Joanna is new to her old town, trying to create a fresh start for her and her young son. When she overhears gossip while dropping him off at school, she can't help wonder if it's true...a child killer who has a new identity is living in her small town. Things get worse when she inadvertently shares the rumor.

This is an unputdownable, gripping debut thriller from author Lesley Kara. I have to say I was hooked from page 1, and never saw the ending coming. Very highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Angel Eicher's review 

May 14, 2019  ·  edit


liked it


I didn't care for the plot of this book or the characters, especially the narrator who was unreliable and unlikable. There was way too much emphasis on the mixed relationship that added to my distaste with the narrator.  At less than 20% in, I was pretty sure I knew the twist, and I ended up pretty close, so far too predictable. The was not poorly written, but it was very simple and the dialogue was weak.  Several characters were mentioned and tossed away. 

No clear setting.  I was confused because I saw the title spelled as both The Rumor and The Rumour, so I assumed it was based in UK, but then there was a note about the author getting help make the book ready for US readers.  Not sure that was effective. 

This read like a poor self-published Paula Hawkins or Ruth Ware knock-off with a sprinkle of Liane Moriarty.  Would not suggest.

I loved this book! Roller coaster ride with constant twists and turns. So many potential suspects in this sweet lil enclave where seemingly everyone is your friend, but everyone has something to hide. The ending was a complete shock - I was left slack jawed.

Perfect summer read! P.S. I always know a book is great when I’m reading under the covers for hours after my husband and I go to bed :-)

An enjoyable read. This book left me thinking throughout the whole book, which in turn, had me hooked. Realistic story line and character development.

The rumor is set in a small coastal town and centers around a group of Moms. Very reminiscent of Big Little Lies.
A rumor is started about a former child killer now living in their town and the ladies all resort to gossip to try to figure out who the killer is.
This book kept me guessing until nearly the end and didn’t go the way I guessed.
I felt like there was too many characters introduced, with many not being relevant to the story.
Nevertheless, I would recommend this book.

I was provided an advanced copy for Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review.

For fans of Little Big Lies that just cannot get enough small town drama. A thoroughly engaging read that begs to be a movie. Will recommend for fans of thrillers, particularly Liane Moriarty.

The edition I read was “translated” into American English, location and idiom. The reason I gave it four stars is that, in my opinion, it lost something in the translation and relocation.

The story takes place in a very small town or suburb where almost everyone knows each other. Jo and her son, Alfie, recently moved there from a city where they had been living because the mixed race boy was being bullied there. Both were having a slow time being accepted into the town’s social life and Jo repeats a story she heard about a woman who, as a child was convicted of the death of a 5 year old boy. She spent time in a juvenile detention facility and eventually was released and put into the equivalent of witness protection. Supposedly this woman was living in their community. Jo begins to research this and it leads to more untenable situations for her and her son. I won’t go further into it because of spoilers, but will recommend it to anyone who appreciates psychological thrillers. Thanks to Net Galley and Ballantine Books for an ARC for an honest review.

I see I’m in the minority here as I had a hard time getting into this story line. I think it must be the time period it is set in as I just couldn’t relate to any of the characters. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book for my honest review.

Rumors can kill. Joanna, a single mother, hears a rumor from one of the other moms and falls into the trap of gossip. She perpetuates the rumor that a past childhood killer has moved into their community. Everyone is on edge and afraid of who it is and if they are still a danger to children. People are accused and lives are changed forever. But who is the killer and where is she? Is the community safe? Joanna is obsessed with finding out who and where this woman is. Sometimes you don't know the lives of the people close to you. This is a terrific read and will keep you guessing until the last page.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle ARC of The Rumor.

Joanna is a single mother raising her biracial son in an unnamed seaside town she has relocated to so she can be closer to her mother. When she hears a rumor about a renowned child killer who has moved into town, Joanna unwittingly spreads the possible untruth and events spiral out of control.

I didn't hate this, but I didn't like it for a number of reasons.

