For the last 12 years, Skyler Moore has struggled with a crippling sense of guilt and an inability to be around large groups. An artist who specializes in collages, her work is about to be displayed in a prestigious art gallery and, hopefully, it will help her shaky finances as she wants to become pregnant through in vitro before her biological clock runs out.

But hearing she may have to speak to the large crowd expected at the gallery greatly increases her social anxiety. Add to that, she still is dealing with her mother who blames Skyler for what happened to Chloe, her younger half-sister 12 years ago after they became separated at a party.

Told Chloe had left, Skyler returned to the hotel where she was staying and, unusual for her, indulged in a one night stand with Christopher Whaley, an older, handsome—and married--man she just met. And so sets the stage for Kate White’s newest mystery,

Her half-sister never left the party, her body was found days later at the bottom of a hill on the property. As for Whaley, he and Skyler never meet again but his lawyer contacts her a few nights before her gallery show. Whaley has recently died and left her several million dollars much to the anger of his family. Soon she is being harassed and threatened, her apartment broken into, and her career as an artist stymied when her collages, on display at the gallery are defaced. Skyler, unsure of herself as it is, must face the threats and accusations made against her by his family.

White, the author of 17 novels, was formerly the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine and uses her knowledge of New York and the New York art scene to create a fast paced novel that takes us into that world when Skyler works on a collage that she hopes will help unlock the secret of her half-sister’s death.

I ask White, during a long phone conversation, how she was able to write best selling novels and work as editor-in-chief of an extremely popular woman’s magazine, That, in itself, must surely have been a full-time job.

“I was definitely burning the candle at both ends,” she says, adding that when she first got the call to take over the job she had completed four chapters of her first foray into mystery writing. “I put those aside.”

Uber-successful at editing—she took Cosmo to the number one best seller of single issue copies (the magazine was famous for its covers and inspired advice to women), selling two million copies a month.

“I loved the job, my team, the magazine,” says White.

But she also loved mysteries, having become addicted to the Nancy Drew mystery series at age 12. And so despite being married with two children and working as editor-in-chief, she returned to the mystery novel she was writing.

When I ask where she gets her ideas, White says from many places. She keeps a file of news clippings and notes. A plot, which she is meticulously outlined, can come from overhearing a conversation on an elevator. Yes, she says. She eavesdrops.

After 14 years at the helm of Cosmo (how many other magazines have a nickname?), White decided to focus on writing full-time. Now she spends part of the year in Uruguay where she and her husband have a place in a small beach town where she enjoys the lavender sunsets, the food and being warm in the winter.

It is also the perfect place for White to write and she is already at work on her next mystery.

For more information on White including upcoming author events, visit her website katewhite.com

When Skyler receives a phone call from a laywer she's never met, she is instantly suspicious. After meeting with him, she finds out she just inherited a massive amount of money which could fufill her dreams of motherhood. But as she uncovers who the mysterious benefactor is and her relationship to him, dark secrets threaten to be dug up.

This wasn't your typical fast paced thriller but I was so consumed by the story and truly couldn't put it down. I loved the characters and was sad to say goodbye to them!

I read Between Two Strangers but unfortunately just found it wasn't for me. The plot was intriguing, I mean, who doesn't love a mysterious inheritance. However, I found the story lackluster as it progressed which left me wanting to put it down. I finished it, but it really didn't leave me wanting more.

Engaging, intriguing, and fast-paced (although it dragged a little bit in the middle). Good twists albeit pretty predictable.

Will read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

I love Kate White and her books are always anticipated reads for me. This one was a little slow and less thriller than I'm used to with her books. I did like the premise and the outcome. There was enough mystery to keep me interested. As always I love the writing style!

Skyler Moore is a thirty-seven-year-old struggling artist/graphic designer who works out of a rented loft in Manhattan. Estranged from her family, Skyler's mother can't forgive her for the part she played in the untimely death of her half-sister, Chloe. Skyler struggles financially until she receives a message informing her of a large inheritance from a man she can't remember until she recalls a one-night stand years prior. Why would this virtual stranger leave her a fortune? The man's wife and children are resentful and unpleasant. Skylar's apartment is broken into leaving her wondering what anyone could be looking for. She begins investigating her inheritance and the man behind it when sinister events begin, and she begins questioning her safety.

Author Kate White has rendered an intense, fast paced thriller that's sure to leave readers burning through the pages late into the night. Through a twisted plot line and brilliant characterizations, this story keeps readers guessing until the end. Highly recommended to fans of suspense thrillers.

One of my favorite author's ever! One of her best ones yet!! Thank you for the opportunity to read this fast paced book I couldn't put it down!

A pleasurable read with an original and intriguing, although predictable, plot. For fans of Heidi Perks and Lisa Unger.

I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it!

