I Know You Killed Your Husband

by Steena Holmes

As we toast our champagne, Lyndy leans over and whispers six little words that change ‘I know you killed your husband.’

James and I were the perfect couple. He swept me off my feet, and after years of marriage, we still seemed totally in love. Then his sudden death destroyed everything. This girls’ trip to Paris with my best friends is my first chance to try and start again.

But at Lyndy’s words, my heart races in my chest. The police said my husband’s death was accidental. If Lyndy thinks I killed him… what else does she know?

I can’t believe my best friend would turn on me. After everything we’ve been through. Everything we covered up for her…

But the next morning, Lyndy is found dead in the hotel pool. And the letter shoved under the door to my suite makes my blood run

Now you’re free, liar.

Genres: Thriller

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2026

About the author

Steena Holmes is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with nearly 3 million copies of her titles sold worldwide, including The Patient, The Forgotten Ones, and Sister Under the Stairs.

Named in the Top 20 Women Author to Read by Good Housekeeping, she won the National Indie Excellence Award for her breakout novel Finding Emma and the USA Book News Award for The Word Game. Steena has been featured in various newspapers and magazines, websites such as Goodreads, BookBub, RedBook, Glamour, Coastal Living and Goodhousekeeping.

One of Steena's passions is to travel with her readers, so she created her Sweet Tours, where she shares her love for the sweet life with her readers, whether in Paris, Italy, or exploring Christmas Markets.
To learn more about her books and join her on the next Sweet Tour, visit her website at http://www.steenaholmes.com.
You can also find Steena on the web at:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorsteenaholmes
Facebook: SteenaHolmes.author

LIST OF HER NOVELS STARTING FROM MOST RECENT:

SHE TOOK MY BABY

THE GIRLS IN THE BASEMENT (follow up to The Sister Under the Stairs)

THE TWIN

ENGAGED TO A SERIAL KILLER

THE SISTER UNDER THE STAIRS

THE PATIENT

THE FORGOTTEN ONES

SAVING ABBY & ABBY'S JOURNEY

THE WORD GAME

Stillwater Bay Series:
Stillwater Shores
Stillwater Rising
Stillwater Tides
Stillwater Deep

The Memory Child & The Memory Journal

FINDING EMMA series:
Finding Emma
Dear Jack
Emma's Secret
Dottie's Memories
Megan's Hope

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, I really struggled with this book and it became reflected in how long it took for me to get through it. I could not connect with the narrative and disliked the female characters. They do not seem like genuine friends but more interested in their own agendas.

A trip to Paris with friends quickly turns sour when one of the group, Lyndy, is discovered floating in the hotel pool. Assumed suicide, the friends are naturally stunned by this news yet, instead of mourning her like I would have expected, they continue their trip of seeing many sights around Paris. It felt fake and like a chaotic circus as some characters accuse others of not showing any emotion, even though they are all happily sight-seeing along the way.

The writer makes it clear that these friends all share a secret and I was intrigued what bound these women together, especially as I was unconvinced by their friendship. However, when this is revealed, I thought the events to be far fetched and unbelievable. Whilst Chase deserved judgment, I disagreed with how the women were able to completely absolve themselves of any involvement. However, this past event has transformed the women and it turns out that it influences their more recent relationships, too. What exactly have they been up to?

I grew to intensely dislike Cass’s character. She presented so many qualities that grated on me that I wished the writer hadn’t given her such a large part. The other women also don’t like her, obviously holding a grudge about her presence, and it wasn’t until her role was clearer, did I appreciate Cass being in Paris. She certainly muddied the water.

This was a book that I could not get in to. I don’t think it was especially tense and I found some of the chats excessively long. Finding the characters disingenuous was a disadvantage and in the end I lost interest in exactly what the friends were trying to hide.

With thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly Veit · Rating 3 out of 5]

So for me, this one was much more a slow burn suspense than a hanging on the edge of your seat thriller. I can sometimes get on board with that but there was too much detailed description and not enough exciting plot. Paris definitely sounds beautiful and a great place for the friends to vacation. The setting was atmospheric and almost felt like one of the characters.

