Surprisingly, I got the laundry done today. I could not put this book down! ( )

No One Can Know is a fast paced family drama that centers around the murders of Randolph and Irene Palmer where for years, the focus of the investigation has been centered on their then fourteen-year-old daughter, Emma. But when Emma, now in her late 20s, and her husband Nathan, come back to the house where Emma grew up and her parents were killed, secrets, sisters, and salacious gossip crawl out of the woodwork.

Juliette and Daphne, Emma’s sisters, have been estranged from Emma and each other since the murders. Each having told their own version of the night in question to save themselves. When Nathan ends up dead only weeks after being in the Palmer house with Emma, she is again looked at for murder.

There is a lot going on in this one; perhaps a bit too much. I occasionally had a tough time keeping up with the “then” from the “now” and the stories of Daphne, Emma, and Juliette. I appreciate the hard work that went into this one and Kate Alice Marshall did a good job tying up all the loose ends; no plot holes, no lingering questions. But for as much as there was going on, this one fell a little short. ( )

Equally a mystery of a past murder and the relationships and trust issues between sisters. I didn't love this as much as What Lies in the Woods, but still very enjoyable. ( )

3.75⭐️

When her husband Nathan loses his job, pregnant Emma Palmer returns to her childhood home – the same home where her parents were brutally murdered fourteen years ago. Emma and her sisters Juliette and Daphne were separated after the tragedy and have each gone their own way. Though they have drifted apart, together they share ownership of the family home. Emma’s return is accompanied by whispers and speculation, visits from the investigators who believe that Emma is the key to solving the cold case from fourteen years ago and the return of significant people from Emma’s past including her estranged sisters. Everyone has secrets and no one is above suspicion. Emma has never forgotten that fateful night but continues to maintain silence on what transpired on the night of the murders, not even sharing the story of her family tragedy with her husband before she returned to Arden Hills. After all, “No one can know..” and the sisters haven't yet broken the pact they made all those years ago, but it’s only a matter of time before the past comes back to haunt them.

No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall is a well-written, intriguing read that I overall enjoyed. The author deftly weaves past and present timelines into a tight-knit, suspenseful narrative shared mostly from the perspectives of all three sisters. Though the premise of the novel does not strike you as quite original (for fans of this genre), the skillful execution, excellent characterization, the twists and turns and the satisfying ending make for an engaging read. The pace does falter in parts, but this does detract from the overall reading experience. I loved that the author keeps you guessing till the very last page and I especially enjoy such reads when my predictions turn out to be wrong!

Though I didn’t enjoy this novel as much as What Lies in the Woods overall, I found it to be a satisfying read and would be eager to explore more of the author’s work in the future.

Many thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. ( )

This book is filled with secrets.
Emma Palmer and her two sisters, Juliette and Daphne, were orphaned 14 years ago, when their parents were murdered in their home. No one ever found the killer, but the police suspected it was Emma, since she openly despised her parents and wished them dead.
Now, Emma is pregnant, and with her husband Nathan, is forced to return to the home. The police still suspect Emma, but she is defiant. Her estranged sisters return to watch her and they have secrets of their own. Emma wonders whether they did the right thing years ago.
Secrets about their parents, their friends, and the girls come to light in this thriller.
I enjoyed it, but wasn't surprised about a few twists. ( )