A review by antiopelle
Someone Else's Life by Lyn Liao Butler

2.0

Annie is home alone when a storm is brewing outside. The wind is howling and the nearby river is swelling when a stranger - Serena - asks for shelter, as her car broke down and it is too dangerous to stay outside. Reluctantly, Annie accepts and quickly the two bond over a few bottles of wine, tea and (too) personal stories. As this is a thriller, it is obvious that one of them is up to no good and that the night will of course end in mayhem.

I'm always in for a slow burning locked room mystery and the setting was perfect and drew me in. Alas, the conversation that takes place between the two women is awkward and very repetitive, big red flags are not only being ignored, but they also make very little sense and that made the whole story unbelievable. The premise is very good, the setting also and the story in itself is original, but I felt that it lacked in execution. I think this story would have worked better as a short story or novella.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.