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What Jonah Knew
"A spellbinding literary thriller packed with psychological suspense and profound questions about motherhood, trauma and how death illuminates life." —Amy Tan, bestselling author of The Joy Luck Club and Where the Past Begins
"Barbara Graham is a literary alchemist. What Jonah Knew not only grabs you from the first page, it makes the mystical believable and the human predicament shine with wit, wisdom, and love." —Tara Brach, meditation teacher and bestselling author of Radical Acceptance and Radical Compassion
A seven-year-old boy inexplicably recalls the memories of a missing 22-year-old musician in this psychological thriller about the fierce love between mothers and sons across lifetimes, a work of gripping suspense with a supernatural twist that will mesmerize fans of Chloe Benjamin and Lisa Jewell.
Helen Bird will stop at nothing to find Henry, her musician son who has mysteriously disappeared in upstate New York. Though the cops believe Henry’s absence is voluntary, Helen knows better.
While she searches for him—joined finally by police—Jonah is born to Lucie and Matt Pressman of Manhattan. Lucie does all she can to be the kind of loving, attentive mother she never had, but can’t stop Jonah’s night terrors or his obsession with the imaginary “other mom and dog” he insists are real.
Whether Jonah’s anxiety is caused by nature or nurture—or something else entirely—is the propulsive mystery at the heart of the novel.
All hell breaks loose when the Pressmans rent a summer cottage in Aurora Falls, where Helen lives. How does Jonah, at seven, know so much about Henry, Helen’s still-missing son? Is it just a bizarre coincidence? An expression of Jung’s collective unconscious? Or could Jonah be the reincarnation of Henry?
Faced with more questions than answers, Helen and Lucie set out to make sense of the insensible, a heart-stopping quest that forces them to redefine not just what it is to be a mother or a human being, but the very nature of life—and death—because of what Jonah knows.
"Barbara Graham is a literary alchemist. What Jonah Knew not only grabs you from the first page, it makes the mystical believable and the human predicament shine with wit, wisdom, and love." —Tara Brach, meditation teacher and bestselling author of Radical Acceptance and Radical Compassion
A seven-year-old boy inexplicably recalls the memories of a missing 22-year-old musician in this psychological thriller about the fierce love between mothers and sons across lifetimes, a work of gripping suspense with a supernatural twist that will mesmerize fans of Chloe Benjamin and Lisa Jewell.
Helen Bird will stop at nothing to find Henry, her musician son who has mysteriously disappeared in upstate New York. Though the cops believe Henry’s absence is voluntary, Helen knows better.
While she searches for him—joined finally by police—Jonah is born to Lucie and Matt Pressman of Manhattan. Lucie does all she can to be the kind of loving, attentive mother she never had, but can’t stop Jonah’s night terrors or his obsession with the imaginary “other mom and dog” he insists are real.
Whether Jonah’s anxiety is caused by nature or nurture—or something else entirely—is the propulsive mystery at the heart of the novel.
All hell breaks loose when the Pressmans rent a summer cottage in Aurora Falls, where Helen lives. How does Jonah, at seven, know so much about Henry, Helen’s still-missing son? Is it just a bizarre coincidence? An expression of Jung’s collective unconscious? Or could Jonah be the reincarnation of Henry?
Faced with more questions than answers, Helen and Lucie set out to make sense of the insensible, a heart-stopping quest that forces them to redefine not just what it is to be a mother or a human being, but the very nature of life—and death—because of what Jonah knows.
400 pages, Paperback
Published July 5, 2022
177 people are currently reading
5295 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Graham
4 books68 followersWHAT JONAH KNEW is Barbara’s debut novel, Her essays and articles have appeared in magazines, such as Glamour, More, Mindful, National Geographic Traveler, O the Oprah Magazine, Food & Wine, Psychotherapy Networker, Redbook, Self, Shambhala Sun, Sunset, Time, Tricycle, Utne Reader, and Vogue, in addition to being collected in many anthologies.
She is the author/editor of the New York Times bestselling Eye of My Heart: 27 Women Writers Reveal the Hidden Pleasures and Perils of Being a Grandmother, her non-Hallmark take on the complexities of being a grandparent in the 21st century. She’s also the author of Women Who Run with the Poodles: Myths and Tips for Honoring Your Mood Swings, a national bestseller that offers a satirical look at the dark side of the self-help movement.
Her book, Camp Paradox, is a haunting yet wry coming-of-age memoir set at an all-girls summer camp which fast-forwards decades into the future when Barbara realizes that the “love affair” she believed she’d shared with her camp counselor fits every definition of sexual abuse.
Barbara’s plays have been produced Off-Broadway and at theaters around the country.
She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Hugh Delehanty.
She is the author/editor of the New York Times bestselling Eye of My Heart: 27 Women Writers Reveal the Hidden Pleasures and Perils of Being a Grandmother, her non-Hallmark take on the complexities of being a grandparent in the 21st century. She’s also the author of Women Who Run with the Poodles: Myths and Tips for Honoring Your Mood Swings, a national bestseller that offers a satirical look at the dark side of the self-help movement.
Her book, Camp Paradox, is a haunting yet wry coming-of-age memoir set at an all-girls summer camp which fast-forwards decades into the future when Barbara realizes that the “love affair” she believed she’d shared with her camp counselor fits every definition of sexual abuse.
Barbara’s plays have been produced Off-Broadway and at theaters around the country.
She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Hugh Delehanty.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
June 30, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
Told in 5 parts-four time jumps-between the years of 2002 and 2010-this is the story of a seven year old boy named Jonah, who recalls the memories of a twenty two musician who disappeared without a trace after a gig with his band, Dog Radio.
Much to his mother Helen’s dismay, Henry has become one of the 650,000 Americans who go missing each year- a number greater than the populations of Denver or Seattle.
We are privy to what happened after the gig, through flashbacks from Henry’s soul-not at rest because of his violent death.
