Wow! What an amazing debut thriller from the talented Vanessa Lillie!

I was drawn in from the moment I read the first the chapter. Devony Burges, who goes by devon, is 28 weeks and 1 day pregnant. Shes being rushed to the hospital, as she has started having contractions and bleeding. You can feel the terror and the emotions as the story is told. You can also gather that she is an organized perfectionists who has a thing for charts and lists. The chapter ends with Devony being put under anesthesia. As shes being put under, she hears on the radio that her friend has been found dead.
As the story continues, Devon is struggling as a new mother. Her baby is crying all the time and she has a voice in her head that is negative and demeaning. She allures to the fact that she went through a trauma as a child and this voice a nagging bully who seems determined to remind her of her past and what a horrible mother she thinks she is.

Devon then remembers that she has her murdered friend, Belinas, day planner. Devon is determined to get back to some sort of normal, to save her sanity and her marriage. She is determined to prove that the man accused is not the real killer, and to finding the person truly responsible. She goes into things with a biased, as the man accused is her longtime college friend who she cares deeply about. He also is the murdered women’s employer and possible lover.

Devon has a law degree and history working in DC investigating fraud cases. She is very analytical and organized. She is also known to get information by bending the rules, breaking the law, and obsessing over her cases. She makes some questionable moves in order to gain information. Her husband becomes increasingly worried about her health and safety as she digs deeper into the case and the dangerous people involved. He is wary about her getting to involved in the case and with his Uncle, who seems to be at the center of all she does.

She has a lot of anxiety in the beginning about her child, as any mother who almost lost their child would. She doesn’t let anyone hold, or even see, her child and keeps her in a wrap on her body at all times when shes out and about. As the plot thickens and becomes more intesnse, she seems to distance herself more and more. The voice continues to berate and belittle her and towards the end, she starts letting the voice get to her more and more.

I wont get into the ending to much, because WOW what a twist! I do not want to give anything away. I will say that I couldn’t put it down and I was completely shocked, which is a great feat, as that rarely happens for me. I give this book 5 stars for sure!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author Vanessa Lillie, the publisher Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

#thriller #vanessalillie #littlevoices #bloggersofinstagram #theawordbookreviews #thomas&mercer #netgalley

Thank to NetGalley & the Publisher for allowing me to read a copy of Little Voices in exchange for a honest review.

This book grabbed my attention from the beginning and was a fast paced read. I found the "voices" to be distracting. I didn't see how the end was going to play out right away so it did well keeping my attention until the end.

At first, I wasn't sure what to make of Little Voices. I found the voices in Devon's head distracting and annoying. But then I realized that the reason I felt like that is that the voices were all too familiar and really hit home.

As the book progressed, I was very engaged and loved learning more about Devon's past, and the twists, mystery and investigation into Belina's death. There were some twists I definitely did not figure out! I also thought that the author did a great job at depicting PPD.

Can't wait to read more from Lillie- she is a great, fresh new voice!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review,

Little Voices starts with a bang right out of the gate, with main character Devony Burges getting rushed to the hospital. She's gone into labor three months early and bleeding heavily. As she's getting put under for her C-section, the last thing she hears is the radio announcing that her friend, who she just saw that very day, has been murdered.

The recovery is long and hard, since Devon and her baby Ester almost died during the ordeal. Devon struggles to return to her old self, particularly since she'd left her high-powered job as an attorney when she was pregnant. There's not much to fill her time except to take care of her child who cries all the time.

Between the yearn to find justice for her friend whose murderer is still at large and the desire to rejoin the world, Devon finds herself swept up in the case. At first, she's just asking questions, but then she jumps all in, and she's back to her old ways: staying up all night to pursue leads, tracking down investigators to force them to listen to her theories, and even using less-than-legal ways to find evidence.

At this point, the book kind of veers away from its seemingly original plotline about a mother struggling to find her way back to herself and her husband after a difficult childbirth and becomes more of a police procedural. Several characters are introduced, motives are uncovered, and we find ourselves wondering right along with Devon: whodunit?