The premise is strong but it just didn’t deliver for me. The pacing felt choppy, lots of secrets but not enough action. I wasn’t invested in any of the characters so it made it hard for me to really care about what was happening. This was a bit of a let-down, I had high hopes but it just didn’t deliver.

If you enjoy a slow burn mystery with a lovely atmosphere and old friends getting revenge then this one is for you.

✨Many thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 7th book by Steena Holmes and once again she delivered a story full of secrets and drama. I Know You Killed Your Husband follows four friends on a trip to Paris where tensions rise and hidden truths slowly come out throughout the trip. I really enjoyed how the suspense kept building as more secrets were revealed. The friendships, twists, and emotional moments kept me interested the whole way through. Another solid read from an author I continue to enjoy.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨

The story centers around 4 lifelong friends who take a trip to Paris. One whispers to the other that she knows she killed her husband. By the morning that friend is dead.

I found this story overall to be just okay for me. I really enjoyed the Paris details in the story, but I felt a large portion of the story was the day trips around Paris and less about the whodunnit mystery. I prefer the tension to keep building throughout a mystery/thriller and the extra scenic details were interesting but for me resulted in uneven pacing. The twist really didn’t hit very hard. I kinda felt it was a bit easy to guess if you were paying attention throughout the story to the characters. Even though this was a okay read for me, you should definitely still give it a chance if you like mystery/thrillers as it might be a perfect fit for you.

Thank you to BookSparks, publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing the book for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kady M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I Know You Killed Your Husband is the definition of a psychological suspense. It's a bit slow, but at the same time, a page turner. I definitely enjoyed the reading; Holmes has a very engaging writing style. I was so excited while reading the first 3/4 of the story- there's a great buildup to a fantastic twist but then after the twist, it just fell flat. The last part of the book and the ending were just not what I was hoping for. I feel like there was so much potential for this one to have an amazing, twisted ending, so it was kind of a letdown!

I loved that the setting was Paris. It was fun to imagine these women strolling around, committing crimes, keeping secrets and telling lies while in this beautiful city doing touristy activities. Most of us travel to places like this to escape the craziness of life, but these characters take their crazy there. It doesn't quite fit, which for me, made it perfect!

Now, the characters. They are infuriating! Honestly did not like even ONE of them! These are some backstabbing, manipulative women but they are perfect for this novel! 😜

Overall, this one was just ok for me. I would recommend picking this one up if you need a quick suspense read for a rainy day!

Thank you to BookSparks for the advanced reading copy. All opinions are my own.

[Ney oh the thrill of it FN · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Steena Holmes, Bookouture and netgalley, for this complimentary advanced copy. This review is being left voluntarily and all opinions are my own. 

This was a slow burn whoduunit mystery where a group of woman who are each harboiring a secret go on a holiday together to paris, but after the first night one of them is dead. The remaining women are fearful if they will be next whilst also harbouring suspicions about others in the group. What doesnt help matters is they all begin to receive anonymous notes and the illusion of a united front they were displaying begins to splinter and cracks begin to show. 

For me the pacing was off it just didnt feel as tense as I would have liked, I felf some of the descriptive bits detracted from the action.

Paris feels like its own character in this book from the decadent descriptions of the food and drinks to the beautiful sights. 

None of the characters are particularly likeabale so I didnt really find my self rooting for anyone.  (I love to hate a character in a book  so i can rage read 🤣 or really love someone.)

You may enjoy this book if you like slow burn mysteries filled with secrets, lies and plenty of dysfunctional friend dynamics and a setting that feels like a main character.

Overall a good read I will still look at other work by this author in the future. 

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my fifth read by this author and having really enjoyed the others, I knew that I was in for another twisty thriller read.

 

Now, again, this took me a little while to get fully into and if I'm honest, I don't think I got totally invested throughout.

I think this is because I really didn't feel any of the characters.

There was just something about them that made me not want to root for any of them, which is unusual for me.

 

The premise of the story is great and I loved that each of the friends had something to hide.

But I just didn't feel the tension building as I normally do with Steena's other books.

 

I really loved the setting and we're taken on many trips around Paris.

