Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Musical prodigy Zoe Maisey's attempts to build a new life come crashing down at her concert, and the next morning her mum, Maria, is dead. Three years earlier, 14-year-old Zoe drove away from a party, not knowing her Coke had been spiked, and had an accident that killed her three teenage passengers, leading to her conviction. Her parents' marriage fell apart, and Maria and Zoe moved from Devon to Bristol, where Maria met and married widowed Chris Kennedy, and she and Zoe started their second-chance life. But the concert incident reveals Zoe's past, which Maria had kept secret from Chris as they raised Zoe; Chris' son, Lucas; and their baby daughter, Grace. After Maria's death, Zoe reaches out to Sam Locke, the lawyer who defended her after the accident, a tricky call because of Sam's current medical issues; his affair with Maria's older sister, Tessa; and Zoe's innocence in Maria's death. Macmillan (What She Knew, 2016) uses multiple characters' voices to tell the stories of Lucas, a skilled pianist and aspiring filmmaker, and Zoe, whose life lessons serve her well in distinguishing between truth and justice. Masterfully drawn characters and intricate plotting make this a stunning piece of crime fiction.--Leber, Michele Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Piano prodigy Zoe Maisey, the 17-year-old heroine of this cunningly plotted psychological thriller from Thriller Award-finalist Macmillan (What She Knew), and her devoted mother, Maria, have against all odds started a promising second act in Bristol, England, after a night in Devon three years earlier that shattered Zoe's life-and snuffed out those of a trio of other teens. Maria has married wealthy entrepreneur Chris Kennedy, and Zoe now has a baby half sister, Grace. All is well until a piano recital brings the past roaring back with devastating consequences. Unfortunately, Zoe and Maria aren't the only ones with secrets, and what they don't know about Chris and his brooding teenage son, Lucas, just might prove their undoing. As the suspenseful, serpentine tale unreels from the alternating perspectives of several key players, readers will be rooting for the resilient, resourceful Zoe all the way to the perfectly executed final twists. Agent: Nelle Andrew, Peters, Fraser and Dunlop (U.K.). (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
You cannot escape your past-such is the message that weaves throughout Macmillan's new (What She Knew) novel. Three years ago, Zoe, a 17-year-old musical prodigy, drove drunk and accidentally killed three schoolmates. After serving her time, she and her mother, Maria, just want to move on and forget the past. It seems as if their plan is working: Maria is remarried to a wonderful, rich man; they have a new baby; and Zoe and her stepbrother are about to give a musical recital. This concert is Zoe's chance for redemption, yet by the end of the evening, Maria is dead. The narrative occurs over a 24-hour period, with occasional flashbacks to Zoe's past legal troubles. Unfortunately, relating the story through the perspective of three persons-Zoe, her aunt Tessa, and her lawyer Sam-only serves to confuse. The characters are also flatly developed, offering little chance for readers to be empathetic. Verdict Despite flaws, this is still a compelling read for fans of psychological suspense. [See Prepub Alert, 3/14/16.]-Marianne Fitzgerald, Severna Park H.S., MD © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