Between Two Strangers
A Novel of Suspense
by Kate White
Pub Date 16 May 2023
Harper Perennial and Paperbacks,Harper Paperbacks
General Fiction \(Adult\)| Mystery & Thrillers| Women’s Fiction
Netgalley and Harper Paperbacks sent me a copy of Between Two Strangers to review:
In this twisty and addictive psychological thriller from the New York Times bestselling author Entertainment Weekly calls “impossible to outwit,” a woman receives a bewildering inheritance.
Skyler Moore is flabbergasted when a lawyer she’s never met calls her regarding a “private matter.” When she arrives at the law firm, she learns she’s the recipient of a large inheritance, a life-changing sum that will allow her to become a mother. Who was Christopher Whaley, her benefactor? Skyler has no idea why the late man left her such a large bequest, and her name means nothing to her.
Skyler discovers they shared a one-night stand at a hotel bar. Over a decade ago, they never exchanged numbers or even last names. She wonders if the inheritance is a message, but can’t figure out what it is.
Skyler’s family is confused and suspicious, and his widow accuses her of having an affair with her late husband. For Skyler to protect herself, she needs to understand why she was left the money. As she digs for the truth, it becomes clear that Chris Whaley might have taken other secrets to the grave, ones that could have terrifying consequences for her.
I give Between Two Strangers five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!

This book kept me reading & trying to figure out the mystery! I loved the premise and found the pacing of the book to keep me intrigued. It is hard to know who you can trust and what the characters' motives are, and it's a thrilling journey to find out!

Author Kate White knows how to tell a story! This was one of those books I devoured in a couple of days. She has a knack for constantly dropping a trail of crumbs to keep the reader interested, intrigued, and moving forward in the story. There were two storylines, past and present, and I was equally engaged in both. Each chapter ended with a surprise that left me wanting to come back as soon as possible!

Skyler is a struggling artist, and at 38 she's drifting. Her life is fairly solitary, she is not close with her family, and she doesn't seem to have many friends, except for her cat, Tuna. But things are looking up in her career. After several years as a non-productive artist, she has a show coming out soon, featuring her new medium of art, collages. And then out of the blue she receives notification that she needs to call an attorney. It's all very mysterious. When she meets with him, she finds that she has been left a trust, quite a financial windfall, but she doesn't know the person who bequeathed it to her!

Almost immediately strange and scary things start happening to Skyler. Someone is obviously out to get her. At first it seems obvious who it might be, but as the story progresses, we see there is actually a large pool of suspects to choose from.

This story kept me guessing, it was easy to read, and had a compelling storyline. The ending was a little fantastical, but you know, I've seen so many bigger coincidences in real life, that I could buy it.

This was a 4.5 read for me based purely on reading fun and enjoyment, but I'm rounding up to 5.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kate White, and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you @harperbooks and @netgalley for my digital copy. My thoughts are my own.

Skyler Moore is a struggling artist when she suddenly receives a stunning inheritance from a stranger!

Mystified, Skyler investigates and finds out that the inheritance is indeed genuine and her benefactor, Christopher Whaley, was a man she had a one night stand with years ago.

As expected, Christopher’s family is not happy about the terms of the will and they plan to contest it.
What’s more, Christopher’s widow accuses Skyler of having an affair with Christopher and she threatens revenge!

How far will the angry widow go? As Skyler investigates further, she untangles a dark mystery.

I always look forward to a new release from Kate White! With her well-developed characters and rich storylines, I know I am in for a good read! BETWEEN TWO STRANGERS unfolds through Skyler’s perspective and dual timelines. It is full of twists that guarantee to keep the reader turning pages, and the unexpected ending is perfect!

I am starting to get into Kate White's books - this is my second one. I really like her writing style and the story flows easily. Its a readable thriller!

wow, I wish I was Skyler. I sure could use a call from an attorney informing me a stranger left me money in their will LMAO
this was good, not a typical thriller - more of a suspenseful mystery imo, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
I binged this in a day, no surprise there. I was dying to know who this mystery person was and their reasoning for this lump sum of cash.
It was the pure chaos until the end and I was shocked to learn how the money ended up in her hands. through harassment, stalking, threats - it will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat. all in all, a good mystery, very fast paced & short chapters - I still recommend.

An edge of your seat thriller from an author that I have loved. Her books always seem to take me for a rollercoaster of a ride.

Well written and takes you into the scenes. Gives lots of chills and captivating moments.
It's great.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this arc. Loved it.

I've always been a big fan of White's writing, so any time she comes out with a new book, I want to get my hot little hands on it. Her writing isn't always the best I've ever read, but she keeps me entertained and I don't always see the twists coming, which is nice.

I loved the idea of Skylar, a struggling artist, falling into money from a man she barely even remembers. The idea that she wants to use it to have a baby was fun, and I envisioned what I would do if I was in the same boat (move to a Caribbean island and run a dog rescue, in case you're wondering).

However, the further I got into this book, the more absurd it became. By the end, Skylar has completely dropped the idea of having a baby. And the twist just really didn't do it for me. It was still a fun read, just don't get your expectations too high.

Such a fun thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. A one night read, Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.

Kate White did it again. The book is really 2 stories in one that move back and forth between a decade. Sky, an artist, is left an inheritance from someone she doesn't know...or does she? In addition she is dealing with the disappearance of her sister from a party a decade earlier. The writing is fast paced and easy to digest and pulls you in as the two stories wind their way around and cumulate into an gasp of a moment (or 2).