Everything You Told Me

By: Lucy Dawson

Narrated by: Jessica Ball

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

An opening chapter you won't stop talking about. The twisty, gripping psychological thriller you won't be able to pause.

You went to bed at home, just like every other night.

You woke up in the back of a taxi, over 250 miles away.

You have no idea how you got there and no memory of the last 10 hours. You have no phone, no money, just a suicide note in your coat pocket, in your own writing.

You know you weren't planning to kill yourself. Your family and friends think you are lying. Someone knows exactly what happened to you. But they're not telling....

©2017 Lucy Dawson (P)2016 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"So deliciously dark, you'll be left craving the next twist." ( Heat Magazine)
"Gripping.... surprises at every turn." ( The Daily Mail)
"One chapter in and you’ll be hooked." ( Red Magazine)

These people are nuts.

I've got an hour left in this book but I just can't take it. This family is the most unlikable people I've ever read in a book. My God. The way these ass clowns treat the protagonist is borderline mental abuse and unbelievable. For then to continually not believe her and treat her like a 5 year old had me furious. It's worth a read. It's not a bad book. It's just the lady's family.

Over the top but still held my attention

This is one of those stories where at times you say "give me a break" however I was interested in it till the end so I would give it a 3.7. I would say most will figure out the culprit(s) fairly quickly but like watching a train wreck in slo-mo you can't stop listening. Maybe one too many plot twists especially at the very end. Narration was good.

Slow Build to Bang-Up Finish!

What did you love best about Everything You Told Me?

This book was like starting out on a hilltop, parachuting on down to the bottom, then climbing up a thirty-degree incline until you're back up to the hilltop, with an unexpected present having been waiting for you there the whole time!

What other book might you compare Everything You Told Me to and why?

I can't think of another book that really compares to this one, and I've read many in this genre. It could be described as a family drama with a mystery twist and mind-bending suspense to boot. There are many characters to familiarize yourself with, which I think adds to the story well. I enjoyed the dynamics between Sally and her husband Matthew and the rest of their extended families. Even the children were interesting.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Sally invites herself over to her brother and future sis-in-law's Kelly's flat to get to know her a little better...

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A detective who does her own sleuthing has a fool for a client.

Any additional comments?

Great story. The opening scene sets the stage for a slow build of a mystery with many intertwining parts. Don't expect explosions around every corner, it's more like a flame that sparks hotter and brighter as it burns. I urge readers to stick with it, it's worth it. Lucy Dawson had another book called 'You Sent Me a Letter," and I am on to that one next. I enjoyed this book and would recommend!

definitely holds your interest, but abrupt ending

This was a good mystery/suspense/thriller as it remained consistently interesting and placing the right amount of clues and hints throughout the story. However, though the end was "shocking", the reasons for the actions of the characters didn't really make sense and were literally revealed as "just because" (for example the reason someone made an elaborate life altering plan was "because someone didn't like another person" without any justification) The beyond drastic measures taken were not justified or even rational. As a whole the book really did hold down my interest but there were many side stories and other information that were never explained.

Crazy up to the end

It was a slow beginning. All the characters were not smart the main character definitely was not smart. Her dumbness raised my blood pressure, but the story was very suspenseful and crazy all the way up until the end yes.

Enjoyable

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, if they are into the genre and authors I am. I feel like this author was very similar to Liane Moriarity, but maybe slightly better. I really enjoyed this book, it was just the right amount of suspense. The ending was sad- in so many ways. It is something that is unexpected. This book left me thinking about the many different layers for a couple days after. I may go back and listen to it, just because I know so much more now and it is worth it.

Which character – as performed by Jessica Ball – was your favorite?

The main character. But the main characters are always my favorite.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. every chance I got from the beginning, it was frustrating when I couldn't listen more.

Great and tension filled story!

This story kept me focused on it throughout the entire reading/listening!
If you are looking for a story to entertain you after, say, a bad book experience, it will renew your faith!!

