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Someone Who Knows
Sera’s mother was special. She had the unique ability of knowing things she shouldn’t quite know. But it wasn’t enough to stop her own murder.
All Sera wanted was to be normal. But she has her own ability, a dark version of her mother’s. She can see through the eyes of a vicious predator, one that is connected to Sera in ways she never thought possible.
Sera pushes it down deep so that she can carefully construct a simple and safe life, which works...for a while.
Until it comes back, refusing to be ignored any longer. Night after night, murder after murder, pulling Sera deeper into the mind of a sadistic sociopath.
She can feel the killer, their hurt, their hate. And that hate wants revenge. Whatever the cost.
Sera will have to find the courage to embrace the abilities she has spent a lifetime denying if she wants to stop the killing spree before the lives of those she loves are taken.
Even if it means her life will be the next that ends.
All Sera wanted was to be normal. But she has her own ability, a dark version of her mother’s. She can see through the eyes of a vicious predator, one that is connected to Sera in ways she never thought possible.
Sera pushes it down deep so that she can carefully construct a simple and safe life, which works...for a while.
Until it comes back, refusing to be ignored any longer. Night after night, murder after murder, pulling Sera deeper into the mind of a sadistic sociopath.
She can feel the killer, their hurt, their hate. And that hate wants revenge. Whatever the cost.
Sera will have to find the courage to embrace the abilities she has spent a lifetime denying if she wants to stop the killing spree before the lives of those she loves are taken.
Even if it means her life will be the next that ends.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2024
9 people are currently reading
684 people want to read
About the author
J. Elle Ross
6 books8 followersJ. Elle Ross writes from Southern California, where she lives with her husband, three loyal dogs, an ever-multiplying flock of chickens, and two turkeys who are definitely on borrowed time.
A NICU nurse by night and storyteller by day, she finds balance in tending her garden, scribbling in notebooks, and sneaking in too many movies and TV binges. Her four children are grown, but her imagination has only grown wilder—and she’s determined to chase every story that insists on being told.
A NICU nurse by night and storyteller by day, she finds balance in tending her garden, scribbling in notebooks, and sneaking in too many movies and TV binges. Her four children are grown, but her imagination has only grown wilder—and she’s determined to chase every story that insists on being told.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 10, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Fantastic supernatural thriller with deeply flawed characters. You couldn’t help but root for Sera, especially during her darkest moments. J. Elle Ross captures the trauma and ptsd very well. Considering Sera sees gruesome murders through the eyes of the murderer, that’s a hell of a lot of trauma.
Reading Sera’s transformation was beautiful. Glorious ending.
The writing was smooth and the dialogue read naturally. Job well done author. I particularly enjoyed the change in point of view. The killer’s chapters were written in first person while all other characters were in third. Took you right into the twisted mind of the culprit.
Only very minor pacing issues for my taste, but in the grand scheme of things the slower build paints a better picture and deepens character relationships. A bit predictable but no less enjoyable.
Highly recommend for thriller and crime novel lovers (with a flair for the supernatural)
Fantastic supernatural thriller with deeply flawed characters. You couldn’t help but root for Sera, especially during her darkest moments. J. Elle Ross captures the trauma and ptsd very well. Considering Sera sees gruesome murders through the eyes of the murderer, that’s a hell of a lot of trauma.
Reading Sera’s transformation was beautiful. Glorious ending.
The writing was smooth and the dialogue read naturally. Job well done author. I particularly enjoyed the change in point of view. The killer’s chapters were written in first person while all other characters were in third. Took you right into the twisted mind of the culprit.
Only very minor pacing issues for my taste, but in the grand scheme of things the slower build paints a better picture and deepens character relationships. A bit predictable but no less enjoyable.
Highly recommend for thriller and crime novel lovers (with a flair for the supernatural)
October 16, 2024
4.25⭐️ Raw, disturbing & heartwrenching! I absolutely loved this book and if it just had one unexpected thing happen it would’ve been an easy 5⭐️ read. It was a bit too predictable, but I think it was supposed to be. The writing was beautiful and the characters were so relateable. Highly recommend!
March 30, 2025
This book was completely gripping. The characters were phenomenally written and compelling. This book was twisty and suspenseful. The writing was wonderful and easy to read. I had trouble putting this book down. I was completely enthralled the entire time!
