You Know What You Did by K.T. Nguyen -> Starting February 1st, 2024

[Alaina]

In this heart-pounding debut thriller for fans of Lisa Jewell and Celeste Ng, a first-generation Vietnamese American artist must confront nightmares past and present…

Annie “Anh Le” Shaw grew up poor but seems to have it all now: a dream career, a stunning home, and a devoted husband and daughter. When Annie’s mother, a Vietnam War refugee, dies suddenly one night, Annie’s carefully curated life begins to unravel. Her obsessive-compulsive disorder, which she thought she’d vanquished years ago, comes roaring back—but this time, the disturbing fixations swirling around in Annie’s brain might actually be coming true.

A prominent art patron disappears, and the investigation zeroes in on Annie. Spiraling with self-doubt, she distances herself from her family and friends, only to wake up in a hotel room—naked, next to a lifeless body. The police have more questions, but with her mind increasingly fractured, Annie doesn’t have answers. All she knows is this: She will do anything to protect her daughter—even if it means losing herself.

With dizzying twists, You Know What You Did is both a harrowing thriller and a heartfelt exploration of the refugee experience, the legacies we leave for our children, and the unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters.

EARLY PRAISE

“This book knocked the wind out of me. On top of its razor sharp twists and visceral scares, You Know What You Did taps into the true horror experienced by so many refugees and war survivors, and the way that trauma lives on through generations. Don’t miss this brilliant thriller from a powerful new voice.” —Ana Reyes, New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Pines

“An exciting, complex thriller that takes the reader on a thoroughly disturbing journey through the mind of a protagonist who may or may not be the villain...You Know What You Did will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final page.” —S.A. Cosby, New York Times bestselling author of Razorblade Tears and All the Sinners Bleed

“A stunning debut...Nguyen’s keen eye for detail and gorgeous prose contrasts with her deeply tormented narrator to set up an escalating tension that elevates this novel far above most domestic thrillers. I loved this book!” —Karen Dionne, #1 internationally bestselling author of The Marsh King’s Daughter and The Wicked Sister

[megs_bookrack]

I started my e-copy this morning.
Made it to page 32, or 8%. Initial Thoughts:
(view spoiler)[I do not like this husband, Duncan, at all. I am feeling very similar about him as I did the husband in My Darling Girl. He is so judgemental and harsh so far. I feel like Annie is feeling pressure from him to deal with things in a particular manner, particularly her Mom's death, and I don't like that. Also, the author stated he 'doesn't love animals'. He's gotta be a psycho. He did it. I don't even know what it is yet, but he did it. (hide spoiler)] LOL

[megs_bookrack]

To Page 76, or 19%: I feel so much for Annie. (view spoiler)[Just like an overwhelming sadness. Getting her perspective and how alone she feels. Her life experience is so different from everyone around her and I just feel like she's holding so much in; not being herself. She needs like a strong woman community around her to life her up and support her. They may not understand everything she has been through, that immigrant experience for her Mom, the trauma and the aftereffects of that, not a lot of people can relate to that, but to just have friends she could be open and honest with. I know the Thriller aspects will probably pick up more as the story continues, but for now, I am just enjoying the really strong character work and getting to know Annie. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

To Page 120, or 30%: (view spoiler)[I wish that hadn't happened to Deja. Usually, the death of a dog will drop my rating a full star bc I hate it so much. And while this still really bothered me, I am so invested in Anh's story and I think the author used it in such a way, like it was necessary for us to continue to go on this downward spiral with her. Her debilitating OCD is really putting a strain on her marriage and her ability to parent. I hope she gets help before more tragedy strikes! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Sorry, had one more book that I wanted to finish from January and got through that today. Plus, a BOTM lol. Went a little rogue, starting this one now!

[Alaina]

Prologue: (view spoiler)[Well, okay, I'm very intrigued and would like to know more about why this murder happened. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

Alaina wrote: "Sorry, had one more book that I wanted to finish from January and got through that today. Plus, a BOTM lol. Went a little rogue, starting this one now!"😄😂 no worries, I totally understand that!

[megs_bookrack]

To Page 148, or 38%: (view spoiler)[Is Ike real? 😄😂 I feel lije Annie is so unreliable right now, it's hard to trust anything she is experiencing 😢 did she fo something to Mrs. Fenton? (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

1 Page later...(view spoiler)[Ok, he must be real 😄😂 I just have no clue when to trust Annie and when to not right now. I like her and don't think she's purposefully musleading, but her condition is not good right now! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[I just have so many questions right now. I'm not a fan of Tabby or the family lifestyle right now. It does kind of seem like sides are taken but maybe that's in her head too? I don't know... Duncan is already suspicious in my mind since he doesn't like animals. As for Annie, I'm just not sure if she's a reliable narrator at the moment and it's hurting my head.

