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Trust Me
An accused killer insists she's innocent of a heinous murder.
A grieving journalist surfaces from the wreckage of her shattered life.
Their unlikely alliance leads to a dangerous cat and mouse game that will leave you breathless.
Who can you trust when you can't trust yourself?
Trust Me is the chilling standalone novel of psychological suspense and manipulation that award-winning author and renowned investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan was born to write.
A grieving journalist surfaces from the wreckage of her shattered life.
Their unlikely alliance leads to a dangerous cat and mouse game that will leave you breathless.
Who can you trust when you can't trust yourself?
Trust Me is the chilling standalone novel of psychological suspense and manipulation that award-winning author and renowned investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan was born to write.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published August 28, 2018
About the author
Hank Phillippi Ryan
38 books2,439 followersHank Phillippi Ryan is the USA Today bestselling author of fifteen award winning novels of suspense. National reviews have called her a "master at crafting suspenseful mysteries" and "a superb and gifted storyteller."
Watch for ONE WRONG WORD, coming February 6, 2024. BA Paris says: "A gripping rollercoaster of a read!"
Her current thriller is THE HOUSE GUEST (Gaslight meets Thelma & Louise) already in a second printing!
Hank is also an award-winning investigative reporter at Boston's WHDH-TV. In addition to 37 EMMYs and 14 Edward R. Murrow awards, Hank's won dozens of other honors
for her ground-breaking journalism.
She is co-host and co-founder of The Back Room, co-host of First Chapter Fun, and host of CRIME TIME on A Mighty Blaze.
Her previous thriller, HER PERFECT LIFE, received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, calling it "Stellar."
Her earlier psychological thrillers include,THE FIRST TO LIE (with several starred reviews) an Agatha Award and MAry HIggins CLark award nomination) and THE MURDER LIST, which won the Anthony Award for Best Novel of the year, and was ]an Agatha, Macavity and Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee, a number one legal thriller on Amazon, and a USA Today Bestseller.
Her first psychological standalone, TRUST ME (now in paperback) , is an Agatha Award nominee, and was named BEST of 2018 by the New York Post, Real Simple Magazine, BookBub, Crime Reads, and PopSugar. Mary Kubica says: "Dazzling!" and Lisa Gardner says "Mesmerizing!"
The Booklist *starred review says "...it's a knockout. First-rate psychological suspense."
Her thriller SAY NO MORE, is a Library Journal BEST OF 2016. And this just in: it's a nominee for the AGATHA AWARD and the MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD! And now, breaking news, it is also a DAPHNE AWARD nominee! Associated Press calls it "stellar" and Publishers Weekly calls it "thrilling" "unflinching" and "gratifying."
Her 2015 book, WHAT YOU SEE, is a Library Journal BEST of 2015, an ANTHONY and AGATHA Award nominee, and a Top Pick!, dubbed "exceptional suspense." It received a starred review from Library Journal which says: "Readers will find themselves racing to the finish!"
Her 2014 book, TRUTH BE TOLD, won the AGATHA Award for best mystery, and is a Library Journal Best of 2014. It received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal, which says, "Drop everything and binge read!"
THE WRONG GIRL won the Agatha Award and the Daphne Award, and is a seven-week Boston Globe bestseller and Anthony Award nominee.
THE OTHER WOMAN won the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was listed as a Best Book of 2012 by the Kansas City Star, the Sacramento Bee, Suspense Magazine, and The Boston Globe, won the prestigious Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was the only novel nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, Macavity, Shamus and Daphne awards for Best Novel of 2012.
Her first four mysteries, beginning with the Agatha Award-winning PRIME TIME, feature Charlotte McNally, a Boston television reporter. FACE TIME was a BookSense Notable Book, and AIR TIME and DRIVE TIME were both Anthony and Agatha Award nominees for best novel of 2009 and 2010. They are now available in all new editions.
Her journalism work work has resulted in new laws, people sent to prison, homes removed from foreclosure, and millions of dollars in refunds and restitution for victims and consumers. She's been a radio reporter, a legislative aide in the United States Senate and an editorial assistant at Rolling Stone Magazine, working with Hunter S. Thompson, Richard Avedon and Richard Goodwin.
Hank is a founding teacher at Mystery Writers of America University and served as president of national Sisters in Crime. She blogs at Jungle Red Writers and Career Authors.
Learn more about Hank at www.HankPhillippiRyan.com.
Watch for ONE WRONG WORD, coming February 6, 2024. BA Paris says: "A gripping rollercoaster of a read!"
Her current thriller is THE HOUSE GUEST (Gaslight meets Thelma & Louise) already in a second printing!
Hank is also an award-winning investigative reporter at Boston's WHDH-TV. In addition to 37 EMMYs and 14 Edward R. Murrow awards, Hank's won dozens of other honors
for her ground-breaking journalism.
She is co-host and co-founder of The Back Room, co-host of First Chapter Fun, and host of CRIME TIME on A Mighty Blaze.
Her previous thriller, HER PERFECT LIFE, received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, calling it "Stellar."
Her earlier psychological thrillers include,THE FIRST TO LIE (with several starred reviews) an Agatha Award and MAry HIggins CLark award nomination) and THE MURDER LIST, which won the Anthony Award for Best Novel of the year, and was ]an Agatha, Macavity and Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee, a number one legal thriller on Amazon, and a USA Today Bestseller.
Her first psychological standalone, TRUST ME (now in paperback) , is an Agatha Award nominee, and was named BEST of 2018 by the New York Post, Real Simple Magazine, BookBub, Crime Reads, and PopSugar. Mary Kubica says: "Dazzling!" and Lisa Gardner says "Mesmerizing!"
The Booklist *starred review says "...it's a knockout. First-rate psychological suspense."
Her thriller SAY NO MORE, is a Library Journal BEST OF 2016. And this just in: it's a nominee for the AGATHA AWARD and the MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD! And now, breaking news, it is also a DAPHNE AWARD nominee! Associated Press calls it "stellar" and Publishers Weekly calls it "thrilling" "unflinching" and "gratifying."
Her 2015 book, WHAT YOU SEE, is a Library Journal BEST of 2015, an ANTHONY and AGATHA Award nominee, and a Top Pick!, dubbed "exceptional suspense." It received a starred review from Library Journal which says: "Readers will find themselves racing to the finish!"
Her 2014 book, TRUTH BE TOLD, won the AGATHA Award for best mystery, and is a Library Journal Best of 2014. It received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal, which says, "Drop everything and binge read!"
THE WRONG GIRL won the Agatha Award and the Daphne Award, and is a seven-week Boston Globe bestseller and Anthony Award nominee.
THE OTHER WOMAN won the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was listed as a Best Book of 2012 by the Kansas City Star, the Sacramento Bee, Suspense Magazine, and The Boston Globe, won the prestigious Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was the only novel nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, Macavity, Shamus and Daphne awards for Best Novel of 2012.
Her first four mysteries, beginning with the Agatha Award-winning PRIME TIME, feature Charlotte McNally, a Boston television reporter. FACE TIME was a BookSense Notable Book, and AIR TIME and DRIVE TIME were both Anthony and Agatha Award nominees for best novel of 2009 and 2010. They are now available in all new editions.
Her journalism work work has resulted in new laws, people sent to prison, homes removed from foreclosure, and millions of dollars in refunds and restitution for victims and consumers. She's been a radio reporter, a legislative aide in the United States Senate and an editorial assistant at Rolling Stone Magazine, working with Hunter S. Thompson, Richard Avedon and Richard Goodwin.
Hank is a founding teacher at Mystery Writers of America University and served as president of national Sisters in Crime. She blogs at Jungle Red Writers and Career Authors.
Learn more about Hank at www.HankPhillippiRyan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 742 reviews
September 1, 2018
4.5 stars
Trust Me, this book was a great psychological thriller.
“Do I ever get to start over?”
Mercer Hennessey begins her days by marking off the number of days it has been since her husband, Dex and their daughter, Sophie died. She was once a journalist who decided to become a stay at home mom to care for her daughter. Her whole world stopped when she lost her family. Mercer has been asked by her editor friend, Katherine, to write a true crime book about the case of a young woman, Ashlyn Bryant, accused of murdering her daughter, Tasha and dumping her body in the Boston harbor. This case hit close to home as Mercer is steel reeling from the death of her three-year-old daughter and her husband. She decides to take the job and begins watching the trial at home and writing each day.
This book was full of twists and turns and the beauty in this book is in the writing of the character of Ashlyn. While reading this book, I found myself guessing, re-guessing, second-guessing, going back to my original theory, coming up with new theories.... UGH! You get the picture. Ashlyn is frustrating, and I could never tell if she was telling the truth. She was manipulative, constantly lying, and twisted the truth. The entire book I questioned was this another lie? Why lie? Why be vague? Why twist the truth? I felt as frustrated by Ashlyn as Mercer appears to feel in the book! I also loved how Ashlyn spoke in this book. The "and didn't you ever wonder," or "don't you think" She was constantly testing the reaction she was getting from what she was saying, even bragging once that "I am so good at this."
While reading this book, many readers will think of the cases we have all read about in the news - I thought of "Baby Doe" the little girl whose body was found in the Boston Harbor, Casey Anthony, Susan Smith, etc. to name a few. Those cases are unimaginable and heartbreaking. This does have the ripped from the headlines feel to it and I believe that was intentional. I used to live outside of Boston and have seen Hank Phillippi Ryan on the news. I am not sure if she still is, but she was an investigative journalist, and she uses her journalism skills here. She knows how to flesh out a story and how to write about how the media comes into play and even has her characters making comments about members of the media.
I found this book to be well-written, tense, suspenseful, and thought provoking. I had my super-sleuth hat on trying to determine what was the truth, what was another lie, wondering if I would ever learn the truth, etc. This book was complex, well thought out and plotted. I was captivated by the story and invested in knowing what truly happened to Tasha. Hank Phillippi Ryan did great job at keeping me on my toes and the pages flying by. I was riveted to the pages. The description was perfect - this was a twisted game of cat and mouse!
Trust me, you will not be disappointed by this book!
Thank you to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Trust Me, this book was a great psychological thriller.
“Do I ever get to start over?”
Mercer Hennessey begins her days by marking off the number of days it has been since her husband, Dex and their daughter, Sophie died. She was once a journalist who decided to become a stay at home mom to care for her daughter. Her whole world stopped when she lost her family. Mercer has been asked by her editor friend, Katherine, to write a true crime book about the case of a young woman, Ashlyn Bryant, accused of murdering her daughter, Tasha and dumping her body in the Boston harbor. This case hit close to home as Mercer is steel reeling from the death of her three-year-old daughter and her husband. She decides to take the job and begins watching the trial at home and writing each day.
This book was full of twists and turns and the beauty in this book is in the writing of the character of Ashlyn. While reading this book, I found myself guessing, re-guessing, second-guessing, going back to my original theory, coming up with new theories.... UGH! You get the picture. Ashlyn is frustrating, and I could never tell if she was telling the truth. She was manipulative, constantly lying, and twisted the truth. The entire book I questioned was this another lie? Why lie? Why be vague? Why twist the truth? I felt as frustrated by Ashlyn as Mercer appears to feel in the book! I also loved how Ashlyn spoke in this book. The "and didn't you ever wonder," or "don't you think" She was constantly testing the reaction she was getting from what she was saying, even bragging once that "I am so good at this."
While reading this book, many readers will think of the cases we have all read about in the news - I thought of "Baby Doe" the little girl whose body was found in the Boston Harbor, Casey Anthony, Susan Smith, etc. to name a few. Those cases are unimaginable and heartbreaking. This does have the ripped from the headlines feel to it and I believe that was intentional. I used to live outside of Boston and have seen Hank Phillippi Ryan on the news. I am not sure if she still is, but she was an investigative journalist, and she uses her journalism skills here. She knows how to flesh out a story and how to write about how the media comes into play and even has her characters making comments about members of the media.
I found this book to be well-written, tense, suspenseful, and thought provoking. I had my super-sleuth hat on trying to determine what was the truth, what was another lie, wondering if I would ever learn the truth, etc. This book was complex, well thought out and plotted. I was captivated by the story and invested in knowing what truly happened to Tasha. Hank Phillippi Ryan did great job at keeping me on my toes and the pages flying by. I was riveted to the pages. The description was perfect - this was a twisted game of cat and mouse!
Trust me, you will not be disappointed by this book!
Thank you to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
October 13, 2018
3.75*
Remember the case of Casey Anthony? The trial that held the world’s attention when she was on trial for the murder of her young daughter.
The premise of this book has a strikingly parallel theme to that trial. Though the author does acknowledge that fact, often referring back to Casey Anthony’s trial throughout.
Mercer has the opportunity to put her life back together after losing her family in a tragic accident. She’s offered the rare chance to pen a book chronicling the trial and verdict of one of America’s most hated women. Ashlyn Bryant, now on trial for the murder of her daughter. Is Mercer able to distance herself from her own pain long enough to write a book about a woman she despises?
“Trust me” She said.
But how can you trust someone who may have mercilessly killed her own daughter? Someone whose story changes with the wind?
And once the verdict is in....is anyone really safe? Or is this bizarre nightmare just beginning?
This book will have you debating guilt or innocence at every turn. Do we always have all the facts? Can you trust your instincts? What is truth and what are deception and lies?
