Thank you Netgalley and Flatiron Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall.

Emma and her husband, Nathan, have to find a place to live. Their lease is up, Nathan has lost his job, and Emma announces they are pregnant. Their only option is to go back to Emma's hometown and live in her family's house where her parents were murdered. They could sell the house, but only if Emma gets the approval from her two estranged sisters. They haven't spoken since the tragic night her parents died, and the whole town thinks it was Emma.

The prologue of this book was very good. The author takes you to the night Emma's parents were murdered. Both the description of the parents and the kids, especially with Daphne saying, "No One Can Know", was unhinged. We are left without all of the details or knowing what really happened that night. Then the story goes back and forth between NOW and THEN with the POVs of Emma, Nathan, and Emma's sisters Juliette and Daphne.

This is mostly a mystery with some thriller elements; therefore the pacing is slower than a normal thriller. I enjoyed each character's POV. Every person in the town was hiding their own secrets. The reader has to take each piece of the puzzle and put it together with what happened as it is revealed along the way. I think Kate Alice Marshall did a great job telling the story. Emma was a little frustrating to me as a character at times, but I understand why she was the way she was due to her traumatic past and not having anyone's support. Daphne was my favorite character. I think the author could potentially make a book just based on her. She was very dark yet intriguing. I will warn there is domestic abuse in this story. If that is a trigger for you, then skip this one.

The only reason why I didn't make it 5 stars was that the reveals at the end kept changing to make it more twisty and it got a little confusing. Overall it was a good story. I was intrigued all the way through trying to guess what really happened. There were a lot of moving pieces, which for me makes it a good story because you're always wondering who did what and what will happen next. And I liked the characters, although they were all messed up in their own ways.

Two murders. Three sisters. ALL of the secrets. The story focuses on Emma who is married to Nathan who she hasn't really told very much about her past. He knows a few details: dead parents. Two sisters who she no longer speaks to. Then Nathan loses his job. And Emma discovers she is pregnant. Needing a place to stay, Nathan and Emma move to Emma's childhood home. The home where her parents were murdered. And everyone thought that Emma did it.

The book moves back and forth in time from present day with Emma and Nathan's dealings with the house, the sins of the past, and their ever crumbling marriage and the past where the reader is given further insight into the family life of the three sisters as well as what really did happen the night the parents were murdered. We also get the perspective (both past and present) of sisters Juliette (now JJ) who is is taught and suspect and Daphne who is strange both then and now.

So many secrets. So man false memories. SO many revelations. I enjoyed this book a lot. The plotting was tight and the story was layered. All of the characters were flawed and somewhat unlikeable yet likable. Quirky. I loved the resolution.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Publishers for the digital advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. The novel will be published January 24, 2024. Definitely check it out.

Sisters Emma, Daphne, and Juliette had anything but an easy childhood in their home with their mother and father. Their lives together in that home ended when their parents were brutally murdered. The cops and entire town were convinced that Emma and an older guy friend Gabriel committed the murders because they secretly were in a relationship and her parents didn’t approve, but they could never find any evidence to prove it. After the murders Emma and Daphne went to foster care and Juliette went to college and for 14 years never spoke to each other again.
Emma has some unfortunate life experiences that leave her and her husband Nathan no choice but to head back to her childhood home where the murders took place in Arden. On top of everything Emma finds out she is pregnant. Needless to say Emma’s return got a lot of attention, threats, vandalism, and a journey that would leave her down a dangerous mission to find out the answers to questions she has lived with her entire life.
She isn’t the only sister to return as suddenly Juliette and Daphne are back as well. Between the stress of being back, her husband’s suspicious behavior, the police on her back again, and the shock of seeing her sisters again things start the roller coaster of what she thinks she knows, what really happened, and all the madness in between!
This book was a wild, intriguing, intense ride!! I found myself not being able to put it down because with each new chapter I was second guessing what I thought I knew. I thoroughly enjoyed the chapters alternating POVs of the 3 sisters (current and past). Family is a complicated and sometimes complicated thing and this author did an excellent job of exploring the complex and complicated relationship of these sisters.
I really liked this book, the twisty wild story, and the author’s ability to make me feel like I got to know each sister and mainly Emma. The writing flowed well and definitely kept me guessing. Highly recommend!!
Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and Flatiron books for the ARC of this book!