February 6, 2025
“She learned that letting people in, loving them against all odds, and leaning on them when things got hard didn’t weaken you. It made you stronger. “
Someone Who Knows follows Sera, who has the unique ability to see through the eyes of a vicious predator. Sera tries to suppress this and lead a quiet life, but she soon finds herself pulled into the mind of a sadistic sociopath night after night and murder after murder, feeling their hurt, hate and need for revenge. Can Sera stop the killing spree before she loses the ones she loves, or will she be the next victim?
Someone Who Knows is told over 3 parts, from 4 perspectives, following Sera from childhood into adulthood. It is exceptionally written and beautifully reflective, and is one of the best books I have read so far this year.
The emotional depth of the characters had my complete attention and J. Elle Ross expertly captured the rawness of the human experience. The themes are haunting and emotional, but they are told sensitively with the upmost respect for the content, and nothing is too graphic in its depiction.
I’m not usually one for enjoying romance in the books I read, however I loved the emotional connection between the characters and I found myself wholeheartedly rooting for Sera and her happiness. There is a particular focus on vulnerability and trust, making it not just a narrative of romance or self discovery, but one that speaks to the complexities of human connection.
I will definitely be reading anything else that J. Elle Ross writes - and I am amazed and inspired that she has such a brilliant mind and writes so beautifully during the day whilst being a NICU RN by night!
I just want to say a massive thank you to the wonderful J. Elle Ross for kindly sending me a copy of Someone Who Knows, and it’s novella prequel The One Who Knew: Ella’s Story to read and review. My opinions are my own.
Someone Who Knows follows Sera, who has the unique ability to see through the eyes of a vicious predator. Sera tries to suppress this and lead a quiet life, but she soon finds herself pulled into the mind of a sadistic sociopath night after night and murder after murder, feeling their hurt, hate and need for revenge. Can Sera stop the killing spree before she loses the ones she loves, or will she be the next victim?
Someone Who Knows is told over 3 parts, from 4 perspectives, following Sera from childhood into adulthood. It is exceptionally written and beautifully reflective, and is one of the best books I have read so far this year.
The emotional depth of the characters had my complete attention and J. Elle Ross expertly captured the rawness of the human experience. The themes are haunting and emotional, but they are told sensitively with the upmost respect for the content, and nothing is too graphic in its depiction.
I’m not usually one for enjoying romance in the books I read, however I loved the emotional connection between the characters and I found myself wholeheartedly rooting for Sera and her happiness. There is a particular focus on vulnerability and trust, making it not just a narrative of romance or self discovery, but one that speaks to the complexities of human connection.
I will definitely be reading anything else that J. Elle Ross writes - and I am amazed and inspired that she has such a brilliant mind and writes so beautifully during the day whilst being a NICU RN by night!
I just want to say a massive thank you to the wonderful J. Elle Ross for kindly sending me a copy of Someone Who Knows, and it’s novella prequel The One Who Knew: Ella’s Story to read and review. My opinions are my own.
November 28, 2024
4⭐️ I read this in ONE day!! Such a well written psychological thriller that kept me on edge from page 1 to the end. I hope this book gets more hype because it deserves it!! Such a unique and crazy plot that had twists at the end I did NOT see coming! The in depth storyline of a girl and the connection to her mother after a trauma they had to endure. I loved the sprinkle of romance along with the dark and twisty story!
January 31, 2025
5 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If i could give this book 10 stars I would it was phenomenal!! The writing style was amazing & I could not put it down. Best read of 2025 so far!!
January 22, 2025
A gripping and heart-wrenching thriller about everlasting friendship and embracing your inner courage.
At the age of 6, Sera lost both of her parents in a brutal murder. She’s being raised by her mother’s best friend, Erinne.
Sera’s mother, Ella, had a unique ability that she referred to as the Knowing. She knew things she should have had no way of knowing.
Ella went to med school to become a doctor to use her Knowing ability to help others.
She always told Erinne she knew that her own life would end short, but she didn’t know the details and had no way of stopping her own murder.
Now as an adult, Sera takes after her mother and has a unique ability of her own. She has life-like dreams where she is connecting with a killer and witnessing murders as they are occurring.
The serial killer is murdering people who remind them of someone from their past that they believe were part of the cause of their painful upbringing.
Sera must have some sort of connection with the killer, but who could they be? Is this person closer to Sera than she thinks?
I really enjoyed the multiple points of view from each character. The mystery of the killer with brief glimpses into their thoughts and past made the character so interesting; I just wanted to know more and more!
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 ⭐️ was because I was able to guess too early on for my liking who the serial killer was. But it did make up for it by making the killer just a deep person with disturbing thoughts.
