Find Me

Ellie Hatcher #6

by Alafair Burke, Kathleen Early (Narrator)

8 hours, 57 minutes

“Alafair Burke's latest propulsive thrill-ride is a suspenseful, twisty mystery about memory, friendship and secrets. A page-turner of the highest order.” (Laura Dave, author of The Last Thing He Told Me)

The disappearance of a young woman leaves her best friend reeling and an NYPD homicide detective digging into her own past in this twisty mystery about the power of female friendships. From the New York Times best-selling author of The Better Sister and The Wife.

Some pasts won’t stay forgotten....

She calls herself Hope Miller, but she has no idea who she actually is. Fifteen years ago, she was found in a small New Jersey town thrown from an overturned vehicle, with no clue to her identity. Doctors assumed her amnesia was a temporary side effect of her injuries, but she never regained her memory. Hope eventually started a new life with a new name in a new town that welcomed her, yet always wondered what she may have left behind - or been running from. Now, she’s leaving New Jersey to start over once again.

Manhattan defense lawyer Lindsay Kelly, Hope’s best friend and the one who found her after the accident, understands why Hope wants a fresh beginning. But she worries how her friend will fare in her new East Hampton home, far away from everything familiar. Lindsay’s worst fears are confirmed when she discovers Hope has vanished without a trace - the only lead a drop of blood found where she was last seen. Even more ominously, the blood matches a DNA sample with a connection to a notorious Kansas murderer.

With nowhere else to turn, Lindsay calls NYPD homicide detective Ellie Hatcher, the daughter of the cop who dedicated his life to hunting the Kansas killer. Ellie has always believed there was more to the story of her father’s death 20 years earlier - and she now fears that Hope’s recent disappearance could be related.

In pursuit of answers, the women hunt for the truth beneath long-buried secrets. And when their searches converge, what they find will upend everything they’ve ever known.

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

Audiobook

First published January 11, 2022

About the author

Alafair Burke is the New York Times, Edgar-nominated author of fourteen crime novels, including The Ex, The Wife, The Better Sister, and the forthcoming Find Me. She is also the co-author of several novels with Mary Higgins Clark. A graduate of Stanford Law School and a former Deputy District Attorney in Portland, Oregon, Alafair is now a Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches criminal law and procedure.

Reviews

[Alafair Burke]

Hi everyone. This is the author, Alafair Burke. I won't give myself all the stars I think this book deserves, but I did want to make clear that FIND ME is a standalone! One of my recurring characters, Ellie Hatcher, does appear on the page. Those of you who have missed her can say hello. But you definitely don't need to read the Hatcher series to enjoy this novel. Happy reading!!

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting mystery, I'm always intrigued when someone disappears without a trace and people are trying to find them.

Hope Miller was found on the side of the road after a car accident fifteen years before. She had no memory of her life prior to the accident. As the years passed, despite the efforts of her best friend Lindsay, she has never overcome the amnesia. Hope disappears, a blood stain left behind as the only evidence. Had her past caught up to her? Lindsay, a defense attorney, joins with the police in order to uncover what happened to Hope and where she might be.

As everything was uncovered and multiple investigations taking place, I kind of got a bit lost in the midst of the plethora of characters. I've read a few books in this series, but not all of them. Maybe that was part of the reason I felt lost in the shuffle here. I stuck with it because I really wanted to know what happened to Hope, and I wasn't disappointed in that regard.

The last few books I've read have had massive twists in the end that have been over the top. Book 1 (All I Want)'s was so unbelievable I graded it down. Book 2 (The Lucky Ones)'s wasn't as bad, but the ending still left a bit to be desired. This is book 3, and I thought the ending twist actually upgraded the experience for me rather than making me roll my eyes.

