Not That I Could Tell: A Novel

Having loved Jessica Strawser's debut Almost Missed You, I was so excited to read this one ... and it did not disappoint! This expertly crafted, satisfyingly layered story follows two neighbors—Clara and Izzy—as they try to make sense of the disappearance of their neighbor/friend Kristin and her two children. While Kristin's disappearance is the undercurrent of tension running throughout the novel, the story is about so much more: a shocking event from Clara's own past, Izzy's broken heart and complicated relationship with her sister, and the unsettling realization that we never really know the people who live beside us. You'll be thinking about Clara, Izzy, and Kristin long after you've finished this book!

I generally love a good suspense novel, but one that revolves around a group of female neighbors and their missing friend? I am ALLLL about that! There's just something about a female cast that really gets a suspense novel going. I think it has a little to do with the fact that they all gossip a decent amount and try to solve the disappearance themselves. The women in this novel were all extremely likable and I found myself getting very invested in their outcomes.

There were a few moments that felt a little predictable, but they didn't ruin the novel for me. It felt more like the author was trying to lead the reader along the correct path rather than just handing them the answers and I really enjoyed that. I also thoroughly enjoyed the pacing of the novel. It was very well written and had the perfect amount of suspense and excitement.

All in all, Not That I Could Tell was an excellent suspense novel and I would highly recommend it to readers who enjoyed Big Little Lies. I look forward to reading more from Strawser in the future! Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Rating 4/5

The neighborhood women get together for a girls night. They all drink too much and enjoy a no kids evening. After the evening is over, one of the mothers disappears along with her children. Was she kidnapped, did she run, what exactly happened?

This is a very unique plot. The reader is kept guessing most of the way through it. Kristin could be in an abusive relationship. Maybe this is why she left. Maybe she was kidnapped. Maybe she just picked up and took her kids and said enough. All the women are questioned by the police. And none of them have a clue.

I was captivated by Kristin’s plight. However, this has a lot of domesticity in it, fixing of lunches, household chores, etc… I skimmed several places. Really didn’t have much to do with the story. It also did not take away from it either. Just was not something I was very interested in. But, the mystery behind Kristin’s disappearance kept me glued into this tale.

This novel has great characters which really add to story and I applaud the author for a creating a distinctive and uncommon plot!

I received this novel from Netgalley and the publisher for a honest review.

How well do you know your neighbors? How well do you know your own spouse? Six neighbors, girlfriends, gather for a fun night of drinks and laughs around one neighbor's new fire pit. The next morning, one of the girlfriends is missing with her kids, 4-year old twins. When her estranged husband shows up looking for the kids, the police get involved and some deep secrets are discovered that just encourage more questions.

Not That I Could Tell kept me guessing the entire read. I think during the book, at one point I thought each of the neighbors was involved, but never fathomed that the ending would be what it was (which I loved and could not have been more perfect). Predictable this book was not. Kudos to the author for telling the story in such a way that I had no clue as to the mystery until the last 10 pages.

I am hoping I can encourage my book club to read this novel, because their are so many details and themes to discuss. I can see them all sitting by the fire with a glass of wine, reading it in one sitting and cursing me at the same time. It's worth it.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Not that I Could Tell
By Jessica Strawser
Pub date: March 27, 2018

I thought the book was excellent. Good characters that you liked, rooted for and any mother could relate to. It all started when the ladies of the neighborhood found that the baby monitors worked so that they all could meet to relax with a glass of wine after the kids were in bed. Everything was great, maybe too much wine and too much information was shared, but when everyone left to go home for the evening all was well. In the morning one of the neighbors, Kristin, and her set of 4-year-old twins were gone. While Kristin and her soon to be divorced husband, Paul are really the meat of the story, there are other storylines going on. Their two close neighbors, Clara and Izzy try to understand what happened. There were lots of surprises in the book and the ending...well it was a surprise and really good. However, it left you feeling you might not know your neighbors as well as you think. Everyone has secrets. I rooted for all three ladies throughout the book. I still think about them! Isn’t that what a good author does. She did a great job!

Jessica Strawser is a new author for me, so I started reading with the thought that always comes to mind when trying a new author "Oh - I really hope I like this author". It didn't take long at all to find that I enjoy Strawser's writing style as she pulled me into the Yellow Springs, Ohio setting where a group of neighborhood women are enjoying a Saturday night get together around a fire pit. By Monday morning one of the women has disappeared and no one knows where she is. Were she and her twins taken? Did she just decide to leave of her own free will? What happened to Kristin? The police investigation doesn't seem to be turning up any clues and everyone could be considered a suspect. Definitely a mystery.

My favorite characters were Clara, Kristin's closest neighbor, and Hallie, a precocious preteen who decides she's going to publish a neighborhood newspaper. The story was absorbing and I wasn't certain what exactly had happened to Kristin until near the end. I'm really glad I didn't figure it out because that just ruins the story for me. The secret was well-kept.

NOT THAT I COULD TELL is riveting suspense from the first page, but what sets the story apart is the humanness of its characters. Beautifully nuanced, the group of women could be your friends, from your neighborhood—the ones you think you know. And the situation is one that could so easily happen. You could wake up after a girls’ night to learn that one of the women has vanished. Now you’re confronted by the police who have questions about her life and what may have led to her disappearance, and you can’t answer them. As thoughtful as it is real and compelling, this is a story that will keep you turning the pages to the utterly surprising end.

this was an amazing book! besides being set in yellow springs, ohio (where I own a bookstore),strawser has a firm grasp of the intricacies of friendships among mothers, their fears when one of their group goes suddenly missing with her two children, and creates really good portraits of the husbands, wives, children and singles in the neighborhood. with detectives and predatory ex-husbands....she still hits all the yellow springs points. frolicking in the glen in the moonlight (seriously!) with all kinds of folks (read it and see,) the wonderful radio station, WYSO, Antioch college. you will honestly feel like you had a vacation in ohio by the end of the book. one caveat, however. I read this on my computer which has not given me any problem before, but this book was jumbled - a paragraph or two out of place on every single page. maybe there were missing paragraphs or sentences, no way to tell. I would recommend getting the dead-tree version, just to be on the safe side.

3.5 stars
This was a quick, easy read that I devoured on a long car ride. I would categorize it under domestic suspense/women’s fiction, not mystery/suspense.

After the women in the neighborhood gather around the firepit for a fun evening of chatting and drinking wine, one of the women, Kristin, along with her two children are missing. Where are they and is her soon-to-be ex-husband, the handsome well-liked physician, responsible? The story builds slowly as we get to know each of the characters and their families. The disappearance of Kristen affects each of the women differently and we learn the background and personal issues that affect them. How well can we really know our neighbors?

There’s not a lot of tension as you would get in a traditional mystery, instead things are revealed slowly, and I had more questions than answers until the last 20% or so. I found the characters interesting, even when I found some of their actions inexplicable. The ending was a complete surprise! I enjoyed the author note at the end and appreciated her research into a very important and timely issue.

Recommended for fans of women’s fiction/domestic suspense.

*Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the book for review

‘Not That I Could Tell’ exemplifies the fact that nobody ever really knows what goes on behind closed doors. Kristin Kirkland’s neighbors thought they knew her well until one day she was missing. Questions arose as to whether she ran away to escape domestic violence, or if she was too late. It turned out that her neighbors didn’t really know her at all. I enjoyed how the author developed the relationships between the neighbors and I also enjoyed the slow build up of suspense until the satisfying conclusion. The author gave you just enough to keep you reading and keep you guessing.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book grew on me but I might have given up except that I was on a trip and it was the only book I had. The beginning chapters introduce way too many characters (a group of neighbor women), and names - theirs, their kids, spouses, and even sisters. My head was spinning. Plus the story hook - a neighbor and her two kids have left home and the worry is there was foul play - wasn't interesting to me in the way it was presented. And there is a lot of kid and mommy stuff (I live that, I don't need to read about it). But as I kept reading, sorted out the characters and such I found it more interesting even though I never did care much about the mystery or the suspense around the suspect. Another reviewer said it was very much a Moriarty type book, and I agree. it meanders but in the end does hang together. I mentally gave it two stars when I started the book, and maybe a five by the last page (has a nice ending).

While I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher, all opinions remain my own.

I thought this was an amazing suspense book. When the woman next door disappears right after a girls night of drinking and fun, no one knows quite what happens. Was it her possibly abusive husband, gone just a little too far or was it something else? This one kept me guessing right until the end. I thought for a while it might just leave me guessing and not end the story at all, but the author was kind and did give this book a conclusion, however vague and let me have some semblance of an ending in my life. There are still more questions then answers for me in the world of "Not That I Could Tell" but I still give it a solid 4.5 stars (rounded up to five). I found the characters interesting and the story line kept pulling me along, kept the pages turning, especially the last quarter of the book.

A group of friends gathers around the fire pit for an evening to gossip and drink wine without husbands and kids. What could be better than this for a group of young over-stressed women. Until the next morning when the police show up at each of their houses to tell them that one of their friends has disappeared. Kristin, the mother of twins and soon to be divorced wife of a doctor has disappeared with the kids and no one has a clue where she is, whether she left voluntarily or was forced. As the tension builds in the neighborhood due to police questioning and the media presence, we learn that each of the women has secrets that she hasn't shared with her friends. I really can't say much about the plot without a spoiler but I will say that this is a wonderful books. The characters are well written and were a great representation of women everywhere. The plot is fantastic and a real page turner. Don't think you have it all figured out too early in the book because you will be wrong. I highly recommend this one!

I received an advance copy from the publisher.

Uhm...well...yeah, finished this book, finally. It was my #botm back in March but I had a hard time getting into it. It was well written and had decently developed characters but just wasn’t my cup of tea.

First I think it could have been a much shorter story. Second it was very predictable, either that’s what the author wanted or I read way too many mystery genre novels. Third it just seemed to unfold very slowly. .
Many others have given this book rave reviews so as LeVar Burton would say, “you don’t have to take my word for it.”

Synopsis: a group of neighbors all get together for a wine night where everyone gets a little too tipsy to remember quite what happened. The next morning one of the ladies has completely disappeared, without a trace. This takes hold of the small little town and the media circus affects all the neighbors. Really how well do each of them know each other. Do you ever really know your neighbors?

I loved that this book was set in Yellow Springs, OH. I've been there several times and I could really picture this neighborhood and the park where Izzy went hiking. The Antioch College and little stores so clear in my mind. I'm not sure I would have liked this book if it were set somewhere else. I feel like this author was trying to write a story like Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. It was written just like Big Little Lies only not as well. From the mystery at the the beginning, to the school getting involved and the police interviews and the women in the neighborhood being best friends, and the tidbits of information at the beginning of each chapter. The more I think about it the more comparisons I can come up with. It was a good story, I liked the characters, but without Yellow Springs, I'm not sure I would have even finished.

First sentence: Ever wonder what your friends really think of you?
Last sentence: There were so many ways to begin again.

Goodness knows if I was questioned by the police after a night of drinking wine with my neighbors my memory would be pretty fuzzy. But that's exactly what happens to the women of Yellow Springs when one of their neighbor's Kristin and her twins disappear from the neighborhood with Kristin's mother's china in tow. Did Kristin leave of her own volition, or was something more sinister responsible for the disappearance. As the neighbors become more involved in the investigation, we learn more about their lives and when Kristen's estranged husband Dr. Paul moves back into her house the women's relationships fracture as their opinions differ regarding Dr. Paul's involvement in Kristin's disappearance.

Strawser weaves clues to what happened in Kristin's life in with the stories of how the disappearance affects each of her neighbors and her ex-husband. There's a twist at he end, while not SHOCKING, that I didn't see coming. Enjoyable read.

Thanks to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the ARC!

