My name is Elizabeth Davis. I'm 37 Year-old English professor living in New York. It’s been years since I left my hometown in Louisiana, and my life has been going well—until an email turned it upside down.
One of my students submitted a story. It was supposed to be fictional… but I knew it was true. How? Because I’m the killer of the main character in it.
Who would do this after 20 years?
Who knows the truth?
I haven’t spoken to anyone about it—except my friends and, well… my mother!
But someone else knows. And they want revenge.

What a rollercoaster this book was! Intriguing and fast-paced, I couldn’t stop reading because I had to know what would happen next. It’s full of twists, turns, and shocking surprises. It also tackles some heavy topics, so make sure to check the trigger warnings.
And the ending? I stared at the wall for a solid five minutes—I did not see that coming.
If you're a thriller fan, you’re going to love this one.
Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for granting me an ARC of #SomeoneKnows in exchange for my honest review.

Xoxo😘

This book blew me away! I have to admit, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Keeland’s last novel but this one really impressed me. I truly did not see the twist coming which made me love it even more. Make sure you check your trigger warnings before reading because this book covers some heavy topics such as sexual abuse. I absolutely loved the psychological aspect of this book & you could really see what the FMC acted the way she did. Happy pub day to this absolute gem!

This was a lot of fun! It definitely covers some darker and tougher topics that would make it maybe not for everyone, but I enjoyed it a lot. I ended up reading most of it on a plane ride and couldn't get enough of all of the twists and turns, and I really loved the ending! I thought this was a unique thriller and satisfied the itch for a good twisty story that I had before reading it.

Note: a list of content warnings can be found at the end of this review.

English Professor Elizabeth Davis gets the shock of a lifetime when she reads one of her student's assignments for her yearlong fiction-writing class. The first chapter of this Hannah Greer's thriller is too familiar, chronicling the beginning of a jarring event in Elizabeth's life, exactly 20 years ago. She tries to reconcile it in her mind: it's simply not possible someone knows. It's just a coincidence. Doesn't matter that the events, location and names are completely the same. Doesn't matter that the first chapter describes, to the letter, the start of the affair (if you can call it that) between best friend Jocelyn and their 40 year-old high school English teacher, Mr. Sawyer. When more chapters make their way to Elizabeth's inbox, she is forced to confront the fact that someone does know everything... including how everything culminated in the murder of Mr. Sawyer by Elizabeth's hand... and whoever it is is inching closer toward a reckoning. What follows is Elizabeth's frantic attempt to discover Hannah's identity, before it's too late.

As someone whose formative years were spent watching hours of slasher movies, I was intrigued by the "I Know What You Did 20 Years Ago" premise of this thriller-with-a-touch-of-spice. Much like the antagonist of that film, Hannah Greer lets Elizabeth know the cat's out of the bag: they know everything. But rather than spit it out immediately, Hannah taunts Elizabeth by sending her eerie novelized chapters of various moments leading up to Mr. Sawyer's (deserved!) demise. None of them mention the murder, but Elizabeth senses the implication regardless.

Hannah's chapters, which we of course get to read too, are not for the faint of heart. I don't subscribe to the idea that a relationship between teacher and minor student is anything other than abuse of power, and Keeland doesn't romanticize this at all. Thankfully. But it does mean the chapters are deeply unpleasant to read, and readers should check content warnings.

Someone Knows is a gripping psychological thriller. The more Elizabeth tries to stay ahead of whoever this Hannah person is, the more desperate and paranoid she becomes. It's palpable and awkward at times, because it's almost a self-fulfilling prophecy: in ruling people out and fishing for information, she draws a lot of attention to herself, which only causes her to spiral further, not knowing who to trust.

Can she trust her current lover, police officer Sam? What about Ivy, the only other person who was there that night, besides Jocelyn and Elizabeth? The Sheriff clearly thinks she's behaving strangely, which, facts, she is. What about Jocelyn? There are so many more people to consider, and it's no wonder Elizabeth's despair grows. So when a handsome young man, Noah, shows interest in Elizabeth back home in Louisiana, the passionate distraction is very, very welcome. As her relationship with Noah develops, another continues deteriorating: the already strained relationship with her dying mother. Elizabeth's navigation of all of these relationships is uncomfortable at times, but I quite like that Elizabeth isn't altogether morally superior to those around her. Keeps things from being too predictable.

Every time I think I've got this book pegged, I'm sent in another direction with more whiplash. And because the book is fast-paced, it becomes almost overwhelming at times to keep track and doubt creeps in again and again. (Which is fantastic for a thriller.) Everyone and their chia pet is a suspect at one point. The eventual reveal is both surprising and not surprising at all, which sounds illogical, but it is what it is. I thought it was infuriatingly awesome to feel both proud of myself for actually figuring it out, AND feel thrown for a complete and utter loop regardless.

