Audiobook ARC Review: A Debut Thriller

The One That Got Away with Murder by Trish Lundy

Read By: Helen Laser and Joshua Quinn

Publication Date: April 16, 2024

Summary from NetGalley:

Be careful who you fall for…

Robbie and Trevor Cresmont have a body count—the killer kind. Handsome and privileged, the Crestmont brothers have enough wealth to ensure they’ll never be found guilty of any wrongdoing, even if all of Happy Valley believes they’re behind the deaths of their ex-girlfriends. First there was soccer star Victoria Moreno, Robbie’s ex, who mysteriously drowned at the family lake house. Then, a year later, Trevor’s girlfriend died of a suspicious overdose.

But the Crestmonts aren’t the only ones with secrets. Lauren O’Brian might be the new girl at school, but she’s never been a good girl. With a dark past of her own, she’s desperate for a fresh start. Except when she starts a no-strings-attached relationship with Robbie, her chance is put in jeopardy. During what’s meant to be their last weekend together, Lauren stumbles across shocking evidence that just might implicate Robbie.

With danger closing in, Lauren doesn’t know who to trust. And after a third death rocks the town, she must decide whether to end things with Robbie or risk becoming another cautionary tale.

ARC provided by Macmillan Audio via NetGalley for an honest review.

Confession:

This was a very well done debut! It will be interesting to see what this author comes up with for her next book. This was an edge of your seat thriller that will keep you guessing until the end as to who the murderer is.

Lauren is a young lady suffering from a trauma that only recently happened. She and her mom have moved to a small town in order to start off fresh. But Lauren is not so sure that can happen, and is reluctant to get emotionally involved with anyone. She acts aloof and uncaring, but we the readers can see through her tough girl act to the scared and vulnerable girl underneath. She is smart though, and determined to solve the mysteries of what really happened to the young women who were murdered. I liked her relationship with Robbie, even though she tried to not get emotionally involved with him, you could tell that she was developing feelings for him, even when she thought he could have killed his previous girlfriend. The trauma from her past is slowly revealed over the course of the book, which frustrated me a little as I wanted to know more about it to help me develop a better idea as to who Lauren really was.

There is a nice supporting cast of characters, some who are of course suspects. I kind of liked Robbie, even during the times when I thought he was guilty. He did seem to have a heart of gold, even when he was trying to act the role of bad boy. There are some girls on the soccer team that are also important to the story. They initially give Lauren hell when they discover her relationship with Robbie, but they do turn around as they get to know her. Lauren’s mom is also a great character and they have a really nice relationship.

The plot is very compelling and very well written with some really good twists and red herrings that will keep you guessing who the true murderer is. The pacing is well done, with lots of nicely done dialogue. I could have perhaps done with a little less commentary on the soccer games, but that is just me. The final reveal of who the murderer is was nicely done, but there could have been a better explanation of the motive for the first murder.

The two readers do an excellent job. Most of the book is told through Lauren’s perspective, so we only hear from Joshua Quinn at the end. Helen Laser does an excellent job of voicing Lauren and all of the emotions that she goes through in this book. Joshua Quinn also does a great job as the voice of the killer. I would definitely choose an audiobook with them as the readers again.

Overall it was really hard to believe that this was a debut. It is an excellent thriller with lots of twists that you won’t see coming. The audiobook was also well done and one that I would recommend you give a listen to. I will be keeping an eye out for this author’s next book. I think she will be an author to watch.