Not That I Could Tell is a story about a group of neighborhood women, who one night get together at a campfire and some secrets fly. The next day, one of them disappears with her kids while in the middle of the road and no one seems to remember a chunk of time from that night. This was an okay read, I was honestly wishing for something a bit more. I think in general this book would be much better read in the summer, because there is this whole summer feel of the book which does not work with dreary mood. I was hoping it would be more thrilling, but I am not sure I would consider this a thriller. The ending was definitely surprising, but at the same time giving how the characters reactions are written in the book, felt kind of thrown together. Overall, this is a decent summer read.

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Here's a book that under a lot of circumstances, I might never have read. I've seen it categorized as "women's fiction" and although the lead characters are women, that categorization is much too narrow. It's very suspenseful and presents an interesting twist on f a few well used plot techniques. The characters are all unique, and I think the author did a great job keeping them from falling into stereotypes. In the small group of friends, there's the same-sex couple, the single woman, the happily married stay-at-home mom with a dark secret, and the woman who is the center of the plot, but not the story... (trying to write without spoilers). Any one or all of these characters could have been written in a very stereotypical model, but they weren't. That, along with the plot, kept me reading. I will say, half way through I was sure I had figured out the twist, and I was wrong... I'm glad I read it and I'll look for more from the author, this is the first of hers I've read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this book.

The author does a great job of painting this cozy neighborhood of families who get together, and especially the women - most of them with secrets.

I could picture the bonfire and the women sitting around talking, drinking, and sharing their everyday lives. All of this happens the night before one of them disappears. While Kristin is barely mentioned in the story, her disappearance is the plot of this intriguing story. What happened to her? And why?

Her husband, Paul, is a fine, upstanding doctor until the underbelly of their marriage is exposed. Through the eyes of several of the women (Clara and Izzy are main ones), we see all different facets of what they believe happened, and why they've made these decisions, mostly based on things that happened to them in the past.

It's a great book that will keep you guessing!

It’s a mystery to her neighbors what exactly happened to Kristin and her young twins. The night before all the neighbor women were enjoying a rare night “out” around a backyard fire-pit and the next day Kristin and her kids had disappeared. Each woman will examine her own version of what transpired as they, along with the local PD, try to solve the mystery.

The background of each neighbor is examined. This sometimes had me hoping the pace would step up a bit but the author held it steady as the plot unfolded. There were times, interactions at the local school – to name one, when I laughed. Relatable kernels of real life I guess. It really seemed like more of a character study for most of the novel until things revved up near the end. I’m ok with that and smiled as I turned the last page. I enjoyed Jessica Strawser’s style of telling her story and look forward to her next novel. *Review copy from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley

Suburban suspense at its best.

Told from two viewpoints about a neighbor’s disappearance, this book is a page-turner of the highest degree with intriguing characters. I wasn’t sure at any given time that I knew exactly what had happened which made the ride that much more enjoyable.

Even the secondary characters had subplots that kept me interested. I loved the many degrees of friendship that were showcased within the story and how the crisis brought them closer together.

Izzy’s self-realization was great. Benny was a dream. Clara was the kind of friend everyone should be lucky to get. Hallie was a kick. Great characters equals great book!

This is the perfect read while you’re waiting for another Liane Moriority book to release. And then you’ll have to wait for another Jessica Strawser book to come out. Oh, the agony.

I received an advanced reader copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

What a great book. I highly enjoyed Strawser's sophomore novel, so much, in fact, that I read it every spare moment I had. If you like Liane Moriarty's novels, then I can really see you losing yourself in this one as well. I recently watched the TV adaptation of Big Little Lies, and the entire time reading Not That I Could Tell, I kept picturing Reese Witherspoon at the helm of this novel as Clara. I really connected with the characters and firmly believe that Strawser has an uncanny ability to make situations and lives that, though unfamiliar to my own, feel familiar and relatable. It's a skill that sucks me into a novel and takes me along for all the twists, turns, and page-turning surprises (which this novel most certainly has). I highly recommend!

I received a galley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Not That I Could Tell. I usually enjoy a good domestic drama and this one had the perfect mix of women’s fiction, suspense (what happened to Kristin?) and an ending that definitely took me by surprise.

The story is told in alternating viewpoints between Clara and Izzy, but ultimately this is a story of friendship, family and of course, secrets. The writing style appealed to me and I liked the different mix of characters. I also liked how Strawser was able to develop the minor characters so that you really got a sense of who they were without spending too much of the story on them. It was done really well.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of Women’s fiction and it would probably be a good pick for a book club.

I received a free e-copy of this book and have chosen to write an honest and unbiased review. I have no personal affiliation with the author. A neighbor disappears in the middle of the night with her twins and the money from an insurance policy. She has recently separated from her second husband. Did she leave or is she dead? Why did she leave? Is her gynecologist husband abusive? Where did she go? What really happened? There are deep, dark secrets and a pleasant surprise ending that I didn’t see coming. This is a well-written novel with excellent character development and a great plot. The author kept me guessing right up until the end. This is a great story and well worth the read. I look forward to reading more from Jessica Strawser in the future.

This is definitely one of my favorite books so far of 2018. It's a psychological thriller, yet a domestic one that sucks you into the neighborhood of friends where the story takes place. You know these neighbors and friends almost immediately, but it builds from there, as if they really are your friend because it's very believable the entire way through.

When one friend and her two children are nowhere to be found after a fun night around the fire on the outdoor patio, everyone is stunned. Plot twists, interesting characters join in to the already eclectic bunch. I never saw it coming. A wonderful novel by Jessica Strawser. 5 big stars. I see a bestseller in the works.

I just reviewed Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser. #NetGalley

I loved her first novel so I knew this one would be good and it did not disappoint! When friends have a "girls' night" at one of their homes, they have no idea that by the next morning one of them will have disappeared with her twins. Because she's going through a divorce, there is speculation about what could possibly have happened and suspicion initially turns to her doctor husband, but with no leads the investigation eventually meets a dead-end. But the novel focuses on her friends and how they react to her disappearance. Dealing with themes of family, friendship, love, betrayal, and domestic violence, this novel reveals relationships at their best (and worst) but is well-written and deeply satisfying!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC

I read for a honest review for St.Martins Press & NetGalley. This was my first book from Ms.Strawser and won't be my last.I love the cover,is what attracted me first to this book,the storyline was well written with a cast of neighbors getting together over a glass of wine around a fire pit and sharing their day with each other until the next morning when they resume their daily tasks and find out someone from the night before is missing along with her two children.The police are brought in to question everyone but the husband is always the first suspect but being a prominent Dr. But after all he's the ex husband now but did he have anything to do with it?You will have to 1-click this exciting thriller to find out what happened to Kristin.

I got caught up in this book right from the beginning! It's the story of some women in a neighborhood and what happens when one of them disappears with her children. Her soon-to-be ex-husband is a person of interest, but no one knows if she left on her own and if she is even still alive. Some of the chapters begin with a first person narrator who isn't identified immediately. The rest of the book is limited third person narrative focusing in on two of the neighbor ladies
I liked that the characters were all three dimensional, with their own lives and problems beyond the central story of Kristin's disappearance.
This book was exciting and absorbing and intriguing, I am glad I read it, and definitely recommend that others do too.
I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

One saturday night, a group of neighborhood women get together sitting around a backyard fire pit. With lots of wine and laughter, it's a rare treat to be kid-free. On monday, one of the woman along with her 2 young children have disappeared.

Not That I Could Tell is a slow burner suspense. What happened to Kristin and the twins? Did her estranged husband do something to her and his kids? The story kept me intrigued but I was a little disappointed with the ending. There was build up but no big surprise ending. Kind of a let down for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of Jessica Strawser's "Not That I Could Tell" in exchange of an honest review.

"Not That I Could Tell" was a fascinating look into neighborhood gossip after a woman and her twin toddlers disappear. The story begins right after the disappearance and alternates third person limited perspectives between Izzy and Clara who are neighbors of Kristin (the woman who disappeared). Scattered throughout are first person perspectives of Kristin which add to the mystery. Kristin was going through a divorce with the handsome OBGYN, Paul, who appeared to be a very charming man. The women of the neighborhood, Izzy, Clara, Kristin, and the lesbian couple around the corner (who were characters I would have loved to hear more from) had met up for a night somewhat away from their children to drink wine and chat. The next day, Kristin was missing, and no one had expected this.

Add to this sudden disappearance, the evidence that keeps appearing- and how little the women actually knew Kristin, and the mystery grows. What happened to Kristin? Did Paul have anything to do with it? The mystery makes this book an intense page-turner. The two characters that we explore are quite different and fascinating in their own right. Izzy is a radio show producer who works on a morning show that is fluffy and ridiculous- the segments people love most are the ones she hates the most (the second date update). She moved to the small town of Yellow Springs to get away from her sister and her sister's new husband- the man that she loves. Izzy is slowly dealing with her own problems and feels for Paul, who was left behind, much as she was.

Clara is the consummate stay-at-home mother, who cares for her two little ones and is always there for the other women of the neighborhood. She has a great husband who complements her personality in many ways. Clara witnessed a horrible event in the past that has colored her view of the current events. Although Kristin was closest to Clara (their children frequently played together and they were next-door neighbors after all), Clara is learning that she really knew very little about her. Clara is our biggest source of information about the ongoing investigation. She is certainly easy to like and empathize with, and I really enjoyed reading her perspective.

Overall, this was a fascinating page-turner that engages you with neighborhood gossip along with a heavy mystery. I absolutely loved reading this book until the satisfying conclusion- it really gave you a lot to think about- not only about the mystery but also about what our obligations are to our neighbors and what really makes a good neighbor. The main characters were perfect selections, and I really became entrenched in their stories. The way it is written, you almost feel like you could live in that neighborhood and be experiencing all this gossip- it's really well done. I highly recommend to anyone who likes missing person stories and mysteries!

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Book Info
Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: March 27th 2018 by St. Martin's Press
ISBN 1250107881 (ISBN13: 9781250107886)
Other Editions (4)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB

When a group of neighborhood women gathers, wine in hand, around a fire pit where their backyards meet one Saturday night, most of them are just ecstatic to have discovered that their baby monitors reach that far. It’s a rare kid-free night, and they’re giddy with it. They drink too much, and the conversation turns personal.

By Monday morning, one of them is gone.

Everyone knows something about everyone else in the quirky small Ohio town of Yellow Springs, but no one can make sense of the disappearance. Kristin was a sociable twin mom, college administrator, and doctor’s wife who didn’t seem all that bothered by her impending divorce—and the investigation turns up more questions than answers, with her husband, Paul, at the center. For her closest neighbor, Clara, the incident triggers memories she thought she’d put behind her—and when she’s unable to extract herself from the widening circle of scrutiny, her own suspicions quickly grow. But the neighborhood’s newest addition, Izzy, is determined not to jump to any conclusions—especially since she’s dealing with a crisis of her own.

As the police investigation goes from a media circus to a cold case, the neighbors are forced to reexamine what’s going on behind their own closed doors—and to ask how well anyone really knows anyone else.

My Thoughts

Kristin's disappearance was the impetus for the women in her neighborhood to examine the person she seemed to be with the person she turned out to be when the story ended.

In the beginning the story plot was not exactly clear to me but as it moved on and developed more fully it became easier to see where things were going. Until it took some unexpected turns that kind of muddied the water for me a bit and then things came back into focus for the rest of the book.

Further into what became not only a mystery to solve but also a chance for change and personal growth for the characters we actually anticipate what happens next prior to it taking place. In some instances my suppositions were correct and in others not so much.

I will go so far as to say the very predictability of the plot lent itself to becoming less so than expected and more then hoped for when started the book.

A tale of friendships, forced deceptions and new beginnings this was one of those books you just have to finish once you start. Sadly when it is over it comes to a close too quickly.

[EArc from Netgalley]

4.5 Dramarama Stars ????.5

This was a really fun read for me..... set in small town Ohio where the houses were as eclectic as the citizens..... whenever I read a book that takes place in a small town I always feel a little jealous, having lived in major cities my entire life..... and Yellow Springs was so picturesque and ideal, just the place you’d want to raise your family.....