Overall, if you've been invested in the Ellie Hatcher series, this one is a must read because it resolves some ongoing questions. If you're not, you won't necessarily be lost but there are a large number of characters to sort through to get to the core story.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alafair Burke writes a twisty psychological thriller that is simultaneously a standalone, yet features her series NYPD detective, Ellie Hatcher, providing resolution to her ongoing doubts that her father, also a police detective, committed suicide. 15 years ago Lindsay Kelly, a defence lawyer, came across an overturned car with a seriously injured woman who recovered but suffered amnesia, never recovering her memories through the years. She was named Hope Miller, and the two women developed a close relationship through the years, even living together, with Hope being protected by the townsfolk of Hopewell, New Jersey. However, a restless Hope now wants to assert her independence and forge her own path, moving to East Hampton and becoming a realtor staging homes for sale.

An unhappy Lindsay has no choice but to come to terms with Hope's decision, and get used to seeing her less. However, on not hearing from Holly, a worried Lindsay sets out to find out what happened to her missing friend, last known to have set up a home for sale. An off duty local cop, Carter Decker, finds blood spots at that home, although he is far from convinced that there is anything wrong, thinking Hope has simply moved on. Learning that the blood connects to a long ago College Serial Killer case in Wichita, Kansas, a disturbed Lindsay calls in Ellie, drawing Ellie into a case she has a strong interest in. The discovery of a dead body that turns out to be murder has Carter taking a greater interest in Hope's disappearance. A tenacious Lindsay is determined to do everything she can to protect Hope as she digs deeper, uncovering a past of trauma, abuse and murder. Will Hope at long last learn who she is?

Burke writes an intriguing and suspenseful mystery of secrets and lies, a past that returns to haunt the present, for Hope, a woman with no memories of who she used to be, and for Ellie who has a musician brother, Jess. I loved the characters of both Lindsay and Hope, their enduring relationship with each other, seeing just how far Lindsay will go for Hope. This is an engaging crime mystery that drew me in easily, wanting to know what happened to Hope, and I appreciated the inclusion of Ellie, who at long last finds harrowing answers to the demons that had plagued her for so long. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

[Michael David (on hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the words of Madonna: Who’s That Girl? 🎵

Hope Miller wasn’t her name 15 years prior, when she was found alone in a terrible car accident. She had no recollection of who she was...her memory completely erased.

Hope’s best friend, a defense lawyer named Lindsay, is the one who found her in the overturned car 15 years ago. She’s managed to help Hope find a new life for herself. Now, Hope has recently moved to East Hampton in search of a change. Lindsay misses her being around, but knows Hope needs space to get acclimated to her new area.

Then, Hope disappears…

Lindsay is frantically worried, and even more so when it’s discovered that a drop of blood found at the place Hope was last seen links to the case of a serial killer in Wichita, Kansas.

Lindsay’s only hope of finding Hope (sorry…🤦) is by reaching out to NYPD homicide detective Ellie Hatcher...whose cop father originally hunted down the Kansas serial killer.

I didn’t realize this was book #6 in the Ellie Hatcher series. I pulled a Pat. 🤣 Author Alafair Burke explains that she wrote it in a way that would also work as a standalone, and I think that’s probably true since Ellie’s part isn’t too huge. However, I might’ve understood her background a bit more if I read the other ones.

As for this novel, I found it interesting and well-written, and was eager to find out who Hope really was. The mystery and circumstances around her amnesia were a bit convoluted, and I found it hard to keep track of who’s who with so many characters spread throughout. The reveals were decent, but more on the average side.

I think this will work well for those who have read the whole series. As for me, I’ll stick with Burke’s standalones (which I’ll confirm ahead of time going forward), as I usually LOVE the stories she comes up with.

Thank you to Harper and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 1/11/22.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hope was a victim of a terrible car crash and has suffered amnesia since the accident. Lindsay was the person to find her and from here a deep friendship grew between the two. Much to Lindsay's dismay Hope has decided to leave Hopedale behind to make a life for herself in The Hamptons.

Hope, now working for a real estate agent, stages a house for an upcoming open house. As she goes to leave a man attacks her and she disappears.

Lindsay is now trying to track her down but things get complicated when blood at the scene is linked to a serial killer case in Wichita, KS. How are these cases connected?