This was a high-wire read by Hank Phillippi Ryan that will keep you engaged and questioning everything. You’ll have a love-hate relationship with the characters and always wanting justice for the life and memory of a beautiful child.
So “trust me” when I say I would recommend this one!
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Hank Philippi Ryan for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Remember the case of Casey Anthony? The trial that held the world’s attention when she was on trial for the murder of her young daughter.
The premise of this book has a strikingly parallel theme to that trial. Though the author does acknowledge that fact, often referring back to Casey Anthony’s trial throughout.
Mercer has the opportunity to put her life back together after losing her family in a tragic accident. She’s offered the rare chance to pen a book chronicling the trial and verdict of one of America’s most hated women. Ashlyn Bryant, now on trial for the murder of her daughter. Is Mercer able to distance herself from her own pain long enough to write a book about a woman she despises?
“Trust me” She said.
But how can you trust someone who may have mercilessly killed her own daughter? Someone whose story changes with the wind?
And once the verdict is in....is anyone really safe? Or is this bizarre nightmare just beginning?
This book will have you debating guilt or innocence at every turn. Do we always have all the facts? Can you trust your instincts? What is truth and what are deception and lies?
This was a high-wire read by Hank Phillippi Ryan that will keep you engaged and questioning everything. You’ll have a love-hate relationship with the characters and always wanting justice for the life and memory of a beautiful child.
So “trust me” when I say I would recommend this one!
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Hank Philippi Ryan for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2018
This book was a little quart room drama, a little psychological thriller, a little mystery, and a lot intriguing!
This book will leave you bewildered and unsettled and not knowing which way is up! A book about motherhood, tragedy, justice, and hope.... Astoria filled with lies, deception, terrible truths, and redemption... A book that will anger you, frustrate you, and leave you reeling....
Ripped from the headlines, Ashlyn is accused of killing her three-year-old daughter Tasha Nicole... Mercer is a journalist who is grieving the death of her husband and young daughter Sophia.... Mercer takes a job to write a true crime story about Ashlyn and so the threads of these women’s lives begin to tangle... The blurb to the story is short and sweet, so I will stop here with the plot....
Mercer is a likable and sympathetic character whose grief is palpable...Ashlyn on the other hand is unlikable, unsympathetic, and cold as ice.... but as much as I disliked her she was extremely well drawn... The ultimate unreliable narrator, because I don’t think a true word ever came out of her mouth.... A liar like no other, and she was really good at it, half the time I was convinced of her stories.... and to be honest I’m still not sure what the truth is! The girl twisted everything and I mean everything, she turned Mercer and me upside down and inside out and every other direction.... what a brilliantly deceitful character that made this book so very compelling! A book that will hold your attention from first page to last and leave you satisfied...
Absolutely recommend to anyone who enjoys a thriller filled with complex characters and plenty of twists!
*** many thanks to the author for my copy of this book ***
This book will leave you bewildered and unsettled and not knowing which way is up! A book about motherhood, tragedy, justice, and hope.... Astoria filled with lies, deception, terrible truths, and redemption... A book that will anger you, frustrate you, and leave you reeling....
Ripped from the headlines, Ashlyn is accused of killing her three-year-old daughter Tasha Nicole... Mercer is a journalist who is grieving the death of her husband and young daughter Sophia.... Mercer takes a job to write a true crime story about Ashlyn and so the threads of these women’s lives begin to tangle... The blurb to the story is short and sweet, so I will stop here with the plot....
Mercer is a likable and sympathetic character whose grief is palpable...Ashlyn on the other hand is unlikable, unsympathetic, and cold as ice.... but as much as I disliked her she was extremely well drawn... The ultimate unreliable narrator, because I don’t think a true word ever came out of her mouth.... A liar like no other, and she was really good at it, half the time I was convinced of her stories.... and to be honest I’m still not sure what the truth is! The girl twisted everything and I mean everything, she turned Mercer and me upside down and inside out and every other direction.... what a brilliantly deceitful character that made this book so very compelling! A book that will hold your attention from first page to last and leave you satisfied...
Absolutely recommend to anyone who enjoys a thriller filled with complex characters and plenty of twists!
*** many thanks to the author for my copy of this book ***
September 25, 2018
A lie runs until it is overtaken by the truth.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, you have turned my brain inside out in this one. Trust Me is like being in free-fall, tumbling and overturning again and again with no safety net in sight. Where, oh where will truth meet justice in this whiplash of a storyline?
Mercer clocks time in days numbered with a shaky finger gliding up and down on the steamed mirror in the bathroom. Each number represents a notch that moves farther each day from the accident. Mercer's husband, Dex, and her three year old daughter, Sophie, were killed in an automobile accident. Mercer remains in the family home......a family now of one.
Mercer was a stay-at-home mom with her journalism career on hold. With bills to pay, she takes on a challenge by her agent, Katherine, to write a book about a sensationalized case that has been brought to trial. A young mother, Ashlyn, has been accused of murdering her daughter. Even the thought of it catches in Mercer's chest. How can she possibly handle the emotional onslaught of such a case? "I'm trying to write a book. I'm trying to find a life. For now."
Ryan yanks us by the collar and thrusts us into the mix of this Twilight Zone theme that walks barefoot over broken glass. We, as readers, look over Mercer's shoulder as her own version of the truth comes alive on her computer screen. Ryan creates the character of Ashlyn that is so complicated, multi-faceted, and delved out in tiny bits and pieces. We find ourselves believing her and leaning in. Within moments we trail after the truth that seems to bounce off reality like in a non-stop fast and furious pinball machine. What is what? And who is who?
Trust Me is written by the very talented Hank Phillippi Ryan who is relentless in doling out page after page of "I've gotta know. I've just gotta know" theme park here. It's a page-turner, folks. After all.......Trust Me.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, you have turned my brain inside out in this one. Trust Me is like being in free-fall, tumbling and overturning again and again with no safety net in sight. Where, oh where will truth meet justice in this whiplash of a storyline?
Mercer clocks time in days numbered with a shaky finger gliding up and down on the steamed mirror in the bathroom. Each number represents a notch that moves farther each day from the accident. Mercer's husband, Dex, and her three year old daughter, Sophie, were killed in an automobile accident. Mercer remains in the family home......a family now of one.
Mercer was a stay-at-home mom with her journalism career on hold. With bills to pay, she takes on a challenge by her agent, Katherine, to write a book about a sensationalized case that has been brought to trial. A young mother, Ashlyn, has been accused of murdering her daughter. Even the thought of it catches in Mercer's chest. How can she possibly handle the emotional onslaught of such a case? "I'm trying to write a book. I'm trying to find a life. For now."
Ryan yanks us by the collar and thrusts us into the mix of this Twilight Zone theme that walks barefoot over broken glass. We, as readers, look over Mercer's shoulder as her own version of the truth comes alive on her computer screen. Ryan creates the character of Ashlyn that is so complicated, multi-faceted, and delved out in tiny bits and pieces. We find ourselves believing her and leaning in. Within moments we trail after the truth that seems to bounce off reality like in a non-stop fast and furious pinball machine. What is what? And who is who?
Trust Me is written by the very talented Hank Phillippi Ryan who is relentless in doling out page after page of "I've gotta know. I've just gotta know" theme park here. It's a page-turner, folks. After all.......Trust Me.
June 11, 2018
Journalist Mercer Hennessey was a full time mother to daughter, Sophie, putting her career on hold. Nothing could have prepared her for the accident that took the life of lawyer husband, Dex and three year old, Sophie. Her steamy bathroom mirror displayed 442, the number of days since the accident. Grief kept Dex and Sophie alive. Mercer would not allow her sorrow to retreat. She had become reclusive, seldom leaving her house. She kept replaying the car's horrendous skid into an oak tree on a slick, wet road.
Merce's former editor, Katherine Craft wants her to return to work. Katherine insistently pitches an assignment. The Assignment: watch courtroom testimony on the same video feed used by TV stations covering the murder trial of Ashlyn Bryant. Dubbed the "Baby Boston" Murder Trial, Ashlyn is accused of killing two year old daughter, Tasha and dumping her body in Boston Harbor. Katherine's expectation is that two weeks after the verdict, Merce will have written a true crime story on the death of toddler, Tasha Nicole Bryant. Based on wall-to -wall news coverage, the court of public opinion predicts a guilty verdict. Merce just might write the next bestseller.
Merce is plagued by nightmares. She experiences loss and a fierce love for Dex and Sophie. Daily tabulation on the bathroom mirror seems to connect her with them. Merce hopes that by covering this case she can replace some of her grief by focusing on someone else's loss. If she detests Ashlyn, some of her own self loathing might dissipate.
The novel starts slowly with a missing toddler, expanded search and discovery of the body in a duct taped garbage bag recovered from Boston Harbor...but "a body decomposes more quickly in water". Can a jury find Ashlyn Bryant guilty without a reasonable doubt? Will Merce's book depicting the true crime be completed within two weeks of the verdict? One thing is true, Ashlyn Bryant is deceptive and manipulative. She seems to be a pathological liar. "The verdict isn't always the truth".
It is clear that Ashlyn Bryant is all about herself. She constantly erects smoke screens, bogus people, bogus scenarios. Is Ashlyn responsible for Tasha's death? It seems unknowable. For Merce, without the facts of the true crime, all bets are off and her non-stop journalistic efforts will be in vain. What really happened? "Trust Me" by Hank Phillippi Ryan will keep you guessing.
Thank you Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Trust Me".
Merce's former editor, Katherine Craft wants her to return to work. Katherine insistently pitches an assignment. The Assignment: watch courtroom testimony on the same video feed used by TV stations covering the murder trial of Ashlyn Bryant. Dubbed the "Baby Boston" Murder Trial, Ashlyn is accused of killing two year old daughter, Tasha and dumping her body in Boston Harbor. Katherine's expectation is that two weeks after the verdict, Merce will have written a true crime story on the death of toddler, Tasha Nicole Bryant. Based on wall-to -wall news coverage, the court of public opinion predicts a guilty verdict. Merce just might write the next bestseller.
Merce is plagued by nightmares. She experiences loss and a fierce love for Dex and Sophie. Daily tabulation on the bathroom mirror seems to connect her with them. Merce hopes that by covering this case she can replace some of her grief by focusing on someone else's loss. If she detests Ashlyn, some of her own self loathing might dissipate.
The novel starts slowly with a missing toddler, expanded search and discovery of the body in a duct taped garbage bag recovered from Boston Harbor...but "a body decomposes more quickly in water". Can a jury find Ashlyn Bryant guilty without a reasonable doubt? Will Merce's book depicting the true crime be completed within two weeks of the verdict? One thing is true, Ashlyn Bryant is deceptive and manipulative. She seems to be a pathological liar. "The verdict isn't always the truth".
It is clear that Ashlyn Bryant is all about herself. She constantly erects smoke screens, bogus people, bogus scenarios. Is Ashlyn responsible for Tasha's death? It seems unknowable. For Merce, without the facts of the true crime, all bets are off and her non-stop journalistic efforts will be in vain. What really happened? "Trust Me" by Hank Phillippi Ryan will keep you guessing.
Thank you Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Trust Me".
December 13, 2018
Wow, Trust Me gets off to a nail-biting and intriguing start! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A woman is accused of a murder she says she did not commit, while a journalist is grieving an enormous loss. These two join forces, but how and why?
If you are familiar with the Casey Anthony trial, this story will feel similar in some ways. That trial even plays a role in the book.
Mercer, the journalist, has lost her family in a tragic accident. She is having a very hard time (understandably so) when she is asked to write a book about the trial of Ashlyn Bryant, a hated woman, who may have murdered her own daughter, Tasha. Like most of America, Mercer finds Ashlyn despicable, and it’s easy to see why writing this novel would be hard for a grieving mother. Can Mercer write this book?
Ashlyn is one of those characters that makes your skin crawl at times. She is a compulsive liar and just thinking that she may be guilty makes it easy to judge her. It is uncanny how many lies she tells and how she begins to believe her own stories.
Trust Me had me doubting my feelings of Ashlyn’s guilt or innocence over and over again. In a book entitled “Trust Me,” just who can you trust?
The tension was paramount, the writing smooth…I loved to hate Ashlyn and felt compassion for Mercer’s character. Trust Me had me fully invested in demanding justice for Ashlyn’s daughter.
Thanks to the author for the complimentary book. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
A woman is accused of a murder she says she did not commit, while a journalist is grieving an enormous loss. These two join forces, but how and why?
If you are familiar with the Casey Anthony trial, this story will feel similar in some ways. That trial even plays a role in the book.
Mercer, the journalist, has lost her family in a tragic accident. She is having a very hard time (understandably so) when she is asked to write a book about the trial of Ashlyn Bryant, a hated woman, who may have murdered her own daughter, Tasha. Like most of America, Mercer finds Ashlyn despicable, and it’s easy to see why writing this novel would be hard for a grieving mother. Can Mercer write this book?
Ashlyn is one of those characters that makes your skin crawl at times. She is a compulsive liar and just thinking that she may be guilty makes it easy to judge her. It is uncanny how many lies she tells and how she begins to believe her own stories.
Trust Me had me doubting my feelings of Ashlyn’s guilt or innocence over and over again. In a book entitled “Trust Me,” just who can you trust?
