I loved Alyssa Cole's first thriller and my hopes were so high for this one. But alas, I am sad to report that this one just didn't do it for me. The writing was a little too colloquial for me and made me cringe in several places. The first 20% set up the book really well and explained the idea of a system very clearly but the writing and narrative voices were not enjoyable to read so I DNF'd this at 23%.

I think if this gets a full cast narration it will really improve the reading experience and I would absolutely give it a try.

One of Us Knows is such an interesting perspective and had me researching DID on the side! All of the personalities/characters were lovable in their own way (and equally frustrating as well). I thought the plot was very cool... I just would've liked to see it move a bit faster.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. It is told from the perspective of a Black woman, who has DID and is bisexual. It is both a mystery and exploration of her trauma and her system. I didn't find it very believable though and I wonder what the author's experience with DID is . I have known several people who dealt with this and this wasn't like what they experienced but a more romantized version of it. So......... it was interesting but I didn't really enjoy it

I don't think I've ever read a book like this before. It's definitely one of the most unique books I've ever read but I honestly found myself getting a little confused while reading. I needed more from each "character" that simply wasn't there.

The premise for this novel had a lot of potential, however, I don’t think it reached it. I feel the story was too unorganized and I was disappointed.

The law of Goodreads is that any genre book that challenges its readers will end up with a sub-4 rating, so I don't doubt this one will be ranked well below what it deserves. I'd call this a 4.5, but am definitely rounding up to balance the Goodread Idiot Effect.

(The fact that the protagonist, like the writer, is Black and female surely won't influence any if those negative reviews, of course, I'm sure.)

Anyway, Cole does NOT deliver a straightforward thriller or mystery, but she instead gives us a damned fine -- and, best I can tell, well-researched -- story with a protagonist with Dissociative Identity Disorder. Ken, one of Kenetria Nash's personalities who had been dormant for years, wakes up in control to find the body is about to start a new mysterious caretaker job. As she attempts to learn what's been happening for years (including learning about COVID), she realized that there's something mysterious happening with both the job and with her other personalities, and has two mysteries to solve.

I want to avoid going too heavily into the plot, because the twists and surprises are too much fun, but you don't have to be a very talented reader to figure out that stuff from Kenetria's past will come up. The key things here are that all of Kenetria's personalities have distinct and believable personalities, and their interactions with each other and with the outside world drive the storytelling here as much as the actual plot. This is a quick and intense read (while Cole doesn't delve on cruelty, it's a given that people with DID tend to have a major trauma in their background). While some twists are expected, there are some nice curveballs (ones that all stand up to scrutiny) as well.

Overall, this is a blast. I'd categorize it as closer to a contemporary gothic (it's literally set in a castle) than a traditional thriller, but it's more between the lines of the two genres. This is Cole's second consecutive book to blur genre lines, and I'm definitely up for seeing what her next book is.

This is a riveting exploration of identity, resilience, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The author skillfully intertwines the haunting ghosts of Ken's past with the urgent present-day mystery, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. This novel is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess and a must-read for those seeking a thrilling and emotionally charged tale.

I didn’t want to put this book down, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I was forced to do things like work or live my life. This novel offers a compelling and fascinating look at dissociative identity disorder and how it could both serve and undercut a character who finds themselves in a typical thriller situation, in this case a mysterious island that offers a mysterious job. It was great fun getting to know everyone sharing Kenetria’s body and how they relate to each other.

This was so well-written, but so very intense and hard to read that I'm having trouble even articulating my experience for this review. The premise is that Kenetria (Ken) Nash, who has dissociative identity disorder, wakes up in her own identity after being dormant for. years only to find herself about to board a ferry to head to her new job, which is as the caretaker to a very creepy mansion on an isolated private island. There's a lot very strong foreshadowing - "if you survive the first night" and so forth. Things are also immediately iffy because the house she's agreed to stay in looks a whole lot like the castle in her mind in which all of her identities live. A few figures from Ken's past suddenly show up - including an ex-boyfriend and his father. Years prior, Ken had assaulted the father and been imprisoned. I found it challenging to switch in between the identities (I always struggle with multiple POV already and this goes way beyond that), but I did think that the creepy, isolated island vibes were very much on point here. There's a lot of pain and trauma here - personal trauma for Ken and her other identities but also intergenerational racial trauma. Content warning for most of the bad things you can imagine happening to people - assualt, rape, attempted murder, and more. Well-written and totally unique, but a tough one to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. Ken has DID and takes a job as a caretaker of a castle on an island. I liked how the author handled the different identities; each so distinct with their own voice, and it t was relatively easy to keep track of who was who. I don't want to give much away but the reason Ken was hired is sinister, and chaos ensues. I liked the storyline of this book; it is different than what I'm used to. This was the first book I've read by this author; I'll definitely read more of her books.

