What do you think?
Rate this book
What She Did
If you think you did something terrible? Would you tell?
I live a small life: a one-bedroom apartment, clothes that help me blend into the background, just a few friends who don’t know my whole story. Everything has to be simple, ordered, in its place.
It gives me the illusion that I’m in control. Even though I know I never can be.
Twenty years ago, I lost everyone I ever loved, and they say it was all my fault.
I’ve tried to make sure I could never hurt anyone again, but it’s hard to live any kind of life without letting anyone get close to me.
And then come the sirens; the knock at the door.
If I’d done something terrible, I would know, wouldn’t I?
An absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller that’ll keep you reading long into the night. Perfect for fans of C.L. Taylor, Teresa Driscoll and Lisa Jewell.
I live a small life: a one-bedroom apartment, clothes that help me blend into the background, just a few friends who don’t know my whole story. Everything has to be simple, ordered, in its place.
It gives me the illusion that I’m in control. Even though I know I never can be.
Twenty years ago, I lost everyone I ever loved, and they say it was all my fault.
I’ve tried to make sure I could never hurt anyone again, but it’s hard to live any kind of life without letting anyone get close to me.
And then come the sirens; the knock at the door.
If I’d done something terrible, I would know, wouldn’t I?
An absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller that’ll keep you reading long into the night. Perfect for fans of C.L. Taylor, Teresa Driscoll and Lisa Jewell.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2021
166 people are currently reading
705 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kovach
33 books1,077 followersCarla Kovach was born in Birmingham, UK and now resides in Redditch, Worcestershire. Author of supernatural drama 'Flame,' psychological thriller 'To Let,' crime thriller 'Whispers Beneath the Pines, and romantic comedy 'Meet Me at Marmaris Castle.' Carla also writes stage and screen plays, some of which have been produced in the Worcestershire area.
Her new novel 'The Next Girl,' is available for preorder now. (Published by Bookouture).
Her new novel 'The Next Girl,' is available for preorder now. (Published by Bookouture).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
September 21, 2021
Marissa Baxter has had a rough life. As a child her mother was murdered in front of her. Her troubles continued when she went to live with her aunt, Caroline, and uncle Simon. She was abused and lived a horrible existence in their care. Her early trauma and abuse shaped her life and left her anxiety ridden on guard and prone to sleepwalking.
As an adult she has suffered loss of a friend and mentor. She leads a quiet existence and is troubled when her new abrasive and rude neighbor throws loud parties and is threatening to her. Then she gets word that her uncle Simon has been murdered. Not long after that her noisy neighbor is found dead as well. Marissa is the common factor, and she feels she is being framed.
But that is not all - I did mention Marissa had a tough life. She has also recently met a new client who is a nasty flirt. He is overbearing, touchy, and creepy. Just what she doesn't need in her life. Marissa feels that she is being watched. Could it be her new client or someone else?
This book grabbed my attention right away. For most of the book it was a 4-star read for me, but it lost a little of its steam for me toward the end. There is a lot going on with various characters and you may get the old it's-a-small-world vibe from this book. Lots on coincidences going on here.
Having said that, this was an enjoyable read which held my attention even if it did lose a little steam for me toward the end.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
As an adult she has suffered loss of a friend and mentor. She leads a quiet existence and is troubled when her new abrasive and rude neighbor throws loud parties and is threatening to her. Then she gets word that her uncle Simon has been murdered. Not long after that her noisy neighbor is found dead as well. Marissa is the common factor, and she feels she is being framed.
But that is not all - I did mention Marissa had a tough life. She has also recently met a new client who is a nasty flirt. He is overbearing, touchy, and creepy. Just what she doesn't need in her life. Marissa feels that she is being watched. Could it be her new client or someone else?
This book grabbed my attention right away. For most of the book it was a 4-star read for me, but it lost a little of its steam for me toward the end. There is a lot going on with various characters and you may get the old it's-a-small-world vibe from this book. Lots on coincidences going on here.
Having said that, this was an enjoyable read which held my attention even if it did lose a little steam for me toward the end.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
July 29, 2021
This book has a lot of what one would look for in a crime & suspense novel – progressively building the tension and holding the reveal till the end.
Marissa Baxter has had a rough life and is only now settling into a career. She was hiding under the bed as her mother was murdered. She was then raised by her uncle & aunt - Simon & Caroline. This is not a happy period either as Simon abuses her, Caroline does not support her and she is too terrified to bring this up with anyone else. She cannot wait to move on, her aunt also passes away and she finally does get away quite abruptly. She has some good fortune as an acquaintance Reggie helps her with a job and stands by her. She later moves on to work on her own as a financial advisor. She takes up residence near the cottage she and her mom used to live in, hoping some-day to be able to buy it. She finds one day shockingly that her uncle Simon has moved into the cottage, and she also has a pestering new client and a troublesome neighbour. She also feels someone is stalking her. The memories of her mother’s murder never go away, and this coupled with her sleepwalking problem keeps her on the edge most of the time. Glen, who is part of the housing complex is a source of support as her stress levels go up, but she is not sure how much she can confide in him. Her uncle is murdered and soon after, her neighbour as well. Marissa can only recall fragments of many of her activities in the night, feels she knows something of the murders and is fearful that someone may be after her as well.
I could sense which character holds the key to the story once I was past half-way, though I was not sure why. The story keeps you hooked, the incidents notch up the tension pretty well and Marissa’s mental state is very well portrayed. There is a big reveal at the end and as many times happens with stories which rely on this – the tie-up of threads and behaviours is not entirely credible. I tend to give greater credence to stories which keep things natural.
This is a very readable story for which it is worth a go.
My rating: 3.75 / 5.
Thanks to Bookouture, Netgalley and the author for a free electronic review copy.
Marissa Baxter has had a rough life and is only now settling into a career. She was hiding under the bed as her mother was murdered. She was then raised by her uncle & aunt - Simon & Caroline. This is not a happy period either as Simon abuses her, Caroline does not support her and she is too terrified to bring this up with anyone else. She cannot wait to move on, her aunt also passes away and she finally does get away quite abruptly. She has some good fortune as an acquaintance Reggie helps her with a job and stands by her. She later moves on to work on her own as a financial advisor. She takes up residence near the cottage she and her mom used to live in, hoping some-day to be able to buy it. She finds one day shockingly that her uncle Simon has moved into the cottage, and she also has a pestering new client and a troublesome neighbour. She also feels someone is stalking her. The memories of her mother’s murder never go away, and this coupled with her sleepwalking problem keeps her on the edge most of the time. Glen, who is part of the housing complex is a source of support as her stress levels go up, but she is not sure how much she can confide in him. Her uncle is murdered and soon after, her neighbour as well. Marissa can only recall fragments of many of her activities in the night, feels she knows something of the murders and is fearful that someone may be after her as well.
I could sense which character holds the key to the story once I was past half-way, though I was not sure why. The story keeps you hooked, the incidents notch up the tension pretty well and Marissa’s mental state is very well portrayed. There is a big reveal at the end and as many times happens with stories which rely on this – the tie-up of threads and behaviours is not entirely credible. I tend to give greater credence to stories which keep things natural.
This is a very readable story for which it is worth a go.
My rating: 3.75 / 5.
Thanks to Bookouture, Netgalley and the author for a free electronic review copy.
July 28, 2021
3.5 stars
Twenty three years ago Marissa Baxter is five, she’s drawing a picture for Mummy to make her happy but then terror strikes as there’s a ‘bad man’ at the door .... In the present day Marissa meets with a potential client Ben Forge which proves to be a disconcerting experience which is further added to when she meets her new neighbour in her apartment block. Are the people she encounters out to hurt her or does it go much deeper than that into events from the past.
