This was a thrilling roller coaster of a story. Susan lost her daughter, when she was kidnapped and murdered. Now twenty years later Susan is taking a road trip to witness the execution of the man convicted of the crime. As she makes her way there she stumbles across new evidence that changes everything she thought was true. Now she is in a race against time to find out the truth and maybe saving an innocent man from being executed. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

Book Review Time

Thanks NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for the advanced copy!

The Necklace by Matt Witten

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

20 years ago Amy lost her life. Now The Monster is on death row awaiting his execution. Amy’s mother Susan has been waiting 20 years for this moment. Will it be everything she wanted?

Pros:
-I loved the flashbacks to 20 years ago to learn how everything went down during the investigation.
-I loved that it had me almost playing detective the whole time with Susan.

Cons:
-The writing style just seemed a little off the first few chapters, I believe it was just getting the reader used to going from past to present, and then it ended up getting much better.
-I didn’t care for the epilogue in all honesty. I think one was needed, but this one actually threw me off. Obviously can’t go into details without spoilers, but I didn’t like it.

My thoughts:

So honestly the first few chapters were kind of boring. You meet Amy, then you know she dies by chapter 2 which you also know if you read the synopsis. Just nothing major really seemed to happen. It’s all just factual. Then the end of chapter 5 has me like. “Okay Matt Witten. Okay. You got me intrigued now!” And then it almost had ‘Girl On The Train’ vibes. I couldn’t tell who “the monster” was, and then I’d guess and be wrong. Then guessing who really did it or didn’t do it. Then I’m thinking Susan is the crazy one and she did it. And seriously going back and forth every few chapters on what I thought. And then the end you were like dropping your jaw on the ground! I will say if you are easily triggered my murders involving children, this isn’t for you. It deals with some heavy gruesome stuff. Overall it was a crazy rollarcoaster ride and a great thriller that by the half way point I couldn’t put down because I HAD TO KNOW!

The Necklace is and interesting crime story about the kidnap and murder of a little girl, based on true events. I found it hard to warm to the main character Susan, the mother, but love the character Kyra. With thanks to NetGalley for my digital copy.

The Necklace is a gripping murder mystery about a mother's love, deadly secrets, and the elusive truth. Susan Lentigo has been grappling with her daughter's violent death for twenty years and hopes to find relief at the execution of the man convicted of the crime. However, on her journey there, she discovers new evidence that throws everything into doubt. Susan must rely on her instincts, her strength, and unlikely allies to avenge her daughter's death by discovering the truth.

Witten crafts a tightly-wound novel that keeps the reader guessing and engaged until the final moments. Even when I was convinced I knew who the killer was, I had no idea how the protagonist and her friends would catch him. Susan, a working class waitress, is a relatable protagonist who is easy to empathize with. Whether she's searching her memory for clues or searching for a place to sleep on a cold night - her tenacity is admirable. Simply put, you want her to win.

Although the story is served well by such a likable protagonist, the supporting characters left something to be desired. The fast pace of the story meant that we didn't get to spend as much time with them and subsequently they felt more like footnotes than true allies. However, they served the narrative well and their relationships with Susan led to a satisfying epilogue of an ending.

Although I would recommend this thriller, I would do it with a note of caution due to the subject matter. Susan's daughter, Amy, is sexually assaulted before she is murdered. This fact is repeated throughout the novel in varying detail by multiple characters. At times, I didn't think rehashing the grisly details was necessary for the scene and although it was very uncomfortable to read- it didn't prevent me from enjoying the book overall. I think any potential reader should be fully aware of the subject matter before picking up this book, despite how well written it is.

CW: death, grief, murder, assault, sexual assault, pedophilia, prison

This was a really good read. I’ve enjoyed the rollercoaster ride. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating from me! Thank you Oceanview, Netgalley, and Matt Witten for this book in exchange for my honest review.

I always say that it's highly intelligent to include children in a thriller story. Since we all share the fear of destroying a child's innocence. This story depicted every mother's worst fear, the murder of her child, and Witten write it realistically. There is not one point in this book that you feel like Susan (the mother) is doing something irrational (considering the circumstance), which is always a blessing when an author fully understands the human psychology behind grieving.

One of the best things from this story is the back and forth timeline (days of the crime to 20 years later) which helped keep the reader intrigued the whole time. I also really appreciated that the author doesn't discuss more the crime than necessary (since some authors have the tendency to put more gore than necessary). The thing that surprised me the most about this story is the sense of community that I felt after reading since in many instances where Susan is struggling there is someone there to support her. An example is a fundraiser in the beginning.

In conclusion, the Necklace is one of the cleanest plot, tone, and dialogue wise mystery-thrillers that I have read in a while. It is making me crave more from Matt Witten. I will definitely keep an eye out for more of his works.

They say that losing a child is like walking around without a heart. This book proves that you can never stop an angry Mama Bear in her search for the truth.

The Necklace by Matt Witten is one of those books that leave the reader with what we call a “book hangover.” They can’t stop thinking about the world they set the book in. The story is over, but it remains with you for a long time.

Susan Lentigo lost her daughter, Amy, to a brutal murder and rape 20 years ago. The Necklace opens at a fundraiser being thrown for Susan so she can watch the execution of Amy’s killer in North Dakota. The reader learns that Susan, a server, and her mother, Lenora, live in Upstate New York. Susan’s friends and family have raised enough money to get her to the execution and back, but unfortunately, things don’t quite go as planned. Within one day of her leaving, her car has broken down and her money stolen. But being the strong woman she is, she moves forward, eating leftover food in diners and sleeping in bus stations. She doesn’t turn back.

Danny Lentigo, Susan’s ex-husband, now lives in Tamarack, NY—two hours from Lake Luzerne, where she lives. They separated a year after their daughter was killed and haven’t spoken since. The bus Susan has taken to North Dakota stops in Tamarack and she makes an impulsive decision to get off and see Danny. After the unpleasant visit, as she is leaving his office, she sees a picture of his daughter wearing the beaded necklace that was never found after Amy was killed. Susan leaves with the sense that maybe not all is as it seems, and they may execute the wrong person.

This book takes the reader on a wild ride and introduces a cast of characters who are all unforgettable in their own way. From Susan’s elderly mother, Lenora, to Kyra, the rebellious teenager who assists her in finding the truth, to the retired FBI agent who convicted the original suspect.

Matt Witten is a former writer for Law & Order and his knowledge of crime and the legal system is a true benefit. He keeps the reader guessing until the very last page. And with each high and low, readers will want to keep going. You can’t help but rally behind this mother seeking justice for her daughter and making sure the right man pays for the crime.

Great book that kept me up reading. The first real mystery page turner I have read in a while. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers.

The book had an overall feel of a screenplay,though there was enough suspense . They are all scenes than chapters which also felt ok till the main character goes over the top with actions unrealistic. Susan has temperamental outbursts and her starving for food scenes were repetitive. The end twist which we can guess comes about with a very ridiculous explanation at the 11th hour....too gimmicky!!!. The FBI seem to be a bunch of dummies.Final gripe...Susan has a flip phone in 2015.,so doesn't know to type on a modern cellphone....🙄

Holy cow this was a wild ride and I was here for it!
What to say? This was such a great read. From Benito the very end I devoured every second of it!
The writing was spot on. The characters what????? Amazing!
I didn't want this story to end!!!! I wanted more.

A life-or-death thrill ride down a dark and twisty rabbit hole. Matt Witten is definitely a writer to watch. You won't be able to put this one down, and it keeps you guessing to the end.

The clock ticks down in a heart-pounding crusade for justice

Susan Lentigo is on a mission after the death of her daughter 20 years ago, she is finally going to witness the execution of the man accused and found guilty of murder. However, it seems there is more to the story. More information is found that seems to implicate a different man. Can Susan get the information she needs in time to stop the execution? There is another young lady who is also involved. This is a heart stopping thriller that at first seems to go a bit slow but picks up with a vengeance. While the plot may seem like something that you have read before, the author has made it his own with added personality.’ I read this in one sitting as I just could not put it down.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Necklace.

I love mysteries and I'm always on the lookout for a new author to read.

The Necklace was a formulaic story with a narrative I've read before; the main character realizes the murderer charged with the death of her child may be innocent and a race against time ensues.

I found Susan a relatable character; she was determined and focused on discovering her daughter's killer but I did not like her.

I'm not a fan of books where the mother or parental figure 'does not see' signs that her spouse was a predator.

I also felt Susan's antics in procuring the necklace almost comical, and I'm sure that's not what the author intended when he wrote the scene.

The way the retired federal agent believes Susan so quickly and the climatic scene at an execution (of all places) was a bit melodramatic.

I did like that Susan and Kyra's relationship grows from their brief interaction and Kyra shows up at the end of the book.

The Necklace wasn't a bad read but it wasn't as suspenseful as I had hoped.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ THE NECKLACE - Matt Witten

Wow!, What a thriller! Although when I first started this I was reading between 4 books, I got to a certain part and I was hooked. Read to the very last word, even the authors note...Hard to believe a male author has based a defiant teenage girl on himself, made me laugh nonetheless. Praise to the author where praise is due and it's not often I finish a book feeling satisfied with the ending but this truly was a great read.

Susan Lentingo is on a mission and rightly so. My heart went out to this lady and I felt every emotion with her as she hunted for the killer of her daughter. I loved the inner strength Susan summoned up and the help she got from a teenage girl and a retired cop to get justice.

Excellent read, would definitely recommend.

Review also published on Goodreads.

A Mother’s Worst Nightmare

Matt Witten took an old plot and made it believable and emotional in this novel. The seven-year-old daughter of Susan and Danny Lentigo had been murdered twenty years ago. Susan, now divorced, remained a devastated woman. She is planning to travel to North Dakota to witness the execution.

She has little money or worldly goods, but she has good friends. As a waitress in a diner in upstate New York, she earns a meager income and lives on the cusp. She has been divorced from Danny, who has now remarried.

Witten makes smart moves right from the beginning. He places the reader in the everyday life of Susan and Danny, before the death of her daughter. There were money pressures but Susan was not a nag. After too many miscarriages, she gave birth to her fun-loving daughter, Amy. Then her young daughter was murdered and her world was shattered. Witten forcefully, the author has Susan display high powered emotion during the days they are looking for her missing daughter and then her bottomless depression. One can feel her stress, breaking heart and a realistic loss of hope. She never recaptured her old life or tried to make a new one. She lived from day to day in heartbreak.

With the monetary help of her friends, Susan is able to plan a trip to North Dakota for the execution. Nothing is easy for Susan, her old car breaks down, money is stolen from her, she has nowhere to sleep and no food. For a few days, she becomes a scavenger, it is quite sad, but Susan never feels sorry for herself. She is a highly emotional woman whose existence is plagued by the death of Amy. She never went to college or had a career. Sometimes her sentences were filled with profanities aimed at another person or group.

The other primary character, Danny, is carefully crafted. Every sentence about him tells us something. Lorna, Susan’s mother, is a nice woman, who wants the best of her daughter but there is a chasm between them. Then there is Kyra, who is the most interesting character. You’ve seen or met Kyra’s, they look different,, maybe with tattoos or ear piercing, but they are really street-smart and have good souls. Each character serves a purpose in this novel, including the members of the FBI.

Susan’s obsession to witness the execution is understandable but nothing will replace the loss of her child. She never could repair her life or experience closure. The author takes us on a long and arduous trip of desperation to North Dakota. Something is always happening, it is not dull.

Combining Susan’s loss and mania, Witten adds punch and fascination to a stereotyped plot.

My gratitude to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for this pre=published book for an honest review.

A good thriller is a page turner and this book did not disappoint! The Necklace offered all the necessities of a thriller with the added bonus of relatable characters, humanity, and humor. The grit shown by Susan Lentigo made me cheer as I turned each page, rooting for her to find the clues needed to find justice for her daughter Amy. As the story line unfolded the twists and turns made me read faster and faster! And finally, JUSTICE!!

A good, but not great, thriller that was hurt by gratuitous language that seems to have been added for its future screenplay. The story was fast-paced, but the characters just didn’t “click” for me.

This book definitely kept me engaged throughout. The pace is fast and intriguing. I found myself cringing at much of the crass dialogue. Was this integral to the story and/or the protagonists? I thought the book could have been just as interesting and fast moving with less base language. Thank you NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for this opportunity.

the publisher kindly provided me with an arc through netgalley

This was such an amazing read and a page turner, I couldn't stop reading because I just wanted to know what happened. The story is about Susan a woman who's daughter was raped and murdered, so a huge trigger warning for those. The execution of the murderer is coming up and she's planning on attending to get some peace. But during her trip, several things happen which makes her doubt if the convicted man really killed her daughter or if it was maybe her now ex husband..

I love love Susan and she's such a strong and amazing woman. It all felt very real and I just could imagine her feelings through and through. The book took turns and there were points I didn't even know who did what anymore. I started to think everyone could have done it and that's when I know a book got to me. A fantastic read and I'll definitely keep an eye out for what the author releases next.