The tension was paramount, the writing smooth…I loved to hate Ashlyn and felt compassion for Mercer’s character. Trust Me had me fully invested in demanding justice for Ashlyn’s daughter.
Thanks to the author for the complimentary book. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Read
October 5, 2018The Hook Having almost given up on Hank Phillip Ryan I decided to give her one more chance. She is a woman with much to offer in addition to her career as author. I respect her in her role as journalist,TV personality, her poise, leadership qualities, carriage when speaking to a group and her many awards. Where she lost me was in her series fiction. I've reviewed some here so you'll get the picture if you read those. Trust Me is a standalone. This veering from a series character and the topic intrigued me. Read on for my thoughts.
The Line - ”People learn to live with grief. There lives go on after a loss,. They have to keep living. I suppose.”
The Sinker - Two mothers, two daughters, two deaths. Trust Me started out very well for me making me think Ryan's finally got me. She kept me for most of the book. About 3/4's of the way in I found myself distracted, antsy, bored even, just wanting the whole to come to an end. Too much rehash, repetition, trying to hard to keep the reader guessing. To be fair there was also much that I liked here, particularly how Ryan described grief, the loss of a child, the feelings of guilt and the matter of trust. If I gave stars I'd rate this 3.5. Ryan's next book up is also a standalone. Though I won't be the first in line to read it, I can't say I won't. Never say never.
The Line - ”People learn to live with grief. There lives go on after a loss,. They have to keep living. I suppose.”
The Sinker - Two mothers, two daughters, two deaths. Trust Me started out very well for me making me think Ryan's finally got me. She kept me for most of the book. About 3/4's of the way in I found myself distracted, antsy, bored even, just wanting the whole to come to an end. Too much rehash, repetition, trying to hard to keep the reader guessing. To be fair there was also much that I liked here, particularly how Ryan described grief, the loss of a child, the feelings of guilt and the matter of trust. If I gave stars I'd rate this 3.5. Ryan's next book up is also a standalone. Though I won't be the first in line to read it, I can't say I won't. Never say never.
September 13, 2018
This book was so frustrating that it's a miracle I finished it. At about the 40% mark in the story I had my suspicions that this was to be an awful story and, sure enough, with the introduction of Ashlyn to Mercer in part 2 the ridiculous train started chugging. It feels like a dream mixed with a psychosomatic acid trip. I get that the author is intentionally trying to create an unreliable narrator and an unreliable foil but this...this was otherworldly in terms of confusion. The twist was so anti-climactic I read it three times to ensure I didn't miss something genuinely surprising.
I hate not finishing a book, but I probably should have abandoned this one early on.
I hate not finishing a book, but I probably should have abandoned this one early on.
December 18, 2018
A fictional trial that captivates Boston!
A popular journalist ,Mercer Hennessy has landed a contract to write a novel about a trial that is in session and being referred to as “Baby Boston“. Mercer is suffering from depression because of a tragedy that struck her family over a year ago and is ready to get back to work. She knows it will be an emotional roller coaster for her since the victim is a 2 year old child.
Her task is to turn this trial of the century into a true crime hit that will top the best selling charts. Is she up to the task? Ashyln Bryant is on trial for the murder and it seems she has been convicted in the public eye. Mercer must start her book early and she decides to take the “guilty” angle and get started writing.
The verdict is in….
Ashlyn insists she is innocent. How is Mercer going to deal with the verdict? The game continues…
The fictional case reminded me of the Casey Anthony trial and the way that the public reacted to her and the verdict. Mercer has written the character of Ashlyn very well and I didn’t like her at all! I also couldn’t tell when she was telling the truth, but that comes out later. Could she be innocent after all? How would Mercer handle this verdict? These are questions I kept asking myself. I do think the pacing could have worked better for me if the book would have been shorter. Sometimes it seemed to slow in places.
The story is well-plotted with strong characters, thought provoking scenarios and lots of red herrings. I enjoyed it, although it was a bit drawn out along the way.
For fans of courtroom dramas that will keep you guessing!
August 27, 2018
Well, my mind was officially blown as soon as I finished this one, you guys know that I read a ton of thrillers and love the feeling of not knowing exactly where a story is headed, but Trust Me takes things to a new level. I changed my mind at least a hundred times about what direction this would take, so many times that I started to confuse myself! There was so much going on here it made my head spin at times and it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.
The blurb here is short and sweet and absolutely perfect so I’m not even going to say a whole lot here because going in blind really upped my enjoyment and I want the same awesome experience for you as well. Mercer is a journalist trying to recover from a terrible tragedy and her first foray back into work is to write a true crime book covering the trial of Ashlyn who is accused of murdering her toddler. Horrific stuff and Casey Anthony immediately springs to mind, and Ryan doesn’t shy away from the comparisons, she actually references her several times in the book which I thought was a cool move, she definitely wasn’t trying to rip anyone off. Mercer is convinced that Ashlyn is guilty, but did she really kill her little girl? In a weird twist of fate Mercer and Ashlyn wind up playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse and that’s where I stop talking about the plot.
I found this to be highly unique and loved the book within a book structure, that always intrigues me and was very well done here. Ryan has a sharp writing style and this was meticulously plotted, remember how I said my head was spinning? That was so true, she left me reeling in the end and so surprised by what ended up happening.
Trust Me in three words: Original, Tricky and Complex.
The blurb here is short and sweet and absolutely perfect so I’m not even going to say a whole lot here because going in blind really upped my enjoyment and I want the same awesome experience for you as well. Mercer is a journalist trying to recover from a terrible tragedy and her first foray back into work is to write a true crime book covering the trial of Ashlyn who is accused of murdering her toddler. Horrific stuff and Casey Anthony immediately springs to mind, and Ryan doesn’t shy away from the comparisons, she actually references her several times in the book which I thought was a cool move, she definitely wasn’t trying to rip anyone off. Mercer is convinced that Ashlyn is guilty, but did she really kill her little girl? In a weird twist of fate Mercer and Ashlyn wind up playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse and that’s where I stop talking about the plot.
I found this to be highly unique and loved the book within a book structure, that always intrigues me and was very well done here. Ryan has a sharp writing style and this was meticulously plotted, remember how I said my head was spinning? That was so true, she left me reeling in the end and so surprised by what ended up happening.
Trust Me in three words: Original, Tricky and Complex.
July 18, 2018
This was a slow read. The first section was such a slog I almost gave up. I think they could have ditched the entire first section, taken the really relevant bits and dropped them in the second section with dialogue and maybe a flashback or two. One of the main characters is so over-the-top in words and deeds, I was beginning to think the narrator was hallucinating this entire story. Which would have been a better ending.
January 8, 2023
Check out my #AuthorElevatorSeries interview with Hank!
MIND-BENDING! Award-winning author Hank Phillippi Ryan returns following her popular Jane Ryland series with TRUST ME —a fresh, polished, timely, and masterfully crafted sophisticated standalone crime thriller with a killer plot twist. Her BEST yet!
A delicious, cat-and-mouse game of manipulation and deception. A riveting psychological suspense thriller that will blow you away! One of the Hottest Thrillers of the Year. Top Books of 2018. 5 Stars +
TRUST ME is complex, chilling, dark. A tautly constructed, gripping psychological thriller with a shocking "award-winning" twisty ending. An obsessed journalist faces off with a suburban mom. Only one can prevail.
"There are three sides to every story. Yours. Mine. And the Truth."
Ryan has outdone herself, and if this one does not wind up topping the charts on the New York Times bestselling list for months to come, I will be shocked. Furthermore, it is movie-worthy. If you love intelligently written true-crime shows or books, you will devour!
Readers, this is what you get with, TRUST ME.
The author’s inside knowledge, skill, and expertise as a seasoned journalist. The up close and personal. She knows this business inside and out. She has seen and heard it all.
Plot-driven and character-driven, the characters jump off the page and into your mind. They will twist you beyond belief. You will question everyone and everything. You will be turned in many directions. How many sides are there to the truth? Who is the liar? Can a writer be outsmarted? Let the games begin.
After reading, you will agree, trust me . . . She was born to write this story.
Move over Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train, and The Woman in the Window, and The Wife Between Us.
It is INTENSE! Hang on tight. It is a Wild ride. Let’s dive in.
Mercer Hennessey: Boston. Talented crime writer. Grieving wife and mother.
It has been four hundred forty-two days since the car accident destroyed her family. The crash took Dex and Sophie. Each day she watches as the number disintegrate as she writes them on her steamy bathroom mirror.
There has been no writing since the accident—except for the numbers on her mirror. People finally left her alone. She has not heard from her former editor for months. Not since she stopped returning calls.
Katherine Craft: Her former editor. She thinks it is time for Mercer to get back to work. The Baby Boston story will be perfect for her. She wants her to write the inside story of this gruesome crime. A toddler was killed and dumped in Boston harbor. The mother is on trial for murder. She knows Mercer is the only writer who can do this story justice.
Mercer: A job. All she needs to do is watch the courtroom testimony through the same video feed the TV stations use, then write an instant book about the Baby Boston murder. She needs the money and is offered fifteen thousand dollars up front and the same after the verdict when the book hits the market. Then hefty royalties afterward. She could be a bestselling author.
Possibly the book could give her a reason to get up in the morning. She knows this horrible mother is most definitely guilty. Maybe she can do this for Sophie and Dex. Strive for justice. She must avenge Baby Boston.
She will secretly dedicate the book to Sophie and all the little girls unfairly wrenched away from this world. Can she do this? A mother who took her own daughter’s life. She, in turn, lost her daughter due to a tragic accident. Is she prepared physically, mentally, and emotionally?
It is never the mother, right? The boyfriend, father, but the mother? What kind of monster mother could kill her two-year-old?
Mercer is a storyteller. A writer. She takes facts and makes them fascinating. Like in Cold Blood. Narrative Nonfiction. She agrees to write the book.
She despises Ashlyn Bryant. The killer, of Tasha Nichole. Her innocent two-year-old daughter. She has been held in a cell for the past year and lied to everyone. Pretending Tasha was somewhere else with a babysitter. According to the police, she had motive, means, and opportunity. Ashlyn’s defense attorney is an old colleague of Dex.
Ashlyn Bryan is the most reviled woman in Massachusetts. The entire country. Two weeks after the verdict, she will be sentenced. As soon as she is put away for life, the publisher wants the book. Then, of course, she will have to add the ending.
Mercer is sharp. She writes. She pours over the details. She captures Ashlyn’s deception, manipulation, reliance on delusion, her narcissistic self-confidence. She writes about Tasha, the victim of her mother’s toxic life. It is empowering. Her words will become history. The truth. She must slip inside their heads. She wants justice. A little girl thrown away— discarded in a trash bag.
From Georgia, the mother, the father, the club owner, Valerie-the babysitter, the daughter’s real father. Pouring through the trial, the court records, courtroom drama, transcripts, timelines, evidence, and legalities. What is the truth, and what is a lie?
Mercer is physically and emotionally addicted to Ashlyn’s punishment. But what if she is not found guilty? Could she write a book about redemption? Mercer knows what she is writing about is true, but she is good at making things up.
However, so is Ashlyn. She soon decides to see her in person to make the writing more vivid and authentic. She must figure out the details of what really happened.
She thinks back to the Casey Anthony trial. (we lived and breathed this in Florida- she now lives here in West Palm Beach). The woman was charged with murdering her toddler daughter in Florida and was found not guilty (to everyone’s horror and disbelief). Is Ashlyn a sociopath? Or could she be telling the truth?
Casey and Ashlyn’s lives are similar regarding their clubbing and partying. Did she take murder lessons from Casey? Duct tape. Chloroform. Ashlyn Bryant is on trial for first-degree murder. Premeditation, malice, and extreme cruelty.
However, this monster only has to make the jury see reasonable doubt. They do not want to convict for a crime that carries a life sentence without all the evidence.
What if she gets off? Mercer will die if this happens.
41 hrs and 5 days. Her worst nightmare. She cannot believe this. Now she comes face to face with Ashlyn Bryant. Worse still her editor has delivered her to her doorstep, due to the media. The book is over. The trial is over. All her hard work.
Now she has to write another book. This monster is in her home. The same house where her daughter had lived. She feels violated. This is where the games begin.
Now this, my dear reader friends, is where TRUST ME and the author pulls out the "big guns." From 40-50% into the book, and every page to the explosive conclusion (THE TWIST) —an intense, deadly game of cat-and-mouse. Who is the liar? What is the truth? Who's zoomin' who?
The writing and the storytelling, expose the truth. Mercer is determined. She uses her keen journalism techniques to allow the subject to believe the story is for their benefit, instead of your own. If Mercer can make it for two more weeks. She will use every trick in the book. However, Ashlyn is a master manipulator. She is a pro at deceiving and possesses her bag of tricks.
No one has been in her house for over a year, and now there are only the memories and THIS WOMAN.
Then Ashlyn attempts to turn the tables. Will she succeed? Can she trust Mercer? Can Mercer believe anything that comes from Ashlyn’s mouth? Which one will win out in the end?
OMG! How do you begin to describe this powerful novel and the superb writing?
No doubt Ryan draws inspiration from her career as an investigative reporter in TRUST ME,, which explores the unlikely — and potentially sinister — relationship that blossoms between a grieving journalist and an accused murderer who insists she's innocent. What results is a tense cat-and-mouse heart-pounding game that will keep you turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning. You have a grieving obsessed writer, and a (killer) suburban mom. Who will prevail?
