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Σε ποιον μίλησες;
Είπαμε να το κρατήσουμε μυστικό. Κανείς δεν χρειαζόταν να ξέρει.
192 ημέρες, 7 ώρες και 15 λεπτά: Τόσος καιρός έχει περάσει από το τελευταίο της ποτό. Τώρα η Άστριντ προσπαθεί να αλλάξει τελείως τη ζωή της. Έχοντας επιστρέψει, χωρίς ιδιαίτερο ενθουσιασμό, στο πατρικό της με τη μητέρα της, σε μια ήσυχη παραθαλάσσια πόλη μακριά από πειρασμούς και τις οδυνηρές αναμνήσεις της παλιάς της ζωής, επικεντρώνεται στην ανάρρωσή της.
Πηγαίνει σε συναντήσεις Ανώνυμων Αλκοολικών, παραδέχεται τα λάθη της και προσπαθεί να ξαναφτιάξει τη σχέση της με όσους αδίκησε στο παρελθόν. Γεμίζοντας τις μέρες της, ίσως καταφέρει να ξεγελάσει τα «φαντάσματα» που την κυνηγούν. Ίσως καταφέρει να κάνει μια νέα αρχή.
Κάποιος όμως με βασανίζει.
Κάποιος γνωρίζει πού είμαι και τι έχω κάνει.
Κάποιος γνωρίζει πολύ καλά από τι προσπαθεί να ξεφύγει η Άστριντ. Και δεν πρόκειται να σταματήσει μέχρι να της μάθει πως κάποια λάθη δεν διορθώνονται. Για κάποια λάθη πρέπει να πληρώσεις…
Το ερώτημα είναι: Σε ποιον μίλησες;
Το ότι φαντάζεσαι τον εαυτό σου να κάνει κάτι και να το απολαμβάνει δεν σημαίνει και ότι θέλεις να το κάνεις. Έτσι, λοιπόν, αν νοερά αρπάζω μερικά από τα κοτσιδάκια της και χτυπάω με μανία το κεφάλι της σε έναν τοίχο μέχρι να της λιώσω το κρανίο δεν σημαίνει απαραιτήτως ότι θα το κάνω κιόλας. Η σκέψη και μόνο δεν με κάνει κακό άνθρωπο. Θέλω να πω, όλοι έχουμε τέτοιες φαντασιώσεις μερικές φορές, έτσι δεν είναι; Έτσι δεν είναι;
Ένα εφευρετικό και συναρπαστικό ψυχολογικό θρίλερ. Η Kara χτίζει με μαεστρία την ένταση μέσα από μια σειρά ανατροπών, πριν μας παραδώσει ένα φινάλε που σε κάνει να παραμιλάς...
Daily Express
Γεμάτο αγωνία και διορατικότητα, πρόκειται για ένα απόλυτα καθηλωτικό μυθιστόρημα.
Literary Review
192 ημέρες, 7 ώρες και 15 λεπτά: Τόσος καιρός έχει περάσει από το τελευταίο της ποτό. Τώρα η Άστριντ προσπαθεί να αλλάξει τελείως τη ζωή της. Έχοντας επιστρέψει, χωρίς ιδιαίτερο ενθουσιασμό, στο πατρικό της με τη μητέρα της, σε μια ήσυχη παραθαλάσσια πόλη μακριά από πειρασμούς και τις οδυνηρές αναμνήσεις της παλιάς της ζωής, επικεντρώνεται στην ανάρρωσή της.
Πηγαίνει σε συναντήσεις Ανώνυμων Αλκοολικών, παραδέχεται τα λάθη της και προσπαθεί να ξαναφτιάξει τη σχέση της με όσους αδίκησε στο παρελθόν. Γεμίζοντας τις μέρες της, ίσως καταφέρει να ξεγελάσει τα «φαντάσματα» που την κυνηγούν. Ίσως καταφέρει να κάνει μια νέα αρχή.
Κάποιος όμως με βασανίζει.
Κάποιος γνωρίζει πού είμαι και τι έχω κάνει.
Κάποιος γνωρίζει πολύ καλά από τι προσπαθεί να ξεφύγει η Άστριντ. Και δεν πρόκειται να σταματήσει μέχρι να της μάθει πως κάποια λάθη δεν διορθώνονται. Για κάποια λάθη πρέπει να πληρώσεις…
Το ερώτημα είναι: Σε ποιον μίλησες;
Το ότι φαντάζεσαι τον εαυτό σου να κάνει κάτι και να το απολαμβάνει δεν σημαίνει και ότι θέλεις να το κάνεις. Έτσι, λοιπόν, αν νοερά αρπάζω μερικά από τα κοτσιδάκια της και χτυπάω με μανία το κεφάλι της σε έναν τοίχο μέχρι να της λιώσω το κρανίο δεν σημαίνει απαραιτήτως ότι θα το κάνω κιόλας. Η σκέψη και μόνο δεν με κάνει κακό άνθρωπο. Θέλω να πω, όλοι έχουμε τέτοιες φαντασιώσεις μερικές φορές, έτσι δεν είναι; Έτσι δεν είναι;
Ένα εφευρετικό και συναρπαστικό ψυχολογικό θρίλερ. Η Kara χτίζει με μαεστρία την ένταση μέσα από μια σειρά ανατροπών, πριν μας παραδώσει ένα φινάλε που σε κάνει να παραμιλάς...
Daily Express
Γεμάτο αγωνία και διορατικότητα, πρόκειται για ένα απόλυτα καθηλωτικό μυθιστόρημα.
Literary Review
384 pages, Paperback
First published December 26, 2019
353 people are currently reading
7835 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Kara
6 books858 followersLesley Kara is the Sunday Times Top 10 author of psychological thrillers. Her first book, THE RUMOUR, was the highest selling print crime fiction debut of 2019, has sold in over 18 countries and is soon to be a major TV series on Channel 5! Subsequent books are: WHO DID YOU TELL, THE DARE, THE APARTMENT UPSTAIRS, and THE OTHER TENANT.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 889 reviews
January 31, 2023
Astrid is in the early days of her sobriety. After hitting rock bottom, she was forced to move back in with her mother in a quiet coastal town.
There she spends each day, each moment really, just trying to make it through without a drink.
Astrid is continuously haunted by flashbacks of her past behaviors whilst under the influence. Her memories are spotty, but what she is able to recall isn't pretty.
Through her musings, the Reader is made aware of some of these things, including a toxic, though arguably, loving relationship with a man named, Simon.
With Simon gone, Astrid is left with many regrets. She has begun to attend AA meetings and the process has caused a lot of repressed memories to resurface.
She knows she needs to make amends with so many people, but how can anyone ever forgive her for the things she has done?
Astrid is trying. She truly is, but each and every day is a battle.
She begins to open up to a couple of women from meetings. She even meets a new man and secures a small, temporary job working for his father on an art project.
As we all know, the past rarely stays buried forever though, and soon Astrid is receiving mysterious messages and feels that she is being followed.
Her and Simon did have one truly bad night where they did something not just reprehensible, but criminal. Did he tell someone?
Who Did You Tell was such an interesting reading experience for me.
The beginning of the novel is very melancholy. Astrid, as mentioned above, is really struggling and as the Reader, you get a front-row seat to every moment of that.
Initially, I was apprehensive. Was I going to get into it?
Oh baby, did I! It's such an intricate, beautifully told story of addiction, forgiveness and recovery. I became so attached to Astrid and invested in her.
With this being said, it is a subtle suspense and a slow burn.
I think if you go into this expecting a fast-paced Thriller, you may be disappointed. I would urge every Reader to give it a shot however, the pay off is worth it.
Towards the end, the suspense and action kicks way up. I loved the conclusion. I wouldn't have wanted it to end any other way.
I definitely plan to go back and read Lesley Kara's debut, The Rumour and will continue to pick up anything she writes moving forward.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Ballantine Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I appreciate the opportunity!
There she spends each day, each moment really, just trying to make it through without a drink.
Astrid is continuously haunted by flashbacks of her past behaviors whilst under the influence. Her memories are spotty, but what she is able to recall isn't pretty.
Through her musings, the Reader is made aware of some of these things, including a toxic, though arguably, loving relationship with a man named, Simon.
With Simon gone, Astrid is left with many regrets. She has begun to attend AA meetings and the process has caused a lot of repressed memories to resurface.
She knows she needs to make amends with so many people, but how can anyone ever forgive her for the things she has done?
Astrid is trying. She truly is, but each and every day is a battle.
She begins to open up to a couple of women from meetings. She even meets a new man and secures a small, temporary job working for his father on an art project.
As we all know, the past rarely stays buried forever though, and soon Astrid is receiving mysterious messages and feels that she is being followed.
Her and Simon did have one truly bad night where they did something not just reprehensible, but criminal. Did he tell someone?
Who Did You Tell was such an interesting reading experience for me.
The beginning of the novel is very melancholy. Astrid, as mentioned above, is really struggling and as the Reader, you get a front-row seat to every moment of that.
Initially, I was apprehensive. Was I going to get into it?
Oh baby, did I! It's such an intricate, beautifully told story of addiction, forgiveness and recovery. I became so attached to Astrid and invested in her.
With this being said, it is a subtle suspense and a slow burn.
I think if you go into this expecting a fast-paced Thriller, you may be disappointed. I would urge every Reader to give it a shot however, the pay off is worth it.
Towards the end, the suspense and action kicks way up. I loved the conclusion. I wouldn't have wanted it to end any other way.
I definitely plan to go back and read Lesley Kara's debut, The Rumour and will continue to pick up anything she writes moving forward.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Ballantine Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I appreciate the opportunity!
October 8, 2020
Who Did you Tell? By Lesley Kara is a 2020 Ballantine publication.
Realistic, tense, disturbing!
Astrid is a recovering alcoholic, living with her mother, and struggling mightily to hold on to her new sobriety. She also has a heavy, dark secret hanging over her head, complicating her ability to face her demons head on.
As her memories resurface, Astrid’s past relationship with a guy named Simon begins to take shape- a relationship centered around the pain of addiction, but also one with intense emotions attached.
It is obvious that Astrid is tormented by her past, perhaps with good reason, but apparently someone out there is determined to remind her of her misdeeds, keeping her on a perpetual tightrope as she desperately tries to move on with her life-
I nearly read this book in one sitting- not because it is fast-paced, because it’s not- but because of how deeply I was drawn into Astrid’s struggles. The heavy atmosphere and the constant feeling of foreboding kept me glued to the pages.
This is a mesmerizing and intense story, checking all the correct, traditional psychological thriller boxes. However, it was Astrid's vivid characterization, and her will to stay sober, her vulnerability, uncertainty and fear, and the possibility that she could be in danger, that gave the book an extra padding of depth - more than one normally encounters in this genre.