What a great story about a mother’s resilience. Susan is leaving to go to North Dakota, to see the execution of the man that murdered her daughter Amy, 20 years ago. As soon as she sets off to drive from NY to North Dakota her car breaks down forcing her to find some other way to get to North Dakota. She takes the bus and manages to stop in the town her now ex husband lives in and let him know where she is going, while there she starts to have memories that she thought long ago buried and questions what’s real and what isn’t. With alternating time lines and a full cast of memorable characters and an ending that breaks your heart you will not want this one to end. Can’t wait to see what Matt writes next!

Wow!! Get ready for this book!! It was intense, thought provoking, and then some.
Although it has some heavy themes, it was really well written and it made me feel for the main character of this book. It was a great weekend read!!

I thought this was an amazing book and read it in less than 2 days! Kept me interested and on my toes until the end. Would definitely recommend.

Very good read. Kept me interested throughout. This is my first read of this author but will be on the lookout for more.

I read this in two days! I was always engaged and definitely wasnt hard to stay interested. I wish there was more to read.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley.
When Susan's daughter Amy is murdered as child. Her life and marriage end.
But at least the man who did it is behind bars and facing execution.
Or is the right man behind bars?
The book alternates between the time period around when Amy was murdered to the present as Susan prepares to watch her daughters killer get executed. Susan is the only POV. She faces hardship after hardship during her trek and still keeps going. She's a likable protagonist. Human and realistic.
Her search for the truth is a ride. Not such a wild one. But a adventure.
The last few chapters had me tearing through the pages. Was the person she thought it was REALLY the murderer?
Looking forward to reading whatever this author writes next.

Amy is going n a trip to North Dakota. Specifically, to the prison. There, to witness the murderer of her child (Amy) be put to death. Susan relates this to the bar patrons who are funding her trip. She says that this will put Amy's soul to rest...

Anything more would be a spoiler !

Do not miss this read!

SUPERB!

Many Thanks to Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for an amazing story.

A missing child, a parents worst nightmare. The search for truth and the heartbreak that follows.

This is such a gripping novel. It puts you right in the shoes of the mother. The pain, the unanswered questions.

This was by far the best thriller I have read in a long time. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop. Such a well written story.

4.5 stars. The Necklace is a fast-paced thriller that you won’t be able to put down! Alternating between the details of the crime 20 years ago and then present day as we follow Susan Lentigo as she plans to travel from New York to North Dakota to attend the execution of the man found guilty of the rape and murder of her daughter 20 years ago.

This book was everything you want a thriller to be - gripping, suspenseful, and satisfying. It was a one day read for me, as I just had to know what happened! I recommend this book for thriller fans and I will definitely look for more Matt Witten books in the future!

Thanks to NetGalley, Oceanview Publishing, and Matt Witten for the chance to read and review this advanced reader copy.

I'm a bit conflicted about this book.

The premise is original and it's very easy to get affected by the tragedy Susan lived.
The story is told by a Now & Then point of view which offer the reader an insight in the weeks and months that followed Amy's murder.

However there's some flashbacks that are told in present tense during the now perspective and it's sounded a bit strange to me. Also it felt all of sudden quite impersonal and detached, at odds with the rest of it.

The ending, while expected, in my opinion was a bit anticlimactic.
There's no real explanation of HIS motives (except the obvious); all we get are the strange feelings Susan had, feelings she wasn't sure she believed herself.
Also, was Amy HIS first and only crime? 'Cause it was implied otherwise but we don't get any follow-up info about it.

I admit this annoyed me quite a bit and it's mostly why I didn't rate this book as a full 4 stars.

At last, I'd like to thank the author for the chance to read his book through NetGalley and I hope he appreciates my honest review.

I read The Necklace in two days. It was fast paced and even though it went back and forth in time I stuck with it.
Susan is about to attend the execution of the man who murdered her daughter 20 years ago. Her travels there are as twisty and turning as the plot.

Just a side note: A lot of f-bombs are dropped (which I don't usually mind) but it made Susan's character less likable for me.

I look forward to more Matt Witten's books and thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Necklace was a really interesting read. I raced through the book in two nights. The characters were likable and relatable, and I wasn't surprised when the author revealed at the end of the book that he had based many of them on real life acquaintances. The story begins in a bar where the patrons take up money to send Susan Lentigo to the execution of the killer of her 7 year old daughter Amy, a terrible crime that had taken place 20 years earlier. The book alternates between the past and the present as Susan seeks closure and justice on the long road trip to the North Dakota prison.

This one is dark, gritty and a rough topic dealing with rape and murder of a child. You have to compartmentalize a lot of emotions to get through it

Thank you, NetGalley and author Matt Witten, for the opportunity to read an early electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I had difficulty at first relating to the characters, but I am glad I kept reading. I understood Susan's anger and anguish on an intellectual level. She appears to be in continuous turmoil due to the horrific, vile rape and murder of her 7-year-old daughter, Amy, twenty years earlier. Her ever-simmering rage has prevented her from moving along in life. However, I regret I failed to engage emotionally with her well-deserved feelings until close to the conclusion. Frequent outbursts of swearing and vile language were a distraction. It seemed much of the bad language was for effect, to emphasize her rage at the condemned man she calls "The Monster."

The time has come for her to witness the execution of "The Monster" almost 1,500 miles distant. She hopes to finally get some sense of closure and revenge. The man on death row was sentenced to die by lethal injection, demanded by Susan at his trial 20 years ago. He confessed to the crime after intense interrogation but then recanted. This was his first charge as a pedophile. He stated that he was attracted to Amy when seeing her at a distance wearing a cheap homemade necklace. This attraction and motive seemed preposterous, even from a psychopathic pedophile. Susan and Amy crafted the necklace with coloured animal-shaped beads shortly before her murder. This necklace was believed to be taken as a trophy and hidden by her killer after the murder. It was never found.

Susan's husband left her shortly after the tragedy, saying he could no longer cope with her profound depression. He now has a new wife and family.

Susan must travel cross-country on buses with many stops and transfers along the way. She has little financial means, and friends staged fundraising to help her on the long journey to the execution. She displayed a tendency to be rude to people when things did not go her way. She also makes snap judgements about people and lay blame where it may not be deserved.
She had already accused one of her mother's boyfriends of being a pedophile and the murderer, but then the man soon to receive the death penalty was caught and charged with the crime.

As she travels, Susan begins to show an inner reserve of strength, resourcefulness, and resilience. Her cash is lost or stolen, causing her to be tired and hungry for most of her journey. She receives many acts of kindness and helpfulness along the way and meets some interesting and supportive people.

She obtains a clue that makes her doubt the guilt of the man soon to be executed. She is in shock that she may have played a part in sending an innocent man to prison for 20 years, and now his death is imminent. Also, she is shattered by the identity of the person she believes is truly guilty.

Susan contacts a retired FBI agent who was sympathetic to her tragedy when Amy was murdered. He is also travelling to attend the execution of the man he helped send to prison years before. Amy's clue makes him doubt the conviction. The ex-FBI agent sends it for DNA analysis, but the testing is unsuccessful.

When they arrive at the prison to view the execution, the pace and suspense had me emotional and riveted to the page. The conclusion was gripping and satisfying.

The Necklace is a compelling story about a woman who plans to travel from upstate New York to North Dakota to witness the execution of the man found guilty of killing her daughter, Amy, 20 years previously. She encounters some very bad luck during her journey and comes to a shocking realization about what she has believed for all those years. The book consisted of flashbacks to the time of Amy's death until we had the entire story as well as chronicling Susan's journey. Although I found some incidents outside the realm of possibility, it was a pleasure to witness Susan's resilience in the face of all the roadblocks. There were many likeable and some not-so-likeable characters in the book and it was a well-paced read. I recommend the book but readers should be aware that there is reference to sexual assault of a child.

This was my second read courtesy of NetGalley and my first courtesy of Oceanview Publishing for which I'm extremely grateful.

The Necklace was soo good! Susan's daughter has been dead for 20 years, and soon her murderer will face the death penalty. Susan has been planning for years to attend the execution, but when she starts her trip from the Adirondacks all the way to Hodge Hills, North Dakota, she starts to believe that someone has made a big mistake.

The necklace her daughter Amy was wearing when she went missing was never found with her body. But these kinds of things don't always stay hidden, and the necklace could go a long way in figuring out who's innocent and who's guilty.

Wow - this book is the first in a long time to really have an impact on me. The ending was so intense that I had to physically get up to finish reading it and pace around the room a little bit....

It did start off a little slow, but the flashbacks to the past really helped keep me interested and once things started picking up they really picked up. I was extremely pleased to have a strong female in the centre of the book, and one who was the mother. Most books of this kind, have been from the perspective of the Detective in charge of the case and not someone so deeply emotionally involved.

I loved the small glimpses of the side characters, the owner of the Diner where Susan worked, the sister of the man soon to be executed , Kyra the teenager Susan befriends , among others - who all helped to keep the pace of the book and create interest, with none being too over the top or unbelievable.

I thought the book did a great job at highlighting some of the issues and unfairness in the Justice system, without being too intense or overbearing and boy did it tug at my heart strings. In fact there were tears.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this book, I will be telling all my friends about it.

I enjoyed the format I'm a sucker for past and present timelines. Over all it was fast paced and had disturbing content which I love. I felt engrossed and had to keep turning the page I didn't like the main character not usually a problem for me but I know it can be for others. Some things fell flat, like the conversations and inner dialogue so be warned of that too.

If you're in mood for a good rollercoaster murder mystery book, definitely try this one. Over all, a good page turner that you'll think about for awhile after you're done reading

I enjoyed the format of the book. The chapters sporadically switched between past and present day. I also liked how the reader was privy to what the protagonist, Susan, was thinking in most situations. But, the lack of plot complexity and one-note characters left me wanting more, especially when dealing with such a heavy subject. Also there were some unrealistic events that didn’t sit well with me. All in all, the lack of dimension made this just an okay read for me. That being said, if you are looking for a quick simple thriller - it would be a solid choice.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this ARC before it’s September release.

Told in the past and the present, Susan Lentigo is the main character and she has suffered a tragic loss. Twenty years ago, her daughter Amy was abducted, assaulted, and killed. It led to the end of her marriage, and if it wasn't for her close-knit community, she might have just curled up and died. Even though she has just been surviving, not living, one thing has kept her going. The man responsible has been sentenced to die, and Susan is determined to be there, to look him in the eye when it happens, and perhaps finally feel like Amy has gotten some justice.
Susan won't have an easy time getting to North Dakota and the execution though. Money and car trouble might slow her down, but it is a visit with her ex-husband Danny that leaves her questioning everything she believes about Amy's death. What if an innocent man is about to be executed? Can Susan discover the truth with the clock ticking and so many years gone by after this heinous crime?
A heartbreaking story about loss, grief, and never really knowing the people around you. There were a few scenes that had me rolling my eyes, but otherwise, I had to know who killed Amy.

This book subject is disturbing and may not be for every reader. The author, Matt Witten, has carefully created intriguing and memorable characters. The story flows easily; moving from past to present. Each chapter’s timeline is clearly identified.. The Necklace is a thought provoking read. Although I might not describe this book as an enjoyable read, due to the subject matter of the storyline, it is a worthwhile read!
I am glad to have had the opportunity to read and review this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for the ARC.
*the swipe up to advance the pages is very sensitive.

The necklace is a fast paced mystery that draws the reader in quickly and doesn’t let them go until the finale. The ending is fairly predictable but satisfying nonetheless. The book could easily be made into a movie with minor changes.

The first half of the book alternates between the past and present day, a great way to see how characters and their story develop. I really enjoyed this part of the book, the glimpses of the past and seeing it unfold really drew me in. This was definitely the slower/less action part of the book but it begins to pick up as connections are made and the reader begins to ask questions along with the main character, Susan.

The second half, the action, is very quick and rather predictable but it does leave you content. The epilogue added the (possibly too) perfect ending but it did provoke some emotions.

This would be a perfect book to bring to a beach or read at home. It’s not too deep, meaning that, other than the main character, you just meet the surface of others. Yes it’s a mystery, but you aren’t weighed down with many fine details about the case, people, etc.

I would probably rate this a 3.5/5, rounding up to a 4 for this rating system because taking it for what it is, a quick read mystery, it was pretty good.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy of the book to review. This review is my own opinion.

I’m calling it now, “The Necklace” will have the hype of “Gone Girl” this year. I couldn’t put this one down and haven’t read something this engrossing for a while! I thought the novel moved well from the past to current day. This novel does contain sensitive content (pedophilia, childhood abuse) and was at times hard to get through, but I believe it tells an important story that author Matt Witten mentioned in his Author’s Note was inspired by true events.
I’ve read that The Necklace is being optioned for film, I think it could be carried well onto the screen.

Thank you NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for the ARC. Much appreciated and enjoyed!
4.5/5

I didn't even need to read a synopsis to know this book would be good. The cover itself drew me in and boy did the story live up to my expectations. Within the first few pages, I was drawn to Susan. There wasn't much description of her and I don't have a specific reason for why I feel this way, but I just had a gut feeling.. Matt Witten really knows how to write a character. Each person was described in a way where I felt like I was watching a movie play out in my head. The plot was slightly predictable but the twists and turns are enough to really keep you engaged. It was an enjoyable quick read that I would definitely recommend to anyone who is a fan of thrillers!