The writing was descriptive and I was swept away to this beautiful city.

 

But as always, secrets can never stay buried and as the ladies find, the pact they made years ago starts to unravel as the events take a turn and each of their secrets is revealed.

 

This was a fairly quick read and I liked the twist towards the end.

I just wish I'd felt more invested - maybe in another mindset, this would have played out differently, so I'm definitely not writing it off and cannot wait to read my next read by this author.

 


 

[Natalie Leibert · Rating 1 out of 5]

I came really close to not finishing this book but I kept thinking that maybe it would get better or maybe the ending would be intense and make up for it….. well that moment never came. It’s very rare that I rate a book less than 3 stars so this is a big deal for me. I couldn’t wait for it to be over tbh. The whole plot had no real climax or solution or ANYTHING. Way too much detail on unimportant scenes that seemed like they were just there to fluff up the story and fill in the blanks. Also, the writing and grammar: pretty elementary, repetitive and it seemed like they just threw in some big words to make it sound better.

[Angel **Book Junkie**]

Thank you to NetGalley, Steena Holmes, and Bookouture for a copy of I Know You Killed Your Husband in exchange for an honest review.

Let me just say… this was a did not finish for me, and I don’t say that lightly. I tried. I really did. But somewhere along the way, I realized I was reading out of obligation, not enjoyment—and that’s never a good sign.

The biggest issue? The characters. Every single one of them felt like someone I’d cross the street to avoid. I didn’t connect, didn’t care, and definitely didn’t feel invested in what happened to them. And in a thriller, that’s kind of the whole point—you need at least one person to root for, or at the very least, love to hate.

There was also this odd vibe running through the book that I can’t quite pin down. Not quirky in a fun way… more like “something feels off but I don’t know why I’m still here.” It just never clicked for me, and the further I got, the more disconnected I felt.

That said, just because it didn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. Every reader has their taste, and this one just wasn’t mine.

Final verdict: Sometimes it’s not a bad book—it’s just not your book. And this one and I? We were never going to be friends.

[Eunice Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into I Know You Killed Your Husband by Steena Holmes expecting a tense, twisty thriller—and while it definitely has an interesting premise, my overall experience was a bit mixed.
First, I have to say I really appreciated the Paris setting. The first few chapters especially made me feel like I was traveling right alongside the characters. The descriptions of the city, the food, and the activities were vivid and immersive, which I enjoyed at the start.
That said, as the story went on, I felt like the focus leaned a little too heavily on those details. At times, it seemed like the scenery and day-to-day activities took over the narrative, which slowed the pacing down quite a bit. Because of that, the tension didn’t stay consistently high—it would build a little, then drop again—so the overall reading experience felt uneven. There were moments where I found myself getting a bit bored, which isn’t something I usually want from a mystery/thriller.
The plot itself is actually strong. The idea behind the story is intriguing, and there’s definitely potential for a gripping, suspenseful read. However, I personally felt that the suspense and “edge-of-your-seat” factor were a bit lacking. The buildup didn’t quite deliver the level of intensity I was hoping for.
As for the twist, it didn’t hit as hard as I expected. It’s something you might see coming early on, and even if you don’t fully predict it, the impact feels a little muted by the time it’s revealed.
Another thing I noticed is that the story tends to circle back to certain elements repeatedly. While this does connect to the main plot and themes, it can start to feel a bit repetitive after a while, which made the narrative drag in parts.
Overall, I’d say this is still worth picking up if you enjoy slower-paced thrillers with a strong sense of place and character dynamics. It may not be the most intense or fast-paced mystery out there, but it has an interesting concept and some solid ideas behind it.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Know You Killed Your Husband is exactly the kind of twist‑tightened, emotionally charged thriller that begins with a single whispered sentence and then unravels everything you thought you knew. It has that delicious blend of glamour and dread — a girls’ trip to Paris, champagne fizzing in glasses, old friendships rekindling — and then, with six quiet words, the floor drops away.

