What a well paced murder mystery. Narrated by multiple perspectives, but never the female main character (until the very end!). Features short chapters (1-5 pages), each labeled with the narrators name so you don’t get confused. This one was super fun and kept me guessing the whole way through- 5⭐️, definitely recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Thank you for this #gifted copy of Her Many Faces. It was my first official book mail!

I was excited to read this one. It’s a very unique premise, and if you’ve read the synopsis, they don’t give much away. And to be honest, I don’t want ot say too much here in case I spoil something! 🤣

Perhaps the most interesting part is the way the story is told. It’s told from the alternating perspectives of the men in her life: her father, her lover, her best friend, and so on. It’s interesting to see how they each perceive Katherine, our FMC.

That said, the pacing in this story can be frustrating at times, due to the alternating POVs. Each chapter has a different character’s perspective. And the chapters aren’t very long so it’s harder to connect with what’s happening. The whole time, you’re trying to figure out if Katherine actually did what she’s accused of. And figure out what really happened. This book reminded me of Notes on an Execution where the story is told from all the women the man on death row impacted. But I have to say I enjoyed that one a little more.

All said, this was an enjoyable read and I’m glad I did. Thank you for my #gift copy!

We follow Katherine Cole's life starting as a very young child and how her parents see her, particularly her father. We also see her from a high school friend, her lover as young adult, her lawyer and a journalist as we follow her life through adulthood and a trial accusing her of murdering 4 people in an exclusive club where she worked in London. Is she sweet and innocent or evil and conniving or somewhere in between that the reader just can't tell yet.

This felt like more of a study into a person who may not be all innocent or all evil but somewhere in between. It feels like how we study true crime or watch crime shows on TV. We also have to understand each of the people describing Katherine, Kitty Cat, Kat, KC, Wild Cat - even the nicknames tell us something about her and the man describing her. An interesting analysis, more than a thriller. But only Katie lets us see the real Katherine Cole....

My thanks to Net Galley, William Morrow, and Harper Audio for advanced copies of this e-book and audiobook.

This is the twisty, compulsively readable thriller of your dreams. Told in short, razor-sharp chapters from five different perspectives: her father, her lawyer, her longtime friend, a crime reporter, and an ex-lover, it’s extremely easy to follow while keeping you guessing until the final pages.

When four wealthy men are poisoned at London’s most exclusive private club, young waitress Katherine Cole is arrested. But who is she really? A sweet schoolgirl? A dangerous obsessive? A cold-blooded killer? Each man thinks he knows the truth about her, but their stories don’t quite add up.

Dark, clever, and completely riveting, Her Many Faces dissects how a single woman can be so many things to different people, and what happens when she finally tells her own story.

This book was perfect! Fast paced and had me guessing after every page! I love that the book has short chapters with different POVs because you get a different picture of the main character Kate which makes the read even more suspicious and anxiety stricken.

4.5 stars. This psychological thriller focuses on Katherine Cole, a waitress at an exclusive club, who is arrested and tried for the murder of four men there. The storyline is told in very short chapters, in alternating points of view from five men who know her, and in various timelines. Although I generally enjoy storylines with alternating POVs and timelines, as I began reading all seemed very confusing to me: too many characters to remember who was who and what time period they were involved in. So much so, that about a third of the way through, I thought this was a DNF for me, but I kept on reading. I am SO glad that I did! By the last half of the book, and especially when Katherine’s trial begins, all was becoming clearer and clearer, connections were made, twists and turns were plentiful, and I was mesmerized. By the time I finished, I could definitely say that this was a novel whose unique construction was an impactful way to develop the plot and a brilliant way to tell its story. Bravo to Nicci Cloke!

Wow!! This book was so thrilling, as it was told in multiple POVs.. Filled with so many twists and turns, which had my head spinning! It totally kept me second guessing myself.. Please add this to your TBR, you definitely will not be disappointed!!

