Where We Went Wrong

3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars

When Michael Stone, the son of fictional crime writer Bert Stone is murdered, he becomes the prime suspect. The investigation uncovers information that may link a cold case involving the disappearance of a little girl in which 8 year old Michael was the prime suspect. Harper Stone, second wife and step-mother discloses the lies surrounding the families past exposing a killer.

This novel begins with the death and subsequent investigation of Michael, the troubled and estranged son of a fictional crime writer. The novel is written in a unique second person POV in which the reader becomes Harper Stone, second wife and step mother of the recently deceased. Harper divulges bits and pieces of information along the way that expose the pretense of their perfect marriage and family life that lead up to the murder. This novel was difficult for me to rate because the plot twists were wonderful (4 star) but the second person POV didn't work for me as I prefer a more narrative versus monologue style of writing (3 star). If you think that you would enjoy this distinctive style of mystery/thriller then I would recommend it based on the storyline alone.

I give this book 3.5 stars. It was a quick and easy read, and only took me about 2 days. The beginning was more intriguing as we learned about the characters and the big twist (SPOILERS AHEAD) with Hannah./Ansley. The narrator had a swift voice that was a breeze and covered crime details well. I kept guessing who the murderer was, which is always a good sign, and found the book/novel motif interesting. That said, the way the writer uses "you" is distracting and not necessary. I held my judgement of it for the end and still found that it was more confusing than useful. Second, once we find out who the murderer is, things fall flat. It was very much an "oh this is the murder by the way" type of reveal. I wanted to know more of how the narrator thought she was a good mother and how that backfired on her, but details were lacking. Overall, a quick and easy read if you're looking for a mystery.

The story is narrated by Harper: second wife of Bertram Stone, stepmother to 20 year old Matthew, and failed writer. Bertram is a formerly successful author, philandering husband, and maybe a murderer. Harper is telling the story to the reader as though the reader is Bert. I enjoyed this treatment as it meant she could disclose things to us we might not get in another writing style.

12 years ago, Matthew's best friend, 8 year old Hannah, disappeared. Matthew was accused of the crime but wasn't convicted. Now, Matthew is found murdered. Meanwhile, Bert is being harassed and threatened by his publisher for a late manuscript. In the middle of this, Harper is being interrogated by the police who think Bert killed Matthew and has started her own investigation into the murder and her husband's extra curricular activities. After that it is just layers and layers of secrets and lies. This was a well-paced book that felt like its goal was to unearth the people involved and solving the mystery was only a secondary concern. But it worked. It worked well.

This story was a pleasant surprise indeed! Sadly this is also a story I can't talk too much about in fear of giving anything away. I'll keep this short and sweet.

This is a story about Bert, a famous author on the slow decline, and his 2nd wife Harper. The book begins with the murder of Matthew, Bert's son and Harper's stepson. From here we follow their lives during the investigation as Bert is the prime suspect in Matthew's murder. We are also slowly filled in on the back story of this dysfunctional family. The entire story is told from Harper's point of view. Some might not like this approach but it worked for me. There are all sorts of secrets and lies to be revealed which always makes my cold black heart happy. ;)

For a debut novel this is impressive. I think Andi Holloway has excellent writing skills and she spun a fabulous tale of deceit and revenge. I ALMOST gave this 5 stars but I held back one because at times I was a bit confused with who was who and would have to do a bit of re-reading. That is my only complaint. Highly recommended!

Amazon review to post on publication day.

This book hooks you in right from the beginning. It has been a long time since I have read such a suspenseful novel. You start out in the beginning pretty much knowing nothing about who the people are but slowly and surely you are drawn into the suspense. It’s written from one person’s point of view and again you don’t even get to know her name until almost halfway into the book. Little by little more characters are added and we eventually learn that her stepson has been murdered. The suspense keeps it going forward as nothing is as it’s seems. More deaths come to life as the story unfolds. I was completely hooked by this book and its author. I would not only read any subsequent books from this author but would without reservation recommend her and her books to family and friends. I got this book from #NetGalley for an unbiased review but would have been more than happy to pay for it and others to follow. I definitely think there could easily be a follow-up book to this one.

Where We Went Wrong was nothing short of amazing. It was brilliant. I was enthralled in it from the beginning and was just thrust into the lives of the characters. They were just so hard to figure out. And when you thought you had them figured out, they turned into something different. It was captivating, tragic, and full of so many twists and turns. It kept me on my toes in anticipation of trying to grasp the full story. The lives of the characters and their lies were so heavily intertwined with each other. So many secrets kept, so many lies, so much brilliance in every sentence. This was extremely well written, it’s flawless. I can not get this book out of my head. It’s one that stays with you long after you’ve finished. I cannot wait for this to release so that everyone can read it. It is just so amazing.