It’s not very often I can finish a book within 24 hours, but this book captivated me the whole time. I HAD to know what was going to happen. I loved the way the book went from 20 years ago to present day. I felt the pain of Susan’s character throughout this book.

Susan Lentigo's daughter was murdered 20 years ago and now the time has come for Susan to travel to the execution of the murderer. Susan is broke and so friends and family host a fundraiser for Susan to be able to afford the trip. Her husband left her shortly after the murderer was caught, but she feels compelled to let him know about the execution. Susan decides to take the trip by bus and gives herself plenty of time to get there.

During the trip she has many misadventures, including the stop to inform her husband about the execution. She meets many interesting people as well.. Sometime during her trip she comes across something that makes her have serious doubts that the man whose execution she is attending. She starts to suspect someone else. She has to prove it before an innocent man is executed. But how? She is not sure where to start, but Susan is a smart and resourceful woman.

This was an awesome book, and even though you know pretty early on who the suspect is, the suspense in proving it keeps you reading long in to the night! Highly recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of The Necklace by Matt Witten in exchange for my honest review.

Amy was brutally murdered and a man convicted and sentenced to die. Amys' mother Susan on her way to witness the execution and get justice for her child. Except, Susan isn't certain the correct person has been convicted.
When the case won't be reopened Susan decides to take matters into her own hand and find out the truth and get the justice for Amy.

This book kept me on the hook to see how it was going to end and who the killer was. Written at a fast pace and left many possibilities open as to which way the story would go.

Enjoyed the ride and would read more by this author

The Necklace by Matt Witten read like a movie script. There were a lot of visual descriptions that made you feel like you were there with Susan Lentigo. Susan is on a voyage to attend the execution of the man that raped and killed her daughter Amy 20 years ago. The story has you on the ride with Susan from upstate NY to North Dakota. On the way, she suffers a lot of misfortune. However, this journey has Susan reliving the whole ordeal and has her second guessing if the man that was accused is actually the man who did this horrendous crime.
I enjoyed the book. In the beginning it was pretty slow. Susan was put into a lot of unrealistic scenarios but strangely enough it works and reads like a movie i.e it would never happen in real life. I don't want to spoil the plot! Read it!

Thank you #Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read #thenecklace by #MattWitten

What a heartbreaking story of a young girls murder and her mother’s quest for justice. A necklace that was never found and and a convicted killers recanted confession. This mystery novel pulled out all the stops, kept me guessing until the final pages. So entertaining.

Thank you NetGalley for this highly entertaining arc

The Necklace took me on a rollercoaster ride. I enjoyed how it had flashbacks between the past and present and we got a true sense of what Susan and her family were like in the past and we can see how Amy's murder affected her. I was invested in Susan's journey to reach North Dakota and witness the execution of her daughter's killer. When he meets Danny and sees Amy's necklace on Emily-I was shocked. I did not see this twist coming at all. Right along with Susan, I began to doubt that the real murderer was behind bars. I wanted to see justice and Susan prove that Danny was the true killer. The only thing I wish was in the epilogue was more information about Danny. Was the necklace enough to convict him? Did he end up in jail? Did he confess? I felt there wasn't enough closure with Danny being the true murderer.

This is a good story, with a very strong female lead character, is well written and has great pace. There are a few weak areas in the plot – else it would have been just great.

Susan plans to attend the execution of the man convicted of assaulting & murdering her seven-year-old daughter Amy, 20 years back. She just about makes ends meet as a waitress but is helped by friends who raise funds for her travel to North Dakota & expenses. Amy was Susan & Danny’s only daughter, and the loss is devastating. Susan tries counselling, and yet struggles to move on. This takes a toll on their marriage as well, as also straining Susan’s relationship with her mom for a time.

Susan leaves for North Dakota, but her car breaks down in the early part of her trip. She has to later take several buses to make the trip, and most of the money she had is stolen. At one of the stops, Susan chances upon some material which makes her think that just maybe the man convicted of her daughter’s murder may not be the real culprit. She receives help from a young girl in school - Kyra (a character who features briefly but adds strength to the story) who supports her in pursuing her hunch. As she reaches North Dakota, Susan speaks to the FBI agent (now retired) who oversaw the investigation many years back and who has also come over for the execution, which is just hours away.

This is a very interesting story and keeps you hooked. Susan’s determination despite all odds makes for powerful reading. The author mentions in a note at the end of the book of two real stories which form the primary themes of the book – a woman short of money set to make a trip to see the execution of the person who murdered her daughter, and another story of a women’s pursuit to find the real culprit. This story also brings alive the issues which exist in the law enforcement and justice systems the world over, and the crying need for reform. The main issue is a weakness in the plot – what arouses Susan’s suspicion and the events in the last few pages. Nevertheless, a book I very much recommend – it is a very engrossing read.

The Necklace by Matt Witten. Oceanview Publishing, 2021

The Necklace tells the story of every mother’s worst nightmare. Susan, working an extra shift, learns that her seven-year-old daughter Amy has been missing for four hours; no one picked Amy up after school. The story begins with a very short chapter 1, Susan and Amy selecting beads for a necklace, then in the next chapter, shifts ahead twenty years to a fundraiser to cover Susan’s expenses to drive across country to the convicted killer’s execution, then continues to flash back and forth. The book had me hooked from page 1.

The writing is excellent, the plot suspenseful, the characters credible. I don’t know anyone like Susan, who in her mid fifties had barely left her hometown in nearly thirty years, then sets out across country with a maxed-out credit card in an old car puffing black exhaust. At several points I wondered if the story really needed her journey to be so incredibly difficult, and wished her life not so bleak and hopeless. This wasn’t a distraction from my enjoyment and engagement though. I read the book in over several hours, I literally could not put it down.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of The Necklace free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #TheNecklace #NetGalley

This was a bit of a miss for me. The storyline wasn't bad, but the dialogue and the main character's inner monologue were just hard to believe. A lot of the conversations and her own thoughts felt generic and definitely didn't sound like the words of a woman. Also, the big reveal at the end was sort of revealed halfway through the book, so it wasn't really that exciting or satisfying. I think it could be improved and be a really good story, but as is, it wasn't quite what I expect from a good thriller.

Wow, I found this book incredible. It was an easy read with well thought out characters. It also dove deep into depravity. I was horrified and had to keep reading to find out how it ended. I was shocked at some of the brutal details in this book but it definitely gave it an edge. Horrifying, suspenseful, twist and turny with an ending that will shock you.
As a parent this book put my worst fears into actual words, it was crazy to read a story about the deepest darkest worries parents have.

3.5/4 stars. This was a rollercoaster of a ride. The first few chapters were a little slow but then it picked up and didn’t stop till the end of the book
Susan was the lead female role and was a great lead character that you can really context with. Trying to figure out who murdered her daughter years ago in the present day in the book. The ride this book takes you on is great. I figured it out quickly but I still really enjoyed it. Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy.

As it has been pointed out elsewhere, the beginning of the book is kind of slow. Fortunately, the 2nd and 3rd thirds of it change that, and the narrative develops in higher octane.
Interesting concept, about how our inner voice can be, and in most of the times is, right about the situations we face. And even though the main character questions herself multiple times throughout the story, she ends up believing in this voice and acting accordingly and appropriately..
There are some parts of the book that are much less credible than others, so much so that I found myself repeating “now the author is pushing it!” more than a couple of times .But apart from these, a good plot.
Kudos to the description of the execution process – very detailed and convincing!
All in all a good captivating read.

The Necklace is about a woman whose child was murdered 20 years ago and she is awaiting the execution of the murderer. It was a quick read, flipping between the past and present but a bit disjointed, shifting between 1st and 3rd person, sometimes in the same paragraph.

This was an awesome book I had a slew of books this month that were just so boring - I loved this book from start to finish I would love to purchase and add it to my growing collection.

It’s a shame, because the book starts off pretty promising, with main character Susan heading off on a road trip to the execution of her daughter’s murderer, which is macabre, but also very funny and irreverent? But beyond the inspired setup, this book kinda falls apart, or comes over as contrived, from the action sequences like the holding cell, to the clues, and suspects which are founded on tired tropes. There are little details, like Susan ruminating on the differences between hotels and motels, that ring true, but on the whole, the crisp pace of the plot leaves little room for atmosphere or depth of characterization. In the end, both characters and scenes feel skeletal, or crudely sketched.

This was a really fast paced read. Overall, I really enjoyed the story of Susan finding closure of her daughters death twenty years ago. Susan has a tripped planned to North Dakota to watch the execution of the man she thinks raped and murdered her daughter twenty years ago. During this trip she realizes that she may have gotten it all wrong and starts to look into the past on what really happened.

This book deals with some very heavy topics such has child sexual abuse and murder, this is brought up several times in the book in graphic detail. I think it is important to note this, in case other readers are triggered by that. The Necklace reads like watching a crime show, it is very fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I like that the author went back and forth from the past to the present day. One of the things I didn't think was so realistic was the characters that helped Susan along the way to finding the truth but it was still a very enjoyable read.

If you are a fan of crime and mystery shows or books this is a great one to check out. Thank you for the opportunity to read the E-Arc!!

I received this book free from Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly, loved the cover and. I love how it tied in to the story. This story had super dark subject matter (TRIGGER WARNING**- child abuse, sexual abuse, murder), but I did enjoy the story. It hits a person right in the feels that’s for sure. It had a twist but not the twistiest twist I’ve ever read lol.
I would recommend it to fans of murder mystery books.

Thank you Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for the eARC.
What a great read this book is! The story is of an Upstate New York mother devastated by the murder and rape of her 7-year old daughter, who, 20 years later, is on her way to attend the execution of the supposed murderer. The determination and tenacity of this middle-aged woman is heartbreaking; despite serious setbacks, she stubbornly continues her way across the country. The obstacles she overcomes are unbelievable!
We follow the events surrounding the murder 20 years ago, then fast forward to today as she makes her way to the execution site.
Wonderful; this book will stay with you for days. I loved it!

The day of the execution arrives for the man who murdered Susan Lentigo’s daughter Amy twenty years ago. She prepares to go to the execution site in North Dakota to witness his death. Her journey is tiring and stressful as her car suddenly stops working, she relies on public transport and along the way her money gets stolen and she is forced to rely on the assistance of others to get to her destination.

During her trip, she decides to pay her ex-husband Danny a visit because he seems unenthusiastic about the event that is about to unfold. She discovers that he does not want to be reminded about the past and will not be attending. Susan is not happy with his explanation, but on her way out his office she noticed a picture of his new family and something catches her attention. She observes that his daughter Emily, is wearing a similar necklace to the one Amy made.

After seeing the necklace on his daughter, herself, she began to speculate and question the events of the past. She begins to wonder if the man in the execution ring is really the killer. She relies on the help of a young lady Kyra and the retired officer Robert Pappas who assisted in the case twenty years ago.

Susan’s character suffers greatly, she is depressed in the early stages of the story because of the death of her child. She does not understand how her husband is not affected by the loss of his daughter, but he still shows compassion and comfort towards her until the point where he has had enough and decides to leave. Twenty years later, she is still affected but is not in the state of depression and wants justice to be served. She continues to believe that her daughter’s killer has been caught and is ready to witness his execution, but her doubts have her wondering how she could not have notice all the signs before. She does everything in her power to try to convince the FBI, that they have the wrong guy and to postpone the execution.

Matt Witten’s novel was exciting and an eye opener, the world is still facing murders of young children especially girls in which innocent people are trial for these murders because the authorities assume the evidence brought against these persons are enough to convict them for the murders. I was really moved by the motivation and inspiration behind this novel. I was saddened when I found out who the murderer was in the story, but this is a fact. In most instances, the killer is always someone close to you.

This mystery/thriller novel is highly recommended and tells the story of what is at present in the world today. The Necklace was intriguing and inspiring; the character Susan Lentigo was a determined and strong held individual. The impact of losing her child opened her eyes to the truth that she could not have seen in the past and she was not going to back down no matter what.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars; it was a compelling story, and I was moved and touched while reading it. This was an exceptional story and Matt Witten piqued my interest in reading more of his stories.

To me the book started out too slow before it really got interesting but once it did I couldn't put it down. There is nothing like a woman's strength and how much she can cope with. It turned out to be a page turner and worth the read.