The narrator’s voice is wonderfully brittle, still cracked from grief, still trying to remember who she is without James. Paris should be a soft reset, a place to breathe again. Instead, Lyndy leans in with her accusation, and the novel shifts into something taut and claustrophobic. The question isn’t just why Lyndy thinks she killed her husband, but what else she might be holding over her — what old secrets are stirring beneath the surface of their friendship.

There’s a lovely, unsettling tension in the way the story plays with memory and loyalty. These women have history, the kind that binds and bruises in equal measure. The moment Lyndy is found dead in the hotel pool, the book takes on a darker, more propulsive energy. The letter slipped under the door — Now you’re free, liar — feels like a cold hand closing around the narrator’s throat. It’s intimate, taunting, and dripping with implication.

What the novel does so well is capture that creeping sense of being watched, of being judged, of past choices refusing to stay buried. Paris becomes a maze of suspicion and half‑truths, every friendship a potential betrayal, every memory a trapdoor. The glamour of the setting only sharpens the menace.

Taut, atmospheric, and laced with emotional bite, I Know You Killed Your Husband is a compulsive read about guilt, friendship, and the stories we tell to survive. It left me turning pages long after I should have been asleep, chasing the truth through the shadows of Paris.

With thanks to Steena Holmes, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scene In Service To Story. As It Should Be. With the exception of those tales where the scene is *intended* to *be* the story, scene should generally support the story of a tale and enhance it - and this book does that quite well. Yes, there are a lot of Parisian details. Holmes has been there a few times, loves it, and wanted to celebrate it in a tale - similar to so many other writers over the years, including her colleague in the Facebook group Readers Coffeehouse Kimberly Belle's 2024 release, The Paris Widow.

Here, what we actually get is a very dark, very twisty tale of college friends who both share some very dark secrets... and are keeping other equally dark secrets from each other. This is one of those tales where there are no angels... and yet there may be a few antiheroes, depending on one's perspective. There are aspects here that will be challenging for some readers, yet they primarily happen off screen and only the aftermath is really seen on screen at all - which can perhaps be all the more concerning for some. Yet Holmes works them with care, treading the line between hyper realism and preachiness quite well, never really veering into preachy - at least for me. Read the book for yourself and let us know what you thought of that wherever you see this review. :)

If you enjoy dark, twisty thrillers involving long time friends, you're going to enjoy this book. If you enjoy being transported to Paris via books, you're going to enjoy this book. It really does work well on both levels, even as the Parisian setting truly is in service to the story and never feels excessive or weighty at all. And if you enjoy books that are twisting until almost the very last word... yep, this is absolutely going to be your kind of book.

Very much recommended.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Know You Killed Your Husband are not words you want to hear after your husband accidentally died while vacationing in Amalfi. But Olivia’s friend,
Lyndy whispers them to her. Why would Lyndy say this?

4 college friends, who made a pact years ago, make a point of travelling every year for a girls trip. Olivia didn’t make the last Paris trip but she does join this time. A fifth friend, Cass, introduced to them by Lyndy wasn’t supposed to come for Olivia’s sake but was encouraged by some of the friends. She becomes a fly in the ointment, especially for Olivia.

The girlfriends have very different personalities, assuming different roles in the friend group.
They are usually good at presenting a calm outward facade. Olivia struggles. She was a bookshop owner prior to meeting her husband and she never quite fits in with the glamourous other women. But, she has an inner strength she needs to find.

When Lyndy is found dead in the pool, the friends all react differently. Mysterious notes start to arrive. The group decides Lyndy would want them to continue to sightsee and shop for Olivia’s sake. The reader goes along for the ride.

The tension builds as Olivia begins to unravel, the notes keep coming, Cass watches and waits.

I really enjoyed this story. The ending, like life, is a little unresolved but it makes sense.

Thank you NetGalley and BookOuture for the advanced readers copy. I leave this review voluntarily.

[Wesley Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Bookouture for a copy of I Know You Killed Your Husband, and for including me on your tour for the book! Here are my thoughts:

Four lifelong best friends are headed to Paris for a getaway. Olivia’s husband just passed away, and Lyndy has planned a full itinerary to help distract her and catch up with their other besties. But after a night of catching up and lots of champagne Lyndy whispers to Olivia “I Know You Killed Your Husband.” The next morning, Lyndy’s body is found in the pool, and no one seems to know or remember what happened.

