’s brings out a lot of old memories, and she starts digging into the history of her life and the people in it.

Suzanne isn’t searching just to get closure on what happened in 1979, but she’s also looking at her family history to try to find out what Austin’s condition may be. He’s been diagnosed with ADHD, doctors unanimously agree that he is not on the autism spectrum, but his bouts of anger and violence are becoming more and more difficult to deal with.

Oh and there’s one other things - Suzanne is a “seer”. Wherever she goes, ghosts/spirits can communicate with her - even her own mom, who warned her to NEVER let her father marry Peggy after she died.

This was slightly slow, but the story was original and entertaining. I’m not sure why Austin’s character had the issues he did; it didn’t have much to do with the plot, though it was interesting to learn about his disorder and what it was in the end. I’m giving this 3.5 stars, rounded up because of all the times I said things like “Oh shit no…”, “Oh so she…!”, “Noooo HIM?!”, “Ohhh so…” while I was reading!

(Thank you to Columbine York, Cynthia Swanson and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on September 17, 2024.)

I really enjoyed this novel. I found the alternating timelines between her Suzanne's younger self and her adult self, very interesting. This book hits on a lot of heavy themes, such as family secrets, death and mental illness. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a paranormal side as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Columbine York for this ARC.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Cynthia Swanson’s “Anyone But Her” is a poignant and gripping tale that masterfully blends psychological suspense with a deep exploration of family dynamics and personal trauma. Set against the backdrop of 1979 Denver, the novel follows 14-year-old Suzanne as she grapples with the aftermath of her mother Alex’s tragic death during a robbery at her store, Zoe’s Records.

Swanson’s narrative is haunting and evocative, drawing readers into Suzanne’s world with vivid descriptions and a keen sense of place. The alternating timelines between Suzanne’s teenage years and her adult life add a layer of complexity to the story, gradually revealing the secrets and lies that have shaped her family’s history.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its character development. Suzanne is a deeply relatable protagonist, whose journey of self-discovery and healing is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Swanson’s portrayal of her emotional struggles is nuanced and authentic, making Suzanne’s pain and resilience palpable. The supporting characters, including Suzanne’s enigmatic aunt and her estranged father, are equally well-written, each adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.

The themes of love, loyalty, and the quest for truth are central to “Anyone But Her.” Swanson deftly explores how the past can haunt the present, and how secrets, once uncovered, can either destroy or heal. The novel’s psychological depth is enhanced by Swanson’s skillful writing, which keeps readers engaged and invested in Suzanne’s journey.

The setting of Denver in the late 1970s is brought to life with meticulous detail, from the cultural references to the atmospheric descriptions of the city. This sense of time and place adds an extra layer of immersion, making the story feel both timeless and grounded in its historical context.

“Anyone But Her” is a must-read for fans of psychological suspense and family dramas. Cynthia Swanson has crafted a compelling and emotionally resonant novel that will remain with the readers. Her ability to weave a complex, engaging narrative with richly developed characters is a testament to her skill as a storyteller. This book is a powerful exploration of the ties that bind us and the secrets that can tear us apart.

Well this one was goooood and I honestly didn’t want it to end. The characters were lovable, especially Suzanne. Her tenacity to solve her mother’s murder while trying to be a mother to her own child kept me intrigued. During her investigation, she begins to receive messages from her mother that might give her insight to what happened back in 1979 and also how it is currently affecting her disabled son. This book was mysterious, intricate and thrilling at the same time.

In "Anyone But Her," the story commences in 1979, centering on 14-year-old Suzanne as she grapples with the profound repercussions of her mother Alex's murder, which occurred during a robbery at her establishment, Zoe's Records. Possessing clairvoyant abilities, Suzanne is unsurprised when the apparition of her mother manifests, cautioning her about the perils associated with her father's new partner, Peggy. This critical juncture lays the groundwork for Suzanne's enduring conflict with her family's dynamics and the emotional wounds inflicted by such a traumatic experience.

The novel excels in character development, portraying Suzanne as a relatable protagonist on a path towards healing and self-discovery. Swanson adeptly examines themes of love, fidelity, and the ramifications of secrets within familial relationships. The dual timelines create a nuanced narrative that unveils the haunting realities of Suzanne's existence. Set against the backdrop of Denver during the late 1970s and early 2000s, "Anyone But Her" offers a poignant examination of familial bonds and the secrets that can both unite and fracture a family, rendering it a compelling read for enthusiasts of psychological suspense and family dramas.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.