The neighbor ladies get together for a girls night out.... kid free and husband free... The wine is flowing, the fire is burning, and the tongues are loose..... and the next day Kristin is gone along with her twins... did she leave of her own volition? Or has something more sinister happened?

This book really was about Clara and Izzy and how they coped with the disappearance of their friend/neighbor..... I really liked both of these ladies and related to them both in very different ways.... Clara is a stay at home mother with a fabulous husband (I must say) raising two kids and trying to be the best mom she possibly can.... Izzy oh Izzy... my heart broke for you girl! Caught in an impossible situation filled with regret... fighting her way back.... I really loved her character growth in this book... and I actually would appreciate another book with her to see where she goes from here......

I loved being the nosy neighbor without having to leave the comfort of my own home or peak out my window..... I loved getting a glimpse into all these characters lives... the good, the bad, and the ugly.... and a very special mention needs to go out to the very precocious 12-year-old Nancy Drew A.k.a. Hallie.... there were some times during this book I absolutely felt as though she was more in touch with what was going on then the adults... and the girl had spirit!

Absolutely recommend two fans of domestic thrillers with a slower pace.... this book didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat however I really wanted to know what was going on and The sooner the better....

*** thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book ***

A few days ago, I read Ms. Strawser's debut novel and enjoyed it. When I picked up her second, I was wondering if it would be as good. In my opinion, it is better than her debut novel. I found the story structure to be 'tighter' making for a faster read. But more importantly, I thought her characters in this novel had more depth, making the book better overall. I do disagree with some sites that categorize her books as thriller/suspense. While both books have a mystery to be resolved, I find her strength to be in the interaction/reacton and growth of her characters. I will definitely be looking for her next novel to be published.

Women enjoying a care-free night, a night that turned into telling too many personal things, and then a morning that turned out badly.

The women of Yellow Springs and their specific neighborhood were all busy with work and children and enjoyed spending time with each other, but did they really know each other?

They all questioned themselves the morning that Kristin was found missing along with her twins, her mother's china, and a million dollars.

Her estranged husband moved right into the house and kept a vigil as he waited along with the neighborhood. Did he have anything to hide, was he the reason for Kristin's leaving, or did she leave for her own reasons?

The police questioned everyone in the neighborhood and school. Meanwhile two of the neighbors had some problems of their own. Clara had something in her past that still haunted her, and Izzy had her sister's husband as her problem.

We follow along as the police and the community try to figure out what would have made Kristin leave, where she is, and is she safe?

Each chapter was headed with statements that left obscure clues but clues that kept you guessing who the unidentified character was and what they had to do with the situation.

NOT THAT I COULD TELL moved smoothly along with enough hints at what may have happened, that you felt for the characters and wanted to be there to join in the investigation and in their lives.

NOT THAT I COULD TELL was an intriguing, tension-filled mystery that increased in intensity as the secrets and surprises were revealed along with other underlying themes.

If you enjoy guessing and wondering, you will enjoy Jessica Strawser's newest book. 4/5

This book was given to me as an Advanced Reader by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This book hooked me right from the get-go. It reminded me of Catherine McKenzie's Fractured, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. and would be perfect for Liane Moriarty fans, The town of Yellow Springs is like anywhere-town USA and the group of friends/neighbors involved in the drama could have been anyone's neighbors.That's what makes the story so plausible. I think I had figured out who-dun-it, but I still wanted to find out what happened in the end. Another hallmark of a well written book. I think this will be a popular read and will be a great book club pick. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser is an interesting story, one that will have you wondering what happened. A group of neighborhood women get together on a Saturday evening to drink some wine and visit with each other around the fire pit, all without kids (baby monitors) or husbands. On Monday, it is discovered that one of the woman and her twins are missing. The story explores the women and their relationships. Throughout the story, the reader gets to know all of the women and their own personal issues quite well. In fact, I would say this book is more about relationships than the mystery of what happened to Kristen.

What a fabulous book. I’m so glad I carved out some time to devote to reading because once I started it, there was no putting this one down. There’s so much I want to write about but I don’t want to give anything away. So instead I will just say that this one kept me flipping pages. I adored the characters and the writing was flawless and brilliant and I finished the book with a sigh and a smile. It was perfection!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a brilliantly written story that keeps you turning the pages as quickly as you can and leaves you very happy that you read it. I loved this one!

This book was very readable without ever being particularly interesting, original, or suspenseful. I grew up in Fairborn, so reading about Yellow Springs was a delight, but the rest of the boom was underwhelming. I'm not sure what went wrong, though. My theories are: there was too much telling and not enough showing. Izzy's motivation for trusting who she did initially never quite made sense. There was a subplot with Izzy's sister that wasn't particularly interesting or relevant to the plot. The initiating event never seemed to generate much emotion in the characters beyond gossipy interest. And the most fatal--there was absolutely no suspense. It was very obvious all along who the bad guy was. The red herrings designed to throw the reader off were too flimsy to disguise it. Sure, there was the question of HOW bad the bad guy was, but that's not really enough to drive the plot of a novel.

But like I said: readable. Like pudding that you wish was creme brûlée--and you probably wouldn't order again--but was enjoyable enough to warrant 3 stars.

I thought this was an excellent book! Some reviewers said it was predictable. Yes, it was, but it was supposed to be; that's what made the tense parts so good. I thought the characters were pretty well fleshed out, except of course, for the missing woman. The ending was great; unexpected, and gave a sense of relief to the reader. I will look forward to reading more books by this author!

Jessica Strawser brings us an intriguing tale about loveable people that feel like good friends. This is a fast read, an interesting puzzle, and a sound ending. Involving family violence, there are authentic assists offered both as advice and an afterword. We all know someone who needs help, either literally or figuratively. This novel is a good wake-up-call and how-to-guide, masquerading as an excellent novel.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Jessica Strawser, and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

I got caught up in this book right from the beginning! It's the story of some women in a neighborhood and what happens when one of them disappears with her children. Her soon-to-be ex-husband is a person of interest, but no one knows if she left on her own and if she is even still alive. Some of the chapters begin with a first person narrator who isn't identified immediately. The rest of the book is limited third person narrative focusing in on two of the neighbor ladies
I liked that the characters were all three dimensional, with their own lives and problems beyond the central story of Kristin's disappearance.
This book was exciting and absorbing and intriguing, I am glad I read it, and definitely recommend that others do too.
I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

One saturday night, a group of neighborhood women get together sitting around a backyard fire pit. With lots of wine and laughter, it's a rare treat to be kid-free. On monday, one of the woman along with her 2 young children have disappeared.

Not That I Could Tell is a slow burner suspense. What happened to Kristin and the twins? Did her estranged husband do something to her and his kids? The story kept me intrigued but I was a little disappointed with the ending. There was build up but no big surprise ending. Kind of a let down for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of Jessica Strawser's "Not That I Could Tell" in exchange of an honest review.

"Not That I Could Tell" was a fascinating look into neighborhood gossip after a woman and her twin toddlers disappear. The story begins right after the disappearance and alternates third person limited perspectives between Izzy and Clara who are neighbors of Kristin (the woman who disappeared). Scattered throughout are first person perspectives of Kristin which add to the mystery. Kristin was going through a divorce with the handsome OBGYN, Paul, who appeared to be a very charming man. The women of the neighborhood, Izzy, Clara, Kristin, and the lesbian couple around the corner (who were characters I would have loved to hear more from) had met up for a night somewhat away from their children to drink wine and chat. The next day, Kristin was missing, and no one had expected this.

Add to this sudden disappearance, the evidence that keeps appearing- and how little the women actually knew Kristin, and the mystery grows. What happened to Kristin? Did Paul have anything to do with it? The mystery makes this book an intense page-turner. The two characters that we explore are quite different and fascinating in their own right. Izzy is a radio show producer who works on a morning show that is fluffy and ridiculous- the segments people love most are the ones she hates the most (the second date update). She moved to the small town of Yellow Springs to get away from her sister and her sister's new husband- the man that she loves. Izzy is slowly dealing with her own problems and feels for Paul, who was left behind, much as she was.

Clara is the consummate stay-at-home mother, who cares for her two little ones and is always there for the other women of the neighborhood. She has a great husband who complements her personality in many ways. Clara witnessed a horrible event in the past that has colored her view of the current events. Although Kristin was closest to Clara (their children frequently played together and they were next-door neighbors after all), Clara is learning that she really knew very little about her. Clara is our biggest source of information about the ongoing investigation. She is certainly easy to like and empathize with, and I really enjoyed reading her perspective.

Overall, this was a fascinating page-turner that engages you with neighborhood gossip along with a heavy mystery. I absolutely loved reading this book until the satisfying conclusion- it really gave you a lot to think about- not only about the mystery but also about what our obligations are to our neighbors and what really makes a good neighbor. The main characters were perfect selections, and I really became entrenched in their stories. The way it is written, you almost feel like you could live in that neighborhood and be experiencing all this gossip- it's really well done. I highly recommend to anyone who likes missing person stories and mysteries!

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Book Info
Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: March 27th 2018 by St. Martin's Press
ISBN 1250107881 (ISBN13: 9781250107886)
Other Editions (4)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB

When a group of neighborhood women gathers, wine in hand, around a fire pit where their backyards meet one Saturday night, most of them are just ecstatic to have discovered that their baby monitors reach that far. It’s a rare kid-free night, and they’re giddy with it. They drink too much, and the conversation turns personal.

By Monday morning, one of them is gone.

Everyone knows something about everyone else in the quirky small Ohio town of Yellow Springs, but no one can make sense of the disappearance. Kristin was a sociable twin mom, college administrator, and doctor’s wife who didn’t seem all that bothered by her impending divorce—and the investigation turns up more questions than answers, with her husband, Paul, at the center. For her closest neighbor, Clara, the incident triggers memories she thought she’d put behind her—and when she’s unable to extract herself from the widening circle of scrutiny, her own suspicions quickly grow. But the neighborhood’s newest addition, Izzy, is determined not to jump to any conclusions—especially since she’s dealing with a crisis of her own.

As the police investigation goes from a media circus to a cold case, the neighbors are forced to reexamine what’s going on behind their own closed doors—and to ask how well anyone really knows anyone else.

My Thoughts

Kristin's disappearance was the impetus for the women in her neighborhood to examine the person she seemed to be with the person she turned out to be when the story ended.

In the beginning the story plot was not exactly clear to me but as it moved on and developed more fully it became easier to see where things were going. Until it took some unexpected turns that kind of muddied the water for me a bit and then things came back into focus for the rest of the book.

Further into what became not only a mystery to solve but also a chance for change and personal growth for the characters we actually anticipate what happens next prior to it taking place. In some instances my suppositions were correct and in others not so much.

I will go so far as to say the very predictability of the plot lent itself to becoming less so than expected and more then hoped for when started the book.

A tale of friendships, forced deceptions and new beginnings this was one of those books you just have to finish once you start. Sadly when it is over it comes to a close too quickly.

[EArc from Netgalley]

4.5 Dramarama Stars ????.5

This was a really fun read for me..... set in small town Ohio where the houses were as eclectic as the citizens..... whenever I read a book that takes place in a small town I always feel a little jealous, having lived in major cities my entire life..... and Yellow Springs was so picturesque and ideal, just the place you’d want to raise your family.....

The neighbor ladies get together for a girls night out.... kid free and husband free... The wine is flowing, the fire is burning, and the tongues are loose..... and the next day Kristin is gone along with her twins... did she leave of her own volition? Or has something more sinister happened?

This book really was about Clara and Izzy and how they coped with the disappearance of their friend/neighbor..... I really liked both of these ladies and related to them both in very different ways.... Clara is a stay at home mother with a fabulous husband (I must say) raising two kids and trying to be the best mom she possibly can.... Izzy oh Izzy... my heart broke for you girl! Caught in an impossible situation filled with regret... fighting her way back.... I really loved her character growth in this book... and I actually would appreciate another book with her to see where she goes from here......

