Stawser, Jessica --Not That I Could Tell; Informal Buddy Read starts June 18, 2018

[Laura]

This thread is open to discuss Not That I Could Tell Jessica Strawser



Synopsis
When a group of neighborhood women gathers, wine in hand, around a fire pit where their backyards meet one Saturday night, most of them are just ecstatic to have discovered that their baby monitors reach that far. It’s a rare kid-free night, and they’re giddy with it. They drink too much, and the conversation turns personal.

By Monday morning, one of them is gone.

Everyone knows something about everyone else in the quirky small Ohio town of Yellow Springs, but no one can make sense of the disappearance. Kristin was a sociable twin mom, college administrator, and doctor’s wife who didn’t seem all that bothered by her impending divorce—and the investigation turns up more questions than answers, with her husband, Paul, at the center. For her closest neighbor, Clara, the incident triggers memories she thought she’d put behind her—and when she’s unable to extract herself from the widening circle of scrutiny, her own suspicions quickly grow. But the neighborhood’s newest addition, Izzy, is determined not to jump to any conclusions—especially since she’s dealing with a crisis of her own.

As the police investigation goes from a media circus to a cold case, the neighbors are forced to reexamine what’s going on behind their own closed doors—and to ask how well anyone really knows anyone else.

[Geri]

I’ve made note of the date!

[Brooke]

I’m in and wrote the start date on my calendar!

[Brooke]

Geri, are you still good to start this Sunday or Monday?

[Laura]

Please come back and chat with me! I'm not as fast as you guys!

[Brooke]

Laura wrote: "Please come back and chat with me! I'm not as fast as you guys!"

LOL - of course, Laura! I'm actually okay with waiting another week to start it if that works better for you. I didn't learn my lesson last month and have several book in progress that I'd like to finish first (but don't have to).

[Geri]

Brooke wrote: "Geri, are you still good to start this Sunday or Monday?"

Hubby and I are going on vacation for a few days. Mackinac Island in Michigan. I can’t wait! If next week works better for everyone, I am fine with that!

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "Please come back and chat with me! I'm not as fast as you guys!"

How’s the reading going? Did you finally read that book you borrowed 5 times? LOL

[Brooke]

Geri wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Geri, are you still good to start this Sunday or Monday?"

Hubby and I are going on vacation for a few days. Mackinac Island in Michigan. I can’t wait! If next week works better for ..."

Ooh - enjoy! I have a cousin who lives in Michigan and says that Mackinac Island is a great place to vacation.

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Geri, are you still good to start this Sunday or Monday?"

Hubby and I are going on vacation for a few days. Mackinac Island in Michigan. I can’t wait! If next week works better for ..."

ohhh nice! Enjoy. Yes next Sunday would work better if ya all don't mind waiting another week. Thanks Brook for suggesting the wait. Brooke, I don't think I learnt my lesson; or I just didn't plan my buddy reads very well!!

I 'm slowing slogging away at my books! I finish a few and start some more!
Geri did you read the "Others Series by Anne Bishop? I highly recommend if you didn't!
@Geri, I didn't even start it... Parting Shot. I think I may just accept that I 'm not going to read it until after Towers; but I did finish another one I keep returning. Still Me

[Geri]

Ok. Next Sunday works!

Laura, I tried Others series. But gave up after book 2. Funny thing is I keep eyeing Lake Silence. I guess I don’t know when to give up! LOL That’s funny about Parting Shot.

One book I read recently that was really good isSomething in the Water. It was a slow burn psychological thriller that I got very immersed in. I know you both like that type of book. So I highly recommend! Another book to add to your very long list. LOL

[Geri]

Brooke wrote: ".Ooh - enjoy! I have a cousin who lives in Michigan and says that Mackinac Island is a great place to vacation.
"

Thanks! Yes, the great thing about Mackinac is that no motorized vehicles are allowed. So horse drawn carriages, biking and walking are the only mode of transport.

[Brooke]

Geri wrote: "One book I read recently that was really good is Something in the Water...."

That is good to know! I have it on audiobook. I'll have to find a time to dig into it sometime soon.

[Laura]

Lol added it to the TBR!

Oh that actually sounds nice Geri! My choice would be to walk.

[Laura]

I'm getting closer to reading this one; anyone else?

How'd vacation with the Hubster go, Geri?

[Brooke]

Laura wrote: "I'm getting closer to reading this one; anyone else? ..."

I can start it on Monday....

[Laura]

Ok, thankfully its my day off as it is prom for my son that evening. I'm hoping to get some reading in early that day

[Brooke]

Laura wrote: "Ok, thankfully its my day off as it is prom for my son that evening. I'm hoping to get some reading in early that day"

Exciting! Is he going with a date or with a group? From what I hear from my friends with kids, prom is very different today than when I was in high school.

