Recently fired and adrift, Charlotte Boyd agrees to oversee renovations on her parents’ small-town summer home that holds a tragic past. After discovering an enthralling diary hidden amidst junk the previous owners left behind, Charlotte connects with the author—a troubled teen named Lark Peters who died by suicide at the house sixteen years ago.

When an unsettling incident forces Charlotte to seek refuge at the local pub, regulars, including the police, warn her of Lark’s older brother, Darryl, who has become a recluse since Lark’s death, and may know more than he’s letting on. But Charlotte sees a side of Darryl others don’t, being an outsider herself.
What a suspenseful read it was, I'm just speechless. It had a great storyline, it was easy to read, and was thought-provoking. It kept me wondering what was going to happen next!

📚Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse📚
**Book Review** "What She Left Behind"
by Brianne Sommerville
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)
"What She Left Behind" is a slow-burning thriller that had me hooked from the get-go. It’s one of those reads that perfectly balances an unsettling vibe with some genuine emotional depth. The story unfolds in dual timelines, digging into themes of grief, the shadows of the past, and the secrets that old houses tend to hold (because really, who doesn’t love a good creepy house?).

Charlotte Boyd has just lost her job and her sense of direction. She heads to her parents’ newly purchased (and incredibly creepy) home to oversee renovations. Instead of fresh starts and paint samples, she finds a box of belongings left behind by the previous owner. Naturally, she pokes around (who wouldn’t?) and discovers a diary written by a teenage girl named Lark Peters, who died by suicide in the house sixteen years ago.

Reading through Lark’s entries, Charlotte finds herself connecting with Lark, and that's when things take a bizarre turn. Lark’s estranged brother, Darryl, has been quietly holing up in the garage like some grief-soaked raccoon. Charlotte understandably calls the cops, but later finds herself connecting with him in ways that complicate the story.

This isn’t a thriller that races through twists. It’s a slow burn, and it works. The pacing of the story really lets the emotional moments shine, making it easy to connect with the characters and their struggles. By the time the pieces fall into place, the tension really ramps up! While there are some nail-biting scenes, it's those heartfelt moments that stick with you. It's a wonderful mix that kept me turning pages like there was no tomorrow!

Thanks to the author, Rising Action Publishing, and Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for this gifted ARC received via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

What She Left Behind * Brianne Sommerville * *Psychological Thriller * Rising Action Publishing * Thriller Book Lovers * The Pulse * NetGalley * Honest Review * Bookstagram * Diary Mystery * Small Town Secrets * Women Who Read * Grief * Thriller Reads * CapCut

Thank you, Rising Action Publishing Company, for a digital copy of this book. The opinions are my own and freely given.

Trigger Warnings
teen depression
teen suicide
deadly car accidents

Lark Peters is a ballerina who is at the age when everything in her life is confusing. Her mom goes through boyfriends like candy, her brother is never home and her best friend Dani is pulling away from her.

Charlotte moves into the house formally occupied by the Peters and come across Lark's diary. As so starts reading it she feels a special bond with Lark. Charlotte then becomes involved in the small town of Ansville; the pub owners, the police, Dani and even Darryl, Lark's brother.

But as Charlotte starts to get close to everyone, her suspicions of what really happened to Lark start to come out.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read that I couldn't put down. I admit I had it wrong, but I changed the "whodunit" just like Charlotte did. There was mystery, suspense and the big ending.

What I liked
- setting - it’s rare to see books set in Toronto/Canada
- The dual POV- Charlotte & Lark ( via her diary)
- Fairly easy read and the second half is pretty fast paced


What didn’t work for me
- I just didn’t like Charlotte - yes she had some trauma that is explained more at about 50% but when the book started I honestly thought she was 20/21 based on how she was acting … and then found out she was 30
- The story was really was too predictable overall

Spoilers ahead

- How had no one found Lark’s diary when they were searching high and low for it, and yet it was the first thing Charlotte found in the boxes left behind 🤷🏼‍♀️
- Also … who doesn’t finish reading that diary in one sitting ? This is something that seems to happen in a lot of books

I have read a previous book by this author and have enjoyed the way she engages the reader and takes us on a journey that is well thought out and full of depth.