Everything you told me

Excellently frustrating and tirelessly descriptive! When it seemed not one person is on Sally's side, and she keeps finding no way around it, I felt like it was me going crazy! I really enjoyed hating most of the characters in this one!

Waste of time

I kept on hoping this book would get good. It didn't even get mediocre. The main character constantly focused on how demanding child care is and bent over backwards to indulge her children. Think about over 9 hours of this. I hardly ever do reviews but I have to send out this warning. Don't listen to this.

Predictable but still very enjoyable

I like the characters of the book the every day life is very relatable... I will say for a seasoned thriller listener the selection may be a little predictable although it will keep you guessing for quite sometime before the lightbulb goes off but I do feel for most it may be mid book. Totally worth the listen however

Interesting plot but ...

The plot is quite interesting but a bit too much repetition and far too many descriptions of domestic activity/child care for my taste. Unfortunately I guessed the outcome quite early on, there are a couple of obvious clues & the narrator's tone gave a lot away for me.

Rather predictable from the start. Ending is a huge anti climax

Found this book rather difficult to finish since it was pretty clear from the start what was going on. Without spoiling it; the ending is an anti climax just when you think a plot twist is occurring; it turns out to be more babble. Takes a lot of talent to write a book however this was wasn't great :(

If you want a good thriller with lots of plot twists try "accidents happen" or "the loving husband"

Poor ...and far too many 'Incredulous' looks from everyone.

It started so well then went down hill from there. The characters were instantly forgettable. The ending seemed really rushed and explanations unbelievably complicated...bits just didn't make sense.

Strange.....

I find it strange that I quite enjoyed a book in which actually NOTHING happened! Even when I was slightly irritated by the minute and unnecessary details of family interaction, I always had an expectation that something more was just around the corner. It wasn't and the denouement was, thus, rather disappointing and yet STILL I can't say I didn't enjoy it.....very strange!!!!!

Wow! What a ride!

Any additional comments?

This is, for me, a great book. Clearly, it does not work for everyone. I see from the reviews on various websites, that it's a 'Marmite' experience, loved or loathed, but never experienced as average. Some reviewers complain that we are given too much detail of the routine tasks of domestic life. It's true that we often hear/read details like 'rising from the table to get a glass of water'. However, for me this contributed to atmosphere, and to understanding the main protagonist's struggle to cope with the situation, whilst juggling domestic demands.

I found this to be beautifully written, original and compelling. The characters are very well drawn, and the final chapters are powerful. I found the ending very satisfying.

Great start, but goes downhill

I loved the initial premise and enjoyed most of the book, but the final showdown felt like a cliche and the motivations got muddled. Still, it was interesting and had insightful descriptions of family interactions. This was the first book i read by this author so I’ll probably try another one in the future.
The narrator was good, for once I could generally tell different people apart.

Aptly titled...

Where does Everything You Told Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would say, pretty close to the top. Fantastic, couldn't put it down. After the opening chapter, I was hooked. Just as we are warned.

What other book might you compare Everything You Told Me to, and why?

Probably while you were sleeping, because, while not wanting to give away any spoilers, one thing I've learnt, is never trust a Thriller. If a character's behaving in a certain way, it's because the author wants you to think they're responsible, and most of the time, they're not. It's a red haring to lead you completely the wrong way, so you won't guess the truth. I certainly didn't here.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The one where she enters the flat to try and prove her theory.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Don't believe everything you read in the newspapers...

Any additional comments?

Very good book, tough I wish we could have had a couple of reconciliation scenes between the 2 female characters, again, don't want to spoil it. Also Sally and Will. Not sure about the ending, though. I don't know if I would have ended it as it did, but a very good book none the less. Highly recommend it.

Give it a miss

Couldn’t get past first quarter of book. Whining self absorbed characters of the type you see daily on Facebook shouting about how hard it is to raise a child or how useless their husband is. Turned it off as I don’t need such negativity in my books

Predictable

Good idea but had it worked out in the first hour - disappointed, a good narration

Enjoyable ...... could not put the book down

This was one of those books that gripped me - finished it within 24 hrs.