Marissa’ portrayal is good, she’s a bag of nerves, very damaged, her background is heartbreaking so it’s little wonder she’s as she is. Her stress and anxiety manifests itself in various ways is conveyed well although it does get a bit repetitive towards the end. She’s not an easy character to relate to as some of her behaviour is odd and doesn’t equate with the image she’s trying to live up to which is interesting as you try to weigh it up. It’s fair to say that none of the characters are very likeable and some of the more unpleasant ones do feel a bit stereotypical which is evident in some dialogue. The plot is very unsettling and disturbing in places, there’s a dark element to the storytelling and a lot of questions about where the truth of present day events lies. The first half is really good and keeps you glued to the pages.
However, whilst there is much that is good in the novel the pace drops off at times mostly due to repetition of Marissa's thoughts. I also think it becomes very obvious from about half way what is going on, so the finale isn’t a huge surprise. The final twist though is a really good one which leaves you wondering and I like that!
Overall, it’s an easy read with some good elements in the storytelling .
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Twenty three years ago Marissa Baxter is five, she’s drawing a picture for Mummy to make her happy but then terror strikes as there’s a ‘bad man’ at the door .... In the present day Marissa meets with a potential client Ben Forge which proves to be a disconcerting experience which is further added to when she meets her new neighbour in her apartment block. Are the people she encounters out to hurt her or does it go much deeper than that into events from the past.
Marissa’ portrayal is good, she’s a bag of nerves, very damaged, her background is heartbreaking so it’s little wonder she’s as she is. Her stress and anxiety manifests itself in various ways is conveyed well although it does get a bit repetitive towards the end. She’s not an easy character to relate to as some of her behaviour is odd and doesn’t equate with the image she’s trying to live up to which is interesting as you try to weigh it up. It’s fair to say that none of the characters are very likeable and some of the more unpleasant ones do feel a bit stereotypical which is evident in some dialogue. The plot is very unsettling and disturbing in places, there’s a dark element to the storytelling and a lot of questions about where the truth of present day events lies. The first half is really good and keeps you glued to the pages.
However, whilst there is much that is good in the novel the pace drops off at times mostly due to repetition of Marissa's thoughts. I also think it becomes very obvious from about half way what is going on, so the finale isn’t a huge surprise. The final twist though is a really good one which leaves you wondering and I like that!
Overall, it’s an easy read with some good elements in the storytelling .
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
September 12, 2021
I really like the Gina Harte series by Carla Kovach but this book was so different. It almost felt like it was written by someone else. Kovach writes strong, professional women but the protagonist in this book is quite the opposite.
Granted Marissa Baxter didn’t have a great start to life. She witnessed her mother’s death when she was 5 years old and was then packed off to an aunt and uncle who made no secret of the fact they didn’t want her. At their hands she suffered neglect and abuse. Despite all that she now has a career in financial services. But oh my - she is such a timid little creature. It all goes downhill for her when her abusive Uncle Simon moves into the cottage she has her eye on, she gets a new client who is super creepy and a new neighbour move into her apartment building who is mean and aggressive.
Marissa the mouse shrivels under the weight of all this worry. She has the feeling she is being watched and she gets some creepy notes and hang up calls. I agree this would all be very daunting but the book got quite repetitive in the middle and I got tired of reading about Marissa’s tears, trembling and vomiting from stress. Eventually some of the people troubling Marissa get murdered and she starts sleepwalking again so now she has the added worry of the police arresting here for murder. To be fair she does have cause for concern but I won’t go there because - spoilers.
Anyway, it became obvious what was going on pretty early in the book. None of the characters were particularly likeable and there was not much pace or suspense to the story. It just felt kind of flat to me. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
Granted Marissa Baxter didn’t have a great start to life. She witnessed her mother’s death when she was 5 years old and was then packed off to an aunt and uncle who made no secret of the fact they didn’t want her. At their hands she suffered neglect and abuse. Despite all that she now has a career in financial services. But oh my - she is such a timid little creature. It all goes downhill for her when her abusive Uncle Simon moves into the cottage she has her eye on, she gets a new client who is super creepy and a new neighbour move into her apartment building who is mean and aggressive.
Marissa the mouse shrivels under the weight of all this worry. She has the feeling she is being watched and she gets some creepy notes and hang up calls. I agree this would all be very daunting but the book got quite repetitive in the middle and I got tired of reading about Marissa’s tears, trembling and vomiting from stress. Eventually some of the people troubling Marissa get murdered and she starts sleepwalking again so now she has the added worry of the police arresting here for murder. To be fair she does have cause for concern but I won’t go there because - spoilers.
Anyway, it became obvious what was going on pretty early in the book. None of the characters were particularly likeable and there was not much pace or suspense to the story. It just felt kind of flat to me. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
March 21, 2022
What She Did is a standalone psychological thriller by author Carla Kovach. Having enjoyed her Detective Gina Harte Series, I was interested to read this novel.
Twenty-three years ago, Marissa’s mother was murdered while she hid under the bed, as a five-year-old had been instructed by her mum. She will never forget her mother’s murder.
Marissa was sent off to live with her Aunt Caroline and monster Uncle Simon, followed by years of abuse. Marissa eventually escaped and started a new life…but always lived in fear if her mother’s murderer, who was never caught, would come looking for her, as she was the only witness to the crime.
Now Marissa, through the help of a few friends, lives in a one-bedroom apartment, and works from home as a financial advisor…but she is always looking over her shoulder.
She suffers from sleep-walking especially when she is stressed or has been drinking, so when she finds out her uncle Simon had been stabbed to death, she is in a fog and doesn’t remember anything from that night.
Then her noisy neighbor is stabbed to death…but she remembers nothing.
She tries to be in control, but it never can be.
This is a well-written standalone psychological crime thriller where Marissa’s traumatic past comes back to haunt her. The suspense level increases until the astonishing twist at the end.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
Twenty-three years ago, Marissa’s mother was murdered while she hid under the bed, as a five-year-old had been instructed by her mum. She will never forget her mother’s murder.
Marissa was sent off to live with her Aunt Caroline and monster Uncle Simon, followed by years of abuse. Marissa eventually escaped and started a new life…but always lived in fear if her mother’s murderer, who was never caught, would come looking for her, as she was the only witness to the crime.
Now Marissa, through the help of a few friends, lives in a one-bedroom apartment, and works from home as a financial advisor…but she is always looking over her shoulder.
She suffers from sleep-walking especially when she is stressed or has been drinking, so when she finds out her uncle Simon had been stabbed to death, she is in a fog and doesn’t remember anything from that night.
Then her noisy neighbor is stabbed to death…but she remembers nothing.
She tries to be in control, but it never can be.
This is a well-written standalone psychological crime thriller where Marissa’s traumatic past comes back to haunt her. The suspense level increases until the astonishing twist at the end.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
November 27, 2021
Promised so much but didn’t quite do it for me. There was plenty of things I liked, well written, good start and decent characters but unfortunately lost its momentum. Dragged a little towards the end and I felt that some of the twists were too predictable.
When the police knock at the door of Marissa’s one-bed apartment to inform her that her last family member had died she is faced with the family secret she has spent a lifetime running from. Her car was spotted outside the relatives house the day he died. But Marissa knows she’s innocent and hasn’t seen her uncle for a very long time. The problem that Marissa faces is that she has suffered blackouts in the past and her memory cannot be trusted. A few days later Marissa’s neighbour is found dead in his home in similar circumstances to her uncle. With an history of falling outs with her neighbour Marissa becomes the obvious suspect but is she really innocent or is someone trying to frame her.
I did enjoy it but felt with a few tweaks here and there could have been so much better.
