Great thriller that kept my attention but almost to much detail was given at times so it slowed up the process for me as I just couldn’t keep my attention on it. Tried a second time and was happy I finished it overall a good but not great book for me,

‘Tell Me My Name’ is a fast-paced, crime-thriller with all the ingredients of a post ‘Gone Girl’ classic - a brilliant premise, a female protagonist and twists to make you kick yourself for not working them out yourself!

The novel takes place just outside Toronto (Canada) at a lake house owned by the protagonist (Ellie) and her husband (Neil). The couple are lucky enough to be spending some long-awaited time away from their children, who are on a camp. All is well until the family dog escapes from the lake house and ventures onto the neighbours land. Ellie and Neil have been warned about how cold their neighbours can be so, when Ellie interacts with the man next-door and finds him warm and welcoming she invites him round for dinner. This is where the story begins to take place. Is the man who he says he is? Where has Ellie seen him before? Can she tell him his name and end the game that he wants to play?

The premise of the book is excellent and the pace compliments this perfectly, however; I felt like I struggled to resonate with some of the characters. One such character is Flora, the detective assigned the case. Her inability to do the her job and lack of urgency, as well as her ‘catchphrase’ “toodooloo” gave me a sense of frustration that made me feel like the story was less believable.

Despite my reservations on some of the characters, I did enjoy the book. In a genre jam-packed with exciting novels, I would say this is a solid read that I would give 3 and a half stars out of 5, rounded to 4 on platforms that do not allow half stars.

Many thanks to @netgalley and @dundurnpress for this ARC.

#tellmemyname #erinruddy #netgalley #bookstagram #bookreview #bookclub

Good writing but way too much exposition, especially all the back stories. Got dull. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I couldn't put this book down. Read it in three days. I was really impressed with the pacing, the way the author ratcheted up the suspense by alternating the present-day terror with rich backstories that provided insight into the main character. Both the past and the present eventually come together in a most satisfying way, in this well-plotted, perfect-for-the-cottage-read thriller.

I hate to say it, but this book really should have been a short story or novella. It was so hard to get through the useless information and subplot that I found myself not really caring about a conclusion.

The story itself has a lot of potential, but it needs some thorough editing and polishing.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I found this a very difficult read and sometimes a little boring. Terribly sorry but I wouldn’t recommend this book as it was a
Little unrealistic

I regret that I struggled through this book to the end, trying hard to engage in the plot and connect with the characters.

An ARC of this novel was sent to me by NetGalley for reviewing purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

One of favourite genres to read is mystery- I found this book to be slow at some parts and extremely predictable. It’s an easy read, but it’s not like most mysteries out there.

A thriller that drew me right in. The plot was twisty turning kept me guessing & shocked me at the end, #netgalley#dundren

3 for neutral. I’ll update if able to finish at a later date. I tried on a few occasions, but could never get into it. Couldn’t rate poorly, since I didn’t read, but will update if able to finish!

This book started off really good. It was fast paced and thrilling, never know what was going to happen next and who the heck was this guy and why couldn't Ellie remember his name? But as we get into the story it loses its pacing a bit and becomes kinda predictable. But then we get to the end and we are flying fast and don't know what is going to happen and then what?!?! No way did I see that coming! Worth the read. I mean, you got a psychopath out for revenge, but whose his revenge with? Yes, read it!!

Tell Me My Name is a thriller ___it's about a happy family, a devoted mother and wife and a psychopath stranger. The stranger enters their life and asks the woman to play a dangerous game with a terrifying rule. All she has to do is to recognize him and tell him his name.

The plot is very intriguing. And even though you know who is the culprit, it keeps you hooked. Every chapter ends with a cliffhanger that keeps you curious.

The story has been told from multiple points of view, rather omniscient pov and it has been done skillfully. There are several back stories, so the story shifts from present to past and back to present, and this frequent shift is quite smooth.

The book is divided into three parts and I felt that the third part was unnecessarily stretched. There's a shocking revelation in this portion, yes, but it didn't require 5 additional chapters. I found it boring.

Overall, it was an engrossing read.

An exciting fast paced thriller about a woman who ends up kidnapped by a mad man who thinks they are linked by their shared past and her husband who has secrets lurking.
A definite page turned! I finished this in one sitting.
* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

This book was enjoyable, but a bit far fetched in some parts. It was an interesting storyline with a good twist towards the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for review.

This should have been a short story. It was long and somewhat boring.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC

Ellie and Neil are on the cusp of bringing life and love back into their marriage when a deranged man kidnaps them both and demands that Ellie remember him by saying his name. This sets off a host of memories and unforeseen events that will either strengthen their marriage or tear it apart for good.

Do they and their marriage have what it takes to survive?

The first half of this book was slow and vacillated from present to past tense. I was beginning to feel as though this was not the book for me. There are amazing moments of suspense and anticipation but they were fleeting. I would have loved for these moments to have continued to keep up the momentum and eeriness.

For me, most of Ellie’s past reflections and memories slowed down the pace as they had nothing to do with the issue at hand and seemed random/unimportant to the plot. For me, it took away from the mystery and suspense of the novel as it brought nothing extra. A lot of other people, other places other things going on that detract and takeaway from the pace and the overall feel of the story.

But, the second half of the book did a 180. I felt the passion, the dread and excitement. <b>I was invigorated</b>. The pages flew by with a twist I didn’t see coming. I felt for this couple and maybe, and this is a little twisted, for the antagonist as well. <i>Shudder!</i>

I really enjoyed the peek into Clive’s back story.

Told in multiple POV we get to see many a side in this eerie and suspenseful novel.

I received an ARC via NetGalley of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers so I might be a little picky, but I found this just the tiniest bit stilted or contrived. Seemed predictable and I didn't particularly care about the characters.

I enjoyed this one. It had a unique premise, but somehow it didn’t come off as completely ridiculous. Ellie and Neil are kidnapped by a neighbor that is supposedly a stranger. However, he gives Ellie 3 chances to correctly say his name. With each failure, her husband, Neil, suffers. Ellie has to think back to all of the men in her past to try to figure this out. In the meantime, she also learns her marriage isn’t what it seems.

This book has a very good premise but it’s written very poorly . I don’t think I have ever struggled as much to finish a book, even when I was 90% dine I put it aside because I was so uninterested and unattached to the characters. It was cliched and hackneyed.
I’m sorry but this should be put on the LTS ( life’s too short) pile.
I apologize this is so harsh but I really am annoyed I wasted any time on this.
Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

I started this book as soon as the arc was approved and just right away I discovered the writing wasn’t for me. The premise was so good and promising but I just couldn’t get past the story’s tone and had to shelf it.