I would have liked to read more about some of Elizabeth's other significant relationships, in particular the one with Ivy. I also wanted to know more about what actually went down the night of the murder. We don't get that. There is a lack of closure in many ways: the ending can be considered to be open. It's jarring enough to fill in some blanks for us, but I'm also not entirely resigned with it. I have questions! Argh. It'll stay with me for a long, long time though. My lower jaw is still on the floor.

**Thank you NetGalley and Atria / Emily Bestler Books for generously providing me with a copy of this book; all opinions expressed are honest, voluntary and 100% my own.**

Following below is a list of potential (spoilery) Trigger Warnings: 

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- On-page grooming of a minor by an adult authority figure
- On-page physical, verbal and sexual abuse of a minor
- Mentions of child abuse
- Off-page character deaths
- Religious tension

‘The Unraveling’ by Vi Keeland was one of my favorite thrillers I read last year, so I couldn’t wait to read her newest book!

‘Someone Knows’ is about a woman named Elizabeth who has left behind a childhood of being raised by a neglectful alcoholic and is now a successful English professor in New York City. Her creative writing class is in full swing, and she gets to see some of the most unique stories cross her desk. One, in particular, catches her eye this semester: It’s about a teenager who forms a relationship with her high school teacher, and the story of what happened to him. It’s familiar to Elizabeth, because it’s a true story, and she knows where it is headed. She helped her best friend kill him all those years ago — and now someone knows.

I honestly had no idea where this book was going to go. There is a huge twist at the halfway mark that completely changes the trajectory of the story, and that’s when I found myself fully invested in trying to figure out who knows Elizabeth’s secret — and I was shocked by the ending!

Yet, while this story had me turning pages, I personally didn’t enjoy it quite as much as I loved ‘The Unraveling.’ I think this was mostly due to a few unanswered questions I had, but the ending does allude to more, so maybe my questions will be answered one day.

This book was very unsettling to me, and it makes me sick to my stomach thinking that there are young people out there going through this kind of abuse. If you are sensitive to stories about a teacher grooming a teenage student, then I would advise you to take care when approaching this book, and keep in mind some of the other sensitive topics I’ve listed below.

CONTENT WARNING: Recurring topics include a character with dementia, cancer, teacher-student grooming, addiction, death of a loved one, and detailed depictions of abuse.

One word of advice, don’t finish this before bed. It will haunt your dreams and leave you wondering what the heck did I just read. Insane is the only word I can think of to describe this book. A true psychological thriller. Kept me guessing until the very end.
This is the second book I have read by this author and I want to read her whole collection.

Check the trigger warnings before reading.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Someone Knows releases June 17, 2025

Twenty years ago, Elizabeth saved her best friend’s life by killing the teacher who was grooming and abusing her.
Now, as an English professor, Elizabeth’s past has come back to haunt her when a student in her creative writing class submits chapters of a book in which they describe Jocelyn’s experience with the man Elizabeth killed in great detail.

Who is this student, and how do they know about what happened twenty years ago when Elizabeth and her friends made a pact to never speak about their senior year?

This is such a captivating thriller that realistically explores complex family dynamics and the ways in which trauma and generational abuse shapes us. Keeland does an excellent job of utilizing every page she is given and really works the unreliable narrator trope to her advantage.

With her sophomore thriller, Keeland solidifies her talent as a multi-genre author, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Thank you to @Simon.audio for the gifted audiobook! Thank you to @atriabooks for the eARC!

Vi Keeland writes the most unhinged thrillers! They are intriguing and addictive and no matter how off the rails things go I can’t stop reading. I very much enjoyed this novel and finished in nearly one sitting. The audio was well-done and the book kept me guessing. Twists on twists and so much to consider throughout, this thriller was captivating! I’ll be reading her next thriller for sure!

Vi Keeland is best known for romance, but she’s quietly become one of my favorite thriller authors too. Someone Knows is sharp, twisty, and completely addictive. It’s the kind of story that keeps pulling you deeper even when you think you’ve got it figured out. (Spoiler: you don’t.)

This is the second thriller I’ve read from her, and both times she’s nailed the pacing and tension. The twists come fast, and they keep coming right up to the final line. I had so much fun with this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thank you so much to Netgally for a ARC of Someone Knows!

I really loved VI Keelands first thriller, The Unraveling, so I was so so excited for this. Unfortunately, I had a few issues with it. I didn’t really like the twist when we find out what’s really going on with Jocelyn. The twist just didn’t flow as smoothly as I would’ve liked it to with the story. It felt a little clunky. And I am Christian and totally understand why people feel the way they do towards Christians and religion, but it did feel a little heavy handed and like all the Christian’s in this book are just hypocritical/judgmental and always talking to people about their sins and how they need to repent. I know this may be the experience for many, but it was a bit heavy handed imo. I know this won’t bother most people though.

This one was kinda heavy with sex scenes also if this isn’t something you like to read in your thrillers.

SPOILER: I also found it kind of icky that Elizabeth was carrying on an emotional/sexual relationship with Noah knowing who his father was to her and that she *killed* him.

I’m not sure how I feel about that ending. It was almost too similar to the ending of The Unraveling for me.