The drama is very engrossing, drawing the reader deeper into Astrid’s troubled world. The suspense slowly, methodically builds, to a point where it almost becomes unbearable.
I still see a multitude of newly released psychological thrillers out there, but I think the fever has finally broken and there is a slow return to normalcy, which means higher quality stories in this category. However, I still started this book with only average expectations. (Keep in mind, though, that I have not read this author's debut novel- although I plan to remedy that ASAP)
However, this book exceeded my expectations, and is decidedly above average for this category. The novel is very well executed, moody, taut, and suspenseful, but has an added layer of emotional drama that compels the reader to invest, not only in the plot, but in the characters, as well.
Overall, this book is an impressive thriller, and I think Lesley Kara may be an author I’ll want to keep my eye on!
Realistic, tense, disturbing!
Astrid is a recovering alcoholic, living with her mother, and struggling mightily to hold on to her new sobriety. She also has a heavy, dark secret hanging over her head, complicating her ability to face her demons head on.
As her memories resurface, Astrid’s past relationship with a guy named Simon begins to take shape- a relationship centered around the pain of addiction, but also one with intense emotions attached.
It is obvious that Astrid is tormented by her past, perhaps with good reason, but apparently someone out there is determined to remind her of her misdeeds, keeping her on a perpetual tightrope as she desperately tries to move on with her life-
I nearly read this book in one sitting- not because it is fast-paced, because it’s not- but because of how deeply I was drawn into Astrid’s struggles. The heavy atmosphere and the constant feeling of foreboding kept me glued to the pages.
This is a mesmerizing and intense story, checking all the correct, traditional psychological thriller boxes. However, it was Astrid's vivid characterization, and her will to stay sober, her vulnerability, uncertainty and fear, and the possibility that she could be in danger, that gave the book an extra padding of depth - more than one normally encounters in this genre.
The drama is very engrossing, drawing the reader deeper into Astrid’s troubled world. The suspense slowly, methodically builds, to a point where it almost becomes unbearable.
I still see a multitude of newly released psychological thrillers out there, but I think the fever has finally broken and there is a slow return to normalcy, which means higher quality stories in this category. However, I still started this book with only average expectations. (Keep in mind, though, that I have not read this author's debut novel- although I plan to remedy that ASAP)
However, this book exceeded my expectations, and is decidedly above average for this category. The novel is very well executed, moody, taut, and suspenseful, but has an added layer of emotional drama that compels the reader to invest, not only in the plot, but in the characters, as well.
Overall, this book is an impressive thriller, and I think Lesley Kara may be an author I’ll want to keep my eye on!
March 13, 2023
EXCERPT: Just because you imagine yourself doing something and enjoy the way it makes you feel, doesn't mean you actually want to do it. It doesn't mean you're going to do it. Of course not. Because sometimes the very opposite is true and something you never in a million years could imagine yourself doing is done in the blink of an eye and changes your life forever.
So if, in my head, I'm grabbing a handful of her braids and slamming her head into a brick wall till her skull's smashed in, it doesn't mean that's what I'll do. It doesn't make me a bad person just thinking about it. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's normal to have the odd violent fantasy about someone you hate so much every muscle in your body contracts when you think of them. I mean, everybody does it sometimes, don't they? Don't they?
Seven slams, if you're interested. That's how many it takes till her braids run red.
ABOUT 'WHO DID YOU TELL ?': It’s been 192 days, seven hours and fifteen minutes since her last drink. Now Astrid is trying to turn her life around. Having reluctantly moved back in with her mother, in a quiet seaside town away from the temptations and painful memories of her life before, Astrid is focusing on her recovery. She's going to meetings. Confessing her misdeeds. Making amends to those she's wronged. But someone knows exactly what Astrid is running from. And they won't stop until she learns that some mistakes can't be corrected. Some mistakes, you have to pay for.
MY THOUGHTS: Wow! That was a crazy ride and a half!
Astrid is a resentful and angry character. She is an alcoholic, back living with her mum, who is insisting that she attends AA. Astrid can't get her head around the whole 'God' thing and believes that only a few of the twelve steps apply to her.
Her fellow AA attendees are an odd bunch, but only three play a significant role in the storyline. Rosie is an older homeless woman who seems to be taking an unusual amount of interest in Astrid's life. She repeatedly warns Astrid against continuing her friendship with Helen, another new attendee, the only person Astrid feels that she can relate to. She is surprised to find that a colourless seemingly ineffective man, Jeremy (Jez), is actually a well-respected lawyer and connected to a family Astrid is painting for. Which worries Astrid as she hasn't revealed to them that she is an alcoholic.
It's really engaging following Astrid's faltering steps through her recovery which are complicated by a past she is unprepared to reveal and a series of threatening notes she receives which makes her sure that she is being targeted by someone who knows exactly what she is guilty of.
While initially I didn't particularly care for Astrid, by the end of the book, I came to like and admire her.
Astrid's mum is another great character. She loves her daughter and will do anything within her power to help her daughter through her battle with alcohol. But she's no pushover. She doesn't take any shit from her daughter.
There's a little romance, but it fits nicely into the storyline and isn't overpowering.
Lesley Kara has created a wonderful mix of psychological drama and personal struggles that was difficult to put down.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4
#WhoDidYouTell? #WaitomoDistrictLibrary
I: @lesleykarawriter @penguinukbooks
T: @LesleyKara @TransworldBooks
#contemporaryfiction #crime #mystery #suspense
THE AUTHOR: THE AUTHOR: Lesley Kara is an alumna of the Faber Writing Academy 'Writing a Novel' course. She lives in the small town of Flinstead-on-Sea on the North Essex coast. The Rumour is her first novel.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Waitomo District Library for providing a paperback copy of Who Did You Tell by Lesley Kara for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
So if, in my head, I'm grabbing a handful of her braids and slamming her head into a brick wall till her skull's smashed in, it doesn't mean that's what I'll do. It doesn't make me a bad person just thinking about it. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's normal to have the odd violent fantasy about someone you hate so much every muscle in your body contracts when you think of them. I mean, everybody does it sometimes, don't they? Don't they?
Seven slams, if you're interested. That's how many it takes till her braids run red.
ABOUT 'WHO DID YOU TELL ?': It’s been 192 days, seven hours and fifteen minutes since her last drink. Now Astrid is trying to turn her life around. Having reluctantly moved back in with her mother, in a quiet seaside town away from the temptations and painful memories of her life before, Astrid is focusing on her recovery. She's going to meetings. Confessing her misdeeds. Making amends to those she's wronged. But someone knows exactly what Astrid is running from. And they won't stop until she learns that some mistakes can't be corrected. Some mistakes, you have to pay for.
MY THOUGHTS: Wow! That was a crazy ride and a half!
Astrid is a resentful and angry character. She is an alcoholic, back living with her mum, who is insisting that she attends AA. Astrid can't get her head around the whole 'God' thing and believes that only a few of the twelve steps apply to her.
Her fellow AA attendees are an odd bunch, but only three play a significant role in the storyline. Rosie is an older homeless woman who seems to be taking an unusual amount of interest in Astrid's life. She repeatedly warns Astrid against continuing her friendship with Helen, another new attendee, the only person Astrid feels that she can relate to. She is surprised to find that a colourless seemingly ineffective man, Jeremy (Jez), is actually a well-respected lawyer and connected to a family Astrid is painting for. Which worries Astrid as she hasn't revealed to them that she is an alcoholic.
It's really engaging following Astrid's faltering steps through her recovery which are complicated by a past she is unprepared to reveal and a series of threatening notes she receives which makes her sure that she is being targeted by someone who knows exactly what she is guilty of.
While initially I didn't particularly care for Astrid, by the end of the book, I came to like and admire her.
Astrid's mum is another great character. She loves her daughter and will do anything within her power to help her daughter through her battle with alcohol. But she's no pushover. She doesn't take any shit from her daughter.
There's a little romance, but it fits nicely into the storyline and isn't overpowering.
Lesley Kara has created a wonderful mix of psychological drama and personal struggles that was difficult to put down.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4
#WhoDidYouTell? #WaitomoDistrictLibrary
I: @lesleykarawriter @penguinukbooks
T: @LesleyKara @TransworldBooks
#contemporaryfiction #crime #mystery #suspense
THE AUTHOR: THE AUTHOR: Lesley Kara is an alumna of the Faber Writing Academy 'Writing a Novel' course. She lives in the small town of Flinstead-on-Sea on the North Essex coast. The Rumour is her first novel.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Waitomo District Library for providing a paperback copy of Who Did You Tell by Lesley Kara for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
February 21, 2020
3.5★
Astrid is a recovering alcoholic, she attends AA meetings and hasn’t had a drink for 192 days. She is desperate to get her life back on track and as a great deal as she doesn’t want to, she decides to move back in with her mother.
Wanting to forget her terrible past behind her and try and forget the person she use to be will not be as easy as she first thought. Your past always has a way of catching up with you no matter how well hidden you thought it was which Astrid will soon realise. Someone knows Astrids secrets from the past, but how can she stop them from being exposed?
This book has plenty of twists and turns that will keep you guessing till the end. A great read for anyone who enjoys a good thriller/ whodunit.
Astrid is a recovering alcoholic, she attends AA meetings and hasn’t had a drink for 192 days. She is desperate to get her life back on track and as a great deal as she doesn’t want to, she decides to move back in with her mother.
Wanting to forget her terrible past behind her and try and forget the person she use to be will not be as easy as she first thought. Your past always has a way of catching up with you no matter how well hidden you thought it was which Astrid will soon realise. Someone knows Astrids secrets from the past, but how can she stop them from being exposed?
This book has plenty of twists and turns that will keep you guessing till the end. A great read for anyone who enjoys a good thriller/ whodunit.
May 18, 2020
Leslie Kara has done a great job in capturing the mindset of a recovering alcoholic. Astrid has returned home to live with her mom after rehab. She’s going to AA, making amends, working on the 12 Steps. But she’s also hiding a secret. And someone appears to be stalking her.
Astrid felt so real to me. She hasn’t quite come to terms with her alcoholism. She’s afraid to tell her new beau and tells lie after lie to cover up her secret. Her constant battle with her addiction just felt spot on. The secondary characters also felt very three dimensional, especially her new friend, Helen, her mother, even determined Rosie, who so wants to be her sponsor.
This isn’t a fast paced book, but it has a great sense of tension to it. Questions concerning not just what Astrid did, but who is seeking revenge and most importantly, can she resist falling back into drinking. There are several plot twists I didn’t see coming. And it was just a great ending!
I haven’t read Ms. Kara’s first book, but after this one, I intend to check it out.
My thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
Astrid felt so real to me. She hasn’t quite come to terms with her alcoholism. She’s afraid to tell her new beau and tells lie after lie to cover up her secret. Her constant battle with her addiction just felt spot on. The secondary characters also felt very three dimensional, especially her new friend, Helen, her mother, even determined Rosie, who so wants to be her sponsor.
This isn’t a fast paced book, but it has a great sense of tension to it. Questions concerning not just what Astrid did, but who is seeking revenge and most importantly, can she resist falling back into drinking. There are several plot twists I didn’t see coming. And it was just a great ending!
I haven’t read Ms. Kara’s first book, but after this one, I intend to check it out.
My thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
December 6, 2019
Who Did You Tell by Lesley Kara was a book high on my radar after reading and loving The Rumour. This book is emotional and not always easy to read. The main character Astrid is not the easiest of people to like, but as the story goes along you feel for her more and more and want her to succeed. I read this book in a day, it was one that I just needed to keep reading to know how it was going to end. Highly recommend this book.
Astrid has had troubles with alcohol since she was a teenager. Now at 32 she is trying to stop. She has moved back to her childhood home with her mother, is attending AA meeting and starting to pick up the pieces of her life. Her last relationship with Simon, a fellow alcoholic, was toxic and when she meets Josh she is terrified of him finding out about her past. But somebody does know what she did, and not just the drinking. Somebody in town is leaving her messages and she is scared. She needs to find out who it is and why before they destroy everything that she has worked for.
Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased..
Astrid has had troubles with alcohol since she was a teenager. Now at 32 she is trying to stop. She has moved back to her childhood home with her mother, is attending AA meeting and starting to pick up the pieces of her life. Her last relationship with Simon, a fellow alcoholic, was toxic and when she meets Josh she is terrified of him finding out about her past. But somebody does know what she did, and not just the drinking. Somebody in town is leaving her messages and she is scared. She needs to find out who it is and why before they destroy everything that she has worked for.
Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased..
June 9, 2022
Who Did You Tell is about young Astrid, her challenging recovery from alcoholism, and the mysterious stranger that is stalking her. Psychological suspense is definitely on the menu while reading Who Did You Tell and Lesley Kara builds the suspense gradually.
We get to know Astrid and see the life she is trying to create for herself with the support of her mom and the assistance of AA meetings. The relationship between Astrid and her mom is really realistic, it shows the sarcasm the layers of guilt, desire to please and ultimate love between them in powerful ways. The novel has depth - and this is evident in how Kara shows us Astrid's guilt and desire to live right. We meet characters who could be suspects and we meet new people who could have it out for Astrid as well.
Whew this book was quite the read. I learned so much about being in recovery from this book - and the mystery/suspense was intense! I appreciate how the chapters just flow, seamlessly and the character development is amazing! Well done, Lesley Kara! I can't wait to read The Rumour, as I am very impressed with the writing.
We get to know Astrid and see the life she is trying to create for herself with the support of her mom and the assistance of AA meetings. The relationship between Astrid and her mom is really realistic, it shows the sarcasm the layers of guilt, desire to please and ultimate love between them in powerful ways. The novel has depth - and this is evident in how Kara shows us Astrid's guilt and desire to live right. We meet characters who could be suspects and we meet new people who could have it out for Astrid as well.
Whew this book was quite the read. I learned so much about being in recovery from this book - and the mystery/suspense was intense! I appreciate how the chapters just flow, seamlessly and the character development is amazing! Well done, Lesley Kara! I can't wait to read The Rumour, as I am very impressed with the writing.
January 9, 2020
This isn’t an easy read as the main character Astrid is an alcoholic and struggling after rehab to stay on the straight and narrow. She has so many demons many of which are the theme of this novel and some of those turn into genuine fears and there are a number of good suspense moments in the book. Astrid began to go off the rails at 15 when she changes her birth name from Hilary to Astrid as she believes that ‘made me visible’. Her struggle with drink is well described as are the AA meetings when you get a real sense of how hard it is to battle an addiction. There she meets Rosie who she dislikes and Helen who she likes. There are a number of likeable characters such as Josh who Astrid falls for and his charming and kind father Richard. Astrid's mum is a good character and you really feel sympathy for her as she really tries her best to be supportive despite many obstacles and the author demonstrates effectively that an addiction spreads its tentacles widely.
Astrid is full of self loathing and is haunted but it’s hard to tell if some of this is real or imaginary as alcohol distorts memories . She is wracked with guilt over what happens to her ex boyfriend Simon some of which seems to be justified. As the book progresses you realise that someone is watching her and their motive is revenge although until the end you are uncertain why. The story unfolds well and is full of twists and turns and the plot keeps you guessing. The pacing is good and on the whole is is well written. However, I feel that towards the end there are too many twists and turns that it makes your head spin!
Overall. an easy to read story that is hard to put down although I have reservations about the denouement when all is revealed. I like though, that at the end things seem more positive for Astrid.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC
Astrid is full of self loathing and is haunted but it’s hard to tell if some of this is real or imaginary as alcohol distorts memories . She is wracked with guilt over what happens to her ex boyfriend Simon some of which seems to be justified. As the book progresses you realise that someone is watching her and their motive is revenge although until the end you are uncertain why. The story unfolds well and is full of twists and turns and the plot keeps you guessing. The pacing is good and on the whole is is well written. However, I feel that towards the end there are too many twists and turns that it makes your head spin!
Overall. an easy to read story that is hard to put down although I have reservations about the denouement when all is revealed. I like though, that at the end things seem more positive for Astrid.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC
August 13, 2020
Recovering alcoholic Astrid has a dark secret, one that someone seems to know.
Having not touched a drop in 6 months as she is trying to turn her life around the damaging effects of her past could potentially see Astrid spiral back out of control.
I really liked Kara's debut The Rumour so was excited to get stuck into this one.
Astrid was such a brilliantly written character which meant that I enjoyed this one even more.
The book really focuses on the difficulty of moving on from addiction, Astrid not ready to admit her problems fibbed that she'd moved to the seaside town to look after her mum rather than to help herself from any temptation.
It led to some awkward moments when seeing Josh, especially as early dates can consist of going for a drink together.
The tormenting nag for a drink felt so real and well handled.
I was so glad that Josh didnt pester her when Astrid asked for a soft drink after agreeing to go to the pub.
The main mystery of Astrids past is enticing and the little details slowly reveal helped turn this into a great page turner.
There's some nice twists to keep the reader guessing whilst some great side characters help make this a strong follow up after Kara's successful debut.
Having not touched a drop in 6 months as she is trying to turn her life around the damaging effects of her past could potentially see Astrid spiral back out of control.
I really liked Kara's debut The Rumour so was excited to get stuck into this one.
Astrid was such a brilliantly written character which meant that I enjoyed this one even more.
The book really focuses on the difficulty of moving on from addiction, Astrid not ready to admit her problems fibbed that she'd moved to the seaside town to look after her mum rather than to help herself from any temptation.
It led to some awkward moments when seeing Josh, especially as early dates can consist of going for a drink together.
The tormenting nag for a drink felt so real and well handled.
I was so glad that Josh didnt pester her when Astrid asked for a soft drink after agreeing to go to the pub.
The main mystery of Astrids past is enticing and the little details slowly reveal helped turn this into a great page turner.
There's some nice twists to keep the reader guessing whilst some great side characters help make this a strong follow up after Kara's successful debut.
February 3, 2020
4.5 STARS
Astrid is a newly recovering alcoholic. She's staying with her mother and this is her last chance at making a life for herself.... she has nowhere else to go.
Astrid finds strength in routine ... she regularly attends AA meetings, she works, she's making friends.
She has another routine ... finding out who is following her. She thinks it might be an ex-boyfriend ... but he's dead. Her memory is a bit shot ... too many blackouts when she was drinking.
She finds that trying to outrun the ghosts of her past is almost impossible. But someone knows exactly what she did. And that person is looking for some payback in the form of revenge.
This is an engrossing tale of a woman fighting addiction, guilt, penance and redemption. Her relationship with her mother, with new friends, with a man she could fall in love with are all highly suspect. Who is sending her threatening letters? How do they know what she's done ...or not done. The characters are finely drawn, and will remain in your head long after you've finished the book.
Many thanks to the author /Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Netgalley / for the digital copy of this psychological drama. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Astrid is a newly recovering alcoholic. She's staying with her mother and this is her last chance at making a life for herself.... she has nowhere else to go.
Astrid finds strength in routine ... she regularly attends AA meetings, she works, she's making friends.
She has another routine ... finding out who is following her. She thinks it might be an ex-boyfriend ... but he's dead. Her memory is a bit shot ... too many blackouts when she was drinking.
She finds that trying to outrun the ghosts of her past is almost impossible. But someone knows exactly what she did. And that person is looking for some payback in the form of revenge.
This is an engrossing tale of a woman fighting addiction, guilt, penance and redemption. Her relationship with her mother, with new friends, with a man she could fall in love with are all highly suspect. Who is sending her threatening letters? How do they know what she's done ...or not done. The characters are finely drawn, and will remain in your head long after you've finished the book.
Many thanks to the author /Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Netgalley / for the digital copy of this psychological drama. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
December 28, 2019
Astrid is a recovering alcoholic. She moves back into her mums house to try and get herself sorted out. She also attends daily AA meetings. She is also tormented by her past. She's just out of rehab and she doesn't trust people.
There is some really good twists to this story about an alcoholics road to recovery. But someone is out to get revenge. This story was full of potential. Although I felt sorry for Astrid and her daily struggles, I just didn't like her. She came across as a bit pathetic. The plot line unfolded at a steady pace but I didn't find it gripping. I found it a bit predictable at times. But there was still something that kept me interested. Overall, this is a decent enough read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and the author Lesley Kara for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There is some really good twists to this story about an alcoholics road to recovery. But someone is out to get revenge. This story was full of potential. Although I felt sorry for Astrid and her daily struggles, I just didn't like her. She came across as a bit pathetic. The plot line unfolded at a steady pace but I didn't find it gripping. I found it a bit predictable at times. But there was still something that kept me interested. Overall, this is a decent enough read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and the author Lesley Kara for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2019
WHO DID YOU TELL, a suspense thriller/psychological drama is the second novel to be published in January 2020 by Lesley Kara the author of the Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller, THE RUMOUR, a crime thriller debut published in December 2018.
Every town has its secrets. Lesley Kara knows them all . . .
Astrid, an alcoholic is trying to turn her life around, focusing on her recovery. She has grudgingly moved back in with her mother, in a quiet seaside town away from the temptations and painful memories of her life before. She is going to meetings. And trying to get her life back in order.
But someone knows exactly what Astrid is running from. And they won't stop until she learns that some mistakes can't be corrected.