I loved being the nosy neighbor without having to leave the comfort of my own home or peak out my window..... I loved getting a glimpse into all these characters lives... the good, the bad, and the ugly.... and a very special mention needs to go out to the very precocious 12-year-old Nancy Drew A.k.a. Hallie.... there were some times during this book I absolutely felt as though she was more in touch with what was going on then the adults... and the girl had spirit!

Absolutely recommend two fans of domestic thrillers with a slower pace.... this book didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat however I really wanted to know what was going on and The sooner the better....

*** thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book ***

A few days ago, I read Ms. Strawser's debut novel and enjoyed it. When I picked up her second, I was wondering if it would be as good. In my opinion, it is better than her debut novel. I found the story structure to be 'tighter' making for a faster read. But more importantly, I thought her characters in this novel had more depth, making the book better overall. I do disagree with some sites that categorize her books as thriller/suspense. While both books have a mystery to be resolved, I find her strength to be in the interaction/reacton and growth of her characters. I will definitely be looking for her next novel to be published.

Women enjoying a care-free night, a night that turned into telling too many personal things, and then a morning that turned out badly.

The women of Yellow Springs and their specific neighborhood were all busy with work and children and enjoyed spending time with each other, but did they really know each other?

They all questioned themselves the morning that Kristin was found missing along with her twins, her mother's china, and a million dollars.

Her estranged husband moved right into the house and kept a vigil as he waited along with the neighborhood. Did he have anything to hide, was he the reason for Kristin's leaving, or did she leave for her own reasons?

The police questioned everyone in the neighborhood and school. Meanwhile two of the neighbors had some problems of their own. Clara had something in her past that still haunted her, and Izzy had her sister's husband as her problem.

We follow along as the police and the community try to figure out what would have made Kristin leave, where she is, and is she safe?

Each chapter was headed with statements that left obscure clues but clues that kept you guessing who the unidentified character was and what they had to do with the situation.

NOT THAT I COULD TELL moved smoothly along with enough hints at what may have happened, that you felt for the characters and wanted to be there to join in the investigation and in their lives.

NOT THAT I COULD TELL was an intriguing, tension-filled mystery that increased in intensity as the secrets and surprises were revealed along with other underlying themes.

If you enjoy guessing and wondering, you will enjoy Jessica Strawser's newest book. 4/5

This book was given to me as an Advanced Reader by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.
When four neighborhood friends get to spend a Saturday night together, they are just glad to have some free time without kids or chores. Everything is fine until the next morning. Three of the friends discover one of their friends, Kristen and her two children, have disappeared. This is the story of what happened to them and how their disappearance affects the neighborhood.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the way the author revealed what happened to Kristen a little at a time. I read almost the whole book before I figured out what happened to them. The ending is superb!

This book hooked me right from the get-go. It reminded me of Catherine McKenzie's Fractured, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. and would be perfect for Liane Moriarty fans, The town of Yellow Springs is like anywhere-town USA and the group of friends/neighbors involved in the drama could have been anyone's neighbors.That's what makes the story so plausible. I think I had figured out who-dun-it, but I still wanted to find out what happened in the end. Another hallmark of a well written book. I think this will be a popular read and will be a great book club pick. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser is an interesting story, one that will have you wondering what happened. A group of neighborhood women get together on a Saturday evening to drink some wine and visit with each other around the fire pit, all without kids (baby monitors) or husbands. On Monday, it is discovered that one of the woman and her twins are missing. The story explores the women and their relationships. Throughout the story, the reader gets to know all of the women and their own personal issues quite well. In fact, I would say this book is more about relationships than the mystery of what happened to Kristen.

A young mother and her twin children living in a small neighborly suburb suddenly disappear. Kristin’s soon to be ex-husband Paul is the obvious suspect but things aren’t necessarily as they appear and there are 300 more pages to read. Each of Kristin’s neighbor friends has a story of their own to tell and their thoughts, secrets and truths unfold as the investigation into Kristin’s disappearance builds and changes. What appeared to be a cut-and-dried case is not so clear after-all and my theory kept changing. What a clever page-turner with some great character dynamics and a few twisties that sucked me in and kept me guessing through to the end.

What a fabulous book. I’m so glad I carved out some time to devote to reading because once I started it, there was no putting this one down. There’s so much I want to write about but I don’t want to give anything away. So instead I will just say that this one kept me flipping pages. I adored the characters and the writing was flawless and brilliant and I finished the book with a sigh and a smile. It was perfection!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a brilliantly written story that keeps you turning the pages as quickly as you can and leaves you very happy that you read it. I loved this one!

This book was very readable without ever being particularly interesting, original, or suspenseful. I grew up in Fairborn, so reading about Yellow Springs was a delight, but the rest of the boom was underwhelming. I'm not sure what went wrong, though. My theories are: there was too much telling and not enough showing. Izzy's motivation for trusting who she did initially never quite made sense. There was a subplot with Izzy's sister that wasn't particularly interesting or relevant to the plot. The initiating event never seemed to generate much emotion in the characters beyond gossipy interest. And the most fatal--there was absolutely no suspense. It was very obvious all along who the bad guy was. The red herrings designed to throw the reader off were too flimsy to disguise it. Sure, there was the question of HOW bad the bad guy was, but that's not really enough to drive the plot of a novel.

But like I said: readable. Like pudding that you wish was creme brûlée--and you probably wouldn't order again--but was enjoyable enough to warrant 3 stars.

I thought this was an excellent book! Some reviewers said it was predictable. Yes, it was, but it was supposed to be; that's what made the tense parts so good. I thought the characters were pretty well fleshed out, except of course, for the missing woman. The ending was great; unexpected, and gave a sense of relief to the reader. I will look forward to reading more books by this author!

Jessica Strawser brings us an intriguing tale about loveable people that feel like good friends. This is a fast read, an interesting puzzle, and a sound ending. Involving family violence, there are authentic assists offered both as advice and an afterword. We all know someone who needs help, either literally or figuratively. This novel is a good wake-up-call and how-to-guide, masquerading as an excellent novel.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Jessica Strawser, and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

A fast paced, beach read that’s a little on the soapy side. With an interesting cast of characters and told in two different voices, it was quite good. How well do you know your neighbors? What really happened to Kristen? If you enjoy a little drama in the neighborhood, you’ll enjoy this book! Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The beginning of Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser is a little confusing with a lot of characters to "get to know". Once into the story Ms Strawser makes the reader feel as if they were part of the neighborhood and personally know the neighbors. Not That I Could Tell quickly becomes a page turner with some edge of the seat moments. I was given an early copy to review.

I am totally digging the story telling abilities of Jessica Strawser. This book is about neighbors/ friends and their reactions and the aftermath when one of them disappears with her twin children overnight. What a page turning mystery that I just couldn’t put down until I got to the bottom of it.
Then, just when I thought I had everything figured out, bam!! I never saw that coming! This is such a good book! The characters are wonderful especially those we get to know the most like Izzy and Clara.
I am such a fan of this author and I look forward to more from her!

When overworked and over obligated mothers get a night off, what is on the agenda? WINE, FIREPITS, and ROUND ROBIN CONFESSIONS. Sounds exactly like my kind of night!!! This backyard social at Clara's home just before summer has ended is what pulled me into this book, but what kept me flipping pages was how these Yellow Springs, Ohio moms protect each other when disaster hits their small community.
I must admit ... the parallels to Big Little Lies are very similar. We see the setting is one of an upper middle class neighborhood with the excessively politically correct preschool just right down the street. Everyone seems to be hiding their own secrets and yes, there is a surprise ending. Strawser does a nice job providing a "drop your jaw" wrap up and makes you feel like you've invested your time well in knowing these strong women.
One hint: Be prepared to have a jolt at 80% of the reading. From there, it picks up steam to garner an HBO miniseries or at least a Lifetime movie. I'm already casting roles in my head.

Just finished this book and absolutely loved it!!! I'm from Dayton, Ohio so it's pretty cool to know about the area Jessica was describing...even the Second Date Updates on the local radio station. I really appreciated the character development and the ending was awesome! Not what you think and not the norm...I will just leave it like that : ) Our book club chose this book for September and we are actually going to Yellow Springs for dinner tonight to discuss. Can't wait to read more from Jessica! Two thumbs up!

Think Big Little Lies meets The Girl on the Train with a sprinkling of The Wife Between Us, and you have Jessica Strawser’s sure-to-be blockbuster, Not That I Could Tell. This story is full of intrigue and will keep you guessing to questions such as: Where the heck is Kristin? Is she alive or dead? Is her soon-to-be-ex-husband a murderer, abuser, or just a world-class jerk? Why can’t any of her friends who were present with her that last night remember just what happened in their last hours? Readers will not be disappointed in this edge-of-your-seat thriller!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! Jessica Strawser has written a twisty, fast-paced thriller. I was drawn in from the first page and was completely surprised as each new situation presented itself. I loved the women in the neighborhood who made up the ensemble cast of characters. They all added to significantly to the story.
I love that the book's ending caught me by off guard. I really enjoyed Not That I Could Tell and look forward to reading more of Jessica Strawser's books in the future.

Not That I Could Tell may appeal to fans of Lynne Moriarty and Kristin Hannah. I found it entertaining, yet very predictable. Jessica Strawser offers us a good look at the secrets and lies of suburbia through our time in the lives of several neighbors. One of their own goes missing and the observations, examinations and finger pointing become rampant. I thought the character profiles were strong. I just cant call this a thriller, it was just too predictable, and I would put it in the category of women's fiction.

"Not that I Could Tell" takes readers on yet another emotional journey. Reeling from the disappearnce of a friend and neighbor, Clara and Izzy try to move forward without their friend. The story isn't a mystery, murder, police detective although it opens with a mystery. It is about relationships, finding who you are, and having the strength and courage to move forward. Jessica Strawser has a true grasp on the heartbeat of family, friendship, and self in storytelling. As much as I was captivated in the page turning speed of her first novel, "Almost Missed You", I was enchanted with the beauty and small town quirkiness of Yellow Springs in this, her second novel. The messiness of life and the truths exposed are handled with compassion and honesty in this sure to be bestsellar. It really is that good.

I was hooked from the first page. These characters were so realistic - they could have been in any neighborhood. It was interesting to see the stories of Clara and Izzy with most of the other neighbors more minor characters but still believable.

I kept waiting for perhaps a different path to the story but actually glad it didn't take that easy way out. The narrative stayed true to a scenario that could have happened to anyone.

I didn't see the ending coming. A fitting conclusion! I do recommend this book

Unimaginative and blundering, it seems Jessica Strawser was desperately trying to copy "Girl on a Train" and failed spectacularly. Climax and ending are bland and boring, with a disappointing finale that you see coming a mile away, something so obvious that you're thinking "It can't be that, there has to be a twist in there somewhere". Nope, it's that obvious and that boring. There are characters, side plots and back stories that serve no purpose or just make no sense, I would not recommend this to anyone

I read this mystery-thriller at the beginning of this month and was not disappointed. Sure it may not have you on the edge of your seat the entire time, and sometimes the plot was a little slow, but I thought Strawser brought us a unique storyline that was not too far-fetched in modern day times. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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A mother of twins disappears from a small town, but the investigation into her disappearance turns up more questions than answers. Was her husband responsible? Did she leave on her own? How well did this small town really even know her? ?

** spoiler alert ** What an entertaining book that drew me in from the start. How much do you really know about your neighbors and what is going on behind closed doors even when you are friends with your neighbors.

This was a great book that I had to know what happened.

