I haven't read a lot of Alafair Burke before but this one has been getting decent buzz and a vacation friend trip where a drunken mistake leads to accusations of murder had me intrigued. Full disclosure this type of story isn't my go to and while I was pulled in initially, this multi-POV, multi-timeline story quickly got way too complicated for me and I struggled to keep track of all the characters and just what was going on.

For me, there was way too much going on and I would have rather the story focused on just one of the plot points (preferably the one in the present) but things do eventually tie together. Just an okay read overall for me and not one I would go out of my way to recommend.

I did like that there was an emphasis on post-covid rise in anti-Asian sentiments/violence, a second chance romance, older female MCs, complicated female friendships, secrets and a BRCA1 gene diagnosis that leads to preventative surgeries and early onset menopause and infertility.

The audiobook narration was well done but it didn't make up for everything else. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC and NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

The Note:⁣
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Thank you @aaknopf and @prhaudio #prhaudiopartner for my gifted copies.⁣
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Rule #1: Get better effing friends. ⁣
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Honestly, this gave me the most “Sam, the first night at BED when you left, Ron made out with two girls” x Murdaugh murders. It’s the mashup we never knew we needed. 😂 There are zero likable characters, so if you have to like them, this one isn’t for you. I love a horrible character and to hate read so this was a treat. ⁣
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Alafair Burke has always been one of my favorites thanks to my intro from MHC. Her twists are always shocking, but satisfying and push the envelope just enough. I was off on this one but it made total sense. ⁣
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I really liked the audio read by Catherine Ho. She kept it entertaining and really got the weird dynamic between the trio down. ⁣
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Overall, they put the fun in dysfunction. A slow burn for sure. Not my favorite Alafair Burke, but also not the worst. The characters are all the worst in the worst way. (Also, if I could slap a fictional character, Josh, you’re up first) ⁣
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Out 1/6!

good/fine. I enjoyed the setting and the dynamic yet unlikeable cast. I felt it was a little dragged out and nothing groundbreaking. very run of the mill mystery/thriller, but I would recommend if thats what youre looking for! would be a great vacation read...maybe not in The Hamptons tho ;)

"A vacation in the Hamptons goes terribly wrong for three friends with a complicated history."
The Note is a mystery thriller that drew me in by the plot, but I did not enjoy it like I thought I would. This was one had me confused at times and the characters in this were unlikeable. I did like the ending and I kept guessing who did it. Overall, this book just had a lot going on and I did not like this read. I would still try to read other books from this author though. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for this read in exchange of my honest review of The Note by Alafair Burke.

I received an ARC copy of The Note by Alafair Burke from Netgalley!

This book was a fun read. What could go wrong on a fun girls trip to the Hamptons? .. UMMM seems like EVERYTHING! This book had some great plot twists and was a fun read that kept me guessing until the end. The way that the characters' past tied into present events also brought another layer to the overall story.

I've always found Alafair Burke's books enthralling and The Note is no exception! When a simple prank during a girls trip goes wrong, secrets of the past and present slowly emerge. This was one of those books and I was glued to during every spare second. At no point did I see the ending coming but in retrospect it was perfectly laid out. Bravo!

This book follows three friends who haven’t seen each other in a while. They plan to have a long weekend together. Each friend has been “canceled” at one point in their lives. After playing a prank leads to something more serious, they have to figure out what they are hiding from one another.

When I first started this book, I did feel like it started off a little slow. Then, there were parts that felt like it dragged on a bit. When all three friends finally reunite, I could feel the tension among them and I was just waiting for all their secrets to spill. Towards the second half of the book, I was completely sucked into what was happening. There were twists that I wasn’t expecting and some that I did see coming.

There were parts where bits of social media were included when it pertained to the canceling of each friend. I found this to be a pretty interesting way to give the reader more background information on each character. This was a quick, easy read if you love mystery thrillers.

Thank you Alafair Burke, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Ancho for the ARC for an honest review!

Three friends go to the Hamptons for vacation and find themselves in the middle of a police investigation after a little prank.

Pros: the last third of the book flew by. so many possibilities, I didn’t know who really was responsible, but looking back, it all fit

Cons: the beginning dragged a bit. I personally don’t love reading books about the pandemic, race and political issues. I read to escape the issues of the world today.

