Emma (SCR)'s Review of Dying to Be Her (Empty Coffin, #2) (Empty Coffin Novels (Hardcover))

by Gregg Olsen

Just as the lightning bolt of memory passed, a pair of hands grabbed Olivia’s shoulders and shoved her body backwards against the wooden floor. I’m not going to die here, am I? she thought, though the answer seemed all too clear. Am I?

Port Gamble, Washington: When the body of English exchange student Olivia Grant is found at the palatial home of local schoolgirl, Brianna Connors, the town assumes that it’s a Halloween prank gone wrong. But when Brianna and her boyfriend Drew are spotted casually shopping the next day, people start to talk: how could they be so unaffected by Olivia’s death?

Twins Hayley and Taylor Ryan have received signs from beyond the grave for as long as they can remember. As the local police piece together the mystery, the girls begin to receive messages suggesting that something darker was at play that night. The killer had a target and they’re not done yet.

When the prime suspects disappear, the twins know that time is running out. But to get to the killer, they will first need to confront a close family member who harbors a long-held secret and has committed the ultimate act of betrayal.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes an unputdownable thriller about two girls’ hunt to find a killer on the run, with a touch of supernatural help. Perfect for fans of Melinda Leigh, Robert Dugoni and James Patterson.

This book was originally published as BETRAYAL. This new edition has been re-edited since its publication in 2012.

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley and for letting me take part in this double tour. I really like Gregg's writing style so I was excited to read this revamped series.

This book was a little darker than the first one. There was a slight change in focus too. The Ryan twins were still very much the main characters but Brianna and her boyfriend took up the side roles from Starla and her mum. While we learnt a lot about the Twins in the first book their gifts are still quite an unknown along with their family history. More of this was revealed in this book and I found this really interesting.

The case itself was horrific. When the truth was finally revealed I was shocked. I know this book was based on true events and that thought just horrifies me. Gregg did an excellent job of keeping me in suspense throughout the book and while I had slight inklings as to who might be involved I didn't work everything out.

I really hope we can revisit the Ryan twins. I love the girls and I'd love to see how their gifts keep affecting their lives.

Reading updates

31 January, 2021: Started reading

31 January, 2021: on page 0 out of 300 0%

2 February, 2021: Finished reading

5 February, 2021: Reviewed