DNF @ 40%. I tried but this one just wasn't for me - there was so much going on, yet I just couldn't stay interested. This may be me and not the book though so I'll give it 3 stars

Adopted at just a few days old, Ivy hon knows very little about her birth parents. When a mystery illness requires that she undergoes genetic testing to find its cause, the results of her testing send off red flags to the FBI. Ivy Hon is related to the Full Moon Killer, who has terrorized the Pacific Northwest for decades.

Ivy begins searching online in an attempt to locate her biological family. She connects with a female cousin and makes the journey to rural Washington to look for answers.

Sometimes, the past is better left where it is. Ivy has inadvertently placed herself into the killers territory, and she just might be the next victim.


The synopsis of this novel sounds SO interesting, unfortunately though it fell a little flat in delivery. It is still a good book, but not everything I hoped it would be. There were a little too many plot holes, and for that, I chose to only rate it 3 stars.

Do I still recommend it? Absolutely. Overall, I think it's an interesting thriller. It has a lot of twists and turns that will keep you on edge trying to solve the mystery before it's too late.

As always, thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review

With both parents now dead, Ivy has been searching for her biological family especially since she has also started to become ill and the doctors aren't sure exactly what is wrong with her. She hopes by finding her biological family, she can get some answers about her health and also learn about her family roots and history. Ivy takes a DNA test and submits it and waits for the results. I have always thought about taking the test and have one, but haven't yet submitted it. We don't know anything about my Dad's dads side so thought it would be interesting, but to be honest I don't know why I am stalling - possibly because there are still some unanswered questions about my birth as the story goes I was a result of a one night stand that turned into a proper 20-year marriage for my parents but what if that wasn't the story? In this book, as Ivy is waiting for the results, she is approached by an FBI agent who drops the bombshell that her DNA is a family match to the Full Moon Serial Killer- someone who has evaded police for years. Ivy gets one match, a cousin, and soon she finds herself flying to Rock Harbor to meet her and discovers that her mother's family is very prominent in the community. Also, the Full Moon Killer is still at large as the town is recently mourning another victim - this time an early childhood teacher. During her time, Ivy will learn about a cult called One Family in which members included her relatives, and also the connection people might be looking for in tying the Full Moon Serial Killer victims. Has Ivy gone too deep as she ends up uncovering old family secrets, murders, and not one but three serial killers? After all this, will Ivy find what she set out to look for - answers and her biological parents? Find out in this fast-paced thriller Strangers We Know by Elle Marr.

Strangers We Know is an intense suspense thriller that tackles the highly debatable subject of nature vs. nurture. Protagonist Ivy Hon, who was adopted when she was a few days old, opens Pandora's Box when an undiagnosed illness convinces her to venture into the vast world of DNA analysis seeking answers to her heritage. What she eventually discovers leaves her reeling and overwhelmed with questions about everything she's ever known or been told. Ivy's quest for answers carries her on a journey that includes uncovering dark family secrets and unsavory characters, maneuvering through a religious cult and snooping out a serial killer know as the Full Moon Killer who apparently shares her blood. Left to wonder if her deceased adoptive parents influence on her life overshadows the blood cursing through her veins, Ivy's search for answers as an armchair detective just may get her killed.

Ivy Hon's DNA testing results connects her to a cousin in Rock Island, Washington, and it's there she travels hoping for information about her family health history that might assist doctors in diagnosing her debilitating headaches and aches and pains. As she reconnects with biological family members, an array of strange, suspicious characters are introduced that are a bit unnerving, but it's the information she receives from the FBI that chills her blood. The story unfolds through alternating chapters narrated by Ivy in the present and her birth mother Tatum in the late '80's during the time she gave Ivy up for adoption. Readers also get snippets in the creepy voice of Samson who remains anonymous until the shocking reveal.

Elle Marr does an outstanding job providing readers with several red herrings in the search for a serial killer. Characters are well developed - some likable, some despicable but all believable. Ivy earns readers' empathy as her search for answers rattles some skeletons some would prefer stay buried. And ominous undertone drives the increasing pace through several plot twists that may seem confusing at first, but the author manipulates the characters through family drama and shocking reveals weaving it all together in the end.

Strangers We Know is a well written, intense suspense thriller that raises questions about nature vs. nurture. Do the values learned from one's daily environment during a person's formative years overshadow any that may be lurking in the blood? While I don't believe there's a definitive answer, Marr does an excellent job exploring the subject in this story about one's woman's journey. Fans of mystery, suspense and thrillers will enjoy this one.

Elle Marr is one of my favorite new suspense authors. Her books have well-developed, interesting characters. Moody and atmospheric. Here, Ivy, our compelling heroine, must search her own family tree for her lineage, and there may be a serial killer in the mix. *Stefan voice* This book has it all: serial killers, cults, a heroine with chutzpah and intelligence, an interesting setting, and important social and gender issues. A must-read, and Elle Marr is an automatic read author for me from now on! I am already on to her next book.

Honestly, this plot line was so far-fetched and a lot of the parts didn’t seem to make sense to me. I wanted to like this very much because the blurb is so promising but I was feeling quite underwhelmed after reading this. I usually don’t mind multiple POVs and different timelines but this one was quite confusing to follow. I must admit it was an interesting way to tell the story as I was curious enough to want to know how it all plays out.

The whole concept of the plot is interesting enough for me not to DNF but I wished it was more polished and more well thought out. Thank you Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for the arc.

One woman’s quest of finding out more about her family history and her unwitting search for a serial killer meshes together in this book. I’m all for a serial killer story anytime, so I was already a goner when I heard it.

To be completely honest, this was more a family drama than an intense thriller. I liked the parts about certain characters’ points of view from the past, as well as the storyline about a killer making a comeback after many years. Ivy Hon, our main character, was closer to real than some other protagonists of the same genre, but she still frustrated me at times with her cluelessness. Let’s just say I was able to reach the conclusions she needed to in the time it took her to barely connecting the dots. She was slower than her reader, and that frustrated me.

This was a story that was told back and forth in different timelines and that’s something I always enjoy. But the ending left a bit to desire, I thought it was underwhelming compared to the buildup. It was still an enjoyable read, and I do recommend it if you like a slow burn, family drama mixed with murder mystery. The story is wrapped up in the end as well so that’s a plus.

This is one author I’d like to read more from, it was clear that she put a lot of thought into the story, and that reaches you while reading.

This book grabbed me from the first page. I love stories about DNA and it has a timeline from the 1980's. The tension was unbelievable and the twists and turns kept coming. Fast paced read that I would recommend.

After being adopted as an infant, Ivy Hon had no idea she was related to a serial killer. She had a genetic test done after being stricken with a mysterious illness., which led to the discovery. The FBI contact her in the hope that she can lead them to the serial killer within her family. I liked how you get Ivy's point of view, but also her birth mom Tatum's story too. This was a very twisty thriller and the ending was great. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

Ivy Hon is suffering from unpleasant symptoms, so she decides to do a DNA test in hope to find out more about her birth parents and their medical history. The results, however, not only connect her with her cousin Lottie, but they also reveal her connection to a serial killer - The Full Moon Killer. In order to get more answers, Ivy goes to visit her birth family. That’s when things start to get scary as the full moon approaches.

I really enjoyed reading this book even though some parts I preferred to read with lights on or during daylight. The idea of serial killer being so close gave me shivers. Indeed I adore good family secrets, twists and going back in time.

A very unique and interesting concept but poorly executed.
It started off strong and really intriguing but as the book went on and as Ivy started digging through her family's secrets it became very annoying and repetitive. Also I HATED how Ivy was too trusting with strangers, I mean a serial killer is on the loose for chrissakes and she goes into a motel room with a stranger she met a few days prior.

The author threw in various plots and it all ended up clashing in the end (not in a good way).
And in the end you end up confused with more questions than answers.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book I've read by Elle Marr and it was very well-written. Loved the family drama and plot twists. I was intrigued by the description of this book, and it didn't disappoint! I enjoyed the different POVs this story was told from -- Ivy and Samson. I also enjoyed the bits of POV from Ivy's birth mother. This was a definite page turner and I was racing to finish this one!

I tried to gove this book a go. Just couldnt get into the characters the writing was amazing its just need a spark with the characters to really get me into the story and it didnt happen with this book

I’m such a HUGE FAN of Elle! I have read every book and this one was just as amazing as the rest! I can’t wait for the next one to come out! I will be ready!

I liked the premise of this book, but it felt complicated and hard to keep track of what was happening. It was still an enjoyable read, and I will definitely read more books by this author. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Strangers We Know by Elle Marr is a new author for me and WoW! what an interesting book this was. I did find this book very slow at the beginning but I am glad I stuck with it and it became a very good book.
Ivy Hon was adopted as a baby, now a young woman. However, she has a mystery illness so she submits her DNA for genetic analysis as she wants to find out more about her real parents and hopefully find them. Ivy is approached by an FBI agent in a café who tells her that the results have been uploaded to a national database and the Bureau have seen her results before she has. The agent reveals that she shares the DNA of an infamous serial killer: They are called The Full Moon Killer. Ivy, needs to find out more and goes online to check the database and soon discovers she has a cousin. She then, decides it's time to meet her blood family. Ivy, learns more about her real family and how her mother came to a tragic ending, deep in the home territory of the notorious The Full Moon killer - , she realises she may become the next victim of them......................

WoW. This book is full of good twists and turns but takes a while getting there so stick with it!

I will be reading more books in the future by Elle Marr.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review.

Ivy Hon is adopted, living her life in California with her cat, Onyx, and a somewhat strained relationship with her brother, Carson, their parents having passed on. Ivy has a medical condition that no one seems to have the answers to or for, so she decides to take an online DNA test. Much to her surprise, she gets a hit which leads her to Lottie, her cousin. After reaching out, Lottie is most excited to learn about Ivy and invites her to Washington State to meet some of her family. Ivy’s intention is to learn about her medical history on her biological parents’ side, both her mother and her father, but the more she starts to question the more doors start to close. She finds herself captivated by the tale of the Full Moon Killer. You’ll have to read the book to find out the answers Ivy uncovers.

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Marr and I am intrigued by her writing style. It is clear-cut and to the point, with backstories intertwined, messed-up family relationships, and the story of what adoptees go through, especially when it comes to health history. The characters Ms. Marr created in this book are very relatable, if somewhat unsuspecting. Wait until you get to the whodunit! I look forward to more of Ms. Marr’s work.

I read another story with this exact premise not long ago, and that one was alright, but it was better than this one.

Maybe it’s because they came out and were read too close to one another, but I couldn’t do it this time.

What if you found out there was a serial killer in your family tree? You are adopted, but are just figuring out who your birth family is..

Twists and turns, a fast paced read, I couldn't put it down!

I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was a tense, suspenseful read. It was well written and kept me turning pages. The MC was relatable and I enjoyed her vocie as it was what immediately drew me into the story. I'll be reading more of Elle Marr's books. Anyone who enjoys the suspense/thriller genre will probably enjoy this one.