When the police knock at the door of Marissa’s one-bed apartment to inform her that her last family member had died she is faced with the family secret she has spent a lifetime running from. Her car was spotted outside the relatives house the day he died. But Marissa knows she’s innocent and hasn’t seen her uncle for a very long time. The problem that Marissa faces is that she has suffered blackouts in the past and her memory cannot be trusted. A few days later Marissa’s neighbour is found dead in his home in similar circumstances to her uncle. With an history of falling outs with her neighbour Marissa becomes the obvious suspect but is she really innocent or is someone trying to frame her.
I did enjoy it but felt with a few tweaks here and there could have been so much better.
August 7, 2022
Marissa tries to blend in because if people can't see you, they can't hurt you, right? She always lives in fear. You see, Marissa's mother was murdered 23 years ago while Marissa was hiding under the bed. Then she was shipped off to her aunt who was terribly mean to her while her uncle molested her at night. No wonder she is always expecting someone to hurt her.
Marissa wants to buy the cottage that she and her mother were so happy in long ago. Oh, no, she sees the horrible uncle move in it. In addition to these woes, the neighbor from hell has moved into the apartment next to hers.
Marissa is so stressed that she has started sleepwalking again. She can't remember what happens some nights. She sometimes wakes with blood on herself. People she doesn't like are dying.
This book was another from my 2021 list that I am just now getting around to. I haven't read any other books by this author but this title spoke to me. I don't mind a flawed character trying to do better but goodness, Marissa was mousy and the story hit repeatedly on her paranoid thoughts. However, I did like the ending. I would read another book by this author but I didn't particularly care for Marissa's character in this one.
Marissa wants to buy the cottage that she and her mother were so happy in long ago. Oh, no, she sees the horrible uncle move in it. In addition to these woes, the neighbor from hell has moved into the apartment next to hers.
Marissa is so stressed that she has started sleepwalking again. She can't remember what happens some nights. She sometimes wakes with blood on herself. People she doesn't like are dying.
This book was another from my 2021 list that I am just now getting around to. I haven't read any other books by this author but this title spoke to me. I don't mind a flawed character trying to do better but goodness, Marissa was mousy and the story hit repeatedly on her paranoid thoughts. However, I did like the ending. I would read another book by this author but I didn't particularly care for Marissa's character in this one.
September 20, 2021
ITS BOOK PUBLICATION DAY publication 20th September 2021.
Imagine being a child and witnessing your mother be murdered because that’s exactly what happened to Melissa. Things start getting a bit weird Melissa starts receiving mystery letters and people in her life start dying. For some reason Melissa has no memory of the night of these murders! can she be the killer?
This is a really good psychological thriller by Carla Kovach. Having only followed her crime series I wasn’t even sure what to expect from this book however I was more than pleasantly surprised. Although I must say I had guessed who or What was responsible for the murders.
Melissa’s character is really interesting especially because she clearly has PTSD from the death of her mother. Furthermore she grew up with her aunt and uncle who never wanted children and that was not a safe house for a child to be in. So no wonder when things start to go a bit crazy in her life she finds herself terrified that she doesn't even know herself. Is she a killer or is someone trying to convince her she’s a killer? Well that will get answered and if you are an avid reader of this genre I’m pretty certain you will work it out quite early on but it really didn't make it any less of an enjoyable read.
Without saying too much the book goes back and forth from present day to melissa's childhood teens and early 20s. For such a young woman she has gone through far too much! So no wonder she is absolutely terrified about the situation she finds herself in. I really enjoyed the way it has been written because as a reader we are unsure ourselves. That is what makes it so fun to read because either she's killing people and can't remember or someone's killing people for her but why? Believe me there were a few twists that even I didn’t see coming and I loved every second of it. Let’s leave at that
Would I recommend this book? Yes I really enjoyed it and found it to be a very easy read and a great psychological thriller. For once I actually felt like I got a thriller and a psychological experience and was reading a book in this genre as often you either get one or the other and not both. Carla kovatch is a fantastic writer and I will be a huge fan of her books I think until she stops writing which I hope is never! This was an easy five stars
Thanks to netgalley, Karla Kovach, and bookture for the digital advanced copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.
Imagine being a child and witnessing your mother be murdered because that’s exactly what happened to Melissa. Things start getting a bit weird Melissa starts receiving mystery letters and people in her life start dying. For some reason Melissa has no memory of the night of these murders! can she be the killer?
This is a really good psychological thriller by Carla Kovach. Having only followed her crime series I wasn’t even sure what to expect from this book however I was more than pleasantly surprised. Although I must say I had guessed who or What was responsible for the murders.
Melissa’s character is really interesting especially because she clearly has PTSD from the death of her mother. Furthermore she grew up with her aunt and uncle who never wanted children and that was not a safe house for a child to be in. So no wonder when things start to go a bit crazy in her life she finds herself terrified that she doesn't even know herself. Is she a killer or is someone trying to convince her she’s a killer? Well that will get answered and if you are an avid reader of this genre I’m pretty certain you will work it out quite early on but it really didn't make it any less of an enjoyable read.
Without saying too much the book goes back and forth from present day to melissa's childhood teens and early 20s. For such a young woman she has gone through far too much! So no wonder she is absolutely terrified about the situation she finds herself in. I really enjoyed the way it has been written because as a reader we are unsure ourselves. That is what makes it so fun to read because either she's killing people and can't remember or someone's killing people for her but why? Believe me there were a few twists that even I didn’t see coming and I loved every second of it. Let’s leave at that
Would I recommend this book? Yes I really enjoyed it and found it to be a very easy read and a great psychological thriller. For once I actually felt like I got a thriller and a psychological experience and was reading a book in this genre as often you either get one or the other and not both. Carla kovatch is a fantastic writer and I will be a huge fan of her books I think until she stops writing which I hope is never! This was an easy five stars
Thanks to netgalley, Karla Kovach, and bookture for the digital advanced copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.
September 21, 2021
3.5 stars
Marissa has had a hard life filled with trauma. First, she witnesses her mother's murder. Then she is subjected to abuse at the hands of her family who take her in. She is a fragile adult. Scarred from the memories, she thinks she has found a safe place in a quiet little cottage tucked away from the world. But that hope is soon destroyed by an obnoxiously aggressive neighbor. When both he and her abusive uncle are found dead - stabbed in the same manner - Marissa is an obvious suspect. The problem is she does not remember the nights of the murders. Did she do it? Marissa herself doesn't even know. She could have just as easily committed these crimes while sleepwalking as having been blacked out from her excessive drinking. Certainly no one will believe her account.
What She Did is the perfect whodunit for people who like unreliable narrators. Every word and everyone is suspect.
Marissa has had a hard life filled with trauma. First, she witnesses her mother's murder. Then she is subjected to abuse at the hands of her family who take her in. She is a fragile adult. Scarred from the memories, she thinks she has found a safe place in a quiet little cottage tucked away from the world. But that hope is soon destroyed by an obnoxiously aggressive neighbor. When both he and her abusive uncle are found dead - stabbed in the same manner - Marissa is an obvious suspect. The problem is she does not remember the nights of the murders. Did she do it? Marissa herself doesn't even know. She could have just as easily committed these crimes while sleepwalking as having been blacked out from her excessive drinking. Certainly no one will believe her account.
What She Did is the perfect whodunit for people who like unreliable narrators. Every word and everyone is suspect.
September 18, 2021
What She Did by Carla Kovach is a psychological thriller.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Marissa Baxter lives in a small apartment, and has a room set aside for her business. She's a financial adviser. She really doesn't want to live there, but the cottage where she grew up in is too expensive for her to buy, but she dreams of it. Meanwhile, she is safe here, but memories of her mother being killed right in front of her continue to haunt her. As well, living with her aunt and uncle when she was a child was certainly no picnic.
When a new tenant moves across the hall, they immediately butt heads.
When her abusive uncle is murdered, Marissa is positive she didn't do it, but she can no longer trust her memory, as she has been sleepwalking again. Then her obnoxious neighbour is murdered, exactly like her uncle.
She really can't trust herself right now.