Thank you so much, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
The mysteries of the unknown and secrets hidden deep in the sisters' childhood had me hooked right from the start. The story layout was brilliant and helped everything fall into place at just the right times. The different POVs and "Then" and "Now" chapters kept you on track with your personal sleuthing in trying to unravel the lies and get down to the truth.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is the multiple resolutions at the end. 'This is what happened. No, this is really what happened. Actually, no, this is what happened.' Oh how deep the bonds of sisterhood go.
However, the most frustrating thing about this whole story is that if those sisters had just communicated with each other 14 years ago, things would have been SO much different/better for all of them. I just wanted to strangle them. GRRR!
Anyhow, Great read! Will definitely consider this author in the future for more Mystery/Thriller novels. She obviously knows what she's doing. =)

🏠 No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

This gripping thriller excels in:

-Complex family dynamics
-Intriguing secrets and motives
-Unpredictable twists until the very end

"No One Can Know" proved to be an excellent read, entwining three sisters, two murders, and a myriad of secrets within a gripping narrative. The intricate family dynamics and the subtle hints of potential motives kept me engaged throughout.

The story revolves around Emma, who unveils her past to her husband as they face financial struggles. Returning to her family's mansion reveals not only the true nature of the house but also the haunting memories of her parents' murder, a mystery shrouded in secrecy.

Kate Alice Marshall skillfully weaves a tale where everyone appears to have a possible motive to conceal the truth. The anticipation builds steadily, leading to an ending that surprised me in the best possible way. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the author deftly kept me guessing until the very last line—a remarkable achievement in the realm of thrillers.

The layers of familial secrets, small-town mysteries, and the danger lurking within unspoken truths create an immersive experience. As Emma navigates reconnection with her estranged sisters while safeguarding her new family, the narrative skillfully unravels the perilous consequences of buried secrets.

For fellow thriller enthusiasts, "No one can Know" offers a compelling and suspenseful journey, showcasing the intricate balance between family ties and the perilous risks of long-buried secrets. A must-read that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the final revelation!

I found this to be a complex murder mystery but also a story of survival. A page turner for sure with long hidden family secrets, toxic / complex relationships, abuse & betrayal. The never ending twists will make your head spin. Once you think you’ve figured it out…..guess again! Eventually the secrets & red herrings turn into revelations & in my opinion the ending was “just right.”

Thank you to NetGalley, Flatiron Books & Kate Alice Marshall for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Favorite Lines:

“She likes to imagine that she can fold herself in half and in half again, over and over until she is a tiny speck drifting. Until she is nothing at all.”

“His tongue slid between her teeth, and she wondered if he tasted the secrets lingering there.”

Emma and Nathan have a marriage built on a tenuous foundation. Emma and sisters, Daphne and Juliette, haven’t spoken in many years. After their parent were murdered they were separated by foster care or college. None of them are very likable. They can’t help it, they’re damaged, having had no adult to nurture and love them, not even each other. Each has secrets and details from that awful tragedy which they have never shared, not even with the other sisters. Circumstances have Emma and Nathan financially strapped. The empty childhood home could be their solution or might unearth past secrets into the open. So they’re moving back home to the murder house. Juliette and Daphne are co-owners and must be agreeable. Each sister has a version of that night when their world was forever altered. Who knows what really happened? Who is covering for the other? Is it possible to bring these three women back together and mend fences? Can any semblance of their contentious relationships be salvaged? Can you decide who murdered the parents? I could not. Just when you think you’ve nailed down who pulled the trigger, another twist will obliterate your suspects and theories.
I enjoyed this unpredictable mystery just as much as I did “What Lies in the Woods”, can’t wait to see what the author writes about next! I was provided an advance reader copy of “No One Can Know” by NetGalley, author Kate Alice Marshall, Published by Flatiron Books, on sale 01/23/2024. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

This is a thriller meets murder mystery to me. It kept me on my toes and managed to keep me guessing the truth until the very end. If you love thrillers, toxic family drama, and corruption of wealth then I think you’ll like this one.

No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall. I really enjoyed What Lies in the Woods, so I could not wait to read this book - and it did not disappoint. I loved this book. It kept my attention the entire time and kept me guessing. It was easy to follow. I really wanted to know what happened and did not want to stop reading until I did. Thank you Flatiron Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, Flatiron and Kate Alice Marshal for an ARC of No One Can Know in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis quoted & review below.

"Emma hasn't told her husband much about her past. He knows her parents are dead and she hasn't spoken to her sisters in years. Then they lose their apartment, her husband gets laid off, and Emma discovers she's pregnant—right as the bank account slips into the red.

That's when Emma confesses that she has one more asset: her parents' house, which she owns jointly with her estranged sisters. They can't sell it, but they can live in it. But returning home means that Emma is forced to reveal her secrets to her husband: that the house is not a run-down farmhouse but a stately mansion, and that her parents died there.

Were murdered.

And that some people say Emma did it.

Emma and her sisters have never spoken about what really happened that night. Now, her return to the house may lure her sisters back, but it will also crack open family and small-town secrets lots of people don’t want revealed. As Emma struggles to reconnect with her old family and hold together her new one, she begins to realize that the things they have left unspoken all these years have put them in danger again."

