After He Killed Me

Emma Fern #2

by Natalie Barelli

Emma’s friends are close. Her enemies are closer.

Emma Fern has won at life: she’s a prize-winning author and she’s blissfully happy with her husband, Jim. It wasn’t an easy rise to the top, but Emma knows you can’t achieve success without sacrifice. The trouble is, Jim knows that too.

As her literary triumph starts to fade into the past, Emma comes under pressure to write a second bestseller. But her big secret is that she didn’t write the first one. She’s a fraud, and the only people who ever knew the truth are…no longer a problem.

What Emma didn’t count on was Jim playing the long game too. He has his own secrets—and a dangerous plan that could derail her beautifully orchestrated life. Faced with the loss of everything that defines her, Emma is forced to take increasingly desperate steps.

She won’t go down without a fight. And as Jim should know, she won’t fight fair.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Mystery Thriller

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2017

About the author

Natalie Barelli lives in Australia with her family where she is forever thinking up ways of killing people and getting away with it.

Reviews

[MarilynW · Rating 4 out of 5]

After He Killed Me (Emma Fern #2)
by Natalie Barelli, Carly Robins (Narrator)

If you find yourself wondering if three makes a serial killer, and that thought applies to you, something is not going right in your life. After the accolades for her prize winning first novel, and all the fame and fortune, Fern is dismayed at how quickly people forget about her. Life was going nicely after she "convinced" her husband that he did want to stay in a marriage to her but now the glow is fading off of everything. And she is expected by her publisher to write another bestseller, which is not easy to do, since she didn't even write the first one (don't tell anyone or she'll have to kill you).

The story was a little slow to start, I was probably three hours in before it got really interesting for me. But once the crazy ramps up I was hooked. Fern, darling, you have problems and you are your biggest problem. And that is saying a lot, darling.

I enjoyed this second book in the Emma Fern duology although I had a hard time getting used to a different audiobook narrator, having listened to both books, back to back. With this narrator, Fern sounds especially whiny and high pitched at times, which is understandable. After all, things aren't going her way and she has trouble with impulse control. But just about everyone else is voiced with a higher voice than she has and every time a man speaks it threw me out of the story a bit since the men all seemed to have a nasally, high pitched voices. Maybe this book would have been better read than heard, for me.

Published September 21, 2017

This was a Kindle Unlimited audiobook.

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 crazy is the new normal stars!!!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟


I am currently compiling my list of myTop Books of 2017 and this book definitely needed to be added! This is the second book in the series, and the first book is wonderful as well... although I found this book to be a little more engrossing.... it is a little gem of a not very well known series that I would definitely highly recommend! Especially two fans of character driven books with compelling yet unlikable characters.....

Emma could definitely give amazing Amy a run for her money!!!


Not sure what it says about me that I enjoy spending time in the mind of crazy!!! There is just something about spending time in the mind of Emma justifying her actions that was extremely enjoyable (for lack of a better word) for me.....

How many people do you need to kill before you are considered a serial killer??? Something I have honestly never pondered, but Emma seems quite concerned with this....

I do recognize that this book is not for everybody... Emma is terribly unlikable, she really has absolutely no redeeming qualities, however I did enjoy her psychosis.... how nice would it be to twist reality to suit you???

Don’t want to say much more than that and ruin it for you! Just hope you enjoy the crazy, twisty ride as much as I did!

[Phrynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book but still an entertaining read.

Emma Fern is back doing what she does best, never taking responsibilty for anything and living life in her own fertile imagination. She is a truly horrible character but since she is surrounded by other equally awful people I still wanted her to come out on top.

At times I thought the narrative became bogged down in its own cleverness with too many people deceiving too many others. To be honest I gave up trying to work out who was doing what at some point and just went along for the ride.

By the way I must have missed an important point somewhere - can anyone explain the title for me?

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Fern is back! And she’s still nutty as a fruitcake, and a lot of fun to spend time with. This book begins a little while after the events of the first book, Until I Met Her, and in addition to providing the foundation for this story, that book is better (and scarier) than this one, so you should definitely read that one first. Emma is a bestselling, Award winning author...but you see, she had to do some things to get there. Some pretty awful things that seem at last to be catching up with her.

Like I do with all Natalie Barelli books, I devoured this one in record time. Her writing style is infectious and so fun to read. Emma, our narrator, is unlikeable but fascinating and it’s both fun and scary to be inside her head. There were a lot of different threads in this story. All were fun and most (not all) got tied up at the end. I hope there is a third book, but if there isn’t, this one ends the story perfectly.