My Opinions:
Unfortunately, Marissa and I must have gotten off on the wrong foot. I didn't like her. Even when I realize she has had a rough life, has been mentally and emotionally scarred, I still didn't like her. She just annoyed me. Her actions were confrontational, and somewhat arrogant, and her consumption of alcohol didn't help things. Have I mentioned that I didn't like her? At 40%, I wondered why I was still reading the book. Again at 50%. Yes, I have a hard time giving up, especially when the book is by a favorite author. But still...
However, by the 60% mark, I realized I was finally reading to see what was going to happen next. I still didn't like Marissa, but the story finally took me away. Now, that is way too late for a 4 or 5 star book, but it was starting to be good! So as long as I didn't look to closely at the protagonist, I found myself enjoying the plot, and although I had guessed most of the twists, the book ended up holding my interest.
Overall, it was good, I just spent too much time disliking the main character. None of my complaints, however, will prevent me from picking up another book by this author!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
September 19, 2021
Marissa has led a quiet life since the murder of her mother when she was a young child. She was taken in by relatives after that tragedy. She was powerless as a child and is still powerless as an adult. Years later, Marissa gets notified that one of her previous guardians has been found dead. In fact, there is a witness that says that they saw Marissa's car in the area. Marissa knows she didn't kill anyone. Did she? But she cannot prove it. Her memory fails her, and for quite a specific reason.
Too add to that, recently Marissa has new neighbors, and one of them is soon found dead. Again, Marissa thinks that she couldn't have done it. Why have these two murders occurred and why is Marissa unable to trust her memory? What can Marissa do to prove to the police that she is not a killer? Or can she prove that she is not a killer, since her memory cannot be trusted?
What a conundrum to be sure! Is this book a case of an unreliable narrator? Meaning, can Marissa be trusted? Well, read this thrilling story by Carla Kovach and you just might find yourself flipping back and forth with wondering what is really going on. What a riveting read! I loved reading about someone that we are not sure could be trusted.
This book definitely had some tough emotional moments concerning Marissa's experiences. Then there is the fact that all along Marissa is rather certain that she is being stalked. That definitely brings a creepy edge to what proved to be an utterly remarkable book. Oh, and the ending! Shocking beyond belief!
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Too add to that, recently Marissa has new neighbors, and one of them is soon found dead. Again, Marissa thinks that she couldn't have done it. Why have these two murders occurred and why is Marissa unable to trust her memory? What can Marissa do to prove to the police that she is not a killer? Or can she prove that she is not a killer, since her memory cannot be trusted?
What a conundrum to be sure! Is this book a case of an unreliable narrator? Meaning, can Marissa be trusted? Well, read this thrilling story by Carla Kovach and you just might find yourself flipping back and forth with wondering what is really going on. What a riveting read! I loved reading about someone that we are not sure could be trusted.
This book definitely had some tough emotional moments concerning Marissa's experiences. Then there is the fact that all along Marissa is rather certain that she is being stalked. That definitely brings a creepy edge to what proved to be an utterly remarkable book. Oh, and the ending! Shocking beyond belief!
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
November 14, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
What She Did was so predictable that within a few chapters, I was pretty sure where it was going. This took a lot of the anticipation and thrill out of it, which is not ideal for a psychological thriller. If it hadn't been so short, I'm not sure I would have finished it.
I did empathise with Marissa - you would have to be a complete robot not to. Her early life was traumatic, and she went through so many horrific experiences. Despite this, I still didn't like her as a character or as a person. Her personality was clinging and annoying, making the narrative feel repetitive almost from the beginning, which only got worse as I kept reading.
I appreciated the attempt to take a relatively standard psychological thriller recipe and make it darker and more sadistic. Unfortunately, the attempt felt clumsy and forced because every twist was easy to see from a long way off and revealed no new significant information. As a result, the pace of the narrative felt flat, and I didn't feel the suspense that was intended and really necessary to make What She Did worth reading.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
What She Did was so predictable that within a few chapters, I was pretty sure where it was going. This took a lot of the anticipation and thrill out of it, which is not ideal for a psychological thriller. If it hadn't been so short, I'm not sure I would have finished it.
I did empathise with Marissa - you would have to be a complete robot not to. Her early life was traumatic, and she went through so many horrific experiences. Despite this, I still didn't like her as a character or as a person. Her personality was clinging and annoying, making the narrative feel repetitive almost from the beginning, which only got worse as I kept reading.
I appreciated the attempt to take a relatively standard psychological thriller recipe and make it darker and more sadistic. Unfortunately, the attempt felt clumsy and forced because every twist was easy to see from a long way off and revealed no new significant information. As a result, the pace of the narrative felt flat, and I didn't feel the suspense that was intended and really necessary to make What She Did worth reading.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
Blog | Bookstagram | Reddit | Twitter
July 30, 2021
Marissa has had a tragic life. When she's five, her mother is killed by "the bad man" while she hides under the bed. After this horrific event, she is sent to live with her aunt and uncle, both of which are abusive.
Because Marissa doesn't know the identity of the killer, she has lived her whole life in fear that he'll come back and kill her as well. Twenty-three years later, Marissa is trying to forge a new path in life but is still haunted by the demon's of her past and plagued by bouts of sleepwalking. When her abusive uncle turns up dead, her life is turned upside down. Is "the bad man" back after all this time? Or, during her sleepwalking, did she commit this horrible crime? Marissa doesn't feel capable of doing something so horrific. But she starts doubting herself when her neighbor (who she had several altercations with) also turns up dead. What is happening to Marissa? Is she really capable of murder or is she the next victim?
This is a startling and well-written portrayal of the impact of childhood trauma into adulthood.
The characterization was so spot on. While some of Marissa's thoughts and feelings are repetitive, I didn't mind it because it was so realistic to the cyclic nature of PTSD. Marissa is a very damaged character who expresses a great deal of fear, anxiety and distrust in others. As a counselor, I've worked with people who suffer from PTSD and have suffered with it myself. I really appreciate the genuineness in which it was handled in this story.
Additionally, this was great storytelling. The plot was interesting and kept you guessing throughout. I kept going back and forth between thinking Marissa was innocent or guilty. There were some nice twists, especially at the end. That ending! I finished the book hours ago, and I'm still thinking about that ending.
The writing style reminds me of Alice Feeney. If you enjoy her books, I recommend this one.
But ***Trigger Warning*** this book does contain child abuse and it is pretty hard to read at times. If that is something that bothers you in literature, give this one a pass. Otherwise, definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Because Marissa doesn't know the identity of the killer, she has lived her whole life in fear that he'll come back and kill her as well. Twenty-three years later, Marissa is trying to forge a new path in life but is still haunted by the demon's of her past and plagued by bouts of sleepwalking. When her abusive uncle turns up dead, her life is turned upside down. Is "the bad man" back after all this time? Or, during her sleepwalking, did she commit this horrible crime? Marissa doesn't feel capable of doing something so horrific. But she starts doubting herself when her neighbor (who she had several altercations with) also turns up dead. What is happening to Marissa? Is she really capable of murder or is she the next victim?
This is a startling and well-written portrayal of the impact of childhood trauma into adulthood.
The characterization was so spot on. While some of Marissa's thoughts and feelings are repetitive, I didn't mind it because it was so realistic to the cyclic nature of PTSD. Marissa is a very damaged character who expresses a great deal of fear, anxiety and distrust in others. As a counselor, I've worked with people who suffer from PTSD and have suffered with it myself. I really appreciate the genuineness in which it was handled in this story.
Additionally, this was great storytelling. The plot was interesting and kept you guessing throughout. I kept going back and forth between thinking Marissa was innocent or guilty. There were some nice twists, especially at the end. That ending! I finished the book hours ago, and I'm still thinking about that ending.
