"The Necklace" by Matt Witten is a tightly woven thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Witten's writing style is sharp and engaging, drawing readers into a world of mystery and suspense. The intricate plot and well-developed characters add depth to the narrative, creating a compelling reading experience.

One of the book's strengths lies in its ability to keep readers guessing. Witten skillfully constructs a web of intrigue, with unexpected twists and turns that leave readers eager to unravel the truth. The pacing is well-executed, maintaining a sense of tension and urgency throughout the story.

However, some readers may find certain plot points to be a bit far-fetched, requiring a suspension of disbelief. Additionally, the complexity of the narrative may be overwhelming for those seeking a more straightforward thriller.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Title: "The Necklace" by Matt Witten - A Riveting Psychological Thriller

Rating: ★★★★☆

I had the privilege of reading an advanced reader copy of "The Necklace" by Matt Witten, and I was thoroughly captivated by this gripping psychological thriller. Witten masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The story centers around the enigmatic Dr. Sheila Tanner, a renowned psychologist who becomes embroiled in a perplexing case when a patient named David Miller presents her with a peculiar necklace. As Sheila delves deeper into the mystery surrounding the necklace's origin and its connection to David's past, the narrative takes unexpected and thrilling twists. Witten's writing is sharp and suspenseful, and he skillfully creates an atmosphere of unease that lingers throughout the book. The characters are well-developed and complex, and their interactions are filled with tension and intrigue. The exploration of psychological trauma and the human psyche adds depth to the narrative, making "The Necklace" a compelling and thought-provoking read.

I am immensely grateful to both NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to delve into this advanced reader copy. "The Necklace" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers, as it expertly combines suspense, mystery, and psychological depth into a riveting story that will leave you questioning the boundaries of reality and perception.

This such a good psychological thriller.  It's a fast paced read that I had to read in one sitting.  I say had to, because I needed to know what happened.  

Susan is travelling to the execution of the man that was convicted of her killing her daughter.  She has been in 
 understandable turmoil every since her daughter's brutal death.  Although it wasn't easy to be empathetic to her character. She is rude to people and has inappropriate outbursts.  She had never moved on in her life, past this horrible trauma.  However, she starts having doubts that this man really killed her daughter.  The story flips between present day and the past.

This is a dark book with heavy themes.  Parts are based on two true crime stories, as the author explains in the back of the book.  I could not turn the pages fast enough towards the end.

Such a tragic story loosely based on two separate real life cases. It’s such a powerful read of getting to the truth. The main character’s pain, frustration and grief was written both superbly and realistically as emotions run raw throughout the book bringing you to a devastating realization of the characters plight and what every parents worst nightmare is. It’s brought to life in this heart wrenching and brilliantly written novel that really encompasses the main characters raw emotions during both the past and present timelines. There were parts that I found really hard to read and was too overwhelming to read I had to pause.

One example was the main character’s horrifying realization when recalling past incidents, could actually mean who she thought was the killer who she is going to see executed could very well be innocent, which I found mind blowing. Such great writing and cemented this novel as a favorite.

Both timelines are very fast paced, which kept me reading through the night. I enjoyed solving things alonside the main character. It was a powerful novel which evoked my own emotions as a mother. It truly was such an amazing and brilliantly written novel that immersed me into a late night reading session when I most certainly should have been sleeping.

Rounded up from 3.5

The Necklace was a book with a lot of emotion. I wasn’t expecting this. I was expecting a tense thriller with lots of twists and turns and plenty of action. Yes, there were elements of this within the story, but it’s not what made it a good read. In fact, it took over a third of the book for Susan to start suspecting somebody else, and there weren’t so many twists when she does. In terms of action, The Necklace was quite a slow read.

It’s best to read this book if you are looking for emotion; an in-depth look into what it feels like to not just be a mother, but a mother who has lost her child. The author did such a great job building up Susan’s level of despair, not just from what she said or how she acted, but also how she moved, how she dressed, and how she acted around other people. The geographical setting of The Necklace also adds to the atmosphere and I believe this will come across wonderful in film format (apparently it’s in the works!).

3.5⭐⭐⭐






Triggers: Child Assault and Death Penalty/execution details

- the book honestly got me hooked from the first pages, until i wasnt . 
it gotten to the point that it has to be combine with two scenes that i couldnt understand and nearly dnf. 
Apparently , i tried to finish it and it was worth it the end .




+ thankyou netgalley for the opportunity .

❤️shaye.reads

"The Necklace" by Matt Witten is a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that takes readers on a heart-pounding crusade for justice. Susan Lentigo, a small-town waitress haunted by the murder of her daughter two decades ago, embarks on a road trip from Upstate New York to North Dakota to witness the execution of the man convicted of the crime. However, along the way, she uncovers compelling new evidence that points to the possibility of his innocence and the existence of a still-at-large killer. Determined to save an innocent man and protect another child from harm, Susan finds herself in a race against time.

Witten skillfully builds tension and suspense throughout the novel, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The urgency of Susan's mission is palpable, and her relentless pursuit of justice is both admirable and captivating. The author expertly weaves together multiple plot threads, introducing unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.