Bertram (Bert) Stone has just learned that his son, Matthew, is dead. He has not seen him in two years.

Police Detective, Vern, has just delivered the sad news to him and his wife, Harper.
Both of them are writers. Bert has been divorced from Matthew’s mother, Ella, for years and there is a lot of hate between them. Harper has been the mother in Matthew’s life caring for him and his ongoing psychiatric problems. Bert has been more successful in his writing because Harper was always the one to care for the house, Bert, and Matthew. But right now, Bert's manuscript is six months overdue and his editor is screaming at him to send him something.

Years ago, Matthew showed up bloody and delirious and was later found innocent of killing a girl named Hannah whose remains were never found. That was 12 years ago when Matthew was 8-years-old. However, Bert never believed he was innocent. He even wrote a book called “Revealing Jacob” about a guy (like Matthew) who was guilty of murdering Jacob. Matthew had had violent episodes and had been held in psych wards.

Ella wants Bert to stay away from Matthew’s funeral, but Harper and Bert were the ones who raised him so they will go. There is more drama at the funeral which opens more clues about Matthew’s life.

Vern continues to question them as Harper discovers more and more secrets that Bert has been keeping. With lots of characters and lots of layers being uncovered, the reader finally learns who murdered Matthew and I must say that it was a surprise.

I felt that there were too many characters which only added unnecessary confusion to the plot. It was difficult to stay focused on this book. Much of the dialogue seems to come straight out of lawyer-type TV shows which made me roll my eyes. I do hope that readers will enjoy this game of cat and mouse.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Where We Went Wrong is a gripping, suspenseful thriller. This story is about Bert, a slowly declining successful author, his second wife Harper, and Matthew, Bert’s son. When Matthew was younger, he was accused of a crime but was found not guilty There were some that questioned the verdict, and as the story goes on, more secrets are revealed which causes more questions. What really happened all those years ago with Matthew and Hannah? What ever happened to Matthew? This book will keep you hooked. Definitely one you can't put down.

Oh my goodness. I have never read a book written this way and it totally works. The plot has so many twists and turns that when you finally get it all untangled it has your mind spinning and you are trying to figure out what you just read.
There are some things you can see and think.. I know what's going to happen. And others, not so much. But it will compel you to keep reading. If it weren't for work, I would have only put this book down to eat.

Overall I will give this book my kudos. And I will be looking for more from this author as this one peaked my interest.

I really enjoyed this debut novel by Andi Holloway. It took me a few chapters to get into it, and to follow as the story is written from the point of view of Harper, but as if she is talking to her husband. It takes a little while to wrap your head around but once you do you will be engrossed.

There are a number of mysteries throughout the book to keep you guessing and speculating, the biggest being who murdered Harper’s stepson Matthew, and what happened to Matthew’s best friend when they were 8 years old.

The book was well-paced and kept me guessing with all the secrets and lies unravelling.

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

This thriller has a lot going for it, told through the eyes of Harper, the second wife of Bert, who is a writer.
Matthew, Bert's son is found dead and the police believe Bert is the main suspect. Harper, trying to save her dysfunctional family from financial doom, takes it upon her self to find out what happen to her family.
At times I was a little confused by the narrative, cleverly written through Harpers words, I found at times I had to re read to understand who she was talking about or to.
This was a shorter read for me and I read it in one sitting, the authors writing kept me wanting more and I was surprised by the ending. This is a brilliant debut book; I look forward to more from this author.

This one surprised me, I wasn't expecting much at all, but I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, it is the kind of mystery/thriller where you saying anything is saying too much. Since this review is spoiler-free, I can't say much, unfortunately. If you like the average thriller/mystery, odds are you will enjoy this one! Let's just say, the ending is brilliant - go and read this book!

This one is another thriller this year that covers some important issues, which I find unique in this genre and brings it more into the contemporary field for me, along with thriller and mystery. Such topics include: marriage, race, mental health etc. I really like this recent trend, as it transforms a read which is simply for enjoyment, to something which is effecting contemporary problems, or at the very least, discussing them.

In terms of the writing, I found this a very easy read. It is written entirely from one character's perspective, Harper. Therefore, some people will find that problematic, but I don't have a preference, as long as the writing doesn't drone on. For a debut novel, Andi Holloway's writing is gripping and well-paced! I was pleasantly surprised, and will definitely be looking out for more of her stuff in the future. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a thriller/mystery from a new author and an interesting perspective.