Astrid knows someone is following her. But her memories are pretty vague due to her past drinking and blackouts.
Some mistakes, you have to pay for . . .Someone is looking for revenge.
Who Did You Tell is a captivating story of a woman dealing with fighting addiction and the mistakes of the past. Who is sending her menacing letters and how do they know about her past? Well-developed characters, believable plot with lots of twists and red herrings, and one story that will appeal to a wide range of readers. You won’t forget this book. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, Random House UK , Netgalley and THE Book Club Reviewer Group (FB) for my digital copy.
Every town has its secrets. Lesley Kara knows them all . . .
Astrid, an alcoholic is trying to turn her life around, focusing on her recovery. She has grudgingly moved back in with her mother, in a quiet seaside town away from the temptations and painful memories of her life before. She is going to meetings. And trying to get her life back in order.
But someone knows exactly what Astrid is running from. And they won't stop until she learns that some mistakes can't be corrected.
Astrid knows someone is following her. But her memories are pretty vague due to her past drinking and blackouts.
Some mistakes, you have to pay for . . .Someone is looking for revenge.
Who Did You Tell is a captivating story of a woman dealing with fighting addiction and the mistakes of the past. Who is sending her menacing letters and how do they know about her past? Well-developed characters, believable plot with lots of twists and red herrings, and one story that will appeal to a wide range of readers. You won’t forget this book. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, Random House UK , Netgalley and THE Book Club Reviewer Group (FB) for my digital copy.
June 8, 2022
2.5 stars
November 19, 2019
After such a success with her debut novel ‘The Rumour’ last year a lot of readers were/are excited to read this follow up, I was one of them!
As an aside I loved that the rumour storyline is mentioned randomly in the book, this is because this new tale is set in the same sleepy seaside town as the rumour! ( Eastbourne without the excitement as its known! )
So......Astrid ( formerly known as Hillary! ) is a recovering alcoholic and is back living with her Quaker Mother, attending AA meetings and generally pretty miserable although half loving/half hating her new non alcoholic state
Astrid has a past though, people have died because of her including Simon her ex....she has no choice but to put that behind her....until of course the past comes a calling and bringing with it a brutal enemy who wants revenge
A good psychological thriller with a good ‘whoisdoingit’ element and the author leads you one way, then another then back again and I was never 100% who was a goody or baddy!
The book spends quite a time dealing with Astrids feelings and temptations re alcohol and its stark, moving and fabulously described although may be upsetting to some affected, the AA meetings and characters we meet there are brilliantly portrayed
The ending is satisfying and has lots of surprises in it and the writing smooth and buoyant and never once was I bored with the story or what was happening
Its a harrowing story at times but there is also humour and ‘feel good’ along with intrigue and mystery
A good follow up and roll on book 3
9/10
5 Stars
Read
March 17, 2020DNF
It was too slow with too many repetitive inner thoughts. Wouldn't rate as i read only half of the book.
It was too slow with too many repetitive inner thoughts. Wouldn't rate as i read only half of the book.
September 1, 2019
Astrid a recovering alcoholic has moved in with her mother at Flinstead a small seaside town, where everybody knows each other’s business.
Astrid hasn’t had a drink for 190 days and attends AA meetings, where she meets Rosie and Helen. We know she has a secret and it is to do with her ex Simon. She becomes paranoid, she feels like she is being followed, then menacing notes appear.
The story is full of secrets and twists that keep you guessing until the surprising ending. I was so engrossed and sure where this book was going, that I didn’t see the twists coming and was left guessing again!!
This opened my eyes to the world of addictions. The topic of alcoholism was told in a frank and honest way, explaining how the daily battle can affect everyday life and how close family can be affected too!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
Astrid hasn’t had a drink for 190 days and attends AA meetings, where she meets Rosie and Helen. We know she has a secret and it is to do with her ex Simon. She becomes paranoid, she feels like she is being followed, then menacing notes appear.
The story is full of secrets and twists that keep you guessing until the surprising ending. I was so engrossed and sure where this book was going, that I didn’t see the twists coming and was left guessing again!!
This opened my eyes to the world of addictions. The topic of alcoholism was told in a frank and honest way, explaining how the daily battle can affect everyday life and how close family can be affected too!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
November 23, 2019
After the success Lesley Kara had with ‘The Rumour’, her new suspense thriller ‘Who Did You Tell’, looks to be another bestseller. I love this author and I personally thought this new book to be even better than her previous one and had me engrossed from the very start.
“It’s been 192 days, seven hours and fifteen minutes since her last drink. Now Astrid is trying to turn her life around. Having reluctantly moved back in with her mother from the temptations and painful memories of her life before, Astrid is focusing on her recovery. She's going to meetings. Confessing her misdeeds. Making amends to those she's wronged. But someone knows exactly what Astrid is running from and they won't stop until she learns that some mistakes can't be corrected.”
Set out in three clever parts, I loved how the author wrote this book from the first person perspective of Astrid, so that we got to feel all her differing emotions first hand. With tantalising teaser pages between chapters from her stalker, which I personally love in a book, we get to see exactly what Astrid is going through, what she might be running from and how she tackles the desire to restart her drinking. It was an ingenious idea from the author to allow readers to see into the mind of an alcoholic and how those around them are left to deal with the situation. I felt very invested in Astrid’s character and because the author depicted her character so well I understood her addiction and felt I was with her every step of her journey. She was a very natural and realistic girl with real issues and demons but at her heart she was very remorseful towards the people she’d hurt and I could truly imagine her pain. The AA twelve step programme was very informative and I liked how Astrid’s mother used the Quaker religion to seek solace after her husbands death.
With twists and red herrings along the way, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend. Great characters, real life issues and a very believable storyline, I can’t wait for more by this author again in the future.
Has to be 5 stars!
“It’s been 192 days, seven hours and fifteen minutes since her last drink. Now Astrid is trying to turn her life around. Having reluctantly moved back in with her mother from the temptations and painful memories of her life before, Astrid is focusing on her recovery. She's going to meetings. Confessing her misdeeds. Making amends to those she's wronged. But someone knows exactly what Astrid is running from and they won't stop until she learns that some mistakes can't be corrected.”
Set out in three clever parts, I loved how the author wrote this book from the first person perspective of Astrid, so that we got to feel all her differing emotions first hand. With tantalising teaser pages between chapters from her stalker, which I personally love in a book, we get to see exactly what Astrid is going through, what she might be running from and how she tackles the desire to restart her drinking. It was an ingenious idea from the author to allow readers to see into the mind of an alcoholic and how those around them are left to deal with the situation. I felt very invested in Astrid’s character and because the author depicted her character so well I understood her addiction and felt I was with her every step of her journey. She was a very natural and realistic girl with real issues and demons but at her heart she was very remorseful towards the people she’d hurt and I could truly imagine her pain. The AA twelve step programme was very informative and I liked how Astrid’s mother used the Quaker religion to seek solace after her husbands death.
With twists and red herrings along the way, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend. Great characters, real life issues and a very believable storyline, I can’t wait for more by this author again in the future.
Has to be 5 stars!
January 16, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
The bestselling author of The Rumour returns with her new addictive psychological thriller, Who Did You Tell? A story of secrets, lies, admissions, mistakes, blame, addiction, trust and guilt, author Lesley Kara keeps her cards close to her chest in this suspenseful mystery novel.
Astrid has a secret and it is one that she believes no one knows about. She has grappled with this secret for many days and months. It has consumed her, leading Astrid down a path of self-loathing and alcohol abuse. Astrid has recently returned home, which brings further problems as she deals with the strained relationship with her mother. Astrid’s recovery involves meetings and sessions dedicated to helping her overcome the extreme guilt she feels from her past actions. It is about reconciling with the past to move on to a healthier future and it will see Astrid reach out to repair the wrongs from the past. However, as Astrid slowly begins to make inroads in her recovery process, someone is determined to make Astrid pay for her wrongful deeds. They haunt and taunt her, reminding Astrid that she can never be forgiven for her mistake.
With praise coming from top shelf authors Lee Child and Paula Hawkins, it seems that Lesley Kara is being touted as an author to watch. Her debut novel and Who Did You Tell? have both gained plenty of interest from readers. Lesley Kara’s second novel is another explosive page turner, tapping into the psychological elements of a secret that the lead character of this tale is desperately trying to put behind her, along with the mistakes she has made in its aftermath.
Who Did You Tell? is a novel told from the perspective of Astrid, the head of this tale. Astrid is a complicated woman, who comes with plenty of baggage, problems, flaws and issues to her name. Unveiling the story from Astrid’s perspective sees the reader gain a direct insight into this emotionally fraught character’s life. We see her spectacular downfall, her anxieties, struggles and moments of pure despair. She is desperately trying to gain the upper hand over her life, which seems to spiraling out of control. However, she is taking the right steps to heal. Astrid’s recovery in her seaside home, her meeting commitments and the promise of a new connection in her life sees things light up for a woman who has been engulfed in darkness.
There is plenty of fear and apprehension that goes hand in hand with Astrid’s life. Kara works to build a strong air of tension, dread and anxiety. We know that someone with a dogged sense of determination has it in for Astrid, or is it the mind playing tricks on this unreliable narrator? The slant of alcoholism adds another complex layer to this tale. We never know if we can completely trust Astrid’s judgment, or perception. It is causing a significant amount of strain on this troubled young woman, but also her loved ones. Lesley Kara takes a raw approach to the impact of alcoholism and self-perception. It makes for a moving read.
Kara’s characterisation is solid. Astrid is clearly presented, along with the secondary cast. The additional protagonists add an edge of suspense, mystery and the unknown. There are plenty of doubts surrounding the characters, which Kara ramps up with the use of plot twists, mid-section diversions, complications and shady behaviour. Kara’s plotting is canny, she keeps the reader in tune the whole way through this novel. The short and succinct chapter format definitely encouraged me to stick with this one for as long as I possibly could. I managed to knock it off in less than 24 hours. Who Did You Tell? is a book I would classify as sitting very easily in the psychological thriller genre, but it also pulls on suspense elements to unveil the central mystery.
Punishment, secrets, lies, redemption, broken lives and the pressure to keep yourself above board all gyrate around Who Did You Tell?, a perplexing contemporary thriller. Lesley Kara’s follow up novel to The Rumour will be sure to draw in readers who look for deceptive plots and complicated central characters.
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The bestselling author of The Rumour returns with her new addictive psychological thriller, Who Did You Tell? A story of secrets, lies, admissions, mistakes, blame, addiction, trust and guilt, author Lesley Kara keeps her cards close to her chest in this suspenseful mystery novel.