Susan Lentigo is a compelling protagonist who undergoes a powerful transformation throughout the story. Her journey from a grieving mother to a determined fighter is portrayed with depth and authenticity. Witten delves into Susan's emotional turmoil, capturing her pain, resilience, and unwavering love for her daughter. The exploration of Susan's inner strength and her refusal to be silenced by those who doubt her is inspiring and adds an empowering element to the narrative.

The supporting characters in "The Necklace" also leave a lasting impression. The inclusion of a cynical and defiant teenage girl, as well as a retired cop who made the original arrest, adds layers of complexity and depth to the story. The dynamic between these characters and Susan brings an element of camaraderie and unexpected alliances that enrich the narrative.

Witten's writing style is engaging and propels the story forward at a rapid pace. The short, punchy chapters contribute to the book's addictive nature, making it difficult to put down. The author's ability to create vivid and atmospheric settings enhances the overall reading experience, immersing the reader in Susan's journey and the world she traverses.

While the novel offers a thrilling and captivating plot, there are moments when the story relies on convenient coincidences to drive the narrative forward. Some aspects of the plot may stretch the bounds of plausibility, requiring a suspension of disbelief from the reader. Additionally, certain characters could have been further developed to enhance their impact on the story.

In conclusion, "The Necklace" is a gripping thriller that combines heart-pounding suspense, emotional depth, and a quest for justice. Matt Witten delivers a compelling narrative with well-drawn characters and unexpected twists that keep readers engaged until the final pages. Despite a few instances of implausibility, the novel succeeds in delivering a satisfying and thrilling reading experience. Fans of suspenseful and fast-paced thrillers will find themselves immersed in the relentless pursuit for truth and justice within the pages of "The Necklace."

I think I may just not like this guys writing of women characters. I’m going to just put it out there.  Susan, while I felt badly for her because of what she'd gone through, is also a nasty, unlikable person so I struggled with her character and a lot of what was happening in this story seemed far fetched or too convenient perhaps.  

Then there’s the part where Susan has clearly been living under a rock for the past 20 years. You mean she hasn’t heard of body wash before? How? She's never purchased soap before and run across it in the process?  There seemed to be a lot of this type of thing, Susan was clearly out of the loop in regards to many things. It just rang unbelievable to me which ultimately took away from might have been a decent story.

I love that the story alternates between the present and the past. It keeps you engaged throughout the story as you learn tidbits from each timeline to help you piece together what happened. I liked the cover before I read this book and I absolutely love it now that I have finished the book. The cover becomes much more sinister once you know the whole story. I thought the a-ha moment that Susan had was written really well. You can see Susan making the connections and putting the pieces together. Looking forward to reading more of Matt's books in the future.

After her daughter Amy's murder,  Susan demanded the death penalty and vowed she would be there to see Amy get justice.  Now twenty years later,  it's time.  Using money gathered from friends and family,  Susan sets off,  but shortly after her car breaks down.  Riding several busses between New York and North Dakota. a truth is revealed that makes her start to think maybe they convicted the wrong man.  She finds unlikely help with a teenage girl and the policeman that originally worked her daughter's case to try to save an innocent man and bring the true killer to justice. 
Although the plot is a bit predictable and the MC is honestly quite unlikable,  I thought the story was fast paced and kept me interested. 
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is one of my favorites that I was lucky enough to get from netgalley. I love true crime and emotional subjects and this hits hard. A 7 year old that is murdered, a mother who fights to put the killer behind bars and sentenced to death and years later discovered he may be innocent and the real killer may still be out there. As a mother, it's a nightmare to imagine but this was so well written and amazingly done, it felt real.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review.
Very good plot that keeps you hooked throughout even though the story is heartbreaking. Well written and a good ending which seems hard to come by lately. Definitely recommend

Great book I am a huge fan of mystery thrillers. I kept wanting to read this book to see how it ends.

Wow! This novel was truly an outstanding read. I loved how fast-paced it was and that we got a strong female character. I loved how well written it was and there was truly not a dull moment in this book. I was fully consumed from start to finish!⁣
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I loved the mother’s resilience in this novel and that she was fully determined to do whatever she had to, to seek justice for her child. This novel is an intense read that will have you literally at the edge of your seats. There are some gruesome parts but they’re not too bad. ⁣
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Overall, you guys need to check this book out when it releases. Because it’s truly an amazing read and I would wholeheartedly recommend. The Necklace is now my third favorite read of the year and I look forward to having a physical copy of this one!

This one was not for me.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book intrigued me from the first page.  I enjoyed the unfolding of the story through the two different time lines and thought it was well done.  Thank you NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This plot was well executed. I like how the suspense built toward to climax but I did find that parts dragged a little. Overall, I did enjoy this book quite a bit.

Great quick read. It captured my attention and I’m glad I was able to read it. Thank you for the ARC.

Really enjoyed the build up in this book but found the ending rather insipid, not very well explained and left open.  Promised a lot and i really enjoyed it but fell flat at the last hurdle.  The main character was about to see the final curtain fall on her daughters killer but not everything was as it seemed and the book takes another avenue down which a very familiar face may have been the downfall of her child

There aren't many thrillers that I can pinpoint the ending, but this was one of them. It was well written. Kudos to the author for a well thought out plot. I really enjoyed the story! The book was very engaging.