I Think I Was Murdered

By: Colleen Coble, Rick Acker

Narrated by: Karen Peakes

"It's a high-octane thriller with the grounding touches of Katrina's Norwegian heritage, the hygge of North Haven, and a very sweet romance between two likable, vulnerable people. Romantic suspense comfort food--just like waffles with cloudberry cream." --KIRKUS

This timely, high-concept novel delves into the impact of AI on a grieving widow who uses a chatbot to "talk" to her dead husband. What she never expects is the response when she asks it to tell her something she doesn't know: I think I was murdered.

Just a year ago, Katrina Berg was at the pinnacle of her career. She was a rising star in the AI chatbot start-up everyone was talking about, married with an adoring husband, and had more money than she knew how to spend. Then her world combusted. Her husband, Jason, was killed in a fiery car crash. Her CEO was indicted, and, as the company's legal counsel, Katrina faces tough questions as the Feds take over and lock her out of her office. The final blow is the passing of her beloved grandmother.

Her most prized possession is the beta prototype for a new, ultra-sophisticated chatbot loaded onto her phone. The contents of Jason's email, social media backups, pictures, and every bit of data she could find were loaded into the bot, and Katrina has "talked" to him every day for the past six months. She has been amazed at how well it works. Even the syntax and words the bot uses sound like Jason. Sometimes, she imagines he isn't really dead and is right there beside her. She knows it's slowing her grief recovery, but she can't stop pretending.

On a particularly bad day, she taps out: Tell me something I don't know. The cursor blinks for several moments and seems frozen before the reply flashes quickly onto the screen: I think I was murdered.

Distraught, Katrina returns to her cozy Norwegian-flavored hometown in the Northern California redwoods and enlists the help of Seb Wallace, local restaurateur and longtime acquaintance, to try to parse out the truth of what really happened. They must navigate the complicated paths of grief, family dynamics, and second chances, as well as the complex questions of how much control technology has. And staying alive long enough to do that is far more difficult than either of them dreamed.

Bestselling authors Coble and Acker deftly combine a high-concept plot with gripping intrigue and sweet romance. Reading one of their novels feels akin to watching a BBC mystery series: by the end of the first scene you can relax, knowing you're in the capable hands of a story that will have a complex puzzle, character-driven plot, and a satisfying reveal.

Looking for more from these authors? Don't miss their Tupelo Grove series: Book #1 What We Hide, Book #2 Where Secrets Lie, and Book #3 When Justice Comes.

Critic reviews

'A timely and intriguing premise played out in a way that keeps readers guessing.'

'Colleen Coble fans will devour her latest offering which--with the help of thriller writer Rick Acker--cleverly uses AI, family secrets, and a lost treasure to keep readers guessing until the final satisfying page.'

'It's a high-octane thriller with the grounding touches of Katrina's Norwegian heritage, the hygge of North Haven, and a very sweet romance between two likable, vulnerable people. Romantic suspense comfort food--just like waffles with cloudberry cream.'

'This fast-paced thriller incorporating today's headline news along with compelling family drama proves that the Coble-Acker partnership (WHAT WE HIDE) will continue to produce hits. Recommend to fans of psychological thrillers such as LIES WE BELIEVE by Lisa Harris and CRISS CROSS by C.C. Warrens.'

'This is a book that grabs you straight out of the gate. Centered around a bang-up concept with a great techno-twist, a rich cast of characters drives you through a twisty plot that is a white-knuckled ride straight to the end. The suspense was killing me as I read! Make sure you're well-rested before you start I THINK I WAS MURDERED because it will keep you up at night.'

'What a roller coaster ride! I THINK I WAS MURDERED gripped me on page one and didn't let go until the epilogue--after a twist that caught this seasoned reader by complete surprise. If you like thrilling suspense, you won't want to miss this novel by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker.'

Highly recommend!

I finished it in record time for me. The story kept me wanting to hear more of it, from beginning until the end. So well thought out and well written! I loved it. (I just bought the Blessings Jar children's book by,Colleen Coble, for my grandson .)

Intriguing

This story has heartfelt emotion that really pulled at my heartstrings. The realistic depiction of grief, betrayal, and acceptance was superb

Buy now!!!!

I love all the twists and turns. Kept me on my toes right up until the very end. Then just when you think she is going to wrap up the story with a nice little bow, one more bit twist that turns the whole story on its head one more time.

Intriguing

I enjoyed all the characters and numerous plot twists. The narrator did a superb job of presenting each character.

Fantastic

Super interesting with twists and turns, did not guess the ending, enjoyed the characters, enjoyed the details