Review: You'll Never Know I'm Here by Kiersten Modglin

Author: Kiersten Modglin
Publisher: Self
Publication date:  December 2023

 When six book influencers take a weekend getaway to connect with their fellow creators, it’s meant to be a chance to relax, collaborate, and discuss all of the books they love.

But from the start, something’s clearly amiss. From the host’s mysterious absence and an unexpected guest to an odd occurrence in town and the strange and worrisome behavior of the neighbors, what starts out as an innocent and lively vacation quickly becomes a weekend filled with terror. And when one of the group members believes they see something horrifying at the house next door, their carefully laid plans begin to unravel.

Drawn into a mystery that runs far deeper and is more sinister than they could’ve imagined—and surrounded by those who refute their story—the group struggles to unearth the truth about the house and the couple next door before it’s too late.

As new questions and shocking revelations surface, the group must decide if they can trust each other—not only with their safety in the house, but with their lives entirely.

In You'll Never Know I'm Here, six book influencers all meet in a small town for a weekend getaway.  One of them witnesses a murder next door to the house.  Yet the cops claim they can't find anything.   What is really going on? I was all in with this book until about 3/4 of the way in.  Who wouldn't love this premise?

The biggest issue with the book was the reveal.  It was one of the dumbest reveals that I have read in a long time.  Of course the bad guys have to give their reasons before anyone is hurt.  Their reasoning was equally dumb.  It was also just kind of over once it was revealed.    I did like the creepy vibe of the town and the characters weren't annoying.  But the ending just ruined it for me. Oh, and the title of this book has nothing to do with story. I wouldn't recommend this book.

Review: Widow Falls by Kiersten Modglin

Author: Kiersten Modglin

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Publication Date: September 2021

When Sloane takes a job at the infamous whitewater rafting camp, Widow Falls, she quickly learns that the camp has a reputation for more than just summer fun. 

People go missing at Widow Falls.

The guide she’s replacing was just one of many. As Sloane settles into her new home—a one-room apartment she’ll be sharing with the five other guides—she can’t help asking questions and digging into the disappearances she’s heard about. Her new roommates tell her stories of dark legends and dangerous folklore surrounding the secluded camp but assure her there’s nothing to worry about. It’s all just superstition.

When Sloane stumbles upon a clue and a secret message hidden beneath the floorboards of their loft, she begins to realize there may be more to the myths than she’s been told.

The message gets her attention: Don’t trust anyone at Widow Falls.

Widow Falls follows Sloane as she starts a new job as a river guide.  She stumbles into a mystery of missing tour guides, including the one she is replacing mid-season.  A hidden diary may hold the clue to what happened.  I thought this was a fairly enjoyable thriller. It kept my interest throughout and was well paced.

The story is told through Sloane's point of view.  She is kind of an unreliable narrator.  She has some secrets herself.  So, I wasn't sure if I could trust her.  I liked the mystery and the couple of twists.  I was definitely kept guessing. The final twist was completely unexpected.  What I didn't love was the truth of what was happening at the camp.  I really had to suspend my disbelief to believe that it would ever happen.  Still I would pick this one up. It's a quick read.  I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator.

Review: The Missing by Kiersten Modglin

Author: Kiersten Modglin

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Publication Date: October 2021

They disappeared…
That was just the beginning.

When five strangers are abandoned on an island without any idea where they are or whom to trust, their nightmarish new reality begins to unfold.

Someone is lying.
Someone is hiding a terrible secret.
They’d all do anything to get home… Wouldn’t they?

As the group struggles to uncover the truth about their mysterious whereabouts, only one thing is certain: every choice they make on the island will affect the others.

And when they uncover a strange note with a chilling revelation, the group begins to question everything they thought they knew. If they want to make it off the island alive, they’ll have to discover who brought them there and why…before it’s too late.

In The Missing, five strangers are left on an island and are told only one can survive in order to leave the island.  Told through Katie's point of view, we follow the five strangers as they navigate the island and try to survive. Overall, I thought this was a fun book.  I was intrigued enough to finish.

There was a twist that I didn't call toward the end.  I liked being in Katie's head. I wonder if I would have reacted the way she did if I was put in the same situation.  I will be honest, there were a few things that were very far-fetched.  You have to kind of suspend a lot of disbelief, especially in the end.  But I still thought it was fun. I listened to the audio version and thought it was well done.  It's a quick read and I would recommend it.

 

Review: The Dinner Guests by Kiersten Modglin

Author: Kiersten Modglin

Publication Date: May 2022

 Six friends.
A lifetime of secrets.
One terrifying game.

When a group of friends receives unexpected invitations to a dinner party, they see it as a chance to finally meet the bizarre and reclusive new neighbor whose home is enshrouded in layers of security.

As the drinks are poured and dinner is served, the group begins to realize things are not what they seem. What starts out as an innocent night of fun soon becomes a seemingly calculated game filled with cryptic messages and chilling revelations.

With no way out, the guests are forced to play along in hopes of escape. Friendships fray, loyalties are tested, and the secrets they've kept from each other are revealed one by one.

Six friends walk into the house that night.
Will six friends make it out?

The Dinner Guests is a quick closed room (or house) mystery that had me guessing until the end.  It involves three couples from a neighborhood who get invited to a dinner party to meet their new neighbors.  Something seems off about them, but the six friends are curious enough to attend.  That's where things go horribly wrong.

As I said, I was kept guessing until the end.  There were a few twists.  I thought the book was going one way and it went in a completely different direction.  It is told through a couple of points of view and that did work well for me.  I had no issue keep everyone straight. I'm not sure I would want these people as neighbors, but I did find myself rooting for them in the end.  There was some redemption among them.  My only complaint really was the lack of epilogue.  I wanted to know what happened next.  I do recommend this one.