I honestly did not see the ending coming. I don't think I am naive but I had no clue that there would be a meeting between the neighbors

I received an ARC from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What seems to be an innocent girls night out turns into something so much more. When the neighborhood moms gather at one of the houses to enjoy some wine and relax away for a few minutes, none of them imagine that by Monday morning one of them would be gone and the police would be involved. Yellow Springs, Ohio is a small town that keeps everyone involved in everyone else’s lives in one way or another; so when Kristin and her twins disappear leaving her estranged husband behind, secrets start to turn up making everyone question what they thought to be true. Her husband Paul is at the center of the investigation but when nothing turns up, the police seem to let the case go. Clara, their closest neighbor is pulled into the drama when the case dredges up memories of a past she has tried hard to leave behind. Izzy, one of the newest neighbors in town isn’t sure what to think but also doesn’t have time to deal with too much drama when her own life is falling to shambles. As more details turn up, everyone realizes things are not what they seem and everyone has their secrets, some more deadly than others.

I have to admit that part way through I was feeling a little disappointed with how the story was playing out. I thought the suspense could be played up a little more. But just when I started to get disappointed, things turned around and I couldn’t put the book down. This is the kind of book that if readers will be patient the pay off at the end will be worth every page. I loved how things unfolded and the characters brought out the best, and worst, in each other. You can really see the way they care for each other and used their own experiences to help one another. I did not like Paul from the very beginning and am glad that Strawser let him play out the way that she did. The dynamic between all the characters really was spot on; I didn’t feel that any of them acted out of character but instead played out the story deliberately and intentionally the way the story should unfold. By the end I was taking the title of the book and rolling it around in my head with what different characters would say and it totally made sense for each and every one of them to be able to utter that sentiment and be truthful. On the last few pages I had a smile on my face as I read the last scene unfold. I am pleased to say that I highly recommend this book to any and all readers that are looking for a story that will keep them guessing and characters that are genuine and play out beautifully. This will for sure be one of my top books of the year.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Not That I Could Tell left me with a book hangover, but I wasn't even angry. The exhaustion was so worth it, because Not That I Could Tell is something pretty darn special.

It's suspenseful.
It's unputdownable.
It's heartfelt.

Not That I Could Tell starts with dramatics: several neighbors return to their houses after a party but when they wake up the next morning one of them has disappeared into thin air along with her two small children. What makes matters worse? No one really remembers what happened that night. They all remember having fun, but when it comes to specific details, everyone's minds are a little fuzzy. Did Kristin willing leave, or is there something much more sinister at play?

Not That I Could Tell contains three POVs - Clara, Izzy, and Kristin. Each of the women are in incredibly different places in life. Clara is a married stay-at-home mom, spending most of her days exhausted yet happy. Izzy's new to the neighborhood and on the run from a heartbreaking case of unrequited love. Kristen appears to be the perfect one out of the three. She's manicured, well spoken, and incredibly kind, but below the surface, she's dealing with a serious, dangerous problem in the form of a cunning ex-husband out for blood.

In stories like this, I always have a favorite POV/character; however, in this case, I can't say I did. I loved each POV, and I also found each woman to be likable as well as incredibly easy to root for. I enjoyed getting to know each, and I found parts in each of their lives that I could relate to. For instance, Izzy's case of unrequited love? Been there done that. Not nearly as tragic - thankfully - but soul-crushing all the same. Kristin's POV was the most mysterious out of the three. Her parts were short yet to the point, and they also did a fantastic job of building up suspense and intrigue. I was dying to know what happened to her, and while I prepared for the worst, I hoped for the best.

The plot in Not That I Could Tell primarily focuses on the mystery of as well as the fallout from Kristin's disappearance. Jessica did a fantastic job of setting the scene. The women's street seemed so perfect, so idyllic; however, as they always say, nothing is nearly as perfect as it appears. Jessica also exceeded at building up suspense as well as slowly revealing clues. What I liked the most about the plot, however, was the focus on friendship. When the book first begins, the women aren't incredibly close - they know each other but they don't know, know each other. However, over the course of the book, Clara, Izzy, and the rest of the neighbored slowly comes together. I loved the friendship as well as the girl power that resulted, and I also appreciated that we saw the women at their best as well as their worst. They had their own struggles, their own demons, which made the story all the more realistic as well as rich, in my opinion.

Last but not least: the ending! Just when I thought the book couldn't have gotten anymore explosive, BAM another big reveal. I won't say much, of course, but I will say I couldn't have asked for a better ending. It so vastly bittersweet, and I will admit I shed a few tears, but goodness, I don't think I could've asked for better endings for the characters.

Overall, Not That I Could Tell is yet another must-read, in my opinion. Perfect for fans of Desperate Housewives as well as Big Little Lies, Not that I Could Tell is yet another explosive yet emotionally charged story of how people aren't nearly as flawless as they appear.

Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser is a highly recommended domestic mystery.

In the small town of Yellow Springs, Ohio, a group of neighborhood women spend a Saturday night drinking wine, baby monitors in hand, around a backyard fire pit. This is a rare night of kid-free adult interaction for most of the women and they all drink too much, share too much personal information, and regret it all the next morning. But, even more shocking than their hangovers and over-sharing, is that one of them is missing the next day. Kristin and her twins have disappeared overnight. It appears that a few things have been packed up, but her cell phone has been left behind, and the three have vanished.

Kristin was in the process of divorcing her husband, Paul, an ob/gyn doctor, who called the police after he discovered evidence that the three had left. As the police question the neighbors, the women's recollection of the evening is fuzzy and incomplete due to the amount of wine they consumed. Clara, Kristin's next door neighbor, thought she was close to her friend, but is shocked when she learns things that her friend never shared with her. New neighbor, Izzy, didn't know Kristin well at all and is trying not to be judgmental. She is more worried about the private secret she shared with the women.

As the investigation unfolds, suspicion is high on Paul, who appears in his public statement to be more interested in a potential monetary settlement from the divorce than actually cooperating with the police investigation. Kristin's last computer search seems to indicate she was concerned about spousal abuse. The news vans are circling the neighborhood, looking for a scoop. How well did the neighbors know Kristin - or Paul?

Chapters alternate between Clara and Izzy, with excerpts from a personal journal of an unnamed person opening chapters. You meet all the neighbors through Clara and Izzy's interactions with them. Clara is a wonderful character. She is deeply concerned about Kristin's disappearance as she experienced an incident years before that has scarred her and made her cautious and suspicious over Paul's statement and actions. Izzy, portrayed as way-too self-absorbed for me, really created her own drama and problems based on the big-hush-hush secret that she shared. It was a struggle to relate to her and what she felt was important.

The quality of the writing is good and the plot moves along evenly, not frantically, as more information is slowly revealed. There are no huge surprises here, but it is a well told story with a satisfying ending.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of St. Martin's Press.

This is a quick and easy read that seems more of a women's fiction or domestic drama than suspense or thriller. There is indeed a mystery and missing people involved, but the focus of the book is on those left behind. Part of the ending was strong, but I wasn't as attached to the characters as I would have liked and it was missing the wit and quirkiness that has made me love other "neighbor" books. I did enjoy it, but I was expecting a bit more. I'm happy I read this with a group, because it was interesting to see what didn't work for some people definitely did for others. This would be a great book to take to the beach or on vacation with you for those who love domestic dramas with a mystery involved. I was a fan of the charming setting of Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Six neighborhood women gather together one Saturday night to relax in one of their backyards. Armed with baby monitors to listen out for their sleeping children, they bond and drink a bit too much wine. They spend the night laughing and confiding in each other, growing closer. That makes it even more stunning when the next day, one of them is gone. Kristen and her twin children seem to have vanished. They left behind a lot, but some important items have disappeared with them and there doesn't seem to be signs of struggle. Did she just pack up and move on without any warning? Or did her handsome soon to be ex-husband have something to do with it?

The whole neighborhood is rocked by this event. When the ladies are questioned about Kristen and her husband Paul, they begin to realize that perhaps they don't know them quite as well as they thought. Banded together by their concern, they begin to spend more time together as they try to wrap their brains around what happened. As time passes with no new news from the police, everyone starts to wonder if they'll ever know exactly what happened to Kristen and her children. Though they all worry, their lives still go on and we get to know the characters and their issues quite well.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and St. Martin's Press, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.

Not That I Could Tell is my first book from Strawser. It has a great set up for a good little mystery right from the start too. An upscale neighborhood, a backyard get-together, wine and a missing mother and her children.

A group of the women got together in the backyard at Clara’s house. They grabbed them some wine, the mothers carried their baby monitors, and they sat around the fire pit and relaxed and talked, well, gossiped of course. It was a great night for them, until the following Monday morning when they discover one them has gone missing with her children.

The story is told from three POV’s, Clara, Izzy and our missing mother, Kristen. Izzy is the newest to the neightborhood, she doesn’t have any children and isen’t married, but was welcome in all the same. Clara is a stay at home mom and the host of the get-together. With her friend missing, she is not only dealing with that, but it brings up memories from her past.

Kristen is the well put together mom, the go to mom. The party planner, attended school activities and organized festivities. From the outside she has this perfect life. But she is going through a divorce from her doctor husband, and so far it doesn’t seem to be a pleasant one. Most aren’t. But with the disappearance of Kristen and her children missing too, the rumors are flying as to what happened to her. And what could have happened to make her pack up her kids and leave without a word. Everyone had their own ideas, and speculations. Friends included.

As Clara Izzy and the rest of the group start to try to put it all together, the pieces just aren’t adding up. More questions are raised about Kristen, her husband and their lives. Did any of them really know Kristen at all? I’d like to say that I had everything all figured out, but Strawser did a great job fooling me and I was pleasantly surprised with the ending.

Not That I Could Tell had a lot going for it, a easliy relatable cast of characters and a mysterious disappearance. But is also touched on flawed friendships and forgiveness. Fans of domestic thriller/mysteries will enjoy this one for sure.

The neighborhood women get together for a night of fun around the fire and maybe too much wine. The next morning one of them is gone, along with her 2 children. The police investigate and, of course, the soon to be ex-husband is right up there on the list of subjects. They all live in a small town in Ohio and think they know everything about each other. When the police start to investigate secrets are revealed. Will the police find this family in time? Do you ever really know someone????

When a group of neighborhood women gathers, wine in hand, around a fire pit where their backyards meet one Saturday night, most of them are just ecstatic to have discovered that their baby monitors reach that far. It’s a rare kid-free night, and they’re giddy with it. They drink too much, and the conversation turns personal.

By Monday morning, one of them is gone.

Everyone knows something about everyone else in the quirky small Ohio town of Yellow Springs, but no one can make sense of the disappearance. Kristin was a sociable twin mom, college administrator, and doctor’s wife who didn’t seem all that bothered by her impending divorce—and the investigation turns up more questions than answers, with her husband, Paul, at the center. For her closest neighbor, Clara, the incident triggers memories she thought she’d put behind her—and when she’s unable to extract herself from the widening circle of scrutiny, her own suspicions quickly grow. But the neighborhood’s newest addition, Izzy, is determined not to jump to any conclusions—especially since she’s dealing with a crisis of her own.

As the police investigation goes from a media circus to a cold case, the neighbors are forced to reexamine what’s going on behind their own closed doors—and to ask how well anyone really knows anyone else.

My Thoughts: A story that could have been ripped from the headlines, Not That I Could Tell: A Novel was a reminder that secrets, lies, and possible violence could be hiding behind any of the doors in a friendly neighborhood.

From the police and the media presence to the suspicious behavior of several normally sociable neighbors, there is a sense hovering in the neighborhood that nothing will ever be the same in the quiet small town of Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Izzy is new to the neighborhood, and smarting from her own feelings of betrayal when her best friend and potential love interest marries her younger sister. Clara, who hosted the party and who has her own past connections to domestic violence, is suddenly hypervigilant. Then there is Paul, the almost ex-husband of Kristin, moving back into the house after his wife has gone missing…and acting sad and victimized by it all. But what is really behind his behavior? What had happened between them? How would the neighbors learn to cope with events?

As the story winds down and with the police unable to close the case, a few things happen unexpectedly that bring out the final secrets and reveal everything that was unknown. The story was interesting, with some characters I enjoyed…but I figured out much of what was happening long before the end. However, there were some missing pieces that I enjoyed watching unfold. 4.5 stars.