It’s a bit of a tear jerking mix between past and present. Hard to put down. The writing style reminds me of The Butler

Get ready to be blown away! This is a five-star story that provides an emotional rollercoaster ride. Thank you to Matt Witten for recommending that I read this book – you were right – I LOVED IT!
The Necklace tells the story of a woman’s strength and determination for justice after the murder of her seven-year-old daughter. This harsh tale will break your heart, and leave you feeling Susan’s pain, anger, and sadness.
Matt Witten took a heart-breaking story and turned it into a book that left you feeling admiration for his leading lady. From the very first page you form a bond with Susan and Amy and page after page you experience Susan’s emotions with her. His writing wraps you tightly into the story and makes it impossible to put this book down. I got so lost in this book, I forgot to make my family dinner – I completely lost track of time while I was reading this.
When Susan’s daughter disappears, only to be found raped and murdered Susan wants justice. She wants the man responsible caught and punished for what he did. When the guilty man is brought to justice, Susan is left waiting twenty years for his execution. An event she will not miss for anything. As the day draws near, Susan makes a few discoveries that leave her wondering if the right man is about the be put to death. Twenty years down the line, she takes it upon herself to get at the truth and ensure the right man is being punished.
The Necklace is every mother’s worst nightmare. Reading this book left me with tears in my eyes as I run through every emotion with Susan. Her fear, loss, grief and finally anger was brilliantly written by the author. You find yourself right there with the characters, deeply engrossed in the story.
The character’s in this book are realistic and easily likeable. You spend most of your time with Susan, she is an everyday mother, who makes mistakes and has her flaws, but you never doubt her commitment to her daughter. Susan’s mother, Lenora – stole my heart. She reminded me of my mother – always meaning well but somehow managing to mess things up. I just loved her.
This was a terrible story; it explored the reality of my fears about something happening to my daughters. Yet, I could not put this book down – while I had my suspicions of where the story was headed, I had to keep reading, not believing that I was right. I loved every minute of this book – the ending while a little predictable still left me shocked. Could that really be the truth?
Crime fiction enthusiasts will love this book. It is a harsh, gripping story told from the victim’s mother’s perspective leaving you overflowing with emotion and unable to put the book down.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough – please get yourself a copy – you will not be disappointed; Matt Witten created a true masterpiece with this story. I am sure you will hear a lot about this book between now and publication day in September.

Thanks NetGalley for providing this book for a review.
What would you do if a man murdered and raped your child , he was caught and put on trial, given the death penalty? Would you want to see him put to death ? Well that’s what this book is about . You get hung up in the journey Lenora takes to witness the execution of her daughter’s death . This man brutally killed and raped her daughter Amy ,and Lenora and her husband Danny are left with the aftermath. Lives change but Lenora has never been able to move on , but she feels that she can move on after the death of this killer . I felt the author put us on a journey that at some times seems predictable, but sty exciting.

This was a gut wrenching book that grabbed me from page 1.
The depths a mother will go for her child is portrayed in this book you can definitely feel the mother’s pain and anguish.
I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
A definite must read.
Thanks to NetGalley for my advanced ebook copy.

The Necklace by Matt Witten #twelfthbookof2021 #arc Thank you to #NetGalley and #OceanviewPublishing for the advance reader copy. (Pub date 9/7/21)
**Content warning: child murder, rape, execution
This book covers hard topics, but the premise drew me in immediately. Told in two time periods, present day as Susan is traveling to witness the execution of her daughter’s murderer, and twenty years ago, as the murder occurs, both narratives were immediately fascinating to me. And then Susan begins to have doubts about whether the killer is actually guilty, and decides to investigate. There are a few moments you have to suspend disbelief, which I won’t mention due to spoilers, but overall, although the subject matter is really difficult, I enjoyed the book. #thenecklace

This was the first book I read by Matt Wilson and this was really gripping book . I will definitely be reading more of his books. I could not read this book quick a enough. The story is about Susan daughter who was raped and murder and her mum wants justice for her death.
Thank you NetGalley and Matt Wilson.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This is a gripping thriller, following a mother's journey as she travels to the execution of her daughter's killer. I found myself drawn into the story and really hoping that Susan would find closure. There were a few spots in the middle where the book was kind of slow for me, and I had a pretty good idea of how it would end, but it was really well-written and I cared about the characters.

A warning - I almost DNF this book at the beginning because the original crime involved a 7-year old girl and I found it very hard to read.

Really loved this book. The writing was absolutely stunning. It also kept my attention the entire way through, never once was I bored reading this book. I could not put it down and read the entire thing in just under a day!

The story was absolutely stunning as well. A mother's love for their daughter should never be doubted. And wow. The fact that she went out of her way to prove that man was innocent was just so great.

One of those books that you can't put down, From start to finish you fell the mothers pain, and the horror that every parent fears. You just never know who to trust, but sometimes your gut feeling is the correct one.

Really interesting to find out that the author was inspired by a real life case. The author note is just as interesting as the novel (nearly) and so it was good to read that at the end and see how he had been inspired to write this story.
It's one where you have to put yourself in the shoes of the woman who has lost her daughter. Driving all that way to see a man die sounds awful but if it were your daughter? If you were seeking justice and closure for something so evil?

It had the feel of Fargo and The Life of David Gale. Intriguing and a good paced thriller.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
Wow. This is an excellent, emotional, gripping book. Going in I wasn't sure but from the first page it had me hooked. I read this book in a few sittings.
Firstly the characters were really vivid. The main cast was quite small so the main characters I felt like I really understood and seeing the way grief and fear affected her felt realistic. Outside of the main cast there were quite a few minor characters, even they didn't feel like objects simply to progress the plot, though, they felt like real people.
Speaking of characters, I LOVE a rag-tag team coming together to solve a mystery and The Necklace absolutely had this. I loved both Robert and Kyra.
Part of what I wasn't sure about going in was the travel aspect but I misjudged. The risk, the vulnerability, the adventure and the unpredictability in the travel were all essential to this story and I really enjoyed it.
This may have been the highest stakes I've ever read and that's saying something. I won't spoil but the stakes are really raised at the end and it's a race against time. I was quite literally on the edge of my seat, biting my nails. That whole chapter (if you've read it you know the bit I'm talking about) I don't think I blinked once.
I enjoyed the discussion surrounding the death penalty, obviously it's a very difficult topic and everyone is pretty set in their opinions but it was interesting both to see it from the perspective of a victim and to see her opinion falter over time.
There was one element I thought was a little weaker, though. I loved the necklace and the part that it played in the story, I also liked how much rode on it - it raised the stakes - however for how strong that element was some others felt much weaker. I could understand why the main character was having doubts and the necklace in the story was so clever but some other parts, for example the resurfacing memories seemed a little heavy-handed - don't get me wrong, I think it's absolutely realistic that given the circumstances you might start to doubt yourself and what you believed to be true and your own memories, it just felt heavy-handed and like it was being spelt out to readers a bit too much. This wasn't a massive issue though, especially because the necklace element was so strong and was way more significant in the mystery anyway.
Nonetheless this was a first-rate thriller/mystery - I will definitely be reading from this author again.
4.5⭐

3.5/5. I don't exactly know if this book is exactly amazing, but it's an absolutely page turner. Once I started it, I couldn't take it down. The main character is a woman still trying to cope with the death of her daughter, specially when he starts having doubts about wether the man charged of her murder is actually the true murderer, and it follows her journey. It's really easy to get into the story, and the plot is easy to follow. I wouldn't exactly say the ending was surprising for me, but still i enjoyed this overall and I liked it. However, I think the ending was a bitt abrupt and everything happened too fast.

Wow! This was one of those books that I couldn’t shake it long after I finished it and the whole time I was reading it, it felt so real and vivid. The writing is amazing and the author has the power to really bring you into the story and the words on the page actually come to life.
I loved this book. I loved the characters and the emotions they all made me feel.
10 stars! I want to read more by this author.
Thank you Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my free arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book was hard to put down and I read it all in one sitting. I liked the characters and the story structure worked well for this book. And I was kept in suspense until the end.

I'm sorry but as my English is not as good as my Spanish, I will write on this language.
Thriller muy entretenido y con un argumento realmente original.
El comienzo ya es impactante. Susan Lentigo va a Dakota del Norte para asistir a la ejecución del hombre que violó y asesinó a su hija Amy, de siete años, hace 20. Como no tiene demasiados recursos, sus amigos organizan un concierto para recaudar fondos para el viaje.
En este trayecto, además de pasar las de Caín, en un momento dado se da cuenta de que podría estar en un error, y que el condenado no fuera realmente el asesino de su hija. Y comienza un "tour de force" para descubrir la verdad, salvar a un inocente de la inyección letal y hacer que condenen al auténtico culpable.
Como digo, muy entretenida.

I received a free ARC of The Necklace from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Necklace was a fast read for a snowy and cold Maine afternoon and it managed to mostly entertain until the end. Throughout the book I kept thinking that something was off with the plot but I couldn't quite pinpoint the problem. Some plot elements were repetitive and some characters were more caricatures than rounded individuals. But the last few chapters were so unrealistic that they sullied the entire novel. Having victims' family members stroll past other prisoners' cells on Death Row? Ebullient victim advocate whose thoughtless comments add to family's pain? These really awful plot elements weaken the story.

The murder of a child as portrayed through the anguish of her mother presents a high emotional point. Little Amy was kidnapped, raped and murdered with her supposed murderer quickly captured, tried, and convicted. Decades pass before his scheduled execution and in those long years mother Susan has existed but not really lived. Incapable of really moving on, now divorced Susan still lives in the same New York house with her daughter's bedroom a time capsule to what was. Only the scheduled execution of her daughter's murderer in distant North Dakota gets her motivated to move, to be a witness to his death. Her journey there alternates between grimy road trip and weary nausea. Her bus ride gives her extended time to think and remember, especially her ex-husband. When the bus journey takes her through his new home town, Susan exits the bus in order to inform him about the execution. And her doubts really settle in about the guilt of the man awaiting execution in North Dakota.

Witten does a great job presenting Susan - a woman whose life stopped decades earlier yet she still gets out of bed every morning. Other characters like her mother and ex-husband are less appealing not because of their character flaws but because of their flat, singular personas.
#NetGalley #TheNecklace

An amazing book. I had never heard of the author before so this was a step into new territory. Susan the mother to a daughter found murdered 20 years ago is taking a trip to see the man found guilty and condemned to death due to her request for the death penalty. Susan, heads out on her 1,000 mile trip to watch the execution with a clapped out car and money raised by her community to pay for her trip. What a journey and what a finale. The ending is brilliant. Great plot and characters. I really enjoyed this book.

Good read. Susan Lentingo is out for justice for her raped and murdered daughter. A slow burn thriller, mystery told in then and now format. On her way to the execution of her daughters murder she starts to have doubts if the right man is being executed. With help from Kyra she’ll begin to unravel the real killer. Thank you @netgalley

Disclaimer: I received the ARC from the publisher through Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 5/5

The Necklace was an incredibly intriguing mystery novel. It pulled me in from the first sentence and I was dying to figure out what happened to the necklace throughout the book! Susan was a fantastic narrator for this book since she never intended to find herself in the position where she doubted the trial conviction years before. The fact that it’s optioned into a movie only adds to the book, as it’s written so descriptively and clearly that I could definitely picture the movie in my mind as I read it. Fantastic, dark read that I will highly recommend when it’s finally available!

I feel weird saying how much I have enjoyed reading this book considering it’s dreadful topic. This book hooked me from the first page and kept me reading even at work until the end. It’s a mother’s worst nightmare to have something tragic happen to their child; It’s not uncommon to wake from nightmares about our children and realize it was just a dream. But this story takes you through the horrible experience of having a young child raped and murdered, going through an investigation and trial, then the aftermath of self doubt and grief, then the reflection one at the precipice of the execution of the one found guilty. It is written beautifully and takes you through this sordid experience in a way that kept me reading and wanting to find out how it ends. On her way to the execution Susan reflects on her daughters murder and her life. She finally starts to bring up old memories that she has hidden from herself and begins to question the events of the murder, the person found guilty and the weight of justice about to be served by death. On her way from her hometown to the prison she goes through a journey of self discovery and starts her own murder investigation. As both her physical journey with its own twists and turns is told in tandem with her history the story comes together on the day of execution where justice is served. What a satisfying ending to such a tragic story!!
I’m going to dry the tears from my eyes and go hug my daughter now.
Thank you to Matt for writing so delicately about this horrid topic and thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I could not put this book down. It was gripping from page one and had a lot of twists and turns. The emotions the characters go through, you feel them all and you constantly need to know what happens next, I read this in just over a day! The way the book went back and forth from present day and 20 years ago was genius and perfectly announced so there was no confusion. I'd love to see this made into a movie!!

When twenty inches of snow keeps you house bound for the weekend, you can either moan and bitch or finish a thriller in one day. I chose to devour "The Necklace."
Susan and Daniel live in the foothills of the Adirondacks. Their world falls apart when their seven year old daughter. Ami is kidnapped, raped and murdered. Twenty years later and long divorced, Susan travels to North Dakota to witness the execution of the man convicted of her daughter's' murder. The trip from New York State to North Dakota is filled with problems and Susan arrives penniless after all of her travel funds are stolen. She also begins to have doubts that the right man is being executed.
This book would make a great film and despite the gruesome subject matter, it was
an exciting read.

This book is full of emotions and you won’t be able to stop thinking about it even after the last page. Ping ponging back and forth with the past and present it focuses on the emotional struggles of a woman who suffered tragedy and is determined for justice. You’ll find yourself staying up late just to finish it! Thankyou NG for the copy!

A mother's worst nightmare; yet the perfect tale of a mothers strength and relentless for her child. The willingness to carry on after a tragedy, the need for rightful justice. A thriller so well written it's believable.

