A dark story full of twists, turns and secrets! Steppy wakes up in the hospital with no memory of why she didn’t make it to her parent’s house. With her mother just brutally murder and her brother a suspect, she must piece together events. This book had me guessing until the end. I was truly shocked by the ending!! This is the first book I’ve read by Jessica. Looking forward to reading more! If you are looking for a really good thriller that will keep you guessing, this book is for you! Thank you NetGalley, Jessica and Headline for the ARC!

Steppy Corner is the host of a smash hit podcast, the first season of which focused on the long ago disappearance of a young girl. Steppy was instrumental in solving that mystery but, when she wakes up in hospital, with no clue how she got there, Steppy finds herself at the centre of a mystery of her own. The police tell her that she drove off the road on the way to her parents' isolated home outside of Heartsick, Colorado. But Steppy and her family are estranged, and she has no memory of leaving her New York apartment, let alone driving across the country to spend Thanksgiving with her parents and troubled younger brother, Garrett. As she learns more and more about what happened in Heartsick the night of her accident - and in the weeks leading up to it - Steppy must turn her investigative skills to finding out what has really been going on, and just how involved Garrett is in it.

The post traumatic amnesia which strips Steppy of any memory of the crash and the week or so leading up to it is an interesting conceit. It allows the narrative to proceed at pace, as Steppy retraces her steps and discovers clues left behind by her pre-accident self. What made her get in the car that night? What is the connection between Casey Carter's vanishing and the murder of Steppy's mother the night Steppy's car went off the road? The chapters are short, with nearly every one heralding a new revelation or avenue for Steppy to pursue. The writing is average, but the story was pacey enough to hold my interest.

The final fifty pages or so detracted from the overall story for me; the author managed to both wrap loose threads up too neatly and leave too many questions without satisfactory answers. Without spoiling anything, I was left wondering what motivated certain characters to behave as they did, I felt confused about the relationships between certain characters and, crucially, the resolutions of the two central mysteries felt rushed and vague.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3 ⭐

I loved the cover and title of this book right away. I'm also a total sucker for amnesia stories, so I knew I'd be hooked. The way the story jumped back and forth between before and after the crash worked for me and kept me guessing.

While the book was entertaining overall, the conclusion was somewhat disappointing for myself personally -but I have seen many reviews that have readers feeling otherwise!

All together it was well written and enjoyable to read. I would be keen to try more from this author again.

3/5 Stars

Jessica Irene Smith’s The Night of the Crash is an intriguing mix of suspense, drama, and emotional complexity, though it doesn’t fully deliver on its potential. The story revolves around a life-changing accident and the ripple effects it has on the lives of those involved, weaving themes of guilt, forgiveness, and self-discovery throughout.

The book’s strongest moments come from its emotional depth. Smith does an excellent job portraying the internal struggles of her characters, making their pain and growth feel authentic. However, the pacing is uneven, with certain sections dragging while others feel rushed, which sometimes lessens the overall impact of the story.

While the premise is compelling, the plot occasionally leans too heavily on predictable twists, and some of the side characters lack the development needed to fully engage the reader. Still, Smith’s writing style is evocative, and her ability to explore the messy aftermath of tragedy keeps the story grounded.

The Night of the Crash is a solid read with moments of brilliance but doesn’t quite reach the heights it aims for. Fans of character-driven stories with a touch of mystery may enjoy it, but it might leave others wanting more depth and refinement.

<i>The Night of the Crash</i> was a great faced paced thriller. I was pleasantly surprised. Steppy is a podcaster looking for her next big story when she very inconveniently gets into an accident and loses her memory. This all happens while she is in the middle of researching a missing girl from her hometown and he brother might be involved.
The POV switched from Steppy's Now timeline and her THEN timeline. Information was sometimes repeated because of her memory issues. This easily confused me but improved the telling and tone of the story.
Not only is the main character being unreliable, but almost everyone she comes in contact with seems shady. But is it because of her memory or are they really up to something. The missing girl's best friend is the shadiest but Steppy somehow overlooks that an awful lot. I thought I was figuring things out but then second guessed myself constantly because of Steppy's memory.
Needless to say, this one had me on my toes. I was not ready for many reveals.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

A Gripping and Emotional Exploration of Tragedy and Resilience

The Night of the Crash by Jessica Irena Smith is a thought-provoking and poignant novel that delves deep into the emotional aftermath of a devastating event. With a powerful narrative and well-crafted characters, this book offers a compelling look at grief, survival, and the strength it takes to rebuild in the wake of trauma.