The case had gone cold, until Jonah begins having night terrors, and insisting that he also has another mom, and a dog.
His mom Lucie’s determination to find an answer, will lead her back to the small town of Aurora Falls, where Jonah was conceived-the town that Henry disappeared from.
Could Jonah be the reincarnation of Henry Bird?
Helen’s dog, Charlie, who was her son Henry’s dog, does seem to recognize him-even in a different body. And, how does Jonah know the things that he knows?!
I was expecting “speculative fiction” with a focus on exploring rebirth and reincarnation, and a much darker story-but although the story does touch on this topic-the book reads more like an”Hallmark movie” than the psychological thriller that it is marketed to be.
It IS enjoyable enough, but it was not the book I was hoping to read.
Now that you know what you can realistically expect from this-you can determine if it’s a book for you! Available on July 5, 2022!
Thank You to HarperCollins for the gifted copy! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Told in 5 parts-four time jumps-between the years of 2002 and 2010-this is the story of a seven year old boy named Jonah, who recalls the memories of a twenty two musician who disappeared without a trace after a gig with his band, Dog Radio.
Much to his mother Helen’s dismay, Henry has become one of the 650,000 Americans who go missing each year- a number greater than the populations of Denver or Seattle.
We are privy to what happened after the gig, through flashbacks from Henry’s soul-not at rest because of his violent death.
The case had gone cold, until Jonah begins having night terrors, and insisting that he also has another mom, and a dog.
His mom Lucie’s determination to find an answer, will lead her back to the small town of Aurora Falls, where Jonah was conceived-the town that Henry disappeared from.
Could Jonah be the reincarnation of Henry Bird?
Helen’s dog, Charlie, who was her son Henry’s dog, does seem to recognize him-even in a different body. And, how does Jonah know the things that he knows?!
I was expecting “speculative fiction” with a focus on exploring rebirth and reincarnation, and a much darker story-but although the story does touch on this topic-the book reads more like an”Hallmark movie” than the psychological thriller that it is marketed to be.
It IS enjoyable enough, but it was not the book I was hoping to read.
Now that you know what you can realistically expect from this-you can determine if it’s a book for you! Available on July 5, 2022!
Thank You to HarperCollins for the gifted copy! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Read
November 23, 2022This novel is tough to put down. It asks us to suspend disbelief and, at the same time, makes a compelling argument for reincarnation. It's part thriller, part crime story, part family story, part exploration of what it means to face the death of a beloved child without being able to stop grieving because that child simply...disappeared. The writer cleverly lays down information and clues in a form that allows them to pass by without the reader noticing and yet, when the reader (at least this reader!) turns back to earlier pages, the clues were there all along. It's a terrific, engaging read, perfect for a cold rainy day by the fire.
September 25, 2022
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic version of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
“What Jonah Knew” is the debut novel by essayist Barbara Graham, an immensely suspenseful, psychological thrill ride centred on the desperate love two mothers have for their sons, and the interconnected nature of the human soul.
Helen Bird’s twenty-two year old son, Henry, disappeared one day after performing with his band, and no one, including his bandmates or Henry’s pregnant girlfriend, have heard from him since. The police have all but given up hope that Henry will be found alive, but Helen will not stop looking until she finds answers.
After years of infertility, Lucie and Matt Pressman have finally been blessed with Jonah, a precocious, curious boy, who instantly becomes the centre of Lucie and Matt’s lives. Jonah, now seven, has suffered from terrible night terrors for years, and although it is devastating to his parents, Jonah seems relatively unaffected by them. After witnessing a traumatic event in New York City, Jonah’s night terrors return, in full force, and soon he is asking Lucie and Matt to be reunited with his “other mom”, and talking about people and events that Lucie and Matt have never heard of. Although Matt initially brushes it off as childhood imagination, Lucie is convinced something else is tormenting their child and when she unexpectedly runs into Helen in a sleepy, small town, the two women become connected in ways they never expected.
Almost every character in this novel gets a chance at narration, even young Jonah and the missing Henry (although his sections are italicized and labeled as ‘before’). As the story unfolds, the reader begins to understand each character on a deeply personal scale, and a quick relationship is developed. All of Graham’s characters are likable (with one exception)and I rooted for them from the first page (especially Henry’s beloved dog, Charlie). As the pulse-pounding, gripping ending plays out, in dramatic detail, the satisfying conclusion brings together all the loose ends and unanswered questions.
This story has a deeply spiritual component, and takes examples from Buddhism and Hinduism, but it is not at all preachy or religious, necessarily. Graham uses the idea of “humanity” and “the soul” as a way to connect all human beings in a very profound way, and regardless of your religious or spiritual beliefs, the deep-rooted ideas in “Jonah” will stick with you.
“Jonah” started off a little slow, but once it started to roll I was hooked. Graham’s novel has a little bit of everything- suspense, mystery, spirituality, romance (and not the cheesy kind), and above all, the undying love between a mother and her child. Graham delivered an intensely emotional, and uniquely creative novel as her debut, and I’m eager to read more from her.
“What Jonah Knew” is the debut novel by essayist Barbara Graham, an immensely suspenseful, psychological thrill ride centred on the desperate love two mothers have for their sons, and the interconnected nature of the human soul.
Helen Bird’s twenty-two year old son, Henry, disappeared one day after performing with his band, and no one, including his bandmates or Henry’s pregnant girlfriend, have heard from him since. The police have all but given up hope that Henry will be found alive, but Helen will not stop looking until she finds answers.
After years of infertility, Lucie and Matt Pressman have finally been blessed with Jonah, a precocious, curious boy, who instantly becomes the centre of Lucie and Matt’s lives. Jonah, now seven, has suffered from terrible night terrors for years, and although it is devastating to his parents, Jonah seems relatively unaffected by them. After witnessing a traumatic event in New York City, Jonah’s night terrors return, in full force, and soon he is asking Lucie and Matt to be reunited with his “other mom”, and talking about people and events that Lucie and Matt have never heard of. Although Matt initially brushes it off as childhood imagination, Lucie is convinced something else is tormenting their child and when she unexpectedly runs into Helen in a sleepy, small town, the two women become connected in ways they never expected.