None of the characters were likable. May, Lauren & Kelsey have a truly toxic friendship and are kind of terrible people?

This was kind of a dud for me. the ending made me bump it up, but i’m giving it 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Where has Alafair Burke been all my life, and how was this the first time I've read one of her books?! From the very first chapter, I was hooked on this fast-paced, exciting thriller. I was utterly addicted and could not put it down. I loved the compelling mystery, the unlikeable but intriguing characters, and allll the drama. I was disappointed with the big reveal. It was definitely a twist I didn't see coming, but I just wish it had gone a different way. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from the author. Just make sure you clear your schedule so you can read this page-turner in one sitting!

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve always been a massive fan of Alafair Burke’s novels, so, as soon as I read the synopsis for The Note, I was 100% game. I mean, who could pass up a vacation prank-gone-wrong, long-buried secrets, and a group of bestie gal pals? After finishing the book in one single sitting, I’m happy to report that it was everything I love in a suspense/thriller. From the cleverly crafted multiple POVs to the well-developed backstories that made me fall for the characters despite their rather unlikeable ways, I was easily won over by this fast-paced plot from the very first page.

The storyline itself was propulsive and alluring. With multiple mysterious deaths and a whole host of socially “cancelled” individuals, there was plenty of dirt to be aired. What made it all even better, however, was how utterly realistic it all felt. I mean, despite the obviously fictionalized histories and plot lines, I could still see this on a shock-and-awe <i>Dateline</i> episode for the masses. And I’m happy to say that it all finished up with an equally genuine climax and conclusion that left me both flying through the pages and believing every word.

The only issue I had came back to how I didn’t quite love the characters in this novel. From a black-and-white fact-finder who was always convinced in her own opinion to a rash, foolhardy rich girl who grated just a bit, they weren’t exactly my favorites. Despite this, however, the multiple reveals—which all shocked me but good—and the tangled web of secrets and lies made up for any irritation that I might’ve had and I raced through the book in no time at all.

All said and done, Ms. Burke has clearly done it yet again with her newest novel. At just over 300 pages, it was not only a quick, easy read, but I also had a blast putting on my armchair sleuthing hat as I tried to work it all out. And while it was a rather straightforward albeit mostly unguessable murder mystery premise, it was one—I have to point out—with a conclusion that totally evaded any and all of my well-honed suspicions. So while the reviews might be mixed, I recommend giving this one a try as I had a thoroughly good time. Rating of 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Alafair Burke, Alfred A. Knopf, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy of all opinions are my own.

Another great psychological thriller. I would like to read more books by this author. This book kept me guessing. Some of the characters were annoying but they were well written.

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded up!
As creatives, it's hard to believe there are still original ideas out there. Good writers amaze me. Alafair Burke fits easily into this file. I found the concept for this thriller to be completely original and magnetic!

<i>The Note</i> follows three friends who decide to reunite after years of not seeing one another. Lauren, May, and Kelsey have been friends since they served as counselors at a summer music camp over the course of several years. Since camp, these three have had histories of going viral for the wrong reasons. Lauren was involved in a scandalous relationship that ended up in the news; May went viral for a video someone took of her as she was yelling at someone else on the subway; and Kelsey? Kelsey has lived in the aftermath of her husband's murder. When these three decide to take a vacation to East Hampton, they get frustrated with a couple who makes a last minute decision to take the parking space they were waiting for. As a joke, Lauren, May, and Kelsey place an anonymous, yet ominous, note on the windshield of the couple's car. The next day, the man ends up dead and the cops are now searching for the note-writer. As the week progresses, the three friends start to doubt one another. As truths surface, they wonder if they can trust their inner circle.

I found the twists and turns of this murder mystery to be fascinating. I didn't want to put it down! The diverse character arcs were thorough and well-timed. Alafair Burke has an obvious knack for revealing information at just the right time. The ending was not what I expected at all. I love to be tricked in a murder mystery. Can't wait to read more of Burke's work in the future!