I absolutely LOVED What Lies in the Woods, so I knew immediately that I HAD to get my hands/eyes on No One Can Know. I am sooooooo happy that it lived up to my high hopes!

This is very much a VERY twisty psychological thriller, which is totally my jam! Fast-paced with well-written characters and a crazy plot with LOTS of twists - honestly, what more can you ask for.

I would say start this one when you have plenty of time to read because you will not be putting it down until you finish.

Multiple POVS and multiple timelines - but still very easy to follow.

This second read for me of Marshall has solidified her as an auto-read author for me.

I HIGHLY recommend.

I love when a book explores dual timelines and presents the story with multiple POV’s. This book gave us both!

14 years ago their parents were murdered in their childhood home. Some people say that Emma did it. Emma and her sisters have never spoken about what really happened that night. Now, her return to the house may lure her sisters back, but it will also crack open family and small-town secrets lots of people don't want revealed. As Emma struggles to reconnect with her old family and hold together her new one, she begins to realize that the things they have left unspoken all these years have put them in danger again.

While the story is told with dual timelines and in the POV’s of the three estranged sisters. I really wish i liked this more. I wasn’t invested in the story or any of the characters and it took me a while to finish. While there were quite a few twists, there were also some plot holes for me. As we neared the last few chapters it felt that the writing was rushed to get us to a conclusion. I like being right and i was pleased to have guessed the final reveal pretty early on. Overall, I enjoyed the story and look forward to more from Kate Alice Marshall.

Thank you to Flatiron Books for letting me read this early!

I received an ARC of this book from Flatiron Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. I finished the book very quickly - it is a fast read since you are kept guessing amidst many, many secrets. The insular small town vibes create unease. I enjoyed reading about how each sister changed in the years since the murders of their parents and also their difficulty in coming back to each other. The ending reminded me of those choose your own adventure books I read as a kid, or of the movie Clue - "this is how it might have happened, but now this is how it REALLY happened." Basically just when you think the author has revealed everything, it's all turned upside down again. Very clever.

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time! From the very first page I was pulled in and couldn’t stop reading, I just had to know what happened next. This is my first book from this author but definitely will not be my last!

A crazy story about three sisters whose parents were murdered and their life trajectory completely changes as they distance themselves and keep a million secrets because they think they are protecting each other.

This was such a fun read filled with a ton of twists, literally. When you think “oh wow final twist” the author laughs and throws another one our way. I loved the pace and character development, especially for Emma & JJ — growth! Definitely recommend this one to all my thriller lovers, 4⭐️

Thank you for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of this title via NetGalley.

Thank you for an advance copy of this thriller by an author I enjoy. Emma and her husband Nathan move back into her family home after they have some hard times...problem is its a murder house. Her parents murder. And she was a suspect with the murdered still at large. The story has alternating POV of past/present with Emma and her 2 sisters, slowly unraveling what happened to the parents years before. Who is telling the truth? Who can we trust? The slow twists of this story were really fun. Great character development and unexpected reveals. I really enjoyed this one.

This is a fun, fast, thrilling read! I loved the relationship between Emma, JJ, and Daphne. I also enjoyed the past/present, then/now format.

No One Can Know is a mystery surrounding three estranged sisters and the murder of their parents. Alternating between now and then chapters as well as each sister’s POV, the writing hooked me in immediately. While the build up was a slow burn, there were a lot of twists in the last quarter of the book, making it a fun popcorn thriller. Plus, having two sisters myself, I love how this dived into complex sister relationships and the lengths they would go to protect each other. I will say, I figured out who the culprit was prior to the end reveal, but I think that goes with small-town mysteries as there are usually less suspects.

Read if you like:
-Popcorn thrillers
-Small town mysteries
-Family drama
-Old mansion setting

Thank you Flatiron for the ARC! Pub 1/23/24

No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall is an easy to read thriller that had me hooked in the first chapter. Murder and family drama fill the pages. I enjoyed the premise of the book, and the points of view of the three sisters set in multiple timelines helped move the story forward.
However, as I continued reading I found it hard to connect or feel emotion toward the characters. The final 20% of the book jumped around quite a bit with a lot happening and had me second guessing what I just read.
Overall, I give No One Can Know 3 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for an advance copy in return for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Flatiron books for allowing me to review this book. Next, this was really good story. It keeps you guessing until the very last chapter. Or, if you're like me—you'll develop a laundry list of what maybe could have happened and compare notes when you reach the last chapter. The character development was superb. Overall, this is an easy read. You can get through in one to two days.

This book kept me guessing. I definitely did not expect some of the twists. I did enjoy the character development and their personalities.