Almost every character in this novel gets a chance at narration, even young Jonah and the missing Henry (although his sections are italicized and labeled as ‘before’). As the story unfolds, the reader begins to understand each character on a deeply personal scale, and a quick relationship is developed. All of Graham’s characters are likable (with one exception)and I rooted for them from the first page (especially Henry’s beloved dog, Charlie). As the pulse-pounding, gripping ending plays out, in dramatic detail, the satisfying conclusion brings together all the loose ends and unanswered questions.
This story has a deeply spiritual component, and takes examples from Buddhism and Hinduism, but it is not at all preachy or religious, necessarily. Graham uses the idea of “humanity” and “the soul” as a way to connect all human beings in a very profound way, and regardless of your religious or spiritual beliefs, the deep-rooted ideas in “Jonah” will stick with you.
“Jonah” started off a little slow, but once it started to roll I was hooked. Graham’s novel has a little bit of everything- suspense, mystery, spirituality, romance (and not the cheesy kind), and above all, the undying love between a mother and her child. Graham delivered an intensely emotional, and uniquely creative novel as her debut, and I’m eager to read more from her.
June 20, 2022
4.5/5
Do you believe in reincarnation? What would you do if your young son told you that he knows you’re his mom but he has another mom from before? A whole other life in fact? The whole idea fascinates me and that’s the basic premise here.
From the synopsis: A seven-year-old boy inexplicably recalls the memories of a missing 22-year-old musician in this psychological thriller about the fierce love between mothers and sons across lifetimes, a work of gripping suspense with a supernatural twist that will mesmerize fans of Chloe Benjamin and Lisa Jewell.
This was such a unique and engrossing read and I was hooked as soon as I started it. While yes it’s a thriller and yes, there’s a mystery it’s so much more than that too. You have two mothers, Helen and Lucie and there is so much to explore here with motherhood, grief, loss, past generational trauma and unlikely connections. Definitely a thought provoking read and one that I think will stick with me. The characterization was as strong as the plot for me, I truly related or really liked every single one and thought the author did a really good job at crafting them and making them seem genuine and authentic. As a debut novel this impressed me and I can see this being a fantastic choice for a book club.
Do you believe in reincarnation? What would you do if your young son told you that he knows you’re his mom but he has another mom from before? A whole other life in fact? The whole idea fascinates me and that’s the basic premise here.
From the synopsis: A seven-year-old boy inexplicably recalls the memories of a missing 22-year-old musician in this psychological thriller about the fierce love between mothers and sons across lifetimes, a work of gripping suspense with a supernatural twist that will mesmerize fans of Chloe Benjamin and Lisa Jewell.
This was such a unique and engrossing read and I was hooked as soon as I started it. While yes it’s a thriller and yes, there’s a mystery it’s so much more than that too. You have two mothers, Helen and Lucie and there is so much to explore here with motherhood, grief, loss, past generational trauma and unlikely connections. Definitely a thought provoking read and one that I think will stick with me. The characterization was as strong as the plot for me, I truly related or really liked every single one and thought the author did a really good job at crafting them and making them seem genuine and authentic. As a debut novel this impressed me and I can see this being a fantastic choice for a book club.
March 13, 2022
Loved this! I’ve never read anything quite like this. While you know entire time what’s going on with Jonah, it’s still such an interesting topic to read about mixed in with a murder mystery.
7 year old Jonah has always said some strange stuff regarding his “old self” and mom from “before”. His parents Lucie and Matt write it off as make believe. But then they decide to spend the summer in Aurora Falls, the home they didn’t know was of Jonah’s past life. Will he be able to remember what happened? Will it bring peace to his family, himself, to his “old mom” Helen who lives in Aurora Falls? Will it tear his family apart to explore the things Jonah believes as truth?
This was, in my opinion, a totally original plot. I loved that the author brought scientific studies and religions that believe in reincarnation into as well to help explore the topic in a more detailed way. Lucie’s animosity toward her mother threw me a little in that it read as a major theme but then nothing really came of it. Besides that the characters were written really well in the sense that they acted how you’d expect of people dealing with past trauma and unwillingness to relive it when they don’t have a choice. I saw this a lot in the dialogue and the way the characters loved each other but were irritated with each other as well because they needed closure and no one seemed to be on the same page until it was too late.
Thanks to NetGalley for my copy to read and review in exchange for an honest review.
7 year old Jonah has always said some strange stuff regarding his “old self” and mom from “before”. His parents Lucie and Matt write it off as make believe. But then they decide to spend the summer in Aurora Falls, the home they didn’t know was of Jonah’s past life. Will he be able to remember what happened? Will it bring peace to his family, himself, to his “old mom” Helen who lives in Aurora Falls? Will it tear his family apart to explore the things Jonah believes as truth?
This was, in my opinion, a totally original plot. I loved that the author brought scientific studies and religions that believe in reincarnation into as well to help explore the topic in a more detailed way. Lucie’s animosity toward her mother threw me a little in that it read as a major theme but then nothing really came of it. Besides that the characters were written really well in the sense that they acted how you’d expect of people dealing with past trauma and unwillingness to relive it when they don’t have a choice. I saw this a lot in the dialogue and the way the characters loved each other but were irritated with each other as well because they needed closure and no one seemed to be on the same page until it was too late.
Thanks to NetGalley for my copy to read and review in exchange for an honest review.
