Everything We Didn't Say by Nicole Baart

Everything We Didn't Say

by Nicole Baart

From the author of Little Broken Things, a “race-to-the-finish family drama” (People) following a mother who must confront the dark summer that changed her life forever in order to reclaim the daughter she left behind.

Juniper Baker had just graduated from high school and was deep in the throes of a summer romance when Cal and Beth Murphy, a childless couple who lived on a neighboring farm, were brutally murdered. When her younger brother became the prime suspect, June’s world collapsed and everything she loved that summer fell away. She left, promising never to return to tiny Jericho, Iowa.

Until now. Officially, she’s back in town to help an ill friend manage the local library. But really, she’s returned to repair her relationship with her teenage daughter, who’s been raised by Juniper’s mother and stepfather since birth—and to solve the infamous Murphy murders once and for all. She knows the key to both lies in the darkest secret of that long-ago summer night, one that’s haunted her for nearly fifteen years.

As history begins to repeat itself and a dogged local true crime podcaster starts delving into the murders, the race to the truth puts past and present on a dangerous collision course. Juniper lands back in an all-too-familiar place with the answers to everything finally in her sights, but this time it’s her daughter’s life that hangs in the balance. Will revealing what really happened mean a fresh start? Or will the truth destroy everything Juniper loves for a second time? Baart once again brilliantly weaves mystery into family drama in this expertly-crafted novel for fans of Lisa Jewell and Megan Miranda.

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on

4 of 5 stars

Share

When Everything We Didn't Say popped up as one of my choices for BOTM, you better believe I grabbed it! I can't resist the thrillers that pop up, and Nicole Baart's latest novel is no exception. Nicole Baart is the same author who brought us Broken Little Things for those needing a refresher.

When Juniper Baker left Jericho, she promised herself that she would never be back. But the jokes on her, as heading back is exactly what she is doing. She's telling herself that she's only coming home to help an ailing friend, but that's not the whole truth.

You see, Juniper was never really able to let go of the mystery that tore her town and her family apart in many ways. With luck, maybe Juniper will finally find the killer from all those years ago, and with it, maybe get a little bit of closure.

Everything We Didn't Say is a slow-burning mystery – the sort that makes you desperate to turn the pages and figure out what is happening. As such, I pretty much devoured this book. I was so desperate to learn all of the secrets that both Juniper and Jericho had to offer.

Many elements of this novel felt familiar: teenagers falling in love but keeping it a secret, the friendly neighbors that feel more like family, and the desperate need to find their place in the world. Some parts resonated with me, while others felt so on point for a burgeoning thriller.

Everything We Didn't Say really got right was the real threat and terror of the world. People can be horrible, especially when they let their obsessions run wild. That hit hard here, leading towards the perfect conclusion.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 31 December, 2021: Finished reading
  • 31 December, 2021: Reviewed