I have to say I struggled with this book initially as I found it to be quite slow and it took me a while to get into the story. Told in dual timelines from the perspectives of Charlotte and Lark, these characters cleverly developed are the true heroes of the book. The differing personalities she has portrayed sucked me into the story as it progressed and developed.

A very enjoyable book that I am sure many readers will enjoy and appreciate the time the author has taken to produce this story which on reflection is quite complex and masterfully woven.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

When Charlotte finds herself unemployed, her dedicated parents offer her a job to oversee the renovations to their new home in a subdued small town outside Toronto. Upon arrival at the home Charlotte finds its not fully empty and that diary of a young woman is part of the items left behind. It is soon learned that the owner of the diary - Lark Peters - died by suicide at the home. Charlotte sets out to understand the situation Lark was in through the diary. Charlotte happens to learn much more along the way about the people of the town and the relationships between them all which makes her confront some of her own traumatic past.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Rising Action Publishing and Brianne Sommerville for the digital ARC. This fictional thriller which is Sommerville's sophomore novel is a 4/5 star read for me. I enjoyed this book and would recommend to others. It is due to publish on August 12, 2025.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Aug. 12, 2025

After a devastating accident years ago, Charlotte has returned to her parents Toronto home to recuperate and try and get her life together. When her parents encourage her to relocate to their small-town summer home to oversee the renovations, Charlotte reluctantly agrees, knowing her parents will be heading down south. Right from the start, her move is plagued with bad luck, especially when she starts to hear stories about how the young woman who lived in the house before died by mysterious circumstances. When Charlotte finds a journal that indicates it may have been murder, instead of the suicide it was ruled, Charlotte feels that she owes it the young woman, and to herself, to uncover the truth. Even if, by doing so, she turns the whole town, and the woman's family, against her.

Canadian author Brianne Sommerville returns with her sophomore novel, "What She Left Behind." A twisted story of secrets in a small town, secrets that led to a young woman's death., "Behind" is a suspenseful story full of twists and turns.

Charlotte is the narrator and, initially, I found it hard to connect with her. She obviously had suffered trauma in her past and, even though we don't know the details right at the beginning, I tried to have some sympathy for her. Once she moved to her parents' home and actually started acting like an adult, I started to like her and was able to connect with her on a deeper level.

The novel rotates between Charlotte's viewpoint and journal entries from Lark Peters, the young woman who died in the home. The journal entries help build the story and contribute to the suspense, adding details to what happened to Lark in the days leading up to her death.

Overall, this story was a good read. Charlotte was likable and the intriguing mystery was well formulated. There were a few sections of the novel where the writing wasn't as smooth as I would've expected, as if I had missed something (I went back to verify, but no, nothing missed) but this didn't happen often, so I was able to overlook it for the most part. Of course, as is typical with this genre, there is a romance component which was predictable but also necessary for the cohesion of many of the main plot points.

The characters were plentiful, so there was ample choice available from which to deduce what happened and who was responsible, but I did not see this ending coming and it was a delightful surprise.

I was unfamiliar with Somerville's work before this novel, but I was intrigued by the novel 's premise (and the fact that the author was Canadian and used Canadian settings didn't hurt either). "Behind" is a clever, well-developed suspense novel that is worth a read.

📖 Book Review 📖 Are some things better left untouched? As Charlotte dives head first into a home renovation project in an attempt to repair her own life by proxy, she uncovers a mysterious journal that almost casts her under a magic spell. An eerie yet invisible string seems to connect Charlotte to the young girl who died by suicide in this house sixteen years before. Brianne Sommerville delivers a suspenseful, atmosphericly rich thriller that is wrought with the beautiful depths of human emotions.

Sommerville's sophomore effort is a slow-burn, twisty ride with incredibly well-developed characters. The use of diary entries is effective as is the setting. And can we just take a moment to appreciate the stunning cover?

🐦‍⬛ 𝕋ℍℝ𝕀𝕃𝕃𝔼ℝ 𝔹𝕆𝕆𝕂 𝔽𝔼𝔸𝕋𝕌ℝ𝔼 🐦‍⬛

I'm so excited to be part of this amazing tour for @briannesommerville and @thrillerbookloversthepulse ! This is a new to me author, but im so excited for this novel, im about to start it tonight!