As for Ike, I just want to know why he drove there when he could've called her? The drama is confusing and I just need to know more lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "I started my e-copy this morning.
Made it to page 32, or 8%. Initial Thoughts:
[spoilers removed] LOL"

LOL I don't like him that much either

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To Page 76, or 19%: I feel so much for Annie. [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, it's a lot to take in but I just don't know if I should trust her or not at the same time!!

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To Page 120, or 30%: [spoilers removed]"

I WAS SO SAD ABOUT DEJA!

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To Page 148, or 38%: [spoilers removed]"

This. This is how I felt throughout the entire first part of the book. I just don't know if I can trust Annie at the moment. It's driving me nuts!

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "1 Page later...[spoilers removed]"

LOL

[megs_bookrack]

Alaina wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "To Page 120, or 30%: [spoilers removed]"

I WAS SO SAD ABOUT DEJA!"Wasn't that freaking devastating!? Wahhhhhhhhhhh

[megs_bookrack]

Alaina wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "1 Page later...[spoilers removed]"

LOL"OMG, I just noticed my 1,000,000 typos. I'm surprised you got anything out of those comments! LOL

[megs_bookrack]

To Page 171, or 44%: I'm so worried about Annie now (view spoiler)[left to her own devices. I just feel like this abandonment, which is what it is going to feel like to her, is going to make everything worse. We're learning more about her past with Me though, because she is reflecting a lot more instead of being in the present. I am hoping her demons don't win, but am feeling like this story is going to break my heart. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

Alaina wrote: "Part 1: I just have so many questions right now......" I know! I am not a fan of the family dynamic, and you're right it could be in her head, I didn't think of that. We are getting it from her, but it seems like Tabby is (view spoiler)[downright cruel to her Mom and Duncan offers up no consequences. It's almost like he enjoys having Tabby on 'his side'. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[The family drama is drama-ing. My head is currently spinning trying to keep up with each new problem. Tabby doing the pictures was just a huge no no. I'm glad Annie didn't hit her but man the trauma she went through is insane! Then there's Duncan, I just... I don't believe him when he says he didn't cheat on her. Something is going on and I just want to know all the information. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To Page 171, or 44%: I'm so worried about Annie now [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, them both being gone did not help her one bit.

[Alaina]

megs_bookrack wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Part 1: I just have so many questions right now......" I know! I am not a fan of the family dynamic, and you're right it could be in her head, I didn't think of that. We are getting ..."

Yeah, it is tough because yeah that could be happening but again, we have no idea if it really is.

[Alaina]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[OH MY GOD - IT WAS DUNCAN?!?! Honestly, never liked him and now I know why. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Epilogue: (view spoiler)[Well, I'm glad that things are going better for them. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

49%: (view spoiler)[We finally have a body! That attorney is basically worthless. 😂🤣 Why is he even at the interview!? Still sort of suspicious about Ike and his involvement with all this Mrs. Fenton stuff... (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

Pg 241, or 62%: (view spoiler)[Wow, learning about the start of Annie and Duncan's relationship has been VERY enlightening. Also, maybe Annie is getting to me, like her paranoia and stuff, but I am not trusting Dr. Patel at all. Could she have something going with Duncan? Lastly, I CANNOT believe she went on a date with Gabe. Like that is so dangerous. You can't get so miffed at every suspected ill of your husband and then go and do the same thing behind his back. No good. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

To Pg 278, or 72%: (view spoiler)[The flashback scene in the car where Anh tells her Mom about her acceptance to RISD. Oh my goodness, that was so heartbreaking for Anh. I know her mother suffered from poor mental health, but that was cruel. Anh's actions following didn't even surprise me. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

To Pg 312, or 80%: (view spoiler)[Wow, Annie is actually being held in custody! And OMG, what happened to Gabe, waking up in a bed of spiders. Iveoilf never sleep again! Also, so sad the truth about what happened to Annie's brother. I don't think her mom ever told her that. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

To Pg 328, or 84%: (view spoiler)[Okay, what the heck? How is Dr. Patel snooping around Annie's property as she gets home from jail? This woman is setting her up. She wants Duncan for herself, or something. Also, I love Annie opening up to Tabby. This convo they're having when Tabby gets home from her camping trip, it's filling my heart. At first I couldn't stand Tabby, and she can be a little shit, but at the end of the day, she is just a little girl who loves her Mom and is trying to find her way in this world. I just want to give them both hugs. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

Finished! I loved this and can't believe it's a debut. K.T. Nguyen is one to watch. I loved the substance of it, as far as shining a bit of a light on the immigrant experience. As far as the conclusion, (view spoiler)[I did suspect him initially, but then got so focused on Dr. Patel and others that I sort of forgot about Duncan. What a complete psycho asshole he turned out to be. I was happy with the way it wrapped up. I'm glad that Annie seems to be healing and working on herself. Bye-bye, Duncan. (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

Alaina wrote: "Part 3: [spoilers removed]"Yepppppp!