This is my favourite novel by this author so far! I really enjoyed how different the four main characters were, and I loved the Paris setting. I’ve never been to Paris, but the author did a beautiful job making me feel transported. The time spent in Paris and the descriptions slows the book down a little too, allowing me to spend more time with my theories on what happened rather than flying through the book.

I also enjoyed the flashbacks to their university days. It made me understand how their friendship came to be and how much they care for each other and what they will do to protect each other. There were some scenarios and dialogues that I found a little unbelievable, but other than that, no real complaints with this thriller!

There are several twists and turns, and some I guessed while others I didn’t. This is a fun summery read that made me want to take a serious vacation ASAP.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way Bookouture always has the perfect book for me is almost eerie. When I see an email from them I always know I am in for a great story. This was definitely true of I Know You Killed Your Husband! Thank you for giving me the chance to read and review the advance copy.

𝙈𝛄 2 ¢𝓮𝞰𝒕𝐬: Chillingly Fantastic

This is my second read from the author and I am definitely going to continue watching for more.

I have never so enjoyed being so unsure of someone’s character in my life! This book managed to simultaneously make me long for a friend group as strong as the one among these ladies and rejoice that I don’t have one. The characters are both charming and repellent in turns.

I couldn’t figure out who to trust right up until the moment the truth became clear and then author Steena Holmes delivered on even more twists.

The theme of friendship and non-familial are so strong, as are feminine rag and moral ambiguity, on every page of this book.

It’s also interesting that I’ve never been interested in visiting Paris, but this sort of makes me want to go!

I 100% recommend this book for fans of psychological thrillers, who love secrets, mysteries, and complex relationships. I loved it!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second read by Steena Holmes and once again she delivered a gripping, secret-filled thriller that kept me hooked right through to the end.

The premise immediately pulled me in — four lifelong friends, a trip to Paris, a shocking confession… and by morning, one of them is dead. 👀 Honestly? That setup alone had me invested.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the way the twists unfolded. Rather than relying on one huge, jaw-dropping reveal, the story layered in continual smaller twists that kept quietly shifting the narrative and adding more depth to what was really going on. Every new detail made me reassess characters, motives and what I thought I knew, which made for such an engaging reading experience.

I also loved the Paris setting. The descriptions brought the city to life and added a glamorous but slightly unsettling backdrop to all the secrets, lies and complicated friendships simmering beneath the surface. Everyone seemed to be hiding something, and watching those carefully buried truths slowly unravel was definitely one of the strongest parts of the story.

For me, this was a more character-driven mystery than an all-out high-octane thriller, but the tension, layered relationships and cleverly placed twists kept me turning the pages.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Description
"As we toast our champagne, Lyndy leans over and whispers six little words that change everything: ‘I know you killed your husband.’James and I were the perfect couple. He swept me off my feet, and after years of marriage, we still seemed totally in love. Then his sudden death destroyed everything. This girls’ trip to Paris with my best friends is my first chance to try and start again.But at Lyndy’s words, my heart races in my chest. The police said my husband’s death was accidental. If Lyndy thinks I killed him… what else does she know?I can’t believe my best friend would turn on me. After everything we’ve been through. Everything we covered up for her…But the next morning, Lyndy is found dead in the hotel pool. And the letter shoved under the door to my suite makes my blood run cold:"

Everyone has secrets. Everyone hides the truth. How loyal are your friends? Not sure if want to hang with these girls. But they did make for a good psychological thriller. Fast paced page Turner.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Get your copy on the expected release date May 21 2026

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sooo - here's something interesting: Twisty plot, five women in all, none of whom can be trusted, all with massive secrets, and Paris. Lyndy lets slip to Olivia, a recent widow, that she knows she killed her husband, then turns up dead herself the next morning. Coincidence?

Then, we're off to the races. Olivia is skittish, paranoid, and desperate to avoid Cass, her late husband's fling, who has magically shown up in Paris after Lyndy's tragic death. Cass is an evil mastermind who of course has a whopper of a secret (they all do) and is not going away. Velissa and Margo have secrets, too. Of course, a pact is involved. Of course, chocolate and shopping are involved.