Thank you to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the advance copy!!

I loooove reading books about perspective and this did not disappoint! The first half was pretty slow-paced but dang it sure made the reveals [that I never saw coming might I add!] supremely shocking!! While not a mystery lover [just a part-time enjoyer], I was much more drawn to the family dynamics and seeing the consequences of this family's actions, beliefs, memories, grudges, trauma.... truly psychologically fascinating! I do have a bone to pick about the characters speaking directly to Katie though. I think it added a juicy touch and made it stick out as a narrative. But I can't have this be unexplained! Especially because half the things the characters were 'talking to Katie' about where things they'd never actually tell her about. I know I'm like one of 3% of the people who this will annoy, but I had to say it lol.
Also god bless Elliot 😭

3 out of 5 Stars!

When four wealthy and influential members are found poisoned at a private club in London, their young waitress is arrested. And when she is, her past and upbringing are exposed, showing her conspiracy theory obsession. After her arrest, five men in her life started to question whether or not she really did it. Her father, a reporter, her former lover, her friend, and her lawyer all know her in different capacities. But who really is Katherine Cole? Did she really kill those members?

Reading fantastic reviews of “Her Many Faces” by Nicci Cloke, I quickly requested this book from NetGalley to be ahead of the rush! Unfortunately, I think my review is an outlier. I had a really hard time getting into this book, as there wasn’t enough action happening to keep my desire going. I will say, I would still recommend this book even though I had a harder time getting into it. I thought the concept of having the five men surrounding Katherine tell her story was really refreshing! I have never read a book set up like this, and it was really interesting learning about Katherine in different settings and also learning about the men.

Throughout the novel, we learn about Katherine from each male perspective. Her father, a reporter, her former lover, her friend, and her lawyer. Even though I loved this, like I said above, I have a strong opinion about one of the men and how this concept fits into the story. Even though we heard from her lawyer, I felt like we missed a lot of action throughout this book with the murder investigation. I was really craving to know what went into the investigation and arrest. Instead of the reporter, I would have loved to have a detective tell his perspective. Then, we have a character finding out information about Katherine, like the reporter did, while tying it more into the murders that occurred. Overall, I don’t think the reporter did enough for the storyline as I would have liked.

I thought the ending was rushed, and a tad bit confusing. I had to read it a few times over to understand what was going on. Personally, I think mystery endings should be clear and not need any explanation. This took the book down from a 4 star, to a 3-star rating. Even though this book wasn't my favorite, other people really loved this book. If the concept interests you, I would still recommend picking up this book and trying it for yourself!

Pick up “Her Many Faces” by Nicci Cloke on July 15th, 2025!

Thank you to William Morrow, Nicci Cloke, and Netgalley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Grateful to Willam Morrow, who gave ARCs to attendees at the #bookhuddle retreat in Victoria, Canada.

Four influential men have died after drinking poison. Their waitress, Katie Cole, is accused of murdering them. This novel follows the investigation and trial from the perspectives of five men who are following the case.

This was one of the most interesting thrillers I've read in a long time and maybe one of the best of the year. The premise was unique and really thought provoking - the majority of the story is told from the perspectives of people watching Katie, and it was incredibly well done to see how their biases lead to differences in interpretation of Katie's reactions to proceedings in the courtroom. It was really entertaining and I was surprised by the twist - it was well executed, but I didn't see it coming. This is probably the most entertaining thriller I've read this year!

Fast paced, clever, and original!

Katherine Cole is accused of poisoning and murdering four men in the private club where she is a waitress. Her story is told by numerous perspectives except her own. Weighing in for her defense and her prosecution are her father, her brother, lovers, roommates, her boss, and her attorney to name most of them. All of these witnesses are men! It’s up to the reader to decipher the information provided to decide if Katie is guilty or innocent.

I was riveted to this story! It is equal measures a courtroom drama and a psychological suspense. And this was a really unique and fun way to present multiple POVs. I highly recommend adding this to your TBR for a thriller that stands out among thrillers.