Neighbor women (Clara, Kristin, Randi, Rhoda, and Izzy) enjoy a GNO only to discover that one of them has gone missing over night! Where has Kristin disappeared to, and why? Does her soon-to-be-ex-husband, Paul, know anything about why she left?

Kristin is the seemingly perfect stay at home mother of twins, Abby and Aaron, school volunteer extraordinaire, and in the process of divorcing her OB husband, Paul. Clara is a stay at home mom busy with husband Benny, preschooler Thomas, baby Maddie, and caregiver to neighbor Natalie's precocious 12 year old daughter, Hallie. She was also Kristin's closest friend, but will soon wonder how well she really knew her. Rhonda and Randi are busy with baby Adele and their boutique, Moondance. Izzy is a single, radio station's morning producer, and is grieving the loss of her best friend, Josh, after he recently married her sister, Penny. Yes, she was secretly in love with him.

Each woman is, of course, wrapped up in her own life, but once they discover Kristin—and her twins, Abby and Aaron—are missing, they will do anything to help find her! After Kristin's disappearance, the women all felt "off balance" and Izzy "supposed scrutiny could do that to a group of people." But, alas, "in Yellow Springs, good vibes bubble up," so surely Kristin and the twins will be found safe and sound, won't they?!? Read this suspenseful story to find out!

A year ago, I read the author's debut, Almost Missed You and rated it 3 stars. I enjoyed the writing style but the ending seemed too contrived for me. This time, I loved seeing how her writing style and story had matured and grown, and it earned 4 solid stars. I would recommend this one for fans of the Desperate Housewives TV show and Big Little Lies!

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I truly enjoyed this book a lot. I expected a neighborhood mystery and I got so much more ... at times I was wondering if I am back at Wisteria Lane (gosh I miss that show) .. because it had all the drama, all the relationships, and all variations of different characters that I loved.

The different types of characters that experience this drama and all deal with it in a very different way are all in their own way relateable and very realistic.
What I truly loved about this book is that the author does not force an opinion down my throat or gives me one "good person" to relate to the most. I love when I feel conflicted because two people get into an argument about something and I can relate to both. This book totally took me there.
I also really enjoyed how the topic of potential abuse was weaved into the story line and looked at from different angles.

Overall, I could barely put this book down, it is very well written and an easy, quick read. And even though suspicions about the ending seem to be very predictable, it wasn't at all on a level that would have bothered me and a few details still surprised me.

Publisher Description
When a group of neighborhood women gathers, wine in hand, around a fire pit where their backyards meet one Saturday night, most of them are just ecstatic to have discovered that their baby monitors reach that far. It’s a rare kid-free night, and they’re giddy with it. They drink too much, and the conversation turns personal.
By Monday morning, one of them is gone.
My Thoughts
When a woman and her children vanish from their house, no one is above suspicion. Certainly not her soon to be ex-husband Paul and what about the neighborhood women who swear they had no inkling that Kristen would pack up and leave her home. Everyone appears concerned and yet with no note and no apparent warning from Kristen, every facet of these character's lives will be examined in order to uncover the truth. Did Kristen choose to abandon her seemingly perfect life or have Kristen and the children been kidnapped or murdered?
The story makes you question what goes on in your friends and neighbor's houses as well as how well you really know the people around you. All the characters were well written, though some played a larger role than others in the story. My two favorites were Clara, Kristen's best friend, and Hallie a young neighbor determined to unravel this mystery.
The author's writing style held my attention and made this a fast-paced read. The twist at the end was well done and when I turned the last page I had answers to many of my questions. Thank you, Jessica Strawser, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC to read and review. I was happy to learn that this is the author's second book, so I will be able to read more of her work while I wait to see what comes next.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read way past my bedtime and in every spare moment I had. How well do you really know what is going on with your neighbors? This book explores that and more and it is a book that completely surprised me at the end!!! I loved the relationship between the friends and neighbors and I could see myself living on their street. I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own.

A missing woman's story is told in the perspective of her neighbors. It's entertaining and suspenseful; however, I was slightly disappointed in the ending. There's a big build up throughout the book, that ends quite uneventfully - no surprises, twists, etc. Still, all in all, it's enjoyable enough and in the category of what I would call a "beach book."
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and St. Martin's Press. My review is honest and unbiased.

Not That I Could Tell is a suspense book on the slow burner. The day after the women of a lovely, close knit neighborhood in small-town Yellow Springs, Ohio, have a late-night wine party on Clara's backyard patio, at which they all have a little too much to drink and spill a few secrets, they learn their neighbor Kristin has disappeared along with her twins. Her soon-to-be ex-husband Dr. Paul reports her missing and of course, he may become the chief suspect IF they can prove something has happened to his family.

The story is told mainly by Clara, stay-at-home mother of two, and Izzy, the single career woman with a broken heart, with occasional short insights from someone the reader guesses to be Kristin. Each chapter begins with a little pithy quote from various experts or organizations that fit the subject of the chapter.

The big heart of this story is about relationships with family and friends. But there is a dark side to human nature and all is not what it seems--who can you trust?

A couple of nice twists at the end. I would have appreciated a braver, 'save yourself' approach to one particular scene, but I won't quibble. I was very glad to see this person leap a great hurdle emotionally.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with an arc of this new mystery. I want to live in Yellow Springs!

Good book. Easy to read. As others mention, it does remind me of Big Little Lies but the characters are more relatable. At first it was hard to keep the characters straight because the story is about all of the women in a neighborhood. As the story moved along and the mystery unfolded I learned the backgrounds of each woman and it became easier to remember them . I like the writing style and the story. Well done.

A compelling read that kept me up at night, literally. I'd mull over competing theories on how it would end, but I still didn't guess correctly (which, as a suspense fan, made me very happy). Strawser excels at setting a scene - I could vividly picture the Yellow Springs neighborhood where all the drama occurs. I love how Strawser examines how you can never really know what's going on behind your neighbor's closed doors and how she dismantles the idea of the "perfect" wife and life.

3.5 stars.

I really enjoyed Strawser’s first novel, but this one didn’t quite hit the mark.

A group of neighborhood women gather, wine in hand, for a rare kid-free night. They drink too much and by morning one of them is gone. Each of the women have their own stories, which could fill a book all on their own, but this story focuses on Kristin’s disappearance. She vanishes without a trace with her twins, leaving her husband under the watchful eye of the police.

While I wanted to know what really happened to Kristin, I kept waiting for the “Wow!” moment, the twist that would make my jaw drop. While I was surprised with a slight twist at the end, it wasn’t enough. It was a “That’s it?” moment instead of a “Holy crap!” moment. Not That I Could Tell didn’t feel much like a mystery, but more like women’s fiction. Don’t get me wrong, women’s fiction isn’t bad, but I opened this book with anticipation of a mystery and I didn’t get that.

Despite my disappoint with the lack of mystery, Strawser has still written a good book and I look forward to her next.

Advanced copy provided by NetGalley.

A disturbing read about a group of young moms in a neighborhood and how they react to the sudden disappearance of one of their peers, who seems to have taken off, small children in tow, with no explanation. The resulting media circus seems to point to Kristin's estranged husband, and others in the neighborhood must deal with their own crises. I'm not entirely sure the surprise ending works.

This book was told from the viewpoint of several characters. It was especially revealing to read the thoughts of the woman who was missing. It was suspenseful...the kind of book that keeps you guessing. I especially liked the twist at the end. If you enjoy a book that keeps you turning the pages, then this book is for you. (I was given a copy of this book for my review, but would have gladly paid to read it!)

This small town neighborhood drama started off really strong, but it wasn't long before it was just too easy to tell where it was headed and how it would end up.
Kristin wasn't just gone, her twins were gone, her belongings were gone and her perfect soon to be ex husband was back. Everyone had their own suspicions but it was all just too simplistic for me.

I received an advance copy for review

I really enjoyed this book. Loved the closeness of the friendship between the neighbors. One goes missing along with her twin children. No one knows what they think they know about her life. The last few pages brought tears to my eyes.

I loved the varied, complex friendships between the women in cozy Yellow Springs. The characters rang true, and I found each of them interesting and sympathetic. This was a nicely-paced, quick read: quiet suspense in a lively small town; it reminded me of a sunnier Broadchurch (and I loved that show). NOT THAT I COULD TELL dealt sensitively with the challenge of really knowing what someone else might be experiencing, especially--but not only--in the case of domestic violence. And it also explores the challenge of determining how and when/if it’s helpful to get involved.

I think this book would appeal not only to fans of book club fiction and women’s fiction, but also to readers who enjoy books where the community is central to the story, such as Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series (Three Pines), or Fredrik Backman’s A MAN CALLED OVE.

I really enjoyed Not That I Could Tell. It wis full of mystery and suspense. I thought the story was going one way, then suddenly it would switch and go in a different direction.

The characters are all great. My favorite character is Hallie. She is so smart and determined.

Fans of suspense and mysteries, give this book a read!

This book reminded me of an episode of Desperate Housewives (loved that show) . Any book that can keep me captivated with great characters, suspense and mystery is the perfect blend of a great beach read ! Loved the flow of the book the author kept me interested from the first pages. I would recommend reading if you like a good mystery.

Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser is a tautly woven mystery about a woman and her twins’ inexplicable, middle of the night disappearance. No one, including her estranged husband, the police or her neighbors can decipher whether they left of their own accord or they are the victims of foul play.

Yellow Springs, OH is a quiet community that falls under intense media attention when Kristin Kirkland and her twins vanish after spending the evening with her neighbors. Her closest friend, Clara Tiffin, is stunned by the news and after answering Detective Bryant’s questions, she realizes she does not know Kristin as well as she originally thought. Following their police interviews, neighbors Izzy, Natalie, Randi and Rhoda reach the same conclusion. Detective Bryant and Detective Marks uncover damning information that casts suspicion on Kristin’s estranged husband, popular OB/GYN Dr. Paul Kirkland. Did Kristin and the twins leave on their own? Or is there a much more sinister reason for their disappearance?

Clara is shocked to discover that she is unaware of so much about Kristin’s life. They spent a great deal of time together and she greatly admired her outgoing neighbor. Clara did not know Paul very well since he worked long hours and following Kristin’s disappearance, she is quick to assume he is somehow involved in what happened to her friend. Clara’s husband Benny might not have had much in common with Paul, but he urges her to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Izzy is the only single woman on the block and she is younger than the her neighbors. She is nursing a broken heart and she is a little self absorbed. Unlike the other women, she is sympathetic to Paul’s plight and Izzy is convinced that everyone is a little too quick to assume he did something wrong.

Randi , Rhoda and Natalie remain on the periphery of the unfolding drama. Natalie’s husband is frequently gone due to military deployments and Clara helps out by letting her precocious twelve year old daughter Hallie stay with her most afternoons after school. Hallie is naturally curious and she is very interested in the current events occurring in their neighborhood. Randi and Rhoda are a new age-y couple who are parents to an infant and they own their own business so while they are well-liked they are not as involved with their neighbors.

Paul is not well known by the rest of the neighbors and the information that comes to light during the investigation into Kristin’s disappearance does not exactly endear him to most of his neighbors. Clara is especially cautious when dealing with him and once she realizes Izzy is sympathetic to his plight, she is unable to ignore her instincts that something is not quite right about him. But will Izzy take her friend’s warnings to heart?

Not That I Could Tell is an engrossing domestic mystery. The characters are well drawn and very relatable. The storyline is engaging with just enough drama and intrigue to keep the pages turning at a brisk pace. Jessica Strawser keeps readers on the edge of their as Kristin’s fate remains shrouded in mystery until the novel’s surprising conclusion.

I received a complimentary copy for review.

3.5 rounded up to a four for the very ending of the book :)

It’s hard for me to classify this book. The best way that I would describe it would be woman’s fiction with some mystery, there really isn’t the element of imminent threat that would be found in a thriller. There has been a lot of buzz about this book and I was anxious to read it.