This has many of the makings of a taut thriller. Alas, the author has a liberal hand with the similes, and it got to be ridiculous after a while. The coffee tasted like regret....the scarf lay languidly like a mermaid on a rock (please note I am making these up for dramatic effect)....it was like the time a dozen clowns serenaded my neighbor....and so on. Way too much; hence, I knocked off a star.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Andria Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts when lifelong friends take a trip to Paris together. While there Lyndy whispers to Olivia that she knows that Olivia killed her husband, the next thing that happens is Lyndy is found in the hotel pool dead, supposedly of an "accident." Then Olivia finds a note saying that "now you're free liar." This is the story of friends that made a vow or bond that they would protect one another and one another's secrets no matter what. They made this vow back in 1999 when they were in school. Now years later, the problem comes when secrets start to be revealed. Who do you trust and what will you do to someone to make sure the secrets are not revealed. They all have secrets, dangerous secrets including murders. The story is told by different POV's along with some present day and past day timelines. I thought it was a pretty fast read. It all comes down to Confessions are contagious, once one starts to unravel who may be next? Secrets never stayed buried! I liked the story and and will be looking to read some more by the author. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the complimentary copy of the story.

[Samantha Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Steena Holmes, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

I am apparently in my slow-burn thriller era, because that seems to be all I have been picking up lately, and this one is no exception. Works for me, because I absolutely LOVE all things slow-burn, whether it's my thrillers or my romance books. I love the building and the tension, and you get that in this story. It may be a bit too slow for some, but it wasn’t for me. This was my introduction to Steena’s writing, and I definitely enjoyed it. I will be going back to find more of her books, as in looking through other reviews I see high praise for them as well.

Look, I love other people’s drama, haha. So the amount of secrets and lies in this book was like a big ole cup of tea for me to just guzzle down. I love stories like this where it’s just messy, and everyone has something to hide that all comes unraveling towards the end. I will never understand how an author’s brain works to weave these elaborate storylines and secrets without getting them confused, but kudos to them because I love it! Keep the drama and suspense coming!!

[marg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Know You Killed Your Husband is a gripping thriller that unfolds through the alternating perspectives of four women: Olivia, Margo, Velissa, and Cass. The story follows a close-knit friend group, tied by a past secret, travels to Paris, where one of them dies in what looks like an accident. As the story alternates between the survivor friends’ viewpoints, and that of Cass (an initially mysterious outsider), each woman’s past starts to unravel, revealing how their lives have been intertwined.

What kept me hooked was the way each small revelation unfolded, keeping me guessing as the women explored Paris and each piece of their past emerged. The shifting points of view kept me engaged, and the Paris setting gave the whole book a rich, escapist feel. I raced through the book with ease, eager to see what would come next.

That said, the final revelation about the death didn’t pack the punch I hoped for. I had a strong sense of who the culprit(s) were early on, so the final reveal(s) felt more like a confirmation than a surprise. Still, the character-driven storytelling and steady drip of revelations made it a page-turner for me.

[DJ Sakata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes:

She told me she’d never find peace. She said it was a myth, like Parisian moderation or honest men.

Someone always knows something… That’s the problem with secrets. They don’t stay in one place.

He wore charm like a tailored suit—effortless, expensive, and utterly strategic.

The only thing more dangerous than a secret is the act of pretending you don’t have one.

It feels like letting something in and trying to lock it out at the same time.


My Review:

I was fully invested and highly curious to unravel the mysteries, yet I despised these women. I spent most of the book wanting to kick them in the shins. Olivia was a total train wreck. I was appalled at myself for wanting to know their secrets, yet they were the type of people I would eschew having anything to do with in my real life. The storylines were maddeningly paced yet well-plotted. Despite my lack of appreciation for her characters, this wily kept me primed for the next indirect hit and eager to resume the story when forced to put my beloved Kindle down. That alone takes some powerful word dexterity and magical ink to achieve.

[meghin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Booksparks for sending me a digital copy via NetGalley from Bookoutoure of this novel by Steena Holmes. This book is out now and is available on KU!

