The Note

A Novel

De: Alafair Burke

Narrado por: Catherine Ho

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER • AS RECOMMENDED ON THE TODAY SHOW AND CBS SUNDAY MORNING • From the New York Times bestselling author of The Better Sister and The Wife comes a suspenseful story about a vacation in the Hamptons that goes terribly wrong for three friends with a complicated history.

"It's only January, but your perfect summer thriller is here already."—Maureen Corrigan, Washington Post

“I absolutely loved The Note. Trust no one in this irresistible page-turner.” —Ashley Elston, #1 New York Times best-selling author of First Lie Wins

It was meant to be a harmless prank.

Growing up, May Hanover was a good girl, always. Well-behaved, top of her class, a compulsive rule-follower. Raised by a first-generation Chinese single mother with high expectations, May didn’t have room to slip up, let alone fail. Her friends didn’t call her the Little Sheriff for nothing.

But even good girls have secrets. And regrets. When it comes to her friendship with Lauren and Kelsey, she's had her fair share of both. Their bond—forged when May was just twelve years old—has withstood a tragic accident, individual scandals, heartbreak and loss. Now the three friends have reunited for the first time in years for a few days of sun and fun in the Hamptons. But a chance encounter with a pair of strangers leads to a drunken prank that goes horribly awry.

When she finds herself at the center of an urgent police investigation, May begins to wonder whether Lauren and Kelsey are keeping secrets from her, testing the limits of her loyalty to lifelong friends.

What had they gone and done?

The Note is a thriller of the highest order from one of our greatest contemporary suspense writers.

©2025 Alafair Burke (P)2025 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“As a storyteller, Burke is a master knot maker. . . . Because it’s impossible to give a sense of how very clever the plot of The Note is without ruining the fun of reading it, I’ll simply say that nothing is as it seems. . . . Burke is also celebrated for her nuanced takes on women’s lives. . . . Here, it’s the complications of friendship among women that’s the deeper mystery Burke explores.”—Maureen Corrigan, Washington Post

“Burke, whose peers rightly praise her originality and excellent plotting, knows how to keep a reader—and her characters—off-kilter and eager for the next twist.”—Oprah Daily, “Spring’s Most Spine-Tingling Thrillers”

"When a girls' weekend away goes wrong, everyone looks to the past for answers. A twisty, fast-paced thriller about friendships, betrayal, and loyalty."—Nita Prose, #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Maid and The Mystery Guest

Excellent Awesome Twists

I was intrigued then completely captivated by this story. The plot and character development are methodically paced, sort of slow(ish) but then it’s full on. The characters are genuinely flawed lending to a more credible story. But who is the cat in this murder/mystery? So many possibilities! The backstory is important and relevant as getting to the truth is inevitable. The ending wraps it up with a big twisty tie but it feels rushed and imo 13 mos later I would have switched out the love interest I liked the way it was lol.

Narration was really good. I felt like each of the characters personalities could be heard thru their portrayed voices.

Great Book!!

This was my first time reading an Alafair Burke book, and I really enjoyed book it!

Beach Read

What starts out as a seemingly girly story of three old friends getting together at a beach house turns into a convoluted multi-murder mystery. First one person and then another is accused of multiple murders. At the end the culprit is settled upon And everyone else lives happily ever after.
I kept thinking: "Nancy Drew."

Irritating Narration

The story is good, entertaining, and overall enjoyable. There narration however was irritating due to awkward moments that made the whole thing seem stiff and AI sounding.

kept my attention

I love this author! this book did not disappoint. highly recommend! kept my attention the whole time and even wish it was longer

enjoyed it more then I expected to...

From the moment I delved into this compelling story, I was utterly captivated by the vibrant and authentic connection shared by May, Lauren, and Kelsey. Their friendship, spanning over a decade, felt incredibly real – a tapestry woven with highs and lows, periods of distance and closeness, and the delicate balance between honesty and deception. It's the kind of bond that makes you want to join their group, experiencing their shared history and undeniable chemistry firsthand. May, Kelsey, and Lauren are truly the heart of this narrative; their distinct backgrounds and individual identities aren't just details, but integral forces shaping their dynamic, every interaction, and the unfolding plot.
Beyond the compelling character work, the story delivers powerful social commentary. It masterfully tackles complex themes of relationships, race, bias, and privilege, not as heavy-handed exposition, but as organic elements deeply intertwined with the central crime. The way these critical societal issues are woven into the unfolding mystery is nothing short of brilliant, adding layers of depth and resonance without ever feeling preachy or forced.
Speaking of the crime, the intricate plotting truly shines. I have a particular fondness for mysteries where seemingly disparate events gradually connect, and this one executed that perfectly. Watching the scattered pieces of the puzzle fall into place, revealing a larger, more complex picture, was immensely satisfying and kept me utterly engrossed from start to finish. The gradual, yet inevitable, piecing together of connected crimes was a highlight.

Distracting Narration

The narration is strangely robotic, inconsistent and awkward, initially wondered if it was computer generated??? I think the story has great potential, but wish I had read it instead of purchasing on audible. Very disappointing.

Many twists to unravel the murder

Many twists to unravel the murder. Four women who have been close friends since meeting at summer camp. Their lives have gone in different ways but they get together each year. Then at this years reunion a man they had met tangentially is murdered. They get caught up in the police investigation. One falls under suspicion, and it becomes complicated because her ex husband was also murdered. Is she a killer?

Horrible narration

The story was good and is the only thing that kept me listening. The narrator did an awful job.

Eh

I found all characters to be unlikable, which made it hard to get interested in the story. Very slow in the beginning. The twist was good but did not make up for the characters and slow start.