Review of When I Killed You

[Hazel Arnaiz]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "When I Killed You" by Liam Fialkov.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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The mysterious disappearance of nine-year-old Alice Avery piqued the interest of the media. Aside from her prominent family background, her case perplexed authorities. Family, friends, and enemies are all suspects, yet everyone provides a perfect alibi. There was not enough evidence to locate Alice. The unfortunate event had an immense impact on her family. The wealthy mother found comfort in writing her memoir. The father, a physics professor, pursued his interest in the multiverse. The eldest sister took refuge in writing fantasy novels. Still in grief after thirty years, the mother reopens the investigation with the help of a renowned investigative journalist. Will discovering new realities and truths help solve the mystery and provide forgiveness and peace?

When I Killed You by Liam Fialkov blends family drama, psychological thrillers, and speculative fiction. The author deftly puts a fresh spin on a whodunit mystery. It incorporates features that all contribute to sustaining interest. The storytelling and chronology establish the tone for this gripping mystery. The story progresses in two ways. The first is a memoir's first-person musings. The second is a third-person omniscient perspective. The change in narration is easy to follow. The switch occurs at the start of a new chapter and comes with a label as a journal entry. Scenes are told in both accounts but are not repetitive. They lend reality to the investigation by presenting events from different perspectives. They allow for many red herrings, keeping the audience guessing. Similarly, as additional details become available, the non-linear chronology engages readers to piece together the incidents.

The plot was unpredictable, but it nicely tied up the loose ends. The characters did not simply vanish after the investigation. It also addressed the hints dropped along the way. Moreover, the book did not end with the closure of the mystery case. It went even further by providing alternate endings. It did not affect the initial conclusion. These variations are still part of the overall plot. The author accomplished this by placing them in the last part of the book and utilizing the concept of parallel universes, which the story lightly brushed on. The effect provided readers with options. The audience might either stop at the closing of the case or speculate on alternative scenarios. It was understandable why the author felt compelled to tie up loose ends at the initial conclusion. Other endings could then be possible. This careful execution was my favorite aspect of the book.

As a family drama, the focus was on familial relationships and the impact of a tragic event on their dynamics. It was interesting how it addressed favoritism and sibling rivalry. Being a psychological thriller, it skillfully explores human flaws to add depth and complexity. The various points of view heighten the intrigue. Similarly, the journal entries mirror the narrator's internal conflicts. As speculative fiction, it touches on parallel universes but does not delve into the underlying math and science. What it did was increase the intrigue around the mental states of the characters. It was also a clever way of introducing multiple endings.

Several lengthy portions of the memoir slowed the pace. But, as I later realized, it was to set up the varied endings. My favorite of these speculative conclusions was the one that opened up more possibilities. The one least appealing to me was the one distant from the context provided in the story. Nonetheless, the original conclusion remains the most impactful for me. The plot twist was unexpected, but the culprit's motivation appears plausible.

I have no reservations about this work in general. The reading flow was fluid because of the choice of words and relaxed approach. The editing issue is barely noticeable. Because of the swear language and suggestive references, this book is suited for readers sixteen and above. The information will not offend religious organizations. Because there is a brief mention of abortion and rape, sensitive readers should proceed with caution. Those interested in family relationships, flawed characters, crime investigations, and multiple universes will enjoy this. However, if you are interested in the science and math of the multiverse, look elsewhere.

I appreciated the book because of the engaging plot and thoughtful execution. It deserves a five out of five.

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When I Killed You
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[Kirui Collins]

I love the writing styles. There is first, second, and third-person narration. Thanks for the review.

[NetMassimo]

A mystery that include elements from different genres the author used to build a strong plot is certainly interesting. Thank you for your great review!