I’ve had a couple of Steena’s books on my radar for a while now so I was so excited when Booksparks sent me IKYKYH which is about a woman's Paris trip with friends that turns deadly when one of them accuses her of killing her husband, and is then found dead in the hotel pool. 😱 Crazy, right?!

Instantly we are pulled into a girl gang in the middle of Paris. The friends are all 100% unreliable to me. I mean sure the FMC, Olivia, does seem a little unstable but I’d be internally panicking too. There’s hints of mean girl vibes and lots of secrecy to keep you invested. It’s not an overly intense thriller and the pacing a bit slow but I enjoyed the Paris atmosphere even though it kinda carried the story. There was a bit of repetitiveness and lots of similes. The twist was a bit predictable. But overall, it delivered a good revenge story and I appreciated the dual timeline. 3.5 starts ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ✨

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right? I feel like this book hits an issue at hand that a lot of friendship groups go through -- especially women. Are the women in the group truly friends? Or simply connected because they can't untangle the webs of secrets and lies.

A trip to Paris sounds like a dream, but I definitely wouldn't want to go with this "friends" group! I put my personal feelings aside and read this as an outsider looking in and I enjoyed the way things unfolded.

An anonymous enemy who has the ability to ruin someone's life? YES. So many secrets, lies, and underhanded/backstabbing agendas made everyone feel suspect. Balancing the beautiful backdrop of whimsical Paris, France with deceit was genius. The women were trying to continue on as though life were normal (as I'm sure they have over the course of their entire "friendship"), yet there was always that underlying threat that made things tense.

The pacing wasn't as tight and strong as I typically enjoy my thrillers sitting at, but I still enjoyed unfolding the clues to a conclusion!

[Chelsey Bookish Life · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5)

I Know You Killed Your Husband by Teena Holmes was a clever, intriguing read packed with secrets — and I was absolutely hooked trying to figure out who was going to confess next and who was lurking in the shadows watching everyone’s every move.

One of the biggest highlights for me was the friend group dynamic. The characters were so refreshingly different from one another, and the development throughout the story is what really made this book shine for me. I genuinely looked forward to spending time with these people — even when they were being suspicious! 😅

That said, I did find it a bit predictable at times. I never quite got that gut-punch moment where a twist left me completely blindsided, which kept it from being a full five-star read for me.

Overall though? I genuinely enjoyed it and I would 100% pick up another book by Teena Holmes — this woman can write a secret-filled story and I am here for it! If you love a thriller centered around a messy, complicated, and wildly entertaining friend group, give this one a shot! 📚🔪

[Julie (JuJu) · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 “I KNOW YOU KILLED YOUR HUSBAND” by Steena Holmes
3.75 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Confessions untangle like a loosely tied noose. Your past isn’t so secret anymore. One of you has already slipped. Who’s next?”

Thanks to the author and BookSparks for the #giftedARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Landing a spot on the ARC team for “I Know You Killed Your Husband” was so exciting. That cover is absolutely gorgeous. The premise had me reaching for my imaginary passport. We’re talking Paris, champagne, four besties, dead husbands, secrets piled higher than the Eiffel Tower, and one little whisper that sends everything spiraling: I know you killed your husband.

Is it rude? Oh, for sure. Does it work? Like a charm.

Olivia, Margo, Velissa, and Lyndy are on what’s supposed to be a glamorous girls’ trip in Paris, but let’s get real: this is less about croissants and more about who’s hiding the most dirt. These women know each other’s ugliest secrets, so friendship? I think that’s ancient history. Now they’re stuck together by bad decisions, and the kind of loyalty that feels one wrong sentence away from a police interview.

The prologue hooked me right away. An anonymous person is writing the first note to be secretly delivered, and the whole thing has that delicious “someone here is about to ruin everyone’s day" energy.

"The games have begun."

I was never fully convinced these four women liked each other enough to share a hotel room, let alone an entire vacation. I kept wondering if this trip was actually about friendship, survival, revenge, or just keeping everyone close enough to monitor their lies. No one felt trustworthy, which is exactly how I like my thriller characters: suspicious, stressed, and making questionable decisions while dressed nicely.

