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What the Children Know
Identical twins.
Opposite personalities.
For Holly and Monica, life was never easy while growing up. The similarities between the two sisters ended with their looks. Holly was the reliable one, the one their parents could always count on. Monica was a rule breaker who caused trouble wherever she went.
The day after their high school graduation, Monica left home and never looked back… until nearly twenty-five years later. She appeared on Holly’s porch, unannounced, demanding she look after her teenage daughter before vanishing again.
Seeing no other choice, Holly takes Paige into her home and her life slowly turns upside down. Items start to go missing, she forgets important deadlines, she’s confronted with emails she doesn’t remember sending. Still emotionally vulnerable from a tragedy that took place thirteen years prior, everyone around her begins to wonder if she is, once more, spiraling out of control.
Holly tries to blame her misfortunes on her twin, just like she always had, but without any proof, her family and friends don’t believe her. With everyone in her life suddenly fighting against her, Holly must find a way to protect her own child and save her marriage and the career she worked so hard for. But how can she save herself when she doesn’t trust her own sanity?
The truth behind the disturbances is right in front of her if only she would ask the correct people… the children always know.
Opposite personalities.
For Holly and Monica, life was never easy while growing up. The similarities between the two sisters ended with their looks. Holly was the reliable one, the one their parents could always count on. Monica was a rule breaker who caused trouble wherever she went.
The day after their high school graduation, Monica left home and never looked back… until nearly twenty-five years later. She appeared on Holly’s porch, unannounced, demanding she look after her teenage daughter before vanishing again.
Seeing no other choice, Holly takes Paige into her home and her life slowly turns upside down. Items start to go missing, she forgets important deadlines, she’s confronted with emails she doesn’t remember sending. Still emotionally vulnerable from a tragedy that took place thirteen years prior, everyone around her begins to wonder if she is, once more, spiraling out of control.
Holly tries to blame her misfortunes on her twin, just like she always had, but without any proof, her family and friends don’t believe her. With everyone in her life suddenly fighting against her, Holly must find a way to protect her own child and save her marriage and the career she worked so hard for. But how can she save herself when she doesn’t trust her own sanity?
The truth behind the disturbances is right in front of her if only she would ask the correct people… the children always know.
240 pages, Paperback
Published October 14, 2023
About the author
Trish Arrowsmith
10 books77 followersTrish recently moved across the country where she found her forever home, enjoying the desert sunshine and wildlife all year long. She was born and raised in a small town in northern Connecticut. Growing up, she was always fascinated by unsolved mysteries and true crimes as well as the psychological elements behind them. As an avid reader, her go to books are thrillers, suspense, and true crime. Nursery’s Rhyme is Trish’s debut novel.
Be sure to follow Trish on BookBub for the latest sales: https://tinyurl.com/46z4ju3r
Be sure to follow Trish on BookBub for the latest sales: https://tinyurl.com/46z4ju3r
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 1, 2024
Twins, look-alike sisters Holley and Monica, grew up anything but close. Although almost equally at fault for making the other’s growing-up years fraught with undermining tricks, Holly’s image was that of the obedient daughter, while Monica was labelled the trouble maker and nonconformist.
Twenty-five years pass. Monica left home right after high-school graduation and never stayed in touch. Holly was now married with a daughter, and she held down a demanding position as an assistant to a corporate CEO. But then, one day, a knock on the door turns Holly’s relatively stable life upside down. Monica is on her doorstep with a young teenager in tow, who she claims is her daughter. Before Holly can ask any questions, Monica abruptly announces that, Paige, Holly’s niece, will now be Holly’s responsibility until she returns to reclaim her. No timeframe accompanies this announcement. Holly is floored.
Soon after Paige settles in to this new living arrangement with Holly, and her husband and young daughter, unsettling incidents begin to occur, all pointing at Holly having episodes of forgetfulness or irresponsibility. As the story unfolds, the reader learns that Holly and her husband Greg lost a child years ago, an older sister to Lucy. The death triggered a breakdown which Holly was believed to have finally recovered from. Interspersed are flashbacks of Holly’s childhood, and also backstory on Paige. As Holly’s mental stability is questioned and her life careens downhill, more and more is revealed about the past and about Monica’s drive to destroy her sister’s happiness.
If I have any nits to pick, it’s that the last part of the book is a bit of an info dump, with a lot revealed at once. Some of this info could have been hinted at with some foreshadowing earlier on in the story. Also, too often the POV changed abruptly and/or setting and timeframe changed without a date to let the reader know we were now in the past.
That said, Arrowsmith tells a good story, and I enjoyed reading this one.
Twenty-five years pass. Monica left home right after high-school graduation and never stayed in touch. Holly was now married with a daughter, and she held down a demanding position as an assistant to a corporate CEO. But then, one day, a knock on the door turns Holly’s relatively stable life upside down. Monica is on her doorstep with a young teenager in tow, who she claims is her daughter. Before Holly can ask any questions, Monica abruptly announces that, Paige, Holly’s niece, will now be Holly’s responsibility until she returns to reclaim her. No timeframe accompanies this announcement. Holly is floored.
Soon after Paige settles in to this new living arrangement with Holly, and her husband and young daughter, unsettling incidents begin to occur, all pointing at Holly having episodes of forgetfulness or irresponsibility. As the story unfolds, the reader learns that Holly and her husband Greg lost a child years ago, an older sister to Lucy. The death triggered a breakdown which Holly was believed to have finally recovered from. Interspersed are flashbacks of Holly’s childhood, and also backstory on Paige. As Holly’s mental stability is questioned and her life careens downhill, more and more is revealed about the past and about Monica’s drive to destroy her sister’s happiness.
If I have any nits to pick, it’s that the last part of the book is a bit of an info dump, with a lot revealed at once. Some of this info could have been hinted at with some foreshadowing earlier on in the story. Also, too often the POV changed abruptly and/or setting and timeframe changed without a date to let the reader know we were now in the past.
That said, Arrowsmith tells a good story, and I enjoyed reading this one.
November 4, 2023
What the Children Know
I really don't think that the title fits the story. I liked the story very much. Some parts were obvious. How they were tied together in the end, I thought was really good. Maybe a few loose ends. But overall a great book.
I really don't think that the title fits the story. I liked the story very much. Some parts were obvious. How they were tied together in the end, I thought was really good. Maybe a few loose ends. But overall a great book.
January 12, 2025
Solid
Solid story. Transitions within plot little confusing, but I got it by the end. Good characters. Recommend it if you like family drama.
Solid story. Transitions within plot little confusing, but I got it by the end. Good characters. Recommend it if you like family drama.
January 7, 2026
Good story Plot!
This story had a lot of unexpected twists and the ending made me think twice. Trish has a good way of keeping you turning the page to see what will unfold!
This story had a lot of unexpected twists and the ending made me think twice. Trish has a good way of keeping you turning the page to see what will unfold!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews