Nothing More to Tell by Karen McManus
Publication Date: August 30, 2022
Summary from NetGalley:
Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favorite teacher—a story that made headlines after the teacher’s body was found by three Saint Ambrose students in the woods behind their school. The case was never solved. Now that Brynn is moving home and starting her dream internship at a true-crime show, she’s determined to find out what really happened.
The kids who found Mr. Larkin are her way in, and her ex–best friend, Tripp Talbot, was one of them. Without his account of events, the other two kids might have gone down for Mr. Larkin’s murder—but instead, thanks to Tripp, they’re now at the top of the Saint Ambrose social pyramid. Tripp’s friends have never forgotten what Tripp did for them that day, and neither has he. Just like he hasn’t forgotten that everything he told the police was a lie.
Digging into the past is bound to shake up the present, and when Brynn begins to investigate what happened in the woods that day, she uncovers secrets that might change everything—about Saint Ambrose, about Mr. Larkin, and about her ex-best friend, Tripp Talbot.
Four years ago someone got away with murder. More terrifying is that they might be closer than anyone thinks.
ARC provided by Delacorte Press via NetGalley for an honest review.
Confession:
This was another fantastic mystery/thriller by Karen McManus. All of her books have been great, but I think this one will be one of my favorites. The twists and many layers of the story were a little predictable, but the pacing and the characters is what really makes this a great read.
The story is told from only two points of view, Brynn and Tripp. I really enjoyed both of these characters and found their reconnection as friends and then more than friends a very nice touch to the story. Brynn is passionate about being a journalist and it shows in how she tackles the problem of finding out what happened in the woods four years ago. Tripp has always held a torch for Brynn and it was so sweet to see the two of them admit their feelings for each other. I really liked Tripp, even though there were some times when I thought he might be the killer. He has a tough life, his mother is something else, but he really wants to make something of himself.
There are a lot of secondary characters which added to the whole story. Many of them were suspects at one point or another, but several were just supports for Brynn and Tripp when things get complicated and tough for them. I loved Regina, Tripp’s boss and surrogate mother, she just cared so much about him, it was very sweet to see that kind of relationship. Ellie, Brynn’s sister, was also a delight and such a supportive sister. I loved how she solved one of the minor mysteries in the book with a magic kit.
The writing was flawless and so well paced that you will find yourself just flying through the pages. There are a lot of suspects, some with better motives than others, but it is interesting how the layers of the plot are peeled away until the final reveal. I also really liked that there were mentions of other McManus stories throughout. The true crime show internship was a nice way for Brynn to access details of the murder she otherwise wouldn’t have been privy to. Her coworkers were also a nice cast of characters, especially her boss.
If you are a McManus fan then this is a must read. If you have not read her books before this is a good one to start with.
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