[Constantine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Genre:
Thriller

This was a fantastic sequel! I still like the first book more but still, this was very close to me. Emma continues to be the crazy woman who will do anything to hide her past crimes. Of course, this requires her to commit new ones! Beatrice and Hannah were some cruel characters in the first book. In this one we see things shift for the husband and his love interest. Sam was another crazy character that is introduced in this follow up.

The start of the book was to a shocking scene then things slowed down a little bit. After that, the rollercoaster started until the end of the story. I feel the end keeps a space for another future book. Not sure if that will happen or not, but I am up for it.

I will definitely read more books for Natalie Barelli because not only she proved that she is an excellent thriller author but also can keep the tension in her stories from start to end. This will make you so engaged with the story and characters all the time. I give this sequel 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. Very much recommended.

Available on Kindle Unlimited

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

totally unlikeable characters that made for a fantastic read once again!!

[Casey Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s no spoiler to say up front that Emma is a villainous protagonist- if you’re listening to (or reading) this book then you should have already enjoyed the first one, which means you know she’s capable of murder and incredible deception.

But even more so than in the first book, there’s something about her cheerful avoidance of responsibility and guilt, partnered with other characters just as devious as she is, that makes you root for Emma to get away with all her misdeeds. Murder and mayhem aside, you want her to outwit them all and get her happy ending, which feels rare for a character whose actions should make them so unlikeable.

There was also a clever little nod to Caroline Kepnes’s “You” in the book.

My only complaint was with the narrator of this book, who made every other character besides Emma sound like a cartoon, the women too whiny to be believed, and the man all oddly nasal or shrill. I wouldn’t pick a book with this narrator again.

[Katie T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Fern might be one of my favorite characters ever. Natalie, I know you can find a way to churn out a third book in this series. Please!

[Beth Roger aka Katiebella_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't read if you haven't read Until I Met Her!!

This book is a sequel. I picks up just a little after the first left off. When we left Emma, an award winning author, she had just blackmailed her husband into staying with her. Now she and Jim are back but things aren't the pink cloud romance she thinks it is. After an accident, that almost killed her, things havnt been adding up. Problem is she stole the first book, The award winning book, and killed the author. Now it seems like someone knows. The world is out to get her.
I love Barelli's edge of your seat writing. I am always gripped and dragged in on the first page. If you havnt read one of her books now is the time.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

another 4.5 by this author! though she makes it so you can read/listen to this one without having read first book, it is so much more entertaining having just finished her first book yesterday!
I got a lot of yard work done while listening to the audio of this! Great narration!
This book (both really) were like very addicting. I did not even really like this Emma character but it was more about how this was going to all play out to the end-I had to know!
Though this book wrapped up very nicely, wouldn't mind if Emma shows up in a future book.
I was entertained thoroughly, Thank you, well done Natalie Barelli!

[Jenn Poehlmann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful

Just want to preface my review by saying I generally really like this author. However, both Emma Fern books I found I could not stand. I only read the second as I assumed it would rectify what took place in the first. It did not, and for the first time ever, I stopped reading about 2/3s of the way through and skipped to the end. I am glad I did because the ending was ridiculous. Every single character in both books is unlikable, to say the least, and the "twists" are not believable and contrived. Emma Fern herself is just awful in every way.

[Louise Ramsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading and enjoying the previous book in this series I knew I had to get this book as soon as it released and see how Emma Ferns life had progressed after her previous story.

Now this book should not be read as a stand alone- it wont make sense- and you need to read the previous book to understand the lengths Emma went to in order to protect her reputation and her marriage.

And again Emma's story was highly entertaining- how her life has moved on since she murdered her friend Beatrice and blackmailed her husband to stay married to her.

At certain parts I felt the story dragging out a little- and I had to skim a little bit- but overall it was a good follow on.

I feel like there were a few pot holes- or storylines that neither added to the story or enhanced them- For example Sam- I didn't quite understand the obsession, why he did what he did, and then nothing was explored within it- and the fact that the Carol things was left wide open.

I think certain parts were padded for the sake of padding.....but I still finished it in a day.

4*'s

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I do love to hate Emma Fern!
This book was by no means as polished at the first in the series, but once you're hooked on her, its hard not to cheer Emma on in her fight.
Its amazing how I actually disliked practically everyone in this book, and yet it somehow made it even more fun to read.
This doesn't seem to be a very well known series, and I am surprised because the writing and plots are brilliant.
I'm not sure there will be any more in this series, but have just discovered that Natalie Barelli released a stand alone novel last month. Looking forward to reading that. Really enjoying this author.