First, I couldn't stand Joanna. At first, she seemed okay, but then she started whining about her baby daddy, about how their relationship might be rekindled even though she was fine with being a single parent, blah blah blah.

Then, she has to remind readers that her baby daddy is black and her son is biracial. Okay, we get it. That's not a big deal, though I guess it would be if you lived in a tiny, sheltered, bigoted community.

Which brings me to my next gripe; this was obviously written by a Brit. It's meant for American readers but the tone was completely off.

The slang, the setting, dialogue no American would ever say unless he or she was an ex-pat (maybe) brought me out of the story and I found myself looking for 'fish out of water' expressions as I read.

The story was predictable and I didn't like or identify with any of the characters. There was no one I rooted for and character development was very poor.

There are plenty of red herrings, which is not a bad thing in and of itself, but the story lacked suspense and thrills. And to make it worse, I didn't care about anyone, so when each herring popped up (which I called), I just rolled my eyes and kept turning the pages just to get to the end.

This book grabs you from the first page and leaves you breathless at the end! A must read for those fans of Thrillers. I would read anything this Author wrote. Do yourself a favor and read this unputdownable story!

This book has topped the UK Amazon charts so when I received my copy on Mother’s Day weekend I settled down to read this fascinating g book on an appropriate day. A fast moving book about a fast moving rumor, said innocently, said with out thought, sets the events into motion. How often do you tell a white lie, spread gossip? Some can have deadly repercussions , some some fade away. How well do you know someone.? What if the truth you know is a lie. What if the lie is needed to keep people safe? Mothers and daughters, childhood decisions, betrayal and love. Super duper read!

When a single mother hears a shocking rumor outside her son’s school, she never intends to pass it on. But one casual comment leads to another . . . and now there’s no going back.

Rumor has it that a notorious killer, who committed a brutal crime as a child, has been living a new life under an assumed identity in Joanna’s seaside town. So who is the criminal hidden in their midst? Suspicion falls on everyone.

As Joanna becomes obsessed with the case, her curiosity will expose her son and his father to the supposedly reformed murderer—who may be ready to kill again. She will learn how dangerous one rumor can become . . . and just how far she must go to protect those she loves. She is going to regret the day she ever said a word.

WOW. This book was brilliant. Kept me guessing and striking out over and over. One great read. Deadly rumors.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of The Rumor from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Although this novel began at a relaxing pace, the twist and subsequent action hit with lightning speed! The last few chapters made it simply impossible to put this book down. Real estate employee, Joanna, tried not to spread, and soon after, even tried to quell the interesting rumor that had been started shortly following a return to her hometown. The increasing presence of Jo's reporter boyfriend, Michael, becomes a catalyst in stirring things up further. The facts and untruths connected to the disturbing rumor changed or in some way affected the lives of nearly all the inhabitants the beach town of Flinstead--some more than others. The depth of the effect on one of the characters was the best part of this novel. I was misled in several directions and suspected nearly everyone! Great book! I will read from this author again!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lesley Kara for the ARC!

Rumor has it that a notorious killer, who committed a brutal crime as a child, has been living a new life under an assumed identity in Joanna’s seaside town. So who is the criminal hidden in their midst? Suspicion falls on everyone.

As Joanna becomes obsessed with the case, her curiosity will expose her son and his father to the supposedly reformed murderer—who may be ready to kill again. She will learn how dangerous one rumor can become . . . and just how far she must go to protect those she loves. She is going to regret the day she ever said a word.


Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book it was a great experience first time reading anything from this author

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rumors can take a life of its own or your life. It's a story about a child murderer, Sally Mcgowan. The rumor is that she's living right in this very small town. However, no one seems to know if she's really there or her story of how it came about that she was deem a murderer.

The story was very slow to develop even the characters were not fully developed. There was no true back story to any characters, it's just the here and now story of what they go through. However, that leaves a gap in the life of several major characters and it seems flawed. However, the ending was worth the pushing through and reading it.