There are several twists and turns throughout the book, some of them clever, some of them a bit too convenient. We get glimpses into Devon's past, both recent and childhood, and it seems that a lot of the interesting stuff happened before this book started. Indeed, it's clear that she wouldn't have been able to find what she was looking for so quickly if she hadn't done this sort of thing before, if she hadn't had the resources and people still at her fingertips.

Even if the middle of the book is a bit of a whirlwind, though, everything does come together in the end, and we see that there really was a reason for so many different plot points in the story. I thought that it all could have been woven together a bit more smoothly, but ultimately the ending was satisfying and well worth the journey.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book. This was an interesting and sometimes confusing book to read. The plot was excellent, centring around the murder of a Nanny in a well to do neighbourhood in Providence. The key character goes into early labour and hears of her friend’s death while being prepared for a c-section. What follows is this woman trying to solve the murder while dealing with the voices she hears in her head. A well written book full of twists and turns. A very troubled main character has you wanting to help her. There are many characters and I found it a bit hard to follow at times as some characters seemed one dimensional but the main character made up for that.

This is a really hard book for me to review.

I was definitely interested at the beginning and then it got to the messy middle where I started skimming but I was still really interested in the mystery and then the last quarter I became super invested and was surprised by the twist so I’m really glad I stuck around!

I really liked the writing in this debut. Looking back I can’t believe I didn’t see the twist coming because it was set up really wonderfully. I think this book would have been just as good without the constant little voices or even just less I found it really overwhelming. I get the why of it I just don’t think it was something I thought was necessary

I have lived in Rhode Island for thirteen years and have grown to really love the smallest state in the union. It is a quirky state that I am not sure I could ever fully describe but let me tell you who can... Vanessa Lillie. Her debut novel, Little Voices, is filled with all that makes Rhode Island so unique while also spinning one wicked good story.
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We meet Devon on the day she prematurely gives birth to her daughter and a friend she had just met with is murdered. What follows is an absorbing mystery that slowly unfolds through the eyes of a new mother struggling with her past and the responsibilities that come with motherhood. At first I couldn't understand Devon's unrelenting drive to find Belina' murderer. Why was she willing to potentially sacrifice so much for woman we learn she might not have truly known? However, as the story progresses and Devon's history is revealed I better understand her choices and found myself rooting her on. And the ending, oh what a little twist that I did not anticipate!
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Well folks, this book is an intriguing tale of love and murder, family and sacrifice, and what we have to do to protect those we love. AND I feel it is a bit of a love letter to all the beautiful crazy things that makes Rhode Island so unique.
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I did receive an e-arc from the author in exchange for my honest review. I also purchased the audiobook- because, well I love audiobooks! And if you do to - I recommend you pick this one up because the narrator did a fantastic job. For those curious- I flipped back and forth between the two formats as I needed to find out what was really happening.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

This one was pretty twisty- some more obvious than others but still an enjoyable ride. 3.5 rounded up.

Although I enjoyed reading Little Voices, it was sometimes distracting to read the story with the "voices " thrown in so much. I understand why it was that way, but I do think it was a little much. Took away from staying connected to the story at hand.

Little Voices follows main character Devon as she tries to uncover the truth behind her friend Belina's murder. Devon has experiences quite a bit of trauma in her life, including childhood molestation and a high-risk birth that coincided with Belina's murder. A college friend of Devon's is the main suspect for the murder, but Devon knows that that just can't be right. The voices in her head are working against her as she tries to clear her friend Alec's name. What she uncovers is a twisted web of coverups and lies that will make your head spin.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are complex and interesting. As I neared the end of the book, it was hard to put down. Each time I thought I figured out the ending, I was wrong, right down to the final chapters. I enjoyed that the author was able to blend together the story of Belina's murder and other crime angles, with Devon's postpartum mental health issues.

