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What Never Happened  By  cover art

What Never Happened

By: Rachel Howzell Hall
Narrated by: Kristen Ariza
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Publisher's summary

It’s murder in paradise as a woman uncovers a host of secrets off the rocky California coast in a gripping novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Rachel Howzell Hall.

Colette “Coco” Weber has relocated to her Catalina Island home, where, twenty years before, she was the sole survivor of a deadly home invasion. All Coco wants is to see her aunt Gwen, get as far away from her ex as possible, and get back to her craft—writing obituaries. Thankfully, her college best friend, Maddy, owns the local paper and has a job sure to keep Coco busy, considering the number of elderly folks who are dying on the island.

But as Coco learns more about these deaths, she quickly realizes that the circumstances surrounding them are remarkably similar…and not natural. Then Coco receives a sinister threat in the mail: her own obituary.

As Coco begins to draw connections between a serial killer’s crimes and her own family tragedy, she fears that the secrets on Catalina Island might be too deep to survive. Because whoever is watching her is hell-bent on finally putting her past to rest.

©2023 Rachel Howzell Hall (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“The range exhibited in narrator Kristen Ariza's performance of this thriller is unparalleled. She shines at voicing Coco Weber's conflicting emotions as she escapes L.A. and returns home to remote Catalina Island.… Ariza allows something as simple as a cell phone ringing to amplify the suspenseful ambiance of this audiobook. When Coco receives threats to her own life, Ariza embodies her determination to get to the bottom of all the deaths—past and present.” AudioFile Magazine

“Original, compelling, memorable, What Never Happened by novelist Rachel Howzell Hall will have a very special interest for fans of crime fiction in general, and deftly crafted murder mysteries in particular.” Midwest Book Review

“Howzell Hall specializes in complex, realistic characters…What Never Happened gives a unique look at the domestic thriller.” Florida Sun Sentinel

What listeners say about What Never Happened

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  • 10-23-23

I was hanging on every word!!!!

I highly recommend this book it’s full of intrigue! You want believe how it ends! Listen to this book!!!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

No no and no

The biggest focus of this book was on race, and not in a positive way. The main character’s only trait was her race. There could have been so much more to this story. I have read 667 books in 3 years and this is top 10 worst ones.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing!

This book wasn't worth reading after all this time. I did audio beacuse when I tried to read it I couldn't stay focused. Not at all what I expected.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent book!

I thought the narrator was great, and the story kept me guessing the entire time. This is a really great book!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love this book!!!!

So refreshing to read a book with a strong Black female. Can't wait to read other books by this author!!!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Plot Twist

Loved the characters, hated some. Wasn't completely predictable and confusing enough to keep you wondering and listening.

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Coukd not stop listening to this book?

This is a story that will stay with me for a very long time. Beautiful character development with intricate layers. having been to Catalina Island, I could picture the story unfolding. And to position it during the early days of Covid added more intrigue. Collette Weber was the sole survivor of A murderous attack that killed her family. She returns to the island over 20 years later to escape a failed marriage and care for her elderly aunt. But what she uncovers there is pure evil. This is not a scary book but rather an intricate murder mystery. Elderly women with multi million dollar homes are dying.. and not of natural causes. I can’t wait to read more books by this author, this particular book would make it great film!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Meh

I had trouble the whole way through getting into it. The thoughts of the main character were confusing at times. The weird thoughts of an old lady sprinked in. It just didn't come together well. And the narration didn't help. Would not recommend wasting your time on this book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent mystery

I really loved the characters. This was my first tr at audible book listening and it was cool.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Nice story

Author had a nice wit with words. A little long with little happening but I would read this author again

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