The story centers around a tragic crash that changes the lives of its survivors forever. Smith's writing is immersive, drawing readers into the emotional and psychological impact of the crash on those who were affected. The plot follows multiple characters, each struggling with their own personal battles as they attempt to move forward and find healing. The way the book explores different perspectives allows for a well-rounded view of the tragedy and its far-reaching consequences.

One of the strongest aspects of The Night of the Crash is the character development. The characters are complex, relatable, and flawed, making their struggles feel real and heart-wrenching. The author does an excellent job of portraying the nuances of their emotions, particularly the challenges of facing trauma and the slow process of recovery. The relationships between the characters are just as important as the plot itself, and the tension between them—whether it's family members, friends, or strangers—adds depth to the story.

While the writing is engaging and well-paced, there are moments where the story’s emotional weight can feel a bit heavy, especially when the characters linger in their pain or frustration. Some readers might find the pacing a bit slower in these sections, as the book focuses more on the internal journeys of the characters than on external plot developments. However, for those who appreciate deep emotional exploration and character-driven stories, this will be a rewarding aspect of the book.

The ending is both cathartic and bittersweet, offering a sense of closure while leaving room for hope and growth. It’s a powerful conclusion that resonates long after you finish reading.

Overall, The Night of the Crash is an emotional, thought-provoking novel that tackles difficult themes with grace and authenticity. While it’s not without its slower moments, it’s a deeply moving story that will leave readers reflecting on the resilience of the human spirit. A solid 4-star read that will appeal to fans of character-driven dramas and emotional journeys.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. This was a great book, with a surprising twist at the end. Steppy, a podcaster, investigates unsolved crimes. Her brother is accused of heinous crimes and deep down she knows that he’s capable of committing them. Overall a good book

Steppy, our main character, has a hit true crime podcast, All the Dark Corners. The book starts with Steppy waking up in the hospital, with no memory of what brought her back to the small town where she was raised. She learns that she was driving up the mountainside to her parent's house when she missed the bend on the road. To make matters worse, she finds out that her mother has been murdered and that her brother is on the run.

As Steppy begins to piece together what happened to her/the events leading up to her accident, she realizes that her brother is connected to a missing person's case. Why was Steppy in the town to begin with? And why is her brother on the run?

This was my first read by Jessica Irena Smith and I really enjoyed her style of writing! This was a very interesting and well thought out story. I was on my toes the entire time piecing together the clues. The author does an excellent job at presenting different suspects and pulling the reader into different directions.

The story alternates between two timelines - the present and the past, the latter of which concerns the Steppy's time in town right before her accident. This dual timeline actually worked really well in creating suspense and slowly adding bits and pieces to the puzzle.

The podcast angle has definitely been over done in my opinion. What I appreciated about this read that it wasn't about a podcast. It just so happened that our main character is a true crime podcaster, which shapes her personality and drive to solve mysteries. There's no podcast interviews, transcripts, or anything of that nature.

Thank you Headline and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Night of the Crash by Jessica Irena Smith is a gripping, fast-paced thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. With expertly crafted tension and a compelling narrative, Smith weaves a story of mystery, survival, and secrets that unravel one layer at a time. The characters are deeply human, each with their own fears and desires, making their struggles feel real and relatable. The pacing is perfect, and the twists are both surprising and satisfying. A masterful debut that will leave readers eagerly awaiting what Smith does next. Highly recommended!

I was hooked withing the first few pages of this book. Steppy, the main character is involved in a car accident and looses her memory the night her mother was murdered. Add to that she has been looking into the disappearance of a young woman that was last seen with her brother.
The twists and turns are unexpected at times. Going back and forth thru time was well done and never confusing for me.
I found I hated putting this book down and actually read it a second time because I found it so well written. The ending was a surprise yet I can’t see it ending any other way.
Want to read more from this author now.

I'm a mood reader, and I think I just wasn't in the mood to read this at the time. I do plan to retry it before release & update my review!

If you like a good mystery this book is for you. It will keep you guessing until the very end. I read it in 2 days and was really surprised by the ending. Don't miss out on this book!

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

An intriguing mystery confused by amnesia. I was holding on for dear life to solve this. Gripping and full of unexpected twists with so much juicy drama.

The Night of the Crash by Jessica Irena Smith

It can all change in the blink of an eye. That phrase perfectly encapsulates the suspenseful ride The Night of the Crash takes its readers on. When Steppy Corner, the voice behind the true crime podcast All the Dark Corners, wakes up in a hospital, she has no memory of what led her to Heartsick, the small Colorado town where her estranged family resides. Even more haunting is her mother’s brutal murder and her brother Garrett's role as the prime suspect. As Steppy pieces together her fractured memories, she discovers her brother's connection to a missing girl last seen with him on Halloween. Racing to solve the puzzle, Steppy soon learns that the truth might be closer than she could ever have imagined.

