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Kate Alice Marshall is a rare author who writes both YA and Adult really, really well. It's a tough thing to do, but she's phenomenal and I will read everything she ever writes. This is her second Adult novel, and I absolutely devoured her first, What Lies in the Woods. While that novel is still my favorite, this one was an excellent follow-up.

Fourteen years ago, sisters Juliette, Emma, and Daphne were forced to leave home. Their parents were brutally murdered in said home, so Juliette went off to college while Emma and Daphnew went into foster care. Emma has not seen or spoken to either of her sisters since then, and none of them have talked about what happened that night, or what they saw - even as Emma became the prime suspect in the investigation.

In the present, Emma and her husband must relocate after he loses his job and she finds out she is pregnant. Since all three sisters share ownership of the house, one of them can't just sell it on their own, but any of them can live there.

So, that's exactly what Emma has to do when there are no other options for her and her new little family.

Emma has never talked to anyone about that night, not even her husband. When she finally gives him the gist of it, he is shocked to say the least. But Emma being back home has stirred up some trouble - people in town still talk, convinced she is guilty. The case is still open, so the police are eager to finally have another chance to get Emma to confess. And best/worst of all, Emma's reappearance at home brings Juliette and Daphne back as well.

The author is highly skilled in the area of developing and maintaining complex relationships among her characters and she does an exceptional job with these three very different sisters. Juliette was the good one, always quick to follow the rules and do as her parents asked. Emma was the rebellious one, Juliette's complete opposite. The baby, Daphne, was something else altogether - content to hide in plain sight, observing all that goes on around her, perhaps a bit psychotic?

All three were somehow involved that night, though if that involvement equals murder, the author is quick to provide all kinds of clues and twists to keep readers on their toes.

They are bound together forever not just because they are family, but because of what happened that night. They continue to keep secrets from each other and Emma has to wonder just what either sister is not telling her. Yet it was Emma who found her sisters standing over their parents bodies, Juliette shivering and soaked with water, Daphne covered in blood.

And it was Emma who took charge immediately, constructing a timeline that would ensure all were accounted for at all times, that would protect them from being implicated.

This time around though, Emma can only focus on her unborn baby, and will do whatever she must to protect her child - even if it means no longer covering for one of her sisters.

This one truly had be hooked from beginning to end. Watching the dynamic between the sisters play out in both past and present points of view ensured that one would not easily guess the identity of the killer. I'm usually pretty good at that, but this one got me, for sure.

On the note of the timelines and points of view - this sounds like it could be overwhelming, but it is a strength of the author to give her characters unique and distinct personalities and voices. I did not have to constantly go back to the start of a chapter to see who was speaking.

All three were so frustrating at times because it was clear that everyone was hiding something, but just how those secrets fit with the murders was revealed slowly, peeling back layer by layer. But given the fact that these girls endured serious trauma in their formative years, it does make sense that they're all kind of not quite normal. First they lost their parents, then they lost each other.

I can happily say that I was left guessing for quite a long time as to what actually happened that night. Marshall is an incredibly gifted writer who gives possibilities and takes them away, all while leaving plenty to mull over in the mean time. I suspected pretty much every single character at one point or another.

Highly recommended.

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The beginning was a little slow but there were some great twists and at about 30% in it really picked up and I sped through it!

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Thank you for the opportunity to read this book! At this time I will not be reading or reviewing. I will update if I do read in the future!

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In "No One Can Know," Kate Alice Marshall tells a captivating story that blends mystery, family issues, and the lingering effects of past events. The main character, Willa, is 17 years old and dealing with the tragic death of her mother. As she tries to cope with her grief, she discovers hidden secrets in her family's history that force her to face her mother's legacy and her own identity.

The book includes themes of grief, loss, and family secrets, which are important to the story and may resonate with readers who have experienced similar situations. Marshall handles these themes with care, allowing readers to engage with the emotional weight of the story.

This novel is haunting and thought-provoking, it highlights Kate Alice Marshall's talent for creating complex stories with emotional depth. It will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries and stories about complicated family relationships. Marshall's exploration of grief and the search for truth is both engaging and relatable, making this book a valuable addition to contemporary young adult literature.

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I started out very invested in this but as the story dragged on, I started losing interest. The ending was especially disappointing and took me out of the book. What I did like was the writing and I think the idea was great, I just sadly didn't love the execution.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book!

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This starts out as a predictable thriller, but has some excellent twists and ends on a nicely unsettling note. I think this is the best of Kate Alice Marshall’s adult thrillers yet.

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Sucked me in and I couldn't put it down. I will definitely recommend this as a fast paced, engaging thriller.

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3.5 Stars

Emma and her two sister have wanted nothing to do with their childhood home for the past 14 years. They have tried to move past their family trauma and the accusations, but when Emma becomes pregnant and her husband Nathan loses his job they are in a desperate situation. They move back to her empty and neglected childhood home full secrets and memories she'd rather forget.

This novel is full of twists and turns and it kept me engage but the ending was a little much all at once and I am not sure how I feel about it. I was a good enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley, and Flatiron Books for the ARC.

