read if you like: 📔 THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME 🔥 slow burn mysteries 🏡 family secrets summary: I loved THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME and was excited to get an early copy of Laura Dave’s next book to review! This story is about estranged siblings, Nora and Sam, who are reunited when their wealthy father, Liam Noone, falls off a cliff to his death. While it is ruled an accident, Sam reaches out to Nora, concerned that maybe it wasn’t an accident after all, and that their father was hiding something that led to his murder. Nora and Sam are deeply interesting characters who you quickly grow to like. I wish we learned more about their backstories and how their falling out originally occurred, but it was clear that wasn’t the focus of the story. The book does flash back every few chapters to Liam’s upbringing, spreading over several decades, and how his history contributed to his death. The mystery itself in this book is VERY compelling and easy to follow, and keeps you guessing until the very end. My reasons for the slightly lower rating are the speed of the story and the ending. It moves slower than most mysteries — and slower than her previous book — and while the book isn’t overly long, I wished it had moved a little quicker. The ending is also a little predictable — although still good, but not as much as a jaw dropper as her previous book. Overall though, if you liked THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME, you’ll love this thought-provoking mystery! Thanks to Simon Element and Net Galley for the advanced preview, and check this out when it releases on Sept 17!

this is my favorite book of Laura's and that's saying something after how much i loved The Last Thing He Told Me.

I read this book in 2 days - including its release date. I would’ve read it in 1 if I had the time. A little disappointed in the ending, but it’s so well-written with a wonderful storyline. I’ll read anything & everything by Laura Dave!!!

I didn't want this novel to end. Its a mystery and a family drama in one. even better than the last thing he told me with a twist I didn't see coming. wow. i loved it.

I recognize the time and effort put into every book written and perhaps it's just me and my particular taste but I could not get into this book. It was definitely not "pulse-pounding suspense". If anything, I was bored most of the time and it was difficult to keep the story straight will the ever-expanding cast of characters as the book went on. In some ways it felt as if this was a sequel and as such the readers should already be familiar with the characters. In other instances, brand new characters were introduced awkwardly just to get to a plot point. "Hey, random person, you went to school with my Dad decades ago right? Tell me a story which will lead to the next plot point." I was actually more interested in Liam and Cory's story chapters than the actual plot but they were so short. Be warned though, there are no shortage of romances and entanglements during this entire book. None of them feel meaningful or really go anywhere so Additionally the "mystery" was solved mostly through contrivances (see example above). Another one, Nora knocks on the door of the home her father lived in 20 years ago and the owner not only lets her in but lets her go into the nursery alone during which time she finds a clue. Even the solution to the mystery, the best part, didn't bring any satisfaction for me. *Thanks to NetGalley and S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books for an eARC*

First time I’ve read this author I really liked her writing. It was a mix of mystery and real understanding of a relationship between a man and a woman, a man and his children and choices made.

I’m more than a third of the way through this mystery about the death of Liam Samuel Noone, the thrice-married father of three, and developer and head “of the most sought-after luxury boutique hotel and resort empire in North America.” What caused him to fall to his death from the cliff just outside his seaside cottage in central California? Accident? Self-harm? Something more nefarious? Did it involve the family's resort business? A competitor? An enemy he might have made? Those are among the questions two of his adult children, Sam and Nora, set out together to answer. Never mind that they grew up in separate households and have spent no time together; or that Nora—who’s already succeeded as a “neuroarchitect,” designing spaces to benefit health and well-being—wants nothing to do with Sam, the company her father built, or any of her father’s wealth. What they share is the desire for answers. So far, it’s a very well-written book. There's plenty of conflict. The characters have depth. Their relationships, and the family dynamics and dysfunction, are compelling. The New York and California settings are well-described, giving us clear pictures of where we are and helping to involve us in the story. Main character Nora does do lots of internal ruminating about her losses and feelings. Sometimes it adds to the story. Sometimes it drags at it or gets in the way. Otherwise, I’m enjoying "The Night We Lost Him" and am wondering how many surprises might be in store. More later

I read this book almost straight through. Although other commenters mention it’s not really a thriller as they are marketed these days, it is suspenseful and a very compelling story. No, I was never afraid for the protagonist. Yes, I cared a lot about the unfolding story. And, as always with Laura Dave, great characters.