Thank you Alafair Burke, NetGalley, and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this entertaining eARC in exchange for my honest review

As a longtime fan of Alafair Burke, I was thrilled to dive into her latest suspense novel, The Note. The premise was intriguing, and I loved the coastal setting. I liked the three woman characters, but at times they tended to blend together. While the pacing was a bit slow at times, the suspense kept me engaged, and I finished it quickly. It’s a compelling story of trust, betrayal, and the complexities of lifelong friendships—perfect for readers who enjoy suspense with a touch of drama.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The note by Alafair Burke is a fast-paced read to kick off the new year. The novel follows three friends who reunite for a girls weekend. The ladies each have personal demons they are battling from their pasts and this weekend is a time to escape from that. When a couple cuts them off, the ladies decide to play a prank and leave a note on their car accusing the male of cheating. This is seemingly just a prank until the man goes missing and they are all persons of interest.

The premise was fun, but I couldn’t really get into this one the way I wanted to. I am not sure if it was a problem of the characters being unlikable or the pacing just being off. Burke is still a consistent thriller author and I am sure many of readers will find much to love here. I look forward to her next one.

Thanks to the publisher for providing the arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a thrill this ride was! I enjoyed May, though I didn’t care for any of the other characters. I liked that past events were alluded to at first before eventually being explained. I figured out “who dunnit” but still enjoyed how it played out. My favorite Alafair Burke so far! Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy to review.

4.5 - This book definitely kept me guessing about what was coming! I did figure out whodunit before the characters did, but I did still second guess myself and it wasn't until close to the end! It was fun to read the dynamics between these three friends who have moved in and out of each other's lives over the years, and how this impacted the book's current story. A solid first read for the year!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Girls weekend in the Hamptons, what could go wrong? May Hanover, Lauren Berry, and Kelsey Ellis met at an arts camp fifteen years ago. These three friends each have some personal baggage. May had a meltdown on the platform of a New York subway. Lauren has been carrying on an affair with a married, older billionaire for decades. Kelsey's husband, a star chef, was murdered and some think she was responsible. This weekend is the getaway they can forget all their issues. Driving to a restaurant a car, with a couple inside, cuts them off when they attempt to park and takes the spot. The girls decide to play a prank and leave a note, ""He's cheating. He always does". Later they find out the driver, David Smith, has gone missing.

The police begin to investigate, the girls' past make them "people of interest." The author delves fully into each of the three girls' back stories, secrets are revealed. I found that this tended to slow the story down a bit. I did not find the characters very likeable. The author does give us some twists and turns until a surprising conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Knopf, for an ARC. The review is my own.

Three long-time friends meet in the Hamptons for a vacation and a reunion of sorts. It’s supposed to be a time to relax and reconnect. But when a prank goes wrong the three women find themselves in the middle of a police investigation.

The Note might have had a good premise but I found the story to be sluggish and repetitive, and the characters unappealing. The women acted childish and foolish, and their “prank” was simply mean and hurtful. There are references to societal issues, such as hate crimes and racism, as well as the Covid pandemic and it sometimes seemed that these things were added to make the book more “relevant”. I’m not sure that was a good or necessary thing.

And, finally, there are a lot of backstories. I feel that the amount of information provided about the various characters contributed to the overall and unnecessarily slow pace of the book.

I typically enjoy Alafair Burke’s books, but The Note was the exception. Even though I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would, I would still say that it’s a well-written book. Just not the book for me. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

Twisty! Burke keeps you guessing until the end.

3 friends reconnect on a weekend away at the Hamptons. The "cancelled crew" all has pasts that have made their way into the news, and not for good reasons. One for being the side-piece with a married man, the other for being a racist Karen and yelling at a black man who didn't do anything wrong, and the third for potentially hiring someone to murder her husband. While they're in the Hamptons, a man goes missing. A man who happens to have a connection to these three women. Did they have something to do with it?

I had suspicions as to who did it, but I was guessing up until the murderer was revealed. I really enjoyed The Better Sister, so I knew I wanted to read this one!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

The Note by Alafair Burke is a captivating novella that expertly blends suspense and emotion. The story follows the aftermath of a single, life-altering note, unraveling secrets and exposing the fragility of trust. Burke’s writing is sharp and compelling, with characters that feel authentic and a plot that keeps you guessing until the end. Despite its brevity, the story delves deep into themes of betrayal, justice, and the weight of seemingly small actions. Each twist is perfectly timed, making it impossible to put down. Fans of psychological thrillers will find The Note to be a quick yet unforgettable read.