Book Review: Before She Knew Him

This is my book review of “Before She Knew Him”.

Hen (short for Henrietta) and Lloyd have moved to the suburbs outside Boston. Into a house that looks pretty much like all the others on the street. But away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Hen is an artist who illustrates children’s books. She also has bipolar disorder. Before she was diagnosed she did some crazy things. Once she actually assaulted someone.

Their next door neighbors, Mira and Matthew, invite them over for dinner one night. Mira is a textbook saleswoman who travels a lot. Matthew is a private school teacher.

The evening is pleasant until Mira gives them a tour of the house she’s carefully decorated. When they get to Matthew’s office, Hen sees before her a fencing trophy that makes her blood run cold.

She recognizes it instantly because she’s long had a fascination with unsolved murders. And that trophy is exactly like the photo of the one the police had in the unsolved murder case of Dustin Miller. He didn’t live far from them at the time and she remembers it well.

She could call the police, but would they even believe her? After all, she has a history of bipolar disorder which led to an assault before she was properly medicated.

Hen decides then and there to follow Matthew Dolamore and see if she can find clues about his behavior.

About The Author Of Before She Knew Him:

Peter Swanson is the winner of the New England Society Book Award, and finalist for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, Her Every Fear, an NPR book of the year. And his most recent thriller, Eight Perfect Murders.

He is an American author best known for his psychological suspense novels.

My Thoughts:

This book’s plot moves quickly. I read it in a couple of days.

There is lots of suspense and clues so you’re always wondering: Did he? Did she? Who to believe?

There are many heart-racing moments when I found it hard to put down.

Like many psychological suspense novels, “Before She Knew Him” kept me guessing till the very end.