I’m breaking all my own blog rules by reviewing Hank Phillippi Ryan’s standalone two weeks before release date. But, Trust Me, you’re going to want to pre-order this suspense novel. If it’s handled correctly, this should be this summer’s Gone Girl. Ryan has been on the bestseller lists, but Trust Me should be her breakout novel, the one readers will remember.
With that kind of lead-in, now I have to say Trust Me is a difficult novel to summarize without spoilers. It’s been over a year since Mercer Hennessey’s husband and daughter were killed in a tragic accident, but she’s still in mourning. So, it comes as a shock to her when her former editor, Katherine Craft, calls her and asks her to take on a book assignment. She wants her to watch the trial of Ashlyn Bryant, a mother accused of killing her toddler daughter, once known as “Baby Boston” when the body was still unidentified. If Ashlyn is found guilty, and everyone seems to assume she will be, Mercer will have just a short time to finish the book. Katherine wants her to tell a narrative nonfiction story, as Truman Capote did with In Cold Blood.
Can one grieving mother tell the story of one who doesn’t seem to show any remorse or grief? It’s a difficult assignment for Mercer, one that brings back so many of her own memories of her husband Dex and daughter Sophie. But, who better to tell the story of Ashlyn and Tasha Bryant?
Ryan expertly manipulates the characters and the reader in this unconventional, disturbing novel. The complex characters drive the story of twisted truth. What is truth? Ashlyn Bryant, the accused murderer, talks about that. “What she said was the truth as she understood it. I understand it kind of seems like two truths. But two truths can exist at the same time, you know? It’s true to her, if she truly believes it.”
“Two sides are offering different versions of the same story.” Trust Me. The reader has to turn pages rapidly, hunting for the final answers to this complicated story with so many possibilities. Hank Phillippi Ryan’s latest novel deserves accolades. Trust Me.
Hank Phillippi Ryan’s website is www.hankphillippiryan.com
Trust Me by Hank Pihllippi Ryan. Forge, 2018. ISBN 9780765393074 (hardcover), 400p.
*****
FTC Full Disclosure – The author sent me a copy of the book, hoping I would review it.
LOVED this one!
Great! Me, too, Lori!
Am hearing so, so many good things about this new book of Hank's. And I'm very much looking forward to reading it. We're leaving on vacation this weekend for 2 weeks and I'll be reading it while I'm gone (or hope to). Hope it is indeed her 'breakout' book. She deserves it!
Have enjoyed a number of Hank's books.
Can't wait to read this one!
Yes, Hank's worked really hard. I hope this is her "breakout book" as well. I hope you all enjoy it!
Totally agree. I have enjoyed all of Hank's previous books but this one is just one step farther. I was lucky enough to get an ARC and could not put it down. Great book.
Yes! I'm glad you enjoyed it, too, Grandma Cootie.