Thank you Netgalley, William Morrow, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on July 15, 2025

This one was hard to put down - enter Katherine (Katie, Kat...), arrested under the suspicion of poisoning four rich and influential men while waitressing at a country club. The story rotates between multiple POVs, all who have known Katherine at some point in their lives, from friends, to parents, to lovers - you name it!!

I won't lie, this did take me a little while to get into a groove with reading because there were SO many characters to keep track of. While I typically like shorter chapters, using it with a book like this made it difficult to keep things straight. Once I had everyone figured out, it was a quick read from there! Katherine was a fascinating and difficult-to-read character, making you question everything until the very end - honestly, I'm still not really sure if she did it or not! On top of that, it touches on heavy themes about misogyny and how women are viewed/treated in modern day society.

Thank you so much for this ARC - it was a roller coaster from start to finish!

A brilliant, chilling kaleidoscope of a thriller.

Who is Katie Cole, and what is she capable of?

Centered around the enigmatic Katherine “Katie” Cole - arrested for the poisoning deaths of four high-profile men at an exclusive London club where she waitressed - "Her Many Faces" is both a gripping murder mystery and a clever courtroom drama, but moreover, it's an unsettling exploration of perception, identity, and the destructive power of the male gaze.

Told through the eyes of five men from different corners of Katie’s life - her defense attorney, her father, a court reporter, her childhood best friend, and her lover - the novel unfolds like a psychological jigsaw puzzle. Each man sees a different version of her and, interestingly, calls her by a different name: to them, she is "Katherine", “Kit-Kat,” "Killer Kate", "K.C.", "wildcat”. The result is a layered, suspenseful narrative that keeps you questioning not just what happened, but who Katherine Cole <i>really</i> is - and whether any of the men ever truly knew her.

The decision to withhold Katie’s own voice, with the exception of the opening and the closing chapter, is a masterstroke. It heightens the tension and throws the spotlight onto how women’s lives are constantly shaped - and misshaped - by the assumptions, projections, and agendas of the men around them, even the well-meaning ones. When Katie's voice finally comes through, it lands with devastating clarity.

Nicci Cloke’s writing is sharp and fast-paced, with each perspective written in a distinct and believable voice. The novel’s structure is both clever and chilling, turning what could have been a simple whodunit into a nuanced and timely interrogation of power, misogyny, and media-fueled narratives.

This book was an absolute highlight for me - compelling, intelligent, and unforgettable, with an absolutely magnificent and perfectly fitting cover to boot. Highly recommended for fans of character-driven thrillers, courtroom drama, and feminist fiction that doesn't pull its punches. "Her Many Faces" is a brilliantly structured, gripping and clever kaleidoscope that will keep you guessing - and thinking - long after its final page.

Many thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Her Many Faces" is slated to be published on July 15, 2025.

What an interesting way to write a story. Taking someone accused of a murder and only looking at them through the lenses of people around them. Just such a great way to show that how people see us can vary so much. Katherine is a woman of many faces and readers will get so see them on display. Her story unravels through the people who perceive her, of course they are all male perspectives, which is also interesting. Readers will delight in this story and be swept up trying to figure out does one person have a better idea of who Katherine truly is over the others.
Thank you to William and Marrow and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Call her Katie, Katherine, Kit-Kat, Killer Kate, K.C., or Wildcat. After a childhood filled with disappointments and loss, she now stands on trial for murdering four wealthy men who were members of the exclusive London club where she worked as a waitress. Except for the first and last chapters, the story of twenty-two-year-old Katie Cole unfolds through the eyes of five men who have very different views of her: her loving father John, who believes in her innocence; lawyer Tarun, who realizes early on that there's more to her story; Max, a clever and ambitious reporter who knows how newsworthy her case is; Conrad, an ex-lover; and Gabriel, a school friend who has bonded with her over their mutual obsession with “The Rabbit Hole,” an online forum filled with wild conspiracy theories. As we get each man's perspective, the truth becomes increasingly elusive.