This is the type of book in which the entire plot hinges on whether or not the cops are called. If they're called, problem solved, and this book wouldn't exist. If they aren't called then chaos ensues which is what we have here. That annoys me a little because the entire time I was reading this I was like "WHY, WHY, WHY???" This reminded me of a Law and Order episode in book form. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and even by the end I still didn't have all the players straight. Who's that again kept popping into my head throughout the entire book. The ending did not wow me at all. Not great, not terrible. A perfectly serviceable thriller to kill some time but don't expect your heart to race or your jaw to drop. This is simply.... fine . 3 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper for my complimentary copy.

[Ceecee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detective Ellie Hatcher #6.

She is called Hope Miller but actually she’s no idea who she really is following a car accident in Indiana fourteen years ago. Whilst working in the Hamptons for a realtor, Hope goes missing, her best friend, attorney Lindsey Kelly reports her disappearance but gets little help from the local police. She calls Detective Ellie Hatcher of the NYPD and Ellie‘s past collides with the present in this latest instalment.

First of all, I hadn’t appreciated this is part of a series that this doesn’t prove to be any kind of an issue for reading it. I do enjoy the premise of the novel as Hope’s case is certainly a fascinating one, however, the execution of it, not so much. The first part is rather labourious and it takes a while for the plot to get going. I think it’s fair to say it’s convoluted at times and it sure takes a meandering path to get from A to B as it goes off at tangents. There’s a lot of over explanation which burdens a good plot. There are a lot of characters to get your head around which gets a bit dizzying and I’m not convinced you need all of them either. Once it gets going it’s a decent read, connections start to be made between the past and the present and it begins to click into place. The reveals are okay, perhaps not earthshattering with no great surprise on offer. I don’t feel a huge amount of tension or shocks or thrills and spills which would push the rating higher.

Overall it’s not a bad read by any means but I do think it could’ve been a much more satisfying one with a sharper focus in the plotting.

With thanks to NetGalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bored so much that I could not finish, DNF.

[Charlotte May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and the author for my free copy

Hope Miller has had amnesia for the past 15 years. Since she was found by her now best friend, Lindsay at the scene of a car crash.

When Hope decides she wants to move to the Hamptons, to get a break and maybe find herself, Lindsay is worried. No one knows her there, how will she cope without her support system?

Suddenly, Hope goes missing. Lindsay is certain something bad has happened but the local police aren’t interested. Lindsay starts digging, and enlists the help of Ellie - an NYPD cop who may have links to Hope.

I really enjoyed this fast paced and twisty thriller. Part of the Ellie Hatcher series but definitely can be read as a stand alone, as I’ve never read the other books.

I would definitely pick up more by Alafair Burke.

[Abbie Konnick · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟 not totally dying over this one, but interesting enough to keep me going!

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope Miller is the name taken by a woman who was found next to an overturned car fifteen years ago near the town of Hopewell. Waking up in hospital with nothing to identify her, she had no idea who she was or where she came from. When her amnesia persisted, the local community took her in and helped her settle into Hopewell where she quickly became part caring community.

Hope also became good friends with the young woman who found her, Lindsay Kelley and her family, eventually sharing an apartment with Lindsay after Lindsay finished her law degree in college and moved back to Hopewell. But after a trip to the Hamptons, Hope decided to move there and take a job staging houses for a real estate agent. However, when she Lindsay doesn't hear from Hope for a few days she travels to the Hamptons to discover that Hope has disappeared. Also that the police want to speak to her in connection with the death of a young man whose blood was found in a house Hope was staging for an open house viewing just before she disappeared.