At the age of 6, Sera lost both of her parents in a brutal murder. She’s being raised by her mother’s best friend, Erinne.
Sera’s mother, Ella, had a unique ability that she referred to as the Knowing. She knew things she should have had no way of knowing.
Ella went to med school to become a doctor to use her Knowing ability to help others.
She always told Erinne she knew that her own life would end short, but she didn’t know the details and had no way of stopping her own murder.
Now as an adult, Sera takes after her mother and has a unique ability of her own. She has life-like dreams where she is connecting with a killer and witnessing murders as they are occurring.
The serial killer is murdering people who remind them of someone from their past that they believe were part of the cause of their painful upbringing.
Sera must have some sort of connection with the killer, but who could they be? Is this person closer to Sera than she thinks?
I really enjoyed the multiple points of view from each character. The mystery of the killer with brief glimpses into their thoughts and past made the character so interesting; I just wanted to know more and more!
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 ⭐️ was because I was able to guess too early on for my liking who the serial killer was. But it did make up for it by making the killer just a deep person with disturbing thoughts.
January 17, 2025
This was a beautifully well written story. It has been captivated from the very start. I have never read such a unique suspense thriller like this before. The times I gasped out loud at the end, I never saw coming! So good I did not want this book to end!
Make sure to check triggers!
Make sure to check triggers!
February 24, 2025
Not a book I would usually have chosen for myself, but very quickly became a book I couldn't put down!
Following the story of a young girl with a lot of childhood trauma, trying to find herself and her place in life, while also learning how to cope with her special ability. She can see through the eyes of a killer and must decide what to do with these visions in order to stop a murderous spree.
I don't often feel emotional while reading books, and I think romance is cringy, but I became very attached to the characters and their relationships! The depth of the characters is just enough to draw you in and make you really feel for them, without going over the top.
There is abuse, there is loss, there is growth, and there is love. All portrayed in a very raw yet sensitive way, bringing you right into the middle of the action.
I will definitely be recommending this book, and I have already lent it out to a colleague!
Following the story of a young girl with a lot of childhood trauma, trying to find herself and her place in life, while also learning how to cope with her special ability. She can see through the eyes of a killer and must decide what to do with these visions in order to stop a murderous spree.
I don't often feel emotional while reading books, and I think romance is cringy, but I became very attached to the characters and their relationships! The depth of the characters is just enough to draw you in and make you really feel for them, without going over the top.
There is abuse, there is loss, there is growth, and there is love. All portrayed in a very raw yet sensitive way, bringing you right into the middle of the action.
I will definitely be recommending this book, and I have already lent it out to a colleague!
January 5, 2025
Such a great thriller that needs so much more hype!! The characters were all developed so well and the twists and turns were incredible! Thank you to the author for sending me a copy! I truly enjoyed this one 🖤
December 31, 2024
4.5 only because I guessed who the the serial unaliver was but 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 well done for a debut book!!
I love the different POVS and the voice of the serial unaliver or more so the thought process. This book had a beautiful wrap up, was paced very well, and the moral the story which was of the same situation affecting two people differently at the time and then how it affected them later in life depending on the way they were brought up/raised or the lack there of was phenomenal!
I love the different POVS and the voice of the serial unaliver or more so the thought process. This book had a beautiful wrap up, was paced very well, and the moral the story which was of the same situation affecting two people differently at the time and then how it affected them later in life depending on the way they were brought up/raised or the lack there of was phenomenal!
December 18, 2024
I love to read and this book was written by a woman in my profession so I felt drawn to it. I loved the store of Sera Adam and Ava. I felt it was written well and I needed to know the ending. My only critique and this very well could be because I read it on kindle was the chapters of the visions/nightmares I was getting confused on the story going back and forth maybe a different font would have been fitting. After a couple of them I caught on to it.
I think for a first book it was very well written. I hope to read the novella and hope to see more books in the future! Also I love the blend of suspense romance and psychological events!
I think for a first book it was very well written. I hope to read the novella and hope to see more books in the future! Also I love the blend of suspense romance and psychological events!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2024
A captivating thriller that follows Sera a young woman with a unique ability that she inherited from her mother that allows her to peer into the eyes of a vicious killer, forcing Sera to embrace her gift to protect those she loves. The characters in this book are phenomenally written and despite being a slow burn for me in the begging, kept me wanting more. I love a strong female lead and and this journey with a courageous character like Sera was perfect for me.
