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You Shouldn't Be Here: A Novel Kindle Edition
Two strangers search for the truth behind bizarre occurrences no one else dares to discuss—only to discover that they’re connected by secrets that could destroy them both. A thrilling and twisty novel by the acclaimed author of the Mindy’s Book Studio pick I’ll Stop the World.
When sixteen-year-old Angie Stewart starts hearing a mysterious voice in her house, she’s thrilled at the possibility of a ghost. Finally, something interesting is happening in her boring hometown of East Henderson, Pennsylvania. But why is she the only one who can hear it? And what does it want from her?
Meanwhile, first-year teacher Madelyn Zhao just got the keys to her new home, which is located close to her job, within walking distance of a dog park—and, most importantly, in the town where her cousin went missing several years ago. No one in East Henderson wants to talk about what happened, but Madelyn is determined to find answers.
As the two strangers search for clues, their investigations begin to point toward the same dark place. But by the time they realize that the truth could be deadly, it’s too late to turn back. And someone out there will stop at nothing to make sure their secrets stay buried.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherThomas & Mercer
- Publication dateAugust 1, 2024
- File size4778 KB
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From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
You Shouldn’t Be Here
“An original and deftly crafted novel of murder, suspense and cover-up revealed…” —Midwest Book Review
“A hip, fresh, mind-bending mystery with characters you’ll love to pieces. Madelyn is incredibly real, and her clever sleuthing skills bring to mind a modern-day paranormal Nancy Drew—righting serious wrongs and bringing justice to the land. Not to mention she’s the perfect foil to the jaw-droppingly yummy Alex. Loved it!” —J. T. Ellison, New York Times bestselling author
“You Shouldn’t Be Here is the best kind of dual timeline story—where everything is connected, nothing is as it seems, and I never saw the final twist coming. Lauren Thoman’s latest is the perfect blend of authentic characters and page-turning mystery: unsettling, surprising, and deliciously satisfying.” —Jessica Strawser, USA Today bestselling author of The Last Caretaker
“You Shouldn’t Be Here will touch your heart in ways you could never expect. Thoman has created a charming but tense story that drew me in and wouldn’t let go. I was riveted from the first page.” —R. J. Jacobs, author of This Is How We End Things
I’ll Stop the World
“Lauren Thoman’s I’ll Stop the World is a whip-smart mystery with a vibrant cast of characters that gives off great eighties vibes. I was absolutely dazzled by this unputdownable genre-bending novel that’s equal parts coming-of-age suspense and an emotional tale of forgiveness and second chances.” —Mindy Kaling
“Thoman’s ambitious timeline of events is both expansive and compressed, with the storyline unfolding over the course of both one week and thirty-eight years, and her portrayal of teenagers in varying degrees of crisis is sympathetic. A novel look at strange (and stranger) things.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Thoman’s sweeping debut defies categorization. A multigenerational mystery, a compulsively readable love story, an intricately woven sci-fi—whatever it is, I’ll Stop the World is the mind-bendy time-travel eighties romp we all need right now. I’m obsessed with this book.” —David Arnold, New York Times bestselling author
“I’ll Stop the World layers mystery upon mystery, from the everyday secrets in the lives of teens coming of age in a small town now to the dark shock waves still radiating out from deaths that took place decades before. Lauren Thoman’s debut novel is a time-bending page-turner packed with twists no one will see coming. This is a story that continues to resonate long after you finish.” —Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author of Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds
“In this standout debut, Lauren Thoman takes the reader on a wild ride, deftly wrapping a coming-of-age story with a clever mystery, sprinkled with eighties nostalgia that’ll have you reaching for your Bubble Yum. As I tore through the pages, I fell in love with the cast of flawed and funny characters, who felt as real as the friends I grew up with. Best of all, Thoman delivers an impossibly satisfying ending in a way only the very best time-travel storytellers can. This one should go at the top of everyone’s must-read list!” —Brianna Labuskes, Wall Street Journal bestselling author
“A brilliant, thought-provoking page-turner that so deeply sucked me into a world of richly drawn characters and fast-paced action that I never wanted to leave.” —Sonali Dev, USA Today bestselling author of The Vibrant Years
“A page-turning, time-bending mystery full of heart. I’ll Stop the World gave me a chance to solve a cold crime from a refreshing new perspective. Lauren Thoman is an exciting new talent not to be missed!” —Kara Thomas, bestselling author of That Weekend and Out of the Ashes
From the Publisher
When Madelyn Zhao moves to smalltown Pennsylvania in search of her missing cousin, she uncovers far more than she bargained for. Her cousin isn’t the only person who’s gone missing here, and she’s determined to connect the crimes. In the same town, high-school senior Angie Stewart is hearing voices in her home. Great, a ghost—something to cut through the boredom of East Henderson life. But why is she the only one who can hear it?
