Review: I Know You Know
Title: I Know You Know
Author: Gilly MacMillan
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers
Date Published: 18 September 2018.
Goodreads Description: Twenty years ago, eleven-year-olds Charlie Paige and Scott Ashby were murdered in the city of Bristol, their bodies dumped near a dog racing track. A man was convicted of the brutal crime, but decades later, questions still linger.
For his whole life, filmmaker Cody Swift has been haunted by the deaths of his childhood best friends. The loose ends of the police investigation consume him so much that he decides to return to Bristol in search of answers. Hoping to uncover new evidence, and to encourage those who may be keeping long-buried secrets to speak up, Cody starts a podcast to record his findings. But there are many people who don’t want the case—along with old wounds—reopened so many years after the tragedy, especially Charlie’s mother, Jess, who decides to take matters into her own hands.
When a long-dead body is found in the same location the boys were left decades before, the disturbing discovery launches another murder investigation. Now Detective John Fletcher, the investigator on the original case, must reopen his dusty files and decide if the two murders are linked. With his career at risk, the clock is ticking and lives are in jeopardy…
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Spoiler Free
I have some mixed feelings about this book. It’s not something I would normally read, but since it’s a thriller I thought I would give it a try for Halloween. I was not thrilled. The characters were written beautifully. Each one had their own unique voice and we got to know the characters through their actions, not through exposition. The writing was smooth and really pulled you into the story. The story was intriguing, I honestly didn’t know who to trust, but it didn’t keep me up at night. I am disappointed by the ending. It felt rushed and didn’t do the book or the characters justice at all.
Characters
Every single character in this book did a complete 180 by the end of it. The good cop turned into a bad cop, the bad mother turned out to be a good mother, the mourning kid who escaped his best friends’ murders turned out to be a lying cheat. All of these characters were well written, and as the book progressed we also got to know them better. I enjoyed each of their stories and their character arcs.
Spoilers
Okay, let’s talk about this ending that I keep criticising. It felt rushed and didn’t do any of the characters justice. And in the end, the murder of the two boys was nothing but a crime of coincidence. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time and the real murderer wasn’t connected to any of the characters. I felt like the book was building toward a different ending like the actual murderer was going to be one of the characters we met and got to know. But I guess in the end, murder is senseless and pointless no matter who committed the crime.
Let’s Chat
Have you read I Know You Know? What did you think? Leave a comment below!
This author has been on my radar. I’m not big I’m rushed endings, though..,
I am so torn now. I really liked the sound of the book but not a rushed ending as it makes me feel short changed.
Sorry the ending was a disappointment. Better luck next time.
Great review!
I read and enjoyed this one
This is my kind of book, though the ending is always very important.
I’ve read books by this author before and haven’t been impressed. Glad you enjoyed even though the ending was great.
I don’t think I’ll be reading any of her other books.
Sorry, the ending was a bit of a disappointment! I always love a thriller this time of year
This sounds like a go0d book.
I’ve been seeing this one and it’s definitely caught my eye. I may not make it a priority, but if I wind up reading I will let you know!
Great review. I think I’ll check it out
Ok, I screwed up! I read the dang spoiler
Oh no! I’m so sorry!
Nice review, as usual! No spoilers for me.
Lovely review.
Great review, I’ve been eyeing this book for a couple of weeks ago since I first heard about it. I really want to check it out, thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.