The Rumor

A Novel

By: Lesley Kara

Narrated by: Karissa Vacker, Olivia Mackenzie-Smith

“Keeps you guessing until the final page.”—Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train

“A rollercoaster ride to the very last sentence.”—Fiona Barton, author of The Widow

“Everyone will be talking about The Rumor.”—Shari Lapena, author of The Couple Next Door

When a single mother hears a shocking rumor outside her son’s school, she never intends to pass it on. But one casual comment leads to another . . . and now there’s no going back.

Rumor has it that a notorious killer, who committed a brutal crime as a child, has been living a new life under an assumed identity in Joanna’s seaside town. So who is the criminal hidden in their midst? Suspicion falls on everyone.

As Joanna becomes obsessed with the case, her curiosity will expose her son and his father to the supposedly reformed murderer—who may be ready to kill again. She will learn how dangerous one rumor can become . . . and just how far she must go to protect those she loves. She is going to regret the day she ever said a word.

Praise for The Rumor

“A brilliant premise with a killer twist. The Rumor depicts the prejudices and secrets that simmer in a small seaside town to devastating effect.”—Colette McBeth, author of An Act of Silence

“This mystery has an unusual and resonant theme—how a single rumor can morph into a completely unmanageable, deadly force. . . . [There’s] psychological acuity throughout and [an] astonishing ending.”—Booklist

Critic reviews

“Well-developed characters and a twisty plot will keep readers turning the pages. Those who stay to the very last sentence will be doubly surprised. Kara is off to a promising start.”—Publishers Weekly

“In this chilling tale of paranoia, suspicion, and accusation, Lesley Kara keeps you guessing until the final page.”—Paula Hawkins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Girl on the Train

“A great debut with a slyly clever premise and a roller-coaster ride to the very last sentence.”—Fiona Barton, New York Times bestselling author of The Widow and The Child

“An intriguing premise, a creeping sense of dread, and a twist you won’t see coming . . . Everyone is going to be talking about The Rumor.”—Shari Lapena, New York Times bestselling author of The Couple Next Door

“A brilliant premise with a killer twist. The Rumor depicts the prejudices and secrets that simmer in a small seaside town to devastating effect.”—Colette McBeth, author of An Act of Silence

Blown away

I almost lost interest. Was so blown away by the end. Well worth it in the end.

On the Edge of my Seat

Loved this book! It took me a few chapters to get into it. The reading was a little slower than I typically like so I set it to 1.25 speed and it was perfect. The story was great. I was on the edge of my seat and was truly shocked. I thought I had it all figured out but I knew nothing at all.

Enthralling

5 THRILLING STARS

Wow! Lesley Kara’s debut was a a home run, touchdown and every sports metaphor you can imagine rolled up into one. I’ve been let down by boring, predictable thrillers of late, but not by Kara. I couldn’t put THE RUMOR down and never anticipated most of the twists and turns.

Jo is such a great character. In the beginning, she uses social capital that a rumor that a child killer from half a century ago lives in their small New Jersey town. When she hears the responses of vengeance from other mothers, she immediately regrets her decision. Soon people in the town decide a shop owner is the former ten-year-old girl who killed the little boy 50 years ago. Michael, her son’s father and on and off lover, uses his journalistic resources to determine, yes, the former killer lives in town and no, she isn’t Sonia.

Kara does a wonderful job making so many people possible suspects, the overly friendly older woman, the prickly homeowner selling her house, the shopkeeper, a few of the book club members. I was positive I knew the answer and blown away by my wrong assumption.

I couldn’t put THE RUMOR down. The pace was fast and heart thumping over the last 25%. Kara doesn’t stop until the very last sentence.

Mystery, Thriller and Women’s lit lovers will enjoy THE RUMOR.

#TheRumor #LeslieKara

The main character is hard to like

Story is ok, I bought this book because I like the narrator, Karissa Vacker is my favorite narrator, but her voicing of the main character and child was kind of annoying in this one.
Jo (main character) is overly dramatic and so worried about fitting in that it's sad.
3 hours to go, and I knew what the twist was gonna be, so it was pretty predictable for me.
Took me over a week to finish because it wasn't very exciting.
If you are in doubt, it's a pass.

Great book

Great book! Kept my attention, readers had great voices too! Would suggest to anyone looking for a good read