I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
What She Did by Carla Kovach Also by this author: The Next Girl, Her Final Hour, Her Pretty Bones, The Liar's House
Published by Bookouture on 20th September 2021
Genres: Crime, Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
Pages: 236
Format: eARC
Source: from Netgalley
Goodreads
Amazon Kindle
Marissa lives alone in her tiny one-bed apartment. It’s quiet and safe; all she’s ever wanted since the night her mother was killed in front of her. But when the police knock on her door with the news that her last remaining family member has been murdered, she comes face to face with the trauma she has spent a lifetime running from.
A witness saw her car outside his house that day, but Marissa knows she’s innocent. She hasn’t seen her uncle in years and remembers going to bed in her own home that night. But she’s had blackouts before and can’t always trust her memory.
Days later, Marissa’s neighbour is found dead in his home with stab wounds all over his body, exactly like her uncle. It was no secret that Marissa didn’t get on with her neighbour, but she’d never want to see him hurt. How can she convince the police that she isn’t a killer? And, as the secrets from her past take hold of her present, is there anyone in her small world she can trust?
As you read, you’ll believe every word Marissa says. You’ll think you know where to draw the line between innocence and guilt. But blame is a dangerous thing, and nothing is ever what it seems…
Perfect for fans of C.L. Taylor, Teresa Driscoll and Lisa Jewell, What She Did is a dark and twisty crime thriller that will keep you up all night!
Thank you to Bookouture for letting me take part in this tour and for my copy of this book via Netgalley. I love the Gina Harter series so I was excited to read another book of Carla’s but from outside of that series.
The beginning of this book read a bit like a women’s fiction novel. It was all very lovely. Marissa meeting her friend for dinner, getting a new client etc. Then it turned very sinister very quickly. I thought Carla did an excellent job of changing the tone and setting up the suspense.
I couldn’t decide if I like Marissa or not at times. She has obviously been through a lot and her mental state is severely damaged but there were times I thought she was a little bit of a wet fish but I had to keep reminding myself all that she had been through.
I had worked out some things by about halfway through but I wasn’t sure which way Marissa was going to go. Carla had me on the edge of my seat trying to guess what was going to happen next. Carla layered in the past really well with some chapters being now and others filling us in on relevant information for the next or previous chapter.
I enjoyed reading something a little different from Carla and I look forward to seeing what she gives us next.
About Carla Kovach
Carla Kovach was born in Birmingham, UK and now resides in Redditch, Worcestershire. Author of supernatural drama ‘Flame,’ psychological thriller ‘To Let,’ crime thriller ‘Whispers Beneath the Pines,’ and holiday comedy, ‘Meet Me at Marmaris Castle.’ Carla also writes stage and screenplays, some of which have been produced in the Worcestershire area. Her feature film ‘Penny for the Guy’ is being made and is set for release in 2019.
Her latest book, The Next Girl, has been published by Bookouture. It is the first in the DI Gina Harte crime series
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
@CKovachAuthor Thank you!
@bookouture Thanks, Emma! 🧡