The writing style reminds me of Alice Feeney. If you enjoy her books, I recommend this one.
But ***Trigger Warning*** this book does contain child abuse and it is pretty hard to read at times. If that is something that bothers you in literature, give this one a pass. Otherwise, definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2021
Marissa's mother was murdered in front of her when she was 5 years old. What followed was years of living with her aunt and uncle ... years of abuse .. years of never having enough to eat. When she left, she never looked back.
She lives alone now, works out of her small flat. She still has nightmares about her mother's murderer who was never caught.
Marissa is also prone to sleep-walking, especially when she's stress ..or been drinking. So when she gets the news that her uncle has been stabbed to death, she doesn't remember anything from that night. Was she sleep-walking?
Just days later, her neighbor is also stabbed to death. It was no secret that the two of them had had words ... and again, she remembers nothing of that night.
How can she convince the police that she isn’t a killer? And, as the secrets from her past take hold of her present, is there anyone in her small world she can trust?
As you read, you’ll believe every word Marissa says. You’ll think you know where to draw the line between innocence and guilt. But blame is a dangerous thing, and nothing is ever what it seems…
This is a most interesting story with an amazing twist at the conclusion. The characters are fleshed out and bring an intensity to the telling. Suspense starts on the very first page and maintains a high level throughout.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 2, 2022
3.75 stars
This one hooks you straight in, and maintains a good pace throughout the book!
Marissa Baxter is traumatised from witnessing her mother’s murder when she was a young girl to being abused by her aunt and uncle who were supposed to be looking after her after her mother’s death.
Just as life is getting a bit better and her dream of buying the cottage where she lived as a young girl with her mother, her estranged uncle is murdered in the cottage Marissa dreams of buying and she can’t remember where she was that night. Marissa has a history of sleep walking and amnesia but surely she didn’t kill him? Or did she?
And is Marissa responsible for what ends up happening to her aggressive new neighbour in the flat across the hall? Or perhaps it has something to do with the person sending Marissa threatening letters in the post?!
I had my suspicion about one of the characters in the book and was on track but the ending still had some shocking twists that I didn’t see coming!
Overall, an enjoyable read that held my interest throughout!
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the gifted e-copy.
This one hooks you straight in, and maintains a good pace throughout the book!
Marissa Baxter is traumatised from witnessing her mother’s murder when she was a young girl to being abused by her aunt and uncle who were supposed to be looking after her after her mother’s death.
Just as life is getting a bit better and her dream of buying the cottage where she lived as a young girl with her mother, her estranged uncle is murdered in the cottage Marissa dreams of buying and she can’t remember where she was that night. Marissa has a history of sleep walking and amnesia but surely she didn’t kill him? Or did she?
And is Marissa responsible for what ends up happening to her aggressive new neighbour in the flat across the hall? Or perhaps it has something to do with the person sending Marissa threatening letters in the post?!
I had my suspicion about one of the characters in the book and was on track but the ending still had some shocking twists that I didn’t see coming!
Overall, an enjoyable read that held my interest throughout!
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the gifted e-copy.
January 2, 2022
Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for my free review copy.
3.5
A thriller similar in vein to many current popular novels. It's not bad, but not great either. With many mysteries, all the way from the narrator's memory to the intentions of every character, What She Did does keep you guessing almost the entire way through.
I was surprised to see it's actually quite a short book at under 300 pages, so it did drag a bit. At the halfway point, I did start scanning quite a bit due to the repetitive nature of a lot of the narrative, although that can be put down to the character's personality.
If you like stories with a ton of questions, unsavoury characters, and unreliable narrators (this one due to her limited memory of important events), it may still be worth a read.
3.5
A thriller similar in vein to many current popular novels. It's not bad, but not great either. With many mysteries, all the way from the narrator's memory to the intentions of every character, What She Did does keep you guessing almost the entire way through.
I was surprised to see it's actually quite a short book at under 300 pages, so it did drag a bit. At the halfway point, I did start scanning quite a bit due to the repetitive nature of a lot of the narrative, although that can be put down to the character's personality.
If you like stories with a ton of questions, unsavoury characters, and unreliable narrators (this one due to her limited memory of important events), it may still be worth a read.
March 2, 2023
What she did by Carla Kovach is starkly different from her other & my favorite series following Gina Harte. Nonetheless it was a good read! Marissa was an interesting character & I kind of liked her but just couldn't get myself to really love her. For most of her life Marissa has experienced great losses in relationships, friendships and despite everything she overcome with a great attitude and some luck. For someone who's been a wallflower all their life AND who's always been thrown life's worst, she's come out okay & therein lies her strength. She always lands on her feet. Her scars and background story makes her a very interesting character and her story felt very satisfying. This book is refreshingly different, in both plot & characters from Kovach's usual police procedural.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick satisfying suspenseful read!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, & Carla Kovach for the arc!
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick satisfying suspenseful read!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, & Carla Kovach for the arc!
September 5, 2021
Wow! That was one powerful read. What She Did promises you ‘a twisty crime thriller that will keep you up all night’. Finding myself thinking about the characters in the wee hours, visualising them and examining their motives for murder, I think it’s safe to say the book delivered. Marissa is damaged. Having witnessed the murder of her mother at just five years old, only to end up in the care of her aunt and uncle and abused in the worst possible way, how could she not be? A note here to say how sensitively that subject is handled. A sign of a good writer is that she knows she can trust her readers to get the picture without providing the graphics. The overriding damage is to her self-esteem and her ability to trust in people enough to share her vulnerabilities. She imagines she will be judged. You can easily identify with why she would feel that way, understanding that she would find it difficult to forge friendships - that kind of damage goes right to the core, after all. She’s likeable, with a strength of character she doesn’t realise she has. Her reason for not revealing the physical and emotional suffering she endured just makes you want to hug the child who was growing then into an uncertain teenager. She does find a way out – the incident around her fleeing the clutches of her vile uncle is fundamental to the plot so I’m not revealing. Her belief in herself is rocked further when she finds herself cruelly robbed of those few real friends she’s been able to make. I loved Reggie, another woman damaged by her formative years, who copes by being flamboyant and larger than life. I felt Marissa’s pain at her loss and again understood the processing of her emotions.
Years later, Marissa has achieved all she wanted. She has a safe place to call her own, albeit a temporary place while she works hard to achieve her dream of owning the little cottage where, as a toddler, she made brief fond memories with her mother. She has a good job, thanks to her caring friend, helping her to achieve her goals on the work front. Her ghosts still haunt her, but she has a future. And then her life begins to crumble. She is losing sight of her dream, the cottage, which her vile uncle has moved into. She thinks she is losing her mind when a neighbour, a drunken party animal and openly aggressive towards her, moves into the flat opposite; when a man she felt attracted to and is contracted to work for turns out to be a manipulative wifebeater. Even her childhood case social worker reappears in her life
When her uncle and the obnoxious neighbour are murdered, the obvious link to both is Marissa. She believes she didn’t do it. Even knowing she’s been sleepwalking – she assumes due to drinking alcohol which she can’t handle, she believes it wasn’t her. We believe that she believes it wasn’t, that she is being honest. We understand why she would wonder whether she’s being paranoid, why she would think someone is out to get her, but do we believe it really wasn’t her? Who is it who’s stalking her? The only person she feels she could talk to is Glen, the organiser of the residents association, but he’s been so kind to her. She doesn’t want to sour that tentative relationship too.
The story is packed with delicious red herrings and superb twists, hence my trying to analyse the characters in the dark hours. The final twist is masterful. A cleverly written and well plotted story, What She Did is a book I would highly recommend.