Full review here: https://thereadingruby.blogspot.com/2018/01/where-we-went-wrong-by-andi-holloway.html

EXCERPT: "I'm sorry, but your son is dead." Detective Vern Wilkes inspects your study, workplace of the great Bertram Stone, former best-selling and now bereaved novelist. This is a career-making case, and though he apologizes for your loss, he isn't sorry. He's suspicious, and I wonder how much he knows.

THE BLURB: Two families’ pasts unravel when the last person to see a missing girl alive is murdered and the victim’s crime-writing father becomes the prime suspect.

“This suspenseful narrative will grip even the most discerning readers of thriller/suspense. There are elements of such engaging texts as Gone Girl and even Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and there’s a lot to like about this book. The author does a wonderful job with the slow burn, making me believe but simultaneously question most of the characters, and the revelations that unfold in the last act are truly surprising.” Kate B., Line Editor, Red Adept Editing

"With its great storytelling and jaw-dropping revelations, this book is hard to put down. Readers who enjoy a tightly crafted mystery and well-written characters will appreciate this story. Highly recommended!" Kristina B., Proofreader, Red Adept Editing

Second wife Harper Stone’s life is nothing like she imagined. A talented writer bound for the kind of greatness she inspires in her husband, Harper exchanges her lifelong dreams of becoming a bestselling author for the ready-made family of her nightmares.

With her eight-year-old stepson at the center of a missing person’s investigation, Harper struggles to balance the obligations of motherhood with her calling as an author, ultimately sacrificing her success in support of her husband, whose crime-writing career is fueled by their ordeal.

It’s only when he becomes the prime suspect in his son’s murder, years later, that she begins asking the difficult questions about his past, about their marriage, and about the disappearance of the little girl whose remains have never been found.

As Harper looks into the cold case where their problems began, she discovers people aren’t who they seem. Not the missing girl’s mother. Not Matthew, the last person to see the girl alive. Not her husband, whose obsession with the disappearance has caused an irreparable rift between them. Not even Harper herself, a woman trapped by obligation and circumstance.

In the throes of an investigation based in the past, solving Matthew’s murder means getting to the bottom of what happened all those years ago. Two families are destroyed by a single bad decision. The question is which decision, and whose was it?

MY THOUGHTS: Where We Went Wrong by Andi Holloway explores the complications of blended families, of second marriages, infidelity, jealousy, resentment, mental illness, success and failure. And if that's not complicated enough, throw in the disappearance of a child, the murder of another child, and many many lies and deceptions. And while parents are expected to love their children unconditionally, it would seem that children are able to blame their parents for everything that is wrong with their lives.

We all tell lies of some sort, even if they are only little white lies. We all have secrets. Most of us have self-serving agendas. But believe me, the characters in Where We Went Wrong take this to a whole new level.

It did take me a few pages to get accustomed to Andi Holloway's writing style, which at first I found a little confusing, but it suits the plot brilliantly. The story is told in the first person by Harper, Bert's second wife, step-mother to Matthew, Bert's disturbed son who, as a child, was involved in the disappearance of his friend Hannah. As an adult, estranged from his father and step-mother, his body is discovered stabbed to death in a park. Prime suspect is his father.

This is an amazing debut novel. Andi Holloway is an author to watch.

Thank you to Andi Holloway via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of Where We Went Wrong for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about'page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

Excellent story line and great main characters. I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Andi Holloway for the opportunity to read and review her debut novel - it's a good one!

It took me awhile to get into the writing style of this book. The book is centered around a husband and wife, both writers, and the story is told from the point of view of the wife but as she is talking to her husband about the events. However, this style ends up being explained and perfect for the telling of this book.

This is one of those books that you don't want to give anything away because there are lots of lies, untruths, twists and turns that you will need to let unfold. Bert is the husband, a once best-selling novelist, now struggling to finish his latest book. Harper is his second wife who put her own writing career on the back burner to take care of Bert and his son from his first marriage, Matthew. Life with Matthew hadn't been easy since he was accused of murdering his best friend when he was only a boy. Add to that fact that Bert made his money writing a thinly-veiled book based on that murder. It all starts to unravel with the knock on the door telling Bert and Harper that Matthew has been found dead.

Can't wait to read more from this author!