At one point, I was unsure where the book was headed when Ashlyn began questioning Mercer about her family’s tragic accident. This portion reminded me of A. R. Torre’s The Ghostwriter (I loved-top books of 2017), another writer with child and husband killed in an accident. However, it took a different turn, I was holding my breath with this part with my heart pounding.
BTW: Two authors will make the adrenaline pump and heart race. Of course, I read them back to back. I desperately needed a spa day at Eau Spa Palm Beach afterward: Pieces of Her (Karin Slaughter) and TRUST ME (Hank Phillippi Ryan).
Ryan explores many thought-provoking themes: grief, mother-daughter relationships, ethics in journalism, media sensationalism, and the desperate search for the elusive truth.
Having read and enjoyed Hank’s previous books (The Jane Ryland Series) – TRUST ME goes to a much deeper level. Her best yet! A darker psychological level. She explores all sides of the truth and knocks it "out of the park." Enjoyed the courtroom drama and the details. The best was the banter between the two women. Sizzling and thought-provoking!
Have you seen her bio? Hello? Only a brilliant author like Hank could pull off this complex and multi-layered tale with finesse and skill. Her flair, polish, and artistry as a journalist, and an accomplished author—combined with her expertise and skill with years of investigative reporting and crime writing— equals an award-winning novel. A Must Read!
A special thank you to #MacMillian/ForgeBooks, the author, and #NetGalley for an advanced reading digital copy. Also, many thanks to Mary Zanor at Regan Communications for her fabulous assistance with the interview and the author. I have also pre-ordered the hardcover (cannot wait to see it), and the audiobook.
A classic, for every thriller reader. A gem. Get it. Read it. Enjoy it. Let's Discuss this. Book Clubs—A perfect choice.
JDCMustReadBooks
MIND-BENDING! Award-winning author Hank Phillippi Ryan returns following her popular Jane Ryland series with TRUST ME —a fresh, polished, timely, and masterfully crafted sophisticated standalone crime thriller with a killer plot twist. Her BEST yet!
A delicious, cat-and-mouse game of manipulation and deception. A riveting psychological suspense thriller that will blow you away! One of the Hottest Thrillers of the Year. Top Books of 2018. 5 Stars +
TRUST ME is complex, chilling, dark. A tautly constructed, gripping psychological thriller with a shocking "award-winning" twisty ending. An obsessed journalist faces off with a suburban mom. Only one can prevail.
"There are three sides to every story. Yours. Mine. And the Truth."
Ryan has outdone herself, and if this one does not wind up topping the charts on the New York Times bestselling list for months to come, I will be shocked. Furthermore, it is movie-worthy. If you love intelligently written true-crime shows or books, you will devour!
Readers, this is what you get with, TRUST ME.
The author’s inside knowledge, skill, and expertise as a seasoned journalist. The up close and personal. She knows this business inside and out. She has seen and heard it all.
Plot-driven and character-driven, the characters jump off the page and into your mind. They will twist you beyond belief. You will question everyone and everything. You will be turned in many directions. How many sides are there to the truth? Who is the liar? Can a writer be outsmarted? Let the games begin.
After reading, you will agree, trust me . . . She was born to write this story.
Move over Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train, and The Woman in the Window, and The Wife Between Us.
It is INTENSE! Hang on tight. It is a Wild ride. Let’s dive in.
Mercer Hennessey: Boston. Talented crime writer. Grieving wife and mother.
It has been four hundred forty-two days since the car accident destroyed her family. The crash took Dex and Sophie. Each day she watches as the number disintegrate as she writes them on her steamy bathroom mirror.
There has been no writing since the accident—except for the numbers on her mirror. People finally left her alone. She has not heard from her former editor for months. Not since she stopped returning calls.
Katherine Craft: Her former editor. She thinks it is time for Mercer to get back to work. The Baby Boston story will be perfect for her. She wants her to write the inside story of this gruesome crime. A toddler was killed and dumped in Boston harbor. The mother is on trial for murder. She knows Mercer is the only writer who can do this story justice.
Mercer: A job. All she needs to do is watch the courtroom testimony through the same video feed the TV stations use, then write an instant book about the Baby Boston murder. She needs the money and is offered fifteen thousand dollars up front and the same after the verdict when the book hits the market. Then hefty royalties afterward. She could be a bestselling author.
Possibly the book could give her a reason to get up in the morning. She knows this horrible mother is most definitely guilty. Maybe she can do this for Sophie and Dex. Strive for justice. She must avenge Baby Boston.
She will secretly dedicate the book to Sophie and all the little girls unfairly wrenched away from this world. Can she do this? A mother who took her own daughter’s life. She, in turn, lost her daughter due to a tragic accident. Is she prepared physically, mentally, and emotionally?
It is never the mother, right? The boyfriend, father, but the mother? What kind of monster mother could kill her two-year-old?
Mercer is a storyteller. A writer. She takes facts and makes them fascinating. Like in Cold Blood. Narrative Nonfiction. She agrees to write the book.
She despises Ashlyn Bryant. The killer, of Tasha Nichole. Her innocent two-year-old daughter. She has been held in a cell for the past year and lied to everyone. Pretending Tasha was somewhere else with a babysitter. According to the police, she had motive, means, and opportunity. Ashlyn’s defense attorney is an old colleague of Dex.
Ashlyn Bryan is the most reviled woman in Massachusetts. The entire country. Two weeks after the verdict, she will be sentenced. As soon as she is put away for life, the publisher wants the book. Then, of course, she will have to add the ending.
Mercer is sharp. She writes. She pours over the details. She captures Ashlyn’s deception, manipulation, reliance on delusion, her narcissistic self-confidence. She writes about Tasha, the victim of her mother’s toxic life. It is empowering. Her words will become history. The truth. She must slip inside their heads. She wants justice. A little girl thrown away— discarded in a trash bag.
From Georgia, the mother, the father, the club owner, Valerie-the babysitter, the daughter’s real father. Pouring through the trial, the court records, courtroom drama, transcripts, timelines, evidence, and legalities. What is the truth, and what is a lie?
Mercer is physically and emotionally addicted to Ashlyn’s punishment. But what if she is not found guilty? Could she write a book about redemption? Mercer knows what she is writing about is true, but she is good at making things up.
However, so is Ashlyn. She soon decides to see her in person to make the writing more vivid and authentic. She must figure out the details of what really happened.
She thinks back to the Casey Anthony trial. (we lived and breathed this in Florida- she now lives here in West Palm Beach). The woman was charged with murdering her toddler daughter in Florida and was found not guilty (to everyone’s horror and disbelief). Is Ashlyn a sociopath? Or could she be telling the truth?
Casey and Ashlyn’s lives are similar regarding their clubbing and partying. Did she take murder lessons from Casey? Duct tape. Chloroform. Ashlyn Bryant is on trial for first-degree murder. Premeditation, malice, and extreme cruelty.
However, this monster only has to make the jury see reasonable doubt. They do not want to convict for a crime that carries a life sentence without all the evidence.
“Jurors took two days to convict Jodi Arias of killing an ex-boyfriend. Four days to convict the Menendez brothers of killing their parents. Eleven days to convict Scott Peterson of killing his wife, Lacey, and their unborn child. On the other hand, that idiot Florida jury only took about ten hours to acquit Casey Anthony. To acquit O. J. Simpson, less than four hours. Four hours. So as long deliberation has to mean guilty. I deeply relish that Ashlyn must also know that.”
What if she gets off? Mercer will die if this happens.
41 hrs and 5 days. Her worst nightmare. She cannot believe this. Now she comes face to face with Ashlyn Bryant. Worse still her editor has delivered her to her doorstep, due to the media. The book is over. The trial is over. All her hard work.
Now she has to write another book. This monster is in her home. The same house where her daughter had lived. She feels violated. This is where the games begin.
Now this, my dear reader friends, is where TRUST ME and the author pulls out the "big guns." From 40-50% into the book, and every page to the explosive conclusion (THE TWIST) —an intense, deadly game of cat-and-mouse. Who is the liar? What is the truth? Who's zoomin' who?
The writing and the storytelling, expose the truth. Mercer is determined. She uses her keen journalism techniques to allow the subject to believe the story is for their benefit, instead of your own. If Mercer can make it for two more weeks. She will use every trick in the book. However, Ashlyn is a master manipulator. She is a pro at deceiving and possesses her bag of tricks.
No one has been in her house for over a year, and now there are only the memories and THIS WOMAN.
Then Ashlyn attempts to turn the tables. Will she succeed? Can she trust Mercer? Can Mercer believe anything that comes from Ashlyn’s mouth? Which one will win out in the end?
OMG! How do you begin to describe this powerful novel and the superb writing?
No doubt Ryan draws inspiration from her career as an investigative reporter in TRUST ME,, which explores the unlikely — and potentially sinister — relationship that blossoms between a grieving journalist and an accused murderer who insists she's innocent. What results is a tense cat-and-mouse heart-pounding game that will keep you turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning. You have a grieving obsessed writer, and a (killer) suburban mom. Who will prevail?
At one point, I was unsure where the book was headed when Ashlyn began questioning Mercer about her family’s tragic accident. This portion reminded me of A. R. Torre’s The Ghostwriter (I loved-top books of 2017), another writer with child and husband killed in an accident. However, it took a different turn, I was holding my breath with this part with my heart pounding.
BTW: Two authors will make the adrenaline pump and heart race. Of course, I read them back to back. I desperately needed a spa day at Eau Spa Palm Beach afterward: Pieces of Her (Karin Slaughter) and TRUST ME (Hank Phillippi Ryan).
Ryan explores many thought-provoking themes: grief, mother-daughter relationships, ethics in journalism, media sensationalism, and the desperate search for the elusive truth.
Having read and enjoyed Hank’s previous books (The Jane Ryland Series) – TRUST ME goes to a much deeper level. Her best yet! A darker psychological level. She explores all sides of the truth and knocks it "out of the park." Enjoyed the courtroom drama and the details. The best was the banter between the two women. Sizzling and thought-provoking!
Have you seen her bio? Hello? Only a brilliant author like Hank could pull off this complex and multi-layered tale with finesse and skill. Her flair, polish, and artistry as a journalist, and an accomplished author—combined with her expertise and skill with years of investigative reporting and crime writing— equals an award-winning novel. A Must Read!
A special thank you to #MacMillian/ForgeBooks, the author, and #NetGalley for an advanced reading digital copy. Also, many thanks to Mary Zanor at Regan Communications for her fabulous assistance with the interview and the author. I have also pre-ordered the hardcover (cannot wait to see it), and the audiobook.
A classic, for every thriller reader. A gem. Get it. Read it. Enjoy it. Let's Discuss this. Book Clubs—A perfect choice.
JDCMustReadBooks
June 19, 2018
For the love of all that is holy (books!), please give me half stars already, Goodreads!!!!
This is such a true 4.5 for me that I really couldn’t decide whether to round up or down...so up it is!
This was my first book by Ryan and it raises such an interesting premise about who can you trust and how does it impact how you feel about said situations. Mercer is grieving the loss of her husband and young daughter when she is approached to write a book about a current murder trial (a mother accused of killing her own young daughter, a la Casey Anthony) - is it the fresh wound of Mercer’s own loss that has her convinced without a doubt that Ashlyn killed her daughter or is Ashlyn actually guilty? I had so many changing guesses throughout this book and I need some of my book buddies to get to this one so we can discuss already!!!
I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
This is such a true 4.5 for me that I really couldn’t decide whether to round up or down...so up it is!
This was my first book by Ryan and it raises such an interesting premise about who can you trust and how does it impact how you feel about said situations. Mercer is grieving the loss of her husband and young daughter when she is approached to write a book about a current murder trial (a mother accused of killing her own young daughter, a la Casey Anthony) - is it the fresh wound of Mercer’s own loss that has her convinced without a doubt that Ashlyn killed her daughter or is Ashlyn actually guilty? I had so many changing guesses throughout this book and I need some of my book buddies to get to this one so we can discuss already!!!
I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
September 26, 2018
Many reviews contain the story line so I will give my reasons for the 3 star rating. I was debating a two star rating but went with the three due to the author's skill at writing. I just didn't like the book. I had trouble keeping interested with the plot. I was forcing myself to continue thinking it would get better. It didn't for me.
Some of the reasons for this is it felt like a rehash of the Casey Anthony trial. I felt like I could see what was coming next. I would see the real people at the Anthony trial as the faces of the characters in this book.
Also, the characters were all unlikeable for me. In short, I was bored with the book but plodded on to finish. Maybe I should have made it two stars which I seldom do. However, it is a 5 star book by many so it shows that we all like different books and that is good.
Some of the reasons for this is it felt like a rehash of the Casey Anthony trial. I felt like I could see what was coming next. I would see the real people at the Anthony trial as the faces of the characters in this book.
Also, the characters were all unlikeable for me. In short, I was bored with the book but plodded on to finish. Maybe I should have made it two stars which I seldom do. However, it is a 5 star book by many so it shows that we all like different books and that is good.
August 26, 2018
First Sentence: Do you know me?