October 11, 2022
WHAT JONAH KNEW is a gripping debut literary suspense. Helen Birds adult son Henry has disappeared and she will stop at nothing to find him. Jonah is born to Lucie and Matt. Jonah starts having night terrors and talks about his "other mother and dog". Then Lucie, Matt and Jonah take a trip to Aurora Falls, where Helen lives. Jonah ends up knowing so much about Henry, but how could he know all of this at only 7 years old?! Could Jonah be Henry reincarnated?!
This was such an intriguing book to read. This one will have you really thinking about things. And as a mother, made my heart ache for Helen. It shows the bonds of mother and son. It was so unique and emotional. Can't wait to read more from this author!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
This was such an intriguing book to read. This one will have you really thinking about things. And as a mother, made my heart ache for Helen. It shows the bonds of mother and son. It was so unique and emotional. Can't wait to read more from this author!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
June 8, 2022
I found the whole premise of this to be quite unique. The story explores reincarnation and how a past life can impact a present one. Our main character Lucas swears that he has another mother and uncannily remembers details that are completely explainable. What's even stranger is that the memories he's having belong to those of a man who went missing and never was found. I felt that the reincarnation aspect was definitely different, but at times the story was bogged down a little too much with information about the phenomenon. I actually skimmed through most of those sections because it didn't hold my interest. With that said, the mystery and it's resolution were gripping and suspenseful. I did figure out the ending early on but I liked how everything was wrapped up in the end.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Harper Paperbacks and Barbara Graham for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Harper Paperbacks and Barbara Graham for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 27, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
What Jonah Knew.
I'm fascinated by reincarnation and the author handled the premise well.
It sort of reminded me of the reincarnation episode from The X-Files but a whole lot less scary and way more Lifetime-y.
I liked Jonah, Danny, and Charlie, but I found some of the female characters surprisingly unlikable, especially Helen.
I'm not sure why; perhaps because she was a bit of a cliche; a woman who fell for the wrong man, a trait her sort of daughter-in-law also possessed.
Those tropes were too corny for me; as well as the sudden romance between Helen and Randy.
The premise was interesting, but predictable; you could see where it was going, as well as the climatic finale.
I liked the psychiatrists questioning Jonah, their kindness and open minds, and how Jonah's mother was receptive to the reincarnation possibility.
It was nice to see medical professionals working well together.
The writing was good, and I liked the tone but the constant POV shifts was a bit distracting.
I discovered I had to read the first couple lines to figure out who was speaking.
Overall, a good read, but not as suspenseful or thrilling as I had imagined it would be.
I'm fascinated by reincarnation and the author handled the premise well.
It sort of reminded me of the reincarnation episode from The X-Files but a whole lot less scary and way more Lifetime-y.
I liked Jonah, Danny, and Charlie, but I found some of the female characters surprisingly unlikable, especially Helen.
I'm not sure why; perhaps because she was a bit of a cliche; a woman who fell for the wrong man, a trait her sort of daughter-in-law also possessed.
Those tropes were too corny for me; as well as the sudden romance between Helen and Randy.
The premise was interesting, but predictable; you could see where it was going, as well as the climatic finale.
I liked the psychiatrists questioning Jonah, their kindness and open minds, and how Jonah's mother was receptive to the reincarnation possibility.
It was nice to see medical professionals working well together.
The writing was good, and I liked the tone but the constant POV shifts was a bit distracting.
I discovered I had to read the first couple lines to figure out who was speaking.
Overall, a good read, but not as suspenseful or thrilling as I had imagined it would be.
July 29, 2022
(Four and half stars rounded up)
What Jonah Knew by Barbara Graham ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Helen will never stop looking for her musician son who went missing after a gig. Meanwhile, Matt and Lucie Pressman’s son Jonah seems to know a lot about Helen’s son’s life. Is it coincidence or something more?
I wasn’t sure about this story, until I found myself not wanting to put it down about halfway through. Once the stories come together, it gets really interesting. The ending gets very exciting. I expected it to be more quirky and sci-fi’ish but the author did a great job of bringing science and psychology to the story. The story showed that we don’t know everything, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. There were a few things within the story that bothered me, but I think it was personal. At one point a character who is against circumcision is referred to as someone who follow ‘’misinformation.” There’s no misinformation behind intactivism. Star of David’s are referred to as “Jewish stars”. A character referred to as “Goth girl”. A few small things like that got to me, but the story itself was great.
“Something I’ve learned is that if you let the grief be, if you don’t try to make it go away, even though it’s unbearable, worse than death, especially when it’s your kid, at some point the loss stops defining who you are.”
What Jonah Knew by Barbara Graham ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Helen will never stop looking for her musician son who went missing after a gig. Meanwhile, Matt and Lucie Pressman’s son Jonah seems to know a lot about Helen’s son’s life. Is it coincidence or something more?
I wasn’t sure about this story, until I found myself not wanting to put it down about halfway through. Once the stories come together, it gets really interesting. The ending gets very exciting. I expected it to be more quirky and sci-fi’ish but the author did a great job of bringing science and psychology to the story. The story showed that we don’t know everything, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. There were a few things within the story that bothered me, but I think it was personal. At one point a character who is against circumcision is referred to as someone who follow ‘’misinformation.” There’s no misinformation behind intactivism. Star of David’s are referred to as “Jewish stars”. A character referred to as “Goth girl”. A few small things like that got to me, but the story itself was great.
“Something I’ve learned is that if you let the grief be, if you don’t try to make it go away, even though it’s unbearable, worse than death, especially when it’s your kid, at some point the loss stops defining who you are.”
July 21, 2022
Looking for spoilers? There's a quick summary on my blog: https://www.howdidthatbookend.com/bar...
What Jonah Knew is a fascinating exploration of the possibility of reincarnation, wrapped in the style of a psychological thriller. This plot was truly original and such an enjoyable read!
Here’s a bit of the blurb: “A seven-year-old boy inexplicably recalls the memories of a missing 22-year-old musician in this psychological thriller about the fierce love between mothers and sons across lifetimes, a work of gripping suspense with a supernatural twist.”