The opening scenes of Vanessa Lillie’s novel charts the moment of childbirth. The descriptions are also terrifying enough that I swear I gagged a little from imagining it all. I don’t know how I will ever contemplate having a child now that I have read such visceral, invasive details about giving birth, but then again there are women in the world who go on to have more than one child, so it is a trauma one eventually overcomes – I assume this and don’t know with any certainty.

The horror is also far from over. A new mother needs to get used to the changes in her routine, the changes in her body – it is all dizzyingly overwhelming and dislocating. The great thing about Lillie’s protagonist Devon is her relatability, with the interior of her mind communicating to us every insecurity and fear, such that it makes us feel less alone for feeling the same way. I may not be a mother, but I can certainly relate to Devon’s assessment of self through the eyes of her husband, constantly wondering what he sees and whether he regrets being saddled with her.

The thing is, men spend a mere dalliance in the domestic bubble before they return to their work spheres, while women become rooted in it, wondering if there is anything beyond it, trying not to feel resentful because this is your child whom you love. Yet there is no agency and control over your own life as you give over everything to be a mother, a role that is far from being as innate and natural as everyone seems to think.

After this very well explored exposition, the book changes tracks somewhat, turning into more of a crime procedural. Devon feels obligated to solve the murder of her friend Belina and also clear the name of her college friend Alec, who is a suspect in the case. I do enjoy a good detective/whodunnit thriller, but the two parts don’t really feel very compatible. Devon’s status as a new mother becomes a subplot in the bigger picture of murder and corruption. I’m not saying that motherhood needs to subsume every part of one’s life, and I’m happy that Devon has something to propel her forward instead of drowning with the little voices. However, it is a little confusing to see this aspect be pushed aside when it was such a big preoccupation during the earlier parts of the novel.

Devon is posturing of course, pretending to have things together while she pursues this investigation, but the thing is: she is actually good at all this. She knows how to talk to people to get information, she makes the right moves, and yes the little voices are there to undermine her at every turn. However, after a certain point, I don’t really believe them. And I don’t think Devon does as well.

It made me think of the movie A Beautiful Mind, where we see Russell Crowe’s character John Nash get used to the projections of his mind. Devon has dealt with them for the greater part of her life, so it makes sense that after a while they don’t affect her as much as they once did. What I don’t buy into is how she doesn’t at one point cave and give in to the voices, and I didn’t get it, till the moment I reached the conclusion.

Here’s the thing: these are struggles you as the reader are going to go through until the end, where it all comes together and your earlier gripes about incompatibility now make sense because of what Lillie was layering and constructing. It is a well-built twist, and little issues that bothered me while reading suddenly shone with clarity, and I sit back, taking it all in, wondering why I didn’t see it earlier.

So you see, Lillie gives us a strong introduction and a compelling ending, but it is the middle part that flounders a little as we try to tread water with the exposition she provided, without realising where it is taking us because it is not something we expect. Writing and fiction definitely involves a certain measure of risk taking, and I certainly admire Lillie’s fearless charge forward, especially with a debut novel; I just wish the parts connected better.

This book was fast paced. Hard to put down. It flowed well and it was very well written. It caught hold of me and had me hooked from the start . I was literally on the edge of my seat reading this book.

Little Voices is about new mother, ex-criminal attorney Devony Burges. On the same day she is wheeled into emergency surgery to deliver her child, her best friend is murdered. As she recovers from the birth of her child and her adjustment to motherhood, she tries to solve the murder of her friend. No matter what the cost.

This has to be one of the best thrillers I have ever read. Ever. And from a debut author no less. I am shook. Can I give it more than 5 stars? Of course I can. This is my review. 10 stars.

My favorite thing about thrillers is their ability to shock and scare the mess out of me. I love it because it’s extremely hard to do. This book surpassed my expectations by a long shot.