This book was really good from page 1. The story was interesting and drew me in quickly. Susan lost her 7 year old daughter, Amy, twenty years earlier when she was kidnapped, raped and murdered. The man who was convicted is on death row and set to be put to death soon. Susan is determined to be at the execution and her friends have raised the money for her to get there as she has a meager salary as a waitress and has divorced from Amy's father. The book goes back and forth between the present day with Susan on her way to the execution, and the past when Amy disappeared and her body was discovered and all that ensued. The book flows well and there are several twist and revelations that occur as the story progresses. I was interested the entire time and the writing, although pretty basic, was clear and concise. Quick read but definitely a good thriller! Thanks so much to NG for the ARC!!

i really enjoyed this it made me stay up late last night and i was reading at work (please dont tell my boss) because it was good. the author really did a good job showing the heinous crime, showing the mom as straight crazy and being real with loss, death and everything in between. I think more of <spoiler> Danny being a perv </spoiler> would have solidified the story better but i really liked it. I would have loved a WHY the killer did it.. but that's a personal desire. I loved the epilogue and i think i needed the epilogue after this rough story.

Susan is on her way to witness the execution of her daughter’s killer that occurred 20 years ago when she stumbles upon evidence that may point to someone else being the murderer. That’s the premise of The Necklace, a decent, if somewhat improbable thriller that holds your interest. This is a quick moving book, keeps the characters and the fluff to a minimum, and hooks you emotionally from the very first pages. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through @NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was fully involved with this story and the author really drew me in. so much so that I felt compelled to reach the end. Lots of suspense and the character traits were spot on. Sadly capital punishment still exists in many places, and situations like this should cause jurisdictions to reconsider capital punishment as a suitable closure to a crime committed.

This isn't my usual kind of read, but the first chapter hooks you and doesn't let go. The main character, Susan, has a hold on you, you feel her pain, her anguish, and determination the whole way through. You can't help but empathise with her struggle. A good read, that stays with you after you finish.

Great story of a mother's strength. Fast paced, grabbed me from the start and did not let up. Well developed and realistic characters. Quick read.

Susan Lentigo’s a small-town waitress who fought for the man who supposedly killed her daughter has second thoughts about the killer. She’ll go to great lengths to find the true killer—and he might be closer than she thinks.

The Necklace devastated me and left me breathless. It tore at my soul. I teared up more than once as we learn about Amy’s death, and even though we don’t experience the death with Amy, Susan’s emotions poured through the pages and sunk into my heart.

Brave and fearless, Susan wasn’t afraid to follow her heart—and even question it.

Being gaslight multiple times, Susan is not afraid to follow her gut feeling until the bitter end. And I was here for it. We stan a woman who is strong enough to believe in herself, yet also be flawed.

A realistic yet flawed character, Susan shows us that sometimes we accept things as they are without questioning them. Sometimes when you’re with someone, you can’t notice their flaws or you refuse to acknowledge them. That’s what makes Susan a great character: she’s able to rise above these flaws and recognizes the truth.

Now, after reading all of that, you might be wondering why I rated this 3.5 stars instead of 4 or 5. Let me explain.

The first half of The Necklace was my favorite part, although some may disagree with me because the action came later. But that’s okay. My heart ripped in two hearing about the circumstances of Amy’s death and the aftermath.

It went at just the right pace, and the tragic feeling of loss stuck with me. But then there was…after.
After learning about Amy’s death and how it came to fruition, the hearings, etc., things just get slow, boring, and predictable.

Now I’m not saying the entire rest of the book was slow and boring. But a majority of it was predictable. The Necklace fails to add layers to the story that may have further enhanced the mystery and suspense.

The Necklace also fails to deliver on the suspense and thriller vibes. We aren’t given any scenes after the first half of the story (except for 1) that constitutes it to be a thriller story.

At the same time, the original blurb for the book seems to be a bit off.
It says that Susan must take on the FBI—but she never “takes on the FBI.” She works with the FBI to find the true killer, but she never fights them.

It was like a “glass half empty” scenario for me. On one hand, the amazing beginning crushed me. On the other, the second half nearly bored me to tears because of its predictability.

I think adding more layers to this story would have made it amazing, but all in all, this was a great thriller that I truly recommend to thriller-lovers.

It was very interesting to see how successfully the events of the past were described alternatively with and connected with events in the present. The many surprise twists of plot are well interspersed to keep the ending in doubt.

I am BLOWN AWAY!! This book MUST be on your tbr for 2021. It was so so so good.
The Necklace is gripping, emotional, action packed, and full of complex characters. Susan is such a cool tough mom. It's a page turner, at one point I tried to read less of The Necklace so I could spend more time with the book but I couldn't put it down. Bravo to Matt Witten for such a great novel!

Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC copy of The Necklace!

When Susan Lentigos daughter is murdered, her whole world falls apart. But as the execution of the killer approaches, Susan makes her way to North Dakota to watch justice be served. With nothing more than a dollar, she begins a journey that has her question the guilt of the man that’s been behind bars for the last twenty years. With the help of some new and old friends, Susan tries to get to the bottom of the new found questions.

This book is the epitome of a page turner. I was absolutely captivated by the story- the pace and the twists and turns were perfect. Fantastic read!

Such a fast-paced read! From the first chapter I was hooked and although it took a while for the premise of the book to truly begin, the uncertainty regarding Amy's killer, I enjoyed all the twists throughout. I worried that it might be too simple, once Susan had begun to suspect that Danny might be responsible, and was glad to find that the story still had a couple more turns before it came to it's conclusion.

Susan's emotion, as a mother who has lost her daughter was real and raw and I truly wanted the resolution for her so that she could rest, knowing that the truth had finally come out. Each of the characters felt truly real and flawed and I greatly enjoyed how they were each portrayed in the story.

This book would have been five stars had it not been for the unnecessary romance at the end. There was no need for it in the story and I'm just glad that it didn't take up too much of the book. Regardless of this minor detail I was truly satisfied with the ending, not too predictable or outlandish, and would highly recommend this to mystery/thriller lovers or those wanting to get into the genre as it was a fast-paced, easy read!

Very well developed characters and an extremely engaging story. Well thought out and very suspenseful story line that keeps the reader guessing until the final twist! This is the book to read this year! Highly recommended!

4/5 :)

Personally, I thought the beginning of the book was a little slow and too tragic and a little hard to read about. Although that's probably just the cruel reality…

I also thought something was going to happen with Marla and Sophie because I felt like mentioning them that one time was going to have more purpose. I kept waiting for them to pop up, but I guess that’s the only time they’d ever see each other…

Even though the action comes in later in the book, it doesn't stop once it's here. It keeps you wanting more and more until the very end.

To be perfectly honest, the ending was pretty predictable if you thought of it enough… Maybe I read too many mysteries, but it wasn’t as much of a twist I would’ve liked it to be. I almost gave up my theory in the middle but let’s pretend I was right the whole time. :)

I kind of wanted to hear from the killer because it’ll be interesting to see why he did it cause why not?

In my opinion, chapter 42 was the absolute best. Seriously. And chapter 43 makes this book complete. Oh! And let's not forget the perfect epilogue too!

There's just some mature content to look out for (but this is adult fiction, so I guess that's pretty self-explanatory…)

Everything I didn't mention was either good or very good. :)

Overall, a very good book with some minor details that could be better. I would definitely recommend it to all the thriller and mystery lovers!

01/26/21

thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for being able to read this in advance in return for a review. Its The story is told between two time frames - - 20 years ago and present day. And is the story of Susan a small town waitress. Her daughter was kidnapped and killed 20 years ago and it is now time for the killer to be executed. Although Susan is now not quite sure if he did it. And if he didn't, it means the killer is still out there.

There were parts of this that I had a hard time with ... towards the end there is a section where susan goes to witness the execution and walks through death row past prisoners. I'm not so sure I believe that . Then again I don't really know. I also find it a bit unbelievable that she would break into danny's house to steal the necklace.
having said all that, the ending is a bit predictable but it still made for a good read. Just not a 4-5 star for me.

I’ve had this on my Kindle TBR list for a while now; started it yesterday and finished it today.

A fascinating read and one that should change perceptions of the death penalty issue. It’s not really a thriller but it thrills like nothing I’ve read for a long time.

Susan’s journey through the America we don’t see too often and the characters both at hone and those she meets on the journey are again rarely seen and a long way grin from the more usual glamour of thrillers.

The conclusion is not particularly a surprise but I didn’t feel in any way let down by the denouement.

My ‘best book of the year’ to date and I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Wow! This has to be one of the best mysteries ive ever read! The detailing was phenomenal, the words so descriptive that i felt like i was watching a movie.
The story is about Susan and her daughter Amy who was tragically murdered 20 years ago. Susan is traveling to North Dakota to watch the man who confessed to the rape and murder finally be put to death. Susan embarks on this trip and faces many difficulties and struggles. She decides to see her ex husband danny only to realise that he has completely moved on and replaced his daughter with two more children. His new daughter Emily happens to have the same exact necklace that went missing when Amy was murdered. Susan then begins to rethink everything she ever knew about Danny and wonders if the right man is facing the death penalty.

Without spoilers, The Necklace centres around Susan Lentigo, a mother whose daughter was killed twenty years ago. As she makes her way to the execution of the person convicted for killing her daughter, she begins to doubt that they have the right man. Susan must then fight (with few allies and few resources) to uncover the truth.

This book gripped me. I read 75% of it in one sitting. I had to know what would happen next – I couldn’t put it down. The author did a good job of switching from past POV to the present POV to unearth more and more information. The book was fast paced and I thought it did a decent job exploring grief of dealing with a violent crime. Overall, I would recommend this book if you are looking for an exciting thriller. It will definitely keep you on your toes.

Thank you Net Galley and Oceanview Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4.5/5 stars rounded up to 5 stars for me.

Thanks #netgallery. I loved this book. The main character is complex. I enjoyed the switch between present and the past. So glad that I was able to read this early.

Susan Lentigo and her seven-year old daughter, Amy, are driving home to Glens Falls, New York, in Susan’s Dodge Dart. They stop at Baskin Robbins for sloppy ice cream cones after buying beads in the shop next door. Amy chose a hundred beads to make a necklace like her friend has. She chose a purple dolphin and a pink duck, and other colorful beads, which she strings for a necklace with Susan’s help. Not long afterwards, Susan has promised to take over a shift at Molly’s Diner, where she works. Her husband, Danny, who is a realtor, tells her that he has an important house-showing and he won’t be able to pick up Amy from school. Susan calls her flighty mother, Lenora, against her better judgment since Amy claims that one of Lenora’s boyfriends made her “uncomfortable”, touching her cheek and calling her pretty baby. (OK, my skin is crawling, how about yours?) Lenora is angry that Susan called her out on this and asked her to keep the BF away from her daughter, but she agrees to pick up Amy anyway.

Did I say that Lenora was flighty? Well, on the day Lenora agreed to pick up Amy, she calls Susan at home and leaves a message on her answering machine, saying that she forgot she has plans and she won’t be able to pick up Amy from school, after-all. Susan never got the message and Lenora never checked to make sure her message was received. Amy was never again seen alive.

Twenty years later, Susan is in the same broken-down Dodge Dart, held together with spit and glue, heading to a Federal Penitentiary in North Dakota to witness the Execution of the man convicted of raping and murdering her daughter. She is still working at Molly’s diner (now run by her daughter). The night before her trip the entire town showed up at the local Crow Bar, to pass the hat around. It was Amy Lentigo Night, where the revenue from all the food and drinks was devoted to contributing toward Susan’s trip to ND. Danny is no longer in the picture. He and Susan divorced a year after Amy disappeared. Danny was not much of a success when he was married to Susan, but he moved to another town and developed a successful realty company. He is now remarried and has two children. Susan was physiologically unable to bear more children after she had Amy, and she was decidedly bitter at how easily Danny could move on and forget his daughter. The couple were no longer in touch, but Susan had tried calling on several occasions, and again before the Execution, to see if he would be there. Danny ignored her calls, for the most part, claiming he had moved on.

Susan cannot get a break. Despite the whole town showing up and contributing hard cash for her journey, her car dies shortly after starting out, she can barely scrape together the money to purchase a bus ticket to take the 1500 mile, four-day bus ride to North Dakota. Before she even boards the bus, she is robbed and is left with only spare change and a bag full of snacks that she packed for the ride up. The bus makes a stop in Tamarack and Susan sees a storefront window of Tamarack Realty with a large photo of Danny in the window. She disembarks and decides to catch the next bus out on her pre-purchased route, the next morning. When she goes to his office, she is not warmly received and she makes a shocking discovery that will rock her and radically alters the way she reacts for the rest of the novel (no spoilers here, you will have to read the book).

The Necklace is a riveting, page-flipping thriller, but a difficult read. The language and descriptions of the crime, as set forth in the testimony and confession of the man convicted of the deeds, are graphic and disturbing. There is also a very disturbing tour of the prison and death row, and a detailed explanation of the Execution procedures. I like very few of the characters in this novel, the bereaved mother not being one of them. It is, however, realistic that her bitterness would have shrunken her heart and made her behavior, at times, prickly and coarse. This book has several surprising twists and a suspenseful cliffhanger ending, that is not resolved until practically the last page of the novel. The epilogue was not necessary, but I did enjoy another opportunity to cheer for one particular young character, who went out on a limb for Susan.

Thank you NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this excellent book by Matt Witten.