While the podcast angle feels like a current trope in thrillers, it serves Steppy’s role as a civilian investigator well. The dual timeline, reflecting Steppy’s memories before and after the accident, adds depth and complexity. The layers of suspense build as Steppy tries to retrace her steps, revealing tense family dynamics and unsettling connections between her brother and the missing girl’s case. Each chapter uncovers new clues, and just when you think you've cracked the case, Smith skillfully throws in unexpected twists that kept me second-guessing all the way to the end.

However, the novel's character development left me wanting more, particularly in Steppy’s relationships. Her lack of emotional reaction to her best friend’s betrayal and her oddly passive response felt frustrating and inconsistent with the stakes of the story. I also found myself distracted by the name "Steppy," wondering if it was meant to be "Sephy." And while I appreciated the intriguing plot, I wished Smith had expanded on the potential of Steppy’s relationships, especially with her ex-boyfriend and best friend.

This book is a gripping read for those who enjoy suspenseful mysteries with unexpected twists. Although the plot delivers on tension and intrigue, a little more depth in character emotions would have truly rounded out the story.

Thank you to the publisher (Headline), NetGalley, and the author for this ARC.

Steppy Corner is a true-crime podcaster who has just woken up in a hospital room with no memory of the last week she’s spent in her hometown. Worse, she’s been in a horrible accident, presumably on the way to her parents’ house, where her mother was killed and her brother is now missing and the main suspect. There’s also rumors around town that he’s behind the disappearance of a young woman - which Steppy had been “looking into,” - but she can’t remember any of it.

The story is told along two timelines: leading up to the accident and right after the accident.

I was completely into the mysteries of this book. It was so good, as there were so many facets of the story and plenty of theories to go around. I couldn’t decide which theory I was going to choose, because with each new twist I kept changing my mind! And yes, this book is full of great twists that just keep you on your toes and keep you guessing until the very end.

The dual timelines were done well so that they complimented each other as Steppy discovered and then rediscovered the information after her accident, but it didn’t feel overly redundant or repetitive.

And make sure you read until the very end with this one - those twists keep coming right up until the end! I loved it! There’s so many amazing details in this one.

The only thing that I didn’t like was that Steppy’s family apparently moved to the UK when she was young, so she sometimes throws in some English vernacular and sometimes the author even has non-English characters use use English vernacular, like “in hospital” or “hire car.” It took me out of the story a little bit. I wish things had been more consistent.

But overall, I loved this book. I was 100 percent hooked, right from the beginning until the very last page. This one comes highly recommended!

Steppy wakes up in the hospital after having a car crash. She has no memory of the accident or what came before it. Steppy is a pod caster who has had one very successful season and is looking for another case to work on. When she realizes she is in her home town , she has no idea why she is there. There must be more to it than spending Thanksgiving with her family, because that is something she just doesn't do.

Full of drama and unanswered questions. Told in the then and now timelines. Some parts were repeated as was necessary due to her memory loss.

I flew through this one. I could not read fast enough to find out what would be revealed next.

The ending was perfect!

Thanks to netgalley and Headline for the arc.

Amnesia. Head trauma. Memories slowly coming back to you. This is not a new idea. It can be done well or it can be done in a way that is truly frustrating. This one was done well. The back and forth in time was easy to follow and the plot moved along at a good pace. Some of the characters were a little flat and one dimensional. Some of the twists were predictable. Overall, this was a good read for a cold afternoon.

THE NIGHT OF THE CRASH is a book of inconsistencies, almost of a debut, but this is Jessica Irena Smith's second title so she's still developing some killer skills. Steppy Corner.....definitely an original name to me....is the host of a true crime podcast who has some solves to her credit. The book opens up to a hospital scene. Steppy has been in an accident and lost her memories of the few days prior to the crash. Smith gives us more than one mystery to solve as Steppy's mother was murdered the night of Steppy's accident and her brother is the chief suspect. So why was Steppy in such a hurry to get to Heartsick, Colorado? What has led the police to suspect her brother? The story evolves from here to include the disappearance of a young woman and her brother's involvement in the disappearance. There is plenty of tension and mystery throughout the story, but there are also some flat areas where you'd expect emotions to over ride but instead get nothing. The overall tempo of the book is good with the promise of more to come. It's going to be interesting to see where Smith's next title takes us.

A real page turner that really grabbed me tight and didn't let go.
The suspense kept building throughout the novel leading to an exciting reveal at the end. It was fast-paced, twisty, and entertaining.
Well thought out, with clever writing and it has great characters.
Jessica Irena Smith, delivered an addictive and heart-pounding psychological thriller.