What follows is quite a complicated tale which will eventually lead to a twenty three year old police investigation into a serial killer in Kansas. Detective Ellie Hatcher of the NYPD is the daughter of the detective who worked that case and somehow that’s enough for her to get talked into helping Lindsay investigate the death of the young man. With a big cast of characters and a tangled path of twists and false turns tying the crimes together, it’s important to concentrate on the plot. Although, there are five previous books in Alafair Burke’s Ellie Hatcher series, the author has stated that this is written a stand-alone novel. This mostly works, however prior knowledge of Ellie’s past history would certainly help the reader understand some of her issues and their resolution better. Overall, a fairly enjoyable mystery but on that got bogged down with a complicated plot and never really achieved any suspense. 3.5★

With thanks to Faber & Faber and Netgalley for a copy to read

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie Hatcher is back at last after seven long years. I have enjoyed the other books Alafair wrote on her own and with Mary Higgins Clark in the interim, but have often wondered about Ellie. If you have not read any of the Ellie Hatcher books, you will still find this to be an enjoyable read with some unexpected twists. A single vehicle car crash that took place fifteen years before the book began results in a female victim with no memory and no identification. The residents of Hopewell, NJ help her to establish a new life and she takes on the name Hope Miller. As we return to present day, Hope goes missing and best friend Lindsay goes hunting for her. As noted in the book description, a regular from past Alafair Burke books -- Ellie Hatcher-- will get involved and make some discoveries of her own. For me, the best part of the book was catching up with Ellie while Lindsay and Hope were no as likable. The author's ability to surprise me once again makes this a solid 4-star book.

Thank you to Harper and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lit with Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I have read every single Alafair Burke book. The only one I DNF was The Better Sister. I want to point this out, because my familiarity with her writing style and plot structure definitely impacts my rating.

THE PLOT

Hope Miller (real name unknown) doesn't remember a single thing before her car accident 15 years ago. Suddenly, she wants to start all over again, and leaves her BFF Lindsay in the lurch when she moves to East Hampton. After Lindsay can't reach Hope, she starts to investigate her disappearance, but soon it becomes clear this is much more than a simple grab and go. What does Hope have to do with a case in Witchita, Kansas that haunts Detective Ellie Hatcher? And how much does Hope really remember?

MY OPINION

After DNF-ing The Better Sister, I came into this with my fingers, toes, and winter leg hair crossed. And I wasn't disappointed. This is a classic Alafair Burke novel with a complicated and layered plot, several POVs, and a satisfying ending neatly tied together. Oh, and this features Detective Ellie Hatcher. Although this book is NOT considered part of the Hatcher series, you definitely should read the series beforehand, because there's some pretty big revelations for Hatcher in the novel that will be ???? if you don't know her background. There is enough context, but to really understand how big this moment is for her—read the series.

I'm used to Burke's writing being just ok. It's really her ability to weave together several seemingly benign storylines into a delightful ending that just makes sense. Yes, it is usually far-fetched, but as I said, I'm used to her books, so it doesn't bother me. Some authors struggle with just getting one storyline and two POVs down, but Burke can juggle ALL the balls without a single blunder. That's why I like her books despite the meh writing quality.

With that being said, her writing quality in this book was noticeably better. The Better Sister was garbagio... The amateur hour writing led me to clicking "permanently delete" on my Kindle. But this book was surprisingly coherent with minimal trivial details and filler scenes. In fact, some parts were funny (what about SP??? lol). I was impressed.

My only gripe is the repeated mentions of gaslighting. It seems like Burke just discovered what this was and wanted to flex. As usual, she peppers in some timely social commentary, but doesn't get too deep with it. She says just enough to show she's with the times, without being too much of a "SJW". If your politics are more right wing, some of this might annoy you.

I'm giving it 3 stars because it's Honda Civic reliable. A quick, topsy-turny read with a satisfying ending—but it lacks top-notch writing and thoughtfulness. It's just a solid police procedural; sometimes that's what you need. Like a grilled cheese sandwich, no fluff, no fancy ingredients, but always tasty.

PROS AND CONS

Pros: Great pace, actually funny, keeps you guessing, satisfying ending
Cons: Too many mentions of gaslighting—it wasn't that deep?