Astrid has a secret and it is one that she believes no one knows about. She has grappled with this secret for many days and months. It has consumed her, leading Astrid down a path of self-loathing and alcohol abuse. Astrid has recently returned home, which brings further problems as she deals with the strained relationship with her mother. Astrid’s recovery involves meetings and sessions dedicated to helping her overcome the extreme guilt she feels from her past actions. It is about reconciling with the past to move on to a healthier future and it will see Astrid reach out to repair the wrongs from the past. However, as Astrid slowly begins to make inroads in her recovery process, someone is determined to make Astrid pay for her wrongful deeds. They haunt and taunt her, reminding Astrid that she can never be forgiven for her mistake.
With praise coming from top shelf authors Lee Child and Paula Hawkins, it seems that Lesley Kara is being touted as an author to watch. Her debut novel and Who Did You Tell? have both gained plenty of interest from readers. Lesley Kara’s second novel is another explosive page turner, tapping into the psychological elements of a secret that the lead character of this tale is desperately trying to put behind her, along with the mistakes she has made in its aftermath.
Who Did You Tell? is a novel told from the perspective of Astrid, the head of this tale. Astrid is a complicated woman, who comes with plenty of baggage, problems, flaws and issues to her name. Unveiling the story from Astrid’s perspective sees the reader gain a direct insight into this emotionally fraught character’s life. We see her spectacular downfall, her anxieties, struggles and moments of pure despair. She is desperately trying to gain the upper hand over her life, which seems to spiraling out of control. However, she is taking the right steps to heal. Astrid’s recovery in her seaside home, her meeting commitments and the promise of a new connection in her life sees things light up for a woman who has been engulfed in darkness.
There is plenty of fear and apprehension that goes hand in hand with Astrid’s life. Kara works to build a strong air of tension, dread and anxiety. We know that someone with a dogged sense of determination has it in for Astrid, or is it the mind playing tricks on this unreliable narrator? The slant of alcoholism adds another complex layer to this tale. We never know if we can completely trust Astrid’s judgment, or perception. It is causing a significant amount of strain on this troubled young woman, but also her loved ones. Lesley Kara takes a raw approach to the impact of alcoholism and self-perception. It makes for a moving read.
Kara’s characterisation is solid. Astrid is clearly presented, along with the secondary cast. The additional protagonists add an edge of suspense, mystery and the unknown. There are plenty of doubts surrounding the characters, which Kara ramps up with the use of plot twists, mid-section diversions, complications and shady behaviour. Kara’s plotting is canny, she keeps the reader in tune the whole way through this novel. The short and succinct chapter format definitely encouraged me to stick with this one for as long as I possibly could. I managed to knock it off in less than 24 hours. Who Did You Tell? is a book I would classify as sitting very easily in the psychological thriller genre, but it also pulls on suspense elements to unveil the central mystery.
Punishment, secrets, lies, redemption, broken lives and the pressure to keep yourself above board all gyrate around Who Did You Tell?, a perplexing contemporary thriller. Lesley Kara’s follow up novel to The Rumour will be sure to draw in readers who look for deceptive plots and complicated central characters.
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
January 8, 2021
While I did enjoy getting to know Astrid (from a character study standpoint,) I found quite a bit of the mystery “parts” to be predictable (& mighty convenient.) I did like the authors first book & would still pick up another by her, this 1 just wasn’t a standout for me.
April 11, 2020
Astrid is a 32-year old recovering alcoholic who has moved back into her mother’s house after the death of her ex-boyfriend Simon. After struggling with guilt and remorse about Simon’s death she’s finally trying to put her life back together but somebody in town is not happy with her progress and is intent on destroying everything she worked so hard to build
After enjoying The Rumor I was looking forward to reading Who did you tell by Lesley Kara and it did not disappoint. It takes you on an emotional addictive roller-coaster ride that does not let up .Highly recommended!
I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
February 8, 2020
WHO DID YOU TELL? Is the follow up to author Lesley Kara’s first novel, The Rumor, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
In her second novel, we meet Astrid, a recovering alcoholic who is back to living with her mother and trying her best to get her life in order and succeed. She’s attending AA meetings, staying away from temptation, and even finds the possibility of a relationship and an art job, which was her passion. Then someone sends her something in the mail to remind her of the past, and that she hasn’t paid for the trouble she got involved in.
This is a gripping character study, and Kara does a great job of fleshing out the characters and documenting the struggles of addiction and trying to move on from it. I would say this is more of a suspenseful drama than a full blown thriller, but it definitely kept me gripped as I read about Astrid... what she was currently going through to stay on track, and intrigued as moments from her past were brought up. Action-wise, this is slower paced, but that did not deter me at all. I would recommend to fans of Kara’s previous book, as well as to those who like richly written characters and storylines even if there is not a cliffhanger at the end of each chapter.
Thank you to Lesley Kara, Transworld Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC.
In her second novel, we meet Astrid, a recovering alcoholic who is back to living with her mother and trying her best to get her life in order and succeed. She’s attending AA meetings, staying away from temptation, and even finds the possibility of a relationship and an art job, which was her passion. Then someone sends her something in the mail to remind her of the past, and that she hasn’t paid for the trouble she got involved in.
This is a gripping character study, and Kara does a great job of fleshing out the characters and documenting the struggles of addiction and trying to move on from it. I would say this is more of a suspenseful drama than a full blown thriller, but it definitely kept me gripped as I read about Astrid... what she was currently going through to stay on track, and intrigued as moments from her past were brought up. Action-wise, this is slower paced, but that did not deter me at all. I would recommend to fans of Kara’s previous book, as well as to those who like richly written characters and storylines even if there is not a cliffhanger at the end of each chapter.
Thank you to Lesley Kara, Transworld Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC.
June 15, 2020
"Three things cannot be hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth."
Astrid Phelps is a recovering alcoholic, living with her mum in the English seaside town of Flinstead, and going to AA meetings. One day she meets a lovely man named Josh and soon thinks there might be hope for putting together a new life for herself and recovering some of her old passions. But first she has to tell Josh the truth about herself and what she's done...
I think Lesley Kara does an excellent job of writing from the addict's point of view--the pitfalls and struggles, the hope of a better life but fears of failing yet again and disappointing those who love you. The self-talk Astrid goes through in her head is so spot on!
Kara has created some interesting, believable characters here. I also enjoyed the way she weaves the threads of a mystery into this story and keeps the reader guessing about what is really going on. Nicely done.
I received an arc of this new novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for the opportunity.
Astrid Phelps is a recovering alcoholic, living with her mum in the English seaside town of Flinstead, and going to AA meetings. One day she meets a lovely man named Josh and soon thinks there might be hope for putting together a new life for herself and recovering some of her old passions. But first she has to tell Josh the truth about herself and what she's done...
I think Lesley Kara does an excellent job of writing from the addict's point of view--the pitfalls and struggles, the hope of a better life but fears of failing yet again and disappointing those who love you. The self-talk Astrid goes through in her head is so spot on!
Kara has created some interesting, believable characters here. I also enjoyed the way she weaves the threads of a mystery into this story and keeps the reader guessing about what is really going on. Nicely done.
I received an arc of this new novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for the opportunity.
May 22, 2020
She came home to heal. Destroyed, broken and now a recovering alcoholic, Astrid had no choice but to go back to her mother’s house. Now she is about to discover that the nightmare that sent her spiraling was about to get worse. Can she find redemption and self-forgiveness or will the demons from her past find her and destroy the delicate lifeline she is trying to create? Does she even deserve to find love, happiness and sobriety?
WHO DID YOU TELL? by Lesley Kara is a story of darkness, searching for the light and building new bridges. It is also a story of vengeance, weakness and the fear of falling into madness, or worse, discovering someone is pushing you over the edge and you are losing your balance.
Filled with internal turmoil and a heavy atmosphere of suspense, Lesley Kara’s tale is brittle, will play with your mind and have you questioning every event to the very end.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Ballantine Books! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Ballantine Books (June 16, 2020)
Publication Date: June 16, 2020
Genre: Suspense
Page Count: 304 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
WHO DID YOU TELL? by Lesley Kara is a story of darkness, searching for the light and building new bridges. It is also a story of vengeance, weakness and the fear of falling into madness, or worse, discovering someone is pushing you over the edge and you are losing your balance.
Filled with internal turmoil and a heavy atmosphere of suspense, Lesley Kara’s tale is brittle, will play with your mind and have you questioning every event to the very end.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Ballantine Books! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Ballantine Books (June 16, 2020)
Publication Date: June 16, 2020
Genre: Suspense
Page Count: 304 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
November 25, 2019
An interesting story which had a recovering alcoholic trying to find her way back to life living with her mother, but things turned haywire when she felt someone watching her.
My second book by author Lesley Kara. I liked parts of the book, especially the trials of a recovering alcoholic and the AA meetings. I liked the author's honest portrayal of an addict and how every day was a struggle. The author showed great sensitivity in that.
The suspense was subtle in it and the ending was quite expected as there were only a few characters described in the book. I would have liked more of a thrill in the book. Astrid as a character was difficult to like for me, but I could feel empathy for her. She opened my eyes to a different world.
Overall, it was a fun afternoon read.
My second book by author Lesley Kara. I liked parts of the book, especially the trials of a recovering alcoholic and the AA meetings. I liked the author's honest portrayal of an addict and how every day was a struggle. The author showed great sensitivity in that.
The suspense was subtle in it and the ending was quite expected as there were only a few characters described in the book. I would have liked more of a thrill in the book. Astrid as a character was difficult to like for me, but I could feel empathy for her. She opened my eyes to a different world.
Overall, it was a fun afternoon read.
November 28, 2019
If like me, you loved and were completely gripped by Lesley Kara’s debut novel The Rumour, then boy are you going to love Who Did You Tell! It’s even more addictive, making it even harder to put down, and for me it has surpassed her debut.
32 year old Astrid is a recovering alcoholic. After an episode 5 months previously which left her hospitalised, she is now living back at home in the small, sleepy seaside town of Flinstead with her mother – since leaving rehab 2 weeks previously. She is attending AA meetings, more so to please her mum but trying to piece her life back together…
One of the ways in beginning to do that is when she forms a relationship with Josh – a man who has struck up little conversations on the beach since her return to Flinstead and which when we pick up the book is now slowly developing into something more. It’s not only adding a sense of normality and happiness into her life but also employment from his father that reignites a spark for what she loves: painting.