The beginning of the book rockets you into the worst imaginable position a pregnant woman can be in. Blood, emergency c-section, siren blaring, pain searing. My pulse quickened and forgot to breathe.

The most amazing thing about this book is that you WILL NOT figure out what is going on. I say this has someone who reads thriller/mystery/suspense almost daily. This book was formulated with the readers in mind. I loved being in the dark about what was going on. Taking this journey with Devony was something I will never forget.

Most thrillers I don’t think I will reread because the only thing they have going for them is the major twist at the end but there are so many nuances.

Our protagonist Devony is an absolute badass. There is no question she is playing in a man’s world. There is no question that there is corruption all around her, but she works as hard as she can for justice.

I loved all the different characters that Devony interacted with. They were gritty and raw. The writing style was reminiscent of Kimberly Belle. I know that I’ve already said it. I CANNOT believe this is her first novel!

If this is her out the gate, I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next!

Another unreliable narrarator book. I liked that the main character was a woman with postpartum problems. You don't see that a lot in books where it is not the focus. I was surprised that so much of it was a legal drama though, I was expecting more of a mystery. I felt like the storylines didn't quite connect and it wasn't super mysterious but all in all, it was enjoyable.

I devoured this book over the course of a weekend, and I absolutely LOVED it! I'm a tough critic on thrillers/mysteries, but this one is SO good!

Here's what I really liked:
- Strong, likable female lead
- Relatable yet unreliable narrator
- Excellent character development
- Fun whodunnit mystery
- Political drama/controversy
- Unforeseen extra twist
- Tidy ending
- Believable story while staying grounded in the real world

Devon is our lead in this book, and I found her so relatable (even with hearing voices- not sure what that means about me). As a new mother, we all have that negative voice telling us that we're not good enough. Devon has this too, but is it more than that? At first, I found her to be a tad too emotional, then I remembered that she's newly postpartum, and I forgave her. Don't worry though, soon she starts to show who she really is as she becomes obsessed with uncovering who murdered her friend. She's clever, resourceful, persistent, and mayyybe a little morally ambiguous (precisely how I like my leading ladies).

The twist got me. I re-read the pages because I couldn't believe my eyes. There was this moment where I went, "Come on. There's no way that works." Just when I was frustrated, the author explains it all away to a point that something very irrational makes perfect rational sense. She tied the ending up in a nice little bow and even managed to shed light on an important issue ongoing in our culture. I loved the book and the message that was surprisingly hidden within a thriller. I was blown away. Can't wait for her next book!!

Three months early, in September, Devon Burges goes into labor and is rushed into an emergency C-section. As the anesthesia pulls her under, she hears a report on the radio: Belina Cabrala was found murdered at Swan Point Cemetery. Belina, her close friend as well as the nanny for Emmett, son of Alec, one of her college classmates.

In December, Devon begins venturing outside the house with her premie, Ester. Alec is one of the first people she sees, and he divulges that the police are treating him as their primary suspect. He begs Devon, a lawyer, to help him prove his innocence.

Not only does Devon believe Alec, she is driven by a compulsive need to find justice for Belina. Though still physically and emotionally fragile, she begins an investigation parallel to that of the police. However, in the throes of postpartum depression, Devon begins hearing voices—cruel, hateful pronouncements that seem to be rooted in childhood trauma.

Nevertheless, Devon doggedly pursues the killer's trail, following it through Belina's passionate affairs and illicit business dealings. She uncovers secrets of powerful individuals, and it's unclear whether her voices or her enemies are most dangerous—and if she or Ester will pay the price for her persistence.

Little Voices offers an interesting protagonist: a strong, intelligent, yet flawed and vulnerable woman who takes on a male-dominated environment to seek justice for her friends. Even when Devon's internal voices were eating her away, she projected self-confidence and power. The book had a wide roster of supporting characters, including siblings Cynthia, an astute businesswoman and Philip, a reporter, and Derek, Devon's animal-loving, addict brother. Her husband, Jack, was both a calming force and a foil, and Jack's Uncle Cal provided access to the city's upper echelons. I wish Derek and Jack had been more developed; Derek was one of my favorite characters.