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifteen years ago, a woman was found at the scene of a car accident with no memory of her previous life. She now calls herself “Hope Miller.” She never regained her memory. Fifteen years after the accident, she decides to leave the town she’s lived in since the crash to move to East Hampton. Her best friend Lindsay, who is a defense attorney, is worried. Lindsay’s fiancé just wants her to move on now that Hope is trying to forge a life separate from Lindsay and finally make a life with him, rather than clinging to the co-dependent relationship Hope and Lindsay have had for years.

When Hope stops contacting her, Lindsay goes to East Hampton to try to track her down. There is a blood stain found in the house she was staging for a local realtor that upon testing, matches to a serial killer crime scene from Kansas from over a decade before. Could that be a connection to Hope’s mysterious past?

I’ve read quite a few of Alafair Burke’s thrillers and always enjoy them. This one was hard for me to get into initially because there were so many characters it was tricky to keep all the players straight, and what their role was in the story. It felt like at the halfway point when the novel started to reveal more information, it got easier to read. By the end I found myself really immersed in the story.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Find Me' is a gem, the sort of smart, suspenseful, slow burn that I love. The tension is palpable on every page, and I savored every surprise. Alafair Burke is a treasure.

[DeAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 amnesia stars

An interesting story featuring a woman who has been suffering from amnesia after being found after a horrific car accident in a stolen car. “Hope Miller” has rebuilt her life in New Jersey and developed a deep friendship with the woman who found her, Lindsay Kelly. Now it’s 15 years after the accident and Hope wants to strike out on her own in the Hamptons.

Lindsay is reluctant to let her go and soon Hope has stopped communication. Lindsay fears the worst and heads out to find her friend. Lindsay is a defense lawyer and puts those skills to work trying to get the local police to search for Hope. As the days tick by with no word from Hope, Lindsay is getting frantic. Has Hope’s past caught up to her?

Lindsay calls on Ellie Hatcher, a New York police officer, to help with the case. It was an interesting mystery, and I was curious to see if we would learn about the real identity of Hope. There are some good twists and turns in this one.

This is my third Alafair Burke book and I didn’t realize it featured Ellie Hatcher and is actually book #6. Perhaps someday I can read that series! I think this one works as a stand-alone.

Thank you to Harper for the early copy of this one to read and review.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hope Miller lost her memory after a car accident fifteen years ago. At the time doctors were confident that her memory would return, but it never happened. Hope has no idea who she is.

Eventually, she made a new life in a new town with a new name. Her best friend and Manhattan defense lawyer Lindsay Kelly was the one who found Hope after the accident and is constantly worried about her friend. Lindsay’s fears come to fruition when Hope disappears. Only a drop of blood is found where Hope was last seen.

The blood droplet matches the DNA of a serial killer located in Kansas. Lindsay is determined to find out what happen to her best friend. She is not prepares for the secrets she uncovers.

I enjoyed this book. I listened to it on audio and thought the narrator did a great job. The story was interesting and captured me from the first chapter. I couldn’t wait to figure out what happened.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read a previous 2019 standalone novel, Alafair Burke’s latest The Girl She Was seemed an opportunity too good to pass up. It begins with three seemingly unconnected women, the first a realtor with amnesia after a car accident, the second a lawyer and the third a New York police detective on holiday. These three protagonists’ stories unfold and gradually weave together as the disappearance of the first woman is investigated by a disinterested cop at the insistence of her best friend, the second woman. Careful attention to the narrative is important at times, as a brief mention of some trivial thing is actually a major link in the unfolding chain of events. As more connections are revealed, so do the twists and turns, creating a riveting read to keep you guessing how it all gets resolved. A four-star read rating and tip – seek out her other works. With much thanks to Faber and Faber Ltd and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given, without bias to any familial connections.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

My girl Alafair Burke really knows how to write, and it is of no surprise to me how much I loved Find Me. There are a lot of characters to keep track of in this crime-filled mystery, and definitely some moments where I would get confused about who was who, but for the most part I was able to follow along. I have not read the Ellie Hatcher series but have now read 2 books that mention her, and they have made me really want to read them! Although this can be read as a standalone, the mention of Ellie's dad still made me wish I had more of a backstory on her, so I am hoping I can get some of that while this story is still fresh in my mind. However, I think it is really important to read the acknowledgments section of this novel because after I did, I understood what the author was trying to accomplish here, and it does help.