But her past won’t let her go. She hasn’t told Josh she’s an alcoholic, which day by day is adding more strain on their relationship. Simon, her alcoholic ex is haunting her – she keeps smelling his aftershave, seeing his clothes in charity shops, and feels like someone is constantly watching her. But Simon committed suicide. Is this just an alcoholics’ paranoia and fear from all she’s done from drink in the past – an unreliable narrator? Or is she in danger? Is someone out for revenge? Are her AA friends truly who they seem?
kara’s narrative, detail and research in Who Did You Tell really captures the life and daily strains of an alcoholic and how AA works – clarifying many misconceptions on the topic. I felt I was in the head of Astrid throughout this novel; the constant day in day out of battling against demons, urges and temptations (that are at every turn with drink in pubs, shops, peoples’ homes!). It made the writing at times seem a little chaotic and slightly exhausting but all the more realistic.
Fans of The Rumour will be familiar with the setting of Flinstead (based around Frinton-on-Sea, if I’m correct) – a fantastic setting that has worked in creating a great atmosphere in both novels now – even a little nod towards the previous story-line thrown in for good measure. It’s a small, sleepy seaside town where pretty much everyone knows everyone, or knows someone who knows you – there’s no hiding anything which is not always great for Astrid especially with her mother’s trust issues, but for which actually ends up being a good thing in the end and the situation she finds herself in. The sea and beach itself plays a big role in this book which the author really used to it’s advantage – a case of where there’s beauty there’s also danger.
Who Did You Tell is a story of alcoholism and all that surrounds it; cravings, temptations, vulnerability, depression, guilt, self-woe and the lasting humiliation of being an addict even when in recovery. You can have the most loving family yet sometimes life just spirals out of control – which is what happened to Astrid, her mother is a very poignant portrayal of the pain and worry caused to loved ones and this almost suffocating need to protect them is shown. I’m not sure I should of rooted for Astrid as much as I did, but something about her and something inside me desperately wanted her to survive and to have a happy future – I truly felt she wanted to make amends for the wrongs caused. When those cravings and temptations came to her I was yelling inside “Don’t do it, Astrid!”.
There is a little romantic storyline in the novel; I know some people aren’t a fan of this in thrillers, but I think it depicts real life. I loved Astrid’s time with Josh. I was HUGELY smitten with Josh! He was kind, caring, funny, a stickler to the rules but he had that little cheeky/naughty spark about him. Whilst I got this massively good vibe about him, you never really know if an author is going to screw you over by making the character evil, do you?! I’ll let you find that out…
Who Did You Tell is full of secrets, suspicion and suspense from the very off and it’s twists and turns just keep coming at you, with it really upping it’s pace in the second half where one more chapter turns into consuming the lot! There are red herrings a plenty that will have you questioning everyone and everything at one time or another and whereas in The Rumour I worked it all out, this time I never fully joined ALL the dots!
It’s fair to say that Kara has established herself in really knowing how to write fast, fun, exciting, highly addictive thrillers that you really don’t want to put down, and I am desperate for more!
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for my ARC of Who Did You Tell, which I read in exchange for my honest thoughts.
32 year old Astrid is a recovering alcoholic. After an episode 5 months previously which left her hospitalised, she is now living back at home in the small, sleepy seaside town of Flinstead with her mother – since leaving rehab 2 weeks previously. She is attending AA meetings, more so to please her mum but trying to piece her life back together…
One of the ways in beginning to do that is when she forms a relationship with Josh – a man who has struck up little conversations on the beach since her return to Flinstead and which when we pick up the book is now slowly developing into something more. It’s not only adding a sense of normality and happiness into her life but also employment from his father that reignites a spark for what she loves: painting.
But her past won’t let her go. She hasn’t told Josh she’s an alcoholic, which day by day is adding more strain on their relationship. Simon, her alcoholic ex is haunting her – she keeps smelling his aftershave, seeing his clothes in charity shops, and feels like someone is constantly watching her. But Simon committed suicide. Is this just an alcoholics’ paranoia and fear from all she’s done from drink in the past – an unreliable narrator? Or is she in danger? Is someone out for revenge? Are her AA friends truly who they seem?
kara’s narrative, detail and research in Who Did You Tell really captures the life and daily strains of an alcoholic and how AA works – clarifying many misconceptions on the topic. I felt I was in the head of Astrid throughout this novel; the constant day in day out of battling against demons, urges and temptations (that are at every turn with drink in pubs, shops, peoples’ homes!). It made the writing at times seem a little chaotic and slightly exhausting but all the more realistic.
Fans of The Rumour will be familiar with the setting of Flinstead (based around Frinton-on-Sea, if I’m correct) – a fantastic setting that has worked in creating a great atmosphere in both novels now – even a little nod towards the previous story-line thrown in for good measure. It’s a small, sleepy seaside town where pretty much everyone knows everyone, or knows someone who knows you – there’s no hiding anything which is not always great for Astrid especially with her mother’s trust issues, but for which actually ends up being a good thing in the end and the situation she finds herself in. The sea and beach itself plays a big role in this book which the author really used to it’s advantage – a case of where there’s beauty there’s also danger.
Who Did You Tell is a story of alcoholism and all that surrounds it; cravings, temptations, vulnerability, depression, guilt, self-woe and the lasting humiliation of being an addict even when in recovery. You can have the most loving family yet sometimes life just spirals out of control – which is what happened to Astrid, her mother is a very poignant portrayal of the pain and worry caused to loved ones and this almost suffocating need to protect them is shown. I’m not sure I should of rooted for Astrid as much as I did, but something about her and something inside me desperately wanted her to survive and to have a happy future – I truly felt she wanted to make amends for the wrongs caused. When those cravings and temptations came to her I was yelling inside “Don’t do it, Astrid!”.
There is a little romantic storyline in the novel; I know some people aren’t a fan of this in thrillers, but I think it depicts real life. I loved Astrid’s time with Josh. I was HUGELY smitten with Josh! He was kind, caring, funny, a stickler to the rules but he had that little cheeky/naughty spark about him. Whilst I got this massively good vibe about him, you never really know if an author is going to screw you over by making the character evil, do you?! I’ll let you find that out…
Who Did You Tell is full of secrets, suspicion and suspense from the very off and it’s twists and turns just keep coming at you, with it really upping it’s pace in the second half where one more chapter turns into consuming the lot! There are red herrings a plenty that will have you questioning everyone and everything at one time or another and whereas in The Rumour I worked it all out, this time I never fully joined ALL the dots!
It’s fair to say that Kara has established herself in really knowing how to write fast, fun, exciting, highly addictive thrillers that you really don’t want to put down, and I am desperate for more!
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for my ARC of Who Did You Tell, which I read in exchange for my honest thoughts.
June 10, 2020
“What goes around comes around. It’s time to pay for what you’ve done.”
Astrid is a recovering alcoholic. With no job, now living with her mother, she is struggling to put her life back in order after a significant, life changing event. Astrid is a complex obsessive character displaying disturbing mental health problems, attending AA meetings trying to maintain sobriety and conquer her demons.
In an alternate voice, we learn that someone is stalking Astrid, appearing to know her dark secret and is making plans to destroy her. The mystery person clearly has skin in the game but what could that be? Kara introduces a few characters who have come into Astrid’s orbit that well could be suspects. The tension ratchets up in the last 3rd of the book and had my head spinning - in a good way. Thanks to Random House-Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Astrid is a recovering alcoholic. With no job, now living with her mother, she is struggling to put her life back in order after a significant, life changing event. Astrid is a complex obsessive character displaying disturbing mental health problems, attending AA meetings trying to maintain sobriety and conquer her demons.
In an alternate voice, we learn that someone is stalking Astrid, appearing to know her dark secret and is making plans to destroy her. The mystery person clearly has skin in the game but what could that be? Kara introduces a few characters who have come into Astrid’s orbit that well could be suspects. The tension ratchets up in the last 3rd of the book and had my head spinning - in a good way. Thanks to Random House-Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 29, 2019
A very gripping mystery thriller!
Astrid has moved back in with her mother......not that she had any place to go. She is trying to put her life together. She is attending AA and is trying to get to grips with losing the love of her life. She feels responsible for him committing suicide and every day is a struggle. Then she starts feeling like someone is watching her...she smells Simon's cologne and then she receives a photo. Someone knows about her past.
I really like the writing style and found it to be a very fast read. Like her first book it had some good twists up until the last page.
Highly recommend!
Astrid has moved back in with her mother......not that she had any place to go. She is trying to put her life together. She is attending AA and is trying to get to grips with losing the love of her life. She feels responsible for him committing suicide and every day is a struggle. Then she starts feeling like someone is watching her...she smells Simon's cologne and then she receives a photo. Someone knows about her past.
I really like the writing style and found it to be a very fast read. Like her first book it had some good twists up until the last page.
Highly recommend!
February 10, 2020
I enjoyed this book but I felt the outcome was predictable.
3.5 as it is an easy to read book and definitely worth giving it a go.
3.5 as it is an easy to read book and definitely worth giving it a go.
October 28, 2022
Σε ποιον μίλησες; τιτλοφορείται το δεύτερο μυθιστόρημα της Lesley Kara, που κυκλοφορεί από τις εκδόσεις Διόπτρα.
Έχοντας ολοκληρώσει το πρόγραμμα απεξάρτησης από το αλκοόλ και μην έχοντας πού αλλού να πάει, η Άστριντ Φελπς έχει επιστρέψει στο πατρικό της σπίτι, στη μικρή παραθαλάσσια πόλη του Φλίνστεντ. Αποφασισμένη να κάνει μια νέα αρχή, παρίσταται στις συναντήσεις των Ανώνυμων Αλκοολικών, επιχειρεί να ξαναφτιάξει τη σχέση με τη μητέρα της, να κερδίσει την εμπιστοσύνη της και, πάνω απ’ όλα, προσπαθεί να μην αφήσει τον εαυτό της να ξανακυλήσει στον πειρασμό. Όμως, το να παραμείνει νηφάλια και μακριά από το ποτό δεν είναι η μοναδική μάχη της Άστριντ. Παλεύει επίσης με παλιούς εφιάλτες, που δεν τολμά να εξομολογηθεί σε κανέναν. Με καταστάσεις που βίωσε όσο τριγυρνούσε εδώ κι εκεί, μόνιμα μεθυσμένη και έχοντας χάσει τον έλεγχο του εαυτού της. Με τις τύψεις για τη συμπεριφορά της, για όσους πλήγωσε. Και κυρίως, επειδή ενδόμυχα νιώθει υπεύθυνη για τον θάνατο του ανθρώπου που αγαπούσε.
Η γνωριμία της με έναν άντρα και η έλξη που αρχίζει να αισθάνεται για αυτόν κάνουν την Άστριντ να ελπίσει πως μπορεί να έχει μια δεύτερη ευκαιρία στη ζωή και τον έρωτα, αφήνοντας πίσω τις σκιές του παρελθόντος. Όμως, ο φόβος πως δεν είναι αρκετά καλή για αυτόν και πως θα την εγκαταλείψει μόλις μάθει για την εξάρτησή της, την οδηγεί στο να του πει ψέματα για τον λόγο της παραμονής της εκεί. Κι όπως συμβαίνει συνήθως, για να καλύψει το ψέμα της θα αναγκαστεί να πει περισσότερα και να αναβάλλει συνεχώς τη στιγμή της εξομολόγησής της, τρέμοντας στη σκέψη τού τι θα συμβεί όταν θα πρέπει να του ομολογήσει τελικά την αλήθεια.