This is the first book I’ve read by Witten and he writes one heck of an at the edge your seat, nail biting thriller! It doesn’t take the reader anytime at all to be completely absorbed in the story. His protagonist Susan Lentigo is one that we can all admire and cheer for. She is a complex woman but there is no doubt, she will fight for justice and do the right think no matter what. She has been dealt a terrible hand of cards and losing her daughter to rap and murder is something no parent should ever endure. That was heart breaking to read about and at first, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to read the story but felt I must. I’m so glad I did because the story also focuses on executions of murderers. Needless to say, no one in this story has a problem with executing a person who murders children.

I must caution you; the story might be too sensitive of a subject to some readers and there is profanity throughout the book. Other than that, this is a well written, fleshed out thriller.
Stephanie Hopkins

This story intrigued me-is the man convicted and sentenced to die for killing little Amy really do it? Mom Susan will do anything to find out. The story had me from the beginning and I found myself completing the book in about 2 days because I was dying to get to the end. I will warn you that there is some cursing and some of it was a little hard to read but it’s worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this ARC.

I really enjoyed Matt Witten's Jacob Burns series. I remember buying his first book, Breakfast at Madeline's, when it came out back in the late 90s. So I had to give this one a try, but unfortunately I just didn't find it as appealing as his other books.

An emotive thriller that grabbed my attention from the get-go. Susan and Danny are happy with their seven-year-old daughter Amy and life is good. That is until Amy goes missing and is later discovered murdered. Whern the suspect is found and the killer confesses, the trial and verdict seals the Monster's fate. But the ordeal is not over for Susan and Danny as grief takes its toll after their tragic loss and their lives slowly start to fall apart. Fast forward twenty years and Susan is on her way to see the killer's execution but on her journey she stumbles upon an adventure and discovers something that could mean the Monster is in fact innocent. Fast paced and emotive this story flits between the past and present and will keep you on high alert as you start to doubt who really killed Amy all those years ago. Some great characters Including Susan, Lenora, Kyra and Agent Pappas. Exciting that this book has been optioned for film—with Leonardo DiCaprio attached as producer. Fingers crossed.

This book really hit me hard, but in such a good way. I loved the way the passage of time was shown between when the incident happened and present day. It was heart wrenching but the writing made me feel like I was sitting beside Susan in her car, on the bus and at her house. I felt what she felt. The agony of losing a child to rape and murder and feeling like you need the vengance and closure. I sped through this book, could not put it down. I loved that this book was written because of hearing a similar story in the news. There was so much detail and information that went into this story, it was incredible. This will definately be a book that I will recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of the book is a good one: a grieving mother is on her way to see her child's murderer executed, but then finds reason to doubt that the right man is being put to death. Unfortunately, the reader is given only one other possible suspect and the outcome seems obvious from the beginning. The writing was good and there are some genuine twists at the end that did surprise me but the ultimate truth seemed telegraphed almost from the beginning.

Despite the story being somewhat predictable, I appreciated that the central character of this book was genuinely broke--hard working but with real money problems affecting everything she does. It made me realize how seldom novels portray genuine working-class poverty. So while I might have given this book a 3.5, I rounded up for the honest portrayal of money issues-- and for the hilarity of the grieving mother's mother. A good easy read.

I was not expecting The Necklace to be anything that it was. A mother’s worst nightmare comes true when her daughter is murdered and her killer is sentenced to death. 20 years go by and the mother wants to drive across the US to see the killer get justice. Only is he really the killer? So many questions left unsolved. She thought he was all those years but now starts to question his innocence. This was a very fast reading story and it did have a lot of hard issues to read but I just kept going as I wanted to see how it was going to end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

This is very difficult material for any reader, but that being said this is an engrossing book. A bit of a slow start but then it takes off very powerfully. Any book that gives vivid descriptions of child abuse and certainly murder will present obstacles for many readers but especially parents.

What a brilliant book this is - a fast-paced and well written thriller that flows well and builds the suspense chapter after chapter. I found Susan to be a strong and likeable character, and her story kept me on tender-hooks all the way through. It starts off in Susan’s home town, where friends in her community fundraise for her to be able to go and watch the execution of the man who has been in prison for 20 years for killing her daughter. It then moves on the road as she sets off on a long journey across several states in her car to watch the man who murdered her daughter be executed. Lots of events occur on her trip including a robbery of all her money and a meeting with her someone from her past. She meets people along the way who give her a helping hand, including a young girl called Kyra and a retired FBI agent.  She works hard to make herself heard and get someone in the justice system to listen to her thoughts and her concerns that they have got the wrong man. I read this over two days and couldn’t put it down.

Publication date is 7th September 2021.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for a free electronic review copy

I have a few gripes about this book, but overall The Necklace is a whole lot of fun! It was quick to read, because I was so invested in the plot and wanting to know what was going to happen. I didn't really care for Susan as a character, I felt she was pretty flighty and jumped to conclusions very passionately with little evidence. However, she was fleshed out and believable.

The biggest issue I had with this book was the pacing. We started pretty slow, with the known twist (that she doesn't think the man about to die for her daughters murder is guilty) not happening until about 40% through the story. The ending on the other hand happened extremely quickly, and I felt could have used some more page time. The ending felt unbelievable and then too much of a 'happy ending'

With an extra dose of suspended reality, this is a fun thriller.

*I received this complimentary ARC from the publisher, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*

This review may contain spoilers.

The Necklace is an innovative crime/thriller that alternates between timelines. It follows the journey of Susan whose daughter, Amy, was raped and murdered. Twenty years later, Susan is journeying across country to witness the execution of ‘The Monster’ (aka Curt) who was convicted of Amy’s murder. Broke and have been robbed of her funds, Susan must rely on her wits to survive the journey. However, along the way and through a twist of fate, she starts to re-consider who is responsible for Amy’s murder. The narrative switches between the initial investigation and trial, and twenty years later in the present.

This was an enjoyable read and switching between past and present is something I particularly enjoy, although may not be to everyone’s tastes. The Necklace predominantly is a ‘journey’ book, but also incorporates the traditional elements of crime fiction. At times the plot did have it holes and was predictable, but I certainly enjoyed the plot twists and little nuggets of clues that Witten tried to incorporate in the story line. I did feel the ending was a little too rushed and wrapped up too nicely. However, it was an enjoyable and quick read.

I loved the idea of this book, what if the wrong man was convicted. It is a very real issue that has happened in real life. I like books that go from the past and the present. I liked Susan, the mother, and the struggles\ adventures she had on the way. I like the doubt that was sowed into the narrative. Both the doubt for if the man convicted, Curt Jansen did it, and the doubt for if her ex husband did it. The pacing of this book was well done. I also liked Kyra, although she was an unexpected addition, she added to the story. I especially liked how you didn’t have a definitive answer to the very end. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Firstly I really liked the author's writing style and found it very descriptive and catches the emotions very well. Another plus point for me is the strong female led story. There were many likeable and not so likeable characters in the novel and very enjoyable read. Definitely recommend it.

This was a heck of a read from start to finish and will leave you breathless, for sure, in a good way. A horrific murder of daughter and mother's search for justice and mysterious necklace that is a clue. I like that the mother is based on a real person and the teenage girl that helps was based on the author (what?!), that just makes this story even better. This was a quick read given the content but was well written and I will definitely be reading more from Matt Witten in the future.

Highly recommended! Mostly suspense/thriller with a touch of historical fiction. LOVED IT! Buying this at publishing.

Thanks to Netgalley, Matt Witten and Oceanview Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 9/7/21

I was contacted by Mr. Witten to review this very gripping and intense novel about a mother's quest for getting closure for her young daughter's brutal murder.

After twenty years of waiting for justice, Susan Lentigo raises money to take a trip to North Dakota where the Monster who murdered her baby will be executed. On the way, her old car breaks down, she is robbed of her money, and after visiting her ex-husband who left her and began a new life soon after their loss, she discovers something that places doubts in her mind about her crusade to see the Monster die. But time is not on her side.

Susan's story smoothly switches from the present to the past as the reader slowly finds out the tragedy that led up to Susan's trip to North Dakota. From the death of her daughter, Amy, to the search for suspects, to the conviction of the Monster, and to the doubts raised by Amy's favorite necklace that was never found, my heart breaks for Susan as her guilt and grief eat her alive. With the kindness of strangers and the help of retired FBI Agent Pappas who was part of the original investigation, she is in a race against time to provide evidence that will break the case wide open.

Susan's unending determination against all odds makes for a powerful story. There are a couple of unbelievable spots such as breaking into the home and being pursued by a man with a gun in the middle of the night without consequences and Susan's sudden aha moment in the end, but the story held me captive from the start.

I recommend this riveting murder thriller countdown with family dysfunctionality and corrupt criminal justice systems. Triggers include child abuse, graphic violence, and descriptions of public execution.

Thank you to Mr. Witten for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectation of a positive review.

This is the first book that I’ve read from Matt Witten and I absolutely loved it!

This book is a real page turner and it will have you hooked from beginning to end.

Great characters, Susan’s determination to find the real killer is admirable and I love that she is based on a real person. It made me laugh too that the teenage girl is based on the writer. You’ll love her character!

I also think it would have been so great to hear from the killer and his motive behind it. It would have tied up the book perfectly.

Great story, highly recommend for Thriller genre fans that that takes them on quite the journey to get justice. Will be purchasing for library.

Trigger Warnings: Death of a minor girl, abuse.

To begin with, I must say that this novel actually managed to overwhelm me in bits & pieces. Some transpired to be too interesting, while some didn't make much sense. The end, where all the built-up sentiments were supposed to pop, didn't actually blast for me. The peak simply arrived & left, offering no huge impression at all.

The account is packed with emotions & parents with little kids (particularly daughters) are sure to get extra moved. The protagonist's trip assuredly wasn't easy & I had tears when reading most of the touching pieces. The past-present story-narration was a great concept by the writer & it had me hooked. The novel held a great pace from the start, explaining in detail the surroundings, character's styles & all that's needed in a fiction thriller/suspense.

The book's title is quite apt, representing the crux of the tale. It is not only the lead who's on a ride in quest of truth; the author makes sure that you too are traveling beside her, cruising by all her emotions.

I want to thank NetGalley, publisher Oceanview Publishing & author Matt Witten for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my review.

This book was hard for my mama heart. Seven-year-old Amy was raped and murdered. It’s 20 years later and her mama is trying to afford a trip to see the man convicted get executed. As she makes her way to the execution, she starts questioning if they got the right man.

Though this book was incredibly difficult to read as a mom of girls, it was soooo good. Guys, I choose to not watch the Bachelorette and finish this book instead. That’s how much I had to find out what happened next. 🥀

If you’re a fan of thrillers or the justice system, then this is a book for you!

A fast paced thriller with a nail biting finish. The suspense is not in the who but in proving the guilt. The whole plot is built beautifully around the necklace. Only the mother comes out more as unhinged than tough. Excellent.

4.5 Stars from me

Bloody hell this was impossible to put down!

An unpleasant storyline but one hell of a read - The Necklace will keep you reading into the wee small hours as you will simply have to know the truth.

Hats off to Susan Lentigo and her sheer determination and drive to know the truth and be sure that the right person pays the price for her daughter's death.

As if this lady hasn't suffered enough, life just keeps on throwing sh** at her! But she is persistent and dogged in her quest and she has enough wits and charm about her to make sure that she succeeds.

Absolute epic read that I devoured in one sitting on a grey and rainy Sunday.

Thank you Matt Witten - great book!

Susan Lentigo’s daughter was murdered 20 years ago. She travels from Upstate New York to North Dakota to witness the killer’s execution. She discovers new evidence that the condemned man is innocent and the real killer is free. The prime suspect has a young daughter who is at risk. Susan must act quickly before his daughter is killed. Susan battles the FBI to put the real killer behind bars. Will she win justice for the condemned man—and her daughter—at last? Matt Witten has written an unforgettable read with believable characters and a fast-paced twisty plot. I will be reading Witten's Jacob Burns Mystery series which I own and highly recommend this book if you enjoy mystery books. I would like to thank NetGalley and Oceanview Publishers for a free copy for an honest review.

#TheNecklace #NetGalley
The author writes a captivating narrative about Susan Lentigo's endeavour to see justice served after she realizes that the man imprisoned and on death row for her young daughter's rape and murder is not actually guilty. The story is deeply rooted in reality throughout, except the part before the conclusion where Susan <spoiler> convinces the ex Special Agent Pappas to reopen her daughter's case <spoiler>. That part seemed a little forced to suit the story's narrative and the following conclusion. I found the story heart-warming regardless of the dark subject atter it deals with.

A very good read.
I found the beginning of the story narrative hard to get into, that is the reason for the three stars. I came close to putting it down, but I kept going and the narrative of the story got better. I’m glad I continued because it was very interesting and different than your run of the mill stories.
Why after twenty years, when you have demanded the death penalty of the man who killed your daughter and have waited so long for it to come to fruition, would you suddenly think he is innocent?
As Susan is on her way to witness the execution, after a terrible run of bad luck, she stumbles upon something that makes her believe the accused is actually innocent.
Well worth reading, I just had trouble at the start, but that’s just me,.
Actually as an after thought, maybe it does deserve 4 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an eARC of this book

Wow, one day to read, usually takes about a week, but this book is so absorbing I could not put it down. The tale of the man that murdered and raped a young girl. And a mother fight to make sure the right man faces execution. Her story is so compelling that you want to be with her cheering her along. The death of her daughter changes her life in so many different ways. Thank you for letting me read this arc.