Couldn't put this one down. Author is genius level!! Well done!!! Characters were terrific. I could not guess the ending!!!

"Rumors are like fires. No one admits to starting them and before you know it, they're out of control."

Joanna is a single mom by choice. Raising her son, Alfie, just down from her mom's home. Alfie's dad, Michael, and his mom are on the best of terms, Joanna just didn't want to get married. Now Alfie is in school and Joanna needs to make nice with the other moms for her son. So when she joins the moms at the school gates she hears a juicy rumor. Which should have stayed at the school gates.

It gnaws at her. This case of a 10-year-old who long ago killed another child. And when she is invited to join the others for a book club, she blurts out the rumor. Once out of the mouth, it takes on a life of its own. Soon she has Michael on the hunt for the mysterious killer who may now be living in their tiny town.  

Soon there is mass hysteria toward a woman in town and Joanna realizes she has put her entire family in danger. This time her words may come back to bite her!

Oh my, I loved this one! I was suspicious of every female and every time I thought we (Jo and I), had it nailed down, we were wrong! There was so much tension in this thriller. Fast paced, well written, and that ending! Whoa!

Well Done!

NetGalley/ July 9th 2019 by Ballantine Books

When I read the synopsis I immediately hit the request button in NetGalley. I was intrigued by the title because, lets’ be honest, who has not heard a juicy rumor in their lives and it just kept spreading and growing? I enjoy books that are relatable and that have an element of possibility, of it happening in real life. Which is why I enjoyed this one so much.

Joanna has moved back to her hometown to start a new life as a single mother of 6 year old Alfie. The rumor begins one morning at school drop off when one of the moms tells a few others that a notorious child killer is living in their town. No one knows who it might be and speculation begins. Determined to fit in and in an attempt to help Alfie make friends, Joanna feels that by repeating the rumor, she will soon be part of the circle. Soon Joanna becomes obsessed with the case of the child killer while the town is in uproar at the thought of a killer living among them.

This book had me feeling quite confident about whom I thought the child killer might be. It then took a turn that made me change my mind only to have that new idea change again! You will assume and think you have this figured out but I will tell you that the twists in this book will leave you disoriented!

This book is a perfect example of what happens when a rumor gets rolling. How it affects lives and the power it has to destroy them. Set in a side town with your typical small community vibe where everyone knows everyone else –or they think they do. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is addicting and intriguing.

If you enjoyed Big Little Lies and love a good thriller, this one is for you.

Single mother, Joanna, finds that she desperately needs to fit in with the school moms in order to have her son, Alfie, accepted. Being multiracial, Alfie is not as well tolerated in the small town. As it is, the two of them had just moved there for a "fresh start" . Alfie - he was being bullied at his last school - he is only 6 years old. Working as a real estate agent does not allow for a lot of free time for Joanna to connect with other moms so she starts with the "school gate" rumormongers. These parents are talking about Sally McGowan, who - at the age of 10, stabbed a 5 year old to death in 1969.

Alfie's father is a news reporter and is involved with his son and in Joanna's life. Eventually he moves to be with them. Now the word is out that someone in the Witness Protection Program lives in a "dry" county. (Of which there are very few). According to rumor, that person is actually Sally McGowan. Well, the rumors fly from there! Joanna heard this from Michael - and spouted it at a Book Club meeting at her friend Liz' home. Michael is not too pleased with this. Now, Joanna gets threatening Tweets, and Sonia Martin (same initials as Sally) is threatened by vigilantes at her store.

And the story continues ... I think that the character development could have been more solid. If less characters were in the "mom club", maybe it would have helped. It was not until I got 1/2 way through that I had a feeling for a couple of the characters However, the main characters ; Joanna, Michael, and Alfie, were easy to get a "feel" for.

This story was OK, but I have to admit that I did get confused with some of the characters who did not stand out from each other very well. The plotline was excellent - something different! I hope to keep reading books by Lesley Kara in the future!

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for a good read!