Journalist Mercer Hennessy struggles daily with the loss of her husband and child who died in an automobile accident. Reminiscent of the Casey Anthony case, Ashlyn Bryant is about to go on trial for the murder of her daughter Tasha Nicole, yet she swears she is innocent. Believing Ashlyn is guilty, Mercer accepts the assignment from her editor Katherine Craft to watch a live courtroom feed and write an "instant book" about the trial to be released as soon as the verdict is pronounced. When events don't go as planned, Mercer needs to try to learn what is true.
Breaking this book down by the elements and beginning with its hook, there is no question but that the opening captures one's attention. The pain and grief conveyed in the opening are palpable and relatable to anyone who has experienced extreme loss, as well as the pain of being left behind—"Dex will never be thirty-six. Sophie will never be four. Tasha Nicole Bryant will never be three. I'll keep changing, though. And keep wondering why." More than that, one is able to empathize with Mercer and the stages through which she goes throughout the story. Ryan's perspective on the ethos of the balance of life rings so true—"We live in such a fragile equilibrium. When one thing changes, everything else has to readjust, same as when a new person steps onto an elevator. People move, shift positions, make sure that the remaining rooms is properly allocated."
What is nice is that in the midst of the sorrow and drama, there is Voice; this character who is only heard, never seen until the very end, who provides touches of light amongst the darkness, and normalcy within the drama—"'You need coffee?' Voice asks. As if he's talking to me. 'Praise this morning's delay, team, you've still got fifteen minutes.' 'Thanks, Voice,' I say. 'Good idea.'"
This truly is a book of two parts. In the first part, Ryan once again proves that well-written courtroom scenes can be as suspenseful as any other type of confrontation. What sets these scenes apart is that the protagonist is neither in the actual courtroom nor personally involved with the hearing. Yet while Mercer is watching the trial remotely, one is envisioning it, and it works. Although the end of Part 1 is rather expected, it does leave one wondering as to where the story is headed.
Part 2 takes a major turn and one quickly realizes how subjective is the truth, and how effectively Ryan has done her job. Even Mercer muses that--“Maybe we never know that truth, since it’s so inescapably transformed by our own point of view.” True to the title, one has incorporated Mercer's views into one's own despite the internal thoughts of "But wait" creating doubt. Ryan has caused one to not want the answers to those doubts even though they are necessary. The bigger question is whether one can "trust" the author.
There is so much which cannot be said for fear of any spoilers. What can be said is that the story within the story is incredibly twisty. Part 1 is approximately the first half of the book and it's excellent. Parts 2 and 3 take one down the rabbit hole as we start to lose faith in the protagonist. We know she is vulnerable; we don't expect her to be naïve. There is also quite a bit of redundancy. Does the story seem overly long? Yes; 50-100 fewer pages might have increased the tension of the story. Still, the book is a fairly quick read, although one may find oneself skimming a fair amount in the latter two parts.
Was the ending satisfactory? It depends. There is a major thread left dangling. For those who prefer feeling justice has been served, and although one knows justice isn't a given, as usually found in most police procedurals, traditional, and cozy mysteries, the end is frustrating. However, it may not bother those who enjoy psychological suspense and don't mind an unresolved or ambiguous ending.
"Trust Me" is twisty, psychological suspense. It's not perfect, but the very end and the epilogue make up for quite a lot.
TRUST ME (Journ-Mercer Hennessy-Boston-Contemp) - Good
Ryan, Hank Phillipi - Standalone
Forge Books – Aug 2018
Journalist Mercer Hennessy struggles daily with the loss of her husband and child who died in an automobile accident. Reminiscent of the Casey Anthony case, Ashlyn Bryant is about to go on trial for the murder of her daughter Tasha Nicole, yet she swears she is innocent. Believing Ashlyn is guilty, Mercer accepts the assignment from her editor Katherine Craft to watch a live courtroom feed and write an "instant book" about the trial to be released as soon as the verdict is pronounced. When events don't go as planned, Mercer needs to try to learn what is true.
Breaking this book down by the elements and beginning with its hook, there is no question but that the opening captures one's attention. The pain and grief conveyed in the opening are palpable and relatable to anyone who has experienced extreme loss, as well as the pain of being left behind—"Dex will never be thirty-six. Sophie will never be four. Tasha Nicole Bryant will never be three. I'll keep changing, though. And keep wondering why." More than that, one is able to empathize with Mercer and the stages through which she goes throughout the story. Ryan's perspective on the ethos of the balance of life rings so true—"We live in such a fragile equilibrium. When one thing changes, everything else has to readjust, same as when a new person steps onto an elevator. People move, shift positions, make sure that the remaining rooms is properly allocated."
What is nice is that in the midst of the sorrow and drama, there is Voice; this character who is only heard, never seen until the very end, who provides touches of light amongst the darkness, and normalcy within the drama—"'You need coffee?' Voice asks. As if he's talking to me. 'Praise this morning's delay, team, you've still got fifteen minutes.' 'Thanks, Voice,' I say. 'Good idea.'"
This truly is a book of two parts. In the first part, Ryan once again proves that well-written courtroom scenes can be as suspenseful as any other type of confrontation. What sets these scenes apart is that the protagonist is neither in the actual courtroom nor personally involved with the hearing. Yet while Mercer is watching the trial remotely, one is envisioning it, and it works. Although the end of Part 1 is rather expected, it does leave one wondering as to where the story is headed.
Part 2 takes a major turn and one quickly realizes how subjective is the truth, and how effectively Ryan has done her job. Even Mercer muses that--“Maybe we never know that truth, since it’s so inescapably transformed by our own point of view.” True to the title, one has incorporated Mercer's views into one's own despite the internal thoughts of "But wait" creating doubt. Ryan has caused one to not want the answers to those doubts even though they are necessary. The bigger question is whether one can "trust" the author.
There is so much which cannot be said for fear of any spoilers. What can be said is that the story within the story is incredibly twisty. Part 1 is approximately the first half of the book and it's excellent. Parts 2 and 3 take one down the rabbit hole as we start to lose faith in the protagonist. We know she is vulnerable; we don't expect her to be naïve. There is also quite a bit of redundancy. Does the story seem overly long? Yes; 50-100 fewer pages might have increased the tension of the story. Still, the book is a fairly quick read, although one may find oneself skimming a fair amount in the latter two parts.
Was the ending satisfactory? It depends. There is a major thread left dangling. For those who prefer feeling justice has been served, and although one knows justice isn't a given, as usually found in most police procedurals, traditional, and cozy mysteries, the end is frustrating. However, it may not bother those who enjoy psychological suspense and don't mind an unresolved or ambiguous ending.
"Trust Me" is twisty, psychological suspense. It's not perfect, but the very end and the epilogue make up for quite a lot.
TRUST ME (Journ-Mercer Hennessy-Boston-Contemp) - Good
Ryan, Hank Phillipi - Standalone
Forge Books – Aug 2018
May 14, 2019
“Everything ends. It’s the when and the how that surprises us.
SUMMARY
It’s been 442 days since the car accident that took Dex and Sophie away from Mercer Hennessy. She keeps count on stream on the bathroom mirror every morning and every one of those 442 days has been a struggle. Her former editor, Katherine Craft calls offering her a book deal. All she would have to do is watch courtroom testimony and write an instant book about the murder trial of “Baby Boston,” a toddler killed and dumped in Boston Harbor. The child’s mother is going on trial for the murder. Katherine assures Mercer the book will be a instant best seller, as long as the mother is found guilty. Everyone one knows the mother did it, and besides Mercer really needs the money. She agrees and throws herself into watching the trial and writing the book. The trial takes 32 days. And then the verdict comes...
No one expected a Not Guilty verdict, and every one is in shock, especially Mercer, who has now lost her book deal. A day later Katherine shows up on Mercer’s doorstep with none other than Ashlyn Bryant, the beautiful young mother who had been on trial for the past month for murdering her daughter, Tasha Nicole. Katherine wants Mercer and Ashlyn to work together for the next two weeks to rewrite the book from Ashlyn’s perspective, a redemption story, a memoir. Mercer is floored, she know Ashlyn is guilty, how can she possibly do this? But Katherine leaves her no choice and Mercer has so many unanswered questions. Perhaps she can get to the truth.
“Is that how the truth is, too? With three possibilities. What we think it is. How someone presents it to us. And what it really is. The deep and inscrutable singular truth.”
REVIEW
Can Mercer trust Ashlyn to tell the truth? Can Ashlyn trust Mercer to help her find redemption? It’s a dangerous game that may have them both spinning out of control and will have you reading at a breathless pace. Tension, lies and deceptions grow with every turn of the page.
The characters are delightfully well-drawn and the writing is polarizing and affecting. Both the mothers in this story lost their three-year-old daughter. Yet for one mother you feel immense sympathy, and the other you feel nothing but anger and disgust. Ashlyn tells so many lies you may never know if and when she is telling the truth. It’s compelling and it’s tragic, and this story will be hard to forget.
If you are familiar with the 2008 Casey and Caylee Anthony story you will read many similarities with Ashlyn and Tasha Bryant. For those of us that watched the Anthony case everyday for months you may even feel you’ve read it all before. But trust me, read it anyway!
Hank Phillipi Ryan is the best selling author of ten award winning suspense novels. TRUST ME won the 2018 Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel.
“We need rituals, we need remembrances, we need the private connections that make each of us unique.”
Publisher Forge
Published June 25, 2019
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
SUMMARY
It’s been 442 days since the car accident that took Dex and Sophie away from Mercer Hennessy. She keeps count on stream on the bathroom mirror every morning and every one of those 442 days has been a struggle. Her former editor, Katherine Craft calls offering her a book deal. All she would have to do is watch courtroom testimony and write an instant book about the murder trial of “Baby Boston,” a toddler killed and dumped in Boston Harbor. The child’s mother is going on trial for the murder. Katherine assures Mercer the book will be a instant best seller, as long as the mother is found guilty. Everyone one knows the mother did it, and besides Mercer really needs the money. She agrees and throws herself into watching the trial and writing the book. The trial takes 32 days. And then the verdict comes...
No one expected a Not Guilty verdict, and every one is in shock, especially Mercer, who has now lost her book deal. A day later Katherine shows up on Mercer’s doorstep with none other than Ashlyn Bryant, the beautiful young mother who had been on trial for the past month for murdering her daughter, Tasha Nicole. Katherine wants Mercer and Ashlyn to work together for the next two weeks to rewrite the book from Ashlyn’s perspective, a redemption story, a memoir. Mercer is floored, she know Ashlyn is guilty, how can she possibly do this? But Katherine leaves her no choice and Mercer has so many unanswered questions. Perhaps she can get to the truth.
“Is that how the truth is, too? With three possibilities. What we think it is. How someone presents it to us. And what it really is. The deep and inscrutable singular truth.”
REVIEW
Can Mercer trust Ashlyn to tell the truth? Can Ashlyn trust Mercer to help her find redemption? It’s a dangerous game that may have them both spinning out of control and will have you reading at a breathless pace. Tension, lies and deceptions grow with every turn of the page.
The characters are delightfully well-drawn and the writing is polarizing and affecting. Both the mothers in this story lost their three-year-old daughter. Yet for one mother you feel immense sympathy, and the other you feel nothing but anger and disgust. Ashlyn tells so many lies you may never know if and when she is telling the truth. It’s compelling and it’s tragic, and this story will be hard to forget.
If you are familiar with the 2008 Casey and Caylee Anthony story you will read many similarities with Ashlyn and Tasha Bryant. For those of us that watched the Anthony case everyday for months you may even feel you’ve read it all before. But trust me, read it anyway!
Hank Phillipi Ryan is the best selling author of ten award winning suspense novels. TRUST ME won the 2018 Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel.
“We need rituals, we need remembrances, we need the private connections that make each of us unique.”
Publisher Forge
Published June 25, 2019
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
August 19, 2018
For those of us who remember the 1974 film Chinatown starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, there is an unforgettable scene in this noir mystery movie where Nicolson’s character is asking Dunaway’s character about the identity of a young woman. While getting angrier and angrier, Nicholson demands the truth and Dunaway alternates between his slaps saying, “my daughter, my sister, my daughter, my sister.” And, as it turns out, both are true, as the truth is often a slippery mesh of realities. In Hank Phillippi Ryan’s new book Trust Me, who to trust as the teller of truth is just as much of a twisted road as Faye Dunaway’s revelation, and its revelation is just as surprising. As that movie scene is unforgettable, so is Ryan’s Trust Me. And, Trust Me is a story that would and quite probably will make a thrilling movie, too, following in the footsteps of recent other best selling (yes, of course it will be a best seller) books, such as Gone Girl or Girl on a Train. It’s just that compelling, actually more compelling for me than either of those. Ryan’s previous novels have all been favorite reads, but Trust Me is the rocket that shoots for the moon and solidly sticks a most memorable landing.
Life has been a matter of bare existence for Mercer Hennessy since the death of her husband Dex and three-year-old daughter Sophie in a tragic car accident fourteen months ago. Each day begins with Mercer writing the number of days her family has been gone on the steamed mirror after her shower. It keeps her connected to them in her mind and heart, like a promise that no matter how many days pass, she will always love and remember them. The enormity of her grief is on display throughout the book, with her thoughts of her husband never giving her another gift as she holds a rock he gave her and of Sophie never turning four. The pain is palatable, and Ryan makes it so through her brilliantly written words.