Things haven’t been easy for Susan; it never is when you lose a child.

She’s barely scraping by, but she is determined to be at the execution of the man who murdered her daughter. It is through that determination that the story unfolds. The story is written in alternating timelines, The Necklace is a book that hooks the reader from the start.

The Necklace is a HUGE page-turner, which I enjoyed reading!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book!

This was an awesome read. Fast-paced but still well developed. Definitely a thriller. I have already recommended to friends!

This was such an interesting read although not entirely captivating to start with. I found it a bit slow and more about the need prison reform rather than the plot. I think a lot of people will love that about the book but I look for very plot driven books. The ending was fast paced and wonderful however. It was a hard emotional read which I think I struggled with.
Because of the last half ish of the book I did really enjoy it and the ending was brilliant.

Twenty years ago, Susan Lentigo's daughter was murdered and now she is on her way to North Dakota to witness the killer's execution. Shockingly, she discovers new information that could mean the killer is innocent. Spellbinding and fast paced, this is one ride you won't want to miss!

It took me a little while to start reading The Necklace, a thriller written by Matt Witten, and a little while more to gather my thoughts.

What attracted me was the blurb—a courageous mother, grief-stricken but not broken, demanding justice for her daughter—so I was expecting a fast-paced, gasp-inducing read.

For the most part, my expectations were met 😀

**

Susan Lentigo’s daughter was murdered twenty years ago—and now, at long last, this small-town waitress sets out on a road trip all the way from Upstate New York to North Dakota to witness the killer’s execution.

On her journey she discovers shocking new evidence that leads her to suspect the condemned man is innocent—and the real killer is still free. Even worse, her prime suspect has a young daughter who’s at terrible risk. With no money and no time to spare, Susan sets out to uncover the truth before an innocent man gets executed and another little girl is killed.

304 pages
Thriller, mystery
Oceanview Publishing
Goodreads

**

Cover: The creepy undertone does it. Look at the contrast between the necklace, maybe the real protagonist of the story, and the background.

Yay!

- TN follows the journey of Susan, a woman who lost her daughter to a heinous crime. While traveling to North Dakota to witness the execution of the murderer, she comes across new evidence that would clear his name, meaning that the murderer is someone else. As Matt says in the end, his novel is based on a true story. Mad respect. I’ve always believed it takes a lot of courage to do that.

- It’s fast-paced, just as I was expecting it to be. A good thriller needs that, no beating around the bushes. There are slower spots, too, and they balance the whole plot out. Even if I’m not a fan of different timelines, I have to admit that in this case, it’s a good choice. It helps with the structure and keeps the reader hooked.

- Oh, the clues about the real culprit. They’re there from the very beginning, but they’re subtle enough to go unnoticed. Good job!

- Characters-wise, I really like Agent Pappas. He makes a huge mistake and he’s willing to correct it, saving the life of an innocent person. How many people would do that, telling the world that hey, ops, I kinda messed up and let a rapist and murderer go?

Nay!

- The main issue I have with TN is about the characters. Some are a bit too stereotyped for me, like Susan or Kyra. I would have liked to see more nuances and complexities rather than, say, a middle-aged woman who’s unable to use a smartphone or a tattooed teenager with a heart of gold.

- Some plot points are left hanging. The first one that comes to mind is Susan’s speculations about Danny’s hunting trips, mentioned once and never brought up again.

- Susan tends to be all over the place. While it’s understandable, given what she went and goes through, there are moments where the grieving that should develop in months feels– compressed?

- Some words/concepts usage don’t really work for me. ‘She pointed at the mugshot, excited’ or ‘got excited about [the shoe prints]’ while talking about the details of her daughter’s gruesome murder don’t convey seriousness or grieving.

TL;DR

3 stars on GR. The story itself has potential, but it needs to be a little more polished.

Thank you Matt Witten, NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In Matt Witten's page-turning thriller The Necklace, Susan Lentigo travels across the country to watch the execution of her daughter's murderer. Along the way, she discovers that the case is not as cut and dry as it seemed twenty years ago. If you're looking for a dark and twisty read, look no further especially since this one takes inspiration from not one, but two real life events!

I was expecting this to be a well-paced thriller, but I did not expect to fly through this in 5 hours one evening. The novel is split between the past and present timelines. The conclusion is thankfully nothing out of left field, but the uncertainty throughout leads the reader back and forth between two possible outcomes. Susan exudes increasing stress and panic throughout her travels, and I started to get worried that maybe I had the mystery all wrong!

One comment, from a library worker. I resent the busy texting librarian! We are always happy to help… well maybe not always absolutely excited but we are always available! Please come talk to us at the desk if we're not out roving on the floor (especially when everything opens back up).

TW: This is absolutely NOT the novel for everyone with dark themes of child abuse, rape, murder, death row and execution - so be warned.

Great writing, gripping plotline, and overall fantastic read.

As a parent this book is tough to read, but definitely worth doing so. As Susan experiences the worst nightmare possible, her emotions are palpable and deeply felt by the reader. Witten's writing style is captivating and ensures the pages continue to flip one after the other.

Triggers: Death of a child (in the past), parental grief, death penalty details

A powerful premise with the clock ticking and possibly an innocent man about to be executed for a crime commtted twenty years ago. This book makes the reader think.

Somehow radiating an old-fashioned thriller vibe, "The Necklace" follows struggling waitress Susan, who embarks on a convoluted pilgrimage across America to North Dakota, where the monster who slayed her infant daughter two decades earlier is up for death row execution. The problem is, as she struggles against all odds to complete her journey in times, evidence pops up that questions the entire history of the slaying. Matt Witten does a splendid job of immersing the reader in Susan's being, and his sense of pacing is exquisite. The overall plot, as a thriller/mystery plot, is by no means intricate, but the author's skill is such that I read the book in one evening sitting, locked to my seat. Most entertaining and satisfying.

so many twists and turns...hold on

although there are a few slow places in the first part of this mystery, hang in there...it takes time to develop the characters, settings and a 20 year time period between critical events. But, the author does this magnificently. The book jumps from 20 years ago to the present time .Susan is a divorced mother who was born, raised and still lives in a small town in the Adirondacks. She lives with her widowed mother .and continues to grieve over the tragic death of her 7 year old daughter 20 years ago. She has waited all this time for vengeance and retribution --payback.
I couldn't put the book down and I am so glad I didn't...a thriller to the end.!

This book had a lot of potential. The Story was unique and a lot could have been done with.
There were gaps in some parts of the plot where if this was a movie I'd say there was a lot of overacting. I always Stan a strong female lead which this book had.
The plot was a little predictable for me. Maybe not so much for others I don't know. I really wanted to like this book. But I just couldn't.

What a ride! This was a fast paced read that helped me get out of a slump and one I’d like to add to my collection once released.

Thank you SO much Oceanview Publishing for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

WOW. JUST. WOW.

This book was one heck of a ride. Deeply disturbing. Bone chilling. Jaw dropping. The Necklace is a quick paced page turner that hooks you in right from the start. Some parts were really hard to read due to the vulgarity of some scenes but this is now a top murder mystery / thriller book on my shelf for sure! Some trigger warnings include : death of a child, execution and rape - so reader beware!

The author jumps from past to present telling the story of Susan Lentigo's daughter who was murdered 20 years ago. On her way to the murderers execution she discovers some new evidence and is questioning what really happened on the darkest day of her life. Will justice ever be served?

What's even more shocking about this story, which I didn't know until I read the author's note at the end, was that it is based off of a true story! After I finished the book I was up way too late reading the true story articles online. So crazy! The true story was also made into a documentary that is streams on Hulu! ALSO this book is optioned to be made into a fictional movie - with Leonardo DiCaprio attached as the producer! EEEEEK!

Highly recommend this one if you are looking for a dark and disturbing murder mystery for sure! So mark your calendar, this book comes out September 6th, 2021!

I decided to not finish this book right now because it was too dark and heavy for my mental health at the moment. I have heard great things and will pick it up again when I have the capacity.

This book gives me a little of everything I love in a thriller. Family drama and dysfunctional relationships, corrupt criminal justice systems, mystery and suspense.

The book starts with the main character raising money to travel to North Dakota where she will witness the execution of the man who killed her young daughter years before. But events leading up to the execution leave her wondering if he is really guilty.

The story is told in both present time and past leading up to the event.

I really enjoyed this. The beginning started off a little slow but once the storyline picked up I couldn't put it down. It was the type of book that's makes it so you have to know what happens next.

There are some trigger warnings for child abuse, graphic violence, and descriptions of public execution.

Things haven't been easy for Susan; it never is when you lose a child. She's barely scraping by, but she is determined to be at the execution of the man who murdered her daughter. It is through that determination that the story unfolds. Told in alternating timelines, The Necklace is a book that hooks the reader from the start.

Witten draws the reader into Susan's plight because she's been through so much but is strong and determined. While I felt the scenes around the trial were a bit weak, they still conveyed the seriousness of what occurred. It makes Susan's motivation palpable. I didn't make a ton of notes while reading, which happens when I get drawn into a book and don't want distractions. The Necklace is a page-turner, making it near impossible to put down; a super fun read. Thank you, Matt, for reaching out to me, and Oceanview Publishing, for sending this along!

Wow, this book was great! From the very beginning, the plot and story drew me in from the very first few chapters with the dual timeline. This was a one day read for me and I would 100% recommend. It kept me wanting to know more with every chapter and I found myself just not being able to put this.one down. Susan was a badass mama that was determined to find out what happened to her baby no matter the circumstances and I think *most* mamas can relate. There are some hard subjects and trigger warnings in this book but if you can handle such things it is a great read for sure.

I love small town books, and this was one of them!! I really enjoyed that aspect and this story overall. There were some great twists and thrills and I had a blast reading this. That cover is also so stunning... absolutely loved this!

This was a fast read. It was a very plot driven story with a clipped pace that kept me engaged. There was something lacking for me and I feel that it was lack of imagery and it was predictable. I called the twist and there were some aspects that reached far from believability.

This was a surprise good read! I didn't expect much, but was loved this book!

I really felt drawn into the main character. She had been through so much and yet had so many more hard things happen, but didn't give up. I liked the twists and turns, and loved the ending. I have recommended this book!

Susan’s daughter Amy was raped and murdered 20 years ago and Susan is on her to North Dakota to witness the execution.

The local bar has a fundraiser to Susan can make the trip, but her car breaks down on the road and she has her money stolen a bus stop.

Her ex-husband, Daniel, has moved to her another town and has a new family. Passing through Daniel’s new home town on her way to North Dakota, Susan finds a piece of evidence that links Daniel to her daughter’s murder.

Oh, this was sooo good and you could feel the tension, anxiety and desperation that Susan was feeling.

Right down to the very last page. Wow….

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Publication Date: September 7, 2021

Thank you #NetGalley for a complimentary copy of #TheNecklace in exchange for an honest review.

Susan helped her daughter Amy make a necklace using special beads carefully selected by Amy. The next day Amy went missing wearing that necklace. The missing necklace still haunts Susan long after her daughter’s body is found, long after the murderer is caught, and long after her marriage ends. She is hoping for closure by attending the execution of the monster that killer her daughter instead she finds that necklace in an unexpected place and begins a new journey for justice.

I enjoyed the pace of this book and the strong female lead. I also enjoyed the unique story line that was loosely based on a similar real life case.

The Necklace is a fast paced thriller that leads the reader to draw many conclusions on who killed the daughter of the main character. The ending felt rushed and I wish there was more of an explanation of how and why the crime occurred.

This book was so good! Going into it I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was seriously blown away by it. A mother’s love and intuition run deep through this one!

No parent should ever have to bury their child. It’s unnatural and against the regular order of things. And ss a parent, I can confirm this is our worst nightmare. All you want to do is keep your kids safe and watch them grow up to lead fruitful, successful lives. Well, The Necklace takes the unholy nightmare of losing your child and multiplies it by a factor of 10. Thanks a lot Matt Witten. How am I supposed to let my kids out of my sight ever again after reading this book?

The story follows Susan Lentigo in present day as she travels to North Dakota to witness the execution of the man convicted of raping and killing her seven-year-old daughter Amy. Throughout her travels, she flashes back to events 20 years ago surrounding this heinous crime that forever altered her reality. Along the way, she starts to question the convicted murderer’s guilt and suspects someone else is getting away with defiling and killing her daughter. Susan digs down deep to find the strength to seek the truth and will stop at nothing to ensure justice is properly done for Amy.

What makes The Necklace so powerful, beyond the nightmare fuel of losing your child, is how the emotions ooze off the page and burrow into your brain. You easily feel Susan’s depression, despair and desperation. She’s never fully recovered from Amy’s death and how her life has fallen apart since, nor can you blame her. She’s got no money to her name and clings to the hope that watching the execution will finally allow her to move on, though you doubt that’s going to do it. And when she starts to think things aren’t as they seem, she is willing to leave rational thought at the side of the road to do anything and everything, no matter how distasteful you might find her actions, to determine if the right person is on death row.