Now, I don’t mind supernatural books at all when it’s mentioned upfront (unlike, ahem, other books that market themselves as thrillers but the “twist” is supernatural and unguessable). I greatly appreciate that this blurb was honest and set my expectations from the start! When I know a book is supernatural before I begin, I am able to suspend all belief and just enjoy the story.
And there was so much here to enjoy! Graham writes real, deep characters struggling with grief and motherhood. Helen is still mourning the loss of her son seven years on. Lucie is struggling with how to best help her boy who is suffering from inexplicable trauma that she is unable to understand. Mira married the wrong man and is trying to extract herself from an unhappy marriage. Despite the supernatural aspect of this story, there is a lot for readers to relate to among these characters.
Throughout the book, the reader is treated to scenes from Henry’s perspective, both before and after his death. These flashes were so well-imagined and unique, and really added to my enjoyment of the book.
I appreciated how Graham referenced scientific studies and religious beliefs along the way to “prove” the supernatural aspect. It provided some credibility that Matt the doctor was skeptical at first, but came around once his wife showed him the proof.
I also loved the scenes that show a bond between a child and his dog–I’m such a sucker for a good doggie sidekick!
What Jonah Knew is a fascinating exploration of the possibility of reincarnation, wrapped in the style of a psychological thriller. This plot was truly original and such an enjoyable read!
Here’s a bit of the blurb: “A seven-year-old boy inexplicably recalls the memories of a missing 22-year-old musician in this psychological thriller about the fierce love between mothers and sons across lifetimes, a work of gripping suspense with a supernatural twist.”
Now, I don’t mind supernatural books at all when it’s mentioned upfront (unlike, ahem, other books that market themselves as thrillers but the “twist” is supernatural and unguessable). I greatly appreciate that this blurb was honest and set my expectations from the start! When I know a book is supernatural before I begin, I am able to suspend all belief and just enjoy the story.
And there was so much here to enjoy! Graham writes real, deep characters struggling with grief and motherhood. Helen is still mourning the loss of her son seven years on. Lucie is struggling with how to best help her boy who is suffering from inexplicable trauma that she is unable to understand. Mira married the wrong man and is trying to extract herself from an unhappy marriage. Despite the supernatural aspect of this story, there is a lot for readers to relate to among these characters.
Throughout the book, the reader is treated to scenes from Henry’s perspective, both before and after his death. These flashes were so well-imagined and unique, and really added to my enjoyment of the book.
I appreciated how Graham referenced scientific studies and religious beliefs along the way to “prove” the supernatural aspect. It provided some credibility that Matt the doctor was skeptical at first, but came around once his wife showed him the proof.
I also loved the scenes that show a bond between a child and his dog–I’m such a sucker for a good doggie sidekick!
May 10, 2022
I love, love, love this book by debut novelist Barbara Graham. "What Jonah Knew" is about two mothers: Helen, who lives in upstate New York and has an adult son, Henry, who's disappeared; and Lucie, who has a young son, Jonah, who's haunted by inexplicable memories and nightmares. While Helen frantically searches for Henry, Lucie tries to figure out why Jonah is terrified of loud, popping noises, and insists that he has another mom. The two mothers' lives collide in a way that neither of them could imagine in a well-written, compelling thriller. But the book is so much more than a typical thriller: it is also spiritual in nature and asks a lot of big questions. What is the nature of death? Why do we seem to remember things we could not possibly know? And why is it so impossible to protect the people we love? "What Jonah Knew" has plenty of humor, moves along briskly, and is hard to put down. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. (I was able to read an advance review copy, btw; that's why I'm posting this review before the pub date.)
July 23, 2022
3.5 🌟
Truthfully, it took me a bit to get invested in this story. The first part deals with Helen Bird's pain as her twenty-two-year-old son Henry just disappeared. Henry left behind a pregnant girlfriend, his bandmates, and his beloved dog Charlie, so why would he just up and leave?
Years later, Jonah is born to the Pressmans. But Jonah struggles with nightmares and images of his “other mom and his dog.” The Pressmans’ vacation at a cottage near Helen. This is where the story started to pick up for me. Jonah meets Helen and befriends Lola, Helen’s granddaughter (Henry’s daughter). Helen is shocked when Jonah knows things about Henry that he couldn’t possibly know. Jonah also claims that he has died before and that he was once Henry! Could he be Henry reincarnated or is this a young boy's imagination gone haywire?
Although a mystery is at the center of this story, it doesn’t follow a typical psychological police procedural. This goes down different routes, with Jonah’s mom exploring the Buddist thoughts on reincarnation and the use of scientists trying to explain Jonah’s connection to Henry. I struggled a little with Jonah’s point of view; it didn’t feel natural to me. I did enjoy the overall concept, and my heart went out to both Henry’s mother and Jonah’s mother.
Thank you @harperperennial for this gifted copy.
Truthfully, it took me a bit to get invested in this story. The first part deals with Helen Bird's pain as her twenty-two-year-old son Henry just disappeared. Henry left behind a pregnant girlfriend, his bandmates, and his beloved dog Charlie, so why would he just up and leave?
Years later, Jonah is born to the Pressmans. But Jonah struggles with nightmares and images of his “other mom and his dog.” The Pressmans’ vacation at a cottage near Helen. This is where the story started to pick up for me. Jonah meets Helen and befriends Lola, Helen’s granddaughter (Henry’s daughter). Helen is shocked when Jonah knows things about Henry that he couldn’t possibly know. Jonah also claims that he has died before and that he was once Henry! Could he be Henry reincarnated or is this a young boy's imagination gone haywire?
Although a mystery is at the center of this story, it doesn’t follow a typical psychological police procedural. This goes down different routes, with Jonah’s mom exploring the Buddist thoughts on reincarnation and the use of scientists trying to explain Jonah’s connection to Henry. I struggled a little with Jonah’s point of view; it didn’t feel natural to me. I did enjoy the overall concept, and my heart went out to both Henry’s mother and Jonah’s mother.