For me, the voices sometimes were so frequent, they were distracting to the narrative. While I suppose that's a good approximation of Devon's experience, it doesn't always make for pleasant reading. Additionally, I thought the pace and the delivery of crucial backstory was a little awkward.

Still, this is a promising mystery debut by Vanessa Lillie, and I'm especially excited that like me she is from Oklahoma! I look forward to her future novels.

What a way to start a book! The author enchanted me with describing how a woman got through a labor in the first chapter. Not a usual labor (as if there was something usual about it), but the pathological labor, the abnormal one, solusio plasenta kind. The beginning of the book is real goodie.

Yes, the woman's in labor is our main character, Devon. In this book, Devon is investigating her friend's mysterious death, Belina, that happened the night she goes into painful labor. Here, Devon has her eyes to the big bussinesman in fishing area that probably the whole reason her friend buried in the ground. At least according to her. Following the leads including the journal which Belina accidentaly dropped the last day they met.

"It’s easier to blame my sadness on what I lost instead of what I gained."

Devon is not only investigating
, she's going through mental problem while doing her work. She keep crying, keep worrying her daughter, and she hears little voices inside her head. It bothers her. And of course it bothered me! A lot! The voices are written in book, emerging in every two or three paragraphs. It was annoying and awful, it made me sad knowing it must be hard for people who's struggling with this psychosis. Imagine, reading it is painful, how would it be if it's inside our head. This realization is a plus for the book for me.

Devon is a strong woman. I could see the way she keep pestering people to get what she wants made her a little bossy and pushy. The thing is I did understand how devastating to lose a friend let alone in the day of your labor. It's a shock to Devon. Like double shock, because her friend is murdered in such brutal way. So I wanted to feel sad for her. Unfortunately, the book is lacking detail of the friendship Devon share with Belina. All the characters are not well developed, the characters background are not explored enough.

While the premise is great and opened by a wonderful beginning story, the plot seems like a usual mystery book, except this is not purely mystery. The book is full of politics, about funding, about money laundry et cetera. It all confused me. I think the characters are all messing my head until I stopped to bother and read it anyway, not fully understand the politics and bussiness going. This made me struggling a lot to keep up with this book. I think there was a time when I got bored because of the politics thing.

But I love the ending as much as I love the beginning. It's crazy and I didn't see it coming eventhough I still confused by the some things. The book is good, the writing is good, probably more suitable to reader who loves mystery and politics.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC

3 of 5 stars

New mother Devon Burges is suffering from postpartum depression after the difficult premature birth of her daughter. She hears voices in her head, telling her horrible things about herself.
Her good friend was murdered as she gave birth and another friend is the main suspect.
Despite all she is going through, Devon decides to look into the murder, using her skill as a former prosecutor.
This murder mystery, political/psychological thriller was well written. It started out strongly for me. But I found the middle to be a bit repetitive and I am not a huge fan of politics and have never been a mother, so I could not relate to that part of it.
It did have a great ending, that I did not see coming!
Thank you to Thomas and Mercer for the e-ARC via NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley, Vanessa Lillie and Thomas & Mercer for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

There was quite a bit of hyper around this one and I just had to read it and find out what it was all about. I loved the characters in this novel and how different this book is from other thrillers. I enjoyed the premise of this novel and found the twists really kept me on my toes with this one, but I did have a hard time connecting with some of the story. I still flew through this one and the ending really shocked me but in the best way! I would definitely recommend picking this one up and giving it a try!

She is in labor on this fall Rhode island day. She is only twenty eight weeks . Devony prefers to be called Devon.She is set to have a csection right away.She starts to hear a cynical voice in her head not long after giving birth she finds out the death of a friend while in labor it was a murder. I got bored with Devon's life.