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What She Left Behind
Brianne Sommerville
Publication Date: August 12th, 2025
Rising Action Publishing Co.
352 Pages
Amazon | Goodreads | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers
Charlotte was fired from her job and is now keeping watch over the renovations on her parents’ house. While there, she discovers a diary among the things the previous owners left behind. Charlotte feels a connection to the owner of the diary, a young girl named Lark Peters, who committed suicide over fifteen years ago. Charlotte ends up hanging out at the local pub, where the locals and the police warn her about Lark’s older brother, Darryl. Darryl has been a recluse since Lark died, and people think he knows more than he lets on. But Charlotte doesn’t listen and continues to spend time with him.
This is a slow-burn psychological thriller with an amazing setting. The small-town-with-a-secret vibe and eerie past create a fantastic atmosphere. I loved the dual points of view from both Charlotte and Lark, as well as the past and present timelines. The characters were vulnerable and felt true to life. I can understand why Charlotte felt so connected to Lark. Because the suspense grows so slowly, it kept me guessing. This is a slow burn done right, not because of the twists, but because of the way the author handled the sensitive topics. While not perfect, if you enjoy atmospheric thrillers that are more about the characters than the shock value, you will find this a very satisfying read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
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