Still in mourning for the family and life she loved, Mercer desperately needs something to get up for each morning, besides her counting ritual in the mirror. That something comes in connection to another tragedy. “Baby Boston” was the name given to an unidentified toddler found dead in a garbage bag on the shores of Boston Harbor. After identification was made, the mother of the child is now on trial for two-year old Tasha Nicole’s murder. Mercer has been keeping up with the case and is enraged at the actions of the mother, Ashlyn Bryant, whom Mercer knows is guilty. So, when Mercer’s friend and editor Katherine Craft calls proposing and cajoling that Mercer write a narrative non-fiction book, like Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, about the trial and the murder, it seems an important and worthwhile endeavor as a tribute “to every little girl unfairly wrenched away from the world,” including her Sophie. Mercer agrees to watch the trial remotely from a feed set up in her home and to the quick deadline of having the book finished two weeks after the trial closes. The feeling that the book is somehow for her husband and daughter fuels her energy to work and show the guilt of the monster mother Ashlynn.
It’s a lonely, solitary existence in watching the trial on the special equipment Katherine has supplied instead of attending the court sessions, but Mercer prefers it that way. Waiting for each session to start a male voice from the broadcast announces how long it will be until court is in session and information about delays. Mercer latches onto this voice, “the voice,” as a sort of companion in her solitude. She appreciates that it even seems to have a personality and a sense of humor. It is a steadying force for the gruesome details that she is faced with during the trial. It’s up to the prosecuting attorney to get the jury to trust him and the state’s version of what happened, and Mercer thinks the prosecutor is doing a good job of that. Mercer’s writing is going well, and she is sure that people won’t soon forget the mother who killed her own child. In fact, Mercer’s book will ensure that Ashlyn Bryant lives in infamy.
But, Mercer discovers that Ashlyn Bryant and the truth are more complicated than a simple verdict can convey. The two mothers who have both lost their young daughters will become entangled in a high stakes game of gaining the other’s trust so that the truth can come out. Nothing could have prepared Mercer for this aftermath of the trial. Everything she believed and believes about her life is turned upside down, as she learns that truth manipulated for any reason, good or bad, is truth denied. Trying to discern what is manipulation and what you can trust will prove a psychological battle that will cost one woman the place in the world she thought as hers.
Ryan’s ability to create complex, interesting characters is quite evident in all her novels, but in Trust Me, she reaches a bit beyond the norm of characters by including the understated “voice.” “The voice” adds an unbiased touch of relief humor and calm. Trust Me is chock full of great characters, and while you might not like Ashlyn, you will be riveted by her complexity of story. Since Mercer Hennessey is the lone narrator, it is through her interpretation of the truth we come to know the other characters, and her doubts and fears become the reader’s. The mantra of “trust me” runs throughout the book, different characters asking another one to “trust me” that I am the bearer of the truth, and Mercer certainly is confronted with that phrase from characters with different agendas. How often we hear that phrase in life, a promise that what has been said is the absolute truth. But is there an absolute truth? As Mercer reflects, “Maybe we never know that truth, since it’s so inescapably transformed by our own point of view.”
I was fortunate to receive an advanced reading copy of this book from Hank Phillippi Ryan, but you can “trust me” that I’ll be buying a hard copy, too.
Life has been a matter of bare existence for Mercer Hennessy since the death of her husband Dex and three-year-old daughter Sophie in a tragic car accident fourteen months ago. Each day begins with Mercer writing the number of days her family has been gone on the steamed mirror after her shower. It keeps her connected to them in her mind and heart, like a promise that no matter how many days pass, she will always love and remember them. The enormity of her grief is on display throughout the book, with her thoughts of her husband never giving her another gift as she holds a rock he gave her and of Sophie never turning four. The pain is palatable, and Ryan makes it so through her brilliantly written words.
Still in mourning for the family and life she loved, Mercer desperately needs something to get up for each morning, besides her counting ritual in the mirror. That something comes in connection to another tragedy. “Baby Boston” was the name given to an unidentified toddler found dead in a garbage bag on the shores of Boston Harbor. After identification was made, the mother of the child is now on trial for two-year old Tasha Nicole’s murder. Mercer has been keeping up with the case and is enraged at the actions of the mother, Ashlyn Bryant, whom Mercer knows is guilty. So, when Mercer’s friend and editor Katherine Craft calls proposing and cajoling that Mercer write a narrative non-fiction book, like Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, about the trial and the murder, it seems an important and worthwhile endeavor as a tribute “to every little girl unfairly wrenched away from the world,” including her Sophie. Mercer agrees to watch the trial remotely from a feed set up in her home and to the quick deadline of having the book finished two weeks after the trial closes. The feeling that the book is somehow for her husband and daughter fuels her energy to work and show the guilt of the monster mother Ashlynn.
It’s a lonely, solitary existence in watching the trial on the special equipment Katherine has supplied instead of attending the court sessions, but Mercer prefers it that way. Waiting for each session to start a male voice from the broadcast announces how long it will be until court is in session and information about delays. Mercer latches onto this voice, “the voice,” as a sort of companion in her solitude. She appreciates that it even seems to have a personality and a sense of humor. It is a steadying force for the gruesome details that she is faced with during the trial. It’s up to the prosecuting attorney to get the jury to trust him and the state’s version of what happened, and Mercer thinks the prosecutor is doing a good job of that. Mercer’s writing is going well, and she is sure that people won’t soon forget the mother who killed her own child. In fact, Mercer’s book will ensure that Ashlyn Bryant lives in infamy.
But, Mercer discovers that Ashlyn Bryant and the truth are more complicated than a simple verdict can convey. The two mothers who have both lost their young daughters will become entangled in a high stakes game of gaining the other’s trust so that the truth can come out. Nothing could have prepared Mercer for this aftermath of the trial. Everything she believed and believes about her life is turned upside down, as she learns that truth manipulated for any reason, good or bad, is truth denied. Trying to discern what is manipulation and what you can trust will prove a psychological battle that will cost one woman the place in the world she thought as hers.
Ryan’s ability to create complex, interesting characters is quite evident in all her novels, but in Trust Me, she reaches a bit beyond the norm of characters by including the understated “voice.” “The voice” adds an unbiased touch of relief humor and calm. Trust Me is chock full of great characters, and while you might not like Ashlyn, you will be riveted by her complexity of story. Since Mercer Hennessey is the lone narrator, it is through her interpretation of the truth we come to know the other characters, and her doubts and fears become the reader’s. The mantra of “trust me” runs throughout the book, different characters asking another one to “trust me” that I am the bearer of the truth, and Mercer certainly is confronted with that phrase from characters with different agendas. How often we hear that phrase in life, a promise that what has been said is the absolute truth. But is there an absolute truth? As Mercer reflects, “Maybe we never know that truth, since it’s so inescapably transformed by our own point of view.”
I was fortunate to receive an advanced reading copy of this book from Hank Phillippi Ryan, but you can “trust me” that I’ll be buying a hard copy, too.
August 21, 2019
Mercer Hennessy was a reporter who loved her job and her family. After a tragic loss she withdrew from the world. But when her former editor calls and asks her to write a book about the trial of the century, Mercer decides it may be good for her.
A mother, Ashlyn Bryant has been accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter whose body was found in a washed up in a garbage bag on the shore of a beach in Boston, MA. As Mercer follows the trial and writes her book she is positive Ashlyn has committed this horrendous crime and will pay for her actions. How could she not?
Until the verdict comes in. When Ashlyn is found not guilty everyone is in complete shock. But when Mercer's editor calls her and tells her Ashlyn would like HER to write a book about what really happened, she must put her feeling aside and trust that Ashlyn will tell her the truth. But as they sit and talk, Mercer realizes Ashlyn's story seems to change on a daily basis. And as time passes Ashlyn has Mercer so confused not only about the murder, but even that Mercer's family could easily have been involved. Something is not right and Mercer knows it. But she also begins to doubt herself.
Who really killed the young girl and why is Ashlyn trying to manipulate Mercer? Who really can be trusted?
Trust Me is a terrific psychological thriller which keeps you guessing as to who the real killer could be.
Everyone seems to have something to hide...trust me...
A mother, Ashlyn Bryant has been accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter whose body was found in a washed up in a garbage bag on the shore of a beach in Boston, MA. As Mercer follows the trial and writes her book she is positive Ashlyn has committed this horrendous crime and will pay for her actions. How could she not?
Until the verdict comes in. When Ashlyn is found not guilty everyone is in complete shock. But when Mercer's editor calls her and tells her Ashlyn would like HER to write a book about what really happened, she must put her feeling aside and trust that Ashlyn will tell her the truth. But as they sit and talk, Mercer realizes Ashlyn's story seems to change on a daily basis. And as time passes Ashlyn has Mercer so confused not only about the murder, but even that Mercer's family could easily have been involved. Something is not right and Mercer knows it. But she also begins to doubt herself.
Who really killed the young girl and why is Ashlyn trying to manipulate Mercer? Who really can be trusted?
Trust Me is a terrific psychological thriller which keeps you guessing as to who the real killer could be.
Everyone seems to have something to hide...trust me...
Read
December 12, 2018I first off want to say a huge thank you to the author giving me a signed copy of this book!
Wow.. this was a high tense read by Hank Phillippi Ryan! My goodness... I have to say right off the bat that you will definitely have a love-hate relationship with the characters in this book. This takes huge talent on the author's part! I wanted to throw my book across the room sometimes with some of these characters!
This book will have you turning your head quite a bite and questioning everything and everyone. Can you trust your instincts? Can you tell the difference between a lie and the truth?
This book dives into the story of two mother's and two daughters and two deaths associated with these characters. What I loved about this? I really enjoyed Hank's perspective of loss and grief and how one can manage that after the loss of a child.
What I found to be a bit challenging is I found it too be a bit repetitive and a tad bit too long in length. I also found my interest waving in and out due to the repetition of the story.
Huge thank you again to the author for my copy of this book! Definitely enjoyed trying a new author!
Wow.. this was a high tense read by Hank Phillippi Ryan! My goodness... I have to say right off the bat that you will definitely have a love-hate relationship with the characters in this book. This takes huge talent on the author's part! I wanted to throw my book across the room sometimes with some of these characters!
This book will have you turning your head quite a bite and questioning everything and everyone. Can you trust your instincts? Can you tell the difference between a lie and the truth?
This book dives into the story of two mother's and two daughters and two deaths associated with these characters. What I loved about this? I really enjoyed Hank's perspective of loss and grief and how one can manage that after the loss of a child.
What I found to be a bit challenging is I found it too be a bit repetitive and a tad bit too long in length. I also found my interest waving in and out due to the repetition of the story.
Huge thank you again to the author for my copy of this book! Definitely enjoyed trying a new author!
February 3, 2019
Talk about a page turner! You just can’t turn them fast enough bc you want, no, NEED to know what the truth here really is! For fans of true crime stories or Dateline addicts this is the book for you. Very timely and extremely original.
March 28, 2020
Mercer Hennessey is a former reporter who is getting over a deep personal loss. Her life is altered when her former editor, Katherine, asks her to cover the Baby Boston trial. Ashlyn Bryant is about to go on trial for the death of her daughter, Tasha Nicole. Mercer is among those who is certain that Ashlyn is guilty, and Katherine is asking Mercer to write a book about the case and the trial. With the way it grabbed headlines, it is certain to be a best seller. Mercer reluctantly agrees, but Ashlyn’s constant claims of innocence begin to get to Mercer. As Mercer delves further into the book, Ashlyn begins to get into her head. What is true? Is Ashlyn guilty?
I had intended to read Hank Phillippi Ryan’s stand-alone suspense novels before now, but I’m glad I picked up this first one. The book starts out a little slowly. Yes, we are getting needed background, but it feels like it could have been shortened a little. However, once things really get going, I was completely hooked. This is a strong psychological suspense story as Mercer is forced to question everything she thinks is true. The almost claustrophobic feeling of this part of the book certainly helps with that. To pull this off, the characters have to be strong, and they absolutely are, making me question what I thought was going on the entire time. Once you start, you’ll have to know how this book ends.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I had intended to read Hank Phillippi Ryan’s stand-alone suspense novels before now, but I’m glad I picked up this first one. The book starts out a little slowly. Yes, we are getting needed background, but it feels like it could have been shortened a little. However, once things really get going, I was completely hooked. This is a strong psychological suspense story as Mercer is forced to question everything she thinks is true. The almost claustrophobic feeling of this part of the book certainly helps with that. To pull this off, the characters have to be strong, and they absolutely are, making me question what I thought was going on the entire time. Once you start, you’ll have to know how this book ends.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
August 19, 2018
I want everyone to know that it took *all* of my reading willpower not to skip ahead in this book. The story was so serpentine and tense that I could hardly stand the suspense. I hate it when that happens. OK, not really. I loved it. Very well done psychological thriller that to me was a cross between GONE GIRL and THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW (A. J. Finn).
I took off 1/2 star as I started getting a little confused and off-balance, but then maybe that was the author's intent. I also felt it got a little too long in parts, but other than that it's a solid 4.5 star psychological thriller.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy.
I took off 1/2 star as I started getting a little confused and off-balance, but then maybe that was the author's intent. I also felt it got a little too long in parts, but other than that it's a solid 4.5 star psychological thriller.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy.
November 12, 2018
Another hate read hoping it would get better.
