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ashnkilgore's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jwilson4444's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I ended up quite enjoying this one! The plot was original for a mystery/thriller and I loved the quant cabin setting. At the end, things felt just a pinch too unrealistic for me personally, but I still had a good time and was pretty consistently on the edge of my seat!
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Marlee Bush, and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this novel!
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Marlee Bush, and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this novel!
edenthereader's review against another edition
4.0
I went in blind with this book and I was not disappointed. It kept me guessing and was very atmospheric and had a great setting.
swalk's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cassie, is a podcast host with a unique focus: the victims of serial killers, after tragedy struck her own family her podcast has become wildly popular and she uses the money to support her and her sister. Cassie and Lenora, her twin have always had a special bond having been monoamniotic twins in utero, Lenora being the weaker twin, Cassie has always felt a deep guilt and protectiveness towards her. After what happened at home, Cassie moved them to a secluded cabin away from prying eyes, but Lenora has never got over the incident and is reclusive, only leaving the cabin to use the outhouse, she carries with her a black Polaroid camera and a silver dollar, that once belonged to their father wherever she goes.
The cabin is situated in what was once a popular camping ground but is now mostly deserted. When the landowner passes away, Sarah takes over the running of things. However, when a family visits using one of the cabins for a long weekend, their daughter, Tilly, goes missing, only to be found dead. The mother immediately accuses Lenora, igniting suspicions within Cassie, especially when she discovers Lenora's coin near the scene of the crime. Can Lenora really be capable of such a deed?
The prose is beautifully crafted, drawing readers into the story with vivid descriptions and palpable tension. The plot uses dual timelines, skilfully alternating between past traumas and current mysteries, which can sometimes be confusing but ultimately leads to a breathtaking twist that I didn't anticipate until the last moment.
The narrator delivers an exceptional performance, keeping listeners engrossed in the story with impeccable pacing and emotional depth.
“When She Was Me" is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of family, identity, past trauma and the darkness which resides within us all. Bush's accomplished storytelling and unexpected twists make this a wonderfully gripping thriller to the vey end.
The cabin is situated in what was once a popular camping ground but is now mostly deserted. When the landowner passes away, Sarah takes over the running of things. However, when a family visits using one of the cabins for a long weekend, their daughter, Tilly, goes missing, only to be found dead. The mother immediately accuses Lenora, igniting suspicions within Cassie, especially when she discovers Lenora's coin near the scene of the crime. Can Lenora really be capable of such a deed?
The prose is beautifully crafted, drawing readers into the story with vivid descriptions and palpable tension. The plot uses dual timelines, skilfully alternating between past traumas and current mysteries, which can sometimes be confusing but ultimately leads to a breathtaking twist that I didn't anticipate until the last moment.
The narrator delivers an exceptional performance, keeping listeners engrossed in the story with impeccable pacing and emotional depth.
“When She Was Me" is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of family, identity, past trauma and the darkness which resides within us all. Bush's accomplished storytelling and unexpected twists make this a wonderfully gripping thriller to the vey end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
kimmis_bookshelf's review
5.0
Wow! For a debut novel, this was really really good! Absolutely loved this one, it was a slow burn (which I really enjoy personally) and I honestly wasn't expecting the twist at the end but the way it all tied together was
datewithathriller's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
sam_is_reading's review
DNF at 4%. I felt weird immediately upon starting: the pace is so slow and it gives off a weird vibe that I don’t really like. I could feel it was just setting up for being a psychological thriller between twins and it’s too off putting for my tastes.
Thank you to NetGalley, Marlee Bush, and Poisoned Pen Press for a review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley, Marlee Bush, and Poisoned Pen Press for a review copy.
grimdreadful's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a slow burn that I flew through. I really enjoyed it.
The story follows twin sisters, told from a POV of each sister. It also takes places in dual timelines (if you have been following my reviews, you know that I love multiple pov/timelines) This was done really well in my opinion. At times I thought I was confused but once I got to the ending it was a "OH " moment, and it all got wrapped up nicely.
I'm not going to say too much but what kept me from giving it a full 5 star rating was that I just wanted more on the twins. Throughout the story it felt like it was leading to something major and ultimately it didn't come to a full boil and I just felt a little unsatisfied.
The twist though!!!! did. not. see. that. coming.
Read this book if you enjoy: suspense, domestic thriller, isolation, wilderness, twin sisters, multiple pov, dual timelines, slow burn
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, netgalley and Marlee Bush for sharing a digital copy, as always opinions are my own.
The story follows twin sisters, told from a POV of each sister. It also takes places in dual timelines (if you have been following my reviews, you know that I love multiple pov/timelines) This was done really well in my opinion. At times I thought I was confused but once I got to the ending it was a "OH " moment, and it all got wrapped up nicely.
I'm not going to say too much but what kept me from giving it a full 5 star rating was that I just wanted more on the twins. Throughout the story it felt like it was leading to something major and ultimately it didn't come to a full boil and I just felt a little unsatisfied.
The twist though!!!! did. not. see. that. coming.
Read this book if you enjoy: suspense, domestic thriller, isolation, wilderness, twin sisters, multiple pov, dual timelines, slow burn
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, netgalley and Marlee Bush for sharing a digital copy, as always opinions are my own.
1kelsey_jw's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Cassie and Lenora sisters and very much look alikes, set in a common scene, a cabin in the woods. However, not as common, is the great detail the author writes in setting the scene and did an excellent job in creating imagery. As a reader, I felt in the midst of the atmosphere.
There’s something sinister in the way the author writes the two sisters, depicting their every move and leaving you wondering who they really are. Each holds a secret, Lenora appears to have agoraphobia and anxiety. Even though I did enjoy this, at times the slow burn got so vague, it left me wanting more. It did get repetitive in places, specifically within the thoughts of the sisters but that could have been the drag of some of the slower pacing. Overall, I did enjoy this one, even though it was easy to call half way in. The author did an exceptional job in creating imagery. If you’re a fan of true crime podcasts, I would recommend picking this one up
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen for access to an early release
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen for access to an early release