We have a group of women neighbors who are out in their adjoining backyards one evening enjoying the fact that their baby monitors reach the area and also being able to kick back, have a little wine and get to know each other better. The next morning one of the women, Kristin, has disappeared along with her twin children. The police are actually alerted when Kristin’s soon to be ex-husband, Paul, has come to the house to find them gone.

When the neighbors are questioned there is very little that they can remember, they just know that they had a nice time, a little wine and went home. None of them, “not that I could tell” knew any more about the situation.

The chapters are highlighted sometimes by an unknown woman talking about her needs and situation, sometimes with other anecdotes that help us learn more about the story. The novel is told primarily in two voices. Clara is the mother of two and it was her yard where the women had their get together. She shares what she knows with the police. Clara has an almost too good to be true husband and had been really enjoying the atmosphere in the neighborhood. She is saddened by the disappearance of her neighbor and feels the changes especially closely because her children played with Kristin’s twins.

Izzy is the other narrator. She is a woman who has moved to Yellow Springs to have a fresh start away from her family. Her sister has recently married her long time best friend, Josh, whom Izzy secretly loved more than just as a friend. She feels the need for her own space and has recently purchased a home in the neighborhood which she is refurbishing. She has a job at a radio station doing a morning wake up show called “Fresh Squeezed” which has become very popular. She isn’t particularly happy in the job, especially with her co workers. She was glad to meet the women in her neighborhood and felt they would become good friends. She also doesn’t remember anything much from the evening that Kristin was last seen. I felt that the story flowed well and the characters were well described.

So I was ready to give this book a 3 because I pretty much figured out what was going on and the reason why Kristin disappeared. It wasn’t until the very last 10 or so pages that there was something that surprised me greatly and that caused the bump up to 4 stars. I would recommend this as an easy to read novel which also touches upon the subject of familial abuse and women’s rights. I can’t say more without revealing the plot.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publishers through NetGalley, thank you.
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I was so excited to get my hot little hands on Jessica Strawser's second novel and I wasn't disappointed. One night goes terribly awry amongst neighbors and friends and when the women wake up in the AM, bleary-eyed, one of them, Kristin, has disappeared, taking her children with her, leaving an estranged husband in her wake. Each of the women wracks their brain to make sense of the disappearance as their neighborhood is turned upside down in the midst of the investigation. Strawser is a master of painting believable, well-defined characters. Clara is a likeable protagonist and Izzy made me want to shake her most of the time and Kirstin, while absent, was just as much of a character as the rest of them. The book is a page-turner and it kept me guessing all the way until the end. Bravo, bravo!

Not That I Could Tell caught my interest. I was in the mood to read a mystery. The synopsis called to me. What I wasn’t expecting was how into the book I got. And believe me, that is a good thing.

Not That I Could Tell had a very basic plotline. A popular, well-known mom who is going through a divorce disappears without a trace. Her soon to be ex-husband, a popular gynecologist, discovers them gone. Clara, their closest neighbor, is dragged into the case. Another neighbor, Izzy, befriends the ex-husband while battling her own demons. Everything comes together in an explosive ending that has a massive twist at the ending.

I enjoyed that the author kept Kristin’s disappearance under wraps. The reader finds out what happens to her in a letter or statement at the beginning of every other chapter or so. So many scenarios went through my head while reading, it wasn’t even funny. So I wasn’t expecting what was revealed at the very end of the book.

I liked Clara and I kind of felt bad for her. She got sucked into the drama. Her mother’s helper decided to start a newsletter and the first thing she writes about? Kristin’s disappearance. She illegally taped a conversation between Kristin’s soon to be ex-husband and the police. She also put Clara’s name on it as a contributor. Which brought an added scrutiny to Clara’s life. It also brings up memories that Clara has tried to forget. Memories that make Clara wonder what exactly was going on at Kristin’s house.

I felt awful for Izzy. She couldn’t win in this book. Her sister marries the love of her life. Then she finds out news that sends her into a downward spiral. Then her father tells her that she needs to stop acting the way she was acting. Everything was not going her way. The only thing that even looked good for her was the friendship she had with Kristin’s ex-husband. And even that…well, read the book.

I loved the ending of Not That I Could Tell. While I saw what happened to Izzy happening, I did not see the twist coming. It blindsided me. But looking back, I could see small hints of it in the book. So, kudos to the author for doing that!!

Not That I Could Tell is a well-written drama that shocked me at the end of the book. The characters were fleshed out. The plot was fantastic. I couldn’t get over the twist at the end of the book. Talk about being blindsided.

NOT THAT I COULD TELL
Jessica Strawser

MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️
PUBLISHER St. Martin’s Press
PUBLISHED March 27, 2018

A fun girls night out with wine and friends turns one neighborhood into the media’s spotlight.

SUMMARY
A group of neighborhood women gather around a fire pit one Saturday night. With wine in hand the conversation turns both giddy and personal. On Monday morning, one of them is missing. Kristen, the mother of four-year-old twins and school mom volunteer extraordinaire is in the midst of a divorce to a handsome doctor. No one saw her leave or knows why she might have left. As secrets are revealed Kristen’s ex-husband to be, Paul is at the center of the police investigation. Clara who was Kristen’s closest friend on the block, is very much reminded of an incident in her past, and has suspicions of her own. Izzy who only moved to the neighborhood recently, is not jumping to any conclusions, besides she is dealing with issues in her own love life. As the weeks pass and the media attention dwindles the neighbors are left to realize they may never know why Kristen disappeared.

“The missing, the hidden, the murdered and the other wise lost never get to tell their sides of the story. It’s the last and sometimes cruelest injustice.”

REVIEW
The big question is what happened to Kristen and the twins? Was she running away from something or was Paul responsible for her disappearance? A search of Kristen’s computer revealed visits to domestic abuse sites. But if that was the case, why didn’t she say something, or reach out to someone for help. NOT THAT I COULD TELL is an intriguing and evocative domestic thriller that will captivate you and leave you wondering about how well you know your own neighbors. JESSICA STRAWSER has drawn an ideal cast of neighbors who all react differently to Kristen’s disappearance. Strawser creatively imparts backstory in italics at the beginning of each chapter. The writing is absorbing and will keep your head in the book until late into the night.

Strawser is the Editor-at-Large at Writer’s Digest Magazine. Her debut novel was Almost Missed You (2017). Thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Jessica Strawser for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

4.25 STARS

A neighborhood is rocked with worry and concern, when one of their own disappears under mysterious circumstances. With a suspicious eye falling over the woman’s estranged husband, there are some that are quick to take up his side, while others look upon him with distrust. But it’s the constant media circus that invades their lives, that proves to be a challenging feat to endure.

From all outward appearances, Kristin lived an idyllic life in the small Ohio town of Yellow Springs. A doctor’s wife with adorable twins, she projected an air of happiness and perfection. With a bright smile firmly in place, she was always quick to lend a helping hand. But when Kristin and her twins vanished with nary a trace, it became evident to all concerned, that no one really knew Kristin all that well. What did she hide behind her carefully constructed walls? And why did she choose to keep those that she called “friends” firmly planted on the other side?

Socializing over drinks around a backyard fire pit, it was a group of neighborhood women who last saw Kristin—mere hours before she up and disappeared. But too much alcohol resulted in fuzzy memories, which did little to help the police in their search for Kristin and the twins. And so, with no leads as to their whereabouts, the story shifts its focus onto Clara and Izzy, two of Kristin’s neighborhood friends.

Clara is a frazzled mother of two, with a traumatic past that resurfaces during the ensuing investigation. And then there’s Izzy—a woman in love with her sister’s husband, who in her struggle to move forward, finds solace in the company of Paul, Kristin’s “soon-to-be-ex.”

Right from the start, this story piqued my interest, drawing me in. And while my desire to learn the truth never dimmed, I found that the story grew a bit sluggish the further I delved in. Still, the overall plot was captivating, and I found the characters to be unique and interesting. So, despite its slow moving pace, I was happy to discover that “Not That I Could Tell” is an intriguing mystery just waiting to be unraveled.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book, which was provided to me through Netgalley.

I loved this book. Small town, close knit friends and one mysteriously disappears with her kids was she kidnapped or did she run away ? did her husband kill her ? it's quite a tale, a very well written tale. I can honestly say I wasn't expecting the ending. Great twists all along the way but the ending was excellent.

After a girls night at the neighbors fire pit, Kirsten’s estranged husband goes to their home and finds Kirsten and her twins gone with some of their belongings. A missing persons investigation is started and lives of several woman and families I the neighborhood are dissected.

This is a very well written, character driven story. I felt very comfortable with the neighborhood ladies and their families. The game of hide and seek is spot on! I didn't feel that this was really a thriller, but it is a fast and enjoyable read.

Ms. Strawser does a terrific job of pulling you into this neighborhood and the lives of the families. And while there doesn't seem to be a lot of twists to this tale, you do get some surprises. I would most certainly read more by this author.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser was such a fun read. It reminded me a bit of Big Little Lies. I loved the multiple perspectives, and the character development was great; I love the fact that the characters were relatable but flawed, and the plot kept me guessing. I highly recommend this novel!

Not That I could Tell is a melodramatic neighborhood mystery that is not to be missed! Motherhood, relationships, secrets and betrayals. The novel kind of reminded me of the nighttime soap opera Desperate Housewives. The mystery novel by Jessica Strawser really dishes it up. So many twists and turns! My head is still spinning! Highly recommended!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This is a well written story that goes at a nice pace. I enjoyed being in this neighborhood as I read. Often I lose patience and skip to the end to see what happened. Not here. I let the story unfold as the author intended and as the characters developed. Will now look at the author's other novel.

I loved just about everything in this book. The setting was so well described, I actually wanted to move there. The storylines were all interesting and while I thought I knew how the book would end, the author managed to surprise me!

I highly recommend this book.

Excellent!! I was immediately caught up in this story on page 1 and couldn't put it down. This is a neighborhood, and a group of women, I'd love to live in and among. A well written cast of characters and a story with a brilliant twist I never saw coming.

I absolutely loved Not That I Could Tell! I was drawn into the story from the first page and felt like these women were MY friends. Not That I Could Tell is a captivating story of domestic manipulation and friendship with a twist of suspense and hope.

I really enjoyed this story of the impact a missing woman and her children make on the neighborhood she lived in. Other than a little excessive wordiness at times, the author did a great job making a common story line, interesting.

This book is reminiscent of Wisteria Lane and the TV show Desperate Housewives, so if you enjoy books about friendships, neighbors, mysterious pasts, and small town life with dark undertones, you will enjoy this one. I definitely related to the characters as friends, wives, sisters, and mothers. This book is about the aftermath of Kristin’s disappearance, and how it shakes up her entire neighborhood. The story centers around the other neighbors living immediately near Kristin – Izzy, Clara & Benny, Randi & Rhoda, Natalie, and young neighbor Hallie. Each neighbor’s past is explained to the reader slowly throughout the book, but it’s obvious that the neighbors aren’t fully aware of each person’s backstory. It reminds me that we only know a person as much as they allow us to, and even if we live only a few feet away as neighbors, it can be worlds apart. I recommend this book for those that enjoyed The Perfect Neighbors by Sarah Pekkanen or Truly, Madly, Guilty by Liane Moriarty.

So....wow. I started this book not knowing what to expect. I didn't read the blurb that gives an overview--I knew I liked the author, the opportunity presented itself, and I jumped on it. I am so glad I trusted my instincts. This book was awesome(insert cool fire emoji).

I liked that we figured out the story through the perspective of two characters, but there was also a lot of other enjoyable characters sprinkled in. The mini chapters from a third POV were just enough to give you chills and they kept the story moving--you had to know what happened to this woman! During a really dramatic, chilling part, I came back to reality finding that I was sitting in a tub that had NO water--it had drained during the action and I didn't even realize.

The characters were likable, easy to relate to, and at time a little infuriating. This book scores a big 5 stars for me--frankly I wish there were more stars available.