October 6, 2019
4.5 stars
January 22, 2019
Book Giveaway Contest Jan 23-Feb 6, 2019. Enter Here (1 of 3) paperback copies signed by the author.
Q & A With the Author
MIND-BENDING! Award-winning author Hank Phillippi Ryan returns following her popular Jane Ryland series with TRUST ME —a fresh, polished, timely, and masterfully crafted sophisticated standalone crime thriller with a killer plot twist. Her BEST yet!
Who is the LIAR?
A delicious, cat-and-mouse game of manipulation and deception. A riveting psychological suspense thriller that will blow you away! One of the Hottest Thrillers of the Year. Top Books of 2018. 5 Stars +
TRUST ME is complex, chilling, dark. A tautly constructed gripping psychological thriller with a shocking "award-winning" twisty ending. An obsessed journalist faces off with a suburban mom. Only one can prevail.
"There are three sides to every story. Yours. Mine. And the Truth."
Ryan has outdone herself, and if this one does not wind up topping the charts on the New York Times bestselling list for months to come, I will be shocked. Furthermore, it is movie-worthy. If you love intelligently written true-crime shows or books, you will devour!
Readers, this is what you get with, TRUST ME.
The author’s inside knowledge, skill, and expertise as a seasoned journalist. The up close and personal. She knows this business inside and out. She has seen and heard it all.
Plot-driven and character-driven, the characters jump off the page and into your mind. They will twist you beyond belief. You will question everyone and everything. You will be turned in many directions. How many sides are there to the truth? Who is the liar? Can a writer be outsmarted? Let the games begin.
After reading, you will agree, trust me . . . She was born to write this story.
Move over Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train, and The Woman in the Window, and The Wife Between Us.
It is INTENSE! Hang on tight. It is a Wild ride. Let’s dive in.
Mercer Hennessey: Boston. Talented crime writer. Grieving wife and mother.
It has been four hundred forty-two days since the car accident that destroyed her family. The crash that took Dex and Sophie. Each day she watches as the number disintegrate as she writes them on her steamy bathroom mirror.
There has been no writing since the accident—except for the numbers on her mirror. People finally have left her alone. She has not heard from her former editor for months. Not since she stopped returning calls.
Katherine Craft: Her former editor. She thinks it is time for Mercer to get back to work. The Baby Boston story will be perfect for her. She wants her to write the inside story of this gruesome crime. A toddler was killed and dumped in Boston harbor. The mother is on trial for murder. She knows Mercer is the only writer who can do this story justice.
Mercer: A job. All she needs to do is watch the courtroom testimony through the same video feed the TV stations use, then write an instant book about the Baby Boston murder. She needs the money and is offered fifteen thousand dollars up front and the same after the verdict when the book hits the market. Then hefty royalties afterward. She could be a bestselling author.
Possibly the book could give her a reason to get up in the morning. She knows this horrible mother is most definitely guilty. Maybe she can do this for Sophie and Dex. Strive for justice. She must avenge Baby Boston.
She will secretly dedicate the book to Sophie and all the little girls unfairly wrenched away from this world. Can she do this? A mother who took her own daughter’s life. She, in turn, lost her daughter due to a tragic accident. Is she prepared physically, mentally, and emotionally?
It is never the mother, right? The boyfriend, father, but the mother? What kind of monster mother could kill her own two-year-old?
Mercer is a storyteller. A writer. She takes facts and makes them fascinating. Like in Cold Blood. Narrative Nonfiction. She agrees to write the book.
She despises Ashlyn Bryant. The killer, of Tasha Nichole. Her innocent two-year-old daughter. She has been held in a cell for the past year and lied to everyone. Pretending Tasha was somewhere else with a babysitter. According to the police she had motive, means and opportunity. Ashlyn’s defense attorney is an old colleague of Dex.
Ashlyn Bryan is the most reviled woman in Massachusetts. The entire country. Two weeks after the verdict, she will be sentenced. As soon as she is put away for life, the publisher wants the book. Then, of course, she will have to add the ending.
Mercer is sharp. She writes. She pours over the details. She captures Ashlyn’s deception, manipulation, her reliance on delusion, her narcissistic self- confidence. She writes about Tasha, the victim of her mother’s toxic life. It is empowering. Her words will become history. The truth. She must slip inside their heads. She wants justice. A little girl thrown away— discarded in a trash bag.
From Georgia the mother, the father, the club owner, Valerie-the babysitter, the daughter’s real father. Pouring through the trial, the court records, courtroom drama, transcripts, timelines, evidence, legalities. What is the truth and what is a lie?
Mercer is physically and emotionally addicted to Ashlyn’s punishment. But what if she is not found guilty? Could she write a book about redemption? Mercer knows what she is writing about is true, but she is good at making things up.
However, so is Ashlyn. She soon decides she wants to see her in person to make the writing more vivid and authentic. She must figure out the details of what really happened.
She thinks back to the Casey Anthony trial. (we lived and breathed this in Florida- she now lives here in West Palm Beach). The woman who was charged with murdering her toddler daughter in Florida and was found not guilty (to everyone’s horror and disbelief). Is Ashlyn a sociopath? Or could she be telling the truth?
Casey and Ashlyn’s lives are similar as far as their clubbing and partying. Did she take murder lessons from Casey? Duct tape. Chloroform. Ashlyn Bryant is on trial for first-degree murder. Premeditation, malice, and extreme cruelty.
However, this monster only has to make the jury see reasonable doubt. They do not want to convict for a crime that carries a life sentence without all the evidence.
What if she gets off? Mercer will die if this happens.
41 hrs and 5 days. Her worst nightmare. She cannot believe this. Now she comes face to face with Ashlyn Bryant. Worse still her editor has delivered her to her doorstep, due to the media. The book is over. The trial is over. All her hard work.
Now she has to write another book. This monster is in her home. The same house where her daughter had lived. She feels violated. This is where the games begin.
Now this, my dear reader friends is where TRUST ME and the author pulls out the "big guns." From 40-50% into the book, and every page to the explosive conclusion (THE TWIST) —an intense, deadly game of cat-and-mouse. Who is the liar? What is the truth? Who's zoomin' who?
The writing and the storytelling, exposing the truth. Mercer is determined. She uses her keen journalism techniques to allow the subject to believe the story is for their benefit, instead of your own. If Mercer can make it for two more weeks. She will use every trick in the book. However, Ashlyn is a master manipulator. She is a pro at deceiving and possess her own bag of tricks.
No one has been in her house for over a year, and now there are only the memories and THIS WOMAN.
Then Ashlyn attempts to turn the tables. Will she succeed? Can she trust Mercer? Can Mercer believe anything that comes of Ashlyn’s mouth? Which one will win out in the end?
OMG! How do you begin to describe this powerful novel and the superb writing?
No doubt Ryan draws inspiration from her career as an investigative reporter in TRUST ME, which explores the unlikely — and potentially sinister — a relationship that blossoms between a grieving journalist and an accused murderer who insists she's innocent. What results is a tense cat-and-mouse heart-pounding game that will keep you turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning. You have a grieving obsessed writer, and a (killer) suburban mom. Who will prevail?
At one point, I was unsure where the book was headed when Ashlyn began questioning Mercer about her family’s tragic accident. This portion reminded me of A. R. Torre’s The Ghostwriter (I loved-top books of 2017), another writer with child and husband killed in an accident. However, it took a different turn, I was holding my breath with this part with heart pounding.
Ryan explores many thought-provoking themes: grief, mother-daughter relationships, ethics in journalism, media sensationalism, and the desperate search for the elusive truth.
Having read and enjoyed Hank’s previous books (The Jane Ryland Series) – TRUST ME goes to a much deeper level. Her best yet! A darker psychological level. She explores all sides of the truth and knocks it "out of the park." Enjoyed the courtroom drama and the details. The best was the banter between the two women. Sizzling and thought-provoking!
A classic, for every thriller reader. A gem. Get it. Read it. Enjoy it. Let's Discuss. Book Clubs—A perfect choice.
JDCMustReadBooks
Q & A With the Author
MIND-BENDING! Award-winning author Hank Phillippi Ryan returns following her popular Jane Ryland series with TRUST ME —a fresh, polished, timely, and masterfully crafted sophisticated standalone crime thriller with a killer plot twist. Her BEST yet!
Who is the LIAR?
A delicious, cat-and-mouse game of manipulation and deception. A riveting psychological suspense thriller that will blow you away! One of the Hottest Thrillers of the Year. Top Books of 2018. 5 Stars +
TRUST ME is complex, chilling, dark. A tautly constructed gripping psychological thriller with a shocking "award-winning" twisty ending. An obsessed journalist faces off with a suburban mom. Only one can prevail.
"There are three sides to every story. Yours. Mine. And the Truth."
Ryan has outdone herself, and if this one does not wind up topping the charts on the New York Times bestselling list for months to come, I will be shocked. Furthermore, it is movie-worthy. If you love intelligently written true-crime shows or books, you will devour!
Readers, this is what you get with, TRUST ME.
The author’s inside knowledge, skill, and expertise as a seasoned journalist. The up close and personal. She knows this business inside and out. She has seen and heard it all.
Plot-driven and character-driven, the characters jump off the page and into your mind. They will twist you beyond belief. You will question everyone and everything. You will be turned in many directions. How many sides are there to the truth? Who is the liar? Can a writer be outsmarted? Let the games begin.
After reading, you will agree, trust me . . . She was born to write this story.
Move over Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train, and The Woman in the Window, and The Wife Between Us.
It is INTENSE! Hang on tight. It is a Wild ride. Let’s dive in.
Mercer Hennessey: Boston. Talented crime writer. Grieving wife and mother.
It has been four hundred forty-two days since the car accident that destroyed her family. The crash that took Dex and Sophie. Each day she watches as the number disintegrate as she writes them on her steamy bathroom mirror.
There has been no writing since the accident—except for the numbers on her mirror. People finally have left her alone. She has not heard from her former editor for months. Not since she stopped returning calls.
Katherine Craft: Her former editor. She thinks it is time for Mercer to get back to work. The Baby Boston story will be perfect for her. She wants her to write the inside story of this gruesome crime. A toddler was killed and dumped in Boston harbor. The mother is on trial for murder. She knows Mercer is the only writer who can do this story justice.
Mercer: A job. All she needs to do is watch the courtroom testimony through the same video feed the TV stations use, then write an instant book about the Baby Boston murder. She needs the money and is offered fifteen thousand dollars up front and the same after the verdict when the book hits the market. Then hefty royalties afterward. She could be a bestselling author.
Possibly the book could give her a reason to get up in the morning. She knows this horrible mother is most definitely guilty. Maybe she can do this for Sophie and Dex. Strive for justice. She must avenge Baby Boston.
She will secretly dedicate the book to Sophie and all the little girls unfairly wrenched away from this world. Can she do this? A mother who took her own daughter’s life. She, in turn, lost her daughter due to a tragic accident. Is she prepared physically, mentally, and emotionally?
It is never the mother, right? The boyfriend, father, but the mother? What kind of monster mother could kill her own two-year-old?
Mercer is a storyteller. A writer. She takes facts and makes them fascinating. Like in Cold Blood. Narrative Nonfiction. She agrees to write the book.
She despises Ashlyn Bryant. The killer, of Tasha Nichole. Her innocent two-year-old daughter. She has been held in a cell for the past year and lied to everyone. Pretending Tasha was somewhere else with a babysitter. According to the police she had motive, means and opportunity. Ashlyn’s defense attorney is an old colleague of Dex.
Ashlyn Bryan is the most reviled woman in Massachusetts. The entire country. Two weeks after the verdict, she will be sentenced. As soon as she is put away for life, the publisher wants the book. Then, of course, she will have to add the ending.
Mercer is sharp. She writes. She pours over the details. She captures Ashlyn’s deception, manipulation, her reliance on delusion, her narcissistic self- confidence. She writes about Tasha, the victim of her mother’s toxic life. It is empowering. Her words will become history. The truth. She must slip inside their heads. She wants justice. A little girl thrown away— discarded in a trash bag.
From Georgia the mother, the father, the club owner, Valerie-the babysitter, the daughter’s real father. Pouring through the trial, the court records, courtroom drama, transcripts, timelines, evidence, legalities. What is the truth and what is a lie?
Mercer is physically and emotionally addicted to Ashlyn’s punishment. But what if she is not found guilty? Could she write a book about redemption? Mercer knows what she is writing about is true, but she is good at making things up.
However, so is Ashlyn. She soon decides she wants to see her in person to make the writing more vivid and authentic. She must figure out the details of what really happened.
She thinks back to the Casey Anthony trial. (we lived and breathed this in Florida- she now lives here in West Palm Beach). The woman who was charged with murdering her toddler daughter in Florida and was found not guilty (to everyone’s horror and disbelief). Is Ashlyn a sociopath? Or could she be telling the truth?
Casey and Ashlyn’s lives are similar as far as their clubbing and partying. Did she take murder lessons from Casey? Duct tape. Chloroform. Ashlyn Bryant is on trial for first-degree murder. Premeditation, malice, and extreme cruelty.
However, this monster only has to make the jury see reasonable doubt. They do not want to convict for a crime that carries a life sentence without all the evidence.