As Madelyn and Angie dig into the secrets of their town, Thoman masterfully weaves their journeys—and the mystery—in a way that shocked me. Trust me, you don’t have this one figured out.
—Megha Parekh, Editor
About the Author
Lauren Thoman is the author of the Mindy’s Book Studio selection I’ll Stop the World. She lives outside Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, two children, a fluctuating number of rescue and foster dogs, and a somewhat alarming quantity of fish. Her pop culture writing has appeared in numerous online outlets including Parade and Vulture. When she’s not writing, she’s probably on the hunt for tacos or coffee, poking around her flower beds, or buried underneath a pile of dogs. For more information, visit laurenthomanwrites.com.
Product details
- ASIN : B0CL84R1VN
- Publisher : Thomas & Mercer (August 1, 2024)
- Publication date : August 1, 2024
- Language : English
- File size : 4778 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 381 pages
- Page numbers source ISBN : 1662517696
- Best Sellers Rank: #7,944 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #48 in Ghost Mysteries
- #99 in Mystery Romance
- #105 in Coming of Age Fiction (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Lauren Thoman writes speculative fiction for teens and adults. Her debut novel, I'll Stop the World, was selected for publication in 2023 by six-time Emmy nominee Mindy Kaling through her eponymous imprint, Mindy's Book Studio. Lauren's pop culture writing has also appeared in numerous online outlets including Parade and Vulture. Lauren lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two children in a house full of dogs and fish. When she's not writing, she's probably on the hunt for tacos or coffee, poking around her flowerbeds, or buried underneath a pile of dogs.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the storyline promising, with interesting twists and turns. They describe the book as a fun, enjoyable read with well-developed characters. However, some readers find the pronouns confusing and hard to follow. Opinions are mixed on the grammar and pacing, with some finding it extraordinary and easy to read, while others say it's bad and foul language.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the plot of the story complicated. They say it's an incredible thriller with enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. Readers also mention the romance in the storyline is acceptable and meaningful to the suspense.
"...I loved the characters, the friendships, the twists, and secrets...." Read more
"...The basic story is promising, and the characters are well developed, Alex\Bas the exception. The disappearances of Angie and her dad, Piper's..." Read more
"Just finished Lauren Thoman’s "You Shouldn’t Be Here," a gripping psychological thriller / murder mystery/ ghost story that keeps you guessing until..." Read more
"...The plot itsself is good but as a reader, i had suspicians of the twists long before they were revealed...." Read more
Customers find the book fun, enjoyable, and interesting. They describe it as a delightful, well-paced mystery with solid twists. Readers also mention it's a quick and exciting read.
"I really enjoyed the story line and the characters. It was entertaining and I was always ready to get back to the book...." Read more
"...The way the author brought both perspectives together was seamless and exciting. I loved the characters, the friendships, the twists, and secrets...." Read more
"Let me 1st explain that this is a terrific young adult book, but perhaps less so for the average mystery reading adult like myself...." Read more
"...Beyond my personal attachments, this book was fast paced, engaging, and played with a small aspect of science fiction...." Read more
Customers find the characters well-drawn and realistic. They also say the storyline is interesting.
"I really enjoyed the story line and the characters. It was entertaining and I was always ready to get back to the book...." Read more
"...I loved the characters, the friendships, the twists, and secrets...." Read more
"...The basic story is promising, and the characters are well developed, Alex\Bas the exception. The disappearances of Angie and her dad, Piper's..." Read more
"...who the bad guy was pretty much from the beginning and his character was very cliche and one dimensional...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the grammar of the book. Some mention it's well-written and easy to read, while others say it has foul language, confusing pronouns, and a fair amount of profanity.