Thank you @harperperennial for this gifted copy.
November 3, 2022
You know that I can’t resist a good motherhood story. With three boys 4 and under it’s no surprise that mother-son themes resonate deeply with me.
WHAT JONAH KNEW is a literary mystery that centers around a mother grieving the disappearance of her adult son. Her path crosses with a young boy named Jonah who has an uncanny knowledge about things he couldn’t possibly know. Is Jonah implausibly connected to her son?
The story explores questions of what happens when we die, our connection as humans, and forces bigger than ourselves. A bit of suspension of disbelief is helpful here, but I appreciated the themes and questions the author raised. I can see this book lending itself to an interesting book club discussion.
RATING: 4/5
WHAT JONAH KNEW is a literary mystery that centers around a mother grieving the disappearance of her adult son. Her path crosses with a young boy named Jonah who has an uncanny knowledge about things he couldn’t possibly know. Is Jonah implausibly connected to her son?
The story explores questions of what happens when we die, our connection as humans, and forces bigger than ourselves. A bit of suspension of disbelief is helpful here, but I appreciated the themes and questions the author raised. I can see this book lending itself to an interesting book club discussion.
RATING: 4/5
May 30, 2022
A metaphysical journey wrapped up in the breathtaking pages of a psychological thriller. I really enjoyed the deep dive into the characters' emotions as they struggle with profound issues of love and loss, life and death. Highly recommend!
May 2, 2022
Compulsively readable, provocative, and fascinating -- I was so lucky to be able to read an early copy of this book! Kudos to Barbara Graham -- it's a winner!
July 24, 2024
I really liked the characters but skimmed over the painstaking details of reincarnation (boring and felt like reading an academic thesis). Also the ending would’ve been much better if it included what happens to Jonah and his family - what does it look like for him to be released from his “past life”?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up
Thank you to @harperbooks and for the ARC and @harperaudio for the ALC.
Normally I have one physical book and one audiobook on the go. However, once I picked up this book it became immediately apparent to me that all other books would have to wait - so when I couldn’t sit and read this, I was listening to it, and when I couldn’t do either, I was thinking about it. I am not one to cry often while reading though I will admit to having a lump in my throat every time I read about Helen’s grief; it was so well written without going overboard and making this too difficult to read. The ending also left me with all the feels. While enough clues are left for you to guess what the twist at the end will be, it really didn’t matter because I was so invested in the characters and how everything would turn out for them. I went back and forth on the rating for this one, I try not to give half stars, but I did have one small complaint, there is a POV that pops up a few times throughout the book that I wasn’t interested in, I found myself racing through it just to get back to the others. Also, after having discussed What Jonah Knew with @the_towering_tbr because she had reviewed it recently, Jess made a really good point, and I realized I was missing some information from the epilogue that would have just rounded everything off perfectly for me. I’ll be adding Barbara Graham’s books to my tbr!
Thank you to @harperbooks and for the ARC and @harperaudio for the ALC.
Normally I have one physical book and one audiobook on the go. However, once I picked up this book it became immediately apparent to me that all other books would have to wait - so when I couldn’t sit and read this, I was listening to it, and when I couldn’t do either, I was thinking about it. I am not one to cry often while reading though I will admit to having a lump in my throat every time I read about Helen’s grief; it was so well written without going overboard and making this too difficult to read. The ending also left me with all the feels. While enough clues are left for you to guess what the twist at the end will be, it really didn’t matter because I was so invested in the characters and how everything would turn out for them. I went back and forth on the rating for this one, I try not to give half stars, but I did have one small complaint, there is a POV that pops up a few times throughout the book that I wasn’t interested in, I found myself racing through it just to get back to the others. Also, after having discussed What Jonah Knew with @the_towering_tbr because she had reviewed it recently, Jess made a really good point, and I realized I was missing some information from the epilogue that would have just rounded everything off perfectly for me. I’ll be adding Barbara Graham’s books to my tbr!
December 28, 2024
This book is an emotional roller coaster.
We have two intertwined stories full of love, hope, sorrow, and unexpected connections. I loved the way Barbara Graham dealt with the topic of grief.
The writing held me in the moment, immersed me in the emotions, and stepped out of the way as the story wrapped itself around me.
There was one POV that I kind of wish wasn’t there. It was a small part, and I understood what the author was going for, but for some reason it altered the overall vibe each time it appeared. Still, the majority of the story more than made up for that one aspect.
This is a book I will think about for a long time.
*I received a free copy from the author a long time ago, and I’m an idiot for taking so long to read it!*
We have two intertwined stories full of love, hope, sorrow, and unexpected connections. I loved the way Barbara Graham dealt with the topic of grief.
The writing held me in the moment, immersed me in the emotions, and stepped out of the way as the story wrapped itself around me.
There was one POV that I kind of wish wasn’t there. It was a small part, and I understood what the author was going for, but for some reason it altered the overall vibe each time it appeared. Still, the majority of the story more than made up for that one aspect.
This is a book I will think about for a long time.
*I received a free copy from the author a long time ago, and I’m an idiot for taking so long to read it!*
August 15, 2022
A solid four stars for What Jonah Knew. This is a speculative fiction read that connects the story of a missing musician named Henry and a little boy named Jonah, whose night terrors suggest that he might know what happened to Henry. Although the stories start off separately, they come together in an intriguing way. I would say that this book held my interest, and I remained curious as to what happened; however, there were some loose ends that I wish had been tied up. Overall, a unique story that explores the idea of reincarnation and collective consciousness.
Thank you Harper Perennial for my final copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you Harper Perennial for my final copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 14, 2022
Couldn’t put it down. Not your usual murder mystery. A study in the affects of events in ways never predicted grounded in the love of mothers for their sons. The perfect summer read.