[Jennifer (Jaye) · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Unhinged*

Well I don’t know what to say about this book. I remember Emma Fern as a kind young woman at the start of book one before she ever got involved in the world of pretending to be the author of a book. Once she experienced the fame and power she was unwilling to give it up. We saw how far she was prepared to go to protect her secret.

In this book we see how far removed she is from her original character. She is deluded and full of her own self importance, I feel a tad disappointed because I felt she needed to get her comeuppance, but what happens at the end shows she needed to knuckle down and actually put pen to paper.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More tales from our favourite psychopath Emma Ferns. I really thought it unlikely that a sequel to 'Until I Met Her' would be possible and it took a while for this one to grab me. But once it took hold I was hooked again. Maybe it wasn't quite as gripping as the first one, but that could just be because the first one was so enjoyable my expectations were unreasonably reasoned. Regardless of all this, part of me hopes that Emma goes into retirement as I'm not sure my adrenal glands are up to sharing any further adventures with her!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one but a really enjoyable read nonetheless. Emma Fern is not your typical heroine and that's what i loved about her! People who've red Until i met her know how far Emma can go in order to get what she wants. She is basically a vilain but we all love her right?
Even though the story wasn't as captivating as the first one it was good.
So 4 stars for this one. I'm really gonna miss Emma!

[lusty22 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved these two books! I love this author. Great suspense.

[Alya ( 20 comments restriction ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this but not as much as the first one, this one was chaotic but the ending was good. I'll be reading more from this author in the future for sure!

[Christy Webb Ritchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy as much as the first book in this series. The first book had an underlying story and second book was just a bunch of problems created by obnoxious to downright illegal activities and the subsequent faulty/lucky cleanups. It finished, unnecessarily, a story line started in the first book. But I had invested the time in the first and felt I needed to finish. I would not have gone on to a book 3 at this point.

Take my rating with a grain a salt because I think my biggest issues were actually with the narrator (I listened to both on Audible). It changed and I didn't seem to be as receptive to the second one. The main character became significantly more repulsive in the second book (which much of the narrative was designed to show, I'm sure; it's just sometimes hard to tell what is reaction to the narration vs. the book itself). In addition, the secondary characters became more caricature-like in their presentation. A seemingly self-possessed, professional female economist somehow started sounding like a whiny high schooler. Maybe I wouldn't have had such a negative reaction to the change in narrator if I hadn't listened to the books back to back.

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

wickedly entertaining and suspenseful!

this is the second book of two. you must absolutely read the first book before you read this. Emma Fern is definitely a character that will have you asking yourself a lot of questions. to fully grasp how Emma got to where she is, you must read the first book. However, once you get to the end of the second book, you will have gone on a journey you definitely did not expect! manipulation, psychological abuse, murder, betrayal, these are just a few things that become part of Emmas life!

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowzer!

Ok, couldn't get enough of it. Read it in less than a day. Both of these books were awesome. Unique plot, suspense filled and totally entertaining! I hated Emma, rooted for Emma, got angry at her, and laughed my butt off at her. For all of her craziness I somehow needed to have her succeed! Goodness, this book was a riot. I hated Jim and Carol. I loved Frankie. I'm going to miss these characters. Awesome book. Wish it wasn't finished.

[Bridgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a crazy ride!

What is it about the vile, psycho Emma that makes the reader root for her crazy schemes? Because I totally was.

She's like a female Dexter.

Read these books! They're well worth your time (even though I noticed a character's last name changed from the first book to the second...which is kind of weird.)

Such quick, fun reads. I'll be keeping an eye on Natalie Barelli in the future.

[Laur · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, after reading a slew of books that left me disappointed. This one wasn’t the one to break the chain.

The protagonist seemed a mixture of juvenile, OCD, foolish, immature, and not nearly smart enough to kill anyone (much less multiple people). The title of the book didn’t make sense to me. Add to that unnecessary vulgarity.

[Lisa Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Teddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is Emma Ferns really Natalie Barelli?

Emma Ferns has had an amazing couple of years, ever since the publication of her first book "Long Grass Running". The book won a prestigious award, shot to the top of the best seller list, and made her a ton of money. Emma went on a whirlwind book tour, was on the cover of several magazines, and is always running into one or two adoring fans when she's out and about. On top of that, she had a loving and handsome husband who dotes on her. What more could she ask for?

Well, for one thing, to stop being pressed about when she'll finish her next book. The problem is, she is nowhere close to being finished with her second book. Because she hasn't even started it! But of course she can't tell her publisher, interviewers and fans that. They are all expecting her to come out with a second award winning bestseller like her first one. The problem is, she actually isn't the author of the first book. Beatrice Johnson Greene is. And Beatrice Johnson Greene is dead. Because Emma killed her.

