I thought this book was a tough read but once I got into it, it was really good. I couldn’t put the book down. Overall, I give it four stars just because it wasn’t a “catch my eye and keep my focus” type of book from the start. I did really like reading it though.

Immersive and atmospheric A recommended purchase for collections where crime and thrillers are popular.

This book is full of dark family secrets that will have you turning 5e pages quickly. You will want to read this book in one sitting and all the drama will have you hooked. We truly never know what goes on in other people’s life. A great read.

Deena, an abused mother of a young child, seems to have run away from her home and her husband, Lucas, after saying goodbye to her daughter, Ruby. Deena's sister Nessa and Ruby both tell the narrative of their lives before and after Deena's disappearance, and Ruby's growing up with her dominating father.

This is a novel of spousal and paternal abuse, domination by a paternalistic and controlling man, and how he almost gets away with it. It is also the story of a young child growing up with the mystery of who her mother was, why she left Ruby, and where that mother is now. Also her attempts to find out about her mother without her father knowing about it adds to the story's interest.

The novel is suspenseful and interesting in the way the story is told in multiple flashbacks to the time when Deena was around and when Nessa showed early concern about her sister's overbearing husband.

A mystery and a coming of age story, excellently told, with realistic and engaging characters.

This is a moving story with a hint of mystery about the bonds of family. It's upsetting and frustrating at times, flashing back between past and present and perspectives and relaying the story of what happened to Deena, the missing mother of Ruby and sister of Nessa, and what happened after Deena went missing and how this loss affected everything for those left wondering what happened. Readers who hate books without quotation marks, this isn't for you.

In "Tell Me What I Am," Una Mannion weaves a haunting and gripping tale of two women bound by blood, torn apart by a family tragedy, and determined to uncover the truth that has kept them separated for years. Against the backdrop of a family member's mysterious disappearance, Mannion crafts a page-turning narrative that delves into the depths of resilience, secrets, and the unbreakable bond between sisters.

Nessa Garvey's life is marked by the unsolved vanishing of her sister, Deena, in Philadelphia. Despite the passing years, Nessa's conviction remains unshaken: her sister's ex-husband is responsible for a heinous crime that has gone unpunished. As Nessa struggles to grapple with the loss and uncertainty that have plagued her family, her niece, Ruby, grows up under the watchful eye of her father in the quiet rural setting of Vermont.

Mannion masterfully crafts a narrative that alternates between the perspectives of Nessa and Ruby, offering readers a glimpse into their separate worlds and the emotional turmoil that has defined their lives. Ruby's coming of age is characterized by an acute awareness of her father's temper, her isolation, and a burning desire to unravel the enigma surrounding her mother's disappearance. The unspoken question that hangs heavily in the air—"What really happened to her mother?"—serves as a driving force that propels both women on a journey to confront their family's dark past.

As the narrative unfolds, Mannion expertly peels back the layers of buried secrets and insidious control that have shaped Nessa and Ruby's lives. The story evolves into a riveting exploration of the dynamics of power and the enduring impact of trauma on generations. Mannion's prose captures the emotions, fears, and hopes of her characters, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the emotional complexities of the Garvey family.

"Tell Me What I Am" is a tour de force that navigates the intricacies of family relationships, resilience, and the search for truth. Mannion's storytelling prowess shines through as she deftly entwines past and present, drawing readers into a world of mystery and suspense.

Lots of suspense and drama in this story, told basically in two timelines.
Nessa just knows her sister was murdered. And now the murderer is raising Ruby, her niece.
Will we find out what exactly happened to Nessa’s sister Deena?

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Tell Me What I Am.

I wouldn't characterize this as a thriller or mystery since you know who the murderer is.

First, there are triggers including mental, drug and physical abuse, despair and sorrow so readers should be aware.

Second, this is a character driven novel split between past and present timelines and two main female characters: Nessa, the sister of the victim and aunt of the second POV, niece Ruby.

If you're looking for a novel filled with suspense and drama, twists and chills, keep looking.

When Ruby's mother, Deena, disappears unexpectedly over a decade ago, her estranged partner absconds with their daughter, Ruby, to Vermont.