This book was a major letdown. It started off so well, but the characters started making such terrible decisions, and the initial intrigue got buried in all the female angst, that I became irritated at everyone in the story. It was totally predictable. I didn't even like the missing woman and felt no sympathy for her. My advise - don't waste your time here.

I chose this book from The Book of The Month Club.
I am so glad I did. I love the peaks into neighborhood friends lives.
It is entertaining, suspenseful and a book that I will not soon forget.
Do yourself a favor and read this it is that good

2.5 Stars

This wasn’t nearly as dark as I wanted it to be but there was enough intrigue to keep me going. It’s really more of a quiet novel, looking at the lives of a few neighbors, one of whom is now missing with her children.

There was a bit too much introspection for me and I found myself starting to skim many of the inner dialogue parts. I felt that it began and ended well, but the middle really lagged.

Izzy really started to irritate me as she seemed to make decisions fully lacking common sense, but I thought most of the other characters were well done. I wish we could have seen more of Rhoda and Rikki, but I think the POVs Strawers chose worked well for the story she was telling.

I loved this book! A great book for when you want a little escape from day-to-day issues. While the subject matter can be heavy, the characters and tone of the book are heart-warming and well-defined. The small-town setting was particularly enjoyable for me as I live near the Yellow Springs area and it was fun to relate to the landmarks mentioned throughout the book. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves a mystery set in a charming small town.

Excellent read! I really enjoyed Almost Missed You so I was looking forward to the debut of Not That I Could Tell. I finished 75% of the book over 36-hour period. I needed to know more and couldn't put it down. The characters were strong, relatable, and likeable and the unexpected twist at the end made me close the book completely satisfied in the best possible way. I wish Strawser had another book out that I haven't read because now I have to find something else to read! Loved this book!

Jessica Strawser’s latest book kept me turning pages as fast as I could. The character development, plot and suspense level made me not want to put it down. She brought to light the unfortunate plight of many women that just isn’t talked about enough. Thank you for the thoughtful depiction and examples of how to help. The setting of Yellow Springs, OH was described so quaintly that it made me want to visit the town. I’ll read anything and everything Jessica writes!

Strawser’s sophomore novel, Not That I Could Tell, is a powerful story that captures your attention from the first page. Equal parts thrilling and poignant, this book checks all the boxes: an intricate plot, memorable characters and a simply stunning ending—a suspenseful novel that’s a must on your TBR list.

this is a timely and well-written book about a disappearance of a mother and her twins that has their small town buzzing, but there are twists and turns that the reader would never guess until the very satisfying end. This is a great read that everyone will enjoy.

This book was recommended for fans of Liane Moriarty books - and that’s an accurate recommendation. It reads so much like her that I kept forgetting it wasn’t set in Australia. There’s just no plot here. Like a Moriarty book, there’s a nagging mystery that strings you along until you find out in the end that it was exactly what you predicted in the first chapter. The book is mostly just boring.

A page turning read from alternating points of view. The author really makes you feel like you know all the characters- but at the same time will have you questioning how well you know your own neighbors...and what they know ( or think they know) about you!

I loved this novel. I was hooked from the very beginning, and couldn't stop turning pages all the way through to the end--which caught me by surprise, in a good way! Bravo! Can't wait until the next Strawser novel comes out!

I loved this book! It’s a great reminder and picture of the many blessings of neighbors and friends. This made me smile, laugh, gasp, and long for more when it was over. What a beautifully written story!! Jessica Strawser has such a great way with words that left me daydreaming of Yellow Springs even when I wasn’t reading. I highly recommend this book!!

Very slow and boring, unfortunately. Nothing really happens in this book. There’s no suspense and no mystery, and I didn’t care about any of the characters, especially the one missing because I didn’t know her at all. There’s a tiny bit of action that occurs in the last 50 pages but it’s not interesting or surprising. I also found the dialogue rather confusing in those last pages. At times, I had to work hard to figure out who was saying what and what exactly did they mean. I’m sorry I don’t have better things to write for this book, but I’m glad I’m in the minority.

You will fall in love with the characters in this book and start planning a long weekend trip to Yellow Springs, OH. There is great character development in this novel and the author paints a setting that is both intriguing and relatable. But, the best part is the ending with a jaw dropping plot twist.

EXTREMELY slow and boring. I'm not sure how this book even got published! Babble, babble, babble....Really dumb. I usually read two, three or more books a week - this one took me OVER a week to read - even skimming! I should have known by the dumb title that the book would be...boring.

The story was tedious. The characters were flat. There was very little detail in the parts that should have been suspenseful and way to much detail in the non-important parts of the story that could have been handled with a few sentences.

The beginning of Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser is a little confusing with a lot of characters to "get to know". Once into the story Ms Strawser makes the reader feel as if they were part of the neighborhood and personally know the neighbors. Not That I Could Tell quickly becomes a page turner with some edge of the seat moments. I was given an early copy to review.

I am totally digging the story telling abilities of Jessica Strawser. This book is about neighbors/ friends and their reactions and the aftermath when one of them disappears with her twin children overnight. What a page turning mystery that I just couldn’t put down until I got to the bottom of it.
Then, just when I thought I had everything figured out, bam!! I never saw that coming! This is such a good book! The characters are wonderful especially those we get to know the most like Izzy and Clara.
I am such a fan of this author and I look forward to more from her!

What seems to be an innocent girls night out turns into something so much more. When the neighborhood moms gather at one of the houses to enjoy some wine and relax away for a few minutes, none of them imagine that by Monday morning one of them would be gone and the police would be involved. Yellow Springs, Ohio is a small town that keeps everyone involved in everyone else’s lives in one way or another; so when Kristin and her twins disappear leaving her estranged husband behind, secrets start to turn up making everyone question what they thought to be true. Her husband Paul is at the center of the investigation but when nothing turns up, the police seem to let the case go. Clara, their closest neighbor is pulled into the drama when the case dredges up memories of a past she has tried hard to leave behind. Izzy, one of the newest neighbors in town isn’t sure what to think but also doesn’t have time to deal with too much drama when her own life is falling to shambles. As more details turn up, everyone realizes things are not what they seem and everyone has their secrets, some more deadly than others.

I have to admit that part way through I was feeling a little disappointed with how the story was playing out. I thought the suspense could be played up a little more. But just when I started to get disappointed, things turned around and I couldn’t put the book down. This is the kind of book that if readers will be patient the pay off at the end will be worth every page. I loved how things unfolded and the characters brought out the best, and worst, in each other. You can really see the way they care for each other and used their own experiences to help one another. I did not like Paul from the very beginning and am glad that Strawser let him play out the way that she did. The dynamic between all the characters really was spot on; I didn’t feel that any of them acted out of character but instead played out the story deliberately and intentionally the way the story should unfold. By the end I was taking the title of the book and rolling it around in my head with what different characters would say and it totally made sense for each and every one of them to be able to utter that sentiment and be truthful. On the last few pages I had a smile on my face as I read the last scene unfold. I am pleased to say that I highly recommend this book to any and all readers that are looking for a story that will keep them guessing and characters that are genuine and play out beautifully. This will for sure be one of my top books of the year.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I truly enjoyed this book a lot. I expected a neighborhood mystery and I got so much more ... at times I was wondering if I am back at Wisteria Lane (gosh I miss that show) .. because it had all the drama, all the relationships, and all variations of different characters that I loved.

The different types of characters that experience this drama and all deal with it in a very different way are all in their own way relateable and very realistic.
What I truly loved about this book is that the author does not force an opinion down my throat or gives me one "good person" to relate to the most. I love when I feel conflicted because two people get into an argument about something and I can relate to both. This book totally took me there.
I also really enjoyed how the topic of potential abuse was weaved into the story line and looked at from different angles.

Overall, I could barely put this book down, it is very well written and an easy, quick read. And even though suspicions about the ending seem to be very predictable, it wasn't at all on a level that would have bothered me and a few details still surprised me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read way past my bedtime and in every spare moment I had. How well do you really know what is going on with your neighbors? This book explores that and more and it is a book that completely surprised me at the end!!! I loved the relationship between the friends and neighbors and I could see myself living on their street. I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own.

A compelling read that kept me up at night, literally. I'd mull over competing theories on how it would end, but I still didn't guess correctly (which, as a suspense fan, made me very happy). Strawser excels at setting a scene - I could vividly picture the Yellow Springs neighborhood where all the drama occurs. I love how Strawser examines how you can never really know what's going on behind your neighbor's closed doors and how she dismantles the idea of the "perfect" wife and life.

Excellent!! I was immediately caught up in this story on page 1 and couldn't put it down. This is a neighborhood, and a group of women, I'd love to live in and among. A well written cast of characters and a story with a brilliant twist I never saw coming.

I loved this book! It’s a great reminder and picture of the many blessings of neighbors and friends. This made me smile, laugh, gasp, and long for more when it was over. What a beautifully written story!! Jessica Strawser has such a great way with words that left me daydreaming of Yellow Springs even when I wasn’t reading. I highly recommend this book!!

The story was tedious. The characters were flat. There was very little detail in the parts that should have been suspenseful and way to much detail in the non-important parts of the story that could have been handled with a few sentences.

Not That I Could Tell is a suspenseful novel that will keep you up all night reading. The characters were all very likable and I felt like they were old friends by the time the book ended. I highly recommend this book!

Once I started I couldn't put it down. Enjoyed all the neighborhood friendships. This makes you wonder about your own neighbors and what's happening right next door. Can't wait to read another Jessica's Strawser!

A young mother and her twin children living in a small neighborly suburb suddenly disappear. Kristin’s soon to be ex-husband Paul is the obvious suspect but things aren’t necessarily as they appear and there are 300 more pages to read. Each of Kristin’s neighbor friends has a story of their own to tell and their thoughts, secrets and truths unfold as the investigation into Kristin’s disappearance builds and changes. What appeared to be a cut-and-dried case is not so clear after-all and my theory kept changing. What a clever page-turner with some great character dynamics and a few twisties that sucked me in and kept me guessing through to the end.

4.25 STARS

A neighborhood is rocked with worry and concern, when one of their own disappears under mysterious circumstances. With a suspicious eye falling over the woman’s estranged husband, there are some that are quick to take up his side, while others look upon him with distrust. But it’s the constant media circus that invades their lives, that proves to be a challenging feat to endure.

From all outward appearances, Kristin lived an idyllic life in the small Ohio town of Yellow Springs. A doctor’s wife with adorable twins, she projected an air of happiness and perfection. With a bright smile firmly in place, she was always quick to lend a helping hand. But when Kristin and her twins vanished with nary a trace, it became evident to all concerned, that no one really knew Kristin all that well. What did she hide behind her carefully constructed walls? And why did she choose to keep those that she called “friends” firmly planted on the other side?

Socializing over drinks around a backyard fire pit, it was a group of neighborhood women who last saw Kristin—mere hours before she up and disappeared. But too much alcohol resulted in fuzzy memories, which did little to help the police in their search for Kristin and the twins. And so, with no leads as to their whereabouts, the story shifts its focus onto Clara and Izzy, two of Kristin’s neighborhood friends.

Clara is a frazzled mother of two, with a traumatic past that resurfaces during the ensuing investigation. And then there’s Izzy—a woman in love with her sister’s husband, who in her struggle to move forward, finds solace in the company of Paul, Kristin’s “soon-to-be-ex.”

Right from the start, this story piqued my interest, drawing me in. And while my desire to learn the truth never dimmed, I found that the story grew a bit sluggish the further I delved in. Still, the overall plot was captivating, and I found the characters to be unique and interesting. So, despite its slow moving pace, I was happy to discover that “Not That I Could Tell” is an intriguing mystery just waiting to be unraveled.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book, which was provided to me through Netgalley.

So very boring. This is not a thriller. It's not even much of a mystery. And there is very little drama. It's like the author purposely forgot to include the actual good stuff. No major twists. Just a bunch of nothing. Try her first book instead. It was ten times better.