Loved Alyssa Cole’s first book so I was excited to read this one. Both thrilling and entertaining I was entranced through and through. I devoured the novel in just a few days. Definitely will recommend this book in the future.
I just reviewed One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole. #OneofUsKnows #NetGalley

This story had a unique narrative in that it intertwined mystery and the exploration of dissociative identity disorder (DID). Kenetria Nash, grappling with a history of DID and a shattered career, finds herself on an isolated Hudson River island as the resident caretaker of a historic home. The setup promises a compelling journey of self-discovery and redemption. Cole's portrayal of Ken and her alters is sensitive and respectful, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals with DID.

The protagonist, Kenetria Nash, grappling with a history of DID and a shattered career, finds herself on an isolated Hudson River island as the resident caretaker of a historic home. The setup promises a compelling journey of self-discovery and redemption. Cole's portrayal of Ken and her alters is sensitive and respectful, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals with DID.

The plot takes an unexpected turn when a Nor'easter and a surprise visit from the home's conservation trust disrupt Ken's newfound stability. The introduction of dangerous strangers, including a figure from her past, sets the stage for a murder mystery that throws Ken into the spotlight as the prime suspect.

Cole skillfully weaves a web of secrets and suspense, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension. The race against time to uncover the truth of Kavanaugh Island keeps the reader engaged, with unexpected twists adding layers to the narrative. The novel successfully balances the exploration of mental health themes with the demands of a gripping mystery.

The supporting cast is a mix of well-drawn characters, each contributing to the overarching mystery. The island's history and the enigmatic figures populating it add depth to the storyline. However, at times, the complexity of the plot and the large cast of characters may prove overwhelming, making it challenging to connect with some individuals on a deeper level.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise for this novel had a lot of potential, however, I don’t think it reached it. For a book set mostly within one characters head who has multiple personalities, you have to make the personalities interesting enough to keep the reader entertained and invested. I wasn’t attached to any of the personalities which we spent so much time with. Overall, a solid idea for a fresh book but lacking execution.

Thank you William Morrow and Netgalley for my copy of ONE OF US KNOWS by Alyssa Cole, out 4/16/24!

I loved Alyssa Cole’s novel WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING so I of course had to request her newest thriller about a caretaker of a historic estate who finds herself trapped on an island with a murderer and the ghosts of her past.

Six years after a breakdown and a diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder derailed her career as a historical preservationist, Ken Nash and her alters are given a second chance. Waking up from a dormant stage after the introduction of COVID-19, Ken realizes one of her alters got her a job at an isolated island as resident caretaker. With no job, money or home, she helplessly accepts the job.

Once she survives the first night, the conservation trust shows up which includes a man she had a heated moment with years before. He winds up dead and Ken is the main suspect. Her and her alters must band together to get to the truth and prove their innocence.

What a WILD ride…. This is a VERY unique book that has multiple point of views, all from Ken and her different alters (Solomon, Keke, Della and a few others). While it is an interesting premise, I’m not so sure it worked.

The book takes a long time to get going - nothing really happens until around 80% through the book. All the different perspectives made it hard to keep track of who was who and what was going on. There’s also a little weirdness with how the alters interact with each other and the relationships they have within Ken’s own mind (her crush on her own alter Solomon was too much for me).

But outside of the confusing alters, the book was funny, sharp and per usual, I loved Alyssa Cole’s insights into historical events when it comes to race and class. This wasn’t my favorite thriller, but I give her accolades for pulling off such a unique format and storyline.

This one took me a bit to get through. The premise was interesting and I really wanted to love it, but it was hard for me to get fully into it. I loved the idea of the main character having multiple personalities and hearing from each of those viewpoints in different chapters. For me it was quite confusing and hard to follow at times. The idea was complex, but the multiple characters of the MC were not developed enough to follow the complex storyline. I couldn't keep all the alter egos straight. However, the plot was interesting and original and I think many will enjoy this one.

Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow, William Morrow Paperbacks for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Widely anticipated. Well written and very intriguing book. With different view points. Worth a read, can’t wait for the next one

One of Us Knows
Alyssa Cole
Pub Date: April 16, 2024
William Morrow
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
From the critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author of When No One Is Watching comes a riveting thriller about the new caretaker of a historic estate who finds herself trapped on an island with a murderer—and the ghosts of her past.
I flew through this book! I loved the mental health aspect and it had me hooked from the beginning to the end.
Highly recommend.
4 stars

Ok so growing up in New England I love a good snowed in isolation mystery thriller. That’s what I got for sure. I felt reminded of “And then there were none” but in a good way. I liked the realness of the mental health issue the MC was going through because too many books just throw mental health in there to seem trendy, but don’t mention it at all.

I thought that the premise of this book was instantly intriguing; a mystery involving someone with DID means lots of different POV's, clues, and detective work to piece together the truth. I really enjoyed each personality and how they were each very individual in their own right. Each one had their own banter and mannerisms that I enjoyed getting to see evolve throughout the book. The mystery of the house itself drew me in very early on as well, and I loved trying to figure things out as the story went along. I thought that this thriller was well-written, fast-paced, and an overall good read that I would recommend to others interested in the storyline. It was unique and I didn't see the ending coming, which is a marker of a good thriller!

Couldn’t put this down. Loved it from start to finish. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.