Years later, Marissa has achieved all she wanted. She has a safe place to call her own, albeit a temporary place while she works hard to achieve her dream of owning the little cottage where, as a toddler, she made brief fond memories with her mother. She has a good job, thanks to her caring friend, helping her to achieve her goals on the work front. Her ghosts still haunt her, but she has a future. And then her life begins to crumble. She is losing sight of her dream, the cottage, which her vile uncle has moved into. She thinks she is losing her mind when a neighbour, a drunken party animal and openly aggressive towards her, moves into the flat opposite; when a man she felt attracted to and is contracted to work for turns out to be a manipulative wifebeater. Even her childhood case social worker reappears in her life
When her uncle and the obnoxious neighbour are murdered, the obvious link to both is Marissa. She believes she didn’t do it. Even knowing she’s been sleepwalking – she assumes due to drinking alcohol which she can’t handle, she believes it wasn’t her. We believe that she believes it wasn’t, that she is being honest. We understand why she would wonder whether she’s being paranoid, why she would think someone is out to get her, but do we believe it really wasn’t her? Who is it who’s stalking her? The only person she feels she could talk to is Glen, the organiser of the residents association, but he’s been so kind to her. She doesn’t want to sour that tentative relationship too.
The story is packed with delicious red herrings and superb twists, hence my trying to analyse the characters in the dark hours. The final twist is masterful. A cleverly written and well plotted story, What She Did is a book I would highly recommend.
August 10, 2021
I received this advance copy from Bookouture via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Marissa lives alone and has a dark past. When she was a child she watched her mother being murdered. She experienced a horrific childhood at the hands of the aunt and uncle that fostered her. Now as an adult another relative has been murdered forcing her to look back on her past experiences.
This novel honestly has me torn I loved the plot it was interesting with plenty of twist and turns. The flash backs to the main characters past were fantastic and allowed the reader to gain plenty of insight. I had the killer and why they were the killer figured out fairly fast but the twist in the final pages wow! I did not see that coming.
Now for the part that has me torn. Half way through the book it all became very repetitive and I absolutely loathed the main character. She was a complete contradiction she appeared very much a strong female with many capabilities which were proved in her back story and then in the present day she would cling for protection and reassurance to anyone who talked to her for more then five minutes. She was needy, made stupid decisions throughout and frankly irritated me.
Overall a 3 star read.
Marissa lives alone and has a dark past. When she was a child she watched her mother being murdered. She experienced a horrific childhood at the hands of the aunt and uncle that fostered her. Now as an adult another relative has been murdered forcing her to look back on her past experiences.
This novel honestly has me torn I loved the plot it was interesting with plenty of twist and turns. The flash backs to the main characters past were fantastic and allowed the reader to gain plenty of insight. I had the killer and why they were the killer figured out fairly fast but the twist in the final pages wow! I did not see that coming.
Now for the part that has me torn. Half way through the book it all became very repetitive and I absolutely loathed the main character. She was a complete contradiction she appeared very much a strong female with many capabilities which were proved in her back story and then in the present day she would cling for protection and reassurance to anyone who talked to her for more then five minutes. She was needy, made stupid decisions throughout and frankly irritated me.
Overall a 3 star read.
September 18, 2021
This is a standalone book from Carla Kovach.
I love the Gina Harte series so had to read this one too.
Marissa was a little girl hiding under the bed when her mother was murdered. Sent to live with her Aunt Caroline her life is not pleasant. An Uncle who sexually abuses her and her Aunt who locks her in the cellar when she feels like it, Marissa can’t wait to get away from them.
As an adult she meets Reggie who helps her find a job that she loves and Marissa starts to be happy.
She’s now living in a small apartment but enjoys her work so life is not too bad. Until a neighbour moves in and makes her life a misery. Loud music, parties and verbal abuse every time she sees him, Marissa is desperate to move out.
With the stress from this she starts sleep walking again and when her Uncle is found dead nearby, she wonders if she was involved.
Marissa meets Glen at a neighbourhood committee meeting and he acts as a friend when she needs one.
I can’t say much more as it will spoil for you, but I can say things soon spiral out if control and Marissa is left wondering if she’s a killer.
Another great read from Carla Kovach.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
I love the Gina Harte series so had to read this one too.
Marissa was a little girl hiding under the bed when her mother was murdered. Sent to live with her Aunt Caroline her life is not pleasant. An Uncle who sexually abuses her and her Aunt who locks her in the cellar when she feels like it, Marissa can’t wait to get away from them.
As an adult she meets Reggie who helps her find a job that she loves and Marissa starts to be happy.
She’s now living in a small apartment but enjoys her work so life is not too bad. Until a neighbour moves in and makes her life a misery. Loud music, parties and verbal abuse every time she sees him, Marissa is desperate to move out.
With the stress from this she starts sleep walking again and when her Uncle is found dead nearby, she wonders if she was involved.
Marissa meets Glen at a neighbourhood committee meeting and he acts as a friend when she needs one.
I can’t say much more as it will spoil for you, but I can say things soon spiral out if control and Marissa is left wondering if she’s a killer.
Another great read from Carla Kovach.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
September 22, 2021
Marissa lives alone in her flat, trying to get on with her life after witnessing a traumatic incident when she was a young child. One day she finds out that her only remaining relative has been killed, which brings everything in her past flooding back. Marissa is also worried as someone believes they've seen her car outside her uncle's house, but she's sure she wasn't there. When Marissa's new neighbour is found dead next having been stabbed, Marissa realises that the police believe her to be the killer. Is someone setting her up?
I'm a huge fan of Carla Kovach's Detective Gina Harte series so I was delighted for the opportunity to read this standalone tale and I loved it. Moving between past and present this thrilling and tense story keeps the reader turning the pages and guessing. Filled with suspense, friendship, murder, family, deceit, mystery, drama and lies there was a mixed bag of rather dubious characters, and some neat, clever twists. An absolutely gripping, addictive, shocking and undoubtedly good read.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
I'm a huge fan of Carla Kovach's Detective Gina Harte series so I was delighted for the opportunity to read this standalone tale and I loved it. Moving between past and present this thrilling and tense story keeps the reader turning the pages and guessing. Filled with suspense, friendship, murder, family, deceit, mystery, drama and lies there was a mixed bag of rather dubious characters, and some neat, clever twists. An absolutely gripping, addictive, shocking and undoubtedly good read.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
May 21, 2022
This book was just ok for me. It centers on Marissa, who is trying to pull her life together after the death of her mother as a young child. Now both her neighbor and uncle are killed and she has beef with them and a history of sleepwalking- is she being set up or is something more sinister at play?
While the storyline is good, the book dragged and actually felt a lot longer than it was. Marissa was constantly freaking out and there were many repetitive parts about her sobbing, or feeling sick, or shaking, or running away, and that got old for me really quickly. I figured out a part of the twist but not the other part; though it was a little out there, it was interesting. The end of the book left some unanswered questions and I would’ve preferred a cleaner denouement.
Overall, though I have enjoyed other books by this author, this one really didn’t do it for me, but may have been more due to my lack of connection with Marissa than to the storyline itself. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While the storyline is good, the book dragged and actually felt a lot longer than it was. Marissa was constantly freaking out and there were many repetitive parts about her sobbing, or feeling sick, or shaking, or running away, and that got old for me really quickly. I figured out a part of the twist but not the other part; though it was a little out there, it was interesting. The end of the book left some unanswered questions and I would’ve preferred a cleaner denouement.
Overall, though I have enjoyed other books by this author, this one really didn’t do it for me, but may have been more due to my lack of connection with Marissa than to the storyline itself. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2021
I think it is admirable when an author has a well-liked series but decides to give something else a try. It’s easy to stay with the familiar, and much harder to strike out in a new direction, because you run the risk of alienating a fan base. Marissa experienced a horrific event when she was a child, and then was put in another awful situation. This has essentially laid the course of her life. She blends in, is invisible, and prefers not to be noticed. However, somebody has been paying closer attention to her than she knows…and that’s not good. This book almost ends up being more of a psychological twist on the reader than on the characters. I thought the author did a great job of making Marissa non-descript to the point where she almost was invisible. I don’t want to say too much more because my dislike of plot spoilers. Let’s just say that everything happens for a reason in this book. For more details, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. This review was written based on a digital copy of the book from Bookouture.