Olivia was my favorite. She’s the odd one out, never quite fitting into their glossy clique, which means she’s got a few morals left, maybe. Compared to the rest, she’s basically the group’s moral compass, even if it’s a little busted.

The pacing dragged more than I’d like, and I could have skipped half the Paris sightseeing. Yes, Paris is gorgeous, but I came for the secrets, not the travel brochure. Give me the lies, the cryptic notes, the poolside meltdowns, and the nonstop drama.

Still, this was a fun ride from an author I hadn’t read before, and I love stumbling onto new favorites. Steena Holmes serves up glitz, messy friendships, a shady death, and enough skeletons to make everyone look guilty.

And that twist? Did not see it coming. That’s always a win for my thriller-obsessed brain.
If you’re into domestic suspense, toxic friendships, girls' trips that go off the rails, and women who should never be trusted with secrets, “I Know You Killed Your Husband” is a juicy little trap you'll want to fall into.

#Bookouture

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this one. The premise immediately pulled me in—Paris, old friends, secrets, dead husbands, and plenty of tension simmering beneath the surface. It definitely gave me that “everyone is hiding something” feeling from the start.

For me, though, the story felt more focused on sightseeing and conversations than the actual mystery. The pacing was slower than I expected, and it took quite a while before I felt fully invested.

That said, the atmosphere was strong. Paris added a glamorous but uneasy backdrop, and I did enjoy the messy friendships, buried secrets, and constant feeling that no one could really be trusted.

Overall, this ended up being more of a slow-burn domestic suspense read for me than an edge-of-your-seat thriller. While it didn’t completely work for me personally, readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries with a strong sense of place may enjoy the ride more than I did.

[Zoe Costley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Know You Killed Your Husband by Steena Holmes was exactly the kind of addictive, edge‑of‑your‑seat thriller you love — the kind that grabs you from page one and refuses to let go.

From the moment I started reading, I was in. Completely absorbed. The tension builds fast, the atmosphere is deliciously unsettling, and every chapter ends with that perfect little jolt that makes you say, “Okay… one more.” The pacing is tight, the secrets are messy, and the characters are written with that sharp, twisty energy that keeps you suspicious of everyone.

The twists were twisting — bold, clever, and timed so well that each one landed with a proper ohhhhhh moment. And that ending? I genuinely didn’t see it coming. It hit with the kind of shock that makes you sit back, blink, and rethink everything you thought you had figured out.

Steena Holmes delivered a gripping, binge‑worthy thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. An easy, confident 5 stars.

[Barbara Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A group of women travels to Paris. They've known each other since college and have been holding onto secrets since then, little do they know that they're each hiding even more secrets now.
I have mixed feelings about this one because the location was fab-the description of the city and the food and whatnot made it feel so immersive but the characters were hard to root forthe pacing was kind of up and down as well which kind of took me out of the story. That being said, the story line itself I enjoyed because the plot itself was strong. And the idea behind it is interesting. It just needed a bit more oomph to get you to the edge of your seat factor that you hope for in a thriller.
Was it predictable? Yes. But I would still recommend it as one worth reading.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

[S Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The only thing more dangerous than a secret is the act of pretending you don’t have one.”

Four widows, bound by a decades-old secret, reconnect in Paris. When a murder occurs that is as mysterious as the history that connects them and someone outside the circle knows more than they should, the real mystery begins & nothing is what is seems.

This book is filled with secrets and twists, some expected, some a little head-scratching.

This is a page-turner with an ambiguous ending. I wouldn’t say a cliffhanger, but it’s definitely not a resolution, so if you don’t like an ending that isn’t wrapped up like a bow, you’ve been warned.

I don’t read a lot of thrillers, but this one kept me turning pages, not to see who the killer is, but to figure out what motivates the individual characters involved. I only wish each woman had their own books because their individual stories were very interesting, and the flashbacks that showed what brought each woman to the places they are now could have been 4 separate books themselves. Overall, interesting story, engaging premise, and I actually loved the ambiguous way it ended.