This is a plotline with many layers, and I always enjoy watching how Burke will unravel each one. There is so much mystery and suspense surrounding Hope's disappearance, and I loved the inclusion of a few different genres. Find Me is part domestic drama, part suspense, part detective fiction, and part crime novel among other things, and I always love a good genre-bending read. I especially loved the end of the book, and it totally threw me! I wasn't expecting any of the twists which is my favorite thing, and I may or may not have gotten chills at one point. Did I mention it also made me laugh? The audiobook was fantastic and narrated by Kathleen Early who did a great job as always! I have listened to her a few times now and her narration never disappoints She had a lot of characters to voice in Find Me and I think it is worth picking up but also having a physical copy handy in case you get lost in the characters. This was a winner for me though and Burke is at the top of my list to stay for autobuy authors!

Thank you to the publishers and Libro.fm for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is ALL OVER the place. First off, we have two main characters - Lindsey the Lawyer and Hope, a young women who has amnesia. The two women are very, very close. In my reading, Lindsey is a bit obsessive about Hope and that was uncomfortable. Hope is trying to make a new life in a new town so she moves to the Hamptons, because, why not? At this point in the story, I almost felt like there was a first book and i forgot to read it. There seems to be so much back story which brings me back to "all over the place." There are so many secondary characters. Detective Carter guy. Detective Ellie. Former Cop Steve. Scott. The Sanderson couple? Ellie's dead father. Ellie's brother Jess. Alex. Jocelyn. Richard? Emilia? Good lord, we are swimming in characters that make a brief appearance and then leave. OH! There was also a secondary plot about a serial killer that goes nowhere. OH! And a maybe evil politician? Aiy yi yi. Its a lot. Perhaps if either main character Lindsey, or Hope was especially likable, it would have been an easier read. I did finish this and it was ok but i liked the authors book, "The Wife"much better. Last thoughts - the last minute revelation that perhaps the women were in love just seemed out of place and unhealthy.

[Tracy P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy Alafair Burke's novels. However, when I started 'Find Me' I did not realize it was part of the Ellie Hatcher series -of which I have not read/listened to any the previous episodes - and think I would have appreciated this much more if I had completed the previous books prior to starting this one. That being said, this was an intriguing mystery and kept my attention all the way through. The ending was nice and twisty with a fantastic conclusion.
Narrator Kathleen Early did an excellent with all the character voices and (as with all of the other audiobooks I have had the pleasure of hearing her narrate) delivered a highly-satisfying and authentic listening experience.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detective Ellie Hatcher #6

She calls herself Hope Miller, but she has no idea who she really is. Fourteen years ago, she was found thrown from an overturned vehicle, with no clue to her identity. Hope started a new life, but never recovered her memory. Now she's missing. With nowhere else to turn, Hope's best friend, Lindsey Kelly, calls NYPD detective Ellie Hatcher. In pursuit of answers, the three women search for the truth beneath long-buried secrets. And when their searches converge, what they find will upend everything they've ever known.

I've wanted to read an Alafair Burke book ever since I had read her Under Suspicion series written alongside the late Mary Higgins Clark. I did not know at the time of requesting the book that it was also part of a series.

A woman was found unconscious near her overturned car. She never regained her memory and now, fourteen years later, calls herself Hope Miller. She has become very close to Lindsey Kelly, the woman found her after the accident.