August 21, 2021
What She Did by Carla Kovach
I give this book 4.5 stars
When the police knock on Marissas’s door with the news that her last remaining family member has died, she comes face to face with the family secret she has spent a lifetime running from.
A witness saw her car outside his house that day.
Days later, Marissa’s neighbour is found dead in his home, exactly like her uncle.
Marissa has had blackouts before and can’t always trust her memory. As you read, you’ll think you know where to draw the line between innocence and guilt. But blame is a dangerous thing, and nothing is ever what it seems…
This is a standalone book by the author of the Gina Harte crime thriller series (which l love)
This is a gripping and suspenseful quick read.l loved the narrative by Marissa we get an insight into both a past trauma and her present day life where she battles with sleepwalking and self doubt The authors brilliant writing style brings this dark story together and had me engrossed with all the twists and turns along the way.
A proper psychological thriller that l highly recommend
With thanks to Netgalley,Carla Kovach and Bookouture for my chance to read and review this book.
I give this book 4.5 stars
When the police knock on Marissas’s door with the news that her last remaining family member has died, she comes face to face with the family secret she has spent a lifetime running from.
A witness saw her car outside his house that day.
Days later, Marissa’s neighbour is found dead in his home, exactly like her uncle.
Marissa has had blackouts before and can’t always trust her memory. As you read, you’ll think you know where to draw the line between innocence and guilt. But blame is a dangerous thing, and nothing is ever what it seems…
This is a standalone book by the author of the Gina Harte crime thriller series (which l love)
This is a gripping and suspenseful quick read.l loved the narrative by Marissa we get an insight into both a past trauma and her present day life where she battles with sleepwalking and self doubt The authors brilliant writing style brings this dark story together and had me engrossed with all the twists and turns along the way.
A proper psychological thriller that l highly recommend
With thanks to Netgalley,Carla Kovach and Bookouture for my chance to read and review this book.
December 26, 2021
Quite a different book that what author Carla Kovach usually wrote. A damaged heroine with time lapse memory losses, this was an interesting premise.
Marissa’s mother was murdered in her childhood. 20 years later her uncle, then her neighbor. And all fingers pointed to Marissa who couldn’t vouch for her memory.
The main character was etched well, her anxiety resembled mine as of today (all thanks to the pandemic). She had her own ways of being, so most times I couldn’t relate to her. But this being fiction, it didn’t matter as the plot twirled into the darker underlay.
Quite a disturbing plotline, liked the sense of danger emanating from it. The pace is erratic, too many of her ruminations which I didn’t need. Unlikable characters were peppered in the prose, adding spice to the story.
Overall a good afternoon read.
Marissa’s mother was murdered in her childhood. 20 years later her uncle, then her neighbor. And all fingers pointed to Marissa who couldn’t vouch for her memory.
The main character was etched well, her anxiety resembled mine as of today (all thanks to the pandemic). She had her own ways of being, so most times I couldn’t relate to her. But this being fiction, it didn’t matter as the plot twirled into the darker underlay.
Quite a disturbing plotline, liked the sense of danger emanating from it. The pace is erratic, too many of her ruminations which I didn’t need. Unlikable characters were peppered in the prose, adding spice to the story.
Overall a good afternoon read.
October 8, 2021
What an amazing story. I could not put this one down. Full of twists and turns. This one took me on an incredibly tense, fast paced journey. Absolutely loved this book. Thus author is one of my absolute favourites.
September 26, 2021
If you are looking for intense suspense, Carla Kovach does not disappoint.
This book opens with a young child hiding under her bed, shivering in fear while her mother is brutally murdered.
Marissa is a young woman who lives alone. Due to social awkwardness as well as understandable fear of trusting, Marissa enjoys her quiet apartment, helping people obtain insurance and mortgages.
Until Dan moves in next door. And brings strangers, loud parties and anger to her door.
Desperate for help, Marissa attends a building meeting. Glen offers to help, lending her support and friendship.
The plot also tells us what happened to Marissa after her mother's death - living with her mother's sister and her husband. The cruelty and abuse.
This story just drew me in. Marissa is a very realistic character- you can't help but cheer her on, hope she screams at her neighbor. Her growth makes sense - though I hoped Marissa would take a different path.
Great read!
This book opens with a young child hiding under her bed, shivering in fear while her mother is brutally murdered.
Marissa is a young woman who lives alone. Due to social awkwardness as well as understandable fear of trusting, Marissa enjoys her quiet apartment, helping people obtain insurance and mortgages.
Until Dan moves in next door. And brings strangers, loud parties and anger to her door.
Desperate for help, Marissa attends a building meeting. Glen offers to help, lending her support and friendship.
The plot also tells us what happened to Marissa after her mother's death - living with her mother's sister and her husband. The cruelty and abuse.
This story just drew me in. Marissa is a very realistic character- you can't help but cheer her on, hope she screams at her neighbor. Her growth makes sense - though I hoped Marissa would take a different path.
Great read!
September 23, 2021
I am a big fan of Carla Kovach’s Gina Harte series so when I heard that she’d written her first standalone thriller, I was excited to read it. As much as I love a series I always enjoy getting to know fresh characters in a standalone and I was interested to see if this would have the same vibe as the series or feel totally different.
What She Did is a taut, tense and gripping thriller that centres around a young woman named Marissa who has a tragic backstory full of loss, heartache and trauma. When she was just five-years-old she witnessed her mother’s murder while hiding under the bed. The killer was never caught and she is still haunted by that night and lives in fear that the killer will one day come back for her too. Sadly, that night was just the beginning of her nightmare, and when she went to live with her aunt and uncle she found not solace, but cruelty and abuse. These events, and other secrets she is hiding, still linger and have left her isolated, fearful and scared to trust.
Now twenty-eight and living in an apartment and working towards her dream of owning the cottage that was special to her and her mother, Marissa’s life spirals out of control after her uncle is murdered. She can’t remember where she was or what she did the night it happened and, plagued by sleepwalking since childhood, she can’t trust her memory of events. Could she have killed him? When the neighbour she has been arguing with is also found dead just a few days later after a similar blackout, Marissa really begins to question what’s going on. She is sure she didn’t kill them. But how can she prove it when she can’t remember? And why does it seem like someone is out to frame her?
Carla Kovach has proven with this book that she can write any thriller and knock it out of the park. As much as I love the Gina Harte series and her team, this novel shows us that even with all new characters and a totally different storyline, she can keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story moves seamlessly between dual timelines using flashbacks to significant events in Marissa’s life. This was a vital tool in helping us to understand her paranoid and skittish behaviour, inability to trust and why she has almost no friends or family. I just wanted to reach into the book, put my arms around her, and comfort her, especially in the scenes when she is a young child; I wanted to protect her from witnessing her mother’s murder or rescue her from her vile aunt and uncle’s clutches. Her pain was palpable and my heart broke for her.
But Marissa is also an unreliable narrator and we are never quite sure what is true and what is paranoia. While I was rooting for her and wanted her to be innocent, part of me was never quite sure, and I really enjoyed that. I think it’s a talent to make a reader like a character while also making it possible that they have committed awful crimes, and Ms. Kovach pulled it off expertly. This unreliability also meant that we were never sure if she really is being followed or set up, so it made it hard to know what to make of some of the other characters and know if things were red herrings. I loved the tension this added and how it kept me on my toes. And when the truth was revealed I was totally blindsided by a scenario that I had never even contemplated. Bravo, Ms. Kovach. Bravo.