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Emma left her family behind 14 years ago. After finding out she's pregnant and her husband's lost his job, she has no other choice but to go back home. To the house she and her sister's still own, and where her parents were brutally murdered. Emma's never told the truth about what she saw that night and her being back in town threatens to uncover secrets no one wants to be found.

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The first half of this book was a bit of a challenge for me to get into. It was a slow burn, and I struggled to really get into the storyline. However, the last 25% flew by and I devoured it. The end made me question so many parts of the story that I thought I knew, and then more and more twists and turns kept coming. I felt a lot of confusion throughout the book as well because I had trouble following the story line when it switched from POV’s. Although the ending was the best part for me, I’m dropping my rating to 3 stars because of how drawn out I felt the book was.

A big thank you to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for providing me with this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

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This book had me guessing from start to finish, I didn’t want to put it down! The pace was a little slower than I prefer, making me wonder if there was going to be a “open ending” …. However the payoff was totally worth it. The story centers around three sisters in a small town, uncovering family secrets. Who killed their parents years ago? And why? When one of the sisters is forced to return to the childhood home, she has to confront old accusations, painful memories, and complicated family dynamics. I never really knew where this story was headed, which made it the perfect kind of unpredictable, twist-filled adventure!

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Kate Alice Marshall writes fantastic thrillers. This kept me guessing beginning to end. The pace is a bit slower than I typically like, but you can't deny the payoff. I'll read anything she writes.

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This tale of family secrets hits all the right notes. Three sisters will do anything to forget the night their parents died and they did what they had to in order to protect each other. Years later, the reunite and come to terms with the death of their overbearing parents and their place in the community. The setting is vivid and the tone is chilly.

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Fourteen years ago, Emma left her childhood home and never returned. Now it seems that her only option is to move into the family home temporarily, despite the ghastly things that occurred there. Her parents are dead and she’s estranged from her sisters Juliette and Daphne - all three girls left town after their parents death. What Emma’s husband doesn’t realize is that Emma was a suspect in the murder and it’s gone unsolved this whole time. The sisters haven’t spoken about what actually happened that night but they instinctually agreed that they would keep quiet. With Emma’s return to town, and another death occurring, it’s time to get to the bottom of things and find out what really happened.

This book has solidified Kate Alice Marshall as an auto-read author for me. I really liked her novel What Lies in the Woods and I absolutely loved this one. The story isn’t groundbreaking (is any thriller? No, but we still love them!) but I felt that she put everything together so well! I thought for a minute that we were going to have an ambiguous ending but she managed to wrap it up neatly without making it unrealistic. If you haven’t already read this book, I highly recommend it!

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Loved the first half, I feel like the second half got a little messy but overall I enjoyed it! I’m also realizing I really love the three sister stories. I’ve read a few recently and the different perspectives is absolutely delightful to read.

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Certainly a lot of interesting twists. It took a while to get into but the last half went pretty quick. I don’t think any of the characters were particularly likable but all were fairly interesting.

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This thriller centered on the family secrets of three small town sisters. Who killed their parents? And why? And when one of the sisters finds herself forced to return to their family home out of desperation she will need to face accusations, memories, and family dynamics. I was never quite sure where this ride was taking me, the best kind of reading adventure!

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**Book Review: *No One Can Know* by Kate Alice Marshall**

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Kate Alice Marshall's *No One Can Know* is a haunting, edge-of-your-seat thriller that weaves together suspense, secrets, and chilling revelations in a way that keeps you guessing until the very last page. This novel takes readers on a dark and atmospheric journey, where every twist feels deliberate and every character has something to hide.

The story revolves around a group of teenagers who make a pact to keep a terrible secret after a tragic event occurs. As the layers of the past slowly unravel, we get glimpses of their haunted lives in the present, where guilt and paranoia have settled in, making each character feel real and broken in their own way.

Marshall's writing is intense, with a gripping pace that doesn’t let up. The atmosphere she creates is suffocating at times, as if the weight of the secret is pressing down not only on the characters but also on the reader. The small-town setting plays a key role, amplifying the feeling that there is no escape from what happened, no matter how much the characters try to move on.

The characters are well-developed, each dealing with the aftermath of their choices in different but equally devastating ways. Marshall masterfully delves into their psychology, exploring themes of guilt, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to protect themselves and others.

What sets *No One Can Know* apart is how it blends the emotional weight of trauma with the heart-pounding thrill of unraveling a mystery. The twists are smart and unexpected, and just when you think you’ve figured everything out, Marshall throws in another curveball that will leave you reeling.

Overall, *No One Can Know* is a standout in the thriller genre. It’s dark, immersive, and emotionally charged, with a plot that will linger in your mind long after you finish. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers or stories about secrets that refuse to stay buried, this book is an absolute must-read.

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Loved this book! The ending was unbelievable and unexpected! Kept me guessing till the last page! I loved the setting and the characters. It gave me all the hunted feels and I will definitely tell my friends about this one!

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I enjoyed this little who-dun-it. There were a few twists but I felt there were some slow parts and I wasn’t super connected to the characters. Overall, it was decent!

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