June 21, 2025
Someone Who Knows has lots of great twists which really kept me guessing. Between the spanning years of when Sera begins this book as a little girl to the end when she's in her mid-twenties and the different point of views from multiple characters I was always kept on my toes trying to figure out the "who done it" aspect of this book. It's a well crafted mystery with a bit of romance to boot.
Sera has had quite the traumatic life, which is an understatement at best. As a young girl she barely survived escaping a madman who murdered her family and now years later she's reliving the trauma through nightmares she'd thought she'd long outgrown. She's also experiencing new night terrors that seem to have no link to anything from her past, but still cause the same horrible effects and certainly make Sera feel like she's crazy. If it wasn't for her best friend, Adam, who believed in her and knew that what she was experiencing was more than just a normal nightmare, Sera might think she was crazy, but something is happening, some how these terrors are connected to her past. She just can't figure out what and she feels this need to figure it out before it's too late.
First of all, I want to state that Sera is a very quiet character. With everything that happened to her at such a young age she could have gone off the deep end when she hit her teens and things could have gone in a very different direction, but that never happened. The fact that Sera is so buttoned-up and remote at some points almost felt tragic. I too wanted her to experience life and get out a bit more, just like her aunt wanted her to. However, the more I read, the more it made sense to the plot of the story. It also made sense when the trauma and everything that transpired about the day she was kidnapped came to light. That trauma deeply ingrained within Sera and basically rewired who she was; quiet, distant, untrusting.
While there were a few times that the story did lag a bit, which was probably more a me thing, since I love romance and I wished that the relationship between her and Adam would have progressed with more frequency, but aside from that the thrill of the mystery and the budding relationship made for quite an interesting read. A 4.5 star read overall.
Thank you to Reedsy for the advance review copy and all opinions are my own.
Sera has had quite the traumatic life, which is an understatement at best. As a young girl she barely survived escaping a madman who murdered her family and now years later she's reliving the trauma through nightmares she'd thought she'd long outgrown. She's also experiencing new night terrors that seem to have no link to anything from her past, but still cause the same horrible effects and certainly make Sera feel like she's crazy. If it wasn't for her best friend, Adam, who believed in her and knew that what she was experiencing was more than just a normal nightmare, Sera might think she was crazy, but something is happening, some how these terrors are connected to her past. She just can't figure out what and she feels this need to figure it out before it's too late.
First of all, I want to state that Sera is a very quiet character. With everything that happened to her at such a young age she could have gone off the deep end when she hit her teens and things could have gone in a very different direction, but that never happened. The fact that Sera is so buttoned-up and remote at some points almost felt tragic. I too wanted her to experience life and get out a bit more, just like her aunt wanted her to. However, the more I read, the more it made sense to the plot of the story. It also made sense when the trauma and everything that transpired about the day she was kidnapped came to light. That trauma deeply ingrained within Sera and basically rewired who she was; quiet, distant, untrusting.
While there were a few times that the story did lag a bit, which was probably more a me thing, since I love romance and I wished that the relationship between her and Adam would have progressed with more frequency, but aside from that the thrill of the mystery and the budding relationship made for quite an interesting read. A 4.5 star read overall.
Thank you to Reedsy for the advance review copy and all opinions are my own.
February 19, 2025
This book catches you from the beginning, a little girl severely hurt coming out of the woods, both her parents being murdered and now being raised by her mom's best friend.
Sera's mom had an unique gift an ability that she referred to as the Knowing. She knew things she should have had no way of knowing. Now as an adult Sera has taken after her mother with this gift. Sera is having dreams that connect to real life murders and is witnessing them as they are occurring. The serial killer is murdering people who remind them of someone from their past that they believe were part of the cause of their painful upbringing.
What could be the connection between Sera and this killer?
This was an unique suspense thriller that kept you hooked and wanting more and the plot was fast paced. The multiple points of view from each character was great. Even the brief glimpses into the mystery killers thoughts and past made the character interesting.
Thank you to J. Elle Ross for sending me this copy.
Sera's mom had an unique gift an ability that she referred to as the Knowing. She knew things she should have had no way of knowing. Now as an adult Sera has taken after her mother with this gift. Sera is having dreams that connect to real life murders and is witnessing them as they are occurring. The serial killer is murdering people who remind them of someone from their past that they believe were part of the cause of their painful upbringing.
What could be the connection between Sera and this killer?