Captivating and twisty, What She Did is a first-rate psychological thriller from one of my favourite writers in the genre. Definitely one not to be missed.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
What She Did is a taut, tense and gripping thriller that centres around a young woman named Marissa who has a tragic backstory full of loss, heartache and trauma. When she was just five-years-old she witnessed her mother’s murder while hiding under the bed. The killer was never caught and she is still haunted by that night and lives in fear that the killer will one day come back for her too. Sadly, that night was just the beginning of her nightmare, and when she went to live with her aunt and uncle she found not solace, but cruelty and abuse. These events, and other secrets she is hiding, still linger and have left her isolated, fearful and scared to trust.
Now twenty-eight and living in an apartment and working towards her dream of owning the cottage that was special to her and her mother, Marissa’s life spirals out of control after her uncle is murdered. She can’t remember where she was or what she did the night it happened and, plagued by sleepwalking since childhood, she can’t trust her memory of events. Could she have killed him? When the neighbour she has been arguing with is also found dead just a few days later after a similar blackout, Marissa really begins to question what’s going on. She is sure she didn’t kill them. But how can she prove it when she can’t remember? And why does it seem like someone is out to frame her?
Carla Kovach has proven with this book that she can write any thriller and knock it out of the park. As much as I love the Gina Harte series and her team, this novel shows us that even with all new characters and a totally different storyline, she can keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story moves seamlessly between dual timelines using flashbacks to significant events in Marissa’s life. This was a vital tool in helping us to understand her paranoid and skittish behaviour, inability to trust and why she has almost no friends or family. I just wanted to reach into the book, put my arms around her, and comfort her, especially in the scenes when she is a young child; I wanted to protect her from witnessing her mother’s murder or rescue her from her vile aunt and uncle’s clutches. Her pain was palpable and my heart broke for her.
But Marissa is also an unreliable narrator and we are never quite sure what is true and what is paranoia. While I was rooting for her and wanted her to be innocent, part of me was never quite sure, and I really enjoyed that. I think it’s a talent to make a reader like a character while also making it possible that they have committed awful crimes, and Ms. Kovach pulled it off expertly. This unreliability also meant that we were never sure if she really is being followed or set up, so it made it hard to know what to make of some of the other characters and know if things were red herrings. I loved the tension this added and how it kept me on my toes. And when the truth was revealed I was totally blindsided by a scenario that I had never even contemplated. Bravo, Ms. Kovach. Bravo.
Captivating and twisty, What She Did is a first-rate psychological thriller from one of my favourite writers in the genre. Definitely one not to be missed.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
August 30, 2021
This book had me glued to the edge of my seat from start to end. I could not get enough. A young woman who had an unfair start in life reaches a point where she can stand on her own two feet only to watch everything come tumbling down around her. What if you cannot trust anyone, where do you turn when you need help?
Carla Kovach created a breath-taking tale full of sadness. As you experience the disasters of Marissa Baxter’s life you are drawn into her world, sharing her insecurities and loneliness as her world falls apart and she believes she cannot trust anyone. The story is told from Marissa’s perspective allowing you to see the world through her eyes while you experience every emotion with her. You feel her doubts and insecurities. The author did a wonderful job dragging the reader headfirst into Marissa’s troubled existence.
Marissa Baxter watched her beloved mother being murder and ended up living in an abusive home with her aunt and uncle. She struggled her way towards a quiet life where she finally felt safe. Until a new neighbour moves in and steals her peace and quiet. Dan does not like her, and he quickly starts intimidating her. The arrival of Uncle Simon in the neighbourhood brings all her old insecurities to the surface. Then Simon is murdered after an unexplained sleepwalking experience. Quickly followed by Dan, her neighbour's murder. Another evening Marissa has no memory of. When she finds a bloody knife in her bathtub, she starts questioning herself. Did she kill these men? Or is someone trying to set her up? Is she losing her mind? Determined to find the truth, she’ll either end up arrested for murder or face a killer… what would be worse?
Reading this story, you are drawn into Marissa’s troubled, chaotic mind never quite sure what to expect next. Just when you are convinced that Marissa has lost her mind the author delivers a conclusion that knocks the wind out of sails. This was a fantastic, gripping read that had me glued to the very last page.
The characters were all seen from Marissa’s viewpoint, so you end up liking and disliking them as she does. Marissa evolves from a traumatised, abused child to a troubled young woman and finally a woman who takes responsibility for her actions and tries her best to do what is right. This remarkable character has stayed in my thoughts the entire weekend after finishing the book.
WHAT SHE DID was a fantastic read with a twist at the end that is delivered unexpectedly. I loved the creativity of this story and that final line that leaves you wondering is brilliant. Mystery and thriller fans are guaranteed a treat when they reach for this complex tale. I loved it!
Carla Kovach created a breath-taking tale full of sadness. As you experience the disasters of Marissa Baxter’s life you are drawn into her world, sharing her insecurities and loneliness as her world falls apart and she believes she cannot trust anyone. The story is told from Marissa’s perspective allowing you to see the world through her eyes while you experience every emotion with her. You feel her doubts and insecurities. The author did a wonderful job dragging the reader headfirst into Marissa’s troubled existence.
Marissa Baxter watched her beloved mother being murder and ended up living in an abusive home with her aunt and uncle. She struggled her way towards a quiet life where she finally felt safe. Until a new neighbour moves in and steals her peace and quiet. Dan does not like her, and he quickly starts intimidating her. The arrival of Uncle Simon in the neighbourhood brings all her old insecurities to the surface. Then Simon is murdered after an unexplained sleepwalking experience. Quickly followed by Dan, her neighbour's murder. Another evening Marissa has no memory of. When she finds a bloody knife in her bathtub, she starts questioning herself. Did she kill these men? Or is someone trying to set her up? Is she losing her mind? Determined to find the truth, she’ll either end up arrested for murder or face a killer… what would be worse?
Reading this story, you are drawn into Marissa’s troubled, chaotic mind never quite sure what to expect next. Just when you are convinced that Marissa has lost her mind the author delivers a conclusion that knocks the wind out of sails. This was a fantastic, gripping read that had me glued to the very last page.
The characters were all seen from Marissa’s viewpoint, so you end up liking and disliking them as she does. Marissa evolves from a traumatised, abused child to a troubled young woman and finally a woman who takes responsibility for her actions and tries her best to do what is right. This remarkable character has stayed in my thoughts the entire weekend after finishing the book.
WHAT SHE DID was a fantastic read with a twist at the end that is delivered unexpectedly. I loved the creativity of this story and that final line that leaves you wondering is brilliant. Mystery and thriller fans are guaranteed a treat when they reach for this complex tale. I loved it!
September 20, 2021
Wow, yet another clever, engrossing, thrilling read from one of my favourite authors.
It starts off when Marissa witnesses her mother's murder and follows her heartbreaking life being thrown into an adoption where she's treated worse than a dog.
Leap forward twenty-three years and Marissa starts receiving mystery letters and those around her start losing their lives. Why? What's more her memory fails her around the time of the murders. How is that possible?
People enter her life who make her suspicious of their existence. Her life is in turmoil and she begins to wonder if she's the killer. But how?
An incredible psychological thriller with a great cast of characters to say more would give the plot away, why would I want to do that?
Love Carla's Gina Harte series and can't get enough of her psych thrillers too.
It starts off when Marissa witnesses her mother's murder and follows her heartbreaking life being thrown into an adoption where she's treated worse than a dog.
Leap forward twenty-three years and Marissa starts receiving mystery letters and those around her start losing their lives. Why? What's more her memory fails her around the time of the murders. How is that possible?
People enter her life who make her suspicious of their existence. Her life is in turmoil and she begins to wonder if she's the killer. But how?
An incredible psychological thriller with a great cast of characters to say more would give the plot away, why would I want to do that?
Love Carla's Gina Harte series and can't get enough of her psych thrillers too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews