From the Bookshelf of J.D. Robb …

Before She Knew Him

Peter Swanson

Start date: June 1, 2019

Finish date: June 30, 2019

Discussion: Monthly Book Discussions

Discussion leader: Jonetta

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What Members Thought

Jun 11, 2019 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-suspense-thriller, audiobook, 2019-audiobook-challenge, publisher-review-request, 2019-in-2019, 5000-2019

Henrietta (Hen) Mazur and her husband Lloyd Harding are new residents of West Dartford, Massachusetts, a commuter suburb of Boston. When they attend a block party, they meet the only other childless couple, Matthew and Mira Dolamore, striking up a conversation and later meeting them at their home for dinner. During a tour of the home, Hen notices a distinctive but familiar sports trophy in Matthew’s office that sends chills through her. She believes it belongs to a murder victim whose case remai Henrietta (Hen) Mazur and her husband Lloyd Harding are new residents of West Dartford, Massachusetts, a commuter suburb of Boston. When they attend a block party, they meet the only other childless couple, Matthew and Mira Dolamore, striking up a conversation and later meeting them at their home for dinner. During a tour of the home, Hen notices a distinctive but familiar sports trophy in Matthew’s office that sends chills through her. She believes it belongs to a murder victim whose case remains unsolved.

I went into the story blind as I’ve read enough books by this author to know that I’ll read any new ones regardless of the premise. It’s really fun to just follow a story without preconceived notions of where it might go. Good thing because there are just as many unpredictable paths here as the tried and true. Hen is an intriguing character who has so many layers I wasn’t always certain I knew her, which is part of the mystery. Hers is the main narrative along with Matthew, who is equally fascinating, and his brother, Richard. The transitions between the three voices were perfectly choreographed in such a way that I rarely found good pause points. So, I just kept going!

I loved the two narrators, though Hen’s voice carried the heft of the story. Their storytelling skills were so good, using inflections in all the right places and infusing the appropriate emotions, or lack thereof, at critical junctures. They made me so happy with my decision to wait for the audio version.

I was completely enthralled by this story. You know there’s going to be a twisty move down the road because that’s typical of a Swanson tale and it’s just a matter of how big. It crept up on me gradually so I saw a bit of it coming but was unprepared for the last irony. There’s a point where I had no clue as to where the story would lead and just loved riding through the waves. This was a wonderful listening experience. 4.5 stars

(Thanks to HarperAudio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.) ...more

59 likes · Like · see review

Oct 26, 2019 Kris (My Novelesque Life) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-edelweiss, mystery, america, suspense, fiction, audiobook, psychological, elibrary

RATING: 4 STARS
2019; William Morrow/HarperCollins Canada

Yay, I liked Before She Knew Him! I read this one on audio and am so glad I did. I loved the narration of this story, (view spoiler) This novel opens up with a couple going over to their neighbour's home for dinner. What started out as good intentions and being nice neighbours turns into a twisted game of cat and mouse...only who is hunting wh ...more

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Jun 11, 2019 Charlene rated it liked it

Shelves: law-enforcement, crime, public-library, academia, suspense, adult-themes, health, rated-not-reviewed

3.5 stars, rounding down

I read this book and must say that none of the characters appealed to me. So the twists and turns of the plot and the final twist left me mostly unmoved and, actually, unbelieving that the author resorted to them. I don't know why I had this reaction, but there it is.

...more

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Jun 06, 2019 Jo Ann rated it liked it

Shelves: crime-mystery, thriller, book-group-read, 2019-read

The writing style makes for an easy read but my interest in the story waxed and waned. While I appreciate Hen's dilemma, none of the characters were that compelling so I didn't feel overly invested in the (predictable) outcome. Honestly, the ending just left me feeling...meh. ...more

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