October 26, 2022
After Helen's adult son, Henry, goes missing, she is desperate to find him. The answers, however, might just come from the most unexpected person ever... a young boy named Jonah!
Meanwhile, after Lucie and Matt experience fertility issues, they are ecstatic when baby Jonah is born. A few years later, however, they are confused when Jonah not only experiences night terrors (which are a huge trigger for me because my oldest son suffered from them) but also mentions his “other" mom. And his dog.
What is happening?!? Needless to say, I haven't been this engrossed or invested in a story in quite awhile and couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Not only was it a thriller making me tingle with chills several times, but much to my surprise, the tender parts made me tear up more than once. This was the perfect fall read for my Halloween challenge!
If you’d like to read more about this topic, then I’d highly recommend The Forgetting Time (5 stars) by Sharon Guskin.
Location: Aurora Falls, New York
I received an advance copy this book. All opinions are my own.
Meanwhile, after Lucie and Matt experience fertility issues, they are ecstatic when baby Jonah is born. A few years later, however, they are confused when Jonah not only experiences night terrors (which are a huge trigger for me because my oldest son suffered from them) but also mentions his “other" mom. And his dog.
What is happening?!? Needless to say, I haven't been this engrossed or invested in a story in quite awhile and couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Not only was it a thriller making me tingle with chills several times, but much to my surprise, the tender parts made me tear up more than once. This was the perfect fall read for my Halloween challenge!
If you’d like to read more about this topic, then I’d highly recommend The Forgetting Time (5 stars) by Sharon Guskin.
Location: Aurora Falls, New York
I received an advance copy this book. All opinions are my own.
June 18, 2022
What Jonah Knew by Barbara Graham is one of the most unique books I've ever read. I was completely invested in the story, both heartbreaking and life-affirming, from the very first sentence. This will definitely be one of my favorite reads of the year. A brilliant debut novel - 5+
Thank you to Harper Perenniel/Harper Paperbacks and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Harper Perenniel/Harper Paperbacks and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
In 2022 Henry, a musician and soon to be father, goes missing. At the same time a child, Jonah, is born and from a young age, he experiences vivid night terrors and obsesses over an “imaginary” family he believes is real. Told through the points of view of Helen and Lucie, both their mothers, across multiple time periods, the lives of Henry and Jonah collide and these women start to question the impossible.
This literary thriller was one of the more unique books I’ve read. I enjoyed how it dived into the mysteries of life and death, and I found the author’s writing descriptive and heartfelt. The characters were also cleverly crafted and explored. While continuously intrigued, I will say I found the story a little slow at times and figured things out early on.
Thank you Harper Perennial for the finished copy !!
In 2022 Henry, a musician and soon to be father, goes missing. At the same time a child, Jonah, is born and from a young age, he experiences vivid night terrors and obsesses over an “imaginary” family he believes is real. Told through the points of view of Helen and Lucie, both their mothers, across multiple time periods, the lives of Henry and Jonah collide and these women start to question the impossible.
This literary thriller was one of the more unique books I’ve read. I enjoyed how it dived into the mysteries of life and death, and I found the author’s writing descriptive and heartfelt. The characters were also cleverly crafted and explored. While continuously intrigued, I will say I found the story a little slow at times and figured things out early on.
Thank you Harper Perennial for the finished copy !!
July 5, 2022
This was such a great book with a unique premise.
What Jonah Knew is Barbara’s debut novel and it’s a pretty amazing debut.
I started reading and couldn’t stop.
After Henry disappears seemingly into thin air, his Mother Helen just knows something bad must have happened to him.
Meanwhile Jonah is born to Lucie and Matt and as he grows up, he seems to know a lot about Henry.
As Lucie, Helen and Jonah’s lives collide - they all need to figure out who is Jonah to Henry, why does he know more than he should, and what did happen to Henry?
I LOVED this book and it needs way more hype!
Think thriller/mystery mixed with a journey of two Mothers through an unknown spiritual journey of sorts.
Uplifting, heartbreaking and profound - and just a touch of mystery. I did guess the ‘bad guy’ prior to the reveal but didn’t even care. This book is the perfect mix of everything.
Highly recommend checking this one out.
Thanks to the author and publisher for my early copy. I’m so glad this one wound up in my hands and on my shelf.
Five stars for sure.
What Jonah Knew is Barbara’s debut novel and it’s a pretty amazing debut.
I started reading and couldn’t stop.
After Henry disappears seemingly into thin air, his Mother Helen just knows something bad must have happened to him.
Meanwhile Jonah is born to Lucie and Matt and as he grows up, he seems to know a lot about Henry.
As Lucie, Helen and Jonah’s lives collide - they all need to figure out who is Jonah to Henry, why does he know more than he should, and what did happen to Henry?
I LOVED this book and it needs way more hype!
Think thriller/mystery mixed with a journey of two Mothers through an unknown spiritual journey of sorts.
Uplifting, heartbreaking and profound - and just a touch of mystery. I did guess the ‘bad guy’ prior to the reveal but didn’t even care. This book is the perfect mix of everything.
Highly recommend checking this one out.
Thanks to the author and publisher for my early copy. I’m so glad this one wound up in my hands and on my shelf.
Five stars for sure.
May 29, 2022
What a great story!! I was lucky enough to be able to read an advance copy and was enthralled from start to finish. Written from a mother's heart, What Jonah Knew takes us on a profound journey of love, loss, letting go and coming home. Congratulations to Barbara Graham for her stunning debut novel.
August 29, 2022
As soon as I picked this new release up I was pulled in immediately and read the entirety in 36 hours. I would call this one a light mystery with A LOT of heart. It’s another story that touched on grief in many ways that struck a cord with me. I adored the characters and even the dog. It also reminded me a lot of how I felt reading one of my favorite books - Where The Forest Meets the Stars (a book club favorite).
I’m so glad I came upon Amy @novelgossip review last week. A fabulous recommendation and a story that warmed my heart and soul.