Bert Stone and his second wife Harper's world is about to implode. Not only has Bert's estranged son been murdered but Bert is the number one suspect. Harper narrates this story and she takes us between the past and the present as she attempts to prove that Bert is innocent. The Stone family dynamic makes any dysfunctional family you can think of look like they should star in a loving family Hallmark movie. Bert lies, Harper lies and Matthew's troubled life ends too soon.
Between what the police share and what Harper discovers, more of Bert's secrets are revealed. As more details emerge the focus shifts between potential suspects until we finally learn the identity of Matthew's killer. The who and the why caught me by surprise and this was a fast-paced, quick read. Lying, cheating, divorce, mental illness and questionable financial decisions are just the tip of the iceberg as Matthew's murder will impact numerous lives.
A great debut novel and I look forward to the author's next book. Thank you, Andi Holloway, Red Adept Publishing, and NetGalley for the digital ARC to read and review.

This was a truly fascinating mystery about how and why a young man died. The young man, Matthew was at the center of the disappearance of a young girl when he was an eight-year-old and his father, Bert, exploited the tragedy by writing a book about it. At the time the book begins, Matthew is a young adult and has not spoken to his father for two years. The story is told by Harper, Bert's wife and the story unravels slowly and with great susoense. Part of the suspense is built from Holloway's choice to have the book told in the second person, as though Harper is speaking to Bert. while this made the book hard to follow in places, is was a very clever way of communicating the story. The reader initially cannot tell whether Harper is a reliable narrator or not and that adds to the mystery. I would definitely read more by Andi Holloway.

A real edge of you seat thriller could not put it down characters are well developed and the plot moves along nicely

First, I would like to thank Andi Holloway and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
Where We Went Wrong by Andi Holloway was the first book I ever read by this author. I am very glad that I decided to read this book. The first line of the book was “I’m sorry, but your son is dead. That got my attention right away and hooked me into the book! From there the story goes to find out what happened to Matthew. You learn more about Matthew, whom his father really was, how he was killed, etc

Where We Went Wrong sounded, by the description, like a book that would be right up my alley. The premise sounded original and very intriguing. However, there were some problems with this book.

First of all, it's written in a very bizarre style. The main character, Harper, is narrating in first person present tense, but it's dictating the whole book to "you", aka her husband Bert (not sure if this makes it technically second person present tense). It's as if the whole thing is a letter of sorts to him, but that quickly gets confusing at times.

The second problem is the unlikable and unrelatable narrator. I can't say much because I don't want to give anything away, but it was really hard to like it even care about Harper. She didn't have any redeeming qualities at all.

The final problem I had with this book was that the main premises of the plot (Hannah's abduction, Matthew's potential knowledge or involvement in it, and Matthew's behavioral and psychiatric issues growing up) are never fully explained and just barely touched on and glossed over with no real details given. I wanted to know more about the history - it might've made Harper more sympathetic, for one.

However, for what it was, the story was still interesting and I kept turning the pages till the end to find out what would happen. I give this one three stars, it's a decent story to pass the time but not incredible.

I thought this was a very good mystery that held my attention throughout. The ending wasn't much of a surprise but there were quite a few interesting twists and turns. Highly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.

This novel is told from the first-person point of view. It is a tale of love, anger, secrets, murder, and deceit. It is told through the eyes of Harper Stone as she and her husband Bert are told their son Mathew has been murdered. Matthew is Bert Stone’s son and Harper’s step-son. Bert is the prime suspect in his son’s murder.

As The tale progresses, we follow the investigation only through what Harper knows. But she knows a lot. She knows more than Detective Vern as he chases clues and information. She knows more than Bert as he hides behind the book he has been contracted to write. And she is finding out more and more as she seeks information.

Andi Holloway’s debut book is fascinating and well-written. I was impressed with the descriptions and dialogue. It will be interesting to read future books, which I certainly hope are forthcoming.

Where We Went Wrong was somewhat different than I was expecting, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it because I would.

The entire story is told from Harper's point of view. She is the current wife of Bert, an award winning author. Problem is, Harper feels she gave up what could have been an award winning career as an author to care for Bert's son, Matthew. She did stop writing to care for him, but would she have done well as an author? Who knows.

My issue with the story is that I found Harper completely unlikable. The story is excellent with twists I hadn't seen coming. I wish Harper would have been slightly less abrasive and harsh, but characters are an author's choice and I'm only a reader.

If you like mysteries or suspense you will probably enjoy this as there is quite a bit of suspense. Thanks much to Andi Holloway, the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC.

This story revolves around Bert and his second wife Harper. The book is told in Harper's point of view. Which is one of my least favorite parts of the book. I would of liked to known more of Bert and his thoughts.
The book begins with the murder of Matthew, Bert's son and Harper's stepson. The result in which Bert becomes the prime suspect. As we continue on we learn how messed up Bert and Harper's marriage is and all the secrets they try to keep buried

I did enjoy the twists and turns this book made. Also the ending was such a surprise for me. Overall this book was pretty decent. 3.5 stars!