This was an unique suspense thriller that kept you hooked and wanting more and the plot was fast paced. The multiple points of view from each character was great. Even the brief glimpses into the mystery killers thoughts and past made the character interesting.
Thank you to J. Elle Ross for sending me this copy.
January 26, 2026
The collection is a perfect mix of suspense and strangeness. Stories like The Scar hit with psychological tension that will make you second-guess every shadow, while Gåva and Shanghai weave myth and magic into modern settings beautifully. Leave No Trace and Nurse Log made me side, eye every forest trail and fallen tree I’ve ever seen. And Tiger-Tiger!, I can’t get it out of my head; it’s unforgettable.
I loved how the authors included trope intros for each story. They’re fun and give context, though if you’re the type to overthink, I’d save them for after reading, you don’t want to spend the whole story hunting for “the trope” instead of enjoying the creepiness.
The vibe of this book is perfect: foggy, unsettling, and emotionally layered. It’s like reading a horror story while wrapped in a warm blanket with coffee in hand… but still feeling like something is moving in the shadows. The writing blends literary quality with true genre grit, so it’s smart horror that’s still thrilling and accessible.
I loved how the authors included trope intros for each story. They’re fun and give context, though if you’re the type to overthink, I’d save them for after reading, you don’t want to spend the whole story hunting for “the trope” instead of enjoying the creepiness.
The vibe of this book is perfect: foggy, unsettling, and emotionally layered. It’s like reading a horror story while wrapped in a warm blanket with coffee in hand… but still feeling like something is moving in the shadows. The writing blends literary quality with true genre grit, so it’s smart horror that’s still thrilling and accessible.
June 22, 2025
Sara, a young woman haunted by the trauma of losing her parents in a brutal murder at the age of six. Raised by her mother’s best friend, Erinne, Sera inherits more than just Ella’s memory—she also shares her mother’s extraordinary, inexplicable gift.
Ella, once a doctor who used her mysterious Knowing to help others, foresaw her own premature death but was powerless to prevent it. Now, Sera experiences vivid, life-like dreams that place her inside the mind of a serial killer, witnessing horrific murders in real time. Each victim bears a resemblance to figures from the killer’s past, suggesting a twisted motive rooted in long-buried pain.
The novel unfolds through multiple perspectives, offering a chilling glimpse into the killer’s fractured psyche while deepening the emotional resonance of the central characters. The mystery intensifies with every chapter, and the revelation of the killer’s identity—and their shocking connection to Sera—will leave readers breathless.
Ella, once a doctor who used her mysterious Knowing to help others, foresaw her own premature death but was powerless to prevent it. Now, Sera experiences vivid, life-like dreams that place her inside the mind of a serial killer, witnessing horrific murders in real time. Each victim bears a resemblance to figures from the killer’s past, suggesting a twisted motive rooted in long-buried pain.
The novel unfolds through multiple perspectives, offering a chilling glimpse into the killer’s fractured psyche while deepening the emotional resonance of the central characters. The mystery intensifies with every chapter, and the revelation of the killer’s identity—and their shocking connection to Sera—will leave readers breathless.
October 31, 2024
I had the good fortune of getting an advanced copy. Upon finishing my first thought was, this should be a television series! The story is expertly crafted. All too often I predict a plot line. No such luck with this book, which I loved. I couldn’t see the turns until they were right there in the headlights, just like the opening scene. It’s not for the faint of heart and it’s not for those looking for a quick read, but if you’re down for a murder mystery you can really sink your heart and mind into, it’s got more twists than a tub of licorice. It had me thinking, “oh wait but..” and “oh hey that’s when” or, “but how did they” as I unraveled all the explanations for weeks after I finished reading. It’s spellbinding crime writing.
May 29, 2025
Fun, quick paranormal thriller, reminded me a bit of Kay Hooper’s paranormal series. I did have a hard time feeling the trauma in this book. Everything that happened to Sera and her parents was described and should have been devastating but it didn’t hit deep at all. Sera is described as traumatized and we were told so in her actions, but just something about it kept things very surface level for me (my heart is thankful). The romance subplot was fun and the “twist” was pretty obvious from the beginning so maybe not meant to be much of a surprise. Once everything was revealed, the pacing slowed down and the last 15-20% dragged a bit. Overall, a quick entertaining read.
January 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down once I started. I felt like this book was well written. This book follows Sera and her life with the unique abilities she inherited from her mother Ella. Sera is forced to embrace those abilities to protect the ones she loves. This book is twisty and the plot is unique. I can't wait to read more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews