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babewithabookandabeer's reviews
340 reviews
One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you William Morrow and Netgalley for my copy of ONE OF US KNOWS by Alyssa Cole, out 4/16/24!
I loved Alyssa Cole’s novel WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING so I of course had to request her newest thriller about a caretaker of a historic estate who finds herself trapped on an island with a murderer and the ghosts of her past.
Six years after a breakdown and a diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder derailed her career as a historical preservationist, Ken Nash and her alters are given a second chance. Waking up from a dormant stage after the introduction of COVID-19, Ken realizes one of her alters got her a job at an isolated island as resident caretaker. With no job, money or home, she helplessly accepts the job.
Once she survives the first night, the conservation trust shows up which includes a man she had a heated moment with years before. He winds up dead and Ken is the main suspect. Her and her alters must band together to get to the truth and prove their innocence.
What a WILD ride…. This is a VERY unique book that has multiple point of views, all from Ken and her different alters (Solomon, Keke, Della and a few others). While it is an interesting premise, I’m not so sure it worked.
The book takes a long time to get going - nothing really happens until around 80% through the book. All the different perspectives made it hard to keep track of who was who and what was going on. There’s also a little weirdness with how the alters interact with each other and the relationships they have within Ken’s own mind (her crush on her own alter Solomon was too much for me).
But outside of the confusing alters, the book was funny, sharp and per usual, I loved Alyssa Cole’s insights into historical events when it comes to race and class. This wasn’t my favorite thriller, but I give her accolades for pulling off such a unique format and storyline.