Sixteen-year-old Julia Whitmire appeared to have everything: a famous father, a luxurious Manhattan town house, a coveted spot at the elite Casden prep school. When she is found dead in her bathtub, a handwritten suicide note left on her bed, her parents insist that their daughter would never take her own life.
But Julia’s enviable world was more complicated than it seemed. The pressure to excel at Casden was enormous. Abuse of prescription antidepressants and ADHD medication ran rampant among students; an unlabeled bottle of pills in Julia’s purse suggests she had succumbed to the trend. And a search of Julia’s computer reveals that in the days leading up to her death she was engaged in a dangerous game of cyberbullying against an unlikely victim.
NYPD detective Ellie Hatcher is convinced the case is a suicide, but she knows from personal experience that a loving family can be the last to accept the truth. When the Whitmires use their power to force a criminal investigation, Ellie’s resistance causes trouble for her both at work and in her personal life. As she is pressured to pursue a case she doesn’t believe in, she is pulled into Julia’s inner circle–an eclectic mix of overly precocious teenagers from Manhattan’s most privileged families as well as street kids from Greenwich Village. But when the target of Julia’s harassment continues to receive death threats, Ellie is forced to acknowledge that Julia may have learned the hard way that some secrets should never be told.
Received for Audio Review
Overall Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.00 (Not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: This is the 2nd Alafair Burke novel that I have read and I can now officially say that I am a fan girl! Never Tell hit all my thriller buttons!
What I Loved: This was one case that ended up going in several different directions before finally getting solved! Ellie and Rogan are probably one of my favorite detective duos. I love that they are not romantically involved and have a pretty good friendship. That basically means they can be real with each other. In this case, Rogan had to get real with Ellie and tell her she was getting in her own way. The methodical way that the case played out after that was brilliant. It kept me guessing almost to the very end!
What I Liked: I really liked the side characters of Casey and Ramona. I thought that playing out a case with teenagers involved was going to be annoying but these characters were written/portrayed at exactly where they would be in this stage in their life. Casey was specifically compelling and his story played out in a way that was satisfying.
What mad me go huh?: I was kind of surprised at how quick the timeline moved. I wouldn’t have noticed other than it was mentioned a few times.
Audio Review: The Audio was narrated by Eliza Foss and ran 10 hrs and 54 mins. I thought Eliza did a pretty good job with the pacing, accentuation, and characters. It only took a bit to warm up to her voice but by chapter 3 I was really enjoying the book. I will say that if you listen to the disk version that the music is a little annoying at the end of each disk. Also, the repeating of the last few lines from the disk before was unnecessary but that is not on the narrator. Overall this was a pretty good audio production.
Final Thought: Alafair Burke is slowly becoming one of my favorite mystery/thriller writers.
Felicia S
During her non-reading time you can find her hanging with her rescue furr children named after book characters: Lizzie a beautiful cattle dog mix (Pound Pup), Cinder a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Pound Pup), and Minerva a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Foster Fail). Gathering with friends and family, attending conventions, watching movies/tv shows, rooting for the 49rs, and crocheting.
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O I’ve never tried her work before.
I have another one of Burke’s books on my shelf I haven’t read yet (an ARC from last year, shame on me!), and this one also passed through my house during a giveaway I was doing. I really wanted to read it, but didn’t have the time. Her writing sounds SO GOOD, and I just love when bloggers are involved in stories.
OoooOOOh! ALL the triller buttons? Okay, you convinced me with just that. I gotta know now!!
Ive heard so many good things about this author and always wanted to give her a try…I think I will start ASAP..:)
She really does write a good story. I have read 2 in this series (totally out of order) and they each stand on their own!
I tend to avoid thrillers. I have a hard time dealing with the stress they cause, but I love that the duo here prove that you don’t have to be romantically involved to make a great team.
I don’t think you would like this one–the romance is non-existant and there is lots of stress causing moments 🙂 The partners at work without romance was really good though!
This author is definitely new to me, but I think I’ll have to check her out! I like thrillers, especially when they can creep me out or surprise me! Lol.
This one is twisty and part of it is based on someone “stalking” a blogger. Needless to say it kept me on my toes!
Lots of thrillers from you lately..and that voice in my head is telling me to take a leap and try something new
I am a moody reader so right now I am more of a stab, stab, stab kind of reader than a kiss, kiss, kiss kind of one LOL
Well that is lame that your real job is interfering with blogging. Hope you don’t go crazy. Love a good thriller and I would love to check this out. I am reading an interesting one right now called Gone Girl will have it up on Monday. Take care…hugs!
Yep I keep grabbing spare moments here and there to keep up with the blogging world. It hasn’t been to bad but I think next week will be horrible. That reminds me that I need to change that statement at the top.
While I’m not captured by the cover I love, the mystery sound of this one. Haven’t heard of this book or author but I might have to check her out.
She evidently is becoming a pretty big name in the thriller genre. Second book I have read from her and I like her writing style.
Great review Felicia, I am glad you enjoy audio books so much.
Lately they are all I have had time for because I can listen while at work 🙂
This sounds awesome – I need a thriller for a road trip later this month, so this is going on the list. And, yeah, I sometimes get annoyed by repetition and musical interludes at the beginning/end of CDs as well. Only slightly annoyed, though. 🙂 Great review.
This is the 2nd book I have listened to in this series and they are pretty good! I haven’t read them in order (obviously) and never felt lost. It is always mostly about the case!
Ooooo I think my sister in law would love this one! She’s a huge fan of all things thriller and I’m always on the lookout for suggestions for her:) Thanks for the recommendation Felicia!
I think if your sister liked thrillers then she would like A.B. It is very much in the Tess G. style of writing 🙂
I’ve never heard of Burke. I bet it is pretty hard to narrate a thriller book where pacing and delivery are very key to setting up the thrill factor.
She was new to me last year and so far I have liked the two books I have read by her! I am not sure how many are actually in the series so far 🙂