𝙎𝙔𝙉𝙊𝙋𝙎𝙄𝙎
Truth hides where the past refuses to stay buried.

Recently fired and adrift, Charlotte Boyd agrees to oversee renovations on her parents’ small-town summer home that holds a tragic past. After discovering an enthralling diary hidden amidst junk the previous owners left behind, Charlotte connects with the author—a troubled teen named Lark Peters who died by suicide at the house sixteen years ago.

When an unsettling incident forces Charlotte to seek refuge at the local pub, regulars, including the police, warn her of Lark’s older brother, Darryl, who has become a recluse since Lark’s death, and may know more than he’s letting on. But Charlotte sees a side of Darryl others don’t, being an outsider herself.

In a search to uncover the truth, Charlotte must question those closest to Lark and reconcile her own past trauma. Because if Lark was actually murdered, then whoever is responsible might be lurking in Charlotte’s own backyard.

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:
Aug 12, 2025

ℚ𝕆𝕋𝔻❓️⁉️❓️ Ask me something?

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillersandsuspense #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #thrillerjunkie #thrillergirlie #bookbuzz #upcomingthriller #thrillerbooklovers #thepulse #pulsepoint #risingactionpublishing #briannesommerville #whatsheleftbehind
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I think my students will like this but can't say for sure. I struggled through about 30% but it was so full of typos numbers thrown in and various other strange things that it took quite awhile to even get through that amount. the plot seems good and the reviews are good so it is not a fault of the book and am sure it will be fine when it is published

This was an engaging and twist-filled thriller that kept me on my toes from beginning to end. While a few moments veered slightly into melodramatic territory, it didn’t take away from the overall tension and intrigue of the story.

Charlotte was such a standout character—I found myself really invested in her journey and constantly questioning who she could actually trust. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another layer would unfold and throw me off again.

I also really enjoyed the mix of timelines, especially the interspersed diary entries. They added a deeper emotional layer and helped build suspense in a clever, unsettling way. The cast of characters was diverse and well-developed, each one adding something unique to the narrative.

If you’re looking for a thriller that plays with perspective, keeps you guessing, and blends emotional depth with psychological suspense, this one is definitely worth picking up.

3.75 ⭐️

“What She Left Behind” was slow burn mystery with just the right amount of twists. It was an emotionally intriguing read. This story followed Charlotte Boyd. After losing her job, she moved into her parents’ small‑town summer house to oversee renovations. While sorting through leftover junk, she uncovered a diary of Lark Peters—a troubled teen who died by suicide in the house 16 years prior. As Charlotte delved deeper, she confronted her own traumatic past and the investigation had quickly turned personal.

The pacing took on a gradual reveal, a little slower than I would have liked, but it carried enough intrigue to keep me engaged to the end. Mainly in part to the alternating timelines of Charlotte and Lark. The dual timelines offered a more layered and structured narrative. Fortunately the dual timelines kept the dialogue moving forward. Although, Sommerville’s book weighed heavy on the dialogue, a little more than I prefer, I didn’t let it override my collective enjoyment of the story. On the contrary, I really liked how the narrative alternated between Charlotte’s present-day investigation and Lark’s past, chronicled in her diary entries. The contrast between Charlotte’s external digging and Lark’s internal struggles provided a balance of psychological depth and mystery. I also found the dual narrative compelling. Even more, it had emotional resonance and sense of mystery between both timelines. I equally liked how the novel also explored themes of mental health, grief, and how the past shaped the present. On top of the alternating timelines and underlying themes, I was wrapped up in the gothic, small-town setting. It was atmospheric and filled with secrets, ambiguity and emotional undercurrents. I appreciated how Sommerville steadily built the story around its dramatic, twist-laden climax.

This was my first read by Brianne Sommerville and I collectively liked how this story slowly unraveled the truth and how the haunting atmosphere kept me entertained. Lark’s story was heartbreaking, and Charlotte’s journey felt raw and real. Even with all the dark turns, the story ended on a hopeful note—Charlotte began to heal, Lark’s truth finally came to light, and there was a real sense of peace and closure for everyone affected.

Regardless of the slow burn mystery and verbose dialogue, Sommerville wrote an intriguing novel. It goes without saying that I’d recommend “What She Left Behind” to those who enjoy suspenseful small-town settings, complex characters, and atmospheric tension…you will most likely revel in this one.

