Review by bookishkittennook - That's Not My Name

bookishkittennook 's review for:

That's Not My Name by Megan Lally

3.5

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

My first ever completed audiobook! I am glad I chose to listen to it instead of trying to read it on my Kindle because I suspect I would have slogged through it otherwise. Spoilers ahead.

The premise of this story is interesting enough, albeit somewhat predictable, with one-dimensional characters. Mary’s entire struggle is driven by her need to recollect her memories of her life before the accident while contending with her growing sense of unease around her “father.” Drew, meanwhile, is hellbent on finding his missing ex-girlfriend and clearing his name. He and his friends essentially become amateur sleuths because, ironically enough, the town sheriff has honed in on him as the prime suspect. The novel incorporates several true crime elements that lend some believability, but the writing itself felt dull and at times cheesy, particularly with the repeated Lizzo references. The only true “plot twist” for me was learning Mary’s real identity at the end of the story. Even then, I did not find myself all that surprised, given the isolated woods and dark, creepy basement under the Boone cabin.

If you are looking for a more adult version of One of Us Is Lying, this is not a bad standalone thriller. Especially if you are into true crime podcasts and are suspicious of creepy men with vans. I am probably not the audience for this particular book, but as a book club read, I enjoyed the experience overall.

Content Warnings