This was an easy book to read but there was far too much going on. Hope is missing and Lyndsey is trying to find her along with a NYPD detective. Filled with lots of twists and a great twist at the end, this is quite a complex read. But the loose ends were all tied up.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #FaberandFaber and the author #AlafairBurke for my ARC of #TheGirlSheWas in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle]

🪟Find Me: Book Review🪟

🎉Now Available in Paperback🎉

“Find Me” is actually book 5.5 in the Ellie Hatcher series, but Alafair makes it well known that it can be read as a stand-alone. I both agree & disagree, while I understood everything going on, I think that if I read the series from the beginning, I would’ve connected to the characters more.

After a disastrous car wreck Hope Miller quite literally lands herself in New Jersey. She has no recollection of who she is, where she came from, or how she crashed.

A local defense lawyer Lindsay Kelly is the one who rescues Hope and immediately takes her under her wing.

Fifteen years later, the two are still best friends, but Hope has grown tired of her life and wonders what she’s missing out on elsewhere. Perhaps something in her sub-conscience will lead her to the place she’s meant to be.

“I don’t have privacy…or anonymity. I just want to go some place where I can blend in. I WANT to be normal.”

She takes up residence in East Hampton as a real estate agent but soon after stops responding to Lindsay’s messages and calls. While Lindsay realizes that her friend asked for space while she adjusts, something just doesn’t feel right. They’ve never gone this long without speaking. So, she heads to Hope’s to figure out what’s going on where she’s met with a drop of blood and a boss who immediately clams up.

“What kind of game are you playing, Hope? Isn’t that what you call yourself now?”

Even more, the blood that’s found where Hope was staying is connected to a murderer from many moons ago. What could possibly be going on here? Will she figure out what happened to her friend before it’s too late, or is she already gone for good?

🤔 Have you read any other books by Alafair Burke, if so please recommend one to me in the comments.

💭 If you were to rank audio books, physical books & ebooks which would be your preference, best being #1?

🙋🏻‍♀️: 📕 🎧 📱

#alafairburke #harperbooks #newrelease #findme #booksta #bookreview #bookfeature #booklover #bookcollector #thrillerbooks #mystery

Thank you to #partners @harpercollins360 @harpercollins & @alafair.burke for a #gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Sabi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay, but was I bored in most of the novel? Yes, I was...


The story is dragged quite a bit, but the main con is that no character is interesting. Three POVs: the lawyer, the detective, and the friend of the main lead. From these three POVs, I only liked the lawyer's POV.

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

Alafair Burke delivers another wildly complex and entertaining plot with The Girl She Was (known as Find Me in the US) It kept me reading well into the night trying to work out how it was all going to unfold. There are alot of characters (and Ellie Hatcher is apparently a character for 5 previous books, which I did not know. This reads fine as a stand alone but I think we may have gotten a better understanding of this character if the earlier books had been read)

It is a story of Hope Miller (not her real name). 15 years ago she was involved in a serious car accident and never regained her memory. She was found by the side of the road by Lindsay and a strong friendship was formed. Now, Hope has decided that she wants to start a life on her own, away from Hopedale where she has lived for the past 15 years. A new start in the Hamptons with a new job. But then she disappears. Lindsay seems to be the only person worried about Hope - has her past caught up with her finally?

It is a addictive thriller, with plenty of surprise twists and some that I could see coming. I read it in 2 sittings. Thanks to Allen and Unwin for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published in Australia January 5th.

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was exactly what he had done to Alex's sister. He picked Hope not because she was wise beyond her years, but because she was a girl from a group home whose mother had abused her so badly that her left wrist barely worked. She was vulnerable, and he was the kind of man who could smell vulnerability--and needed it. (PG. 278)

Trigger Warnings: Rape, Grooming of young girls, Suicide

This was an interesting read from Alafair Burke. It was my first time reading anything by this author and while I didn't love it, it was an interesting premise of a mystery. A girl (Hope Miller) has an accident and has amnesia and the person (Lindsay Kelly) to find the vehicle becomes her best friend and guardian. Taking on a new identity Hope disappears one day and the pieces into finding her start clicking together. Her dark past is coming to haunt her except no one knows who or what the dark past is.

