I received an advance galley of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The moment I read the synopsis for this book, I knew it was going to be right up my alley. The prologue is absolutely captivating and immediately pulled me in. It’s dark and creepy and left me craving more. I just wish the rest of the book had been as engaging as the prologue. It wasn’t bad – in fact, parts of this book are fantastic – I just felt that the pacing faltered a bit here and there, and things didn’t really take off until about halfway through the book.

The story is set against the backdrop of a horrifying event known to the public as “Scarlet Christmas” when, on Christmas Eve nine years prior, three students were killed and several others injured. Charlotte (aka Charlie), our protagonist, made international headlines because she was there when it happened. A picture of her being led out of the building by paramedics, drenched in blood, was in every major news outlet. That night still haunts Charlotte – mostly because she can’t remember everything that happened, and she knows she lied to the police just to appease them. Now, the twin sister of one of the victims is producing a movie about the incident, and Charlie is afraid that the truth will be revealed and everyone will know she lied.

The details of what happened that night are revealed slowly throughout the novel, adding layers of suspense and a constant feeling of unease. There are several red herrings (as one would suspect with this type of book), and there were several potential outcomes that I had plotted out in my head. Surprisingly, it didn’t play out as I expected, and there were a couple of nice little twists and reveals along the way.

One of the strengths of this novel is the way it explores the power of secrets and the lengths people will go to protect them. Charlie’s desire to keep her past buried is palpable throughout the story, and it creates a sense of tension that drives the plot forward. The author skillfully demonstrates how secrets can shape a person’s life and impact their relationships, adding a layer of psychological depth to the narrative.

Charlie is a complex and multifaceted character. She is a successful editor-in-chief of a major magazine and engaged to a prominent figure in the publishing industry. However, beneath her polished exterior, there is a vulnerability that is gradually revealed as the story unfolds. The author expertly explores Charlie’s inner turmoil, giving her depth and making her relatable to readers.

As I mentioned earlier, the prologue is absolutely fantastic and really pulled me in, but then the pacing slowed a bit as everything was set up. It wasn’t until I got about halfway into the book when a shocking reveal was thrown my way that I felt the pace picked back up. Until that point, it felt almost as though we were going in circles. While the pace did pick up at this point, and the mystery and intrigue kept me turning the pages, there were still moments when I found myself confused. The author’s intent to keep the reader guessing at times made the plot feel a little convoluted, and I struggled to piece together what was happening in some chapters. This confusion was ultimately resolved by the end, though, and the final reveal was satisfying and well-executed.

Overall, I felt this was a captivating mystery. Would I read it again? Probably not, but I would recommend it to someone looking for a twisty thriller.