In Her Many Faces, author Nicci Cloke's creative storytelling kept me thoroughly engaged and constantly guessing as to what would come next in this twisty tale. The use of second-person narration for each man's recollections, as if they were directly addressing Katie, was particularly effective. The story, with its short chapters, revs up during the trial when we get closer and closer to learning Katie's fate. Will you be able to put the puzzle pieces together correctly? I enjoyed trying to figure it all out.

4.25 stars.

4.5 stars
The premise of the book is that a waitress at an exclusive club is accused of killing four wealthy/ powerful members. Some believe she's innocent, but others are convinced she's guilty. That alone sounds intriguing, but what makes this book really unique is the way the story is told. We get Katie's point-of-view only at the very beginning and the very end of the book. The rest of the book is told from the point-of-view from five different men in Katie's life. They all refer to her by a different nickname (For example, her father calls her Kit-Kat, but a journalist who thinks she's guilty calls her Killer Kate.) Everyone sees a different side of her and has a different opinion on her character and her innocence or guilt.

You get a varied look at Katie, but aren't sure which, if any, of the other characters knows the "real Katie." The book is fun to read. It has some courtroom drama, and shows the danger of people being judged based on one-sided information, either through gossip or the media. Katie hasn't always had it easy and is an interesting character. I also liked getting to know her lawyer, Tarun, who has had some difficulties in his life as well. I enjoyed the suspense throughout the book and the satisfying ending. I hope to read more by this author in the future.

I received a review copy of this ebook from NetGalley and William Morrow, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

Is Katie Cole a murderer?

When four wealthy and influential members at a London private exclusive club are poisoned, a young waitress is arrested. After stating, “They deserved it,” she is the only suspect the police are questioning. As told by her father, a reporter, her lawyer, a former lover, and her friend, each man questions how well he really knows her. Is she capable of murder?

Her Many Faces is an intriguing debut thriller. I listened to the audiobook which includes an all-star cast, while also following along with the ebook. I highly recommend listening to this one, as it really works with the unique structure of the book. I especially enjoyed the second half which includes a suspenseful courtroom drama. Cloke keeps readers guessing along the way, waiting until the very end for the stunning reveal!

The comparison to Notes on an Execution is spot on! Her Many Faces is a clever debut and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

4/5 stars

Expected publication date: 7/15/25

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio, and William Morrow for the ARC of Her Many Faces in exchange for an honest review.

This was told in such an interesting way - it’s about a young female suspected of murder but told from the perspective of several different men in her life. These narratives are pieced together brilliantly as we uncover her past and figure out whether she is guilty or not. Reminded me a bit of <i>Notes on An Execution</i> with a little more mystery.

This is one of those books that I kind of wanted to go back and read from the beginning again, just to catch all of the details I might have missed the first time. Katherine is charged with murdering four extremely wealthy men in the elite club where she's a waitress. It seems like an interesting premise, but what truly makes Cloke's novel stand out is the unique structure: multiple POVs from all of the different men in Katherine's life. Each chapter switches between the perspective of Katherine's father, childhood best friend, lawyer, lover, and the journalist covering her story. This offers a creative look at how we all show different sides of ourselves to different people in our lives, and how skewed some people's assumptions of us can be. The book is also incredibly timely, with a focus on how the male gaze can be even more powerful in shifting how the world sees women. Throughout the entire book, the reader is left guessing what's true and what's not, and this creates a suspenseful, page-turning experience. I can't wait to see what other works Cloke puts out in the future.

I was hooked on this book from the start. And the writing made it even harder to put this book down.
I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters.
The characters were vivid, realistic, unique and very compelling.
The suspense kept me glued to my seat.
This is a captivating read for those craving a twisty and suspenseful story..