If you like character-driven stories that provide an emotional experience, The Necklace is for you. However, if you’re a parent be warned. You’ll be faced with the fear of losing your kids and thinking about what you would do in Susan’s situation. But then realize its fiction, give thanks that you’re not in that position and give your kids a huge hug.

Wow, such a good thriller!

If you like fast paced actions, flashbacks and events that will surprised you, this is the one

Good job, Matt!

Whilst I figured out where the story was going pretty early into the book it still held my attention all the way through. The story takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions alongside the mother of a 7 year old girl who was murdered. I liked that the story flipped between 2 timelines, the timeline of the Murder and 20 years later.

Trigger warning: child murder, execution details, rape

Loved the complexity of the main character. I am a big fan of books that jump back and forth in the timeline so this was a real pleasure to read! What a great story

3.5 A struggling waitress is attending the execution of the man who assaulted and murdered her 7-year-old daughter, 20 years ago. He kept the necklace as a souvenir..... I thought this was really well written. I felt Susan's pain throughout the whole book. As she makes her way to North Dakota, which is truly a trek, she figures out that the person getting executed may not be the killer. I thought the ending, although satisfying, was kind of predictable, and that's why I didn't give it a higher score.

Thank you so much to #Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for this Advanced Reader's Copy for an honest review.

3.5 stars - As a parent, this book was very hard to read. My heart shattered for Susan (the main character)!! The cover is absolutely brilliant, and fits the book perfectly. I think the only thing that could be improved upon would be an explanation on how Susan forgave her mother's voicemail.

The whole 'travelling to the execution' was stressful!! (Why didn't Susan have an emergency credit card or something?)

All in all, a good read, I think the book was the perfect length!

It was a great book, once I finished it. It was a hard read at times because of what happened to little Amy. However, the writing was so well done, story developed perfectly and the characters came to life so well that I finished it and was very happy with the outcome. I liked Susan as a mother, her relationship with her mother and Susan's relationship with her husband before, during and after Amy's death. I got to know the characters well and did not see that twist coming. A great read.

There are trigger warnings for rape, execution, loss of a loved one, abuse and mental illness.

This one started off slow for me, I was worried it would be a did not finish, but, I am glad I persevered! It turned out worth it and solid!
A woman plans to travel to NY to witness the execution of the man who killed her daughter years ago. We alternate between the year of Amy's death, and present time. While she travels she encounters people and situations that make her second guess the guilt of the killer and what transpires is well developed and intense. If you start this one and it feels laggy, don't give up! Good read!

I went into this not knowing a lot about it. .I liked the title and I also like mysteries/thrillers.

Chapter One starts 20 years earlier when Amy was seven year old and her mom Susan went to the bead store looking for just the right beads for a necklace. This was an aww for me as I, too, loved bead stores; always careful with my money so it took a long time to pick out ‘just the right beads’!

Story is centered on Susan Lentigo who is a waitress in a small town in upstate New York. Her seven year old daughter Amy had been raped and murdered twenty years ago and the man who did it is ready to be executed. Susan decides to drive to North Dakota to witness his execution. However, on her trip to ND, Susan discovered something that makes her believe the real killer is still out there and she is on quest to find who did it.
I was certainly on her side hoping to catch who really did it.

This story is named the Necklace” as Amy loved the necklace she made. She said she was never going to take it off. However, when she is found, she is not wearing the necklace. It does show up later or at least it is one that looks like it.

This was not an enjoyable read. It is without a doubt any mother’s worst nightmare.
I had such a hard time with the subject and I do not like f-bombs and other profanity. I do understand Susan’s anguish and being so upset. I get being so furious and exhausted and want a powerful emotion so expletives. But to me so much profanity is used as filler as was in this case and so much just wasn’t all that necessary.

I did like the Epilogue. Additionally, I like reading the ‘Author’s Note’ and Matt Witten’s inspiration for this story. It is actually based on two real life stories. The characters were also inspired by real-life people.

Want to thank NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for this early release granted to me for an honest professional review. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 21, 2021

CW: Child abuse, Death row/execution
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Publication date: September 21, 2021
Review date: March 29, 2021

Susan is on her way to North Dakota to watch the man who raped and murdered her seven year old daughter, 20 years ago, get executed. On her way there, she has many misgivings that all lead her to have to face her past head-on. Her adventure causes her to start to look at her past differently and, while doing so, she starts to have doubts on whether "the Monster", the man everyone was sure committed the crime, is actually guilty. Susan goes on her own investigation to figure out, who actually committed this horrendous crime.

I picked this book up because of the cover. The cover for some reason caught my attention and led me to read the synopsis. This book was so intriguing! I love murder mystery type books/tv shows and as I was reading this book, I felt like I was actually watching one of my favorite type of cop shows like CSI, Law and Order, Rizzoli and Isles, Blue Bloods. Funny enough, I come to read up on the author and he in fact has written TV shows like Law and Order, House, CSI etc! The story came alive and I would love to be able to watch this as a movie or a tv series episode. Unlike these other shows, however, the investigation didn’t come from the cops or the FBI. It came from the victim's mom. There was so much more raw emotion because of this. Susan was such a strong protagonist. She was resilient, determined, and did everything she could to bring justice and the truth to light. Matt Witten also included some problems with the justice system - things like long interrogations and the effects on suspects.

The book started off a little slow, especially since, if you have read the synopsis you kind of already know what's going to happen. However, when the book took off, it really took off. I could not put the book down because I wanted to know what was going to happen. I kept going back thinking I must be wrong about something at some point because the author really makes you question what you think is going to happen and then takes it back and then you sit there like… so what is going on?!

My favorite part of the book and what caused the book to go from a 4 star rating to a 4.5 star was the Author's Note at the very end. I don't usually read those, but something told me to do so… and I am so glad I did! The author mentions in the note that he based the storyline on two real life stories of women. One was about a woman trying to make enough money, just like Susan, to be able to attend the execution of the man who murdered her daughter. The second was about a woman who was determined to find if a convicted man was actually guilty for his crime. Combined, the Necklace was born!

It was a great and intriguing book! My main reasons for not making this a 5 star was:
1. The little slow start
2. I wish we understood a bit more of why the guilty person actually did such a horrendous crime. I had quite a few questions once we figured out who did it.
3. The subject matter was sometimes a little heavy

Overall, I absolutely recommend this book and hope you will add this book to your TBR!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this electronic review copy!

Twenty years ago Susan’s six year old daughter was taken and killed.
Now the man who was found guilty of this crime is awaiting execution.
As Susan travels to the prison to witness him being executed she relives the events of that terrible day and begins to have doubts about who actually killed her child.
A story that has twists and turns and some good characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

A truly interesting mix of characters revolving around a child's murder and the aftermath. Characters are well developed, and definitely flawed - to the point of making some really stupid decisions that have serious consequences and left me wondering who would actually do that - but it all flowed along for a quick read with a satisfying conclusion.

This is a thriller set amidst family tragedy and grief. The book follows the mom, Susan, as she struggles to deal with her daughter's death and her murder's execution.

Not for me. Too slow of a start. Too many unbelievable situations. It did pick up in the middle though. It could just be me as many other reviewers loved it.

My first time reading this author. I just want to say that about midway is when it starts to really get nail biting Truly enjoyed.

I highly recommend this book. I literally could not read fast enough. Everything this Genre should be and more!!
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me the thrill of reading early.

A really gripping read. I will say the first few chapters were a little slow and hard to get into, but after that it really picks up pace. The setting and the characters were all equally captivating and fascinating. At times this dead get too dark for me, and it got a little heavy but all in all a very suspenseful read.

I had a very difficult time reading through this one. It did not seem to hold my attention. I don't feel comfortable rating this one since I didn't really absorb much of it, but I will leave this at a three star rating.

Enjoyed it, but found it fraught with coincidences and discoveries that were just too wildly improbable to satisfy me as a thriller.

Bus happens to drive through the town where someone lives. Young girl happens to be willing to help. Lady who helps her at the restaurant happens to be someone relevant. Plus the titular necklace.

However, I did like it, therefore the 3.

What a crazy engaging read! It was so hard to put this book down- The story started with a bang and just kept going!

This was a heartbreaking yet simple read, exploring family dynamics, dark topics, execution, and finding oneself even in difficult times.

There was so much to like about this one! I could easily emphasize with the main character, Susan, and truly understand her struggles and her pains as every obstacle thrown in her path prevents her from learning the truth. I love how strong and resilient our MC remains even in harsh circumstances, always aiming to look forward and do the right thing. There was no break in this book, neither for us nor the MC, and twists and jumps just keep coming! I was stuck to this book until the very end, dying to know the final outcome!

Though this book does keep us very hooked throughout, I do wish we explored more possibilities to create a greater sense of suspense. Maybe introduce some form of unreliability for our main character? Or more suspects? The story already did a great job effectively executing (see what I did there- I am so sorry) numerous mystery elements, keeping us on our toes throughout, but I do wish there was more! Even then, the constant switching from suspect to suspect, the uncertainty that comes with memory and tragic events, and the jumps from the past to the present kept me completely gripped by the story. The initial switching from past to present also brought more suspense to the story, really sticking to the whole “show, not tell” idea. The snippets of the past were insightful and very significant to the rest of the story, further adding to the layering of the characters and plot.

This book simultaneously restored and destroyed my faith in humans (yay for genuinely helpful, compassionate characters!) the side characters each have their unique auras and bring so much more depth into the story, allowing more variation and layers in the plot. I loved many of these side characters, and am so happy to see their consistent support and encouragement towards Susan. And then Susan! We see our main character grow and open herself up more to the world and be willing to take on new perspectives and become stronger overall.

In all honesty, I didn’t completely understand what the resolution and the final tipping point that showed us the whodunit was about, though the book ties itself up pretty nicely! I did expect the story to go in different directions at first, but the ending is much more satisfying and simple to understand and follow along with.

Some final words: The subject matter is definitely dark and concerning, so proceed with caution. Otherwise, this is a solid mystery/thriller read! I would definitely recommend this for a fast, engaging read and those looking for a satisfying resolution.

Thank you to NetGallery, Oceanview Publishing, and Matt Witten for a copy of this incredible book!

Loved this book...kept me guessing til the end, I speed read it in 3 days! Very good read and great story of a Mom seeking justice for her little girl, and the lengths she'll go to and sacrifices she will make to get it. Looking forward to reading more titles from this author

Oh. My. Goodness! I was immediately pulled into the story by the excellent writing - which is crisp and No Holds Barred. When I realized the age and circumstances of the death of the child in the story, frankly I almost put the book down. I have a seven-year-old daughter, and there were times when reading this book was incredibly difficult. But I am so glad I persevered...

Witten has done a phenomenal job with this novel. He raises issues of guilt and innocence and trust and loss in a way that is thought-provoking and bald-faced without ever feeling voyeuristic or antagonistic. I found the story arc to be well-paced and plotted and his characters to be fully human - for good and for ill.

Despite the horrific nature of the crime underlying the story, I found this to be a thoroughly engaging novel that I simply couldn't put down - I read it in a day!

3.5 stars. This was an interesting read and kept me engaged for most of the book. I liked the plot as well as the settings in the Adirondacks and western NY. However, I found it difficult, at times, to relate to the main character, Susan. While I deeply sympathized with her tragedy and admired her resourcefulness after the loss of her money, I thought some of her actions, reactions and language were over the top and jarring.

I was glad to have the opportunity to read this book, having read Matt Witten's Jacob Burns series. Thanks to Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

I absolutely loved this book. It had me hooked from page 1 through the entire story. I rarely give 5 star ratings but this book surely deserves it. I will recommend to friends and family.

When Susan's 7 year old daughter was murdered twenty years ago she has counted down the days to see the man responsible put to death.
Living in a small town with only a waitress job for income the whole town rallied round and found the money for her to drive from Upstate New York to North Dakota to witness the execution.
Along the way Susan has a life changing experience and begins to doubt that the man who is about to be executed really is the killer can she convince the retired lead detective to look into her daughter's case again before the day of execution?

I finished this in a day!

Although I figured out some of it before everything unfolded, I really enjoyed everything that led up to the end. Reading it was difficult at times because of the content - especially as a mother. I really enjoyed the characters and the pace. I was able to maintain interest throughout the story. I generally find myself annoyed when there is a male author writing a female main character but I didn't once stop and think "What a man thing to say."

Looking into reading more from Matt Witten!

Thank you to Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for the opportunity to read this!!

Overall, I liked a lot of things about this book. The characters were well developed and likeable, the plot was fast paced and intriguing, and it was well written for the most part. However, there were a few things that bothered me, like how Marla and Sophie were never mentioned again after that one scene and how disappointingly predictable the “plot twists” were. Definitely recommend this if you want a quick, easy thriller but don’t expect to be totally shocked by the outcome.

My final rating: 3.5 stars

Loved this book. The main character is beautifully drawn, and very sympathetic. As a reader, you follow her through her journey in this book, right up to the stunning climax. The writing is very cinematic, and I would love to see a film based on this book. Highly recommended.