To Be Known

Thank you Net galley and BooksGoSocial for the eARC.
This was a horror book unlike others I've read, which was enjoyable. It starts off as a rather idyllic trip back to England for Edward Doyle ... he's lost his job in NYC and is actually looking forward to finally get away from that super busy city and visiting his boyhood home in the country before going to London to start fresh. He bumps into his good childhood friend (he even had a crush on her) and is invited to stay a while with her husband and daughter, as it was actually the cottage he grew up in.
The dread doesn't really creep up until most the first third of the book and then it builds slowly but surely. Good stuff!
The house is haunted by the past of the families who lived there and the aftereffects of war. Those are awful, not just for the men who fought, but for the families who they came home too. PTSD, hallucinations, unimaginable despair and thoughts of murder and suicide have permeated the walls of the cottage through the years, reverberating into the present. It's a good book and I thoroughly recommend it!

When Edward is laid off from his high profile tech job in New York he decides to start over by returning to his roots in England, beginning with Upper Dyrnan, his childhood village. Like most adults visiting the childhood village Edwards goes by the cottage on Holly Lane where he grew up. As always, the little cottage is modest and charming, a lovely little place that shelters the perfect little family. Edward soon realizes that the lady of the house was a schoolmate of his, he is invited to dinner and then to stay for awhile and a friendship forms between Edward and the family; Emily, Peter and 4 year old Lizbeth. Only Lizbeth realizes that there is a fourth resident in the cottage. Walter. Walter is her friend, he lives in her closet and teaches nursery rhymes to her.
Like most "perfect families" we soon discover that there are cracks in the facade. Walter knew of the cracks long ago and he's here to protect Lizbeth. For some odd reason it seems that the families that have lived in this cottage have had deeper cracks than most. It's almost as is a seismic fault runs through the Holly Lane Cottage and tragedy, illness, alcholism, violence, PTSD, nightmares, dispair, anger all put stress on this fault to lead to ainevitable eruptions that are experienced by every family that lives there. Walter knows all of this because Walter is the common thread.
The writing and storytelling is excellent. The characters are well rounded and fully developed. It takes quite awhile to get to the suspense, at least 50% of the book I'd say before you get there. The last quarter of the book is very edge of your seat reading. To Be Known is well written thriller. Thank you #Netgalley for allowing me to read and review #ToBeKnown.

This book was so good, i was completely gripped from start to finish and I couldn't put it down. The story was so good and the atmosphere of the book was so tense and full of suspense. I really enjoyed it.

Engrossing and entertaining!

To Be Known shows us Edward Doyle who recently was aid off and in search of work and direction. He returns from the city to his hometown, a tight-knit village in the English countryside, where he is welcomed by the Suttons, the current owners of his childhood cottage. Community. Tradition. Family. Life is perfect here…or is it?

What begins as a pleasant visit soon takes a sinister turn, as Edward realizes that the cottage harbors a dark past. Not only that, but the Suttons—and perhaps even himself—also have secrets buried in their own closets. Some they will battle in their minds. Some they may confront in the flesh…but at what cost?

Great characters and edge of your seat reading!

YOUR DEMONS KNOW YOU WON'T TELL ANYONE ABOUT THEM
Edward Doyle, recently laid off and in search of work and direction, returns from the city to his hometown, a tight-knit village in the English countryside, where he is welcomed by the Suttons, the current owners of his childhood cottage. Community. Tradition. Family. Life is perfect here…or is it?
What begins as a pleasant visit soon takes a sinister turn, as Edward realizes that the cottage harbors a dark past. Not only that, but the Suttons—and perhaps even himself—also have secrets buried in their own closets. Some they will battle in their minds. Some they may confront in the flesh…but at what cost?
The more Edward discovers, the more his assumptions are challenged. Secrets cannot stay hidden forever. As the story builds toward its unforgettable, shocking climax, discover which ones are dying to be known…

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.

This was a slow burn creeper of a book! The horror and suspense builds gradually and, before you know it, you're biting your nails and jumping at every little sound. But it's ok because that's just the cat... right?

YOUR DEMONS KNOW YOU WON'T TELL ANYONE ABOUT THEM

Edward Doyle has spent his life building his career. Now, recently laid off and in search of work and direction, he returns from the chaotic, impersonal city to his hometown, a small, tight-knit village in the English countryside, where he is welcomed by the current owners of his childhood cottage, a young couple, Peter and Emily Sutton, and their three-year-old daughter, Lizbeth.

Community. Tradition. Family. Life is perfect here…or is it?

What begins as a pleasant visit soon takes a sinister turn, as Edward realizes that the cottage harbors a dark past. Not only that, but the Suttons—and perhaps even himself—also have secrets buried in their own closets. Some they will battle in their minds. Some they may confront in the flesh…but at what cost?

I took opportunity to read this book thanks to Netgalley. It's a slow burner to start with but an enjoyable read with moments of suspense! Would definitely read other books from this author.

Prepare for some twists as this book leads you carefully down a path before derailing you completely! This is a thriller in the truest sense of the word - you will not want to put it down - but the author also takes the time to create meaningful characters and relationships which add so much depth to the experience,

Wow! I just finished To Be Known and feel like I need a day to process it all. There were so many compelling features in this novel, particularly the format of the book and how Justin Fields ties the past and present together in such a unique way. The character development was also interesting and intriguing, particularly the relationships of Andrew Chapman and his family. Overall, this novel was full of suspense, mystery, and it definitely creeped me out.

A unique story. I recommend to anyone who loves a good thriller or mystery, to add this book to your list. Your pulse will race as this story takes you on unforeseen twists and turns as the mystery is unfolding; be prepared to hang on tight.

This was the first book I have read by this author. I will be looking for more books from him. I loved this book and the twists!! I would definitely recommend this book.

"To Be Known" by Justin Field is a captivating exploration of secrets, demons, and the haunting shadows that lurk in the corners of our lives. Edward Doyle, the protagonist, finds himself at a crossroads after a recent layoff, returning to his hometown in the English countryside. What starts as a seemingly idyllic reunion with his childhood cottage and the welcoming Sutton family takes an unexpected and sinister turn as dark secrets are unearthed.

The strength of this novel lies in Field's ability to create an atmospheric narrative that draws readers into the tight-knit village and its enigmatic characters. The theme of community, tradition, and family is woven into the fabric of the story, providing a picturesque backdrop that contrasts with the ominous undertones lurking beneath the surface.

Edward's journey is a compelling exploration of self-discovery and the unraveling of hidden truths. The author skillfully builds suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the dark past of the cottage and the secrets of its inhabitants come to light. The psychological depth of the characters adds layers to the narrative, making them relatable and intriguing.

Field excels in creating an unsettling atmosphere, and the pacing of the story contributes to a sense of anticipation and unease. The twists and turns in the plot keep the reader guessing, and the shocking climax delivers a memorable and thought-provoking conclusion.

While "To Be Known" is a gripping psychological thriller, some readers may find certain aspects of the story slightly predictable. The uncovering of secrets, while engaging, follows a familiar pattern in the genre. However, Field's execution and the exploration of the characters' internal struggles elevate the novel above typical suspense tales.

In conclusion, "To Be Known" is a solid four-star read that delivers an atmospheric and suspenseful experience. Justin Field's ability to blend the picturesque setting of a small English village with the darkness lurking beneath the surface creates a compelling narrative. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a touch of mystery and self-discovery, "To Be Known" is a worthwhile journey into the shadows of the human psyche.