I’m so glad I came upon Amy @novelgossip review last week. A fabulous recommendation and a story that warmed my heart and soul.
February 18, 2023
I’m rounding up to 3 stars because I probably shouldn’t have picked this book to read in the first place. I don’t usually like supernatural mysteries. I thought this one might be different because of the rave reviews and best-of lists I saw it on. Unfortunately, while it’s well written, it just doesn’t work for me.
The main problem is the same one a lot of these kinds of books have: there’s very little human agency.
SPOILERS
The antagonist who commits the murder that kicks off the story is a mentally ill psychopath, who has no rational reasons for his actions, and there’s no rational reason for the people around him not to know he’s a psychopath, except plot mechanics.
The murder victim gets reincarnated into a small boy who remembers being killed and leads people right to where it happened, on land that is owned by his killer.
Reincarnation in this book is not an implication or a metaphor, it’s a scientific fact, one that even comes with a doctor who explains that he’s been studying reincarnation for years and explains what happens (although he can’t explain how or why). We also get sections from the POV of the murder victim, sitting in the bardo, explaining to us exactly what the bardo is and what he’s doing there.
All this adds up to a mystery with no cleverness or subtlety: the good guys solve it not because of their hard work or insight, but because the victim can tell them exactly how and where it happened. The murder would have gone unsolved without the reincarnation, despite the fact that the murderer is obvious and in their lives for years after the murder.
All the “profound questions about motherhood, trauma, and how death illuminates life” are built on the foundation of reincarnation being real. To me, the answers that the book arrives at do not feel very insightful relevant in the world outside the book.
The main problem is the same one a lot of these kinds of books have: there’s very little human agency.
SPOILERS
The antagonist who commits the murder that kicks off the story is a mentally ill psychopath, who has no rational reasons for his actions, and there’s no rational reason for the people around him not to know he’s a psychopath, except plot mechanics.
The murder victim gets reincarnated into a small boy who remembers being killed and leads people right to where it happened, on land that is owned by his killer.
Reincarnation in this book is not an implication or a metaphor, it’s a scientific fact, one that even comes with a doctor who explains that he’s been studying reincarnation for years and explains what happens (although he can’t explain how or why). We also get sections from the POV of the murder victim, sitting in the bardo, explaining to us exactly what the bardo is and what he’s doing there.
All this adds up to a mystery with no cleverness or subtlety: the good guys solve it not because of their hard work or insight, but because the victim can tell them exactly how and where it happened. The murder would have gone unsolved without the reincarnation, despite the fact that the murderer is obvious and in their lives for years after the murder.
All the “profound questions about motherhood, trauma, and how death illuminates life” are built on the foundation of reincarnation being real. To me, the answers that the book arrives at do not feel very insightful relevant in the world outside the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2022
Do you believe in reincarnation? What would you think if your little boy tells you he has another mom and a dog? And then when you take him to your favorite summer vacation place, he recognizes the house where he said he lived before he was killed in the head and went up into the sky.
Lucie Pressman lives in New York City with her husband Matt and their son Jonah. Jonah was born in 2003, six months after Helen Bird’s son Henry disappeared from Aurora Falls, NY, when he was 22.
Jonah is a sensitive boy. He hates loud noises like fireworks, and he occasionally suffers from night terrors. Lucie has ancestors who died in the Holocaust. She takes Jonah to a therapist wondering if her son is suffering from genetic memories passed down from those ancestors. In the summer of 2010, the Pressmans take a summer vacation in Aurora Falls. When they stop at the local bakery, run by Helen Bird, Jonah recognizes her, her house and is greeted ecstatically by Helen’s son’s dog Charlie. Jonah tells them that Charlie is his dog, and that Helen was his mom before he was killed in the head and went up into the sky where he picked Lucie and Matt to be his new mom and dad. The Pressmans have a hard time accepting Jonah’s revelations, but Helen believes him. She hopes to find out what Jonah knows about her son Henry’s murder. Shockingly, so does the murderer, who still lives in Aurora Falls.
I really enjoyed this book. The author is a descriptive writer, and her characters are well drawn out. It is an entertaining murder mystery, but it is also a story of the unconditional love that two mothers have for their sons.
Lucie Pressman lives in New York City with her husband Matt and their son Jonah. Jonah was born in 2003, six months after Helen Bird’s son Henry disappeared from Aurora Falls, NY, when he was 22.
Jonah is a sensitive boy. He hates loud noises like fireworks, and he occasionally suffers from night terrors. Lucie has ancestors who died in the Holocaust. She takes Jonah to a therapist wondering if her son is suffering from genetic memories passed down from those ancestors. In the summer of 2010, the Pressmans take a summer vacation in Aurora Falls. When they stop at the local bakery, run by Helen Bird, Jonah recognizes her, her house and is greeted ecstatically by Helen’s son’s dog Charlie. Jonah tells them that Charlie is his dog, and that Helen was his mom before he was killed in the head and went up into the sky where he picked Lucie and Matt to be his new mom and dad. The Pressmans have a hard time accepting Jonah’s revelations, but Helen believes him. She hopes to find out what Jonah knows about her son Henry’s murder. Shockingly, so does the murderer, who still lives in Aurora Falls.
I really enjoyed this book. The author is a descriptive writer, and her characters are well drawn out. It is an entertaining murder mystery, but it is also a story of the unconditional love that two mothers have for their sons.
May 18, 2022
I was honored to receive an ARC of this book. And wow, was it special. Suspense mixed with exploring the possibility of reincarnation. It was a page turner, and the character's were very relatable and well rounded. You couldn't help but fall in love with them. I love a good suspense that has great parallel stories. I highly recommend this book.
July 10, 2022
A great thriller that's also a fascinating examination of the spiritual and scientific concept of reincarnation. Think Buddhism meets quantum physics. All of that encased in a story of two families brought together by the fierce love between a mother and her son.
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