What Never Happened by Rachel Howzell Hall

Available now

This book is amazing!

From the Publisher:

Colette “Coco” Weber has relocated to her Catalina Island home, where, twenty years before, she was the sole survivor of a deadly home invasion. All Coco wants is to see her aunt Gwen, get as far away from her ex as possible, and get back to her craft—writing obituaries. Thankfully, her college best friend, Maddy, owns the local paper and has a job sure to keep Coco busy, considering the number of elderly folks who are dying on the island.

But as Coco learns more about these deaths, she quickly realizes that the circumstances surrounding them are remarkably similar…and not natural. Then Coco receives a sinister threat in the mail: her own obituary.

As Coco begins to draw connections between a serial killer’s crimes and her own family tragedy, she fears that the secrets on Catalina Island might be too deep to survive. Because whoever is watching her is hell-bent on finally putting her past to rest.

I thoroughly enjoyed this twisty, gothic thriller set on the exclusive and idyllic Catalina Island. There is a lot going on in this novel - lots of characters, lots of side plotlines, lots of back story - and it all weaves together seamlessly to create a dark and sinister story of racism, gentrification, entitlement, and greed.

This book made me realize that nearly every gothic thriller I have ever read was historical. There is something about the contemporary setting that makes it feel far more scary and terrifying. The writing is so descriptive that you feel like you are sitting alongside Coco, questioning your own sanity and jumping at every noise in your own home. I never would have thought that a golf cart could feel ominous or an important tool in a person’s survival…but that' is how good the writing is.

What Never Happened is a compelling, haunting, thriller that will stick with you long after you turn the last page.

If you’re interested in adding this amazing book to your collection, you can click on the cover image above, or here, for ordering information.

Thank you the author and Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.