[Geri]

Hi Laura and Brooke! I will be starting the book today! Laura - Your son’s prom, I hope he has lots of fun!

My vacation was so enjoyable. My husband rode a bike each morning while I slept in. LOL I really enjoyed the horses. Such beautiful animals!

[Geri]

Laura - I just noticed our buddy read for starts today. Can we move that one to next Monday?

[Brooke]

Your vacation sounds amazing, Geri! I'm going to start this book tonight after work.

[Laura]

Brooke wrote: "Laura wrote: "Ok, thankfully its my day off as it is prom for my son that evening. I'm hoping to get some reading in early that day"

Exciting! Is he going with a date or with a group? From what I ..."

He is going with a date as friends. Its pouring rain here today; I will be buying umbrellas when we go out to pick up the corsage. Maybe the rain will stop later this afternoon.

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "Hi Laura and Brooke! I will be starting the book today! Laura - Your son’s prom, I hope he has lots of fun!

My vacation was so enjoyable. My husband rode a bike each morning while I slept in. LOL ..."

Your vacation sounds lovely! Yes, I don't mind reading The Queen and the Cure next Monday. I haven't planned any of my buddy reads very well so waiting to start that one works well.

[Laura]

Through chapter 9
(view spoiler)[
Since we just recently read The Perfect Mother its difficult to not compare the two books. Although they are different -no mom's group; there are a few similarities- neighbours with children, concerned about a friend and a mystery to play out.

It seems like these ladies also have secrets. I guess all will be revealed as we keep reading.
I haven't decided if Kristen ran off with her separated husband's money or if something foul is a play. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

I read the first 11 chapters. The mystery is interesting.(view spoiler)[ I want to know what happened to Kristin. The police suspect domestic abuse. But I think that was possibly something Kristin did to make Paul look guilty.

Poor Izzy! LOL I am finding her character a little annoying. And her sister Penny seems a bit self centered and unaware.

I am surprised we aren’t getting any flashbacks of the night they got together. I feel like something is missing without that. I am not getting to know Kristin at all as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Read through chapter 22. (view spoiler)[ Paul does seem like a sympathetic character. And Izzy seems to be falling for him. Not sure if that is a good thing. But at least Izzy isn’t quite a mess anymore. I was getting tired of her crying over Josh!

I don’t blame Clara for being mad at Hallie. Writing an article like that! (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "Through chapter 9

Since we just recently read The Perfect Mother its difficult to not compare the two books. Although they are different -no mom's group; there are a few similariti..."

I agree, Laura, there are some similarities. But some real differences too. The mystery of what happened to Kristen is keeping me reading. What do you think of Paul?

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Laura wrote: "Ok, thankfully its my day off as it is prom for my son that evening. I'm hoping to get some reading in early that day"

Exciting! Is he going with a date or with a grou..."

How was prom night?

[Brooke]

I didn't get far last night because of life distractions, but I'm intrigued by the story so far.

I'm with both of you about the similarities with The Perfect Mother. I hope reading them close together doesn't influence my thoughts on the book when I finish!

Through chapter 6
(view spoiler)[I am also slightly annoyed by Izzy, but I hope there is more to her story than just being hung up on her brother-in-law.

I got an icky feeling about Paul when he said he broke into the house because he no longer has a key. It can definitely be explained by all of the reasons the characters mentioned, but my gut is telling me there is more to that.

I am onboard with the police thinking it is an abuse situation. So far the clues fit that narrative, especially the possibility that she planned this in advance. I also found it suspicious that all of the women who drank at the ladies night before Kirstin left didn't remember a block of the evening, with Rhoda and Randi even blacking out during the same time period. Did Kirstin put something in their drinks so she could escape without her neighbors noticing? (hide spoiler)]

I have a date with my couch and this book tonight, so hopefully I won't get distracted again!

[Laura]

Prom was great. He had more fun than he thought. He looked handsome and the dresses; so beautiful!

[Laura]

@ Brooke
(view spoiler)[ it did seem strange that no one from the girl's night out could remember anything.
Good theory Brooke; abuse could be a reason for running away (hide spoiler)]

Maybe don't read this one until you reach chapter 9 (view spoiler)[It doesn't make sense that Kristin disappears cashing everything out when she already has money; and lots of it. (hide spoiler)]

@Geri
Paul(view spoiler)[
Paul doesn't seem to fit into the story early on. I think Strawser deliberately paints him as unlikable. I'm holding out though; we really don't have enough information about him. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

Random conspiracy theory thought that popped into my head this morning...

(view spoiler)[What if Kirstin's ex is the abuser or person she is running from? Maybe he didn't die in the boating accident, since bodies aren't always recovered in those situations. Then he found her somehow and wants the money, so she took off. Doubt this is the case, but it is fun to think about. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Brooke wrote: "Random conspiracy theory thought that popped into my head this morning...