The narrative becomes two stories, how Nessa struggled with the aftermath of her sister's disappearance, nearly destroying her own mental health in the process, how Deena became enthralled by the psychologically and emotionally abusive Lucas, and Ruby, how she both struggled and evolved under her father's parentage and tutelage, and her eventual discovery of her origins.

There's no urgency or drama, just the slow progression of the years as Ruby grows from a four year old to a tween to a teenager preparing to go to college.

Nessa struggles with her traumas; losing her sister and niece, knowing full well Lucas is the perpetrator but hampered by the laws who seems to favor her sister's estranger partner, especially in light of Deena's mental health struggles.

As their lives ebb and flow over the years and Deena's fate remains unknown, Nessa never loses hope Lucas will be brought to justice and she will be reunited with her beloved niece.

Ruby's growing awareness of her true identity is supported by her friends, and eventually, her grandmother, who is nearing the end of her life and is desperate to make amends.

This was a well written novel about survival, love, and hope, though I found it hard to connect with anyone, including Ruby.

In some ways, I was more intrigued by Lucas; why he was the way he was, how did he end up like this, and how Clover's deference enabled her son's dangerous and eventual homicidal actions.

I prefer mysteries with a mystery and/or a police procedural format and this wasn't it, but I enjoyed the writing and I think some readers will enjoy it, too.

The Crooked Tree is no fluke and Una Mannion is the real deal. It has been a long time since I have hated a fictional character as much as I hate Lucas Chevalier. For me, that is the mark of a great writer and a great storyteller. I will be eagerly anticipating Mannion's next book.

Deena leaves for her nursing shift at a Philadelphia hospital early one Sunday morning and never returns. Her sister, who she lives with, is convinced that Deena's estranged partner, Lucas, is to blame. With Deena missing, Lucas takes their 4-year-old daughter Ruby away to his childhood home in the Lake Champlain islands of Vermont, cutting Ruby off from Nessa and the remainder of Deena's family. This book tells the story of Deena and Lucas's relationship, Ruby's coming of age, and Nessa's terrible grief for the loss of her sister and her niece. The story is told in a timeline stretching from 1999 to 2018, using Ruby’s and Nessa’s alternating points of view. Lucas is controlling and emotionally abusive in a way that is horrifying yet completely believable. Deena has a history of mental health issues that made her vulnerable to Lucas’s brand of emotional abuse. Ruby’s point of view is heartbreaking, because we understand how unforgiveable Lucas’s behavior is but, at the same time, she loves him because he is her dad. Nessa’s point of view is just as compelling, and her grief is depicted with beautiful care. The tension in the book revolves around whether we ever will find out what really happened to Deena, and whether Ruby will break away from Lucas and be reunited with Nessa. The writing is excellent. I loved the settings—both the Philadelphia area and the islands of Lake Champlain in Vermont—and I loved the characters.

My only complaint is that the author made the choice to not use quotation marks. I understand that some authors make this decision for a reason … but generally I don’t like it. For me, it usually makes a book harder to read. I almost put this book down right away when I saw what the author was doing, but fortunately she had already grabbed my attention. A great read: 4.5 stars.

This is my first book by this author, I was drawn in by the cover and the title, and the description made me want to read it. The writing was great, I loved the pacing and the plot was fantastic. I don’t wanna give too much away, but this book was amazing and I want to read more from this author

This book is chilling in its profile of a controlling, abusive partner, Lucas, and his total manipulation first of Deena and then of their daughter Ruby. All the red flags are there, madly flapping in the air, but he encourages a distance from others and they in turn choose to mind their own business and say nothing. The cost is paid by Deena and Ruby and it is devastating on them, their worlds made small, their choices curtailed and their every move monitored. I cannot say enough good things about this book. The building suspense captivated me in the very first paragraphs. With effortless prose and dialogue that is moving and insightful. It speaks to how we feel about ourselves, others and how we relate to both. I could not put it down. One of the best novels I’ve read this year!

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

I thought that the writing was really great, but the story left me wanting a little more. This book was a really slow burn throughout, and I was expecting more of a climax to go along with the build up.