Took a while to build up. If Lindsay hadn't been caring enough to care Hope would have been a missing Jane Doe. Scary to think about but happens all the time, everywhere. Readable but not exciting. Picked up in middle but Lindsay annoyed me.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read even if it never actually hits the high notes of some of the authors other books.

Hope Miller has no idea of her true identity, she was thrown from an overturned vehicle fourteen years ago and started a new life, but never recovered her memory. Now she’s gone missing and the only evidence is a drop of blood with a connection to an infamous murderer in Kansas. Lindsay Kelly is Hope’s best friend and is desperate to find her so calls detective Ellie Hatcher who was has links to the Kansas case.

A decent read but not the authors best.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Faber and Faber for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Basic B's Guide · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the reader that loves an intricate plot. This is my second Burke novel and I’ve come to understand that she can expertly weave a fiercely complex story. Wow did this have a lot going on and to be honest I think it may have had a bit too much. I listened to the audiobook ( @harperaudio ) and had to follow along on my kindle at times to make sure I was following the story. While I found myself interested in how it all came together (very well and twisty), I found it hard to be invested in any of the characters. If plot is much more important to you then you might be the perfect reader for this January 11th release.⁣

3.5 stars

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her name is Hope Miller. Or at least that’s what she tells people. Fifteen years ago, she was found on the side of the road, beside an overturned car, alone and injured. When she woke up in the hospital she had no memory of her life before the accident or how she ended up in a small town in New Jersey. Now, Hope has tried to fit into her new town and has been accepted among the townspeople, especially her close friend, Lindsay, who found Hope on the night of the accident. When a dead man washes ashore, and the investigation into his death proves he had a connection to Hope, the entire town is left questioning who the amnesiac stranger is and it is up to Lindsay to prove that her friend is innocent, even if she doesn’t remember.

Alafair Burke is the queen of mystery and suspense. She has never written a novel that I didn’t absolutely love, and “Find Me” is right up there. Although it is the next novel in Burke’s Ellie Hatcher series, it is not necessary to read all (or any) of the Hatcher books in order to follow along. “Find Me” features Ellie, mostly in the background, as a detective with ties to an original case that has a connection to Hope’s. Burke’s characters are genuinely likable, despite their flaws, and they pulled me in right away, immediately taking me along for the ride.

Each chapter is short and easy to read, headlined only by the date. The story is told in chronological order, and is narrated almost exclusively by Lindsey (although we do get a few chapters headed by other characters periodically). “Find Me” was so page-turning, it came to an end before I even realized it!

There are a lot of characters in this novel, so be prepared to sift your way through the elaborate menagerie of law enforcement, political figures as well as those who play an important role in different time periods. If you can manage to sort through it all, “Find Me” is a gripping thrill ride.

I love Burke’s ability to create a completely immersive reading experience, using relatable and honest characters. Although many of her novels have legal settings (drawn from her legal experience), Burke manages to keep her readers focused, and not drown them in legal jargon and technical terms.

The ending of “Find Me” ended exactly how I wanted it to, while still leaving one or two unexpected surprises to keep me on my toes. I am a hard-core fan of Burke, and although I haven’t read all of her Hatcher series, that didn’t stop me from diving head first into her newest novel. A quick, pulse-pounding and tense read that is completely spellbinding and utterly suspenseful, “Find Me” is everything I expect from Burke, and so much more.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful, slow burn mystery around amnesia, friendships, and family secrets. I enjoyed this latest book by Alafair Burke.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I am such a huge fan of this author...starting with "The Ex" my first read by Alafair...that initially got me hooked on her particular brand of mystery writing with her masterful ability to spin and weave an extremely entertaining tale that "feels" believable but also manages to be somewhat "twisty" as well.
I have yet to read her Ellie Hatcher series but agree with the author that this book can be considered a standalone...despite the presence of her detective throughout the novel.
Strong characters... and I really liked the amnesia aspect to this story... I also thought Lindsay really "worked" as the friend and the lawyer determined to find Hope.