Και σαν να μην ήταν όλα αυτά αρκετά, η Άστριντ ανακαλύπτει πως υπάρχει κάποιος που γνωρίζει το μεγαλύτερο και το πιο καλά κρυμμένο μυστικό της. Κι αυτός ο κάποιος την έχει ακολουθήσει ως το Φλίνστεντ, την παρακολουθεί στενά, γνωρίζει τις κινήσεις της και περιμένει την κατάλληλη στιγμή για να κάνει… Τι ακριβώς δεν ξέρει η Άστριντ, όμως αυτό που ξέρει είναι πως δεν είναι για καλό. Γιατί κάποια λάθη δεν συγχωρούνται· για κάποια λάθη πρέπει να πληρώσεις. Και η Άστριντ έχει κάνει ένα τέτοιο λάθος. Όμως αφού ο μόνος άνθρωπος που το γνώριζε ήταν ο πρώην της, που πλέον είναι νεκρός, σημαίνει πως εκείνος το εξομολογήθηκε σε κάποιον τρίτο. Το ερώτημα όμως είναι: σε ποιον μίλησε;
Όσοι έχουν διαβάσει και το Μην το διαδώσεις της ίδιας συγγραφέα, θα βρουν και θα αναγνωρίσουν αρκετά κοινά μοτίβα στην αφήγηση. Μια μικρή πόλη και ένα ήρεμο, χαλαρό περιβάλλον αποτελούν πάντα πρόσφορο έδαφος για να κρυφτούν μεγάλα μυστικά και καταφύγιο για άτομα που θέλουν να τα αφήσουν όλα πίσω τους, να κάνουν μια νέα αρχή, να ξεχάσουν ή να γιατρέψουν τις πληγές τους. Άτομα σαν την Άστριντ. Σε αυτή τη βάση, λοιπόν, χτίζει η Kara την ιστορία της. Ένα ψυχολογικό θρίλερ χωρίς έντονες διακυμάνσεις σε ό,τι αφορά το σασπένς, αλλά με πολλή ένταση, εσωτερική πάλη, ψυχολογικά σκαμπανεβάσματα, παραδοχές και εξομολογήσεις, καθώς και μια γερή δόση μυστηρίου, ενσαρκωμένο στο άτομο που γυρεύει εκδίκηση και τον λόγο που τον οδήγησε στο να τη ζητήσει.
Η συγγραφέας καταπιάνεται με το ευαίσθητο ζήτημα του αλκοολισμού και το χειρίζεται με προσοχή αλλά και με τον απαραίτητο ρεαλισμό, κάνοντας εκπληκτική δουλειά στο πώς αντιλαμβάνεται τον ψυχισμό ενός ατόμου που παλεύει με τα πάθη του και τον τρόπο που τον έχει αποδώσει στο χαρτί. Σε κάθε σελίδα του βιβλίου, αποτυπώνεται ο καθημερινός, επίπονος αγώνας της ηρωίδας ώστε να καταφέρει να πειθαρχήσει στον εαυτό της και να παλέψει τους πειρασμούς που παραμονεύουν παντού. Με πρωτοπρόσωπη αφήγηση, γλαφυρή γλώσσα και φορτισμένες περιγραφές, ο αναγνώστης γίνεται μάρτυρας των σκέψεων και των έντονων συναισθημάτων της Άστριντ: της απελπισίας, του φόβου, της απόγνωσης, της αγωνίας, της επιμονής, της ελπίδας, της αποφασιστικότητας, των διλημμάτων της. Η Άστριντ είναι μια ηρωίδα πολύπλοκη, βασανισμένη, ενοχική, επιφυλακτική, κάπως απότομη, με αδυναμίες και λάθη, αλλά ταυτόχρονα ρεαλιστική και ανθρώπινη. Ίσως μια μερίδα αναγνωστών να μην τη συμπαθήσει, όμως αναμφίβολα θα αναγνωρίσουν όλοι το δικαίωμά της να θέλει να γυρίσει σελίδα στη ζωή της και να εξιλεωθεί για το παρελθόν. Η διαδρομή της καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια της πλοκής αποκαλύπτει και τον αγώνα που δίνει για να το πετύχει.
Το ταλέντο της συγγραφέως στη δημιουργία ψυχογραφημάτων αποδεικνύεται και από τους υπόλοιπους χαρακτήρες, που αποτελούν το περιβάλλον της κεντρικής ηρωίδας. Από τη μητέρα της και τον νέο άντρα που εισβάλλει στη ζωή της μέχρι τους «συντρόφους» της στους Ανώνυμους Αλκοολικούς και τους απλούς γνωστούς της στη μικρή πόλη, ο καθένας από αυτούς ξεδιπλώνει την προσωπικότητά του με ένταση και συναίσθημα, έτσι που γίνεται αμέσως οικείος και αποδεκτός από τον αναγνώστη. Οι ήρωες της ιστορίας είναι αυτοί της δίνουν τα απαραίτητα στοιχεία ώστε να ξεχωρίσει, χρωματίζοντας με τις πράξεις τους την αφήγηση και δίνοντάς της τον παλμό που χρειάζεται ώστε να παραμένει ζωντανή και ενδιαφέρουσα μέχρι το πραγματικά ανατρεπτικό της φινάλε.
Το Σε ποιον μίλησες; είναι ένα βιβλίο που μιλά για τα μυστικά και τα ψέματα, τους πειρασμούς και τα πάθη, την τιμωρία και την αυτοτιμωρία, τις τύψεις και τη λύτρωση, την αγωνία τού να επαναλάβεις παλιά λάθη και τη λαχτάρα να τα αφ��σεις όλα πίσω και να κάνεις μια νέα αρχή. Ένα συναρπαστικό θρίλερ, όπου ο μεγαλύτερος φόβος είναι αυτός που προέρχεται από βαθιά μέσα σου και ο χειρότερος εχθρός αποδεικνύεται ο ίδιος σου ο εαυτός.
Έχοντας ολοκληρώσει το πρόγραμμα απεξάρτησης από το αλκοόλ και μην έχοντας πού αλλού να πάει, η Άστριντ Φελπς έχει επιστρέψει στο πατρικό της σπίτι, στη μικρή παραθαλάσσια πόλη του Φλίνστεντ. Αποφασισμένη να κάνει μια νέα αρχή, παρίσταται στις συναντήσεις των Ανώνυμων Αλκοολικών, επιχειρεί να ξαναφτιάξει τη σχέση με τη μητέρα της, να κερδίσει την εμπιστοσύνη της και, πάνω απ’ όλα, προσπαθεί να μην αφήσει τον εαυτό της να ξανακυλήσει στον πειρασμό. Όμως, το να παραμείνει νηφάλια και μακριά από το ποτό δεν είναι η μοναδική μάχη της Άστριντ. Παλεύει επίσης με παλιούς εφιάλτες, που δεν τολμά να εξομολογηθεί σε κανέναν. Με καταστάσεις που βίωσε όσο τριγυρνούσε εδώ κι εκεί, μόνιμα μεθυσμένη και έχοντας χάσει τον έλεγχο του εαυτού της. Με τις τύψεις για τη συμπεριφορά της, για όσους πλήγωσε. Και κυρίως, επειδή ενδόμυχα νιώθει υπεύθυνη για τον θάνατο του ανθρώπου που αγαπούσε.
Η γνωριμία της με έναν άντρα και η έλξη που αρχίζει να αισθάνεται για αυτόν κάνουν την Άστριντ να ελπίσει πως μπορεί να έχει μια δεύτερη ευκαιρία στη ζωή και τον έρωτα, αφήνοντας πίσω τις σκιές του παρελθόντος. Όμως, ο φόβος πως δεν είναι αρκετά καλή για αυτόν και πως θα την εγκαταλείψει μόλις μάθει για την εξάρτησή της, την οδηγεί στο να του πει ψέματα για τον λόγο της παραμονής της εκεί. Κι όπως συμβαίνει συνήθως, για να καλύψει το ψέμα της θα αναγκαστεί να πει περισσότερα και να αναβάλλει συνεχώς τη στιγμή της εξομολόγησής της, τρέμοντας στη σκέψη τού τι θα συμβεί όταν θα πρέπει να του ομολογήσει τελικά την αλήθεια.
Και σαν να μην ήταν όλα αυτά αρκετά, η Άστριντ ανακαλύπτει πως υπάρχει κάποιος που γνωρίζει το μεγαλύτερο και το πιο καλά κρυμμένο μυστικό της. Κι αυτός ο κάποιος την έχει ακολουθήσει ως το Φλίνστεντ, την παρακολουθεί στενά, γνωρίζει τις κινήσεις της και περιμένει την κατάλληλη στιγμή για να κάνει… Τι ακριβώς δεν ξέρει η Άστριντ, όμως αυτό που ξέρει είναι πως δεν είναι για καλό. Γιατί κάποια λάθη δεν συγχωρούνται· για κάποια λάθη πρέπει να πληρώσεις. Και η Άστριντ έχει κάνει ένα τέτοιο λάθος. Όμως αφού ο μόνος άνθρωπος που το γνώριζε ήταν ο πρώην της, που πλέον είναι νεκρός, σημαίνει πως εκείνος το εξομολογήθηκε σε κάποιον τρίτο. Το ερώτημα όμως είναι: σε ποιον μίλησε;
Όσοι έχουν διαβάσει και το Μην το διαδώσεις της ίδιας συγγραφέα, θα βρουν και θα αναγνωρίσουν αρκετά κοινά μοτίβα στην αφήγηση. Μια μικρή πόλη και ένα ήρεμο, χαλαρό περιβάλλον αποτελούν πάντα πρόσφορο έδαφος για να κρυφτούν μεγάλα μυστικά και καταφύγιο για άτομα που θέλουν να τα αφήσουν όλα πίσω τους, να κάνουν μια νέα αρχή, να ξεχάσουν ή να γιατρέψουν τις πληγές τους. Άτομα σαν την Άστριντ. Σε αυτή τη βάση, λοιπόν, χτίζει η Kara την ιστορία της. Ένα ψυχολογικό θρίλερ χωρίς έντονες διακυμάνσεις σε ό,τι αφορά το σασπένς, αλλά με πολλή ένταση, εσωτερική πάλη, ψυχολογικά σκαμπανεβάσματα, παραδοχές και εξομολογήσεις, καθώς και μια γερή δόση μυστηρίου, ενσαρκωμένο στο άτομο που γυρεύει εκδίκηση και τον λόγο που τον οδήγησε στο να τη ζητήσει.