[spoilers removed]"

Interesting theory. (view spoiler)[ I too feel like Paul is the one we are supposed to suspect. So I don’t! LOL (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

I clearly read too many mystery/thrillers. 😜

[Geri]

chapter 23-33. This section really felt very soap opery. LOL (view spoiler)[ It was sad about Clara’s friend, Liv, being killed by her abusive ex boyfriend. And I understand why she warned Izzy. Still not positive Paul is the one Kristin is running from. I really wish we heard more from Kristin.

I did roll my eyes when Paul called in to her radio show. Was this over the top or creepy? Is Paul trying to force the relationship with Izzy? (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Finished! (view spoiler)[ UGH! The author fooled me! LOL I did not believe Paul was a bad guy because he was too obviously the bad guy.

I am glad we did find out what happened to Kristen and the kids. You were right, Brooke, about the women being drugged. I missed that! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Prom and graduation are over! Phew. It was really nice. Happy there are no more waiting up nights and providing rides home. I can't do any more late nights this week! Now to catch up on everything and read, read, read!

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "Prom and graduation are over! Phew. It was really nice. Happy there are no more waiting up nights and providing rides home. I can't do any more late nights this week! Now to catch up on everything ..."

Things really got busy for you! So nice of you to help out like that. I’m sure the kids appreciated it!

[Geri]

Hey Brooke and Laura - Have you finished the book? Or have you given up on it? This was an okay read, I thought. The Perfect Mother was better, in my opinion!

[Brooke]

I’ve got about 75 pages left. I have a girlfriend in town for a few days, so I haven’t been reading much. I should finish it tomorrow or Wednesday though!

[Laura]

I'm still reading! It was Canada Day yesterday and I was out with family today... I'm hoping to get back on track tomorrow

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "I'm still reading! It was Canada Day yesterday and I was out with family today... I'm hoping to get back on track tomorrow"

Happy Canada Day! I hope you had a fun day!

[Geri]

Brooke wrote: "I’ve got about 75 pages left. I have a girlfriend in town for a few days, so I haven’t been reading much. I should finish it tomorrow or Wednesday though!"

Oh fun! I’ll check back later.

[Brooke]

I only managed a whopping 25 pages after I dropped my friend off at the airport. My boyfriend was supposed to come visit me this week (and meet my friend before she left), but as usual I ended up driving to his place. I should be able to finish tonight at some point, and hopefully I'll be able to hop on a computer to post my thoughts.

(view spoiler)[I'm glad Izzy finally wizened up! She was getting on my last nerve with her moping about her brother-in-law and then ignoring the advice of everyone and seeing Paul anyway. (Although, to be fair, many 20-something women think they know best and ignore advice from those who know.)

The tension is definitely building. Do we have to wait until the last page to find out what happened to Kristin?? (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I think I'm two days overdue at the library....I'll do my best to finish up in the next few days.

[Geri]

Brooke wrote: "I only managed a whopping 25 pages after I dropped my friend off at the airport."

LOL It’s understandable. You’ve been busy.

[Brooke]

I finally finished it yesterday!

(view spoiler)[Call me disappointed. This could have been so much better! I'm still going to give it 3 stars because I like her writing in general, but for Paul to actually be the bad guy and Izzy to almost get hurt, that was too easy. A copout, maybe. There wasn't anything that happened that was a big surprise, even the last few pages with Claire going to Florida. (hide spoiler)]

I'm curious to hear Laura's thoughts on the end and overall story.

It was a pleasure reading with you ladies again! Let me know if there is anything else on your TBR you would like to buddy read this month. :)

[Geri]

Brooke. (view spoiler)[ I so agree with you! I couldn’t believe there was no twist too. You were right about the ladies being drugged, though! But, yeah, the very ending didn’t make up for Paul being the disappointing conclusion. And I can’t say this enough, Izzy was too annoying! (hide spoiler)]

Always fun buddy reading with both of you too! I’ll check to see if I got any potentially good buddy reads on my list.

[Laura]

I read a chunk last night. I should finish it later today.

[Laura]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
I thought nope it couldn't be Paul ugh but the scene with Izzy was just creepy and scary. Thank goodness for interfering little Hallie!

In the end I did like that Clara helped Kristin disappear and didn't figure that out until it happened. Kind of scary that your friend intentionally drugs you though; no matter that she meant well.
What would have happened if Kristin had stayed? Nothing good; I don't think.

Izzy's ending is perfect...a new job, a fresh start with her sister and an ending that doesn't have to be happily ever after in love.

(hide spoiler)]

You know all these books are good; and I 'm glad we read them but they aren't really gripping thrillers. I haven't rated one over 3 stars yet. I'm up for another buddy read with you both!

What do you think of this one?