But that was all explained in "Before I Met Her", the first book in this two book series. In "After Her Killed Me", the stress of keeping up the facade is getting to Emma. She hires a ghostwriter to get her publisher off her back. But what is she going to do about her adoring husband? Does he really love her? Or maybe he's just hanging around because she's blackmailing him? And now that he knows her secrets, is he going to turn around and blackmail her? Emma asks herself the question, How many murders does one have to commit before they're considered a serial murderer?

I hoped I would love "After He Killed Me" as much as I did "Until I Met Her". Because I really loved the first book. It was a very enjoyable, fun suspense thriller that kept me enthralled to the end. And for the first half, I thought this was another 5 star book. But then the story started to fall apart. I couldn't follow Emma's thought processes. I understood she was not a completely rational person. But I'd gotten to know this character quite well, and now I couldn't figure out where she was going (mentally). And a couple of other characters didn't ring true either.

I ended the book, disappointed. I was expecting a 5 star book, and it turned out to be closer to 4 stars. But I haven't given up on this author. I love her writing style and expect great things from her in the future...unless...

Maybe Emma Ferns is really a fictional Natalie Barelli? Maybe Natalie didn't actually write "Until I Met Her" (Emma's "Long Grass Running")? Someone else did, and Natalie murdered her and took credit for it? So, of course the second book couldn't possibly be as good as the first one because that author is dead? Ohhh. My head hurts....

[Nurse Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My heart is broken. After He Killed Me was the book I most looked forward to, until I found it was book 2 of the same characters. I picked up the first one, Until I Met Her, and loved it! I ate up every last page, loving the development of MC, Emma Fern. So I couldn’t wait to get into this one!!! But that excited turned flat when I noted, quite early on, that the narrator wasn’t the same. In most stories, it wouldn’t matter- but the way the narrator encompasses the weakness and insecurities of the character in book one was completely gone.

In After He Killed Me, the storyline continues, but it felt like the character was completely different. When did Emma become so … … confident and deceptive? I feel like her personality jumped leaps and bounds without build up or development. Suddenly, Emma is the one in power and making the decisions- a huge step from the meek and mild to slightly spicy character in the previous story. The ending, semi-predictable, reminded me a lot of “American Psycho”, and if it had ended the same way, the author might’ve redeemed herself.

Regardless of my opinion of the narrator (audiobook) and the development of the character, I finished the book. It follows Emma Fern in the aftermath of her win in the previous book- the award winning book, her husband back, success. Unfortunately, this is short lived and she is left using a ghostwriter to attempt her “second” book. All the while, she’s finding it difficult to adapt to not being center of attention and easily recognized in public AND lingering effects on her memory post-“accident”. So how many murders does it take to be a serial killer?

[Shannon O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m honestly incredibly disappointed in this sequel to Until I Meet Her. I wasn’t sure where it could possibly go after the ending of book 1 but it took me on such a far fetched journey, I was in disbelief. This story follows through the aftermath of Emma’s life from book 1. There were so many parts where I could see exactly where the story was going and how it was going to end. I wanted to scream at her “OPEN YOUR EYES” but she was so oblivious and didn’t think anything through but often acted like she was the smartest person in the room. She was paranoid, kind of insane, and needy. She often threw herself at people who very clearly wanted nothing to do with her and thought everyone loved her when they didn’t. The ending was EXTREMELY unbelievable and just annoying. There was no way that would happen, even in a novel it made me want to throw the book across the room.

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 5 out of 5]

“…………the rest of the story!” DEFINITELY read “Until I Met Her” first, otherwise this one loses its clout. These two Emma Fern books should have been one big book rather than a series. But, the ending does leave room for Emma to continue her serial murdering path in a third installment.

Not one likable character in the entire book - it’s interesting to see them all become unhinged page by page. More psychopaths than in a mental ward, they lie and connive and are just downright nasty. But, it’s a fast page turner.

I’m still trying to figure out why the libraries don’t have any of her books. She is a top notch author.

[Madelene Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naturally I picked up the second book in this series straight away to find out what happens next to Emma Fern. Controversial but I found it even better than the first book in this series. Kudos to the author because even at 80% through the book, I couldn’t decide which character I was backing and who was crazy. You know a book is good when you pop it down and can’t stop thinking about it.

[Lesa Divine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma has a lot of growth as a character.

Still Emma trying to keep her secrets. But then she finds herself back doing some horrible things to keep her secrets safe.
But then she finds out others are playing her game too and determined to put Emma in her place.

Enjoyed.