Η συγγραφέας καταπιάνεται με το ευαίσθητο ζήτημα του αλκοολισμού και το χειρίζεται με προσοχή αλλά και με τον απαραίτητο ρεαλισμό, κάνοντας εκπληκτική δουλειά στο πώς αντιλαμβάνεται τον ψυχισμό ενός ατόμου που παλεύει με τα πάθη του και τον τρόπο που τον έχει αποδώσει στο χαρτί. Σε κάθε σελίδα του βιβλίου, αποτυπώνεται ο καθημερινός, επίπονος αγώνας της ηρωίδας ώστε να καταφέρει να πειθαρχήσει στον εαυτό της και να παλέψει τους πειρασμούς που παραμονεύουν παντού. Με πρωτοπρόσωπη αφήγηση, γλαφυρή γλώσσα και φορτισμένες περιγραφές, ο αναγνώστης γίνεται μάρτυρας των σκέψεων και των έντονων συναισθημάτων της Άστριντ: της απελπισίας, του φόβου, της απόγνωσης, της αγωνίας, της επιμονής, της ελπίδας, της αποφασιστικότητας, των διλημμάτων της. Η Άστριντ είναι μια ηρωίδα πολύπλοκη, βασανισμένη, ενοχική, επιφυλακτική, κάπως απότομη, με αδυναμίες και λάθη, αλλά ταυτόχρονα ρεαλιστική και ανθρώπινη. Ίσως μια μερίδα αναγνωστών να μην τη συμπαθήσει, όμως αναμφίβολα θα αναγνωρίσουν όλοι το δικαίωμά της να θέλει να γυρίσει σελίδα στη ζωή της και να εξιλεωθεί για το παρελθόν. Η διαδρομή της καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια της πλοκής αποκαλύπτει και τον αγώνα που δίνει για να το πετύχει.
Το ταλέντο της συγγραφέως στη δημιουργία ψυχογραφημάτων αποδεικνύεται και από τους υπόλοιπους χαρακτήρες, που αποτελούν το περιβάλλον της κεντρικής ηρωίδας. Από τη μητέρα της και τον νέο άντρα που εισβάλλει στη ζωή της μέχρι τους «συντρόφους» της στους Ανώνυμους Αλκοολικούς και τους απλούς γνωστούς της στη μικρή πόλη, ο καθένας από αυτούς ξεδιπλώνει την προσωπικότητά του με ένταση και συναίσθημα, έτσι που γίνεται αμέσως οικείος και αποδεκτός από τον αναγνώστη. Οι ήρωες της ιστορίας είναι αυτοί της δίνουν τα απαραίτητα στοιχεία ώστε να ξεχωρίσει, χρωματίζοντας με τις πράξεις τους την αφήγηση και δίνοντάς της τον παλμό που χρειάζεται ώστε να παραμένει ζωντανή και ενδιαφέρουσα μέχρι το πραγματικά ανατρεπτικό της φινάλε.
Το Σε ποιον μίλησες; είναι ένα βιβλίο που μιλά για τα μυστικά και τα ψέματα, τους πειρασμούς και τα πάθη, την τιμωρία και την αυτοτιμωρία, τις τύψεις και τη λύτρωση, την αγωνία τού να επαναλάβεις παλιά λάθη και τη λαχτάρα να τα αφ��σεις όλα πίσω και να κάνεις μια νέα αρχή. Ένα συναρπαστικό θρίλερ, όπου ο μεγαλύτερος φόβος είναι αυτός που προέρχεται από βαθιά μέσα σου και ο χειρότερος εχθρός αποδεικνύεται ο ίδιος σου ο εαυτός.
November 25, 2019
Underwhelming psycho thriller with an anticlimactic denouement that feels like a rerun of The Rumour.
Overall I felt Lesley Kara’s follow-up to her first novel, The Rumour, had rather a lot in common with her debut and in many ways felt like a rerun of the story, with a thirty something daughter returning to live with her mother in the sleepy seaside town of Flinstead and a small cast of characters, each of whom on occasions could be construed as suspicious.
Thirty-two-year-old recovering alcoholic, Astrid Phelps, is fresh out of rehab and a chaotic life of living in squats in London with her fellow alcoholic former boyfriend, Simon. But with her mother, June, having offered her a final chance at starting afresh she has moved into her cottage in the gossipy seaside town of Flinstead and is attending Alcoholics Anonymous. Narrated in the first-person entirely by Astrid, whom is full of self-loathing and weighed down by the guilt of remembering her behaviour under the influence, she has a combative relationship with her justifiably suspicious mother. Whilst Astrid’s narration is far from upbeat it feels honest and realistic and makes patently clear the immensity of battling to overcome a compulsion.
Relying on handouts from her mother, keeping busy and blocking out the memories that threaten to consume her, Astrid meets Josh Carter who is spending the summer renovating the home his father has bought and engages Astrid’s love and talent for painting in a new project. As Astrid enjoys the safe companionship of reliable Josh and a new relationship beckons she neglects to tell him that she is a recovering alcoholic for fear it will scare him off, but one lie soon leads to another...
Attending AA meetings and trying to avoid earnest sixty something and eight years sober, Rosie, Astrid strikes up a rapport with Helen, as they bond over their mutual cynicism for the higher power slogans of the group and share their problems.. But just as things start to look up Astrid’s paranoia that she is being watched, the arrival of several vindictive poison pen letters and someone making clear they know everything about his shambolic past threatens to destroy both her blossoming love and months of sobriety.
With her blackouts, hallucinations and muddled memories meaning that Astrid is rather sketchy about some of her past and is by nature paranoid, she is a prime candidate for someone intent on seeking revenge. As the novel unfolds the reader gets to see the exact circumstances of Astrid’s split from Simon, are enlightened as to his fate and see Astrid struggle to come to terms with some of her past misdemeanours, hence there is plenty to be uncovered along the way.
One aspect of the novel that I commend the author on was her superb portrayal of life as a recovering alcoholic, with protagonist Astrid battling the daily temptation to drink and also difficult to like or warm to due to just how selfish her demons have made her. The strain of the continual pull to turn to the bottle along with the stress of her new life in Flinstead is emotive and compelling. It was therefore disappointing that I didn’t feel hugely invested in Astrid’s outcome, perhaps because her ultimate fate felt like it was written on the cards from the off. The small cast around Astrid are less clearly defined, difficult to get the measure of and easily arouse suspicion.
Overall I found the novel rather predictable and most of the plot eminently guessable, meaning it was far from the thrilling read I had high hopes of. For regular readers of psychological thrillers there are very few surprises in store and the story feels like a poorer and less original version of The Rumour, as each of the characters behaviour throws up plenty of red herrings that on occasions cast them all in a suspicious light. Whilst I didn’t find the story overtly far-fetched I was disappointed that after taking such care with Astrid’s characterisation it was blown by her character falling in love within four weeks, despite supposedly being hung up on ex-boyfriend Simon.
An easy to read but forgettable psychological thriller with a steady pace and an anticlimactic denouncement that I felt was somewhat of a cop-out. A worthwhile read, however, simply for its sensitive portrayal of the punishing battle with an addiction.
Overall I felt Lesley Kara’s follow-up to her first novel, The Rumour, had rather a lot in common with her debut and in many ways felt like a rerun of the story, with a thirty something daughter returning to live with her mother in the sleepy seaside town of Flinstead and a small cast of characters, each of whom on occasions could be construed as suspicious.
Thirty-two-year-old recovering alcoholic, Astrid Phelps, is fresh out of rehab and a chaotic life of living in squats in London with her fellow alcoholic former boyfriend, Simon. But with her mother, June, having offered her a final chance at starting afresh she has moved into her cottage in the gossipy seaside town of Flinstead and is attending Alcoholics Anonymous. Narrated in the first-person entirely by Astrid, whom is full of self-loathing and weighed down by the guilt of remembering her behaviour under the influence, she has a combative relationship with her justifiably suspicious mother. Whilst Astrid’s narration is far from upbeat it feels honest and realistic and makes patently clear the immensity of battling to overcome a compulsion.
Relying on handouts from her mother, keeping busy and blocking out the memories that threaten to consume her, Astrid meets Josh Carter who is spending the summer renovating the home his father has bought and engages Astrid’s love and talent for painting in a new project. As Astrid enjoys the safe companionship of reliable Josh and a new relationship beckons she neglects to tell him that she is a recovering alcoholic for fear it will scare him off, but one lie soon leads to another...
Attending AA meetings and trying to avoid earnest sixty something and eight years sober, Rosie, Astrid strikes up a rapport with Helen, as they bond over their mutual cynicism for the higher power slogans of the group and share their problems.. But just as things start to look up Astrid’s paranoia that she is being watched, the arrival of several vindictive poison pen letters and someone making clear they know everything about his shambolic past threatens to destroy both her blossoming love and months of sobriety.
With her blackouts, hallucinations and muddled memories meaning that Astrid is rather sketchy about some of her past and is by nature paranoid, she is a prime candidate for someone intent on seeking revenge. As the novel unfolds the reader gets to see the exact circumstances of Astrid’s split from Simon, are enlightened as to his fate and see Astrid struggle to come to terms with some of her past misdemeanours, hence there is plenty to be uncovered along the way.
One aspect of the novel that I commend the author on was her superb portrayal of life as a recovering alcoholic, with protagonist Astrid battling the daily temptation to drink and also difficult to like or warm to due to just how selfish her demons have made her. The strain of the continual pull to turn to the bottle along with the stress of her new life in Flinstead is emotive and compelling. It was therefore disappointing that I didn’t feel hugely invested in Astrid’s outcome, perhaps because her ultimate fate felt like it was written on the cards from the off. The small cast around Astrid are less clearly defined, difficult to get the measure of and easily arouse suspicion.
Overall I found the novel rather predictable and most of the plot eminently guessable, meaning it was far from the thrilling read I had high hopes of. For regular readers of psychological thrillers there are very few surprises in store and the story feels like a poorer and less original version of The Rumour, as each of the characters behaviour throws up plenty of red herrings that on occasions cast them all in a suspicious light. Whilst I didn’t find the story overtly far-fetched I was disappointed that after taking such care with Astrid’s characterisation it was blown by her character falling in love within four weeks, despite supposedly being hung up on ex-boyfriend Simon.
An easy to read but forgettable psychological thriller with a steady pace and an anticlimactic denouncement that I felt was somewhat of a cop-out. A worthwhile read, however, simply for its sensitive portrayal of the punishing battle with an addiction.
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