"...The writing was great. It's a fast-paced, dual pov. The way the author brought both perspectives together was seamless and exciting...." Read more
"...I have an open mind — but I’m sorry — to me it is just bad grammar — and I keep waiting for what “they” was being referred to...." Read more
"...Strong character development, strong dialogue, and emotionally complex all around...." Read more
"...which bogged things down for this male reader. Reading also became cumbersome when plural pronouns were suddenly used for one individual..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book. Some mention it gets to the point quickly and holds their interest. Others say it becomes annoying and tiresome.
"...But it's confusing and disruptive to the reading flow to suddenly encounter they/them/their throughout a paragraph where, with traditional grammar,..." Read more
"...The writing was great. It's a fast-paced, dual pov. The way the author brought both perspectives together was seamless and exciting...." Read more
"...The love story aspect of the book seems very banal. The decisions made by Madeline and Alex seem very reckless...." Read more
"...Lol.Beyond my personal attachments, this book was fast paced, engaging, and played with a small aspect of science fiction...." Read more
Customers find the book confusing, hard to follow, and not complex. They also say the final showdown is too simple for an antagonist who had spent years doing as he did. Readers mention that the beginning is reprehensible but predictable. They say some situations seem too involved, coincidental, or unbelievable.
"...It made the story confusing and I had to keep correcting it in my head.Could also have totally done without the Trump reference. Really?..." Read more
"...the villain is known from the beginning, reprehensible but cliched and predictable, which does detract from the suspense...." Read more
"...This author has a way of grasping my attention and keeping me guessing...." Read more
"...A number of situations seemed too involved, coincidental or unbelievable...." Read more
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However - I really disliked the “pronoun” issue. I have an open mind — but I’m sorry — to me it is just bad grammar — and I keep waiting for what “they” was being referred to. It made the story confusing and I had to keep correcting it in my head.
Could also have totally done without the Trump reference. Really? I get enough of that on a daily basis — don’t need it in my relaxation time.
So I would probably avoid Lauren Thoman books in the future because of those two things.
Sorry.
This was my second book by Thoman, and just like the other book, I read this in one sitting! This author has a way of grasping my attention and keeping me guessing. I truly had no idea how this book was going to end, and I was so pleased.
The writing was great. It's a fast-paced, dual pov. The way the author brought both perspectives together was seamless and exciting. I loved the characters, the friendships, the twists, and secrets. I especially enjoyed reading (or rage reading) the quotes at the start of each chapter from a particular character. Absolutely recommend!!!
The disappearances of Angie and her dad, Piper's disappearance prompting the investigation by Madeline 2 years later, and the sudden use of plural pronouns when referring to Syzygy was all confusing. When the timelines are introduced showing that Madeline was the "ghost" that Angie heard even though Madeline didn't arrive on the scene until 10 years later was about 3 too many literary licenses to hold this story. While it was nice to see some justice to the Bad Guy, he didn't receive nearly what I felt he deserved even though there were only two scenes that actually convinced us that he was a bad guy; I would have liked a little more "bad," and a little less fearful small town gossip.
The last chapter made me feel that I wad caught in a basement with other teens, the lights are low, the music is soft, and every couple is wondering if this night will finally end the way they dreamed.
The pacing keeps the tension and the momentum building. The main characters are well-developed, and the protagonist's internal struggles add depth to the story. Unfortunately, the villain is known from the beginning, reprehensible but cliched and predictable, which does detract from the suspense. Also, the author's political views work their way into the characters and dialogue but don't seem to add to the narrative.
At times, I felt this to be a book geared for a younger reader. I only later discovered that the author is a young adult genre writer. Despite this, "You Shouldn’t Be Here" delivers an edge-of-your-sea, page-turner read with enough suspense to keep you hooked. A plus with the setting near Philadelphia, which brings along a few Wawa, Phillies, and Eagles references.
Check it out
Beyond my personal attachments, this book was fast paced, engaging, and played with a small aspect of science fiction. The blurbs at the beginning of every chapter were an inventive way to provide character development, especially of our most unsavory character, Doug Raymond.
The plot itsself is good but as a reader, i had suspicians of the twists long before they were revealed. I enjoyed the development of romantic vs. friend relationships that shapes the movement of this story.
Would I recommend this book to anyone? Definitely an 8 or 9 out of 10 for me!