Overall, I think this one was just okay. It had a lot of potential, but got a little bit lost on the way there. I will still read whatever thriller VI Keeland puts out next. Her books are very readable with interesting plots and characters.

Elizabeth teaches college English and keeps to herself. But when a student submits the first chapter of a boo that eerily reminds her of REAL LIFE, she starts to wonder who might know her secret from way back when. Told in dual pov/timeline, we alternatingly see a young woman taken advantage of in an inappropriate relationship with her high school teacher. The twists in this book will keep you on your toes!

5 Stars Are Simply NOT Enough!!!

Well, I can honestly say that I am not a fan of thrillers! BUT, I am a fan of Vi Keeland's and I was NOT READY FOR THIS!!!!! Someone Knows had me sitting on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE book anticipating the end that I DID NOT SEE COMING!!!

Elizabeth is a college English Professor, teaching a creative writing seminar when a student submits the first chapter of her book. Except this book is VERY familiar to Elizabeth, mirroring experiences from her own past (and that of her best friend, Jocelyn). So begins the mind-bending journey to discovering who this student REALLY is! Who is Hannah? How could she possibly know all the details from a very dark time in Jocelyn and Elizabeth's lives involving an inappropriate relationship between a teacher and his student, murder and more!

I was ENTRANCED with this completely compelling, mind blowing thriller!!! Vi Keeland absolutely nailed it!!!!

This is Keeland’s second thriller and she is definitely making a space for herself in this genre! This book was fast-paced and twisty. I had a hard time putting it down. The small-town with its secrets made for an atmospheric setting. I had no idea where this one was going for a good portion of the book and that is my absolute favorite kind of thriller. This read is on the darker side so you may want to check out the content warnings.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review. I will post my review close to the publication date.

💭: In this book, nothing is as it seems. Elizabeth is a college English professor who also teaches creative writing. She is looking over the chapters her students have turned in and comes across one where the story sounds a little too familiar. Like—she lived it familiar…..no one could know about the details in these chapters. She makes it her mission to find out who this student is and how they know about the darkest secret in her life.

This book kept me flipping pages. It is fast paced. There is some romance throughout, but don’t let that steer you away! The ending will have your jaw on the floor!

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: June 17, 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

If you thought someone knew a secret that you’ve been keeping for a long time would you start panicking and become a little bit paranoid? Well, an English professor in our story here has someone turn in a paper that states exactly what she’s been keeping hidden for TWENTY YEARS.

We have lots of twists, a fast paced story/plot and an FMC who is NOT likable which sometimes is just what I love and I loved it I with this story! You will be gripping, yelling at the book, gasping and guessing and you’ll never figure it out until that very last page.

I hope everybody who reads this banger will love it as much as I did. This was such a great dark thriller that packed a big punch!

Large thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well as Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books

A twisted psychological thriller with lots of mystery and intrigue. Even at the end you won't necessarily have a good grasp on what really happened. A quick read that I enjoyed,

Someone Knows by Vi Keeland is a stand-alone suspenseful/mystery novel, and it was a fantastic read! I was totally immersed from beginning to end! It honestly had me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. I used to strictly read murder mysteries, but about fifteen years ago, I started reading only romance novels, so this one was a really nice surprise with all the twists and turns; however, the ending wasn't what I was expecting. That being said, I would definitely recommend it!

Elizabeth is a college English professor. She teaches creative writing and loves her job. That is, until she receives a first chapter from one of her students about a high school senior who has an affair with her teacher. The thing is, Elizabeth knows how this story goes because her best friend Jocelyn had an affair with their high school teacher, and Elizabeth is the one who killed him. Someone knows what Elizabeth did 20 years ago; her secret is about to be exposed. But who is this mystery student? To find out, Elizabeth returns to her hometown in Louisiana. It soon becomes clear that no matter how much time has passed, Elizabeth cannot escape her past.

This was my first book by Vi Keeland, and it definitely won’t be my last if she writes more thrillers! This book reeled me in right away and kept me intrigued throughout. The twists and turns made my jaw drop multiple times. The only thing I didn’t love was the ending. It felt a little abrupt and left me with a few questions I wish I had answered. Overall, it was a solid, twisty thriller. I would give it 4/5 stars. I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys twisty, jaw-dropping thrillers!

Somebody Knows was great! So many twists!
Some I figured out, some I did not.

Elizabeth was abused by her teacher as a child. She believes that she killed him. She ran off to New York after that night. 20 years later someone named Hannah is sending her chapters of a book with exact detail of what happened to Elizabeth. Who is sending the chapters!!?

She returns home to Louisiana to find her mom is very sick.

One thing that caught me off guard is she goes to a bar and just starts hooking up with a stranger there. Not my thing but maybe others do it.
Either way, that man turns out to be the son of the guy she killed!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is also a June Aardvark book choice! Definitely recommend!

The writing on this was really good. And there's a couple unexpected twists. I enjoyed it, was still left with a couple questions. But yeah, you could feel Elizabeth's paranoia grow throughout as she didn't know who to trust.