“Jurors took two days to convict Jodi Arias of killing an ex-boyfriend. Four days to convict the Menendez brothers of killing their parents. Eleven days to convict Scott Peterson of killing his wife Lacey and their unborn child. On the other hand, that idiot Florida jury only took about ten hours to acquit Casey Anthony. To acquit O. J. Simpson, less than four hours. Four hours. So as long deliberation has to mean guilty. I deeply relish that Ashlyn must also know that.”
What if she gets off? Mercer will die if this happens.
41 hrs and 5 days. Her worst nightmare. She cannot believe this. Now she comes face to face with Ashlyn Bryant. Worse still her editor has delivered her to her doorstep, due to the media. The book is over. The trial is over. All her hard work.
Now she has to write another book. This monster is in her home. The same house where her daughter had lived. She feels violated. This is where the games begin.
Now this, my dear reader friends is where TRUST ME and the author pulls out the "big guns." From 40-50% into the book, and every page to the explosive conclusion (THE TWIST) —an intense, deadly game of cat-and-mouse. Who is the liar? What is the truth? Who's zoomin' who?
The writing and the storytelling, exposing the truth. Mercer is determined. She uses her keen journalism techniques to allow the subject to believe the story is for their benefit, instead of your own. If Mercer can make it for two more weeks. She will use every trick in the book. However, Ashlyn is a master manipulator. She is a pro at deceiving and possess her own bag of tricks.
No one has been in her house for over a year, and now there are only the memories and THIS WOMAN.
Then Ashlyn attempts to turn the tables. Will she succeed? Can she trust Mercer? Can Mercer believe anything that comes of Ashlyn’s mouth? Which one will win out in the end?
OMG! How do you begin to describe this powerful novel and the superb writing?
No doubt Ryan draws inspiration from her career as an investigative reporter in TRUST ME, which explores the unlikely — and potentially sinister — a relationship that blossoms between a grieving journalist and an accused murderer who insists she's innocent. What results is a tense cat-and-mouse heart-pounding game that will keep you turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning. You have a grieving obsessed writer, and a (killer) suburban mom. Who will prevail?
At one point, I was unsure where the book was headed when Ashlyn began questioning Mercer about her family’s tragic accident. This portion reminded me of A. R. Torre’s The Ghostwriter (I loved-top books of 2017), another writer with child and husband killed in an accident. However, it took a different turn, I was holding my breath with this part with heart pounding.
Ryan explores many thought-provoking themes: grief, mother-daughter relationships, ethics in journalism, media sensationalism, and the desperate search for the elusive truth.
Having read and enjoyed Hank’s previous books (The Jane Ryland Series) – TRUST ME goes to a much deeper level. Her best yet! A darker psychological level. She explores all sides of the truth and knocks it "out of the park." Enjoyed the courtroom drama and the details. The best was the banter between the two women. Sizzling and thought-provoking!
A classic, for every thriller reader. A gem. Get it. Read it. Enjoy it. Let's Discuss. Book Clubs—A perfect choice.
JDCMustReadBooks
August 24, 2018
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Former journalist Mercer Hennessey is still trying to deal with the car accident that took her husband and 3-year-old daughter when her former editor, Katherine pitches her a true-crime book idea. Ashlyn Bryant is on trial for murdering her 2-year-old daughter. Bryant has proclaimed her innocence since she was arrested. Katherine wants Mercer to watch the trial and write about having the book ready shortly after the trial ends. Mercer agrees hoping it will help her start to move on from her grief but the trial and aftermath effect her in ways she never imagined.
As a mom who has lost a child, an adult child, not a toddler, I felt Mercer’s grief really resonated with me and as the story continued by heart just broke for this character. I know that pain and the author brought it out in her words with an expert hand. Mercer has a little ritual that was very similar to one I have which gave me a link into her “new” normal.
The author also created a very unlikable character in Ashlyn Bryant. Totally shady and more twisted as the story continues. While she has a problem telling the truth she came across as very real.
The book is broken into 3 parts and Ms. Ryan takes us on quite a journey as we work our way through a complicated story. I liked the step by step process of part 1 very much and seeing Mercer’s start on the book. I am a big fan of courtroom drama. The story takes a huge turn at the start of Part 2. I admire Mercer for her strength to take on a true crime novel and stick with it until the end and all she has to endure. I would not have been able to deal with half of what Mercer did. The characters in this story are full of depth.
In the midst of what really is a dark story, there is just a little thing that does cut through. On the feeds that Mercer is watching there is a man, a “voice” that announces what will be happening at the trial at the beginning of the day, breaks in if need be with announcements, and signs off at the end of the day. It is just his voice, he is never seen on camera, but he does his best to put a smile on people who are watching the feed.
I hesitate to give too many details because to get the full impact of this story you must read it fresh for yourself. The author not only manipulates the characters she manipulated my thinking too. The story is a true psychological mystery that is so twisted you don’t know who to trust. But TRUST ME, this is a book you will want to read, preorder so you have it immediately when it is released next Tuesday!
Former journalist Mercer Hennessey is still trying to deal with the car accident that took her husband and 3-year-old daughter when her former editor, Katherine pitches her a true-crime book idea. Ashlyn Bryant is on trial for murdering her 2-year-old daughter. Bryant has proclaimed her innocence since she was arrested. Katherine wants Mercer to watch the trial and write about having the book ready shortly after the trial ends. Mercer agrees hoping it will help her start to move on from her grief but the trial and aftermath effect her in ways she never imagined.
As a mom who has lost a child, an adult child, not a toddler, I felt Mercer’s grief really resonated with me and as the story continued by heart just broke for this character. I know that pain and the author brought it out in her words with an expert hand. Mercer has a little ritual that was very similar to one I have which gave me a link into her “new” normal.
The author also created a very unlikable character in Ashlyn Bryant. Totally shady and more twisted as the story continues. While she has a problem telling the truth she came across as very real.
The book is broken into 3 parts and Ms. Ryan takes us on quite a journey as we work our way through a complicated story. I liked the step by step process of part 1 very much and seeing Mercer’s start on the book. I am a big fan of courtroom drama. The story takes a huge turn at the start of Part 2. I admire Mercer for her strength to take on a true crime novel and stick with it until the end and all she has to endure. I would not have been able to deal with half of what Mercer did. The characters in this story are full of depth.
In the midst of what really is a dark story, there is just a little thing that does cut through. On the feeds that Mercer is watching there is a man, a “voice” that announces what will be happening at the trial at the beginning of the day, breaks in if need be with announcements, and signs off at the end of the day. It is just his voice, he is never seen on camera, but he does his best to put a smile on people who are watching the feed.
I hesitate to give too many details because to get the full impact of this story you must read it fresh for yourself. The author not only manipulates the characters she manipulated my thinking too. The story is a true psychological mystery that is so twisted you don’t know who to trust. But TRUST ME, this is a book you will want to read, preorder so you have it immediately when it is released next Tuesday!
July 6, 2018
“Trust Me” by Hank Phillippi Ryan , is a first person narrative by Mercer Hennessey, who is struggling to go on after an accident that claimed her child and her husband.
Mercer’s friend and business associate Katherine Craft, wants her to go back to work, to write again. She has the perfect assignment; Mercer will write a true crime book about Ashlyn Bryant, a woman on trial, accused of murdering her daughter, Tasha Nicole. Mercer, however, is tentative about her decision to write the book.
“Trust Me” progresses as a book within a book where journalism and crime collide. Readers follow Mercer’s first person account of her own personal demons, and at the same time, read chapter after chapter of her “soon to be best seller” about the murder trial tentative titled “Little Girl Lost.”
Mercer has a front-seat view of the trial via closed circuit TV and scrutinizes related documents one after the other. Nevertheless, she finds more questions than answers. Which version of “the truth” is really the truth, and how will she really tell? Does everyone lie about everything?
The trial is only part of the story, and the real trauma begins after the trial. Every life is changed by the jury’s verdict, and no one will ever be the same.
This fast-paced thriller seems ripped from current headlines. Accountability and dishonesty come to the forefront, and tormenting suspense and unscrupulous manipulation fill every page. I was given a review copy of “Trust Me” by Hank Phillippi Ryan, and I highly recommend it. I could not read it fast enough, so clear your schedule; you will not be able to stop reading once you start.
“Using one forefinger I write on the bathroom mirror...442…Four hundred forty-two days since the car accident that destroyed my family.”
Mercer’s friend and business associate Katherine Craft, wants her to go back to work, to write again. She has the perfect assignment; Mercer will write a true crime book about Ashlyn Bryant, a woman on trial, accused of murdering her daughter, Tasha Nicole. Mercer, however, is tentative about her decision to write the book.
“Now I’ve agreed to a job that might be impossible. Now I have no choice.”
“Trust Me” progresses as a book within a book where journalism and crime collide. Readers follow Mercer’s first person account of her own personal demons, and at the same time, read chapter after chapter of her “soon to be best seller” about the murder trial tentative titled “Little Girl Lost.”
Mercer has a front-seat view of the trial via closed circuit TV and scrutinizes related documents one after the other. Nevertheless, she finds more questions than answers. Which version of “the truth” is really the truth, and how will she really tell? Does everyone lie about everything?
The trial is only part of the story, and the real trauma begins after the trial. Every life is changed by the jury’s verdict, and no one will ever be the same.
This fast-paced thriller seems ripped from current headlines. Accountability and dishonesty come to the forefront, and tormenting suspense and unscrupulous manipulation fill every page. I was given a review copy of “Trust Me” by Hank Phillippi Ryan, and I highly recommend it. I could not read it fast enough, so clear your schedule; you will not be able to stop reading once you start.
August 28, 2019
Still grieving her husband, Dex, and 3 year old daughter, Sophie, journalist Mercer agrees to write a true crime book about a young mother, Ashlyn, on trial for murdering her daughter, Tasha. Is it true that "only Ashlyn" could have killed her precious, 2 year old daughter? Will she be found guilty? How will Mercer's assumptions about Ashley affect the book, and is there more to the story? Lastly, how will Mercer's own grief affect the book?
This suspenseful story was unlike any I have read before. An investigative reporter herself with 7 News in Boston, Ms. Ryan has created a deliciously suspenseful page turner reminiscent of the Casey Anthony trial and has mastered the unreliable narrator. For instance, about halfway through the book, I found myself so confused that I understood exactly how Mercer must have felt ...
"The woman is a one-person tug-of-war between paranoia and ego... and she concocts her own realities."
Plus, Mercer was waaaaay more patient than I would have been in this scenario! Who killed Tasha and why? How was Mercer supposed to write a true crime book if she didn't know the truth? Inside my own head, I was screaming, just tell me the TRUTH already, damn it!! Haha.
"Is that how the truth is, too? With three possibilities. What we think it is. How someone presents it to us. And what it really is. The deep and inscrutable singular truth."
The epilogue was perfection and even brought tears to my eyes (which, hello, doesn't happen very often in the thriller/suspense genre). This was my first time reading anything by this author, and I look forward to devouring her backlog!
Location: Boston, Massachusetts and Dayton, Ohio
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This suspenseful story was unlike any I have read before. An investigative reporter herself with 7 News in Boston, Ms. Ryan has created a deliciously suspenseful page turner reminiscent of the Casey Anthony trial and has mastered the unreliable narrator. For instance, about halfway through the book, I found myself so confused that I understood exactly how Mercer must have felt ...
"The woman is a one-person tug-of-war between paranoia and ego... and she concocts her own realities."
Plus, Mercer was waaaaay more patient than I would have been in this scenario! Who killed Tasha and why? How was Mercer supposed to write a true crime book if she didn't know the truth? Inside my own head, I was screaming, just tell me the TRUTH already, damn it!! Haha.
"Is that how the truth is, too? With three possibilities. What we think it is. How someone presents it to us. And what it really is. The deep and inscrutable singular truth."
The epilogue was perfection and even brought tears to my eyes (which, hello, doesn't happen very often in the thriller/suspense genre). This was my first time reading anything by this author, and I look forward to devouring her backlog!
Location: Boston, Massachusetts and Dayton, Ohio
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 11, 2019
Trust Me gets off to an intriguing start, the premise is new & interesting, & i was all in. Unfortunately, for me it never really picked up from there. The narrator is in mourning, it's believable & i felt for her.. But i guess maybe because of that, she comes across as way too impressionable for me. It might just be a matter of taste, but i felt like a strong woman who had gotten to where she had in life (& in her career) wouldn't have been caught so completely off guard by this accused murdered that she's forced to deal with. I came away feeling like the whole premise was somewhat ridiculous, but i think in hindsight it's only because i never got drawn in.. I think i could've swallowed it if the rest of the book was better. Ugh now i feel like I'm being harsh! I do like the authors style.. It went down easy, even as i felt i knew exactly what was happening.. (but since this is written to be full of twists & "confusion," that is a very bad thing!) It read to me maybe like a long newspaper article... Kind of interesting but no surprises or real relationships.. I would give another 1 by this author a shot though, because i did like the premise & i did enjoy her storytelling.. Just hope it isn't as predictable next time.
January 22, 2019
I would have had this book read in one night had I need been so sick. I love a thriller and I love it when I am wrong but this one had me shaking my head. I could not for the life of me understand why Mercer, who believed that Ashlyn was guilty, would start believing everything Ashlyn told her. I wanted to throw the book at that point. You have to read this one to find out what is going on in these two women's head. I want to thank my sister (best friend) for every nighting me a copy of this to read. I know have a new author to read!
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