Thank you Net Galley and Rising Action Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my feedback.

Thank you to Rising Action Publishing and Brianne Sommerville for the ARC!

Recently fired and with nowhere to go, Charlotte agrees to oversee her parents’ new house renovations in a small town. While settling in, she finds a diary from the previous owner’s daughter who tragically died young. As Charlotte digs deeper into the diary, everyone in the small town warns her of Lark’s older brother, Darryl, who could be dangerous. But Charlotte sees a different side of him.

First off, Charlotte was SO relatable to me, right down to her choice to walk rather than drive if she didn't have to. I saw so much of my own anxiety in this strong female character and I was deeply grateful that the author portrayed a character with anxiety in such a respectful, relatable way. Charlotte also didn’t let her anxiety get in the way of what needed to be done. Overall, I found the plot to be unique and it drew me in right away. Told from dual points of view, over dual timelines, Charlotte uncovers Lark’s past through her diary entries- which Lark lovingly referred to as “Darryl”. Their brother/sister bond was very strong and it was clear Darryl never gave up on his sister. I had a suspicion of who the “bad guy” was but I didn’t come close and it was wonderful - lol! If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers, intriguing storylines and strong female main characters, don’t hesitate to grab this one! We at The Pulse are loving it.

“What She Left Behind” releases August 12, 2025. This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

Charlotte’s character was incredible! This was definitely a thriller but it was filled with so much emotion as well. The diary entries were great & kept me wanting to read more.

I found myself struggling to determine who was actually the “bad guy” in this one because the writing makes you think the authors leaning one way & then BAM…she goes in a completely different direction.

The ending pulled everything together nicely & I’m glad we got answered regarding Lark. The suspense was good & there was lots of tension & layered emotions.

I really enjoyed this one & will definitely look for more by this author!

I love discovering great, new authors especially when they're Canadian!
This was a good one. Kept me guessing, going back and forth between suspects trying to solve the mystery. This was paced really well and had a good amount of character development. My only issue with the story, is it took the mfc way too long to read that diary! I understand this was a crucial point to the story but nobody else would have taken that long to read it. I would have devoured it in one sitting!
Looking forward to more of this author's work.
Thanks to Netgalley and Rising Action Publishing Co. for this ARC.

I love trying new Canadian writers, and this one did not disappoint.

Charlotte discovers a long-forgotten diary hidden among the remnants of her parents’ new home—and its tragic past. The diary belongs to a troubled teenager named Lark, who died by suicide in the house sixteen years earlier… or so everyone believes. As Charlotte becomes consumed by Lark’s story, she begins to question the official version of events.

The novel expertly weaves together dual narratives of past and present. With tension building in every chapter, the story drives toward a chilling revelation that forces Charlotte to question everything she thought she knew about her new hometown.

Was this my favourite book? No. But I definitely enjoyed it—and I think others will too. Give it a try!

4.25 for me. I enjoyed Lark, Charlotte, & Darryl’s story, and the relationships the characters had. I felt at times there was a cozy feel to the book with a paternal character taking Charlotte under his wing. As a Canadian who was born in England I also love that this was a Canadian story. Whilst the culprit was a minor suspect for me this had me guessing until the very end and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This was a SLOW book. However, it had a great ending! Why I was sure 60% through the book that I knew what would happen, I was wrong! When the ending came I was so shocked!

This is one of those stories that grabs your attention right away and keeps this sense of tension that has you saying “just one more chapter!” Charlotte was definitely on the struggle bus after being fired. Discovering Lark’s hidden diary starts her down a path should never could have of expected.

Lark had died years ago and her hidden diary pages tell a dark story. We also meet Daryl, Lark’s brother who is…well I can’t tell you much but he definitely starts out very creepy...but is there more to him than we know?

I really liked the use of dual timelines and Lark’s diary entries to tell this story. There are good twists and dark secrets are uncovered!

✨What To Expect:
🏡Small Town/Gothic Vibes
⁉️Psychological Thriller
🔍Mystery and Suspense
🌪️Twists & Turns
🥀Dark Secrets
📔Hidden Diary
🖤Family Drama
⏰Dual Timelines